Trail

Trail is a city within the West Kootenay region of the Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Trail has an area of 13.43 sq. mi. or 34.78 square kilometres. The city of Trail is situated on both banks of the Columbia River, approximately 10 km north of the United States border. This section of the Columbia River valley is located between the Monashee Mountains towards the west and the Selkirk Mountains to the east. The Columbia flows directly north-south from Castlegar, turns east near downtown Trail, and next meets the United States-Canada border at Waneta and the Pend d'Oreille River.

The first mountains east of the Coastal Mountains to receive moisture laden westerly flow from the Pacific are the Monashee Mountains. Hence, parts west of Trail, like for example the Christina Range, Rossland Range, the city of Rossland, and the Blueberry-Paulson part of the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) receive greater amounts of winter precipitation, typically in the form of heavy snow. Vegetation in the Trail part, though fairly lush, is noticeably drier compared to other parts with a more westerly aspect.

Tech Cominco is the biggest company within the region, employing roughly 1,800 individuals. Cominco's Trail operation has an average worker age of 47 years old, meaning that in the next 15 or so years, there will be an entirely different labour force. A younger and perhaps more technical labour force would most likely replace individuals who would retire. The big picture for the area is one of an aging population that results in continuing employment possibilities within the area. This is proof based on the improved housing sales in the years between 2005 to 2007, making the Greater Trail region a target location for people in search of better quality of life within a smaller community surroundings.

The City of Trail is also home to the biggest hospital in the West Kootenay region.

The small city of Rossland is situated within the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. The city of Rossland is tucked high in the Monashee Mountains at an elevation of 3410 feet or 1023 metres. Population these days is roughly 3500; a number which changes from season to season. The population is at its peak during the winter. But back in the year 1897, because of a gold rush, Rossland for a time was amongst Western Canada's largest cities.

Fruitvale is a village located in south-eastern British Columbia within the West Kootenay part. The village of Fruitvale is situated 16 km east of the city of Trail along Highway 3B.

Montrose is a village situated in south-eastern British Columbia in the West Kootenay region. It is located 7 km east of Trail City along Highway 3B.