About Cranbrook, BC
Cranbrook, BC is a small city in the Canadian province of British Columbia with a population of around 21,000. It’s located near the TransCanada Highway and about an hour west of Calgary. Cranbrook is home to beautiful lakes, amazing ski resorts, and even a top-rated golf course! If you’re looking for some outdoor adventure or just want to relax by one of the city’s pristine lakes, Cranbrook has it all. The rest of this page will give you more information on living in Cranbrook, British Columbia!
Cranbrook has a lot to offer as it’s home to amazing lakes, ski resorts, golf courses, and more. There’s truly something in Cranbrook for every taste. The surrounding scenery allows for a plethora of outdoor activities and water sports. Fishing, boating, and jet skiing are all popular summer activities for Cranbrook residents. Don’t be fooled, though. In the winter, Cranbrook offers many ski resorts that allow locals and tourists alike to brush up on their snowboarding or skiing skills.
Cranbrook offers many lovely parks that make for a perfect place to take your dog for a walk or just relax on the grass with a good book. If you are looking to stay indoors, Cranbrook has many museums, theatres, and shopping plazas for you to explore. Ranked among North America’s top safest cities on Yahoo, Cranbook is an excellent location to buy your first home or start your family in. The school system in Cranbrook offers a variety of top-notch public, private, or charter schools.
Cranbook is home to a number of different industries including construction, hospitality, mining services, and agriculture, which employs approximately 30% of the population. The town’s economy depends on its proximity to Alberta oil sands, which are located just outside town in Fort McMurray.
The Real Estate Market in Cranbrook is a great place to buy your first home, start your family, or retire. The average price of a detached single-family home in Cranbook is $344,000. A majority of Cranbrook homes are single-family houses, with a few condos and townhouses. With its close proximity to Calgary as well as Fort McMurray, there are many commuters that live in Cranbook and work in either of these places.
Cranbrook Transportation
Cranbrook has a number of transportation options for you to explore the city. If you’re looking for something fast, consider taking the Cranbrook Connector bus and get off at one of it’s three stops: Downtown Cumberland where many shops, restaurants and nightlife await; College Heights with an excellent school system and unbeatable views of the Flathead Valley; and downtown Cranbrook, home to beautiful parks. If you have your own car, you have easy access to highways #93 and #14, and a majority of spots in Cranbrook have parking for you to find. If you’re looking for a more relaxed option, walk or bike the many trails Cranbrook has to offer! The nearest airport is in Lethbridge, which is only a one-hour drive from Cranbrook. If you’re looking to explore the rest of British Columbia and don’t want to fly into or out of Vancouver or Kelowna, this could be the perfect option!
Distance to Nearby Cities
- 209km (130 miles) to Calgary
- 477km (296 miles) to Edmonton
- 510km (317 miles) to Surrey
- 520km (323 miles) to Seattle, WA
Things To Do in Cranbrook, BC
Whether you prefer skiing in the winter or relaxing by the lake in the summer, Cranbrook is an excellent in-between. As a Cranbrook resident, you’ll never have a lack of activities to partake in. Here are some of our top choices:
- Cranbrook History Centre
- The Cranbrook History Centre is a great way to learn about one of BC’s oldest towns. The museum contains artifacts from the past including an early 1900s streetcar, which would have been used in Cranbook before automobiles became popular. There are also exhibits that focus on agriculture and mining, two industries important for building this community in 1890.
- Mount Baker Ski Area
- Mount Baker has more than five and a half kilometres worth of runs for skiers and snowboarders alike. They also offer beginner and advanced lessons, so you can learn from some of the best instructors the city has to offer!
- Rockies Museum of Mining
- This museum has been operating since 1978. It offers visitors a chance to explore the history of mining in the area, from its beginnings more than 150 years ago through to today’s modern technology.
- Jimsmith Lake Provincial Park
- Located about a half hour northwest of Cranbrook is Jimsmith Lake Provincial Park. This provincial park offers visitors three different camping areas with sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RV’s alike.
- Casino of the Rockies
- This casino offers visitors a wide variety of gaming opportunities including slot machines, poker tables, and over 100 different table games. If you’re looking for a fun night out, Casino of the Rockies is sure to provide what you need!
- Cranbrook Farmers Market
- The Cranbrook Farmers Market is a great place to stock up on fresh produce and local meat. It’s open every Saturday morning from May until October, so be sure not to miss out!
- St. Eugene Golf Course
- St. Eugene Golf Course is Cranbrook’s only 18-hole golf course and offers a challenging, yet fair test of skill for players at any level. The clubhouse has plenty of options to grab drinks and snacks after your round!
- Key City Theatre
- The Key City Theatre is Cranbrook’s only theatre and hosts a variety of productions throughout the year. It also offers workshops, classes, and camps for kids in addition to live music concerts!
- Cranbrook Aquatic Centre
- The Cranbrook Aquatic Centre is the perfect place to spend time with your family this summer. It features everything from a lazy river, slides, and even an interactive water-play area!
Cranbrook Day Trips
If you find yourself in Cranbrook and are looking for a day trip, there is plenty to do! Head out into the Canadian Rockies or find an exciting area to explore for the day. We recommend these top locations:
- Kootenay National Park
- The Kootenay National Park is one of the most popular and visited in British Columbia. It features over 300 lakes, mountain peaks up to 2,300 meters high, glaciers, and a variety of colourful wildlife. The park offers more than just hiking opportunities. With guided tours of the beautiful lakeside scenery as well as boat trips out onto the lake, Kootenay offers an exciting adventure for everyone!
- Columbia Icefield
- The Columbia Icefield is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. It’s one of the largest ice fields in North America, stretching about 300 kilometers wide from valley to valley. The popular excursion includes an opportunity to hike up the glacier to get a view like never before. You’ll be able to walk right into the glacier’s centre without fear. It’s about 4 hours from Cranbrook, but the one-of-a-kind experience is worth the drive.
- Columbia Valley Winery
- Just up the road from Cranbrook, Canal Flats is one of British Columbia’s newest wine-producing regions. The region has a reputation as ‘the most planted grape-growing area in Canada’, and with good reason! You’ll be able to find wines made by award-winning winemaker Cathy Corison at this vineyard, all while surrounded by unbeatable views.
- Kimberley Alpine Resort
- Kimberley Alpine Resort is the perfect spot to escape from your busy day-to-day life. It’s just a short drive away from Cranbrook, and offers tons of activities for both kids and adults alike! There are hiking trails, an alpine slide (beware: it’s steep!), tubing hills, horseback riding, and more!
