You name the mountain adventure and Valemount has it. Those with a passion for hiking and mountain biking head to nearby
Mount Robson Provincial Park, where world-class trails lead to spectacular views. The park is home to Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Heli-hiking and tours leave from Valemount as well, either to drop climbers and their guides into otherwise inaccessible backcountry, or to take visitors on a soaring sightseeing trip of the area. ATV rentals and tours are available for those who want to venture by machine into the surrounding hills. Horseback riding is another popular pursuit in the area, from flat trails to ridge riding.
For those who prefer the challenge of the greens, there are two nine-hole golf courses just minutes from the town. Visitors seeking a gentle outdoors experience are always delighted by the Spittal Creek Interpretive Forest, with its two, self-guided, ambling trails that wind through Douglas-fir, white spruce, black cottonwood and western redcedar trees.
Valemount's history can be explored in the Valemount and Area Museum, where exhibits depict the lives of the area's settlers. Visitors learn about the role Valemount played during gold rushes, fur trading and the construction of Canada's national railway in the early part of the 20th century. There are also pictures and artifacts of Tete Jaune Cache, once a thriving community of 10,000 located 19 km (12 mi) north of Valemount and now just a memory.
A number of talented artists and artisans live in the area, specializing in pottery and wood carvings. Their work is on display in various locations throughout the town.
Valemount is surrounded by spectacular provincial and regional parks. Probably the most renowned is
Mount Robson Provincial Park, a World Heritage Site and home to Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Here, world-class hiking and mountain-biking trails for people of all experiences abound.
Those who prefer less vigorous hiking often head to George Hicks Regional Park. In August, the park is one of the prime locations for watching spawning chinook salmon, with interpretive signs and guides on hand to provide additional information. A 10-minute stroll into Rearguard Falls Provincial leads to another first-rate viewing area for watching chinook attempt to leap upstream, this time over Rearguard Falls.
Little Cranberry Lake Regional Park is a popular Valemount spot for picnicking and enjoying mountain views, with some peaks snowcapped, others volcanic, while still more jagged. Wildlife such as deer, elk, moose, grizzly and black bears and caribou can be seen in many areas near Valemount, particularly in Mt. Robson Provincial Park. The RW Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary offers platforms and trails to view over 90 species of birds.
Located at the base of Canoe Mountain, Valemount offers visitors both the natural splendors and quiet serenity of a mountain village. Those seeking some R&R often head to Little Cranberry Lake Regional Park, a popular picnic area surrounded by spectacular mountain views, with some peaks snowcapped, others volcanic, while still more jagged. The namesake lake's beach is also a great place from which to swim during the summer months.
Valemount provides access to canoeing, white-water rafting and rafting float trips along the Fraser River. The most enjoyable and safest way to experience the Fraser is by guided raft trip. Float rips are relaxed and leisurely, with unforgettable views of Mt. Robson. The whitewater trips are strictly for thrill-seekers. Those wanting to swim can do so at Little Cranberry Lake. Fish are plentiful in the region's many streams, rivers and mountain lakes, with guided fishing excursion available on many of the lakes and rivers. Species in the region include bull trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, burbot and suckers.
Valemount is a powder winter wonderland. In fact, from December to March, the mountains receive fresh powder almost daily, making the area popular for heli, cat and backcountry skiing, as well as snowshoeing, particularly in the Jackman Flats and Camp Creek areas. The region is a snowmobiling paradise as well, with over 40,000 ha (98,842 ac) of groomed snowmobiling trails and warming huts. These trails provide access to spectacular, world-class alpine sledding. Dogsledding tours are also available.