Dining in BC's Rockies
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for BC's Rockies, British Columbia.
Largely considered one of the most gorgeous natural areas in Canada, the Canadian Rockies offer world-class hotels, activities, attractions and dining. But there's more to the Rockies than just Banff and Jasper—the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia are just as stunning and exhilarating, while providing a more charming and less touristy visitor experience. Towns and cities like Revelstoke, Golden, Kimberley and Fernie can certainly give their Alberta neighbours a run for their money, especially for visitors who are willing to venture just a bit farther into the expansive and breathtaking Canadian wilderness. Food lovers travelling in BC's Rockies will have no trouble finding tasty, unique and gourmet dining options, but they'll have to bypass a number of fast-food establishments along the way.
ALONG HIGHWAY 1
Undoubtedly the most traversed route in the Canadian Rockies is the Trans-Canada Highway, which links the prairies to the coast. A trip through BC along this scenic route takes visitors through a number of charming towns, most notably Field, Golden and Revelstoke.
Field, the smallest municipality of the three, is a little oasis amidst the towering peaks of Yoho National Park. With only 300 residents, the town escapes the influence of commercial chain restaurants and fast food joints—instead, a few independent cafes and bistros line the streets of Field. Visitors looking for a more formal dining experience can head to one of the nearby resorts, where fine restaurants welcome not only resort guests.
Farther west of Field is the town of Golden, a busy hub intersected by the mighty and exhilarating Kicking Horse River. As the closest town to the popular Kicking Horse Ski Resort, Golden is a spot where many tourists congregate. Along the main highway, several fast-food and chain restaurants will catch the eye of passersby, but it's worth venturing a little farther into the town centre to try some of the local offerings. Several independent restaurants offer a distinctive taste of both the local area and—with dining options like sushi, Indian and Italian—cuisines from around the globe.
Another 100 or so kilometres from Golden is Revelstoke, a hidden gem of the Rockies that lies on the banks of the extensive Columbia River. Just as with Golden, Revelstoke's highway is lined with chain restaurants and drive-throughs but the town centre offers a much more diverse taste of the town. A few ethnic restaurants offer diners a global sampling of tastes, but the most popular type of establishment here is the modern pub, of which there are several incarnations within the town centre. They make an ideal place to unwind after a tough day on the notoriously long slopes of Revelstoke Mountain Resort Ski Hill.
THE EAST KOOTENAYS
On the edge of the stunning Kootenay mountain range is Cranbrook, a small city of nearly 30,000 people. As one of the largest metro areas in the Rockies, Cranbrook offers a wide selection of dining options, with everything from chain restaurants to independent diner-style eateries lining the streets of the downtown area. Cranbrook also offers a handful of fine dining restaurants at some of the resorts and casinos in the area.
But for a more unique dining experience, travellers should definitely hit the highway and take the 20-minute drive to Kimberley, a Bavarian-style town that's a little off the beaten path. The area known as the Platzl is essentially considered the heart of town, and a stroll along this charming street will make visitors feel as if they've wandered onto the set of The Sound of Music. Here, German and other European-inspired restaurants of both the casual and fine persuasion dominate the dining landscape, as well as a number of family-style restaurants. Kimberley is also home to a popular ski hill, and a journey up to the mountain resort will uncover even more dining choices.
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY
The area known as the Columbia Valley straddles popular Lake Windermere and is made up of five main towns: Invermere, Windermere, Panorama, Radium and Fairmont. Invermere - Windermere is considered the central hub of the area and offers a number of interesting and unique restaurant choices, all while retaining its small-town charm. Invermere boasts some of the finest restaurants in the region, making it a must-visit for food snobs. Consisting of holiday homes and lakeside cottages, nearby Windermere provides a few family-style restaurants and take-out choices.
Panorama, dominated by the popular Panorama Mountain Village ski hill and year-round resort, offers both activities and restaurant options any time of year. However, most eateries are part of the many hotels and golf courses that draw visitors to the area, so independent cafes are best found in Invermere.
The Columbia Valley is also home to two popular hot spring towns that are a big draw for tourists year round. The red rocks of Radium Hot Springs give rise not just to the warm waters of the springs, but a number of hotels and restaurants as well. Family-style eateries are prominent in this vacation spot, which also offers a few pubs and European restaurants. Down the highway in the popular resort town of Fairmont Hot Springs, a dozen or so dining options are available, providing mainly North American-style dishes.
FERNIE & AREA
Once a simple, small mountain town, Fernie has become a flashy tourist destination filled with lush resorts and world-class dining options. In fact, this town of just over 6,000 people offers arguably some of the best restaurants in BC, with a couple of popular eateries boasting national awards to their name. The many hotels of the area offer some of the more expensive options, while the centre of town has unique, independent dining choices such as cafes, diners and ethnic restaurants. As well, a number of lively pubs are a big draw for tourists in the area, particularly after a day of enjoying the snow or grassy landscape of the Fernie Alpine Resort.
Those looking to visit somewhere a little off the beaten path might want to head east towards Sparwood. Cafes and neighbourhood pubs have a definite small-town feel in this tiny municipality.
ALONG HIGHWAY 1
Undoubtedly the most traversed route in the Canadian Rockies is the Trans-Canada Highway, which links the prairies to the coast. A trip through BC along this scenic route takes visitors through a number of charming towns, most notably Field, Golden and Revelstoke.
Field, the smallest municipality of the three, is a little oasis amidst the towering peaks of Yoho National Park. With only 300 residents, the town escapes the influence of commercial chain restaurants and fast food joints—instead, a few independent cafes and bistros line the streets of Field. Visitors looking for a more formal dining experience can head to one of the nearby resorts, where fine restaurants welcome not only resort guests.
Farther west of Field is the town of Golden, a busy hub intersected by the mighty and exhilarating Kicking Horse River. As the closest town to the popular Kicking Horse Ski Resort, Golden is a spot where many tourists congregate. Along the main highway, several fast-food and chain restaurants will catch the eye of passersby, but it's worth venturing a little farther into the town centre to try some of the local offerings. Several independent restaurants offer a distinctive taste of both the local area and—with dining options like sushi, Indian and Italian—cuisines from around the globe.
Another 100 or so kilometres from Golden is Revelstoke, a hidden gem of the Rockies that lies on the banks of the extensive Columbia River. Just as with Golden, Revelstoke's highway is lined with chain restaurants and drive-throughs but the town centre offers a much more diverse taste of the town. A few ethnic restaurants offer diners a global sampling of tastes, but the most popular type of establishment here is the modern pub, of which there are several incarnations within the town centre. They make an ideal place to unwind after a tough day on the notoriously long slopes of Revelstoke Mountain Resort Ski Hill.
THE EAST KOOTENAYS
On the edge of the stunning Kootenay mountain range is Cranbrook, a small city of nearly 30,000 people. As one of the largest metro areas in the Rockies, Cranbrook offers a wide selection of dining options, with everything from chain restaurants to independent diner-style eateries lining the streets of the downtown area. Cranbrook also offers a handful of fine dining restaurants at some of the resorts and casinos in the area.
But for a more unique dining experience, travellers should definitely hit the highway and take the 20-minute drive to Kimberley, a Bavarian-style town that's a little off the beaten path. The area known as the Platzl is essentially considered the heart of town, and a stroll along this charming street will make visitors feel as if they've wandered onto the set of The Sound of Music. Here, German and other European-inspired restaurants of both the casual and fine persuasion dominate the dining landscape, as well as a number of family-style restaurants. Kimberley is also home to a popular ski hill, and a journey up to the mountain resort will uncover even more dining choices.
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY
The area known as the Columbia Valley straddles popular Lake Windermere and is made up of five main towns: Invermere, Windermere, Panorama, Radium and Fairmont. Invermere - Windermere is considered the central hub of the area and offers a number of interesting and unique restaurant choices, all while retaining its small-town charm. Invermere boasts some of the finest restaurants in the region, making it a must-visit for food snobs. Consisting of holiday homes and lakeside cottages, nearby Windermere provides a few family-style restaurants and take-out choices.
Panorama, dominated by the popular Panorama Mountain Village ski hill and year-round resort, offers both activities and restaurant options any time of year. However, most eateries are part of the many hotels and golf courses that draw visitors to the area, so independent cafes are best found in Invermere.
The Columbia Valley is also home to two popular hot spring towns that are a big draw for tourists year round. The red rocks of Radium Hot Springs give rise not just to the warm waters of the springs, but a number of hotels and restaurants as well. Family-style eateries are prominent in this vacation spot, which also offers a few pubs and European restaurants. Down the highway in the popular resort town of Fairmont Hot Springs, a dozen or so dining options are available, providing mainly North American-style dishes.
FERNIE & AREA
Once a simple, small mountain town, Fernie has become a flashy tourist destination filled with lush resorts and world-class dining options. In fact, this town of just over 6,000 people offers arguably some of the best restaurants in BC, with a couple of popular eateries boasting national awards to their name. The many hotels of the area offer some of the more expensive options, while the centre of town has unique, independent dining choices such as cafes, diners and ethnic restaurants. As well, a number of lively pubs are a big draw for tourists in the area, particularly after a day of enjoying the snow or grassy landscape of the Fernie Alpine Resort.
Those looking to visit somewhere a little off the beaten path might want to head east towards Sparwood. Cafes and neighbourhood pubs have a definite small-town feel in this tiny municipality.
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