ELKFORD
When travel restrictions in British Columbia are lifted, your next great adventure begins where the road ends. At the end of Highway 43, you’ll find the district of Elkford. A hidden gem of the East Kootenay, this high-altitude Rocky Mountain municipality caters solely to the adventurous in spirit. Without a traffic light or shopping mall in sight, its rugged mountain ranges, iconic Canadian wildlife and thousands of hectares of untamed wilderness are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true. Welcome to Elkford Elkford is among the most remote communities in British Columbia. Built in 1971, as a homestead for mining industry workers and their families, Elkford also boasts the amenities, recreation facilities and luxuries of a much larger city. This idyllic
32 Summer 2020 - Thefreepress.ca
mountain hamlet provides approximately 2,500 residents with postcard-perfect views, beautifully maintained community parks, a nine-hole golf course, hiking and mountain biking trails, world-class fishing, emerald lakes and endless acres of wilderness to explore. Wilderness is at the core of Elkford’s identity, and wildlife is often sighted strolling down the streets. Wildlife native to the region include grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, moose, lynx, wolves, wolverines, foxes, cougars, elk and deer. More bighorn sheep inhabit the district of Elkford than any other place in North America, and wildlife photographers will be pleased to find them dotting the cliffs on the edges of town. Destination: Isolation Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there are plenty of ways for locals to get outside and play tourist in their own town, all while adhering to the orders and directives of regional and Provincial health authorities. Lace up your boots and leash up your dog! Elkford contains over 30 kilometres [O] Tasha Chorneyko
