Winter Go & Do 2021/2022

Ainsworth • Balfour • Castlegar • Creston • Fruitvale • Kaslo • Nakusp • Nelson • New Denver • Rossland • Salmo • Slocan Valley • Trail 

THE 

WEST KOOTENAY 

BC ❤ Canada 

Regional 

Magazine 

& 

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& 

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FREE 

FALL | WINTER 

21 | 22 

Winter 

Adventures 

Start With You

Nelson Kootenay Lake 

Tourism 

Please visit www.ainsworthhotsprings.com to book 

accommodations and for up to-date information on public 

pool hours, current provincial health authority 

requirements and Covid-19 protocols. 

“Nupika Wu’u” 

Spirit Water 

Contemporary Rooms & Suites 

Swimwear & Gift Boutique 

Banquet 

& Meeting Room 

Spirit Water Spa 

www.ainsworthhotsprings.com 1 800 668 1171 

Fresh, local, 

indigenous inspired 

HEATED BOATS • ON-BOARD BBQ • BATHROOM 

Reel Adventures Fishing Charters 

Nelson BC | 250-505-4963 

www.reeladventuresfishing.com 

WE 

SELL 

FUN! 

2 GO & DO Fall | Winter 2021/2022 www.gokootenays.com BC Canada

General Info 

Welcome to 

winter 

Paradise, 

Kootenay 

Style! 

INDEX: 

AINSWORTH................ 13 

AREA MAP................ 4, 5 

BALFOUR................13, 14 

BC ALE TRAIL............... 27 

CASTLEGAR.............23, 24 

FERRY SCHEDULES........ 14 

FRUITVALE.................. 26 

KASLO .................... 7-10 

FISHING ..................... 13 

NAKUSP .......................6 

NELSON .................16-19 

NEW DENVER ...............6 

SALMO .................21, 22 

SKIING ....................... 20 

TRAIL ...................25, 26 

WINTER IN THE FOREST..9 

WOODBURY.............11-13 

Share the adventure! 

#gokootenays on Instagram 

ON THE COVER: 

"Snowboarder looking out" by Ryan Creary 

Courtesy Destination BC 

West Kootenay Go & Do Regional Guide 

Printed in Canada. 

Published in Kaslo, BC 2 times a year. 

Spring | Summer edition deadline Feb 14 and 

Fall | Winter edition deadline September 14. 

1-800-663-4619. 

Box 430, Kaslo, BC V0G 1M0 

Copyright 2021/22 KS•Perry Publishing Ltd. 

All rights reserved. 

Enquiries: email info@pennywiseads.com 

To advertise: 250-353-2602 (local) or 1-800-663-4619 

To distribute: email distribution@pennywiseads.com 

www.gokootenays.com 

@gokootenays.............................. 

@West Kootenay Go & Do....... 

Go & Do West Kootenay 

Regional Guide 

Is a collective production by the 

talented staff at KS•Perry Publishing 

aka Pennywise 

ADVERTISING: 

Larissa Scott, 

larissa@pennywiseads.com 

CONTENT CREATOR: 

Erika Bird 

DESIGNER: Jeremy Taylor 

PRODUCTION: Jeremy Taylor 

Karma Halleran 

PROOFREADING: Erika Bird, 

Julie Wilson 

PUBLISHER: Karma Halleran 

WEBSITE GOKOOTENAYS.COM: 

Zeb Hansell 

MAGAZINE PRINTED by 

International WebXpres, 

Vancouver 

Fresh lines, 

endless 

opportunities 

www.stellarheliskiing.com @stellarheli 

BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! 2021 /2022 GO & DO Fall | Winter 3

NAKUSP see page 6 

• Soaking at Nakusp Hot 

Springs and Halcyon 

• Public skating & hockey at 

Nakusp & District Community 

Complex 

• Two year-round markets 

• Snowshoeing & cross-country 

skiing at Wensley Creek Trail, 

Nakusp Hot Springs and 

Halcyon 

Revelstoke 

Shelter 

Bay 

Galena 

Bay 

Halcyon 

Hot Springs 

Trout Lake 

Trout 

Lake 

Gerrard 

#PowderHighway 

#goKootenays 

Share your adventure! 

Duncan 

Lake 

SLOCAN VALLEY see page 6 

• Snowshoeing the Galena and 

New Denver trails 

• Exploring Walter Clough 

Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Cat skiing in the Valhallas 

• Cross-country skiing on the 

Slocan Valley Rail Trail 

• Backcountry skiing at Mount 

Carlyle Lodge 

CASTLEGAR see page 23, 24 

• Strolling in Millennium Park 

• Tobogganing at Cone Hill, 

Verigin's Tomb or Dove Hill 

• Outdoor skating at Kinnaird Park 

• Skating or swimming at Castlegar 

Community Complex 


skiing the Paulson Recreation 

Area 

West on 

Hwy 3 

Grand 

Forks 

Edgewood 

Legend: 

Skiing 

Ferry 

Airport 

Hot 

Springs 

Christina 

Lake 

Needles 

Christina 

Lake 

Cascade 

Upper 

Arrow 

Lake 

Arrow 

Park 

Fauquier 

Lower 

Arrow 

Lake 

Burton 

Rossland 

Nakusp 

Hot Springs 

gravel road 

Valhalla 

Park 

Thrums 

Slocan 

Lake 

Robson 

Pass Creek 

Brilliant 

Castlegar 

Paterson 

Nakusp 

Passmore 

Crescent Valley 

Trail 

Winlaw 

Slocan 

Park 

Montrose 

Waneta 

Summit 

Lake 

Hills 

Slocan 

Taghum 

South 

Slocan 

Fruitvale 

Sandon 

New Denver 

Silverton 

Ymir 

Kokanee 

Glacier 

Park 

Nelway 

Retallack 

Nelson 

Salmo 

Meadow 

Creek 

Cooper 

Creek 

Lardeau 

Harrop 

Kaslo 

Mirror 

Lake 

Woodbury 

Balfour 

Ainsworth 

Hot 

Springs 

Procter 

Argenta 

Johnson’s 

Landing 

Kootenay 

Bay 

Pilot Bay 

Kootenay 

Lake 

Kootenay 

Skyway 

Purcell 

Wilderness 

Conservancy 

Kootenay 

Lake 

USA 

Riondel 

Crawford 

Bay 

Gray 

Creek 

Gray Creek 

Pass Road 

Boswell 

Sanca 

Creston 

Valley 

Wildlife 

Area 

Kuskonook 

Sirdar 

Erickson 

Creston 

Rykerts 

4 GO & DO Fall | Winter 2021/2022 #gokootenays - share the adventure! BC Canada

Roam Around The 

West Kootenay 

we've got room 

for everyone 

map 

KASLO see page 7-10 

• Heli-skiing: Stellar Heliskiing, 

Powder Creek Lodge 

• Snowcat skiing: Retallack 

Lodge, Selkirk Snowcat Skiing 

• Cross-country skiing at Bucky 

or the True Blue Recreation 

Area 

• Hiking the River Trail 

AINSWORTH see page 13 

• Soak: Ainsworth Hot Springs 

• Hike the Cedar Creek Trail 

• Dine at the Ktunaxa Grill 

• Visit the JB Fletcher Store & 

Museum 

• Stay at the Ainsworth Hot 

Springs Resort 

TRAIL see page 25, 26 

• Walk the River Skywalk Trail & 

Victoria Bridge 

• Fish the Columbia River 

• Visit the sports Hall of Fame in 

the Trail Memorial Centre 

• Italian eats at Ferraro Foods 

specialty store 

• Visit the Teck Museum 

WOODBURY see page 11-13 

• Lake fishing 

• Backcountry sledding 

• Bird watching 

• Boat and fishing gear rentals 

• "Catch of the day" at JB's Pub 

& Restaurant 

NELSON see page 16-19 

• Retail therapy on Baker Street 

• Sweating or swimming at the 

Nelson Community Complex 

• Outdoor skating at 

298 Richards St 

• Public art and murals 

throughout the city 

• Dining & imbibing – so 

many great choices 

SALMO see page 21, 22 

• Skiing/snowboarding at 

Salmo Ski Hill 

• Ice fishing on Erie Lake, 6 km 

west of Salmo 


skiing on local backcountry trails 

• Viewing murals, heritage 

buildings and landmarks 

• Backcountry skiing at Stagleap 

Provincial Park 

BALFOUR see page 13, 14 

• New Year's Day fishing derby 

• Ferry over to Crawford Bay 

• Snowshoeing & Cross-country 

skiing on the Balfour Golf 

Course 

• A day fishing on the lake with a 

guide and heated boat 

Red Mountain Photo: Karma Halleran 


NAKUSP 

Head down to the boardwalk 

that skirts the Village of Nakusp 

and soak in the view over the 

Upper Arrow Lake. Snuggle into 

your scarf and coat, feel your 

heart rate slow down. Breathe 

deeply of the crisp air. 

SLOCAN LAKE’S 

GROCERY STORE 

Nakusp’s deep forests and 

mountainous backcountry – 

the Monashee and the Selkirk 

ranges – beckon. There are 

adventures ahead! 

LOCALLY OWNED 

& OPERATED 

• Fresh meat cut 

daily instore 

• Lots of local products 

• Deli • Fresh produce 

• Weekly flyer • and more 

Corner of Hwy 31A & Hwy 6 

New Denver 250-358-2270 

Hours: 8am - 6pm, 7 days a week www.newmarketfoods.ca 

Snowmobiling, snowshoeing 

and any type of skiing including 

downhill (there's a sweet 

little community hill at Summit 

Lake), cross-country, heli-skiing 

and backcountry skiing are 

popular here. Stop in at Shon’s 

Bike Ski Stay shop on Broadway 

(the main drag) or at the 

Nakusp Visitor Centre for trail 

updates and information about 

equipment rentals (92 6th Ave 

1-800-909-8819, or nakusp.com/ 

discover-nakusp/). 

Maybe the best thing about 

winter in Nakusp is how amazing 

it is to complete a morning 

spent snowshoeing or skiing 

with a soak at one of Nakusp’s 

two hot springs resorts. You 

deserve a little luxury! 

Halcyon Hot Springs 

Accommodation is luxurious 

with up-to-the-minute amenities 

in chalets, cottages and 

cabins. Stroll to the hot pools 

right from your front door. 

Onsite spa options and the restaurant 

food and service spoil 

you in the nicest way. 

Nakusp Hot Springs 

The Nakusp Hot Springs is 

located deep in the forest in 

the Selkirk Mountains 12 kms 

from Nakusp along the roaring 

Kuskanax River. Cozy but 

updated cedar chalets provide 

charming accommodation 

and old logging roads, perfect 

for cross-country skiing and 

snowshoeing radiate from the 

complex. 

NEW DENVER 

Situated on the shores of 

pristine Slocan Lake, beneath 

the snowfields of the Valhalla 

Glacier, the picturesque Village 

of New Denver is a peaceful 

getaway. 

For cross-country skiers there 

are beautiful trails, some that 

start on the outskirts of town 

and follow the gentle grade of 

the old railway, or head up to 

Hills and the Valhalla Hills Ski 

Trails, north of New Denver on 

Hwy 6. 

ARROWLAKESLODGE@CMHINC.COM 


KASLO 

In winter, Kaslo is your gateway 

to alpine skiing, cat-skiing, 

cross-country skiing, skating, 

snowmobiling and fishing. 

Originally called Kane’s 

Landing, Kaslo was founded in 

1893 and was the region’s first 

incorporated city. It was known 

as the commercial centre of 

the gold, silver and lead mining 

industries during the boom of 

the 1890s. The town’s peaceful 

cove, one of only a few such 

natural harbours along the 104 

km long lake, once bustled 

with activity as ore barges, 

rowboats, private launches and 

steamships jostled for a place 

alongside the busy wharf. 

Now Kaslo enjoys memories 

of that time in its beautiful 

heritage buildings, the celebration 

of May Days, and the 

SS Moyie, a sternwheeler/museum 

on the shore of Kootenay 

Lake and one of the last great 

sternwheelers on the continent. 

The Village of Kaslo has undergone 

dramatic changes since 

the boom days of the 1890s. 

Where there were once 27 

saloons full of boisterous prospectors, 

there is now a myriad 

of activities for everybody to 

enjoy. Rich in history, strong in 

community spirit, spectacular 

in location, Kaslo offers those 

who live there a quality of life 

others can only envy. 

The Langham 

Be sure to visit the Langham 

Cultural Centre on A Avenue. 

This historic building was once 

a hotel, a bank, a bottling company, 

and, during World War II, 

it was an internment centre for 

Japanese-Canadians. Today, 

the Langham houses the 

Japanese Canadian museum, 

two galleries, affordable studio 

space for practising artists, a 

common area for workshops 

and a small theatre. With 

current Covid protocols the 

theatre can accommodate 50 

people. Check their website 

www.thelangham.ca to see if 

there is a live show happening 

while you're visiting. 

Nordic Skiing 

On the southern outskirts of 

Kaslo, above the air strip, the 

True Blue recreation area has 

woodland paths and gentle 

grades as well as some good 

climbs and swift flying slopes. 

Feel free to bring the dog! 

Just a few minutes west of 

Kaslo on Hwy 31A is the Buchanan 

Wilderness Recreation 

Area (aka Bucky) where you 

can ski along the old Wagon 

Road and other groomed trails. 

Check http://korsbc.blogspot. 

ca for maps, and dates for 

events such as moonlight skis, 

and the Jackrabbit program. 

Kaslo Bay Photo: Karma Halleran 

“One of the best 

buildings in BC” 

Architecture Foundation 

of BC, 2014 

Gallery: 

Theatre 

Workshops 

Community Events 

Japanese Canadian 

Museum 

Office: 

Visit our website 

for schedule of events 

Langham 

www.thelangham.ca • 447 A Avenue, Kaslo • 250-353-2661 

LOWEST PRICES IN THE KOOTENAYS 

Name Brand Clothing 

Basics • Swimwear • Beach Towels 

Gifts • Jewellery • Personal Care Products 

One Stop Shopping that’s worth the drive! 

Affordable Luxury 

 


and so much more! 

lidays 

Your Community Grocer 

Full In-store Bakery • Produce 

Meat Department • Deli 

411 Front Street, Kaslo • 250-353-2331 

Store Hours: 9am - 7pm, Mon–Sat; 10am - 6pm, Sunday 

Summer Hours (June 6 - Sept 4) 8am - 8pm 7 days a week including holidays 

429 Front St, Kaslo BC • 250-353-2257 

Sunnyside Naturals 

Solid Health. Happy Heart. 

Come, rest your feet! 

Groceries, supplements & body care 

that sustains you the natural way 

Organic juices, smoothies & specialty 

drinks made to your specs 

Fresh, organic, gluten-free or vegan 

soups & snacks 

Professional advice 

404 Front Street, Kaslo | 250-353-9667 

Luxury Rooms In 

Historic Downtown 

Kaslo. 

• Private balconies 

• Lake & mountain views 

• Stunning views from our patio 

• Relax & unwind in the Pub 

with locally crafted beers & 

delicious food 

Check out our website 

& facebook page 

for hours, specials 

and packages 

250-353-7714 

Toll Free: 866-823-1433 

430 Front Street, Kaslo, BC 

info@kaslohotel.com 

www.kaslohotel.com 

Stay with Us! 


festival include the human 

dogsled races for charity 

and the woodsmen skills 

competitions such as the 

water-boil, swede sawing 

contest and dot split. 

Enjoy homemade soups, 

hot dogs, bannock over 

the fire, maple taffy on the 

snow, skiing and snowshoeing 

(skis provided), 

storytelling, live music and 

more! 

For more information 

check it out on 

Facebook: 

KasloWinterForestFestival 

Unity Bridge, Kaslo Photo: Erika Bird 

Snow sculpture, WITF Photo: Karma Halleran 

Winter in the Forest 

Festival 

Got the winter blues? 

This rather unusual 

festival offers a 

dose of fun at a 

dark time of year. 

It takes place on 

BC Family Day, the 

second Monday in 

February. 

Popular contests that 

are regulars at this 

Snow carver, WITF Photo: Gary Schneider 

Kaslo & Area 

Vacation Accomidations 

Ainsworth Motel 

Offers a unique country setting in Ainsworth, 

with clean, quiet and comfortable rooms. Just 

a 2 minute walk to the relaxing naturally hot 

pools. Kitchenettes and suites available, all 

rooms with a breathtaking view. Coffee, satellite 

TV, Wi-Fi, and shared lawn area complete 

with BBQ. Affordable. 

www.ainsworthmotel.com 250-229-4711 

Kaslo Manor Lodge 

Kaslo Manor Lodge offers two locations, 

the Lodge, and the Cottage by the River. 

Both locations offer lodging for 2 to 6 

people, most with kitchen facilities. Pet 

friendly. Your friendly and knowledgeable 

hosts can provide trail information, with 

winter/spring shuttle service. 

250-353-8582 www.kaslomanorlodge.com 

340 Front Street 

www.admiraltyhouse.ca 

Admiralty 

House 

Gorgeous 

beachfront house 

right downtown 

Toll-free: 1-800-554-1657 Text: 250-353-1139 

Beach Gables 

This lakefront guesthouse motel is a 

beautifully restored heritage building 

on Kaslo beach. Walk just one block 

to downtown shops and restaurants. 

The well appointed suites offer privacy 

and comfort with spectacular views of 

Kootenay Lake. 

250-353-2111 www.beachgables.ca 


photo: Gary Schneider 

Tasting Room 

Patio 

Growlers 

angryhenbrewing.com 

Kaslo Craft Brewery 

343 Front Street 

Open daily 

Kaslo River Trail 

Two beautiful covered 

bridges, stained a bright beet 

red, link the north and south 

side riverbanks . The flow of 

the Kaslo River is swift, and 

the stream creates beautiful 

ice forms in the deep winter. 

Start at the trailhead at the 

end of Higashi Way (Railroad 

Ave on Google maps). The 

trail is an easy walking loop 

you can complete in about 

an hour. 

The riverside trails also take 

you to the True Blue Mountain 

Recreational Area located 

above the Kaslo airport. 

If you've got them, wear ice 

grippers on your boots. 

• unique • handmade • canadian • 

Since 1986 

250-353-2566 408 Front Street, Kaslo 

www.figmentscanada.com 

Find your match 

KootenayBC.com 

KUL NIJJAR PERSONAL 

REAL ESTATE CORPORATION 


Woodbury Resort 

& Marina, 

Call about winter rates. 

Fish for Rainbows from your front door! 

Explore the beautiful Selkirk 

Mountains 

at your back door. 

Skiing/ 

Snowmobile Trails 

2018 

KOOTENAY RV 

PARK 

(WOODBURY 

RESORT & MARINA) 

• All motel suites and 

chalets have full 

kitchens and 

satellite TV 

• Laundromat 

Resort Office & Store 

Winter Hours 

Open 9am – 4 pm 

JB’s 

Restaurant 

& Pub 

Open 

Thurs - Sun 

3-9 pm 

Beer & Wine Store 

Free 

WiFi 

for guests 

Kootenay Lake’s Winter Resort 

4 kms north of 

Ainsworth Hot Springs 

on Highway 31 

• Marina 

– Boat Rentals 

– Tackle 

• JB’s Restaurant & Pub 

• RV Park Open 

OVERALL 

FAVOURITE 

RESTAURANT 

Ainsworth/Kaslo 

Area 

Sled from Your 

Room or RV! 

Trail information with easy access to 

local trails. Ample parking for your 

snowmobile trailer. 

PO Box 1262, Ainsworth, BC V0G 1A0 

250-353-7717 Toll Free 1-877-353-7717 

JB's 250-353-7716 

Email: woodburyresort@netidea.com 

www.woodburyresort.com 

 


WEST KOOTENAY FERRIES 


KOOTENAY LAKE 

Balfour 

On the western shore of Kootenay Lake, just 

as the lake's west arm splits off from the main 

body of water, is the community of Balfour 

and the Kootenay Lake ferry landing. Across 

the narrows, the hemlock/fir/cedar forests on 

the lower slopes of the Selkirk Range reflect 

greenly in the water, even in the winter, since 

the swiftly flowing channel never freezes. 

Ainsworth Hot Springs 

When winter starts to bite, you will want to 

come here. 

Come to immerse yourself in the naturally 

warm, healing waters and to allow the power 

of nature to soothe your body and soul. 

Since time immemorial, the Ktunaxa people 

(pronounced K-too-nah-ha) have valued the 

springs as a place for healing. After battle, 

warriors would come to soak in the spirit 

waters (nupika wu’u), easing their heart and 

limbs back from injury and strain through to 

strength once again. 

Photo: Bryce Duffy, courtesy Reel Adventures 

Ainsworth Hot Springs Photo: Keri Medig courtesy Destination BC 

The source of the springs lies above, in the 

Cody Caves area. The water works its way 

down through porous calcareous rock to 

flow through to the pools below, renewing 

the water naturally approximately six times a 

day. The resort today is a wonderful place for 

a soak on a winter's evening, the accommodations 

are modern, and the Indigenous 

inspired menu at the Ktunaxa Grill guarantees 

a memorable meal. 

Fishing 

Getting out on the lake, especially 

in winter when there 

are virtually no other boats 

except the ferry, way off in the 

distance, is a chilly serene 

pleasure. 

As the water temperature chills 

in the fall and warms up in the 

spring fishing for rainbows or 

bull trout actually gets better, 

although in absolute mid-winter, 

the fish are not so excitable. 

Can't really blame them! Here 

are a few tips: 

During the fall, water temperature 

is at the optimum temperature 

for these big fish to feed. 

Troll with bucktail flies on the 

surface for the big rainbows. Or 

use plugs, flashers, or hoochies. 

Your trolling speed should be 

fairly quick during October 

through December. But as the 

water cools down, so should 

your trolling speed. 

Try using slower lures later in 

the winter also. Bill Norman 

lures are popular in the colder 

months because you can troll 

very slow and they will still 

have some good movement. 

A rule of thumb is to use dark 

lures on dark days and light lures on light 

days. 

If you have a boat, concentrate on fishing 

the points and current lines. They seem to 

produce most of the fish. And if you find 

some fish, stick with them. Even if they’re not 

feeding, it will happen at some time in the 

day. Patience! 

If you don’t have a boat, you can still catch 

nice fish from the shore. Casting around 

creek mouths or rocky points will usually 

bring some good luck. 

Get all the info and gear you need, plus 

your fishing licence, at Gill and Gift at the 

Balfour Ferry landing or a little ways north at 

Woodbury Resort. Best bet? Reel Adventures 

Fishing – go fishing with a guide on a heated 

boat. 

Woodbury Resort 

This four-season resort has everything: 

chalets, RV camping, convenience store with 

tackle, liquor agency, boat rentals and a pub 

and restaurant. 

Are you a sledder who loves the open backcountry? 

Make Woodbury Resort your base 

camp. The snow-covered access road to Kokanee 

Glacier Park and the Silver Spray cabin 

joins the highway right at Woodbury. Also, 

there is endless room for even the biggest of 

rigs to park and turn around with ease, right 

near your chalet. 

The sledding season is a long one when 

you're in the mountains – the snow in the 

alpine bowls is deep, arrives early and leaves 

late. If you stay at Woodbury there will be 

other sledders who can suggest the best 

routes and can speak to the latest snow 

conditions. Of course, always check the 

avalanche rating through www.avalanche. 

ca The website of the local snowmobile club 

– the Nelson Snow-Goers – is https://nelsonsno-goers.webs.com 


Vessel 

Kootenay Lake Ferry 

Year Round Schedule 

All Year 

Balfour 

Summer 

Kootenay Bay 

All Year 

Summer 

LOWER ARROW LAKE FERRY 

Crossing takes approximately 5 

minutes. Runs every 30 minutes 

on the hour and half hour from 

Fauquier 5 am to 10 pm; every 

30 minutes at 15 and 45 minutes 

past the hour from Needles, 5:15 

am to 9:45 pm. On demand 10 

pm to 5 am. 

ARROW PARK FERRY 

On demand. 

UPPER ARROW LAKE FERRY 

Enroute to Revelstoke and the 

TransCanada Highway. The free 

ferry crosses from Shelter Bay 

(west side) to Galena Bay (east 

side) once an hour on the hour, 

5 am until 12 midnight; and returns 

from Galena Bay to Shelter 

Bay once an hour on the half 

hour from 5:30 am to 12:30 am. 

GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 

250-265-2105 

Osprey 2000 6:30 am 6:30 am 7:10 am 7:10 am 

Osprey 2000 8:10 am 8:10 am 9 am 9 am 

Osprey 2000 9:50 am 9:50 am 10:40 am 10:40 am 

MV Balfour 10:40 am 11:30 am 

Osprey 2000 11:30 am 11:30 am 12:20 pm 12:20 pm 

MV Balfour 12:20 pm 1:10 pm 

Osprey 2000 1:10 pm 1:10 pm 2 pm 2 pm 

MV Balfour 2 pm 2:50 pm 

Osprey 2000 2:50 pm 2:50 pm 3:40 pm 3:40 pm 




Osprey 2000 6:10 pm 6:10 pm 7 pm 7 pm 



All times are Pacific (Balfour) time. 

Sometimes you need to line up early. Check the Balfour and 

Kootenay Bay ferry cams: www.drivebc.ca/#webcams 


Public Health Orders 

To state the obvious, we've 

all gotten used to following 

certain restrictions when we get 

together with people outside 

of our households. But Public 

Health Orders change, and 

lately the orders have also been 

regionally targeted. If you're 

on the road, the precautions 

restaurants, retailers and event 

organizers are obliged to take 

may be different from the precautions 

you know about when 

you were at home. 

You can keep up to date with 

what to expect in the Interior of 

BC by visiting this site: https:// 

www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/ 

covid-19/info/restrictions 

For establishments with a liquor 

licence and table service, 

Know Before 

You Go 

casinos, theatres, fitness clubs, 

and indoor ticked events, you 

will need to present a vaccine 

passport. (This may change 

after January 2022.) 

Vaccine Cards 

• British Columbians can get 

their BC Vaccine Card here: 

gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard 

• If a person has proof of 

vaccination from another 

province, they can use it in 

place of a BC Vaccine Card. 

• People from other Canadian 

provinces or territories must 

show: Provincially/territorially 

officially recognized 

vaccine record and one 

piece of government photo 

ID. 

• International visitors must 

show the Proof of vaccination 

they used to enter 

Canada (ArriveCAN)and 

their passport. 

If you don't have a 

Vaccine Card 

If an unlicensed dining venue 

– like coffee shops or fast food 

restaurants – doesn’t provide 

table service, those without 

their cards can enter the premise, 

take their order from a main 

counter, and sit down to dine 

or drink, provided you and your 

party have masks. You can also 

support one of the West 

Kootenay's great pubs and 

restaurants by ordering take 

out. 

Can Americans visit? 

Fully vaccinated citizens and 

permanent residents of the 

United States can enter Canada 

for non-essential travel. Entry 

to Canada will continue to be 

prohibited for travellers who are 

not fully vaccinated. 

At the border, you must provide 

a negative pre-entry test result. 

Antigen tests are not accepted 

for entry to Canada. 

International visitors 

Travel restrictions are in place 

across all ports of entry to 

Canada, but if you're fully 

vaccinated, you may find the 

restrictions easy to deal with. 

Do your research! First step is 

to go to https://travel.gc.ca/ 

travel-covid/travel-restrictions/ 

wizard-start 

Skiing Photo: Steve Ogle courtesy Destination BC 

Travelling by Road 

When your roads are carved 

out on the sides of mountains, 

there will be curves and there 

will be blind spots. Gravity is 

always a factor. Especially after 

a rainy spell or in the late winter, 

pebbles and larger rocks come 

ravelling down to the road 

surface from up above. Any 

local will tell you to check the 

road conditions on your route 

by consulting drivebc.ca before 

you head out on a road trip. 

Winter Pass Closures 

The Kootenay Pass (known 

locally as the Salmo-Creston, 

passes through some awesome, 

high elevation terrain. To keep 

the threat of major avalanches 

blocking the road down to a 

dull roar, road closures in the 

winter are not uncommon; the 

closures give the avalanche 

technicians the time to set off 

and then monitor small spills. 

If the pass is closed, you'll have 

to take the East Shore route 

from Creston to the Kootenay 

Lake ferry and from there by 

highway to your destination. 

The MV Osprey ferry will run 24 

hours until the pass re-opens. 

Again, check drivebc.ca 

There are over thirty webcams 

in the West Kootenay, including 

on the summits of the Kootenay, 

Bombi, Strawberry and Paulson 

passes. The images get updated 

at least twice an hour. 


Modern European comfort food 

with vegetarian and gluten free options. 

• Kids’ menu • Licensed • Outdoor patio. 

 

Be inspired, day or night 

#BeingAwesome 

Respect. Beautiful. Curiosity. 

Our region is full of colourful things 

to see and do. 

VISIT NELSONKOOTENAYLAKE.COM 

Photo by Jesse Schpakowski 

AINSWORTH HOT SPRINGS | BALFOUR | EAST SHORE | KASLO | NELSON | NORTH KOOTENAY LAKE 


NELSON 

Of course, there are other things 

to do in Nelson then drink 

delicious craft beer. Between 

the historic architecture, 

lakeside setting and soaring 

mountains in every direction, 

Nelson is pretty spectacular any 

time of year. The winter, though, 

is when it shines. 

Rob Mangelsdorf, Vancouver Courier 

Dec 12 2017 

Most Canadian towns are not 

at their best in the winter. Grey, 

slushy – it gets dark too soon, 

people all seem to be in a 

rush, focussed on getting back 

indoors. 

But in Nelson there are very 

few days, even in the depths of 

winter, when you shouldn’t slow 

yourself down, and look up towards 

the snow-clad mountains 

or up at the trees overhanging 

the city streets, their bare 

branches stark against the sky. 

At night, when you come back 

to town after a day on the ski 

hill, the coloured lights gleam 

darkly on the wet pavement 

on Baker Street, Nelson’s main 

artery. 

On a winter’s day when it’s 

bright and crisp outside and 

the area ski hills are humming, 

downtown might seem 

strangely quiet. But wait until 

dark. In the evenings, if it’s 

been a perfect powder day, the 

restaurants and night spots will 

be humming. 

Orange Bridge, Nelson Photo: Karma Halleran 

Check out Nelson’s restaurants 

for ethnic, traditional, or 

vegetarian dining to satisfy 

your foodie soul. Live performances 

and cinema are coming 

back after a year or more of 

uncertaintly. You might take in 

a world class performance at 

the Capitol Theatre, or catch a 

movie at the Civic. 

A good way to appreciate 

Nelson’s period charm is on 

foot with a walking tour guide 

in hand. Get one at the Nelson 

visitor centre in the newly 

re-furbished Canadian-Pacific 

Railway station. (Head down 

Baker Street, cross through the 

4-way stop and the station is 

straight ahead.) You might feel 

like you’ve driven into a picture 

book. Nelson’s classic Victorian 

elegance can be found on 

nearly every street – over 350 

buildings have been designated 

as having an important heritage 

value. 

Then there are all the new 

murals - colourful evidence of 

four years now of the Nelson 

International Mural Festival - a 

month-long event in August 

each year that has left in its 

wake some very exciting art 

that is here for everyone. 

You might want to 

spend a cold wintry 

afternoon inside. 

A good long wander through 

Touchstones Museum of Art & 

History may be just the ticket. 

Find out about Nelson's early 

City of Nelson Photo: Adrian Wagner 

history as a town – go back further 

and learn about the culture 

of the First Nations in this area. 

If it's a Saturday, check out one 

of Canada's underground nuclear 

fallout shelters –a space that 

was the region’s go-to place for 

all its important people (judging 

by the bathroom facilities, the 

important people were mainly 

men). The "Diefenbunker" 

is next door to Touchstones 

Museum. 

Or spend an intense hour looking 

for clues and solving the 

puzzle that will release you from 

the Queen City Escape Room 

(see ad next page). 

Visit Nelson’s 

Cold War Bunker 

 

Saturdays 12-4 pm 

Guided Tours: 

Saturdays at 11 am 

Wednesdays at 4 pm 

502 Vernon Street | Nelson BC | 250-352-9813 

Visit touchstonesnelson.ca for details 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


NELSON NORDIC SKIING 

Maybe you’re a rank beginner, or you are someone who has been 

addicted to the rhythm of cross-country skiing for decades. Either 

way, head to Apex and Busk. The Nelson Nordic Ski Area has over 

28 km of groomed trails, and it is just ten minutes south of Nelson. 

Head towards Ymir and Salmo; the trailhead is right across the highway 

from the Whitewater Ski Hill Road. 

On these well marked trails you’ll be spooling through marsh, meadow 

and old growth forest. There are warming huts to give a little rest 

to the rhythm – a chance to pause, breathe deeply, rehydrate and 

chow down some trail mix. 

A 1.3 kilometre loop is lit at night and that makes for a gorgeous 

skiing experience. The 

Nelson Nordic Ski 

Club keeps the lights 

on until 10 pm, seven 

days a week and until 

midnight on New 

Year’s Eve. 

The Club Area 

operates in co-operation 

with private 

landowners and the BC 

Forest Service. Daily or 

nightly fees are payable at 

the trailheads. If you have 

membership with Blackjack 

or Castlegar Nordic Ski, you only 

pay half price day use fees on the club’s 

trails. Call the snowphone 250-354-4292 for the latest in 

snow conditions and visit nelsonnordicski.ca and their 

Facebook page for updates on trail conditions and club 

events. 

Cross-Country Photo: Dave Heath courtesy Destination BC 


Winter Fun in Nelson 

SLIDE 

Go sledding! Nip into a hardware store and 

buy a plastic crazy carpet or flying saucer. 

Although there are a lot of hills in Nelson, 

not all hills are great for launching your 4 

year old (or 40 year old) no matter how 

tightly they can hang on. Actually it’s all 

about landing. You don’t want to end up 

spinning in a roadway or smacked into a 

tree trunk or the lake. Your best bet for a 

good landing is the hill at Queen Elizabeth 

Park (Cottonwood and Fifth Street.) 

RIDE 

Rent a fat tire Bike at Gerick’s (Baker and 

Hall streets) and ride up to the Bike Skills 

Park on West Richards Street in Rosemont. 

Maybe take the bus – Art Gibbons Memorial 

Park is on route #3. Every Nelson City bus 

has space for two bikes. 

IMBIBE 

Tour a craft brewery. There are three to 

choose from. Starting from the top: Nelson 

Brewing Company (http://nelsonbrewing. 

com/) is located in Nelson’s original 100 year 

old brewery building. Uphill Nelson at 512 

Latimer Street. Backroads Brewing Company 

is right on Baker Street, downtown. 

Torchlight Brewing is a little further down 

the hill towards the lake at 511 Front Street. 

Come with a thirst and leave with a growler! 

SWIM, SKATE, SWEAT 

The Nelson & District Community Complex 

at 305 Hall Street is your action-packed 

centre for inside fun! There are 3 swimming 

pools including a tot pool with water 

features, a water slide, hot tub, sauna, steam 

room and a full range of water aerobics 

classes. 

The Fitness Centre is fully equipped and 

fitness classes include step aerobics, pilates, 

yoga, ball, low impact and indoor cycling. 

Everyone is welcome at public skating. 

You can rent a pair of skates at the arena 

or bring your own if you have them. View 

schedules and events online at www.rdck. 

ca/EN/main/services/recreation/complexes-facilities.html 

CHEER! 

Go to a Nelson Leafs Junior Hockey game at 

the Nelson & District Community Complex 

and help to cheer on the home team. For a 

schedule of home games visit https://www. 

nelsonleafs.ca/ 

Mountain Station Trails 

If you want to experience a winter’s day in 

the woods, under your own power, at your 

own pace and without lift lines or crowds, 

head to the hills just above Nelly town. Is 

your dog with you? Does she need a good 

run? Take her to Mountain Station and she 

will love you forever. 

Leave your vehicle at the parking area at 

the top of Gore Street, or, if it’s just you and 

human company, take the Uphill bus. You 

can rent cross-country skis for the day at 

Gerick’s on Baker Street if you don’t have 

your own. In the shoulder season, when the 

snow is too patchy, a fat tire bike is a good 

option, too. 

Mountain Station was once a stop on the 

Nelson and Fort Sheppard (N&FS) Railway 

that used to connect Spokane and Nelson. 

The old rails have been removed and now 

the Great Northern Rail Trail is used by 

bikers and hikers. 

In the winter the path is groomed for 

cross-country skiing. There are other trails 

that branch off from Mountain Station and 

meander into the forest. Experience the 

beauty of the deep woods as you enjoy the 

rhythm of your stride, your breath and the 

sound of your skis on the crisp snow, like 

brushes lightly swishing a snare drum. 

Kokanee Creek Provincial Park 

Located just 20 km east of Nelson, on the 

West Arm of Kootenay Lake, Kokanee Creek 

Provincial Park is one of the most popular 

parks in the West Kootenay. 

In the winter, the campground gate is 

closed, but the day-use and overflow areas 

remain open. The park has 9.5 

km of easy hiking trails and 

one of the trails lead to a 

viewing platform overlooking 

the Kokanee Creek 

canyon. 

In winter, there are 

cross-country skiing and 

snowshoeing opportunities 

along the 

campsite roads 

and the 

trails. 

Wildlife 

sightings are plentiful and bird watching 

is excellent at this park in winter – there is 

a large population of birds inhabiting the 

Kokanee Creek delta. 

Slocan Valley Rail Trail 

Winding gently along a de-commissioned 

rail line, through one of the most beautiful 

river valleys in British Columbia the Slocan 

Valley Rail Trail follows the contours of 

the Slocan River. The trail makes its way 

from Slocan Lake in the north, towards the 

Kootenay River in the south. Most of the Rail 

Trail parallels Highway 6, and the trailheads 

along the way are well marked on the 

highway. 

With beautiful valley and mountain views as 

well as nature reserves and a bird sanctuary 

over its 52 kilometres, in the fall and spring, 

the rail trail is a favourite for strollers and 

runners. 

There are a few months each year with 

enough snow in the valley for good 

cross-country skiing conditions. When that 

happens, the Slocan Valley Heritage Trail 

Society gets to work tracksetting. Before 

you go, check out the trail conditions: 

http://slocanvalleyrailtrail.ca/conditions/ 

Fat Biking Photo: Dave Heath courtesy Destination BC 


DOWNHILL SKIING 

Whitewater 

Whitewater still has that out-of-the-way vibe 

of a community ski hill far from the madding 

crowds. 

Cradled in British Columbia’s legendary 

Selkirk Mountains, at the day lodge 

beneath Ymir Mountain the elevation is 

5,400ft/1,640m, Whitewater’s dependably dry 

snowfall totals over 10 metres a season. That 

is more than 40 feet. There just aren’t many 

resorts that see snowfalls as big, as often. 

With no hotels or residences clustered 

around the day lodge, once you are ready 

to be taken up the Glory Ridge triple chair 

lift, you won’t be angling for a view of where 

you’re headed or stamping your feet to stay 

warm in long lineups. (Even if you are waiting 

in a lift lineup, the people watching is too 

good to ignore. There is every kind of budget 

goin’ on here. This is not a pretentious hill!) 

On site amenities include the day lodge, Adventure 

Centre, Whitewater Store, Rentals & 

Repairs, Coal Oil Johnny’s Pub, Fresh Tracks 

Café, and Fresh Tracks Café Express. 

To make the most of your experience, consider 

taking a course at the Adventure Centre. 

These courses get skiers and snowboarders 

alike past the falling or falling in love stage, 

and will turn you into a Whitewater lifer. 

From basic learn-to-ski to advanced clinics 

and two levels of avalanche awareness, the 

centre is a one-stop shop. Whether you are 

downhill skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, 

cross-country skiing, or heading off into the 

backcountry, the committed, professionally 

trained snow school and snow safety instructors 

are passionate about ensuring you 

have the tools and information you need and 

will likely use. 

Whitewater Ski Resort is located 22 km 

south of the city of Nelson. Head south out of 

Nelson along Highway 6 for approximately 12 

km until you see the sign for Whitewater Ski 

Resort. Turn left and head up the mountain 

for another 10 kms, be prepared to lose cell 

service and WiFi and reconnect with those 

around you. For more information, you can 

check out their website at www.skiwhitewater.com 

or call 1-800-666-9420. 

Ski Salmo 

If you’re looking for a fun family ski experience, 

Salmo has a great local hill just 2 

km south of town on Highway 3. Salmo Ski 

Hill is a volunteer-run enterprise that is a 

well-deserved source of community pride. 

With friendly staff, incredible scenery and 

great winter temperatures, the hill is really a 

must-do. Amp up the experience by skiing at 

night on fully lit runs. Wednesdays are Ladies 

Night. Get rentals, lift ticket and a lesson for 

$25. 

There are six groomed runs: gentle slopes, 

moguls, steep slopes, racing courses, a half 

pipe for snowboarders, and a bunny hill. At 

the day lodge you can warm your toes and 

fingers and have lunch or a snack. Skiing and 

snowboarding equipment can be rented at 

reasonable rates. 

Lift hours: 5:30 pm to 9 pm Monday to 

Thursday and 9 am to 3:30 pm Saturday and 

Sunday. Friday and Saturday nights are made 

available for hill rentals. Half day pass starts 

at noon. For two weeks over the Christmas 

and New Year’s holidays, when the local kids 

are out of school, the ski hill is open every 

day until 3:30 pm. For more information visit 

www.skisalmo.com 

Red Mountain 

A day at Red is a must-do for any skier on the 

powder highway. Red Mountain ski area is 

three big mountains, Red, Granite and Grey. 

With 2877 total lift serviced acres of terrain 

(2919 vertical feet), 110 marked runs plus 

4200 acres of easy to access backcountry, 

Red boasts a powerful potential for unforgettable 

skiing and boarding. 

For the ultimate in backcountry touring, 

you’d be hardpressed to find as much variety 

and opportunity east of the coast’s Whistler 

Village. Five different peaks are easily 

accessible from the resort boundary. Guided 

backcountry tours are highly recommended, 

and are available through the resort. 

If you are a new guest to Red Mountain 

Resort, take advantage of the 

fantastic Snowhost program 

with free tours of the mountain. 

Stop by the guest 

services office for details. 

Tours depart 

twice daily from 

the base 

area. 

Summit Lake Ski Area 

Summit Lake Ski Hill overlooks the beautiful 

Summit Lake, 10 miles (16 km) east of 

Nakusp. 

It’s a volunteer-run hill and the community 

spirit that keeps the hill going guarantees a 

fun experience that is worlds away from the 

trendy resorts. There are 8 ski or snowboarding 

runs from beginner to expert (T Bar lift), 

a bunny hill (handle tow) and a tube park! 

If half your party prefers a more horizontal 

snow trek, there are cross-country trails and 

snowshoeing trails in the Summit Ski area as 

well as the downhill runs. 

Although several of the runs are challenging 

for the expert skier or snowboarder, Summit 

is the perfect hill for kids and beginners of 

any age. You can get lessons from certified 

instructors, there are quite a few hill areas 

meant for the novice skier and there is a cafe 

to hang out in when your legs start to feel 

a bit wobbly. A day at Summit is a hoot; it’s 

winter fun that is accessible to just about 

anybody. 

https://skisummitlake.com/ 

Skier Photo: Dave Heath courtesy Destination BC 


SALMO 

Salmo, Erie and Ymir were small mining 

towns that grew up along the right-of-way of 

the historic Nelson/Fort Shepherd Railway 

during the gold rush years of 1896 and 1897. 

Gold, silver, lead, zinc and tungsten were 

mined in the surrounding mountains and 

Salmo grew as a centre for supplies and 

entertainment. 

Today the logging roads that were carved 

into the mountains provide access into 

beautiful backcountry, a paradise for 

snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and 

snowshoeing. The local ski hill has great 

downhill skiing, snowboarding and refreshment 

facilities. Other activities to pursue in 

Salmo during the winter include shopping, 

the outdoor ice rink and winter fishing, while 

the local curling club is happy to welcome 

new members. Local dining and pubbing are 

enjoyable après-sport activity. 

Salmo is home to many stone murals celebrating 

the history and natural beauty of the 

area. Take a walking tour around the village 

and visit these unique murals created by 

the students from the local Kootenay Stone 

Training Institute. 

Snowy Salmo Photo: Stefanie Harron Castlegar Photography 

Another frequently photographed landmark 

is the Salmo Hotel, built in 1912. There has 

been a hotel on this location continuously 

since 1860, but all four previous hotels on 

the site succumbed to one of the heating 

systems of the time, in other words, fire! 

• FULL SERVICE SHOP • CAR REMOVAL • 24 HOUR TOWING 

• USED AND AFTERMARKET PARTS • RIGGING SPECIALISTS 

• HEAVY DUTY RECOVERY SPECIALISTS 

SALMO AREA 

250-357-2091 

CRESTON AREA 

250-428-2323 

ALL OTHER AREAS 

TOLL FREE 1-888-357-2091 

SALMO VALLEY PHARMACY 

FULL SERVICE PHARMACY 

Including: 

Gifts and Souvenirs 

Professional Medication Reviews 

Compliance Packaging 

Travel Vaccinations • Flu Shots 

Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30 

107-4th Street • 250-357-9444 

Ski Salmo! 

• 6 runs 

• Night 

Skiing 

BEST NIGHT SKIING 

IN THE KOOTENAYS! 

DAY HALF DAY/NIGHT 

Adult $33.00 $25.00 

Student $25.00 $19.50 

Senior 60+ $25.00 $19.50 

Senior 70+ Free Free 

Child 7-12 $21.00 $16.50 

Reservations, Information, Rentals 

www.skisalmo.com 250-357-2323 

info@skisalmo.com 

Reserve the whole hill for your group! 

Private Group Rental $165/hr 

(minimum 4 hr) 

Check us out 


BACKCOUNTRY 

Stagleap 

36 kilometres south of Salmo, 

at the summit of the highest 

all-weather highway in BC, 

is the provincial park called 

Stagleap. It sounds epic and it 

is, especially in the winter (think 

2.5 metres of snow!), so you 

should go. 

Stagleap is one of the most 

accessible backcountry skiing 

destinations in the Salmo-Creston 

area. Which is most definitely 

not to claim that backcountry 

skiing is an “accessible” 

sport. There are no lift lines, and 

at Stagleap, snow machines are 

not permitted. The park plays 

a key role in protecting habitat 

for internationally endangered 

mountain caribou, so there are 

some restrictions such as no 

dogs in the wintertime. (see 

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/ 

bcparks/explore/parkpgs/ 

stagleap/ for more detail) 

The Bonnington Range 

If you are a hiker or a backcountry 

skiier who grew up 

in Castlegar, the Bonnington 

Range is where your heart is. In 

almost 1400 square kilometres 

of terrain you can ski between 

twelve lightly treed, relatively 

low elevation mountain peaks. 

The alpine and subalpine terrain 

is dotted with creeks and 

little lakes and there are four 

rustic cabins, each about 10 

kilometres apart. 

The cabins are maintained by 

the Kootenay Mountaineering 

Club and have simple amenities, 

like Coleman stoves for 

cooking and wood stoves for 

heat. Your drinking and wash 

water is melted from the snow 

you bring in from outside. You 

can reserve your night’s stay 

and get all the information you 

need about access to trails, 

the different routes and their 

degree of difficulty through the 

club’s website kootenaymountaineeringclub.ca 

Snowmobiling 

Steep, densely forested mountain 

passes and breathtaking 

alpine bowls lure the die-hard 

powder seeker. Get moving in 

late November and continue 

until April. There’s plenty of variety 

in the alpine areas around 

Salmo and Castlegar; you can 

switch up your ride from morning 

to afternoon, from one day 

to the next. 

Groomed trails are fun with a 

group, or how about exploring 

decommissioned logging roads 

with just your buddy? An area 

that is popular because it’s so 

family friendly is Goose Creek; 

other areas demand more advanced 

skills and backcountry 

knowledge. 

The most popular spots for 

snowmobiling are maintained 

by the Castlegar Snowmobile 

Association. Its volunteers 

maintain two areas that boast 

over 70 km of groomed trails 

and three cabins. Buy your pass 

online before you head out for 

the day. No waiting in line to 

pay at the staging areas, just 

get on your sled and go. . . 

More info at www.csasled.org 

Sledders Photo: courtesy Castlegar Chamber 

Welcome to SALMO 

We know how to Winter! 

There’s great, affordable skiing or 

snowboarding week nights and weekends. 

Not into skiing? Come and shop in town for 

winter wear and sporting equipmen, visit 

our brew pub, enjoy our outdoor skating rink, 

become a new member at the Salmo Curling 

Centre, or snowmobile, cross-country ski or 

snowshoe on the Rails For Trails and other local 

trails. 

Tired after all your activities? Relax and enjoy 

hot refreshments at the hillside lodge. 

discoversalmo.ca | 250-357-2596 salmo.ca | 250-357-9433 


CASTLEGAR 

The City of Castlegar lies in a wide valley at 

the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia 

Rivers. World class angling, snowshoeing, 

skiing, museums, plenty of restaurants 

and a fun night life scene make Castlegar a 

great choice for a winter vacation. So many 

options, so close! 

Plus, as the Sculpture Capital of Canada, 

public art is on display on many a corner. 

Mosey around and decide where you’ll eat 

and where you might go out later. 

How about old-style sledding? Try the hill located near the entrance of the Dove Hill Hike, near the Castlegar Airport. 

Park before the golf course gates at the entrance to Dove. 

Better work up an appetite first! 

Strap on your ice skates! Putting your 

skates on while sitting in a snowbank, 

picking up your stick and skating outside is 

a part of every Kootenay kid’s upbringing. 

In Castlegar, the best outdoor rink can be 

found at Kinnaird Park (2501 14th Avenue) 

near the baseball diamonds. It’s free, open 

every day and lit up during the evenings. 

There is also the rink in the Castlegar Community 

Complex during public skating. Or 

go swimming. The Aquatic Centre has a 6 

lane - 25 metre pool, a spray pool, whirlpool, 

steam room, fitness studio and weight 

training room. 

Zuckerberg Island 

Walking around this beautiful little island 

park will take you back several thousand 

years to when the Lakes Salish people arrived 

and fished the Kootenay and Columbia 

Rivers. You will find a replica of a Salish pit 

house on the island like those used by the 

Salish First Nation throughout the region. 

Also on the island is a Russian Orthodox 

style chapel house that was built by Alexander 

Zuckerberg over 60 years ago. 

The Island park is connected to Castlegar's 

9th Avenue with a pedestrian only suspension 

bridge spanning the Columbia River. 

Millennium Park 

At 23 hectares in size, downtown Castlegar's 

Millennium Park offers plenty of room to 

roam. The Millennium Walkway is a 1.8 

km long paved path beside the river that’s 

handicapped accessible. If you’re with your 

dog, there are 4 dog-friendly areas in the 

park including a dog beach for a little runaround. 

If it’s drizzly, find the Celgar Pavillion 

and take shelter inside the award-winning 

timberframe structure. The largest bike park 

in the region is here. It's got pump tracks, 

dirt jumps, and other structures including 

the lumber drop-in platform that’s one of the 

most aesthetic in the province. 


CASTLEGAR 

Nordic Skiing 

Castlegar’s Paulson Recreation Area has 

over 45 km of packed and tracked ski trails 

on rolling terrain through mosaic forest. Old 

growth trees line the trails (groomed mainly 

for classic skiing) and there are four shelters 

along the way for you to warm up and connect 

with your fellow skiers. More adventurous 

skiers can choose to ski the ungroomed 

trails. The club map will show you trail skill 

levels, distances and the location of shelters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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250-365-5522 

The 8 km circular route from 

Mud Lake to the Ben Shaw 

cabin is ideal for young families 

and for the beginners. From the 

Norwegian trail you’ll get unforgettable 

views of Old Glory 

Mountain. The trailhead cabin 

(the Viking Centre) is located 

on Highway 3 at Mud Lake, 

about 5 km west of the junction 

of Highways 3 and 3B. 

See more info at 

www.castlegarnordic.ca 

The Rebels 

Castlegar Rebels 

play in the Kootenay 

International Hockey 

League, (KIJHL) a 

league with 3 divisions 

and 17 teams. 

Home ice is the 

Castlegar Complex, 

2101 6th Avenue. 

Check out the 

League’s website at 

www.kijhl.ca 

Renting & Selling 

Quality Cars 

at Great Prices 

• compacts 

• mid size 

• full size 

Trail Smoke Eaters 

The Trail Smoke Eaters have a long and 

rich history in the City of Trail. The “Smokies” 

still hold the distinction of being the 

last Canadian amateur hockey team to win 

a World Championship (1961). They say 

“When you’ve played for the Smoke Eaters, 

you become a Smoke Eater for life,” and that 

is true of their fans too! 

Be sure to come out to the Cominco Arena 

to see the Smoke Eaters play! Wander the 

halls of the Sports Hall of Fame while you 

are waiting for the game to start. 

To learn more about the Smokies, visit www. 

HistoricSmokeEaters.ca 

Drive a Good Bargain! 

• 15 passenger vans 

• minivans 

• moving trucks 

• SUVs 

• pickups 

Trail 250-364-0211 

Nelson 250-352-5122 • Creston 250-428-9343 

Castlegar 250-365-1980 • Grand Forks 236-352-0400 

trail@practicar.ca www.practicar.ca 


TRAIL 

The small town friendliness, 

lifestyle, rich history, favourable 

climate and access to 

four-season and first-class 

recreational facilities make it 

easy and affordable to explore 

Trail and area. 

Are you passionate about 

recreation, technology or 

history? Trail has a story to tell 

you – you just have to visit to 

listen. 

The Silver City, set along the 

banks of the Columbia River, is 

steeped in rich mining history. 

Just under 8,000 people call the 

area home, and it is one of BC’s 

important economic centres 

and the industrial heart of the 

Kootenays. 

Trail had not yet come into 

being when the Dewdney Trail 

was started in 1860 to serve as 

a trade route from the coast to 

the BC interior. Adopting the 

name from the Dewdney Trail, 

the settlement on the legendary 

route was originally known as 

Trail Creek. 

Trail’s transition from frontier to 

settlement began in 1895 when 

there was interest in locating a 

smelter in the area to serve the 

rich mines in Rossland. 

A small copper smelter on a 

bench above the townsite was 

completed in 1896. This smelter 

evolved into what is now known 

as Teck, a successful and innovative 

worldwide mining company. 

Cutting edge technology is 

championed here, and is available 

to all who are interested. 

Visit the MIDAS Fab Lab or the 

Teck Interpretive Centre, a mini 

science centre featuring interactive, 

hands-on exhibits. The 

Centre tells the story of what 

Teck’s Trail Operations do. Call 

the Trail Chamber of Commerce 

at 250-368-3144 to book a tour. 

More and more Trail is becoming 

a pedestrian-friendly city. 

Make a point of spanning the 

Columbia on foot. The brand 

new Columbia River Skywalk 

is one of the longest pedestrian 

bridges in North America 

at 1000 feet in length. This 

majestic, signature structure is 

part of the Trans Canada Trail 

Society’s Great Trail and a local 

2 km walking loop known as 

“Walking the Bridges.” 

Visit Trail’s newest facility, the 

Trail Riverfront Centre is located 

on the picturesque Explore Esplanade. our industrial roots 

Home to the Trail && sporting District heritage. 

Public Library, the Trail Museum 

& Archives and the Trail Visitor 

Centre, it's Trail’s hub for learning, 

history and information. 

A visit to the museum is free! 

www.trailriverfrontcentre.com 

Columbia River & Trail Photo: Kari Medig courtesy Destination BC 

Explore our industrial roots 

& sporting heritage. 

Spend some time with us at 

the Trail Visitor Centre. 



Spend some time with us at 


Visit our gift shop for vintage 

Smokies apparel & more. 

at the Trail Riverfront Centre 

Spend some time 

at 

with 

the 

us 

Trail 

at 

Riverfront Visit our Centre gift shop 1505 for vintage Bay Avenue, 1505 Trail, Bay BC Avenue, 250-364-0821 

Trail, BC 


Smokies apparel & more. 

250-364-0821 

trailmuseum.ca • museum@trail.catrailmuseum.ca 

museum@trail.ca 




FRUITVALE 

The Heart of Beaver Valley 

For a rural community, even in the wintertime, 

there is a surprising variety of sports 

and activities to choose from. Beaver Valley 

Nite Hawks at the arena, sledding, nordic 

skiing – the Beaver Valley has it all. 

The Beaver Mountain Snowmobile 

Association works in 

cooperation with several land 

stewardship organizations, including 

the Nature Conservancy 

of Canada. Club members can 

venture into the 136,000 acres 

on the west shore of Kootenay 

Lake known as Darkwoods. For 

more info 

bvrmntn. 

webs.com 

Grab your skis, 

grab the kids and your 

friends and head out 

for a bracing day of 

skiing in the Beaver 

Valley. A lovely spot 

to ski is where a lot of 

local people take their 

dogs for a good run 

– the trails in Beaver 

Valley Family Park. Or if you prefer groomed 

trails, glide through the forest and wind 

around the lakes on the 13 km of trails in 

Champion Lakes Park. The terrain is gentle 

and there is a warming shelter when you 

need to take a breather. 

You can find a map of all the Champion 

Lakes trails at the trailhead by the parking 

lot of Champion Lakes Park. To get there 

take the Champion Lakes Road, 

approximately 10 km east of Fruitvale on 

Hwy 3B – watch for the blue sign. 

For all your off-road backcountry needs, 

see us today! 

Service & Sales 

1470 Hwy 3B, Fruitvale 

TF: 1-888-989-1615 

dealer 

#5996 

www.barretthondayamaha.com • 250-367-6216 

Planning a Special Event? 

We have the place for you! 

Welcome to 

Creekside RV Park 

• Seating for 300 with bar, sound system, stage, and 

projector with big screen • Modern commercial kitchen 

• Round and rectangular tables • Competitive rates 

• Great for weddings and special events 

FRUITVALE MEMORIAL CENTRE 

For Bookings 250-367-7551 

1970 Main Street 

5 RV SITES 

• Full hook-ups 

(water, sewer, 30 amp electricity) 

• On-site sani dump 

• NO TENTS 

Located behind the Fruitvale Memorial Centre is the newly 

constructed Creekside RV Park with 5 full service RV spaces. 

Each graveled space has its own 30 amp service, water and 

sewer connections, picnic table and fire pit. 

No reservations – first come first served 

www.village.fruitvale.bc.ca 



your community-owned grocery store 

eat well. be well. 

777 Baker Street, Nelson 

Open Daily 8am-8pm 

www.kootenay.coop

Winter Go & Do 2021/2022

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