A snowy December is an ideal time to be in the Kootenay Rockies and specifically Cranbrook says former chief commissioner for the British Columbia Treaty Commission and Cranbrook born and raised, Sophie Pierre.

Kootenay Rockies residents know how to have fun in the wintry weather. While they’re enjoying local holiday activities, they are also contributing to B.C.’s economy by spending their vacation dollars nearby. By visiting regional events and venues, they’re not only supporting local businesses but also helping to sustain jobs in the tourism sector.

The Province’s tourism sector is strong and growing and a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan. The solid growth in the tourism sector can be linked to a number of factors including provincial tourism marketing efforts, lower fuel prices and direct flights to B.C. Compared to the rest of Canada, in 2014 B.C. was number one in absolute visitor volume growth and had the highest growth rate in total international visitation.

To find out why visitors are making B.C. their destination of choice, experience tourism offerings in your backyard. Here are some activities for your Kootenay Rockies staycation:

• Rekindle the Spirit of Christmas, downtown Rossland, Dec. 5
• Kaslo Light up, Kaslo, Dec. 5
• CP Holiday train, Cranbrook, Dec. 13
• Family New Year’s Eve Party, Fernie, Fernie Alpine Resort, Dec. 31
• New Year’s Eve Festivities and Fireworks, Invermere, Panorama Mountain Village, Dec. 31
• Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Golden, Golden Civic Centre, Dec. 11
• Snowflake Wine Festival, Revelstoke, Revelstoke Mountain Lodge, Dec. 5
• Soak in the Halcyon or Nakusp Hot Springs, Nakusp, open daily during the holidays
• Merchant Night, downtown New Denver, Dec. 10

British Columbians are urged to spread the news about their fun holiday activities by tweeting about them using hashtags: #StaycationBC #ExploreBC or one that Sophie Pierre will easily remember #SnowBetterPlace.

Quotes:

Sophie Pierre, former chief commissioner for the British Columbia Treaty Commission –

“I love Christmas at home in the fabulous East Kootenay! Especially when it includes playing in the snow with the grandkids!! Whether it’s ice skating at Jimsmith Lake or going tobogganing at Idlewild Park, there’s no shortage of things to do in winter.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“I agree with Sophie Pierre, the Kootenay Rockies are amazing during the holidays. It’s also been a remarkable year for tourism in British Columbia. We’ve seen growth in visitor numbers from around the world. However, success also includes British Columbians enjoying a staycation and experiencing the world class tourism offerings in their own province. I encourage everyone to take in a holiday activity coming up. Make some memories with loved ones at this time of year.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province invests more than $90 million annually in the tourism sector in every region of our province.
• Tourism builds communities, promotes culture and creates year-round jobs in every region or our province.
• Staycations help boost domestic tourism revenues and local economies and support over 19,000 businesses and 132,000 jobs in the tourism sector in B.C.
• The BC Jobs Plan builds on the strengths of our key sectors and our educated and skilled workforce, keeping our province diverse, strong and growing.

Learn More:

For trip planning info in the Kootenay Rockies and around B.C.: http://www.hellobc.com/british-columbia/trip-ideas.aspx

For more info about Kootenay Rockies Tourism: http://www.hellobc.com/kootenay-rockies.aspx

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/