Expedia recently released their Top 17 Canadian Cities to Visit in 2017 and guess which Kootenay communities made the list!
Really, you could look at any number of our beautiful towns and cities around the region and easily put them on any “Tops” list. But, it probably won’t come as much of a surprise to any of us who’ve traveled our beautiful Kootenays that the cities chosen were absolutely well-deserving of the honour.
Among such bucket list notables as Montreal, Vancouver (a veritable staple on so many lists!) and Charlottetown, the West Koots can be doubly proud as it was, in fact, two beautiful and scenic communities in that neck of the woods that made the cut.
Quaint and sleepy Kaslo, while rather remote compared to others listed, was named for several reason. Tremendous lake views, quality bistros and, of course, the culture with events such as the Columbia Basin Culture Tour and the very popular annual Kalso Jazz Fest set on the shores of Kootenay Lake each August set this small Koots community among the best.
Small, insulated from big box and chain store excess is appealing for it’s sense of community and appreciation for the outdoors. With a population of not quite 1000, the picturesque and historic village is the quintessential small BC interior town.
Winter wonderland, Rossland, known best for how much powder they enjoy, and a must-stop when travelling the Powder Highway, followed her West Koots neighbour Kaslo, but only by a few. Add the views, the food and the beer, well, you’ve really got a perfect combination for any visit!
Rossland is worth the stop regardless the season, but it’s winter that really offers up the best the region has to offer. With the long-standing annual Rossland Winter Carnival it’s the snow that lights up this community.
That said, the opportunities are truly endless if you’re a summer outdoors enthusiast. Exceptional trails for hiking and mountain biking – over 200 km of professionally maintained single track trails – along with your choice of beautiful nearby lakes, set the area apart, making it the place to be in the warmer months too.
Head into town and enjoy the funkiness that has made Rossland so popular amongst those in the know for decades. Boutique shops, cafes and restaurants offer up a unique mountain flavour yet the authentically cool vibe lets you know this is a real town, with hard-working people proud of their thriving little mountain town.
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