Perched on a bench above the river on the east side of the Columbia Valley, Fairmont Hot Springs is a great resort experience in the magnificent setting of the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains. The largest and most popular hot spring pool complex in Canada, with nearly 1,000 square metres of pools, the internationally renowned Fairmont springs soothe visitors year-round with the curative powers of the 35 to 45 deg C waters. Located on ancient trading and hunting routes, the odourless and sulphurless waters of the springs were first used for medicinal and healing purposes by the Kutenai Indians. The earliest discovery of the springs by white explorers dates back to George Simpson in 1841. Today, the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort attracts half a million annual visitors, and includes access to the general public. Location: Fairmont Hot Springs is located on Highway 93/95 at the northern end of Columbia Lake in the Kootenay River Valley, between Canal Flats and Invermere, 81 miles (130 km) north of Cranbrook.