CRANBROOK & AREAVisit Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce or call 1-800-222-6174.
Historic Fort Steele
This turn-of-the-century pioneer boomtown provides a glimpse into frontier life. Kids love the animals and old-fashioned candy shop, and adults will enjoy dozens of exhibit buildings. Try your luck at gold panning. Only a one-hour drive or 16 kms (10 miles) northeast of Cranbrook on Hwy 93/95.
Museum of Rail Travel
The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel is dedicated to the collection, restoration, and conservation of several train sets from different eras. Take a tour. Turn right in Cranbrook on Hwy 3 next to the Prestige Inn. Call (250) 489-3918.
Casino of the Rockies
On the St. Mary River at the St. Eugene Mission Resort in Cranbrook, try your luck at slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker tables. Fully licensed restaurant and lounge. A 70-minute drive on Hwy 93/95 to Cranbrook, then 95A towards Kimberly; follow signs.
Kootenay Trout Hatchery
Extensive interpretive area with aquariums, models and displays. Watch turtles, fish and water insects in the outdoor turtle pond, or relax on the beautifully groomed hatchery grounds. About 45 minutes or 32 kms southeast of Cranbrook on Highway #3 and 6 kms north on the Wardner/Fort Steele Road. Call (250) 429-3214.
Downtown Cranbrook
Baker Street, Cranbrook's main street, has historical business and retail storefronts. The self-guided heritage walking tour is excellent.
Golf
| Cranbrook Golf Club |
18 holes; 6575 yards |
1-888-211-8855 |
| St. Eugene Mission Resort |
18 holes; 7007 yards |
1-877-417-3133 |
| Mission Hills |
18 holes; par 3 |
(250) 489-3009 |
MONTANA, USA
Glacier National Park
Part of the International Peace Park joining Waterton National Park in Alberta, the park encompasses 1.4 million acres of wilderness and some of the west's most beautiful mountain scenery with its diverse flora and fauna and relative isolation. Glacier National Park is at the centre of one of the largest and most intact ecosystems in North America. In summer, enjoy camping, hiking, biking and, in winter, great cross-country ski trails. About 2.5 hour drive on Hwy 93 east to Pincher Creek and south on Hwy 6 into the Park; follow the signs. Visit Glacier National Park or call (406) 888-7800.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
This 2-lane highway splits the northern and southern halves of Glacier National Park and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Keep your eyes open for wildflowers and animals in their glacier habitat. Approx. 2 hour drive (52 miles) from St. Mary to Apgar. Road open from early June to mid-October.
Whitefish, Montana
Filled with galleries, gear shops and gift stores, country cafes mingle with gourmet restaurants. Summer has unparalleled hiking trails or area golf courses, while you can hit the slopes at Big Mountain in winter. Approx 2.5 hour drive: take Hwy 3 west to Elko, then left on Hwy 93 south to U.S. border; follow U.S. 93 south to Whitefish. Visit the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce {link to www.whitefishchamber.com} or call 1-877-862-3548.
Kalispell, Montana
Close to Glacier National Park, Kalispell is the largest city in the Flathead Valley, with plentiful shopping and restaurants. About a 3 hour drive on Hwy #3 west to Elko, then left on Hwy 93 south to U.S. border; follow U.S. 93 south to Kalispell. Visit the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce or call (406) 758-2800.
Golf
| Big Mountain Golf Club |
18 holes; 7015 yards |
1-800-255-5641 |
| Meadow Lake Golf Resort |
18 holes; 6714 yards |
(406) 892-2111 |
| Whitefish Lake Golf Club |
36 holes; 6604 & 6553 yards |
(406) 862-4000 |
| Buffalo Hill Golf Club |
18 holes; 6584 yards |
(406) 756-4545 |
| Flathead Village Greens |
18 holes; 6401 yards |
(406) 752-4666 |
SOUTHERN ALBERTA
Frank Slide
The Interpretive Centre highlights the rich history of the Crowsnest Pass with displays, slide shows and video presentations featuring the 1903 Frank Slide (rock avalanche), CP Railway, early settlement and coal mining. Pathways provide spectacular views of the Frank Slide damage and surrounding areas. Approx. 90 minute drive on Hwy 3 east; signage is clear from the highway. Call (403) 562-7388.
Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump
This remarkable testimony to prehistoric life displays Native American customs of the Plains Indians for 6,000 years. UNESCO designated the jump as a World Heritage Site in 1981, placing it in the company of the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge and Galapagos Islands. A two-hour drive on Hwy 3 to Fort Macleod and Hwy 785 for 18 kms. Call (403) 553-2731.
Waterton National Park
Part of the International Peace Park joining Glacier National Park in Montana, experience family fun with walking and hiking trails, ferry trips and all sorts of Canadian Rockies wildlife. Visit the town of Waterton and stroll the eclectic shops and great eateries. A two-hours drive on Hwy 93 east to Pincher Creek and south on Hwy 6 into the Park. Entry Fees apply.
Golf
| Crowsnest Pass Golf & Country Club (Blairmore) |
18 holes; 6814 yards |
(403) 562-2776 |
| Pincher Creek Golf Course |
9 holes; par 3 |
(403) 627-2126 |
ELKO, B.C. AND AREA
Lake Kookanusa
Open daily, this campsite and marina boast beautiful sandy beaches, boat launch and convenience store. Approx 30-minute drive west on Hwy 3, then Kikomun Creek turn off highway.
Kikomun Creek (Surveyor's Lake)
Great beach and campsite, perfect for paddling a canoe, swimming, or enjoying a picnic. Park open daily. Approx. 30-minute drive west on Hwy 3, turn at Kikomun Creek off highway.
Silver Springs (Elko)
Only 20 minutes from Fernie, these three lakes are popular with locals. A short hike is required to the first lake for sunbathing on large rocks and jumping off cliffs. Take highway west to Elko, ross the bridge and take your first left. Travel Main St. and turn left at Alexander Ave., then left at first gravel road (River Rd.) across the Elk River Bridge. Drive 3.3 kms along this dirt road to pull-off between the 5- and 6-km yellow markers. Enter road to your right and park. Find the steep trail on the left and hike for 10 minutes to the lake and the cliffs.
Golf
| Will-o-Bend |
9 holes; par 3 |
(250) 429-3377 |
SPARWOOD, B.C.
Mine Tours
The Elk Valley is home to one of the world's richest coal depositories. Learn about the geology, history, and operations of present-day mines with a guided tour. Tours leave from the Chamber of Commerce and the World's Largest Truck. Call 1-877-485-8185.
Golf
| Sparwood Golf Club |
9 holes |
(250) 425-2612 |
ELKFORD, B.C.
Mine Tours
The Elk Valley is home to one of the world's richest coal depositories. Learn about the geology, history, and operations of present-day mines with a guided tour. In Elkford, call (250) 865-4614. Free tours every Saturday from the Chamber of Commerce.
Josephine Falls
A moderate hike, Josephine Falls is the destination of Elkford's most popular trail. View the breathtaking Josephine Falls cascading 25 metres down a steep canyon carved by the Fording River. Follow the "Forests, Falls and Lakes" trail to Josephine Falls, then continue to two alpine lakes: Lost Lake and Lily Lake. Approx 45 minute drive from Sparwood on Hwy 43 north to Elkford; at 4-way stop, turn right onto paved Greenhills Mine Road for 5.1 kms until the Forest, Falls and Lakes trailhead. Call (250) 865-2241.
Golf
| Mountain Meadows |
9 holes; par 36 |
(250) 865-7413 |
HWY 93/95 AREA
Canal Flats/Radium/Fairmont/Invermere, B.C.
The Canal Flats/Radium/Fairmont/Invermere areas are a 2.5 hour drive from Fernie, with plentiful Provincial Parks for camping, hiking and biking. Rich with natural hot springs, the area also has an abundance of golf courses.
Lussier Hot Springs
Hot Springs flow out of the mountainside into a series of beautiful green pools at the edge of the undeveloped Lussier River area. The Park is always open and Rangers are on regular patrol; change room and toilet; bathers must wear bathing suits; no pets. Approx 90 minute drive west on Hwy 3, then Premier Lake turn-off into Whiteswan Provincial Park.
Golf
| Riverside Championship (Fairmont) |
18 holes; 6507 yards |
1-800-665-2112 |
| Mountainside Championship (Fairmont) |
27 holes; 6522 yards for 18 |
(250) 345-6514 |
| Eagle Ranch (Invermere) |
18 holes; 6637 yards |
1-877-877-3889 |
| Windermere Valley (Invermere) |
18 holes; 5036 yard |
(250) 342-3004 |
| Grey Wolf (Panaorama/Invermere) |
18 holes; 7140 yards |
1-800-663-2929 |
| Radium Hot Springs Resort Course |
18 holes; 5354 yards |
(250) 347-6266 |
| Radium Hot Springs Springs Course |
8 holes; 6767 yards |
(250) 347-6200 |
KIMBERLEY, B.C.
Visit this quaint Bavarian theme town in the heart of the Rockies. Plenty of great shops and European restaurants are well worth the trip. Approx. 90 minute drive on Hwy 93/95 to Cranbrook and 95A to Kimberly. Call (250) 427-3666.
Golf
| Trickle Creek |
18 holes; 7000 yards |
1-888-874-2553 |
| Bootleg Gap Championship |
27 holes; 5525 yards for 18 holes |
1-877-417-3133 |
| Kimberly Golf Club |
18 holes; 6242 yards |
(250) 427-4161 |
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