The village is named for the hot springs in the nearby Kootenay National Park.

The hot springs were named after the radioactive element when an analysis of the water showed that it contained small traces of radon which is a decay product of radium.

The air concentration of radon is about 850 becquerels per cubic metre (23 pCi/L) which is higher than the level (200 Bq/m3 or 5.4 pCi/L) at which mitigation within two years is encouraged at residences;[4] but is also inconsequential (about 0.7 mrem or 7.0 μSv for a half-hour bathing) from a dose impact perspective.

Proven reserves in excess of 50 million tonnes of magnesite ore were found.

The ore is trucked to Exshaw, Alberta for calcination, other processes and onwards sale.