Fishng -- Eighteen area rivers, including the Elk River, St. Mary River, and Kootenay, are often rated among the country's top 10 fishing destinations. Trophy fish are taken all season long. For lake fishing, Moyie Lake, 30km (19 miles) south of Cranbrook, has a good stock of kokanee, rainbow, and bull trout. Rocky Mountain Angler (tel. 250/489-4053; www.geocities.com/rockymountainangler) offers hourly, half-day, and full-day instruction. Women-only trips are available as well.
Golf -- Opened in 2000, the St. Eugene Mission Golf Resort (tel. 877/417-3133 or 250/417-3417; www.steugene.ca) is an 18-hole, Les Furber-designed course with a links section. Golf Digest has rated the St. Eugene Mission course as one of the top three new courses in Canada. High-season greens fees are C$60 to C$80 (US$60-US$80/£30-£40). The Cranbrook Golf Club, 2700 Second St. S. (tel. 888/211-8855 or 250/426-6462), is a long-established 18-hole course with greens fees starting at C$49 (US$49/£25). The Mission Hills Golf Course (tel. 250/489-3009) has 18 holes and a par-3 rating, plus a clubhouse and restaurant. Greens fees are C$20 (US$20/£10).
Skiing -- Ninety-three kilometers (57 miles) east of Cranbrook, on the western face of the Rockies, is one of the best skiing and snowboarding areas in British Columbia. Fernie Alpine Resort, Ski Area Road, Fernie (tel. 250/423-4655; www.skifernie.com), is a relatively unheralded resort that's popular with in-the-know snowboarders. Average snowfall is about 9m (30 ft.), with a vertical drop of 857m (2,816 ft.). There are 107 trails in five alpine bowls, with a total of more than 1,013 hectares (2,500 acres) of skiable terrain served by four quads, two triples, two T-bars, a Poma, and a handle tow with the capacity to handle 13,716 skiers per hour (but it's never that busy). Adult lift tickets are C$72 (US$72/£36). Amenities include lodging (tel. 800/258-SNOW for reservations), restaurants, rentals, and instruction. The resort, lodges, and lifts remain open in summer, with hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding the main activities.
