Radium Hot Springs
by Melissa MacDougall
Nestled at the south entrance of Kootenay National Park and along the Columbia River, sits the village of Radium Hot Springs. The incredible scenery here is characterized by towering cliffs, glacial peaks and winding, scenic mountain roads. The surrounding mountains serve as a natural habitat to mountain goats, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep and both grizzly and black bear; a visit to Radium is a journey into a well-preserved, pristine habitat.
There are a multitude of activities offered in and around Radium for every age group and fitness level, promising a pleasant get-away for all. From skiing to hiking to golfing, the village serves as back-country playground while promoting personal well-being and a leisurely lifestyle rich in health benefits. This endless list of activities, and, of course, the hot springs themselves, brings a handsome increase in population through the summer months to this otherwise sleepy town, while managing to keep the natural beauty and alpine charm intact. Though noted for its back-to-basics idealism, Radium is most widely recognized for its stunning display of hot springs, drawing crowds from around the globe.
Boasting the largest hot springs pool in Canada, Radium is a top contender among tourists. Formed by a massive two kilometre crack along a fault line, Radium’s odourless and mineralized springs are pressurized and Geo-thermally heated by groundwater emerging from the Earth’s crust at a rate of 1800 litres per minute. Filtered and chlorinated, the mineral water sits at around 39°, while the ‘cool pool’ offers a temperature of 29°C.
Radium continues to entice visitors year after year. Research supports that mineralized hot springs have a healing effect on some ailments, relieves stress, and soothes aching muscles. Whatever the reason for visiting Radium, visitors leave the area with a refreshed sense of health and well being.