Castlegar is a small city set in the lush forests and valleys of the Kootenay region. It is situated at the confluence of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers. This small town of about 7,500 people is highly dependent on forestry and tourism.

The main attraction of Castlegar is the Doukhobor Heritage Village, which duplicates the communal lifestyle of the Russian pacifists who lived there until the 1930s. The town has an airport that runs service to Vancouver and Calgary.