It Takes a valley
Riding bikes to the beach after school, summer jobs at the ice cream shop, and skiing Friday afternoons because school is out at 1:00pm. Life is good for kids in the Columbia Valley. Life is lived outside, like we remember it. In fact, Radium Hot Springs is home to Canada’s only year-round, outdoor swim club. From taking care of our toddlers to celebrating them at graduation, the Columbia Valley shows up for our youth.
Education starts early with several highly qualified childcare centres in the Columbia Valley. With the growing need for childcare, two new centres have opened in recent years. Headwaters Academy in Canal Flats in 2023. In 2026, School District #6 in partnership with Windermere Valley Childcare Society secured funding from the Columbia Basin Trust and an additional $9 million from the province to open the new Rocky Mountain Childcare Facility. Located right next to the primary school in Invermere, it has 24 infant toddler spaces, 100 spaces for 30 months to school age, and 24 space for school-age children.
Rocky Mountain Childcare
The new centres have been well received by both early childhood educators, and even more so by parents. Throughout the valley you will find childcare to meet your needs, from larger centres to home based care, and speciality supports.
“I’m lucky to have such amazing access to the arts here in Invermere. The wide variety of performance programs has allowed me to broaden my horizons, not to mention they’re all genuinely really fun. Singing, Piano, Guitar, Band, many theater programs, and honestly so much more I just haven’t been able to experience yet.”
Martin Morgeau Elementary School, Canal Flats
Once in school, kids can attend the early years in communities throughout the Columbia Valley. From north to south; there is Edgewater Elementary (K-7), Eileen Madson Primary (K-3) and J.A. Laird (4-7) in Invermere, Windermere Elementary (K-7) in Windermere, and Martin Morgeau (K-7) in Canal Flats. In grade 8, Columbia Valley kids graduate to David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere to finish for their high school education. For information on schools in the area, visit www.sd6.bc.ca.
Outside of school the activities are endless. Multiple ski and snowboard clubs at both Fairmont Resort and Panorama Mountain Resort. If you prefer the flat(ish), Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club might be your place. Lakes used for swimming, paddling, and fishing in summer become meccas for skating, snowmobiling, and ice fishing in the winter. Like every Canadian town, we have hockey.
Freestyle Panorama Ski Club
Columbia Valley Swim Club at Radium Hot Springs
There is also plenty of non-sport activity. The Columbia Valley Youth Hub in Invermere is open for kids drop in, gaming, snacks, and general hanging out. They also operate in Edgewater and Canal Flats on a rotating schedule. The Columbia Valley Youth Network provides programming throughout the region where kids 12-18 can enjoy activities such as zip lining, cookie decorating, mini golf, and so much more!
“Growing up in Invermere gave my brother and sister and I a wide range of unique meaningful experiences that no other community could offer. Our year-round access to world class outdoor recreation paired with opportunities to be apart of school run programs such as outdoor education and Saddle Academy (a hands-on equestrian program) make Invermere stand out in terms of blending experiential and academic learning. The highlight for me was the ability to pursue my passion for freestyle skiing by being on the snow 4 days per week between the DTSS ski team, Team Panorama Freestyle, and school half days on Fridays, while balancing a full academic course load. ”
Grand March celebrating the class of 2026
High school graduation is a big celebration in Invermere. Every year, people line main street Invermere and celebrate the graduating class as they walk down the street to their graduation dinner. The Grand March is a favourite event for many. We as a community have watched these kids grow into amazing adults. We can’t wait to see them explore the world, and, hopefully move back to the area they grew up.
They say raising kids takes a village, here, we say it takes a valley.