The city of Trail is situated in the West Kootenay area of British Columbia's south central interior. The city is made up of an area, reaching 34.78 square kilometres or 13.43 sq mi. The city of Trail is situated along the banks of the Columbia River, just 10 km north of the Washington State border. This section of the Columbia River valley is located between the Selkirk Mountains towards the east and the Monashee Mountains to the west. The Columbia flows directly north-south from Castlegar, turns east near downtown Trail, and next meets the Canada-United States border at the Pend d'Oreille River and Waneta.
The first mountains east of the Coastal Mountains to receive moisture laden westerly flow from the Pacific are the Monashee Mountains. Therefore, parts west of Trail, like for instance the Christina Range, Rossland Range, Rossland City, and the Blueberry-Paulson part of the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) receive greater amounts of winter precipitation, typically in the form of heavy snow. Plant life within the Trail part, although fairly lush, is noticeably drier than other parts with a more westerly aspect.
Tech Cominco is the biggest company within the region, hiring about 1,800 individuals. Cominco's Trail operation has an average worker age of 47, meaning that over the next 15 or so years, there will be an entirely different workforce. A younger and probably more technical labour force will most possibly replace those that are retiring. The big picture for the area is one of an aging population which results in continuing work possibilities within the region. This is proof based on the improved housing sales during the years between 2005 to 2007, making the Greater Trail area a target location for people in search of better quality of life within a smaller community scenery.
The City of Trail is also home to the biggest hospital within the West Kootenay area.
The small city of Rossland is situated within the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. The city of Rossland is tucked high within the Monashee Mountains at an elevation of 3410 feet or 1023 metres. Population these days is around 3500; a number that fluctuates from season to season. The population is at its peak in the winter. But back during 1897, because of a gold rush, Rossland for a time was one of Western Canada's largest cities.
Fruitvale is a village situated in south-eastern British Columbia in the West Kootenay area. It is situated 16 km east of Trail City along Highway 3B.
The small village of Montrose is located in the West Kootenay part of south-eastern British Columbia. The village of Montrose sits along Highway 3B, practically 7 km east of Trail City.
