Elk River

Upper Elk Lake

Lost Lake Trail

Explorer`s Guide

Elkford….Wild at Heart. Elkford is a picturesque Rocky Mountain town, founded in 1971 as a home for miners working at the newly-established Fording Coal Operations. From its early days as a collection of temporary homes, a one-room school, and a single general store, Elkford has grown to its current population of over 2,500 residents. Elkford is largely undiscovered by lovers of outdoor recreation. Pristine natural wilderness is highlighted by proximity to the Elk Lakes Provincial Park, Koko Claims snowmobiling area, world class fly-fishing on the Elk River, a local ski hill and a full range of community recreational amenities usually only found in much larger centres. "Wilderness" remains core to what the community is and wants to be; the start of active adventure and the passive pursuit of a serenity as big as the mountainous expanse that surrounds all at the end of the road. Above all else, Elkford remains a place where nature prevails and humanity borrows a bit of space. Outdoor enthusiasts seek the serenity, peace, solitude and active lifestyle that is afforded, and affordable, in Elkford. Any map depicts Elkford at the end of the road, but we invite you to discover what the locals already know is true: Elkford is the beginning of something special.

Community Group Listing 50 + Club

Elkford Slo Pitch Association

Breastfeeding Mamas

Elkford Snowmobile Association

Elkford Arts Council

Elkford Swim Club

Elkford ATV Club

Elkford Women’s Task Force Society

Elkford Chamber of Commerce

Elkford Youth Soccer Association

Elkford Community Enhancement Society

Elk Valley Air Cadets (#279)

Elkford Curling Club

Elk Valley Lacrosse Association

Elkford Early Years Committee

Elk Valley Minor Hockey Association

Elkford Figure Skating Club

Elk Valley Safe Homes (24 hour crisis line)

Elkford Food Bank

Fun Darts Club

Elkford SnowSnow-inin-Summer Garden Club

Girl Guides of Canada - Elk Valley District

Elkford Lions Club

High Altitude Volleyball Club

Elkford Minor Ball Association

Kids Count Too (Kids’ Counselling)

Elkford Nordic Ski Club

Mountain Meadows Golf Club

Elkford Public Library

T.O.P.S. #5097 Elkford Chapter

Elkford Rod and Gun Club

Wapiti Ski Club

Elkford Scouting Association

Wildsafe BC

Elkford Search and Rescue

Wildcat Brawlers Roller Derby

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Get intimate with nature. www.elkford.ca 1.855.877.WILD

Get Intimate with Nature

Petain Falls, Elk Lakes Prov. Park

Lost Lake Trail

Upper Elk Lake

Walk out our back door into a world untamed. From Xtreme sportsman to simple nature lover... adventurers are living life to its fullest in our mountain playground…why aren't you?

Explore the wildlife: visit Elkford, British Columbia. Elkford at a Glance Founded

1971

Population

2,523

Getting to & from Elkford Road

1,300 m (highest populated community in BC)

Employment Base

Mining, Government, Public Sector, Tourism

Average Summer Temperature (Jun., Jul., Aug.)

Border Crossings

High · 22 degrees Celsius Low · 7 degrees Celsius

Cranbrook International Airport

1 hr., 54 mins. · 168 km

Calgary International Airport

3 hrs., 10 mins. · 310 km

Roosville/Kingsgate

1 hr., 35 mins · 134 km

Sparwood

35 mins. · 34 km

Fernie

47 mins. · 66 km

Cranbrook

1 hr., 50 mins. · 161 km

Kimberley

2 hrs., 6 mins. · 182 km

Lethbridge

2 hrs., 18 mins · 212 km

Calgary

3 hrs., 7 mins. · 300 km

Distances to Average Winter High · -2 degrees Celsius Temperature (Nov., Dec., Jan. Feb.) Low · -7 degrees Celsius

Cross Country Skiing

Trails generally run up the Elk Valley, which stretches more than 60 km north of town to the Alberta border. By far the most popular riding areas are the meadows and alpine bowls at Koko Claims, just a few km west of the staging area. The Claims main trail is also the gateway to infinite family riding on unplowed forest service roads in the Bull River Valley to the west. The only limitation to how far you can go is how early you wake in the morning and the amount of fuel you can carry. The bowls at Mear Lake and Smith Basin in the Koko Claims area are accessible by intermediate riders. The trails into the Tundra and the Gorge are for advanced riders with bigger machines. Avalanche activity in the alpine is high, so riders are advised to check current conditions.

Boivin Creek A moderate 7.5 km trail with a gradual climb. 300 m of elevation gain along Boivin Creek to the base of Mount Phillips. Two ski cabins are located along the way for resting and warming up; one about 3 km out of town, and another at 7.5 km. Coming into town, turn left at the four-way stop. Follow the directional signs to Wapiti Ski Hill. Once the pavement turns to gravel at the bend in the road, the signed trailhead is visible to the left. Golf Course Trail Entering town, look for Mountain Meadows Golf Club on the west side of the highway. Enter into the main parking lot and the set track begins just to the right of the club house.

More information: Elkford Visitor Centre 750 Fording Drive · 250.865.4015 visitorcentre@elkford.ca

Fishing & Hunting

Photography & Wildlife Viewing

Travel a picturesque 35 km north of Sparwood on Highway 43

Air Elevation

ATVing & Snowmobiling

Elkford Visitor Centre 750 Fording Drive · PO Box 340 · Elkford, BC · V0B 1H0

Phone: 250.865.4000 · Fax: 250.865.4001 Email: info@elkford.ca · Web: www.elkford.ca

Phone: 250.865.4015 · Toll Free: 1.855.877.WILD Fax: 250.865.4011 Email: visitorcentre@elkford.ca · Web: www.elkford.ca

North of Elkford, the Elk and Fording Rivers provide outstanding fly fishing. Fishing can be done from either drift boats or by walk and wade. An abundance of Westslope Cutthroat, Bull and Rainbow Trout can be pursued in the largely undiscovered waters. Anglers will find many alpine lakes in the area, some near a road, and some requiring several hours of hiking to locate. The Elk River has been proclaimed one of the best Cutthroat fishing streams on the continent. During hunting season, you’ll find local and visiting hunters in pursuit of large game. All non-resident hunters wishing to hunt big game in the Province of British Columbia must be accompanied by a registered guide outfitter or by a resident who holds a valid Permit to Accompany. Visit www.gov.bc.ca to learn more.

Elkford is a picturesque Rocky Mountain town that remains a place where nature prevails. You’ll be sure to find breathtaking beauty in the thrusted and vaulted mountainous expanse that surrounds Elkford. Don’t forget to look for elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black and grizzly bears, wolves, moose, white-tailed and mule deer, coyotes, cougars, lynx and wolverines. Look to the skies for bald eagles, osprey, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and British Columbia’s provincial bird - the Steller’s Jay.

Cover Photo: Upper Elk Lake

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Get Active Indoors

Inviting Adventurous Spirits Camping Elkford Municipal Campground Operated by the Elkford Lions Club, this is a riverfront campground located right in town and within walking distance to all community amenities and indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities. This campground has 77 sites with showers, free firewood, a new washroom and shower facility, and a cookhouse.

Hiking & Biking

350 Highway 43 · Elkford, BC 250.865.4019 · campground@elkford.ca

Those looking for a shorter journey can enjoy one of the more moderate trails located within or close to town. More extreme adventures can seek the excitement offered by the Rocky Mountains that surround Elkford. You’ll find approximately 40 km of marked interpretive trails surrounding the community. The Valley begins along the edge of the Continental Divide and provides superb wilderness hiking and extreme mountain biking experiences.

BC Parks and Recreation Forestry Maintained Camping There are 9 forest recreation campsites located in the Elk Valley. Amenities typically include fire pits, picnic tables and pit toilets.

More information: Elkford Visitor Centre 750 Fording Drive · 250.865.4015 visitorcentre@elkford.ca

Skiing & Snowboarding

Golfing

Elkford Community Conference Centre & Visitor Centre

Elkford’s hub for all leisure services programs and facility rentals. This 1,800 square metre building features a visitor centre, playschool, commercial kitchen, banquet/event hall with a stage for the performing arts, and multi-purpose meeting rooms. The aesthetically pleasing building uses structural wood construction to conserve energy and reduce the centre’s environmental footprint. Elkford Community Conference Centre (Facility Rentals, Leisure Services Department) 750 Fording Drive · 250.865.4010 · recreation@elkford.ca

Elkford Aquatic Centre & Public Library

Elkford Visitor Centre 750 Fording Drive · 250.865.4010 Toll free: 1.855.877.WILD · visitorcentre@elkford.ca

Elkford Recreation Centre Arena, Curling Rink & Art Studio

Mountain Meadows Golf Club Wapiti Ski Hill Wapiti Ski Club is a volunteer operated facility located right in Elkford. At 1,300 metres above sea level, Elkford welcomes over 350 cm of snow annually, making it a great location to find fresh snow. There are currently 14 complete runs offering 1000 vertical feet of elevation change; enough variety to keep the whole family entertained for the day. You can avoid the large crowds you find at mainstream resorts, spend less time in line, and more time having fun! Wapiti Ski Club 1000 Natal Road · Elkford, BC 250.865.2020 · www.wapitiskiclub.com

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Golfer friendly but challenging! This course is quickly becoming a popular destination for golfers of all ages and abilities who are looking for a majestic mountain setting, great golf and the best value in the Kootenays. The nine-hole layout was built on a natural elk grazing meadow in 1976. Each hole has two sets of tees so the back nine plays much different than the front nine. The course plays through towering spruce and over and along a meandering creek; water comes into play on six of the nine holes. Play in the Rough: Mountain Meadows Golf Club Located along Highway 43 right in Elkford, BC 250.865.7413 · www.mountainmeadowsgolf.com

The pool has four lanes for swimming, a ‘beach front’ access for young children, two diving boards, a slide, whirlpool hot tub and a sauna. The facility is handicapped accessible for the pool and hot tub. Check out the Elkford Public Library, also housed in this facility, for educational and recreational library services. Elkford Aquatic Centre 816 C Michel Road 250.865.4012 pool@elkford.ca

Elkford Public Library 816 C Michel Road 250.865.2912 info@elkfordlibrary.org

The Recreation Centre houses an ice arena and three sheets of curling ice, complete with a curling lounge overlooking the ice. This facility also boasts a concession, multi-purpose hall and an art studio. Elkford Recreation Centre 816 B Michel Road 250.865.4010 recreation@elkford.ca

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Navigate Elkford

Embark on Elkford’s Feature Trails

Community Registration Night

September

Volunteer Appreciation Event

April

Wapiti Ski Club Fun Run

September

Wildcat Days Celebration and Canada Day Celebration

June/July

East Kootenay Community Credit Union WalkWalk-a-Thon

September

Elkford Slo Pitch Association Ball Tournament

June/July

Remembrance Day Ceremony

November

Elkford Adult and Youth Triathlon

June

Elkford Chamber of Commerce Moonlight Madness Craft Fair

November

Elkford Early Years Committee Tee off for Tots Golf Tournament

June

Winter in the Wild Festival

February

Mountain Meadows Golf Club He/She Golf Tournament

July

Elkford Curling Club Wildkat Combo

February

Elkford Figure Skating Club Ice Show

February

Mountain Meadows Golf Club Ladies’, Mens’ and Seniors’ Open Golf Tournaments

August

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Bare Hill Lookout

1 km

A moderate difficulty that provides a panoramic view of Elkford and its surrounding mountains. It was named as a result of forest fires in the 1930s.

Josephine Falls

2.3 km

A hike of moderate difficulty to the beautiful Josephine Falls, which cascade 25 m down a steep canyon carved by the Fording River. Elkford’s best single-track mountain bike trail.

Lost Lake

4.5 km

A vigorous hike through stands of lodge pole pine to a stocked lake with two docks for fishing.

Boivin Creek Peace Trail

1.2 km

An easy walking loop, as well as an 8 km cross country ski trail.

Boivin Creek Bridge

Spring and Summer Events

Description

Boivin Creek Sunset

Fall and Winter Events

Distance