INTERNATIONAL SELKIRK LOOP (2006)

One of the challenges facing the competitive nature of the tourism sector, particularly between Canadian and American interests, is finding opportunities in which a cooperative approach may be taken to mutual benefit. Currently, such an opportunity exists in the International Selkirk Loop (ISL).

The ISL, named “The West’s Best New Scenic Drive” by Sunset Magazine, is a 280-mile (450-km) scenic driving tour encircling the Selkirk Mountain Range in northeastern Washington, northern Idaho and southern British Columbia. Visitors to the ISL enjoy uncrowded outdoor recreation in a spectacular setting, and can explore more than 65 vibrant communities along the way.

The U.S. half of the ISL is 161 miles, with another 242 miles of “Super Side Trips,” one of which includes the Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway, adjacent to – and co-marketed with – the ISL. The main ISL route is composed of four State Scenic Byways: the North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway and the Pend Oreille Valley Scenic Byway in Washington, and the Panhandle Historic Rivers Passage and the Wild Horse Trail in Idaho. The area covered includes Pend Oreille County in Washington, and Bonner and Boundary Counties in Idaho.

The Canadian side of the ISL starts in Creston and makes its way along Kootenay Lake to Kootenay Bay, where the longest free ferry ride in the world takes visitors to Balfour. The ISL then follows the West Arm of Kootenay Lake to Nelson, Ymir and Salmo before re-entering the United States at Nelway. The ISL has been very good for tourism on the BC side of the border, not only for those communities directly on the route but also for those in close proximity, like Castlegar, Trail, and Rossland.

More than 90% of the ISL follows crystal clear rivers and lakes, and is home to one of the largest diversity of large animals in the lower 48 states and southeast BC, including moose, elk, deer, grizzly bear, big horn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, black bear, and the elusive woodland caribou (the Selkirk Mountains are the only place in the lower 48 states where this species still exists). While outdoor recreation is a primary year-round draw, many of the towns along the ISL offer wonderful history, culture, shopping, dining, accommodations, attractions, entertainment and events.

Recently, the ISL was given the very significant Scenic Byway status and All American Roadway status (like Route 66) and as a result will receive major funding from the American federal government and Washington State and Idaho State governments, both in terms of marketing and infrastructure development.

Simply put, the ISL represents a very important initiative in cross-border promotion and can act as a model for other opportunities that exist in BC, not only across the 49th parallel but also between BC and Alberta, and possible circle tours along our northern borders.

It is also important to note that people driving the Selkirk Loop will learn a great deal about our province through the Visitor Centres in the area, as well as through the many people they meet. In learning about our great province, they will also seek to visit other areas. Needless to say, British Columbia has a lot to offer people looking for an authentic, supernatural experience. The Selkirk Loop will bring a lot of people into the region to capture this experience, and this will be good for the entire province.

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

That the Provincial Government recognize the International Selkirk Loop as an important development in the circle tour tourism sector of British Columbia and provide funding to parallel the investment being made by the state governments in the US, so that BC is a true partner in the ISL and is helping develop a sound model for other areas of the province that may have similar opportunities.