Kootenay Rockies sightseeing tours explore historic sites and attractions, and include opportunities to see wildlife and some of Canada's highest mountains.
Guided sightseeing tours offer a comprehensive experience. On a flightseeing tour, soar over glaciers, mountains, alpine lakes and meadows. Prefer a view from the water? Choose a cruising tour.
Sightseeing bus tours travel to some of the region’s top attractions, such as Fort Steele Heritage Town and Trains Deluxe - The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, while adventure tours incorporate all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
Looking for something different? Try a sightseeing tour with a wildlife focus, such as Head Banger Tours in Radium Hot Springs, or venture out on a driving route for self-guided sightseeing.
Flightseeing Tours
From Revelstoke, fly up to 3,000m/10,000ft in a helicopter to see alpine lakes and meadows, the rugged peaks of the Monashee Mountains, and the glaciers of the Canadian Rockies. Head out of Nelson by helicopter or Cessna to fly over snowfields, the Kokanee Glacier and other peaks. Some flightseeing companies offer drop-offs for hiking, mountain biking or fishing. Find additional flightseeing tours in Golden, Castlegar and Fernie.
Bus Tours
Relax and let a guide look after the driving on a multi-day bus tour. Journeys West offers seven- to 14-day tours in a 15-seat passenger van departing from Calgary. See restored trains at Trains Deluxe – The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, wander deserted streets at Fort Steele Heritage Town or tour the S.S. Moyie, the oldest intact sternwheeler of her type in the world. Some bus tours also incorporate biking, canoeing or whitewater rafting.
Adventure Tours
Looking for an adrenaline rush while taking in sights? From Castlegar, take an ATV tour through tunnels and across trestles while learning about railway history, Aboriginal history and the Keenleyside Dam.
From Panorama Mountain Village, ride an ATV or snowmobile to visit abandoned mining settlements. End the day by relaxing in one of the regions hot springs. Looking for other adventurous ways to sightsee? Go hiking, snowmobiling, horseback riding or mountain biking.
Sightseeing and Wildlife Tours
See sights in the Kootenay Rockies region while learning about wildlife. In Radium Hot Springs, join Head Banger Tours to look for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in spots around town, and to see the big rams smashing horns as part of rutting season (October to November).
At Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, ascend 2,347m/7,700ft on the Golden Eagle Express Gondola for a view of the Columbia River Wetlands and Rocky Mountains. Grab lunch at Eagle’s Eye, Canada’s highest restaurant and take an interpretive tour of the world’s largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat, and watch Boo, the orphaned resident grizzly bear, play, eat and swim.
Driving Routes
Kootenay Rockies driving routes include stops at communities and attractions, and are good routes to follow for self-guided sightseeing. Follow the Hot Springs Circle Route to soothing hot pools, discover three national parks and watch for wildlife on the Golden Triangle, or trace the steps of 19th-century silver miners through Nakusp, Nelson and Kaslo on the Silvery Slocan Route.
Practical Points
- The peak season for sightseeing is from April to September, although some tours and most self-guided trips can be done year-round.
- Most guided sightseeing tours require reservations, but some can be booked on the spot.
- Sightseeing tours may require a minimum number of people. Check with the operator to ensure tours are running.
- Visit local Visitor Centres for information on sightseeing tour operators, and help with trip planning and transportation.
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