This B.C. mountain town is in the heart of the Kootenays and it has its own time zone

Creston Valley might be worlds closer to Calgary than it is to Vancouver, but the small mountain town is well worth the trek across B.C. There are mountains galore, meandering rivers, and a bustling farmers’ market scene during the warmer months. Creston also has its own time zone, which means

With a population of just over 5,500 residents, the quaint town is surrounded by scenic hiking trails, local farms and fruit stands, wineries, microbreweries, and a handful of museums and galleries, so no matter what your favourite road trip activity is, you’ll have plenty to choose from.

Kootenay Lake’s crystal-blue waters beckon visitors in for a swim or paddle journey in the summer months, and its mild winters mean hikers can enjoy backcountry access practically year-round. Plus, Creston is surrounded by world-class ski hills like  Whitewater and North Star, in addition to local backcountry skiing and snowshoeing trails at Stagleap Provincial Park.

Permanent daylight saving time

Like their eastern neighbours in Alberta, Creston is on Mountain Time, but the town has opted out of observing daylight saving time. This means that Creston keeps a consistent time throughout the year, syncing with the Pacific Time Zone during the summer and staying aligned with Mountain Time in the fall.

So the next time you find yourself in the area, you’ll technically be in Creston’s own time zone!

Creston Valley 

How to get there: Drive eight hours and 20 minutes from Vancouver to Creston via Crowsnest Highway/BC-3 E.

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