Population: 260
Elevation: 730m ~ 2395
Ymir is an unincorporated community in the Selkirk Mountains in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It is located where the Salmo River meets Quartz Creek and Ymir Creek.
Ymir is on BC Highway 6, about 10 kilometres (6 mi) northeast of Salmo and 34 kilometres (21 mi) south of Nelson. It is in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people.
Ymir was founded in the late 1800s as a mining town, named after Ymir, a giant in Norse mythology. It was known for its gold production, and had several hotels and a modern hospital at its peak.
Ymir declined after the mining boom ended in the early 1900s, but it still has a diverse and resilient community of about 245 people who value arts, culture, and outdoor recreation.
Ymir has a cultural centre, a general store, a post office, a cafe, a bakery, a brewery, and several art galleries and studios. It also hosts events and festivals that celebrate its heritage and creativity.
BUSINESS
Village of Ymir
Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK)
Box 590 - 202 Lakeside Drive - Nelson, BC - V1L 5R4
Phone: (250) 352-6665
Toll Free: (800) 268-7325
Email: info@rdck.bc.ca
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
(Closed from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm daily)
Ymir Demographics Information
SCHOOLS
Salmo Elementary School
650 Glendale Avenue - Salmo, BC - V0G 1Z0
Phone: (250) 357-2214
Email: clerical.ses@sd8.bc.ca
Salmo Secondary School
715 Davis Avenue - Salmo, BC - V0G 1Z0
Phone: (250) 357-2226
Email: clerical.sss@sd8.bc.ca
Nelson Waldorf School
3648 Silverking Ski Hill Road - Nelson, BC - V1L 5P9
Phone: (250) 352-6919
info@nelsonwaldorf.org
HOSPITALS
Kootenay Lake Hospital
3 View St - Nelson, BC - V1L 2V1
Phone: (250) 352-3111
(29km ~ 23min drive from Ymir)
Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital
1200 Hospital Bench - Trail, BC - V1R 4M1
Phone: (250) 368-3311
Toll Free: (866) 368-3314
Patient Care Quality Office: (877) 442-2001
(53km ~ 48min drive from Ymir)
TRAVEL
West Kootenay Regional Airport
Hall Road, just off of Highway 3A
Castlegar, BC - V1N 4M5
(250) 365-5151
airport@castlegar.ca
(50km ~ 40min drive from Ymir)
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Trail Regional Airport
Airport Operations
9019 BC-22A - Trail, BC - V1R 4W6
Phone: (250) 367-0029
(48km ~ 43 minute drive from Ymir)
Flights and Reservations
Pacific Coastal Airlines
4980 Cowley Crescent - Richmond, BC - V7B 1C1
Phone: (800) 663-2872
Approximate driving distance from Ymir to...
Nelson, BC - 29km / 18mi
Salmo, BC - 13km / 8mi
Castlegar, BC - 55km / 34mi
Kelowna, BC - 354km / 220mi
Vanvouver, BC - 665km / 413mi
Cranbrook, BC - 201km / 125mi
Calgary, AB - 593km / 369mi
Seattle, WA - 660km / 410mi
Spokane, WA - 210km / 130mi
Sandpoint, ID - 201km / 125mi