The winter real estate picture across Canada has been shifting again, and the Royal LePage 2025 Winter Recreational Property Report helps bring that momentum into focus. The chart below highlights how prices have moved in major ski regions across the country, showing both year-over-year changes and 2026 forecasts. It’s a quick way to see the national landscape and understand where BC’s mountain communities fit into the bigger picture.
*In the Royal LePage Winter Recreational Property Report, Invermere is listed as one of the ski-region communities. While the town of Invermere itself does not have a ski resort, it is used in the report to represent the market at Panorama Mountain Resort. Panorama is located just minutes from Invermere and is the primary ski destination for the entire area.*
What the Numbers Say About Panorama's (Invermere) Momentum
Once you look through the chart, something becomes clear: Panorama sits in a balanced, appealing position compared to many Canadian ski towns. Detached homes reached a median of $775,000 in 2025 (up 3.5%), and condos climbed to $359,000 with a 4.1% rise.This pattern puts Invermere among the more stable ski-region markets tracked in the report, with strong movement but no extreme jumps. For winter homebuyers and long-term investors, that steady rhythm matters.
If you're exploring what a long-term winter base in the valley could look like, Team Rice is always here to help. Panorama’s ski culture and Invermere’s steady market create a combination worth taking a closer look at, and we’re happy to walk through it with you at your own pace.
Q: Is Panorama Mountain Resort a more affordable alternative to Whistler or Sun Peaks in 2026? A: Yes. Panorama offers a premier mountain lifestyle where buyers can stay fully immersed in B.C.’s ski culture without entering the seven-figure price bracket common in Whistler or Sun Peaks. Panorama’s world-class terrain and atmosphere make it an attractive choice for families and ski-focused homeowners looking for high value and fewer crowds.
Q: Can I manage my own short-term rental (STR) at Panorama? A: Rental flexibility depends on the specific development's location within the resort. Generally, Lower Village condos (such as those near the Springs pools) often allow for independent or third-party management. However, many Upper Village developments and prestige resort homes are restricted to the Panorama Mountain Resort (PMR) rental pool to ensure consistent brand and service standards across the resort.
Q: Why are Alberta families choosing Invermere over the Okanagan in 2026? A: Invermere offers a more "reasonable" entry point into the B.C. market with easier highway access for Calgary residents. It serves as a year-round family hub with walkable access to schools, grocery stores, and community landmarks like Kinsmen Beach, offering a lifestyle focused on community rather than the congestion of larger hubs.
Q: How does the "Ski-In/Ski-Out" factor impact property value in the Columbia Valley? A: Properties with direct trail access in Panorama remain the top choice for investors. These lifestyle properties are designed to generate high-yield revenue during the winter ski and summer golf seasons, often helping the property "pay for itself" through a consistent rental pool.
Understanding Panorama's Value Within the BC Market
British Columbia saw its recreational markets trend upward overall, with the province’s detached median hitting $1.796 million. When placed next to Invermere’s median of $775,000, the valley’s value becomes unmistakable.Buyers can stay fully immersed in BC’s ski culture without entering the seven-figure price bracket seen in places like Whistler or Sun Peaks. Panorama’s terrain and atmosphere make that choice even more attractive for families and ski-focused homeowners.
Stability Makes Panorama Stand Out Nationally
Another detail from the report is worth highlighting: several ski regions across Canada experienced sharp price swings — some up, some down. Invermere’s smooth, consistent movement stands out against that backdrop.Investors appreciate predictability. Skiers want a home base they can count on. Both groups find that combination here.
Lifestyle Connection to the Market
Panorama’s Ski Culture Drives Real Demand
Panorama gives the entire valley its winter heartbeat. Long fall-line runs, wide-open terrain, and naturally uncrowded lift lines create a ski environment that feels both relaxed and adventurous.That atmosphere shapes how people view the surrounding real estate. Buyers aren’t just purchasing a property — they’re buying into a lifestyle where weekend skiing feels effortless, and the pace of the valley stays calm even during the busiest part of winter.
Invermere and Panorama sit close enough together that the whole valley feels like a natural escape. The short drive from Alberta turns into a four-season getaway — ski weekends at Panorama, summer days on Lake Windermere, beach time, and a lineup of golf courses that stretch well beyond Greywolf. Each season brings something different without losing that familiar, comfortable pace of love. It’s the kind of place that becomes a tradition, and that dependable feeling shows up in the lifestyle as clearly as it does in the market itself.
A Predictable Path Leading Into 2026
One of the most interesting takeaways from the report is the difference in volatility across ski communities nationwide. While several markets moved sharply in either direction, Invermere’s chart line looks calm and steady.The forecast for 2026 shows a 2% increase in detached home prices — a gentle pace that suggests continued stability. Combined with Panorama’s loyal ski following, the area is positioned as one of the more reliable recreational markets in BC.
A Valley That Keeps Its Character
What sets this region apart isn’t just the pricing or the mountain. It’s the feeling of the place. Each winter builds on the last without rushing. Ski days roll into calm evenings in town, and the valley holds its sense of community even as interest grows.That combination — predictable growth, a strong ski hill, and a genuine small-town atmosphere — is why this area continues to stand out in the national report.
Q: Is Panorama Mountain Resort a more affordable alternative to Whistler or Sun Peaks in 2026? A: Yes. Panorama offers a premier mountain lifestyle where buyers can stay fully immersed in B.C.’s ski culture without entering the seven-figure price bracket common in Whistler or Sun Peaks. Panorama’s world-class terrain and atmosphere make it an attractive choice for families and ski-focused homeowners looking for high value and fewer crowds.
Q: Can I manage my own short-term rental (STR) at Panorama? A: Rental flexibility depends on the specific development's location within the resort. Generally, Lower Village condos (such as those near the Springs pools) often allow for independent or third-party management. However, many Upper Village developments and prestige resort homes are restricted to the Panorama Mountain Resort (PMR) rental pool to ensure consistent brand and service standards across the resort.
Q: Why are Alberta families choosing Invermere over the Okanagan in 2026? A: Invermere offers a more "reasonable" entry point into the B.C. market with easier highway access for Calgary residents. It serves as a year-round family hub with walkable access to schools, grocery stores, and community landmarks like Kinsmen Beach, offering a lifestyle focused on community rather than the congestion of larger hubs.
Q: How does the "Ski-In/Ski-Out" factor impact property value in the Columbia Valley? A: Properties with direct trail access in Panorama remain the top choice for investors. These lifestyle properties are designed to generate high-yield revenue during the winter ski and summer golf seasons, often helping the property "pay for itself" through a consistent rental pool.
