Regional Overview

The Kootenays

British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province and is known around the world for its natural beauty. Queen Victoria named the province in 1858 when the mainland became a British colony and in reference to the 2000 km long mighty Columbia River that runs through it.

In the southeastern part of this picturesque province is the Kootenay region consisting of the Kootenay Boundary, Central Kootenay and East Kootenay regions. Often the Central Kootenay and Kootenay Boundary regions are combined and referred to as the West Kootenay. The natural separator between East and West Kootenay is the northward leg of the Kootenay River.

West Kootenay and South Kootenay

The hallmarks of the West Kootenay are towering mountains, gentle valleys, sparkling lakes and pristine wilderness areas. The region is blessed with an abundance of fresh water and has a mild climate punctuated by pleasant seasonal differences.

Nestled in heart of this environment on the shores of the Columbia River lies the City of Trail. Trail is the central shopping, health and financial hub for four outlying municipalities and two electoral areas that, along with the City of Trail, are collectively known as Greater Trail. More recently the name South Kootenay has fell into common use due to its close proximity to the Canada USA border. The image at lower left shows the City of Trail that straddles both banks of the mighty Columbia River.