8 Most Eccentric Towns In British Columbia

British Columbia is a quirky place. This, the westernmost Canadian province, stands out from the rest of the country in terms of its climate, culture, and aesthetic. Flanked by the Rocky Mountains in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west, with temperate rainforest, semi-arid zone, and even subarctic ecosystems in between, it's the type of place in which you can potentially ski, surf, and hike the same day. Given this range in conditions and recreation, the types of people who tend to live in (and visit) BC are equally as eclectic. Ultimately, the vibe is one of adventure, curiosity, creativity, and joy. As a former Calgarian, I benefited from many excursions into British Columbia. These are some of my favorite, quirky towns I've discovered along the way.

Invermere

Before my travel-writing days, I was a rep for a running shoe company tasked with servicing the mom n' pop shops within reach of Calgary. This mission regularly brought me to Invermere. Unlike some business-as-usual spots, the owners of the local sports store would sit down for a pint on the patio, insist that I stay with them, and take me out on full-throttle trail runs. The thing is, with each subsequent visit, I started to notice that most people in Invermere had these fun-loving, laid-back, and communal sensibilities about them. In the summer, they welcome paddlers and sun-bathers to the north shore of Windermere Lake, mountain bikers to their Columbia Valley trail systems, and shoppers to their sunny commercial stretch along 7th Ave (which often sprouts outdoor markets, vendors, and small-scale events). And in the winter, the town shovels out the longest skating path in the world (ratified by Guinness World Records): the 34-kilometer "Whiteway," which loops around the inside of the aforementioned (but now frozen-over) lake.

Radium Hot Springs

Just north of Invermere, Radium Hot Springs is another cool spot to check out in the Columbia Valley region. Sitting at Highway 95 and the Banff-bound Kootenay Highway (Hwy 93), this village makes for a wonderful entry or conclusion to (depending on your direction of flow) the East Kootenays, aka the "warm side of the Rockies." Radium's marquee attraction is its series of artificial pools that harness the geothermal power of the mountainous region. Relax into the slightly sulphurous steam, practice your cold plunge masochism, or simply splash around in the regular swimming pool. Next, select which of the European-esque motels (with their balcony-lined flower beds) before settling into a plate of schnitzel and a stein at the Austrian-themed Old Salzburg Restaurant. Another block up, and you'll emerge into the core of town, which is all about ice cream, candy, pizza, and coffee. And just another stone's throw away, golf and ziplines await.

Fairmont Hot Springs

Speaking of spa towns near Invermere, Fairmont Hot Springs (just minutes away to the south along the Kootenay Highway) is another place to plunk down for a while. Its own set of namesake pools draws the year-round crowds, but its nearby natural hot springs up the ante even more. The first is a short hike away from the formal resort, whereas the not-so-secret but still local favorite cluster, the Lussier Creek Hot Springs, awaits down the Whiteswan Lake Forest Service Road. When you turn pruny and need a reset, consider hitting up the Mineral Mountain Ziplines, the bumper cars and mini-golf at Funtasia, the ski resort (if it's wintertime, obviously), or grab a fire oven pizza at From Scratch (their breakfast is awesome too). Fairmont also delivers in terms of accommodations. My girlfriend and I always like to rent one of the (surprisingly affordable) mountain bungalows.

Fernie

Fernie is another interior mountain town that is as fun as it is gorgeous. Situated on the Elk River, at the base of Mount Fernie Provincial Park and the Fernie Alpine Resort, this small city is all about vertical exploits, be it skiing, mountain biking, or hiking (personally, I love the Castle Rocks trail on the east side of the valley and Mount Fernie on the west). But Fernie knows how to kick back, too. Sun seekers congregate on the river for a picnic and swim (in the natural pools that form outside the steady current) or share the day's adventures over a pint at Fernie Brewing Company. In the heart of town, Fernie's Main Street (i.e. 2nd Ave) looks like that of a modernized frontier town. The red and sandstone brick buildings house bookstores, coffee shops, organic grocers, outdoorsy outlets and the like.

Tofino

Nestled on the secluded Esowista Peninsula of western Vancouver Island, Tofino has two faces. On the one hand, this oceanfront district appeals to affluent vacationers looking to hunker down in a cozy lodge, indulge in some fine dining, take a whale-watching tour, and maybe hit the spa or a yoga class. At the same time, Tofino's wild yet serene beaches attract surfers, paddlers, and car campers looking to lap up a bit of that pura vida. Depending on the tides, these salty-haired travelers may also be drawn to the patios of the casual eateries and cafes or the palate-cleansing selections at the local brewery or distillery, but will always return to the coast for one of Canada's best sunsets. The only thing better might be the misty mornings that follow when frisbees are thrown across flat beaches to elated canines while the rest of the granola crowd does up/down dog to the rhythm of the waves.

Kaslo

Little old Kaslo hides in the West Kootenays, on the west side of the northern third of the long, slim Kootenay Lake. With just over 1,000 Kaslovians, the village is able to scooch itself into a few square commercial blocks and a few square residential. So, simply pick a side and start exploring. If you grab a site over at the lakeside Kaslo Village Campground, then begin by visiting the SS Moyie National Historic Site, where you'll find the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world. This stalwart steamboat shuttled miners, farmers, and pioneers all along the Kootenay waterway beginning in 1898. And I must say, the anachronist vessel looks pretty neat on the shoreline. If, on the other hand, you are staying at the Victorian-style Kaslo Hotel, then stroll down to the Kaslo River Trail, where a beautiful, red, Japanese-inspired covered bridge whisks hikers into the lush, moss-ladened, forest on a gentle dirt path. Look for the little garden gnomes that, one way or another, found their way out there. Either way, end up by meeting the nice, quirky folks who live and work in the gaps between, throughout the businesses of Front Street.

Nelson

Bopping down from Kaslo to the moderate-sized city of Nelson introduces motorists to the northernmost segment of the 450-kilometer (280-mile) International Selkirk Loop - a wild and scenic road trip through not only the West Kootenay portion of British Columbia but also some of the coolest towns in the Idaho Panhandle, and the Washington communities that border Colville National Forest. Just don't rush out of Nelson too quickly. Plunked on the east bank of the Kootenay River and surrounded by the verdant Selkirk Mountains (upon which the Whitewater Ski Resort sprawl), this outdoor recreation hub proudly grabs the torch from its fellow fit interior town. At the heart of it all, Nelson delivers a vibrant downtown, which boasts a higher per capita selection of restaurants and cafes than San Francisco. If the formal spots don't scratch your quirky itch, scout around for the alternative artsy crowd who may be gathered in the grass or on the river beaches beneath the Big Orange Bridge of Rotary Lakeside Park, busking in the streets, or congregated at the latest Moonflower Collective (by member invite only).

Nakusp

Let's end full circle back at a lakeside mountain town speckled with hot springs. The village of Nakusp sits on the east side of the pure, crisp, and, once again, quite lengthy Arrow Lake. A serene boardwalk picks up at the historic Leland Hotel (built in 1892, with 21 rooms still operating) and follows the terrestrial town border to the sandy municipal beach, welcoming municipal campground, and sizable recreation park complete with an enshrined Canadian Pacific Rail car (part of the Nakusp Rail Society museum). Next, branch out from downtown toward the geothermal gems. Take the short drive out (or, if you're feeling zesty, hike the Kuskanax Creek Trail) to the Nakusp Hot Springs spa and campground. Or, if you're on the hunt for a more authentic immersion and have a little more time to spare, head north on 23 until reaching the turn-off for Halfway Hot Springs - a series of riverside natural pools with no more infrastructure than a blazed trail and a wooden changing room.

Parting Thoughts

British Columbia has epic mountains, beautiful coastlines, and unique climate bubbles plunked throughout. Even better, these eight towns that scatter this diverse landscape take full advantage of its outdoor recreation bounties, as well as the weather that the rest of us Canadians covet. Whether its mountain bikers zipping down a forested trail, organic farmers at a pop-up street market, hippies selling artisanal soaps out of their cutesy stores, or everyday Joes and Janes enjoying live music at the local watering hole, BC always brings a bit of zest, a bit of benevolence, and undeniably, a bit of quirk.