Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In colder months the mountains of the Kootenays catch a phenomenal amount of
snow, turning the whole region into a winter wonderland. You won't find any major
resorts here; however, three small but legendary ski areas—Red Mountain, Whitewater, and
Fernie—attract adventurous powderhounds with some of North America's highest snow-
falls and steepest lift-served slopes.
Clustered on the edge of the Monashee Range in the western Kootenays are several com-
munities that seem a world away from the hustle and the bustle of the nearby Okanagan
Valley. Grand Forks, Rossland, Trail, and Castlegar all boomed at the turn of the 20th cen-
tury, when thousands of gold-hungry prospectors descended on the slopes of Red Mountain.
Today Red Mountain draws more powderhounds than prospectors, and lakes, rivers, parks,
and peaks are the area's main attractions.
In addition to mining history, the West Kootenays are also known as the home of the
Doukhobors, a religious sect of Russian immigrants who arrived in the early 1900s to till
the land and practice their faith in peace. Aspects of their unique culture and lifestyle can
be seen today in Grand Forks and elsewhere in the region.
Perched at the confluence of the Granby and Kettle Rivers, Grand Forks (pop. 4,000) is a
quiet town with tree-lined streets, historic homes, and an interesting history. It was a rough-
and-ready mining town when the Doukhobors, a religious sect practicing pacifism and ve-
getarianism, arrived in the early 1900s after fleeing persecution in their Russian homeland.
Although they no longer live in communal villages, local Doukhobor descendants still fol-
low their beliefs and speak Russian, which is taught in local schools. To find out more about
the intriguing Doukhobor lifestyle, visit
Boundary Museum
(6145 Reservoir Rd., 250/
442-3737, 10am-4pm Tues.-Sat. June-Oct., donation). While most of the original settle-
ments have disappeared,
Hardy Mountain Doukhobor Village,
one kilometer (0.6 miles)
west of town on Hardy Mountain Rd., is an exception. Comprising a smattering of red-
brick buildings in various states of disrepair, the site is undergoing restoration. Although no
buildings are currently open to the public, it's an interesting place to visit.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search