Jewel of the Kootenays

Unique mountain ranges, big long lakes, winding rivers and roads and one heck of a diverse history make the Kootenay Rockies a favourite destination among many.

The Kootenay region, used for the southeastern portion of British Columbia, comes from the Kootenay River, which was named for the Kootenay First Nation. Also known as the Kootenai, the Kutenai or Ktunaxa (pronounced "co ten aya"), this group of distinct Native people were once living east of the Canadian Rockies in the plains of what is now Alberta, but were driven deep into the mountain ranges by the Blackfoot Tribe.

The Kootenai people occupied the East Kootenays, with their territory extending into northern Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The western portion of the district was also occupied by Interior Salishan Natives, who were linguistically and culturally related to the coastal people and by Thompson River-Shuswap Natives, heavily influenced by the Athapaskan culture.

Then the Kootenays became settled with European explorers and hungry prospectors in search of gold in Rossland, silver in the Slocan Valley and coal in Elk Valley. When precious minerals were found, it was only a matter of time before the Canadian Pacific Railway brought settlers. And as many early settlements did, the boom turned to bust eventually and many people left the area in search of the next treasure find.

Fortunately many stayed to continue on with the enjoyment that the spectacular region held. Towns such as Kaslo, Fort Steele and Sandon are great reminders of the past and are overflowing with cultural history. Thriving cities such as Trail, Castlegar, Nelson, Creston, Cranbrook, Fernie, Radium, Golden and Revelstoke all have the most wonderful stories to tell, told by those who lived it and those who are still living the Kootenay Life...