Parks in Kootenay Rockies

The Kootenay Rockies region of British Columbia has four mountain range to boast about; the BC Rockies, the Purcell Mountains, the Selkirk Mountains, and the Monashee Mountains. Seven national and provincial parks are designated Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Between these ranges are the enormous Arrow Lake and Kootenay Lake, and the Columbia River rolling through Columbia Valley. The diverse region offers glaciers, canyons, grasslands, rushing rivers and the ever-popular mineral hot springs, creating a wilderness backcountry adventure playground for hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking and rafting, rockclimbing, and horseback riding in summer, and winter draws skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and cross-country skiers to the many alpine ski resorts.

The Kootenays

Dominated by mountains and water, the Kootenays region of British Columbia is cradled by the Monashee Mountains to the west, and the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains to the east. Between these ranges are the enormous Arrow and Kootenay Lakes, and the major wilderness parks of Valhalla and Kokanee Glacier.