Creston (population 5,300) lies in the unceded ancestral territory of the Kutenai First Nation, which has lived here for over 11,000 years. Creston is built on rolling benchland east of the Kootenay River floodplain and has the Purcell Mountains to the east and the Selkirk Mountains to the west. Creston is midway between Cranbrook and Castlegar along the Crowsnest Highway.
Creston is one of the few towns in British Columbia that does not observe daylight saving time and is on Mountain Standard Time year-round.
The first European exploring the Creston Valley was David Thompson in 1808, who was followed by many fur traders, prospectors, and government surveyors. European settlement began when the Canadian Pacific Railway and Great Northern Railroad arrived in the 1880s, rapidly growing population and agriculture, mining, and forestry in the area. By 1900, the town had hotels, stores, restaurants and a church. The flats alongside the Kootenay River west of Creston were converted to agriculture and grain production in 1935. Since 1959, the Columbia Brewery has brewed Kokanee Beer in Creston. Creston was incorporated as a village in 1924, and as a town in 1965.
Creston is the eastern terminus of the Salmo-Creston Highway (now part of Highway 3), which was constructed in the 1960s to replace the longer route from Salmo that required traveling via Nelson and a ferry over Kootenay ferry crossing between Balfour and Kootenay Bay.
Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
Highway 3, 11 km west of the Town of Creston
PO Box 640, Creston, BC V0B 1G0, Canada
(250) 402-6900
The thriving wetland is visited by over 100,000 migrating water birds every year. It’s a migration corridor for Tundra Swans, Greater White-fronted Geese and other waterfowl, and a large regional locale for overwintering birds of prey in interior BC. Along with 303 species of birds, the CVWMA is home to 60 species of mammals, 17 species of fish, six species of reptiles, and six species of amphibians. Many species at risk find refuge here, including Forster’s Terns, the Western Grebe, American Bitterns, Great Blue Herons, the Western Painted Turtle and the Northern Leopard Frog.
Skimmerhorn Winery and Vineyard
1218 – 27th Ave S., Creston BC V0B 1G1
250-428-4911
Skimmerhorn Winery is a terroir-driven, small-batch winery and vineyard in Creston, BC. The Skimmerhorn mountain range creates a unique microclimate for the winery’s award-winning cool climate wines.
Wynnwood Cellars
5566 Highway 3A, Creston BC
(250) 402-3687
Wynnwood Cellars’ vision is to create distinctive wines that reflect the terroir of this unique site above Duck Lake in the Creston Valley. This winery is the third to open in the Creston Valley- their wine is available in restaurants and at their on-site Tasting Room.
Red Bird Estate Winery
1046 Lamont Road, Creston BC
(250) 254-8885
The newest winery in the Creston Valley. Find them at the Creston Valley Farmers’ Markets on Saturdays for tastings and purchasing. Open by appointment only for on-site tastings and sales.
Baillie Grohman Estate Winery
1140 27th Ave South, Creston BC V0B 1G1
(250) 428-8768
Welcome! We are proud to share information with you about Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, located within a unique microclimate in Creston, BC. Our winery honours the name and spirit of one of our region’s most legendary pioneers, William Baillie-Grohman. Our goal is to create wines of distinction, and we invite you to join us on our adventure.
The Creston Museum
219 Devon Street, Creston BC V0B 1G3
250-428-9262
This small museum features local history exhibits, events and special activities, model railway, beautiful grounds available for public use, and great parking. The archives can help with your local-history research project.
The Glass House
11341 Hwy #3A, Sanca, BC V0B 1A2
250-223-8372
This unusual roadside attraction was built from over half a million discarded embalming fluid bottles. The house itself sits upon solid rock and is built in a cloverleaf pattern with three main rooms, circular shape, 48 feet in length, 24 feet wide and contains 1,200 sq ft of floor space.
CV Farmers Market
121 NW Blvd., Creston BC V0B1G0
250-254-1594
website
The Farmers’ Market offers a unique community of growers, artisans, craftspeople, and entertainment. Bring the family and enjoy the benefits of eating fresh, eating real, and shopping local in the heart of the Kootenays eight months of the year!