Celebrating 50 years

During the 50th anniversary year of Fairmont Hot Spring Resort, it is offering special events and reduced rates for visitors

1 of 7Here Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C., is at the peak of its summer beauty. — Photo courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

2 of 7Riverside Golf Course at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has a backdrop of mountain scenery. — Photo courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

3 of 7The Columbia Valley is home to rich wetlands that can be explored near Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. — Photo courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

4 of 7Horseback riding is a popular activity at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. — Photo courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

5 of 7A guide points out features of the landscape to these hikers at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. — Photo courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

6 of 7These canoeists had an exhilarating paddle on the Columbia River near Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. — Photo courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

7 of 7The warm mineral pools at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort are sweet smelling and family friendly. — Photo courtesy Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

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The mineral springs at what is now Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in southeastern British Columbia might have been discovered sooner if they emitted the typical sulfurous odour that announces the presence of many mineral hot springs. These waters, however, are sweet smelling, and were only discovered by European explorers in the 1800s.

A history in brief

George Geary, an Englishman whose extensive holdings included the hot springs, was the first homesteader in the area. He sold the property after owning it for only a year, to U.S.-born Sam Brewer in 1888. Brewer held the property until the early 1900s, when he sold it to W. Heap Holland, another Englishman. The hot springs and surrounding area were owned and operated as a ranch and resort by the Holland family for a couple of generations.

In 1957 the operation was purchased by Saskatchewan brothers Earl and Lloyd Wilder and a group of businessmen from nearby Invermere, B.C. In 1964 the Wilders built the 20-unit Juniper Ridge Motel—positioning it beside the two new pools that had been constructed—at a cost of about $250,000. Soon after, Lloyd Wilder became the sole owner of the property, and it was he and his heirs who developed the area into a tourist attraction over the next 40 years.

In 2006, Ontario-based Ken Fowler Enterprises bought Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, expanding its holdings the next year to include Riverside Golf Course. Other expansions and upgrades have followed, including the construction of Mountainside Ridge, a townhouse development.

“Many upgrades have been completed since 2006,” said Andi Dzilums, spokesperson for FHSR. “We have updated amenities at the resort, including renovation of all our conference rooms, redesigning our Bears Paw Bar and Grill, and building a spectacular wedding platform that overlooks the Columbia Valley and caters to our increased wedding business. We have further developed our ski hill into one of the premier learning centres in Western Canada by introducing new terrain park features and accessible beginner terrain.”

Dzilums suggested that visitors join one of the professionally guided history tours to learn more about the past of Fairmont Hot Springs from European settlement to present day.

Celebrating with its guests

In celebration of its 50th anniversary—dated from the building of the Juniper Ridge Motel—Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is featuring a ’60s theme this year.

“We are celebrating our 50th throughout the year,” said Dzilums. “In March, we offered $50-room nights, and we themed our menus for the 1960s—1964, specifically—touching on personalities and events that were popular at that time. The event was a resort-wide experience and our team had a great time interacting with our guests. In the fall we will be offering another $50-room event, as it was extremely popular. It is amazing to see all the new and returning guests celebrating our 50th year.”

There are lots of specials planned for the summer season, including 1960s-themed weekends, with ’60s-style music and period costumes for the staff. The resort also offers some attractive packages for visitors: stay-and-play for golfers, romance in the Rockies for couples, wine retreats, bed-and-breakfast packages and yoga retreats. Activities available include kayaking, horseback riding, golf and swim lessons and daily kids’ camps, in addition to the pleasures of the mineral pools and the restaurants—a variety of options and amenities to please every guest.