The best of lakeside living meets in the middle. Located where Calgary and Vancouver "meet in the middle" in British Columbia's temperate interior, Sicamous is the eastern gateway to the Shuswap Lakes.
The Shuswap region is irresistible for its vast variety of things to do and see, on the water and off. Everywhere you cruise, you'll find warm, clear water, plenty of beaches, rugged scenery and ready access to over 30 marine parks. No wonder pleasure boats brimming with sun-lovers, water-worshippers, sightseers and anglers take to the lake every summer.
During winter, the Shuswap attracts snowmobilers, nature gazers and cross-country, backcountry and Cat skiers. Sicamous is home to the Eagle Valley Snowmobile Club, whose members enjoy access some of the best snowmobiling terrain in North America.
The Lake
The Shuswap Lake system in Southern Interior of British Columbia offers more than 1,000 kilometres of shoreline to explore, amidst spectacular scenery and a pristine environment.
The Shuswap boasts the largest houseboat fleet in Canada, offering a fabulous way to vacation with family and friends, lazily drifting along the lake gazing at blue skies and gorgeous mountains.
Shuswap Lake is shaped like an addled H and is made up of four large arms: the Shuswap Lake Main Arm, Salmon Arm, Anstey Arm, and Seymour Arm. The product of the glacial scouring that also rounded the surrounding Shuswap Highlands, all four arms converge at Cinnemousun Narrows, northeast of Sicamous.
One of the best places to begin exploring Shuswap Lake is at Sicamous, the Houseboat Capital of Canada and the service centre for Shuswap marine park.
History
The history the Shuswap is woven largely from Native heritage, Columbia gold rushes and construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Old Town - or Eagle Pass Landing, as it was known - has a history older than the railway. Fur traders used the north end of the Shuswap, as it was a natural route between the Columbia and the Fraser rivers. There were several Hudson's Bay posts here. Traces of the old Hudson's Bay trail can still be seen in various places.
In 1865, the discovery of gold on the Columbia prompted a flurry of activity. Seymour Arm became a supply centre in the Big Bend gold rush. Paddlewheelers were built - some privately, some by the CPR - in the years from 1817 to 1885, when steamer traffic on the lakes was in its heyday. After the discovery of Eagle Pass by Walter Moberly in 1871, men and supplies were transported to Eagle Pass Landing.
After completion of the CPR with the driving of the last spike at Craigellachie in 1885, the steamers were doomed to extinction. Rail transport was just so much faster.
Amenities
Bustling business communities in Sicamous and Salmon Arm
Major shopping centres located in Salmon Arm
Schools - elementary, high school, french immersion
Okanagan College Campus, Salmon Arm
Recreation Facilities - arenas, indoor sports and recreation centres, sports fields
Shuswap Lake General Hospital
Comprehensive health community
Thriving arts, culture and heritage groups
Golf - several championship level courses, numerous executive and par 3 courses
Farm markets, wineries, artisan cheese
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