'''The Kootenays''' are a large region in British Columbia Canada. This area begins at the Alberta Border and extends west to the Monashee range of the Columbia Mountains. The area is famed for its laid-back lifestyle and endless outdoor adventure opportunities.
Regions
West Kootenays - home of retired hippies and the eccentric ''Doukhabors''.
East Kootenays - ski resorts and natural hot springs.
Columbia-Rockies - from Revelstoke to the Alberta border along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Cities
Cranbrook - the Kootenays largest city.
Nelson - "The Queen City" of the Kootenays, renowned for its tourism, culture and outdoor activities.
Revelstoke - summer and winter mountain playground.
Golden - gateway to the Rockies.
Castlegar - russian links provided by the ''Doukhobor'' sect and a Russian Orthodox chapel.
Trail - home of one of the worlds largest operational zinc smelters.
Fernie - world-renowned kayaking, mountain-biking, and skiing.
Rossland - produced gold mines and gold-medal skiers.
Creston - a vast plain in otherwise mountanous country.
Kimberley - quaint European styled chalet village.
Other destinations
Yoho National Park - explore the scenic beauty of Canada's second National Park.
Kootenay National Park
Glacier National Park - home of Rogers Pass.
Mount Revelstoke National Park - alpine meadows.
Gladstone Provincial Park - camping on Christina Lake.
Valhalla Provincial Park - you don't have to be a viking to know this is heaven.
Understand
The name is derived from the Ktunaxa First Nation's ''quthni'', meaning "to travel by water", and indeed this is how the region was explored before the railway arrived. Exploration by river and lake, and commerce facilitated by the large sternwheelers that plied the many large lakes emphasize this point. Virtually untouched until the gold and silver rushes of the mid-1800s, a few settlers who fell in love with the area remained after the fortunes faded, and provided the roots for the communities as they exist today.
In the early days of British Columbia the Kootenays were geographically isolated from the rest of the province. The '''Canadian Pacific Railway''' built the '''Kettle Valley Railway''' to link the area to Vancouver, and also to waylay any plans of US annexation, an area the Kootenays had stronger physical ties to at the time. The '''Crowsnest Highway''' which bisects the region was completed in 1949, further solidifying the link to the rest of the province.
The Kootenays are comprised of several roughly north-south mountain ranges and the valleys between. From east to west there are the '''Rocky Mountains''', '''Purcell Mountains''', and the ''Selkirk'' and ''Monashee'' ranges of the '''Columbia Mountains'''. There are also several very large lakes in this area, the largest of which were formed by hydroelectric dams. '''Lake Koocanusa''', which gets its clever name for the fact it stretches across the international border, was formed by the Libby Dam in Idaho. '''Kootenay Lake''' which is about 100km long with a 35km western extension to the town of Nelson is a natural lake, though the southern floodplains were diked to reclaim agricultural land. '''Arrow Lake''', (which is divided into north and south portions at the Needles-Fauquir ferry) is almost 200km long, stretching from Revelstoke to Castlegar. It was formed by the Keenlyside Dam.
Today, this area is comprised of many small towns, and as with most of British Columbia, this area favors travellers looking for natural beauty and outdoor adventure, rather than cosmopolitan cities. It is particularly renowned for alpine skiing, due to the large amounts of snow the area receives, with several large lift-accessed resorts and a booming cat skiing industry.
The climate is generally warm and sunny in the summer, and cold and snowy in the winter. Winter driving conditions can be treacherous at times, so do take caution.
Talk
The ''de facto'' language in this area is English. It might be possible to get official services in French. Signage is bilingual in national parks.
Get in
There are only two major airports serving the area, Castlegar in the west and Cranbrook in the east, and calling them major may be a misnomer. Both airports only serve domestic flights. Rather than Vancouver, the closest international airport is in Calgary, about two hours from the border on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Get around
The only practical method for touring this area is by road. Car rentals will be available in all major towns. The area is served by an extensive highway network. The Crowsnest Highway (3) is the major east-west route, traversing the area from the Alberta border to the Okanagan. Highway 6 links the area to the North Okanagan in Vernon, and the Trans-Canada Highway passes through this area from Revelstoke to the Alberta border. North-south routes include Highway 23 which links Revelstoke to Highway 6 in Nakusp, and Highway 95 which links Golden to Cranbrook, and the US border farther south.
'''Greyhound''' offers coach service to all but the most remote communities in this region.
See
'''Rogers Pass''' between Revelstoke and Golden is not to be missed. It receives an incredible ten meters of snow each winter.
A visit to one of the many '''Hydroelectric Dams''' in the area can be fascinating and educational.
A shameful side of Canada's history is examined at the '''Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre''', which preserves the stories of the more than 20,000 Japanese-Canadians interned here during the second World War.
'''Fort Steele''' is preserved as a 1890s pioneer boomtown. Just north of Cranbrook.
The '''Le Roi Gold Mine''' and '''Rossland Museum''' tell the story of the Kootenay gold rush.
The '''Burgess Shale Fossils''', Yoho National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the world's finest Cambrian-aged fossils of soft-bodied marine organisms.
Do
Go '''skiing''' or '''snowboarding''' at Whitewater (Nelson), Red Mountain (Rossland), Fernie Alpine, Kimberly Alpine, Panorama (Invermere), Fairmont, (Fairmont Hot Springs), Kicking Horse, (Golden), or Powder Springs (Revelstoke).
The areas many provincial and National '''parks''' provide no end of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, mountain biking, and fishing are all popular pastimes in this region.
'''Snowmobiling''' is a popular winter recreation, especially in the Revelstoke area, where competitions and hill-climbs are organized.
Eat
As with most area of Canada, there is no real specialty or localized cuisine.
Drink
One of Canada's favorite beers '''Kokanee''' is brewed exclusivly in Creston. It would be remiss to visit the area and not try a bottle. There are tours of the brewery available as well. (The City of Nelson has its own brewery, The Nelson Brewing Company.[http://www.nelsonbrewing.com/])
Stay safe
When skiing or hiking in the backcountry there is always a danger of avalanches. The '''Canadian Avalanche Association''' has advisories for this region on their website [http://www.avalanche.ca/bulletin/view.aspx?bulletinID=1624].
Get out
There are nine international border crossings in this region to visit the United States. Not all are open 24 hours, enquire locally.
The sun and fun of the Okanagan is due west.