Even though winter and its weather have been awhile already, Invermere seems to really hit the winter wonderland expressway on the third weekend of January each year.

The annual Snowflake Festival launched the weekend, Friday, Jan. 18, with a Taste of Invermere offering delicious bites and savory smells, as the Whiteway was officially opened for 2013.

On the ice of Lake Windermere off Kinsmen Beach, competitors got busy in the 30^th annual Bonspiel on the Lake – once again a sold out affair that rolls until Sunday, Jan. 20.

Fireworks topped the Friday evening festival, which was well attended as Old Man Winter kept his foot off the pedal just enough to show through but not deter.

Fires were scattered around Kinsmen Beach and on the lake, keeping curlers and onlookers warm, as well as skaters, Nordic skiers and friends and families gathering to catch up.

Local band L8, seasoned in the art of cold weather entertainment, kept toes tapping and the odd youngster romping.

The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce organizes the annual festival, which appears to be gaining steam as a perfect complement to the nation’s oldest outdoor bonspiel.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW and

Carrie Schafer/Through My Eyes Photography

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