Situated in the middle of the broad Rocky Mountain Trench, Cranbrook (population 19,364) boasts more sunshine than anywhere else in British Columbia.
Its location in this wide valley creates a feeling of openness unique for a region defined by its mountainous geography.
Cranbrook is a railway town, a mill town, a commercial centre, and an island in a sea of golf courses. It has a modern theatre and a lively arts community, a professional hockey team, and a remarkable railway museum that captures the experience of the golden age of rail travel in Canada.
The wilderness, abundant wildlife, and quiet lakes and hikes complement the town's lure as a service and shopping hub for the surrounding communities. The Canadian Rockies International Airport – gateway to the Kootenay Rockies – is located here, and while visitors will find hotels, restaurants and big-box stores along Cranbrook's main strip, it's well worth a detour to explore the local boutiques, shops and cafes.
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Residents and visitors can embrace the town's history at multiple locations: Fort Steele Heritage Town, a former ghost town, is now one of BC's most important heritage attractions; and Rails to Trails is an old rail bed that's been converted to a 26-km/16-mi multi-use path that links Cranbrook to Kimberley.
Things to do in Cranbrook
Explore the history of the city with the help of the self-guided Cranbrook Heritage Walking Tour. Pick up a copy at the Visitor Centre. Climb aboard the luxurious vintage railcars of the Trans-Canada Limited at Trains Deluxe – The Canadian Museum of Rail Travel on Van Horne Street South.
Enter the wild and woolly world of the restored Fort Steele Heritage Town. This living museum is just 16km/10mi northeast of Cranbrook.
Catch a Kootenay Ice home game or, if the hockey season is over, play a round at one of the area's six golf courses.
Festivals
Cranbrook's festival calendar starts off with a Children's Festival in May, but the city's big bash is Sam Steele Days, which takes place on the third weekend in June. The four-day event features parades, pageants and pancake breakfasts, a slow pitch tournament, a soccer tournament and much more.
Nearby Wycliffe hosts its annual Pro Rodeo in early August, while later in the month Cranbrook's Idlewild Park is the venue for the Idlewild Music Festival.
Fort Steele puts on a Fall Fair in September and a very popular Halloween celebration. Finishing up the year in style, Cranbrook celebrates the season with Christmas in the Rockies.
Where to Start
Pop in at the Cranbrook Visitor Centre for information, maps, recommendations and other advice about what to see, where to stay and eat in town.
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