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Canoe
and Mount Robson 1 |
The little village of Valemount
is a community steeped in fur-trader and railway history. Dating back to the arrival
of European traders in 1805, this community has experienced the arrival of the
Overlanders, a group of adventurers who were seeking the fortune of gold, two
great railroads and the creation of a Canadian Pacific Railway station in 1914.
Since those railway days, Valemount has become a town that thrives on a tourism
industry that attracts travellers hoping for a wilderness escape and a little
laid-back time. Sitting on unspoiled land, and surrounded by forest and mountain
scenery, this is a community focused on outdoor adventure ranging from skiing
and hiking
to fishing
and rafting.
Valemount is located at
the junction of three mountain ranges. Bordering this little town on the east
is the Rocky Mountains,
on the south the Monashee Range and to the west the Cariboo Mountains. Located
to the northwest of the town is the 3,054 m (10,020 ft) high Mount
Robson, the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains. All this provides visitors
to the alpine community with a plethora of outdoor activities and attractions
to enjoy.
From cozy B&Bs
to tent and RV camping,
Valemount accommodations also cater to a wide range of tastes, from those looking
for private chalets to those hoping for a true Canadian wilderness experience.
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide can help vacationers make informed decisions when
finding suitable lodging in the Valemount area with these useful accommodation
links:
- Accommodation
Directory - This is a complete Valemount accommodation directory containing
detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds and more. With links
to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed
to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.
- Secure
Room Reservations - Check for Valemount room availability and then
make secure online room reservations for participating properties with this
convenient link.
- Maps
- The Valemount map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only
indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation
to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.
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Mountain
River Lodge 2 |
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TRANSPORTATION
Valemount is located in
the northern part of the Thompson
Okanagan region of British
Columbia, west of the Alberta-BC
border, and about 120 km (75 mi) east of the Jasper
Townsite. Those driving from Jasper will need to head west along Highway
16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway. For a scenic and relaxing
way to travel into Valemount, visitors may ride to town on a VIA
Rail train. Trains arrive from Vancouver
and Edmonton, and depart
from Valemount several days a week. For those who are arriving by plane, the
nearest commercial airport
is located in Prince George,
approximately 290 km (180 mi) northwest of Valemount. From there, visitors will
need to drive east along Highway 16. Other airports include the Edmonton
International Airport and the Vancouver
International Airport. Edmonton is about 487 km (303 mi) east of Valemount
while Vancouver is 669 km (416 mi) west. These two major cities also provide
Greyhound
bus service into Valemount.
CLIMATE
With a little over 1,530
hours of sunshine a year, Valemount grants its residents and visitors with a
mild climate throughout both the summer and winter seasons. At the peak of winter,
the village reaches a minimum daily average of -15ºC (5ºF), with an annual snowfall
of about 180 cm (71 in). In the summer, temperatures usually reach a maximum
average of 24ºC (75ºF), with an annual rainfall of about 32 cm (13 in).
When visiting in the summer,
travellers will find activities such as golfing, trail riding and rafting. In
addition, each August visitors can observe a massive salmon migration along
the Fraser
River into Swift
Creek. Those arriving during the winter season will find snowmobiling,
cross-country
skiing and access to heli-skiing
in the surrounding mountain ranges.
ACCOMMODATIONS
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Flowers
by Berg Lake 3 |
Because the entire village
of Valemount only covers an area of about 4 sq km (1.5 sq mi), visitors to this
mountain community will usually be within easy access to all the town's amenities,
no matter where they choose to stay. The town offers numerous options, including
hotels and motels,
bed and
breakfasts, vacation
home rentals, cabins,
chalets
and cottages.
Campgrounds
Several campgrounds
are available in the Valemount area. These are usually located just outside
town, near Mount
Robson Provincial Park, which is about 25 km (15 mi) away. Campgrounds
are a great alternative for those wanting to have easy access to the tallest
mountain in the Canadian Rockies, while still being within reach of town amenities.
Valemount's campgrounds include tenting sites as well as RV pads.
Cabins, Chalets or Cottages
Those looking for an alternative to camping can opt to stay at a cabin, chalet
or cottage. These accommodations are usually self-contained and are often located
near Mount Robson. Many are also found on private and natural land, surrounded
by Thompson Okanagan wilderness. This type of lodging is ideal for those wanting
to spend time enjoying outdoor activities such as rafting,
hiking
and horseback
riding. Places such as Mica
Mountain Lodge offer comfortable lodging while allowing guests to immerse
themselves in nature. Cabins at this property are also unique because they are
at least 76 m (250 ft) from one another, resulting in quiet and privacy. They
also come with full amenities such as a fully-equipped kitchen and three-piece
bath.
Bed and Breakfasts
Those searching for an intimate and friendly stay in the village may choose
one of Valemount's bed and breakfasts. The majority of these B&Bs are either
located directly in town or within a short drive, resulting in direct access
to Valemount services and amenities. All B&Bs also include a full or continental
breakfast. Many of these, such as the Mountain
River Lodge Bed and Breakfast, are lodge-style homes that are set in
very quiet and natural surroundings. Mountain River Lodge Bed and Breakfast
is located in a similar setting and is within reach of many trails that are
ideal for hiking. The property also features two fully-equipped, private cabins
that are available to vacationers.
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The
Dream Catcher Inn 4 |
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Hotels and Motels
Visitors to the village will find a few hotels and motels from which to choose.
Valemount hotels and motels feature amenities such as several room and suite
options, air conditioning and close proximity to town services, shops
and restaurants.
The Best
Western Valemount Inn and Suites is one option.The hotel features a
swimming pool, a fitness centre and suites that overlook the Robert
W. Staratt Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition, it is conveniently located
just off the Yellowhead Highway. Another alternative is the Premier
Mountain Lodge and Suites, which is also situated off the highway. Those
looking for locally-owned lodging will find that many of Valemount's hotels
and motels are family-operated properties.
Other
A few other choices are available in Valemount and the surrounding area. The
Dream Catcher Inn, a smaller alternative to the larger hotels and motels,
provides the comforts of a hotel but in a more intimate setting. Other options
include vacation home rentals, which are fully-furnished homes available to
be rented throughout the year.
PHOTO COURTESY
- Canoe and Mount
Robson; Mount Rosbon Provincial Park, BC, CA
- c/o Mountain
River Lodge Bed & Breakfast; Mountain River Lodge; Valemount, BC,
CA
- Alan Fortune;
c/o Thompson Okanagan Tourism Associatio; Flowers by Berg Lake; Valemount,
BC, CA
- c/o Dream Catcher
Inn; The Dream Catcher Inn; Valemount, BC, CA
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