Highway 31

Highway 31 is a slightly minor north-south highway through the Selkirk Mountains

Selkirk Mountains

The Selkirk Mountains are a mountain range spanning the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and southeastern British Columbia. They begin at Mica Peak near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and extend approximately 320 km north from the border. The range is bounded on its west,...

. The highway first gained its number in 1973, and it is one of the few numbered highways in the province that is not fully paved. Highway 31 has a total distance of 175 km — 37 km along Kootenay Lake

Kootenay Lake

Kootenay Lake is a lake located in British Columbia, Canada and is part of theKootenay River. The lake has been raised by the Corra Linn Dam and has a dike system at the southern end, which, along with industry in the 1950s-70s, has changed the ecosystem in and around the water...

 between Balfour

Balfour, British Columbia

Balfour, also known as Balfour Bay, is an unincorporated community in British Columbia, located about northeast of the city of Nelson and located at the juncture of Kootenay Lake with its West Arm....

 (a junction with Highway 3A) and Kaslo

Kaslo, British Columbia

Kaslo is a village in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada, located on the west shore of Kootenay Lake. Known for its great natural beauty, it is a member municipality of the Central Kootenay Regional District...

 (a junction with Highway 31A) and 138 km between Kaslo and Galena Bay

Galena Bay, British Columbia

Galena Bay is an unincorporated locality on the bay of the same name on Upper Arrow Lake in British Columbia, Canada.Galena Bay is the location of a terminal of the Upper Arrow Lakes Ferry. This linking Galena Bay to Shelter Bay, the link forming part of British Columbia Highway 23 from Nakusp to...

, where it ends at Highway 23.

Highway 31A

Highway 31's main spur, Highway 31A, which also opened in 1973, is 47 km long, connecting Highway 31 at Kaslo

Kaslo, British Columbia

Kaslo is a village in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada, located on the west shore of Kootenay Lake. Known for its great natural beauty, it is a member municipality of the Central Kootenay Regional District...

 to Highway 6 at New Denver

New Denver, British Columbia

New Denver is a village in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, along the shore of Slocan Lake. New Denver was founded as a mining town in 1892, and briefly known as Eldorado City before being renamed after Denver, Colorado. It was incorporated as a village in 1929 and currently has approximately...

.