Skookumchuck, British Columbia, is a post office stop in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, possibly named for rapids that may have existed in that stretch of the Kootenay River. Locals, however, believe that the word Skookumchuck in this case refers not to rapids (there are none) but to the numerous strong-smelling hot springs that occur along a north-south stretch of the Rocky Mountain Trench just to the north of the community. The commercially-developed Fairmont and Radium Hot Springs are the most well known of these, while others back in the mountains at Lussier River and Ram Creek are more known locally. The creek which meets the Kootenay River at present-day Skookumchuck is also named Skookumchuck River, and a peak near its source in the Purcell Mountains to the west is named Skookumchuck Mountain.
Skookumchuck Hot Springs, is a semi-abandoned historic Catholic mission town on the Lillooet River, south of Pemberton, British Columbia, and is also known as Skatin in the St'at'imcets (Lillooet) language (with the same meaning). The name here refers to the "Falls of the Lillooet", a shallow rapid on the Lillooet River, and also by implication the hot springs the mission town was built around.
There are a number of "skookumchuck" placenames in neighbouring US states, some referring to saltwater rapids, others as placenames. There is even a Skookumchuck Brook as far east as New Hampshire. See List of Chinook Jargon placenames.
