I'm curious what the drive from Calgary to Nelson is like in November. Should I just plan for the worst?

I live in Fernie. Have a very good job offer in Crowsnest Pass. Relocating is not an option nor is remote work. I'm wondering about that commute in the wintertime ? Anyone done it ? How realistic is the drive? TIA !

My wife & I are planning to visit the Kootenays between Boxing Day and New Years as a scouting mission to decide on a town/city we’d like to relocate to.

We’re contemplating Invermere/Panorama, Kimberley, and Rossland/Warfield/Trail. Access to outdoor activities, be it lakes, hiking, biking, camping, skiing, are the driving factor and don’t think we can go wrong with either. 3 kids under 12 so schools are important, too. First off, any major pros or cons to these areas?

Plan could be something like fly in to Calgary and drive to Invermere (stay the night) then to Kimberley (stay the night) then to Rossland/Trail (stay the night) and then drive to Kelowna (stay the night) to fly home. Second question, are we crazy to have this aggressive of a driving plan over the holidays? Could the driving be treacherous that time of year? We’re truly just looking for a vibe to then hone in on for the real estate searches so we can totally take our time with the driving. Coming from Ontario so winter driving isn’t foreign to me and I’ve white knuckled it on more than a few occasions. But also appreciate the differences the Rockies could bring.

TIA!

EDIT: after all the feedback & recos (thanks to all!) we’ve decided to skip the Dec scouting mission and plan to travel in March, with the kids, to see the area and some houses on the market in one-go.

Hey everyone! I'm 23 yr old kiwi here trying to decide where to work this winter. Spent last season at Big White which was awesome but looking for something a little quieter and a more 'authentic winter experience"...less aussies. Tossing up between Rossland and Nelson at the moment as places to live and work on the mountain, spent a day at each mountain last season and thought Red was better! but Nelson is a bigger town. Thoughts would be appreciated. Cheers Scott

Hi all --

I am a PhD candidate at UBC's School of Nursing and am conducting this research as a part of my dissertation. We are interested in understanding more about the way that we talk about contraceptives and how that might impact contraceptive care. At this time, we are recruiting cisgender women and people who can get pregnant to participate in arts-based research to discuss their experiences with controlling their fertility and/or contraceptive care. Participants will be asked to create a collage related to contraceptive care and experiences which will then guide a one on one virtual interview. Supplies for the collage can be mailed. An honorarium is provided. We are particularly interested in hearing experiences from those in more rural areas of BC, like y'all in the Kootenay region.

https://preview.redd.it/qtnyl6fldywd1.png?width=1211&format=png&auto=webp&s=529dd0a70d94aa910ecda57b3c23d853a10ea7ea

Please see the attached poster for more information regarding inclusion criteria and what to do if you are interested. If you have any further questions, please contact me at kermar@student.ubc.ca

Please note: We are also recruiting health care providers that currently prescribe contraceptives in British Columbia. If you are interested in participating as a health care provider, please see the following link.

Pend Oreille River. About 20 mins from Nelway border crossing this morning.

Excited to be heading to Castlegar for a day of work! I won’t have much time on the way there, but I’d love your recommendations for my drive back.

I'm interested in short hikes, bakeries, thrift stores, and restaurants.

So far, I have Deadwood Junction in Greenwood on my list. Any other suggestions? Thank you!

Driving route: Castlegar > Christina Lake > Grand Forks > Greenwood > Rock Creek > Beaverdell > Kelowna

My husband and I are looking into relocating to the area (north of Kaslo). After over a decade in dusty California we're ready to come home.

I have questions regarding climate change - specifically things to look out for or consider. I'm looking things up online as best as I can, and friends in BC are all on the coast/island so I thought I'd try here incase theres some elephant in the room nobody's telling us.

Hello,

My girlfriend and I are both teachers and are planning on moving to Rossland in September. We are curious if there is much work first TTOC’s or contracts that become available for sd20. If anyone has info on this we would really appreciate it! Also if you have any tips regarding finding a place to rent in Rossland or tips for teachers please send them our way!

I live in Kimberley, BC, where I've attempted to run a local area blog for the past handful of years, and this year I decided to put together a post about why the most important vote to make in this upcoming BC Election is "NOT Conservatives".

If interested, you can read it over on substack: https://mountown.substack.com/p/nobody-vote-bc-conservatives

For what it's worth, I don't make a case for who people should vote for, as I think the most important vote in this election is who people choose to actively NOT vote for (ps - the linked post is about a 12-minute read and contains extra links and embeds for more context).

There are some things mentioned that are specific to Kimberley/Cranbrook ridings, but, in general, the post applies to the overall provincial election.

Does anyone know the location to REMAC Mine?

Tech meetup happening this Wednesday in Cranbrook. Signup here for a fascinating night with free pizza and beverages. All ages are welcome.

This event will feature a presentation on new disc golf tracking technology followed by casual discussion.

Hi all. Can anyone recommend a good property inspector for purchasing a home in the Salmo/Fruitvale/Trail/Nelson area? TIA!

Hey neighbours, got a question about sun pits. I’m writing a story about sun pit culture in Kimberley, and I’m wondering if you folks in Fernie and Invermere get many people building them up on your hills?

I know you see ‘em in old Warren Miller films, and I know they’re not exclusive to Kimbo, but I’m curious to know if other places regionally are as enthusiastic about them.

Any input/anecdotes are appreciated.

Can anybody help me with proper directions on how to get to the Mount Bruce trailhead located just outside of Invermere?

I've been twice now and each time the All Trails directions through Google Maps leads to a blocked off private property gate and it looks like the trailhead pin is in that private property vicinity. However I know that's not it because somebody just did it the other day and left commentary on All Trails.

I’m not sure if this mural is still there, but I was going through old photos and found this gem and wanted to share it

I'm debating coming out to Rossland for a couple of months over winter for the skiing. I don't have a car and initially assumed I'd need to get one (I had one last time I lived in the Kootenays), but now I'm not so sure.

I can see there is a bus between Rossland and Red, so I wouldn't need a car for that, but it's not clear to me how important a car is for general day-to-day living. Thoughts? Would appreciate input from those in/around Rossland with or without a car.

Edit: thanks all! I also appreciate the insight on housing, didn't realise Rossland was so short on housing (or at least I didn't realise it was worse than elsewhere in BC). I don't want to create problems for locals so I'll see if there's anywhere else I can go that doesn't have the same housing pressure (perhaps unlikely).

Came across this on eknow so I thought I'd share for anyone who is ever looking for easily accessible STI testing, it's now available at the Tamarack lab in Cranbrook without needing to see a doctor, all you need to do is book a lab appointment or ask for the tests if you're already at the lab for something else.

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/services/on-demand-sti-testing

https://www.e-know.ca/regions/cranbrook/new-sti-testing-program-in-cranbrook/

Does any one know what the traffic cones graffiti/ painting showing up around West Kootenay towns represent? Who is doing it and why? I have seen them on walls, barriers bridges, buildings from Nelson, Castlegar,Cristina Lake - in different colours and random place. Very mysterious!

Evening all, looking for a dance instructor willing to provide private lessons for my fiancée and I who are hoping to surprise everyone with a choreographed dance at our Wedding next year. Do you know anyone that might be willing you could put me in touch with? Cranbrook area but willing to drive.