Cranbrook

Understand

History The area was inhabited by Ktunaxa peoples. The land that Cranbrook now occupies was bought by European settlers, notably Colonel James Baker who named his newly acquired land Cranbrook after his home in Cranbrook, Kent, England. In 1898, Baker had convinced Canadian Pacific Railway to establish its Crowsnest Pass line through Cranbrook rather than nearby gold rush boom town Fort Steele. Cranbrook became the major centre of the region, while Fort Steele declined; however, the latter is today a preserved heritage town.

Getting there

Cranbrook is often visited unintentionally since it's on British Columbia's Highway 3 that crosses the southern portion of the province. Cranbrook is easily reached in 4 hr of driving from Calgary, and about 10 hr driving from Vancouver. Cranbrook can be reached from the United States from either Idaho by crossing at the Kingsgate/Eastport crossing on US 95 or from Montana at the Roosville crossing on US-93.

By plane

Airport 1 Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC IATA) (Located about 15 km north of Cranbrook on Highway 95A.), ☏ +1 250-426-7913. (updated May 2022) There are daily flights to Cranbrook from Vancouver (1.25-1.75 hours) and Calgary (1 hour).

Airlines Canadian airlines operating to Cranbrook:

Air Canada, ☏ +1-514-393-3333, toll-free: +1-888-247-2262. Canada's largest airline with hubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. It operates across Canada and services international destinations. (updated Apr 2022) Pacific Coastal Airlines, ☏ +1-604-273-8666, toll-free: +1-800-663-2872, [email protected]. Operates flights primarily in the south coast area of British Columbia with its hub in Vancouver. (updated Apr 2022) WestJet, toll-free: +1-877-952-0100. Canada's second largest airline services with hubs in Calgary and Toronto. It operates across Canada and services international destinations. (updated Apr 2022) Other airlines operating to Cranbrook:

Delta Air Lines also has a seasonal service 3 times a week from Salt Lake City.

By bus Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service, ☏ +1-778-382-7729, [email protected]. Weekly service between Calgary and Kaslo with stops in Okotoks, High River, Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, Creston, Salmo, Nelson, and Balfour. Travel time to Cranbrook, from Calgary is 7 hours, from Sparwood is 2 hours, from Nelson is 3 hours, and from Kaslo is 4 hours. This service provider also offers a twice per week service between Kaslo and Vancouver via Nelson.

Getting around

Being a small city, getting around Cranbrook is best done by automobile. Some roads in Cranbrook are in poor shape, especially side streets. Main arterial roads, however, have been given some much needed attention in the past couple of years and are generally in good condition. Most restaurants and hotels are located on Highway 3/95, which is also known as Van Horne Street in the south end of the city and Cranbrook Street in the north end. The whole Hwy 3/95 going through Cranbrook is usually called "The Strip". Downtown stretches along Baker Street. Much of Cranbrook is pretty flat so biking around town would also be a reasonable option.

By public transit BC Transit (Cranbrook Transit System), ☏ +1-250-417-4636. Operates several bus routes within Cranbrook throughout the week. (updated Apr 2022) Cranbrook's transit system consisting of seven routes connecting residential areas of the city to the downtown area as well as shopping centres. The Cranbrook transit system is geared more towards residents and is not of much use to tourists. Below are Health Connections trips. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The trips are open to all members of the public, but as "Health Connections" trips, people traveling to medical appointments receive priority for reservations Two days per week there is bus service between Golden and Cranbrook with a stop in Invermere. Travel time to Cranbrook from Golden is 3.25 to 3.5 hours and from Invermere is 2 hours. Two days per week between Creston and Cranbrook with a stop in Yahk. Travel time is 2 hours between Creston and Cranbrook. Two days per week between Elkford and Cranbrook with stops in Sparwood and Fernie. Travel time between Cranbrook and Fernie is 1 to 1.25 hours. BC Transit (Kimberley Transit System), ☏ +1 250-427-7400. Two buses a day M-F (45 min) between Kimberley and Cranbrook. $3 (no change provided). (updated May 2020)

By taxi Key City Cabs, ☏ +1 250-426-1111. (updated Jul 2022) Star Taxi,

See

Cranbrook has as its backdrop the Rocky Mountains. Any visitor equipped with a camera will find no shortage of locations to photograph nature. Elizabeth Lake, located at the south end of Cranbrook, is a wildlife sanctuary and home to many different birds and animals, ripe for the photographing. Cranbrook dates back to the late 1800s and has lots of history to check out around downtown.

1 Cranbrook History Centre (Canadian Museum of Rail Travel), 57 Van Horne St S, ☏ +1 250-489-3918. Tu-Sa 10AM-3PM or 4 PM, closed Su & M. Museum dedicated to the history of Cranbrook and the surrounding area. Includes a fossil exhibit, train car collection and model railway. No train buff's trip to Cranbrook would be complete without a trip here. Static exhibits of passenger rail cars built in the 1920s for the CPR and in the 1900s for the Spokane International Railway. The gift shop features products made by local artisans. Cranbrook historic walking tours offered in the summer. $5.50/adult, $3.50/senior, $3.50/child, train tours extra. (updated Sep 2020) 2 Fort Steele Heritage Town, 9851 Highway 93/95, Fort Steele (17 km NE of the city), ☏ +1 250-417-6000. A ten-minute drive north of the city, Fort Steele is a collection of heritage buildings set up as a North-West Mounted Police outpost. Staff in period costumes help illustrate how live was during that era. Adult or senior $7, youth 6-17 $5, child free. 3 Key City Theatre, 20 14 Ave N, ☏ +1 250 426 7006. From internationally renowned performers to community productions, this is the heart of the Kootenay's performing arts scene. A 600-seat centre for performing arts, conferences & cultural events, with an on-site gallery. (updated Sep 2020)

Do

1 Cranbrook Golf Club, 2700 2nd St S, ☏ +1 250-426-7812, [email protected]. They call themselves the "Hidden Gem of the Kootenays". Good golf at a good price. 2 Cranbrook Community Forest (east of town along Sylvan Lake Rd). Has over 100 km of hiking trails. Is a common place for mountain biking. (updated Mar 2023) 3 Mount Fisher. Hike to the top of this mountain, which is tallest peak in the Kootenay Range at 2,846 m (9,336 ft). The top part is bit of a scramble: it's recommended only for experienced hikers only. To reach the trailhead, it involves travel along a rough 10 km road requiring a four wheel drive vehicle. (updated May 2023)

Buy

1 Baker Street (Baker St near Cranbrook St N). Along Baker Street is an interesting mix of clothing stores and