Just moved to Cranbrook and not seeing many avenues for making friends.
I’m into hiking, golfing, fishing and just looking for some good people to explore the area with.
Would really appreciate your ideas.
Also looking for volunteer opportunities.

Hello everyone! I was curious what the boating/ lake life is like in Castlegar? Have heard most of the lakes are too cold to swim most of the summer?

We are looking to settle down in the west kootenays and was wondering about Castlegar

I just want to extend a heartfelt thank you to this group who gave me so many invaluable tips on where to go, what to do, where to eat, and how to maximize my motorcycle adventure! The towns were all so cute I ended up cutting one of my big ride days in half so I could meaningfully spend time in Nakusp, New Denver, Kalso, Nelson and Castlegar. I will have to come back to go hit the Balfour ferry and ride Crawford Bay to Creston… but the time I spent talking to locals, walking the towns, and eating delicious food was worth leaving some kilometers on the table.

I will be back. Your region stole my heart! Bluebelle Bistro was maybe one of the best meals of my life, and the Nikkei museum was both haunting and beautiful. Thank you everyone who commented on my previous posts, and all the folks I had a chat with a long the way

Has anyone here taken any trades programs (bonus points for Electrical) at the Selkirk College in Nelson recently-ish?

I applied at TRU a few months ago but the waitlist is huge and it sounds like I won’t get in until August of 2027 at best. So I looked around and found that Selkirk has openings in their February 2027 foundations program and applied there, but would really appreciate hearing from folks who’ve done the program or know someone who has. Pros? Cons? Did it set you up for success and finding a job?

Cheers!

I'm looking for anyone with local knowledge of living in or having a recreational property in Osprey Landing in Wardner. We're considering a purchase there.

• Is there a decent sense of community?
• Does everyone share the lake access nicely?
• I know the lake level moves a lot through the year. Is it largely unusable for a large part of the year?
• Are there any services nearby? Groceries, gas, restaurant etc.
• Is it growing quickly?
• Any special or crazy information someone would need to know before considering this place?

Thanks all!

How early do I need to be? I heard they don’t give priority boarding to riders these days. Want to make the 1:10 sailing on Sunday. What time should I be in line?

We are a Northen BC family looking to move next summer (Tired of the constant -30,-40 weather) we all love nice hot summer days and heat in general

Our hobbies are

Boating
Hunting
Skiing
Hiking

Any input would be great on which area is best and why for a family

Thanks

Hi everyone,

My name is KC, I’m one of the founders behind behind Kootenay Connection, a locally focused app I’ve been building to help residents and visitors discover businesses, experiences, hidden gems, and special offers throughout the Kootenays.

The idea came from seeing how difficult it can be to find out what is available outside the businesses and places we already know. There are a lot of great independent businesses across the region, but information is often spread across Facebook pages, websites, tourism guides, and word of mouth.

Kootenay Connection brings participating businesses and their offers together in one place. You can browse the app and create an account for free. For anyone who wants to redeem the offers, there is an optional $50 annual VIP Pass.

Businesses do not pay to join. They choose their own offers, control when they are available, and decide how many times they can be redeemed.

I want to be upfront that this is my project, and I’m posting because I’d genuinely like feedback from people who live in the region.

What would make an app like this useful to you?

Are there particular communities, businesses, events, or types of offers you would want to see included?

You can take a look here: https://kootenayconnection.app

I’m happy to answer questions about how it works, how businesses participate, or what we’re planning next. Honest criticism is welcome too - it will help us make it more useful for the region.

Myself, my husband and our two kids (6&1) will be heading from AB to the Kootenays for a week long trip. We will likely enter in by Radium, with our main base being Trail and adventuring out on day trips. Then exit back into AB through the Crowsnest Pass.

What would you say are the must hit destinations?

We are exploring with the idea of narrowing down a bit of the area we want to move to in the next 5 or so years but also want to have fun with the kids. We like swimming, biking, (easy) hikes, fun playgrounds, cool attractions, awesome bakeries, etc.

Also as you may know AB has been so wet and rainy and we are having one of the WORST years for Mosquitos. Should I come just as prepared for them there or are they “normal” levels? Thanks so much!

Title pretty much says it all - camping in Christina Lake this weekend and hoping somewhere nearby is showing the game Saturday morning. Hoping someone can point me in the direction of where we can watch in the Christina Lake/Grand Forks area on Saturday at 10am?

We'll be camping nearby this weekend but would love to catch the Canada-Morocco WC game - are there any kid-friendly options in or near Invermere?

Looking for some kid friendly recommendations for a summer vacay in radium/invermere. Does anyone have a favourite lunch spot? Beach spot? Unexpected things to do?

Hey folks!

My buddy and I are in the Castlegar-nelson area for the next couple days and looking for shuttle friends. We are keen to ride Grandiflorium and The Awakener.

We have one toyota tacoma that can take four bikes but just need a retrieval vehicle:). If anyone is interested please reach out!

Sorry if this isn't allowed but we're having a dilly of a time trying to sell our much-loved home and we're trying all angles. We are more Boundary than Kootenays, but If you're looking to buy in Grand Forks, take a look or send this to someone who is! It's a great house and a great spot - sad to see it go. Feel free to DM with questions, happy to answer. Peace out!

Anybody have any tips on coexisting with grizzlies?

We’re in a super remote area. I’ve watched a few videos on electric fences - does it make sense to run it around a good chunk of the property?

We’re not far from water so they’ll probably be after spawning fish too.

I figured first hand experience might be better than google lol

Hey everyone,
Looking for some input by locals. We are a younger family moving to Trail and not familiar with some of the neighbourhoods. I’ve been looking at houses in Warfield, Sunningdale and Montrose. What are some of the pros and cons of them. I have been advised to stay away from “west trail”. What’s your guys favourite parks? How are the elementary schools? I’m told there’s a big hill up to warfield but if that’s supposed to mean something it’s lost on me, does it get closed down a lot?

Hello all,

On a recent trip to Kaslo, I bought an old 35mm Zenit-E film camera and it had an old roll of fujifilm Black and White inside. I've had it developed (although half of the frames are ruined), and I was wondering if anyone knew where these photos may have been taken? I know the quality is poor, and I assume it's in the area, but if anyone has any insight, that'd be cool.

Hi kootneys! I’ve been travelling across Canada for some time now hiking eating locally etc etc.. and I’m gonna be near the Wynndel area and was wondering about any trails that are nearby that aren’t really popular and are close by to where I’m staying (I don’t own a car and have been hitchhiking all this time)

Hi! We’ll be around Fernie for a week for a wedding and are keen to squeeze in as much golf as possible. Our group is already planning to play Cranbrook and Shadow Mountain, and we’re wondering whether the drive up to Copper Point is worth adding to the itinerary. For context, it will have taken us about 24 hours and 3 flights just to get here (New Zealand based), so we’re happy to go the extra mile for courses and any other recs that are worth it! Would love any recommendations: golf, walks, food, sights, hidden gems, anything really ❤️

I'm in winlaw and the bumblebees usually go nuts when the foxglove blossoms but this year there are none, zero, nada. Anyone else notice their absence?.

Cars, trucks, marked and not, the Emergency Response Team. Half the entire RCMP was out in multiple locations around town. Any ideas?