Cranbrook

The largest city of the Rocky Mountain region, and the sunniest place in British Columbia, Cranbrook is located in the Columbia Valley, offering the best of city and country. The vistas of snowcapped mountain peaks, lush green valleys and crystal clear lakes are sure to take your breath away. For those seeking an oasis of civility in the rough Rockies, there is shopping galore, boutiques and cafes, an arts centre, several heritage centres and an abundance of other attractions to entertain visitors. Cranbrook owes its existence to the railway. There are numerous restored heritage buildings to view on a self-guided tour of the city. The Canadian Museum of Rail has an excellent collection of restored railcars and locomotives. Cranbrook’s network of trails invite hiking, mountainbiking and cycling in the Cranbrook Community Forest and South Star Recreation Trails. Golf, swimming and in winter almost any type of winter sports acitivity, can all be found in the Cranbrook region. Your Cranbrook Bed and Breakfast innkeepers are knowledgeable about the area’s attractions, including a must see for bird watchers: the 249-hectare Elizabeth Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, a marshland that attracts all manner of migratory birds and waterfowl as they pass through the Elk Valley corridor. The wildlife area also provides prime habitat for muskrats, turtles, reptiles, elk, racoons, moose and white-tailed deer.