Come Home to Pemberton

Though only a scenic 30-minute drive north of Whistler, the Village of Pemberton is a world away from busy resort life. With its distinctively pastoral setting situated 8,000 feet below the rugged peaks of Mt. Currie, Pemberton is known for its farming roots and First Nations heritage.

Long before European settlers arrived, the Pemberton Valley was the traditional territory of First Nations peoples of the Interior Salish tribe. In the 1850s, Joseph Despard Pemberton, a surveyor general for the Hudson’s Bay Company first put “Port Pemberton” on the map as a supply stop servicing gold seekers. Originally situated at the north end of Lillooet Lake, travellers would dock and continue their journey overland to present-day Lillooet. Currently, the district includes the Village, the first nations community of Mt. Currie, the Pemberton Valley, D’Arcy and Birken. As of the 2006 census, the area population is 1,887.

As the fastest growing community in B.C. (B.C. Statistics, 2005), the Village has seen many changes in a short period of time. The town’s rapid growth has translated into an increased demand for real estate and has helped transform the once sleepy community of a few hundred residents into the vibrant and growing town it is today. Agriculture and forestry are still important aspects of the local economy, but tourism and its related services employ the highest percentages of residents. This change has necessitated the addition of many new amenities catering to tourists and residents, such as the Pemberton Valley Vineyard & Inn, a variety of cafes and eateries, feed stores and outfitters, galleries and studios, and an industrial park.

In winter, the area is a premier heli-skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and backcountry mecca.

Incorporated in 1956, the Village of Pemberton is known as an outdoor playground for all seasons. In winter, the area is a premier heli-skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and backcountry mecca. In summer, the Pemberton district abounds with natural beauty surrounded by three breathtaking Provincial Parks. There is ample opportunity for camping at Birkenhead Lake, Garibaldi, Joffre Lakes and Nairn Falls parks.

Potential homebuyers will find a range of housing options. Traditional single family homes combine with the more contemporary luxury properties and new condominium, townhome and duplex developments to round out the offerings. A variety of rural lifestyle options are also available, from farming and estate acreages in Pemberton Meadows to waterfront cabins at Lillooet Lake.