Tourism & Ecotourism

Situated in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Cranbrook has become a major tourism hot spot. With endless access to outdoor activities like hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, and golf, our regional tourism thrives year-round.

  • Popular Activities and AttractionsHiking
  • Mountain biking
  • Fly-fishing
  • Golfing
  • Whitewater rafting and kayaking
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Horseback riding
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Downhill skiing and snowboarding
  • ATVing and snowmobiling

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With our very own airport and close proximity to Alberta and the US, visitors from all over the globe travel to Cranbrook to adventure in one of the most beautiful mountain valleys in the world. Some even love it here so much they never leave!

Working in the tourism industry means sharing your passion with people from all around the world. Luckily for you, we have got the talent to help you do it. The College of the Rockies, based in Cranbrook, provides our workforce with industry certification in the fields of tourism management, adventure tourism business operations, mountain skills, and recreation management. Most of your employees will have grown up here, meaning that you will have access to priceless firsthand knowledge of the area and a love for the region that can’t be taught.

“Known for its big mountain views and seemingly endless hours of sunshine, 2229 hours annually to be exact, Cranbrook is a tourism destination on the rise. With access to world class golf, cycling, fishing, skiing, and more, its no wonder this is a place where people come to visit, live and invest. The Canadian Rockies International airport is the only international airport in the Rocky Mountains and provides access to the wider Kootenay Region and a breadth of experiences including national parks, hot springs, car touring and the infamous Powder Highway. Apart from its natural splendor, the area is also steeped in history specifically that of the Indigenous people, the Ktunaxa, railways and gold mining. Cranbrook is the basecamp of the Kootenay Experience.”

Kristy Jahn Smith, Executive Director, Cranbrook Tourism

Ecotourism

As an environmentally friendly city we are also a prime location for those interested in ecotourism. With our deep rooted ties to the natural world, our region is big on sustainable practices. You’ll find a number of local businesses and farmers, as well as our ʔaq̓am First Nations Community, that are striving to raise cultural awareness and look after the beautiful place we live in.

The pristine provincial parks, mountains, and endless public land that make up our backyard is home to abundant wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, bears, wolves, and eagles. Venture into our backwoods and you never know who you’ll be lucky enough to see. The best part is, half of the work is already done for you as the infrastructure in nearby provincial parks and nature conservancies already in place make it easy to share this pristine part of the world with eco-conscious visitors.

For more information, see Cranbrook Tourism.

Urban Attractions

While the outdoors are what we’re most well known for, we also have a number of local tourist attractions including…

Newcomers Guide

Newcomers Guide

Essential Guide

Essential Guide

Strategic Plan 2024-2027

Strategic Plan 2024-2027