Ymir, British Columbia

Ymir /ˈwmər/ is a small town in the Regional District of Central Kootenay of British Columbia, Canada.[1] It is located between Nelson and Salmo on Highway 6. Ymir was originally known as Quartz Creek. The townsite was laid out in 1897 by railway magnate D.C. Corbin. Today Ymir consists of a store and two hotels, plus an assortment of residential properties. It is located near Whitewater Ski Hill. The Salmo River runs through the center of the town. Ymir is about 10 km from the town of Salmo, where the annual music festival Shambhala takes place.

Village of Ymir
Village
Ymir and the Salmo River
Village of Ymir
Coordinates: 49°17′N 117°13′W[1]
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Post office foundedN/A
Incorporated (Village)N/A
Incorporated (Town)N/A
Government
Area
  Total1.09 km2 (0.42 sq mi)
Elevation
730 m (2,395 ft)
Population
 (2016)
  Total245
  Density224.7/km2 (582/sq mi)
Time zonePST

Name

The name Ymir is originally that of the father of all giants in Scandinavian mythology, whom Odin slew to make the world from his bones, blood and skull (mountains, sea and sky). Local pronunciation of the name is WHY-mirr.[2] The name originally referred to the nearby Ymir Range, and was applied by geologist and explorer George Mercer Dawson.[3]

Climate

Climate data for South Slocan (~20km West of Nelson)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10
(50)
14.5
(58.1)
22.5
(72.5)
30
(86)
35.5
(95.9)
38
(100)
41
(106)
39.5
(103.1)
36.1
(97.0)
26.1
(79.0)
17.2
(63.0)
11.7
(53.1)
41
(106)
Average high °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)
3.6
(38.5)
9.3
(48.7)
15.5
(59.9)
20.4
(68.7)
24.2
(75.6)
28
(82)
28.5
(83.3)
21.7
(71.1)
13.8
(56.8)
4.8
(40.6)
0.2
(32.4)
14.1
(57.4)
Average low °C (°F) −7.1
(19.2)
−4.9
(23.2)
−2.3
(27.9)
1
(34)
4.9
(40.8)
8.5
(47.3)
10.1
(50.2)
10
(50)
5.8
(42.4)
1.4
(34.5)
−1.9
(28.6)
−5.9
(21.4)
1.6
(34.9)
Record low °C (°F) −31.7
(−25.1)
−30.6
(−23.1)
−22.2
(−8.0)
−7.8
(18.0)
−6.1
(21.0)
0
(32)
2.8
(37.0)
2.2
(36.0)
−4.4
(24.1)
−11
(12)
−23.5
(−10.3)
−35
(−31)
−35
(−31)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 94
(3.7)
69.8
(2.75)
62.4
(2.46)
61
(2.4)
68.2
(2.69)
71.1
(2.80)
54.4
(2.14)
49.4
(1.94)
51.4
(2.02)
61.6
(2.43)
104
(4.1)
105.9
(4.17)
853.2
(33.59)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 55.1
(21.7)
21.3
(8.4)
5.9
(2.3)
0.7
(0.3)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
1.8
(0.7)
25.2
(9.9)
63.3
(24.9)
173.2
(68.2)
Source: Environment Canada[4]

Television

Ymir was featured on the historical television series Gold Trails and Ghost Towns, season 2, episode 13.

In film

The 2012 film The Tall Man, starring Jessica Biel, was shot in Ymir.

Notable people

  • Arthur Lakes: geologist, artist, writer, teacher and minister, emigrated with his two sons to Ymir.
  • Mickey MacKay: professional ice hockey player, died in a car crash near Ymir.
  • Pablo Schreiber: actor, born in Ymir.

References

  1. "Ymir". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  2. "Ymir". Encyclopedia of British Columbia. (2000). Harbour Publishing
  3. V., Akrigg, G. P. (1997). British Columbia place names. Akrigg, Helen B. (3rd ed.). Victoria, BC: UBC Press. ISBN 0774806362. OCLC 41086359.
  4. Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 29 March 2010
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