Fairmont Hot Springs is an unincorporated resort community located in south-eastern British Columbia, Canada commonly referred to as Fairmont. The community has a population of 476, but receives frequent tourists from Calgary. The local Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is centered around a soak pool and swimming pool fed by natural mineral hot springs, billing them as "Canada's largest natural mineral hot springs". The original springs building, surrounded by hot spring water seeping out of the ground, still stands. The community contains three golf courses: Mountainside and Riverside are 18-hole courses, while Creekside is a family-oriented 9-hole par 3. In the winter, the area is also home to a small downhill ski area, with three lifts, 13 runs and a tube park, as well as numerous cross-country trails. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and all three golf courses were purchased by Ontario-based Ken Fowler Enterprises in 2006 and 2007. Fairmont Hot Springs has a strip mall including Mountainside Market, Rockies Pizzeria, Fairmont Village Gift Shop, and a Greek restaurant: Tony's Greek Grill and Juice Bar. Fairmont Hot Springs is home to the Dutch Creek Hoodoos, which are sandstone cliffs with hiking trails located next to Dutch Creek, a source of the Columbia River and formally a salmon breeding stream. Fairmont provides the only road access to Columbia Lake Provincial Park, five kilometers south. Fairmont Hot Springs Airport is located here. Although not directly within Fairmont Hot Springs, directly south and within the Fairmont Hot Springs Fire District is the Spruce Grove Campground, Hoodoos Campground, Dutch Creek Village, Dutch Creek RV Resort, Coy's Dutch Creek Par 3 Golf Course and Columere. On July 15, 2012, Fairmont Hot Springs was hit by a mudslide. A small creek that runs throughout Fairmont formed a natural dam and backup water built up. Several homes were evacuated along with Mountainside Golf Course and many people were airlifted to safety. No injuries occurred but the resort suffered for several weeks as Mountainside Golf Course and the Fairmont Hot Springs Lodge were closed. The businesses have since reopened. To the north are Invermere, Athalmer, Wilmer, Radium, Edgewater, and Golden. To the south are Canal Flats, Scookumchuck, Kimberley, and Cranbrook.
