Laurier consists of the customs office and a post office. Little remains to indicate the thriving mining community of the 1890s. The nearest motels and recreational sites are located in Canada at a distance of 4 miles (6.4 km).
The Canadian recreational community of Christina Lake is 6.5 km (4.0 mi) north along Highway 395 and the Crowsnest Highway/Highway 3, while Orient, Washington, is approximately 10 mi (16 km) south along U.S. Route 395.
History
The airport was constructed in 1962 as an emergency landing facility and was dedicated the following year by Senator Henry M. Jackson.[4] Its sole runway extends 500 feet (150 m) into Canada.[5]
Facilities and aircraft
The unattended airport is at an elevation of 1,655 ft (504 m) above mean sea level[1] and covers 10 acres (4.0 ha). The gravel runway 17–35 measures 1,975 by 40 feet (602 x 12 m).[1] It is marked with retro-reflective devices, but both shoulders are soft and rough.
Mountains and hills surround the airport and there are trees on both approaches. An overflight to verify field conditions and to rule out obstructions (such as pedestrians, vehicles or animals) is recommended. The field is usually open from June 1 to October 1.
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 800 general aviation aircraft operations, an average of 66 per month.[1]