It’s a team effort, said Razzo, to keep traffic flowing over Canada’s highest winter pass. — Cliff Razzo photo, 5 of 5Yes, that is a lot of snow. Access to the Townsite became easier as bridges were built over Blakiston Creek and the Waterton River. When snow and weather conditions create instabilities in the snowpack above the highway, the avalanche technician will close the highway for short periods of time to conduct avalanche control. BRIEF HISTORY … In 1858, the first unquestionable visit to Waterton Lakes by a European was made by Lt. Thomas Blakiston. Originally a member of the Palliser Expedition, Blakiston, after several disagreements, continued on his own. After the park was established as Canada’s fourth national park in 1895, Brown became the first game guardian, fisheries officer, and later the Forest Ranger in Charge. In 1917, a campground was cleared near Cameron Falls. Carrying emergency supplies such as water and warm clothes is also advisable. After being acquitted of murder charges in Montana, Brown returned to Waterton in 1878 with his family and settled in the area. “The Kootenay Pass Snow Avalanche Program has evolved greatly over the past 50 years," said Cliff Razzo, Creston area manager with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. His guide replied, “many days of poor travel” (possibly relating to the large amount of windfall that aboriginal people, travelling on foot, preferred to avoid). The best piece of advice that Razzo offers to motorists is to be sure they drive to current road conditions. The steam paddle wheeler, “Gertrude,” which had originally been used as a work boat for a nearby sawmill, served as a passenger boat, was tied in Emerald Bay for use as a tea house and then sunk in the bay (it is presently a popular scuba-diving attraction). — Photo courtesy Cliff Razzo, 3 of 5Dealing with an excess of snow is an annual challenge in the Kootenay pass. The Buffalo Cow Trail’s high, mild slopes of South Kootenay Pass and the low Akamina Pass were used by those who walked before the people of today in their pursuit of life- sustaining buffalo. Reaching the area of the Crowsnest Pass, he asked his native guide what lay down the valley.

The next year, Jack Hazzard built the first hotel in the Townsite, E. Haug, Sr., built a dancehall and the first passenger launch (4 HP) began operating on Upper Waterton Lake. — Cliff Razzo photo, 4 of 5So this is what goes on when the Kootenay Pass closes for avalanche control. Of South Kootenay Pass, Part I of the Boundary Commission Report published in 1917 reads as follows: "This so-called pass is merely a lower elevation of the watershed ridge and there is no distinct gap. The tourism industry had arrived in Waterton.

In poor conditions, drivers have to lower their speeds appropriately and pay strict attention to the task of driving. He named the lakes Waterton Lakes to honour the British naturalist Charles Waterton. Snow tires or chains are required from October 1 to April 30 each year. “Kootenay Pass is unique as the ministry has installed 23 Gazex cannons above the highway in the start zones of the avalanche paths," Razzo said. David Thompson, who was exploring a route to the Pacific, was the first European to travel through the area.

The Society is an initiative of the West Kootenay Branch of the BC Retired Teachers Association. Waterton was the site of western Canada's first producing oil well, the second in all of Canada. Kootenay Pass is only closed for an average of 100 hours over a winter season with most of those closures being limited to two to four hours. By 1924 the park had a stable, bunkhouse, a garage, a warehouse, a granary, an incinerator, a blacksmith shop, hay barns, government buildings, post office, telephone building, a hotel, cottages for rent, rooming house, restaurant, dancehall, two general stores, RCMP station, playgrounds, tennis courts, golf course, rowboats, gas motor launches, saddle and packhorse outfits and many summer cottages. Had he discovered it, this may have changed the history of the west and national parks! 1 of 5A team of professionals work hard every year to make sure the Kootenay Pass stays open. Using this pass, Blakiston re-crossed the divide, travelling along Blakiston (Pass) Creek and out to a chain of three large lakes. His job has him driving highways during storms and discussing improvement strategies with government—all in the interest of making sure people can move safely and efficiently through the province. It would be wise to pay attention to Razzo. In addition, crews will conduct helicopter bombing missions to reduce the instabilities that may exist deeper in the snowpack. Of South Kootenay Pass, Part I of the Boundary Commission Report published in 1917 reads as follows: "This so-called pass is merely a lower elevation of the watershed ridge and there is no distinct gap. Blakiston does not appear to have been aware of the existance of Akamina Pass and, believing that the pass in question was next to the Internatinal Boundary, also, perhaps, because its western approach crossed that boundary, gave it the name of Boundary Pass in his report to Capt. “I really enjoy the variety of issues that I encounter on a daily basis,” said Razzo. A well-spoken and educated man, Brown first saw Waterton in 1865 after travelling over the South Kootenay Pass. "Technicians are able to remotely detonate avalanches day or night.

On Sept. 6, 1858, he wrote: After two hours travelling on level ground along Red-stone creek (Red Rock) we emerged on the Saskatchewan plains, just six geographical miles north of the 49th parallel and camped at the lakes ...The scenery here is grand and picturesque...game is abundant, including, grizzly bears...and we obtained both fresh meat and fish. In 1869, after marrying Olivia Lyonnais (a Métis girl), Brown (former army ensign, deckhand and gold prospector) embarked on a series of careers, including riding pony express, scouting for General Custer and hunting buffalo and wolf. In 1904, the Western Coal and Oil Company from Vancouver drilled for oil near Cameron Falls, striking a flow of one barrel/day. Other attempts were made until the 1930s. Maintenance contractor Yellowhead Road and Bridge (Kootenay) Ltd. manages road maintenance including avalanche deposit removal. Thomas Blakiston returned to the prairies via this pass in the fall of 1858. Mining — Cliff Razzo photo, 2 of 5Cliff Razzo is ready for work at the summit of the Kootenay Pass. Geologists explain that the first oil strikes in Waterton were a fluke. The Kootenay have lived in this area for over 10,000 years. There, Blakiston met a tribe of Kutenai who told him of the South Kootenay Pass. With continuous grades and challenging conditions, motorists need to be prepared before tackling the Kootenay Pass. Kootenay National Park With diverse terrain embracing everything from arid grasslands to glaciers, Kootenay National Park offers the full Rocky Mountain experience along the historic Banff-Windermere Highway. “Kootenay Pass is unique as the ministry has installed 23 Gazex cannons above the highway in the start zones of the avalanche paths," Razzo said. In 1908, in the Blakiston Valley of Waterton Lakes National Park, traces of copper were found and a small claim was worked for a short time. View all of Kristen Mitchell’s articles, Pat Meerholz, co-owner of Wynndel Craft Distilleries in Creston Valley, B.C., handcrafts award-winning brandy, gin, rum, vodka, liqueur and schnapps, Throughout the East Kootenay area, local farms and food producers sell directly to the public through roadside stands and farmgate sales, We’ve compiled a list of retail, takeout, delivery and professional service businesses that you can support in Creston, Kootenay Entrepreneur :: Danielle Cameron, Wynndel Craft Distilleries creates award-winning spirits in Creston Valley, At the farm gate: Fresh food, flowers, fine wine and fanciful wares for sale at East Kootenay farms. Dreams of oil wealth soon dwindled and in 1910 the first cabin lots in the Waterton Townsite were surveyed (150 lots offered for leaseholds at $15/annum for waterfront lots and $10/annum for back lots). Although he did not actually pass through what is now the park, he wintered at Kootenai House close by. North Kootenay Pass from Mapcarta, the free map. Now, 50 years later, the Kootenay Pass is still the highest highway in Canada that remains open throughout the year. A well spoken and educated man, Brown first saw Waterton in 1865 after traveling over the South Kootenay Pass. SOUTH KOOTENAY PASS. Consequently, Blakiston missed the lowest and best pass in the Canadian Rockies for a railway. PURPOSE OF THE KOOTENAY COLUMBIA EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE SOCIETY. He had reached the Kootenay River Valley by way of North Kootenay Pass. On October 13, 1963, a ribbon was cut at the top of the Kootenay Pass summit by W.B.

Consequently, Blakiston missed the lowest and best pass in the Canadian Rockies for a railway. It seeped from oil-bearing Cretaceous rocks buried to great depths by the Lewis Overthrust. The Kootenay Pass is a popular backcountry recreation area through access to Stag Leap Provincial Park in addition to being an important Highway 3 corridor and shipping route.

“It makes for an engaging and challenging work environment.”, Kristen studied at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook and has worked in a variety of industries, from agriculture to construction, retail to restaurants. The ministry’s avalanche technicians are highly dedicated, skilled and experienced professionals in the snow avalanche community.". During his service on the commission he completed 66 water colours including one entitled, "Kishinena Pass." Oil Exploration

They were responsible for the first settlement in the present Waterton Townsite, constructing a cookhouse, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, office, stable and engine room. Tammy Hardwick with the Creston Valley Museum was instrumental in organizing the event and attendees had the opportunity to view displays from the museum along with some from Yellowhead Road and Bridge (Kootenay), the Kootenay Pass Snow Avalanche Program, BC Parks, the Creston Valley Quad Squad and Wildsight. T. Blakison in 1958 on his return from a visit to the "Kootanie" Indians at Tobacco Plains. The Kootenay Pass remains one of the highest-elevation mountain passes in Canada that’s open year-round, although it is often closed for avalanche control in the winter. A cavalcade of classic cars with RCMP escort, speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony rounded out the celebration. Still, the elevation and terrain create an ongoing challenge over the winter months. For the next decade development for tourism continued. Human History .

", The official artist accompanying the 1857-1861 international boundary survey was James M. Alden. Thomas Blakiston returned to the prairies via this pass in the fall of 1858. Capt. Combined with amazing sights and photographic opportunities, Razzo looks forward to helping drivers continue to get to their destination intact. Blakiston instead entered North Kootenay Pass, crossing the Continental Divide into what is now British Columbia and Montana (Tobacco Plains). Another great resource for Canadians as they prepare to deal with cold-weather driving is Shift into Winter, a program through the Ministry of Transportation along with its partners. Kootenai elders pass down the history of the beginning of time, which tells that the Kootenai people were created by Quilxka Nupika, the supreme being, and placed on earth to keep the Creator-Spirit’s Covenant – to guard and keep the land forever. On October 6, 2013, hundreds of people gathered on the summit of the Salmo to Creston highway to commemorate the milestone. Black, MLA for Nelson and Creston, allowing 2,700 cars that had lined up to take advantage of the new transportation link between the East and West Kootenay.

“Currently a crew of four avalanche technicians under the direction of Robb Andersen monitor the snow and weather condition on Kootenay Pass from November to mid-May. Had he discovered it, this may have changed the history of the west and national parks!