Winter Go & Do 2021/2022
West Kootenay Go & Do Regional Guide Printed in Canada. Published in Kaslo, BC 3 times a year. 1-800-663-4619
West Kootenay Go & Do Regional Guide
Printed in Canada. Published in Kaslo, BC 3 times a year.
1-800-663-4619
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Ainsworth • Balfour • Castlegar • Creston • Fruitvale • Kaslo • Nakusp • Nelson • New Denver • Rossland • Salmo • Slocan Valley • Trail<br />
THE<br />
WEST KOOTENAY<br />
BC ❤ Canada<br />
Regional<br />
Magazine<br />
&<br />
Stay<br />
&<br />
Play<br />
FREE<br />
FALL | WINTER<br />
21 | 22<br />
<strong>Winter</strong><br />
Adventures<br />
Start With You
Nelson Kootenay Lake<br />
Tourism<br />
Please visit www.ainsworthhotsprings.com to book<br />
accommodations and for up to-date information on public<br />
pool hours, current provincial health authority<br />
requirements and Covid-19 protocols.<br />
“Nupika Wu’u”<br />
Spirit Water<br />
Contemporary Rooms & Suites<br />
Swimwear & Gift Boutique<br />
Banquet<br />
& Meeting Room<br />
Spirit Water Spa<br />
www.ainsworthhotsprings.com 1 800 668 1171<br />
Fresh, local,<br />
indigenous inspired<br />
HEATED BOATS • ON-BOARD BBQ • BATHROOM<br />
Reel Adventures Fishing Charters<br />
Nelson BC | 250-505-4963<br />
www.reeladventuresfishing.com<br />
WE<br />
SELL<br />
FUN!<br />
2 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
General Info<br />
Welcome to<br />
winter<br />
Paradise,<br />
Kootenay<br />
Style!<br />
INDEX:<br />
AINSWORTH................ 13<br />
AREA MAP................ 4, 5<br />
BALFOUR................13, 14<br />
BC ALE TRAIL............... 27<br />
CASTLEGAR.............23, 24<br />
FERRY SCHEDULES........ 14<br />
FRUITVALE.................. 26<br />
KASLO .................... 7-10<br />
FISHING ..................... 13<br />
NAKUSP .......................6<br />
NELSON .................16-19<br />
NEW DENVER ...............6<br />
SALMO .................21, 22<br />
SKIING ....................... 20<br />
TRAIL ...................25, 26<br />
WINTER IN THE FOREST..9<br />
WOODBURY.............11-13<br />
Share the adventure!<br />
#gokootenays on Instagram<br />
ON THE COVER:<br />
"Snowboarder looking out" by Ryan Creary<br />
Courtesy Destination BC<br />
West Kootenay <strong>Go</strong> & <strong>Do</strong> Regional Guide<br />
Printed in Canada.<br />
Published in Kaslo, BC 2 times a year.<br />
Spring | Summer edition deadline Feb 14 and<br />
Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> edition deadline September 14.<br />
1-800-663-4619.<br />
Box 430, Kaslo, BC V0G 1M0<br />
Copyright <strong>2021</strong>/22 KS•Perry Publishing Ltd.<br />
All rights reserved.<br />
Enquiries: email info@pennywiseads.com<br />
To advertise: 250-353-2602 (local) or 1-800-663-4619<br />
To distribute: email distribution@pennywiseads.com<br />
www.gokootenays.com<br />
@gokootenays..............................<br />
@West Kootenay <strong>Go</strong> & <strong>Do</strong>.......<br />
<strong>Go</strong> & <strong>Do</strong> West Kootenay<br />
Regional Guide<br />
Is a collective production by the<br />
talented staff at KS•Perry Publishing<br />
aka Pennywise<br />
ADVERTISING:<br />
Larissa Scott,<br />
larissa@pennywiseads.com<br />
CONTENT CREATOR:<br />
Erika Bird<br />
DESIGNER: Jeremy Taylor<br />
PRODUCTION: Jeremy Taylor<br />
Karma Halleran<br />
PROOFREADING: Erika Bird,<br />
Julie Wilson<br />
PUBLISHER: Karma Halleran<br />
WEBSITE GOKOOTENAYS.COM:<br />
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MAGAZINE PRINTED by<br />
International WebXpres,<br />
Vancouver<br />
Fresh lines,<br />
endless<br />
opportunities<br />
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BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 3
NAKUSP see page 6<br />
• Soaking at Nakusp Hot<br />
Springs and Halcyon<br />
• Public skating & hockey at<br />
Nakusp & District Community<br />
Complex<br />
• Two year-round markets<br />
• Snowshoeing & cross-country<br />
skiing at Wensley Creek Trail,<br />
Nakusp Hot Springs and<br />
Halcyon<br />
Revelstoke<br />
Shelter<br />
Bay<br />
Galena<br />
Bay<br />
Halcyon<br />
Hot Springs<br />
Trout Lake<br />
Trout<br />
Lake<br />
Gerrard<br />
#PowderHighway<br />
#goKootenays<br />
Share your adventure!<br />
Duncan<br />
Lake<br />
SLOCAN VALLEY see page 6<br />
• Snowshoeing the Galena and<br />
New Denver trails<br />
• Exploring Walter Clough<br />
Wildlife Sanctuary<br />
• Cat skiing in the Valhallas<br />
• Cross-country skiing on the<br />
Slocan Valley Rail Trail<br />
• Backcountry skiing at Mount<br />
Carlyle Lodge<br />
CASTLEGAR see page 23, 24<br />
• Strolling in Millennium Park<br />
• Tobogganing at Cone Hill,<br />
Verigin's Tomb or <strong>Do</strong>ve Hill<br />
• Outdoor skating at Kinnaird Park<br />
• Skating or swimming at Castlegar<br />
Community Complex<br />
• Snowshoeing & cross-country<br />
skiing the Paulson Recreation<br />
Area<br />
West on<br />
Hwy 3<br />
Grand<br />
Forks<br />
Edgewood<br />
Legend:<br />
Skiing<br />
Ferry<br />
Airport<br />
Hot<br />
Springs<br />
Christina<br />
Lake<br />
Needles<br />
Christina<br />
Lake<br />
Cascade<br />
Upper<br />
Arrow<br />
Lake<br />
Arrow<br />
Park<br />
Fauquier<br />
Lower<br />
Arrow<br />
Lake<br />
Burton<br />
Rossland<br />
Nakusp<br />
Hot Springs<br />
gravel road<br />
Valhalla<br />
Park<br />
Thrums<br />
Slocan<br />
Lake<br />
Robson<br />
Pass Creek<br />
Brilliant<br />
Castlegar<br />
Paterson<br />
Nakusp<br />
Passmore<br />
Crescent Valley<br />
Trail<br />
Winlaw<br />
Slocan<br />
Park<br />
Montrose<br />
Waneta<br />
Summit<br />
Lake<br />
Hills<br />
Slocan<br />
Taghum<br />
South<br />
Slocan<br />
Fruitvale<br />
Sandon<br />
New Denver<br />
Silverton<br />
Ymir<br />
Kokanee<br />
Glacier<br />
Park<br />
Nelway<br />
Retallack<br />
Nelson<br />
Salmo<br />
Meadow<br />
Creek<br />
Cooper<br />
Creek<br />
Lardeau<br />
Harrop<br />
Kaslo<br />
Mirror<br />
Lake<br />
Woodbury<br />
Balfour<br />
Ainsworth<br />
Hot<br />
Springs<br />
Procter<br />
Argenta<br />
Johnson’s<br />
Landing<br />
Kootenay<br />
Bay<br />
Pilot Bay<br />
Kootenay<br />
Lake<br />
Kootenay<br />
Skyway<br />
Purcell<br />
Wilderness<br />
Conservancy<br />
Kootenay<br />
Lake<br />
USA<br />
Riondel<br />
Crawford<br />
Bay<br />
Gray<br />
Creek<br />
Gray Creek<br />
Pass Road<br />
Boswell<br />
Sanca<br />
Creston<br />
Valley<br />
Wildlife<br />
Area<br />
Kuskonook<br />
Sirdar<br />
Erickson<br />
Creston<br />
Rykerts<br />
4 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> #gokootenays - share the adventure! BC Canada
Roam Around The<br />
West Kootenay<br />
we've got room<br />
for everyone<br />
map<br />
KASLO see page 7-10<br />
• Heli-skiing: Stellar Heliskiing,<br />
Powder Creek Lodge<br />
• Snowcat skiing: Retallack<br />
Lodge, Selkirk Snowcat Skiing<br />
• Cross-country skiing at Bucky<br />
or the True Blue Recreation<br />
Area<br />
• Hiking the River Trail<br />
AINSWORTH see page 13<br />
• Soak: Ainsworth Hot Springs<br />
• Hike the Cedar Creek Trail<br />
• Dine at the Ktunaxa Grill<br />
• Visit the JB Fletcher Store &<br />
Museum<br />
• Stay at the Ainsworth Hot<br />
Springs Resort<br />
TRAIL see page 25, 26<br />
• Walk the River Skywalk Trail &<br />
Victoria Bridge<br />
• Fish the Columbia River<br />
• Visit the sports Hall of Fame in<br />
the Trail Memorial Centre<br />
• Italian eats at Ferraro Foods<br />
specialty store<br />
• Visit the Teck Museum<br />
WOODBURY see page 11-13<br />
• Lake fishing<br />
• Backcountry sledding<br />
• Bird watching<br />
• Boat and fishing gear rentals<br />
• "Catch of the day" at JB's Pub<br />
& Restaurant<br />
NELSON see page 16-19<br />
• Retail therapy on Baker Street<br />
• Sweating or swimming at the<br />
Nelson Community Complex<br />
• Outdoor skating at<br />
298 Richards St<br />
• Public art and murals<br />
throughout the city<br />
• Dining & imbibing – so<br />
many great choices<br />
SALMO see page 21, 22<br />
• Skiing/snowboarding at<br />
Salmo Ski Hill<br />
• Ice fishing on Erie Lake, 6 km<br />
west of Salmo<br />
• Snowshoeing & cross-country<br />
skiing on local backcountry trails<br />
• Viewing murals, heritage<br />
buildings and landmarks<br />
• Backcountry skiing at Stagleap<br />
Provincial Park<br />
BALFOUR see page 13, 14<br />
• New Year's Day fishing derby<br />
• Ferry over to Crawford Bay<br />
• Snowshoeing & Cross-country<br />
skiing on the Balfour <strong>Go</strong>lf<br />
Course<br />
• A day fishing on the lake with a<br />
guide and heated boat<br />
Red Mountain Photo: Karma Halleran<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 5
NAKUSP<br />
Head down to the boardwalk<br />
that skirts the Village of Nakusp<br />
and soak in the view over the<br />
Upper Arrow Lake. Snuggle into<br />
your scarf and coat, feel your<br />
heart rate slow down. Breathe<br />
deeply of the crisp air.<br />
SLOCAN LAKE’S<br />
GROCERY STORE<br />
Nakusp’s deep forests and<br />
mountainous backcountry –<br />
the Monashee and the Selkirk<br />
ranges – beckon. There are<br />
adventures ahead!<br />
LOCALLY OWNED<br />
& OPERATED<br />
• Fresh meat cut<br />
daily instore<br />
• Lots of local products<br />
• Deli • Fresh produce<br />
• Weekly flyer • and more<br />
Corner of Hwy 31A & Hwy 6<br />
New Denver 250-358-2270<br />
Hours: 8am - 6pm, 7 days a week www.newmarketfoods.ca<br />
Snowmobiling, snowshoeing<br />
and any type of skiing including<br />
downhill (there's a sweet<br />
little community hill at Summit<br />
Lake), cross-country, heli-skiing<br />
and backcountry skiing are<br />
popular here. Stop in at Shon’s<br />
Bike Ski Stay shop on Broadway<br />
(the main drag) or at the<br />
Nakusp Visitor Centre for trail<br />
updates and information about<br />
equipment rentals (92 6th Ave<br />
1-800-909-8819, or nakusp.com/<br />
discover-nakusp/).<br />
Maybe the best thing about<br />
winter in Nakusp is how amazing<br />
it is to complete a morning<br />
spent snowshoeing or skiing<br />
with a soak at one of Nakusp’s<br />
two hot springs resorts. You<br />
deserve a little luxury!<br />
Halcyon Hot Springs<br />
Accommodation is luxurious<br />
with up-to-the-minute amenities<br />
in chalets, cottages and<br />
cabins. Stroll to the hot pools<br />
right from your front door.<br />
Onsite spa options and the restaurant<br />
food and service spoil<br />
you in the nicest way.<br />
Nakusp Hot Springs<br />
The Nakusp Hot Springs is<br />
located deep in the forest in<br />
the Selkirk Mountains 12 kms<br />
from Nakusp along the roaring<br />
Kuskanax River. Cozy but<br />
updated cedar chalets provide<br />
charming accommodation<br />
and old logging roads, perfect<br />
for cross-country skiing and<br />
snowshoeing radiate from the<br />
complex.<br />
NEW DENVER<br />
Situated on the shores of<br />
pristine Slocan Lake, beneath<br />
the snowfields of the Valhalla<br />
Glacier, the picturesque Village<br />
of New Denver is a peaceful<br />
getaway.<br />
For cross-country skiers there<br />
are beautiful trails, some that<br />
start on the outskirts of town<br />
and follow the gentle grade of<br />
the old railway, or head up to<br />
Hills and the Valhalla Hills Ski<br />
Trails, north of New Denver on<br />
Hwy 6.<br />
ARROWLAKESLODGE@CMHINC.COM<br />
6 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
KASLO<br />
In winter, Kaslo is your gateway<br />
to alpine skiing, cat-skiing,<br />
cross-country skiing, skating,<br />
snowmobiling and fishing.<br />
Originally called Kane’s<br />
Landing, Kaslo was founded in<br />
1893 and was the region’s first<br />
incorporated city. It was known<br />
as the commercial centre of<br />
the gold, silver and lead mining<br />
industries during the boom of<br />
the 1890s. The town’s peaceful<br />
cove, one of only a few such<br />
natural harbours along the 104<br />
km long lake, once bustled<br />
with activity as ore barges,<br />
rowboats, private launches and<br />
steamships jostled for a place<br />
alongside the busy wharf.<br />
Now Kaslo enjoys memories<br />
of that time in its beautiful<br />
heritage buildings, the celebration<br />
of May Days, and the<br />
SS Moyie, a sternwheeler/museum<br />
on the shore of Kootenay<br />
Lake and one of the last great<br />
sternwheelers on the continent.<br />
The Village of Kaslo has undergone<br />
dramatic changes since<br />
the boom days of the 1890s.<br />
Where there were once 27<br />
saloons full of boisterous prospectors,<br />
there is now a myriad<br />
of activities for everybody to<br />
enjoy. Rich in history, strong in<br />
community spirit, spectacular<br />
in location, Kaslo offers those<br />
who live there a quality of life<br />
others can only envy.<br />
The Langham<br />
Be sure to visit the Langham<br />
Cultural Centre on A Avenue.<br />
This historic building was once<br />
a hotel, a bank, a bottling company,<br />
and, during World War II,<br />
it was an internment centre for<br />
Japanese-Canadians. Today,<br />
the Langham houses the<br />
Japanese Canadian museum,<br />
two galleries, affordable studio<br />
space for practising artists, a<br />
common area for workshops<br />
and a small theatre. With<br />
current Covid protocols the<br />
theatre can accommodate 50<br />
people. Check their website<br />
www.thelangham.ca to see if<br />
there is a live show happening<br />
while you're visiting.<br />
Nordic Skiing<br />
On the southern outskirts of<br />
Kaslo, above the air strip, the<br />
True Blue recreation area has<br />
woodland paths and gentle<br />
grades as well as some good<br />
climbs and swift flying slopes.<br />
Feel free to bring the dog!<br />
Just a few minutes west of<br />
Kaslo on Hwy 31A is the Buchanan<br />
Wilderness Recreation<br />
Area (aka Bucky) where you<br />
can ski along the old Wagon<br />
Road and other groomed trails.<br />
Check http://korsbc.blogspot.<br />
ca for maps, and dates for<br />
events such as moonlight skis,<br />
and the Jackrabbit program.<br />
Kaslo Bay Photo: Karma Halleran<br />
“One of the best<br />
buildings in BC”<br />
Architecture Foundation<br />
of BC, 2014<br />
Gallery: <br />
Theatre<br />
Workshops<br />
Community Events<br />
Japanese Canadian<br />
Museum<br />
Office: <br />
Visit our website<br />
for schedule of events<br />
Langham<br />
www.thelangham.ca • 447 A Avenue, Kaslo • 250-353-2661<br />
LOWEST PRICES IN THE KOOTENAYS<br />
Name Brand Clothing<br />
Basics • Swimwear • Beach Towels<br />
Gifts • Jewellery • Personal Care Products<br />
One Stop Shopping that’s worth the drive!<br />
Affordable Luxury<br />
<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 7
and so much more!<br />
lidays<br />
Your Community Grocer<br />
Full In-store Bakery • Produce<br />
Meat Department • Deli<br />
411 Front Street, Kaslo • 250-353-2331<br />
Store Hours: 9am - 7pm, Mon–Sat; 10am - 6pm, Sunday<br />
Summer Hours (June 6 - Sept 4) 8am - 8pm 7 days a week including holidays<br />
429 Front St, Kaslo BC • 250-353-2257<br />
Sunnyside Naturals<br />
Solid Health. Happy Heart.<br />
Come, rest your feet!<br />
Groceries, supplements & body care<br />
that sustains you the natural way<br />
Organic juices, smoothies & specialty<br />
drinks made to your specs<br />
Fresh, organic, gluten-free or vegan<br />
soups & snacks<br />
Professional advice<br />
404 Front Street, Kaslo | 250-353-9667<br />
Luxury Rooms In<br />
Historic <strong>Do</strong>wntown<br />
Kaslo.<br />
• Private balconies<br />
• Lake & mountain views<br />
• Stunning views from our patio<br />
• Relax & unwind in the Pub<br />
with locally crafted beers &<br />
delicious food<br />
Check out our website<br />
& facebook page<br />
for hours, specials<br />
and packages<br />
250-353-7714<br />
Toll Free: 866-823-1433<br />
430 Front Street, Kaslo, BC<br />
info@kaslohotel.com<br />
www.kaslohotel.com<br />
Stay with Us!<br />
8 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
festival include the human<br />
dogsled races for charity<br />
and the woodsmen skills<br />
competitions such as the<br />
water-boil, swede sawing<br />
contest and dot split.<br />
Enjoy homemade soups,<br />
hot dogs, bannock over<br />
the fire, maple taffy on the<br />
snow, skiing and snowshoeing<br />
(skis provided),<br />
storytelling, live music and<br />
more!<br />
For more information<br />
check it out on<br />
Facebook:<br />
Kaslo<strong>Winter</strong>ForestFestival<br />
Unity Bridge, Kaslo Photo: Erika Bird<br />
Snow sculpture, WITF Photo: Karma Halleran<br />
<strong>Winter</strong> in the Forest<br />
Festival<br />
<strong>Go</strong>t the winter blues?<br />
This rather unusual<br />
festival offers a<br />
dose of fun at a<br />
dark time of year.<br />
It takes place on<br />
BC Family Day, the<br />
second Monday in<br />
February.<br />
Popular contests that<br />
are regulars at this<br />
Snow carver, WITF Photo: Gary Schneider<br />
Kaslo & Area<br />
Vacation Accomidations<br />
Ainsworth Motel<br />
Offers a unique country setting in Ainsworth,<br />
with clean, quiet and comfortable rooms. Just<br />
a 2 minute walk to the relaxing naturally hot<br />
pools. Kitchenettes and suites available, all<br />
rooms with a breathtaking view. Coffee, satellite<br />
TV, Wi-Fi, and shared lawn area complete<br />
with BBQ. Affordable.<br />
www.ainsworthmotel.com 250-229-4711<br />
Kaslo Manor Lodge<br />
Kaslo Manor Lodge offers two locations,<br />
the Lodge, and the Cottage by the River.<br />
Both locations offer lodging for 2 to 6<br />
people, most with kitchen facilities. Pet<br />
friendly. Your friendly and knowledgeable<br />
hosts can provide trail information, with<br />
winter/spring shuttle service.<br />
250-353-8582 www.kaslomanorlodge.com<br />
340 Front Street<br />
www.admiraltyhouse.ca<br />
Admiralty<br />
House<br />
<strong>Go</strong>rgeous<br />
beachfront house<br />
right downtown<br />
Toll-free: 1-800-554-1657 Text: 250-353-1139<br />
Beach Gables<br />
This lakefront guesthouse motel is a<br />
beautifully restored heritage building<br />
on Kaslo beach. Walk just one block<br />
to downtown shops and restaurants.<br />
The well appointed suites offer privacy<br />
and comfort with spectacular views of<br />
Kootenay Lake.<br />
250-353-2111 www.beachgables.ca<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 9
photo: Gary Schneider<br />
Tasting Room<br />
Patio<br />
Growlers<br />
angryhenbrewing.com<br />
Kaslo Craft Brewery<br />
343 Front Street<br />
Open daily<br />
Kaslo River Trail<br />
Two beautiful covered<br />
bridges, stained a bright beet<br />
red, link the north and south<br />
side riverbanks . The flow of<br />
the Kaslo River is swift, and<br />
the stream creates beautiful<br />
ice forms in the deep winter.<br />
Start at the trailhead at the<br />
end of Higashi Way (Railroad<br />
Ave on <strong>Go</strong>ogle maps). The<br />
trail is an easy walking loop<br />
you can complete in about<br />
an hour.<br />
The riverside trails also take<br />
you to the True Blue Mountain<br />
Recreational Area located<br />
above the Kaslo airport.<br />
If you've got them, wear ice<br />
grippers on your boots.<br />
• unique • handmade • canadian •<br />
Since 1986<br />
250-353-2566 408 Front Street, Kaslo<br />
www.figmentscanada.com<br />
Find your match<br />
KootenayBC.com<br />
KUL NIJJAR PERSONAL<br />
REAL ESTATE CORPORATION<br />
10 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
Woodbury Resort<br />
& Marina,<br />
Call about winter rates.<br />
Fish for Rainbows from your front door!<br />
Explore the beautiful Selkirk<br />
Mountains<br />
at your back door.<br />
Skiing/<br />
Snowmobile Trails<br />
2018<br />
KOOTENAY RV<br />
PARK<br />
(WOODBURY<br />
RESORT & MARINA)<br />
• All motel suites and<br />
chalets have full<br />
kitchens and<br />
satellite TV<br />
• Laundromat<br />
Resort Office & Store<br />
<strong>Winter</strong> Hours<br />
Open 9am – 4 pm<br />
JB’s<br />
Restaurant<br />
& Pub<br />
Open<br />
Thurs - Sun<br />
3-9 pm<br />
Beer & Wine Store<br />
Free<br />
WiFi<br />
for guests<br />
Kootenay Lake’s <strong>Winter</strong> Resort<br />
4 kms north of<br />
Ainsworth Hot Springs<br />
on Highway 31<br />
• Marina<br />
– Boat Rentals<br />
– Tackle<br />
• JB’s Restaurant & Pub<br />
• RV Park Open<br />
OVERALL<br />
FAVOURITE<br />
RESTAURANT<br />
Ainsworth/Kaslo<br />
Area<br />
Sled from Your<br />
Room or RV!<br />
Trail information with easy access to<br />
local trails. Ample parking for your<br />
snowmobile trailer.<br />
PO Box 1262, Ainsworth, BC V0G 1A0<br />
250-353-7717 Toll Free 1-877-353-7717<br />
JB's 250-353-7716<br />
Email: woodburyresort@netidea.com<br />
www.woodburyresort.com<br />
<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 11
WEST KOOTENAY FERRIES<br />
12 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
KOOTENAY LAKE<br />
Balfour<br />
On the western shore of Kootenay Lake, just<br />
as the lake's west arm splits off from the main<br />
body of water, is the community of Balfour<br />
and the Kootenay Lake ferry landing. Across<br />
the narrows, the hemlock/fir/cedar forests on<br />
the lower slopes of the Selkirk Range reflect<br />
greenly in the water, even in the winter, since<br />
the swiftly flowing channel never freezes.<br />
Ainsworth Hot Springs<br />
When winter starts to bite, you will want to<br />
come here.<br />
Come to immerse yourself in the naturally<br />
warm, healing waters and to allow the power<br />
of nature to soothe your body and soul.<br />
Since time immemorial, the Ktunaxa people<br />
(pronounced K-too-nah-ha) have valued the<br />
springs as a place for healing. After battle,<br />
warriors would come to soak in the spirit<br />
waters (nupika wu’u), easing their heart and<br />
limbs back from injury and strain through to<br />
strength once again.<br />
Photo: Bryce Duffy, courtesy Reel Adventures<br />
Ainsworth Hot Springs Photo: Keri Medig courtesy Destination BC<br />
The source of the springs lies above, in the<br />
Cody Caves area. The water works its way<br />
down through porous calcareous rock to<br />
flow through to the pools below, renewing<br />
the water naturally approximately six times a<br />
day. The resort today is a wonderful place for<br />
a soak on a winter's evening, the accommodations<br />
are modern, and the Indigenous<br />
inspired menu at the Ktunaxa Grill guarantees<br />
a memorable meal.<br />
Fishing<br />
Getting out on the lake, especially<br />
in winter when there<br />
are virtually no other boats<br />
except the ferry, way off in the<br />
distance, is a chilly serene<br />
pleasure.<br />
As the water temperature chills<br />
in the fall and warms up in the<br />
spring fishing for rainbows or<br />
bull trout actually gets better,<br />
although in absolute mid-winter,<br />
the fish are not so excitable.<br />
Can't really blame them! Here<br />
are a few tips:<br />
During the fall, water temperature<br />
is at the optimum temperature<br />
for these big fish to feed.<br />
Troll with bucktail flies on the<br />
surface for the big rainbows. Or<br />
use plugs, flashers, or hoochies.<br />
Your trolling speed should be<br />
fairly quick during October<br />
through December. But as the<br />
water cools down, so should<br />
your trolling speed.<br />
Try using slower lures later in<br />
the winter also. Bill Norman<br />
lures are popular in the colder<br />
months because you can troll<br />
very slow and they will still<br />
have some good movement.<br />
A rule of thumb is to use dark<br />
lures on dark days and light lures on light<br />
days.<br />
If you have a boat, concentrate on fishing<br />
the points and current lines. They seem to<br />
produce most of the fish. And if you find<br />
some fish, stick with them. Even if they’re not<br />
feeding, it will happen at some time in the<br />
day. Patience!<br />
If you don’t have a boat, you can still catch<br />
nice fish from the shore. Casting around<br />
creek mouths or rocky points will usually<br />
bring some good luck.<br />
Get all the info and gear you need, plus<br />
your fishing licence, at Gill and Gift at the<br />
Balfour Ferry landing or a little ways north at<br />
Woodbury Resort. Best bet? Reel Adventures<br />
Fishing – go fishing with a guide on a heated<br />
boat.<br />
Woodbury Resort<br />
This four-season resort has everything:<br />
chalets, RV camping, convenience store with<br />
tackle, liquor agency, boat rentals and a pub<br />
and restaurant.<br />
Are you a sledder who loves the open backcountry?<br />
Make Woodbury Resort your base<br />
camp. The snow-covered access road to Kokanee<br />
Glacier Park and the Silver Spray cabin<br />
joins the highway right at Woodbury. Also,<br />
there is endless room for even the biggest of<br />
rigs to park and turn around with ease, right<br />
near your chalet.<br />
The sledding season is a long one when<br />
you're in the mountains – the snow in the<br />
alpine bowls is deep, arrives early and leaves<br />
late. If you stay at Woodbury there will be<br />
other sledders who can suggest the best<br />
routes and can speak to the latest snow<br />
conditions. Of course, always check the<br />
avalanche rating through www.avalanche.<br />
ca The website of the local snowmobile club<br />
– the Nelson Snow-<strong>Go</strong>ers – is https://nelsonsno-goers.webs.com<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 13
Vessel<br />
Kootenay Lake Ferry<br />
Year Round Schedule<br />
All Year<br />
Balfour<br />
Summer<br />
Kootenay Bay<br />
All Year<br />
Summer<br />
LOWER ARROW LAKE FERRY<br />
Crossing takes approximately 5<br />
minutes. Runs every 30 minutes<br />
on the hour and half hour from<br />
Fauquier 5 am to 10 pm; every<br />
30 minutes at 15 and 45 minutes<br />
past the hour from Needles, 5:15<br />
am to 9:45 pm. On demand 10<br />
pm to 5 am.<br />
ARROW PARK FERRY<br />
On demand.<br />
UPPER ARROW LAKE FERRY<br />
Enroute to Revelstoke and the<br />
TransCanada Highway. The free<br />
ferry crosses from Shelter Bay<br />
(west side) to Galena Bay (east<br />
side) once an hour on the hour,<br />
5 am until 12 midnight; and returns<br />
from Galena Bay to Shelter<br />
Bay once an hour on the half<br />
hour from 5:30 am to 12:30 am.<br />
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:<br />
250-265-2105<br />
Osprey 2000 6:30 am 6:30 am 7:10 am 7:10 am<br />
Osprey 2000 8:10 am 8:10 am 9 am 9 am<br />
Osprey 2000 9:50 am 9:50 am 10:40 am 10:40 am<br />
MV Balfour 10:40 am 11:30 am<br />
Osprey 2000 11:30 am 11:30 am 12:20 pm 12:20 pm<br />
MV Balfour 12:20 pm 1:10 pm<br />
Osprey 2000 1:10 pm 1:10 pm 2 pm 2 pm<br />
MV Balfour 2 pm 2:50 pm<br />
Osprey 2000 2:50 pm 2:50 pm 3:40 pm 3:40 pm<br />
MV Balfour 3:40 pm 4:30 pm<br />
Osprey 2000 4:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:20 pm 5:20 pm<br />
MV Balfour 5:20 pm 6:10 pm<br />
Osprey 2000 6:10 pm 6:10 pm 7 pm 7 pm<br />
Osprey 2000 7:50 pm 7:50 pm 8:40 pm 8:40 pm<br />
Osprey 2000 9:40 pm 9:40 pm 10:20 pm 10:20 pm<br />
All times are Pacific (Balfour) time.<br />
Sometimes you need to line up early. Check the Balfour and<br />
Kootenay Bay ferry cams: www.drivebc.ca/#webcams<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 14
Public Health Orders<br />
To state the obvious, we've<br />
all gotten used to following<br />
certain restrictions when we get<br />
together with people outside<br />
of our households. But Public<br />
Health Orders change, and<br />
lately the orders have also been<br />
regionally targeted. If you're<br />
on the road, the precautions<br />
restaurants, retailers and event<br />
organizers are obliged to take<br />
may be different from the precautions<br />
you know about when<br />
you were at home.<br />
You can keep up to date with<br />
what to expect in the Interior of<br />
BC by visiting this site: https://<br />
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/<br />
covid-19/info/restrictions<br />
For establishments with a liquor<br />
licence and table service,<br />
Know Before<br />
You <strong>Go</strong><br />
casinos, theatres, fitness clubs,<br />
and indoor ticked events, you<br />
will need to present a vaccine<br />
passport. (This may change<br />
after January <strong>2022</strong>.)<br />
Vaccine Cards<br />
• British Columbians can get<br />
their BC Vaccine Card here:<br />
gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard<br />
• If a person has proof of<br />
vaccination from another<br />
province, they can use it in<br />
place of a BC Vaccine Card.<br />
• People from other Canadian<br />
provinces or territories must<br />
show: Provincially/territorially<br />
officially recognized<br />
vaccine record and one<br />
piece of government photo<br />
ID.<br />
• International visitors must<br />
show the Proof of vaccination<br />
they used to enter<br />
Canada (ArriveCAN)and<br />
their passport.<br />
If you don't have a<br />
Vaccine Card<br />
If an unlicensed dining venue<br />
– like coffee shops or fast food<br />
restaurants – doesn’t provide<br />
table service, those without<br />
their cards can enter the premise,<br />
take their order from a main<br />
counter, and sit down to dine<br />
or drink, provided you and your<br />
party have masks. You can also<br />
support one of the West<br />
Kootenay's great pubs and<br />
restaurants by ordering take<br />
out.<br />
Can Americans visit?<br />
Fully vaccinated citizens and<br />
permanent residents of the<br />
United States can enter Canada<br />
for non-essential travel. Entry<br />
to Canada will continue to be<br />
prohibited for travellers who are<br />
not fully vaccinated.<br />
At the border, you must provide<br />
a negative pre-entry test result.<br />
Antigen tests are not accepted<br />
for entry to Canada.<br />
International visitors<br />
Travel restrictions are in place<br />
across all ports of entry to<br />
Canada, but if you're fully<br />
vaccinated, you may find the<br />
restrictions easy to deal with.<br />
<strong>Do</strong> your research! First step is<br />
to go to https://travel.gc.ca/<br />
travel-covid/travel-restrictions/<br />
wizard-start<br />
Skiing Photo: Steve Ogle courtesy Destination BC<br />
Travelling by Road<br />
When your roads are carved<br />
out on the sides of mountains,<br />
there will be curves and there<br />
will be blind spots. Gravity is<br />
always a factor. Especially after<br />
a rainy spell or in the late winter,<br />
pebbles and larger rocks come<br />
ravelling down to the road<br />
surface from up above. Any<br />
local will tell you to check the<br />
road conditions on your route<br />
by consulting drivebc.ca before<br />
you head out on a road trip.<br />
<strong>Winter</strong> Pass Closures<br />
The Kootenay Pass (known<br />
locally as the Salmo-Creston,<br />
passes through some awesome,<br />
high elevation terrain. To keep<br />
the threat of major avalanches<br />
blocking the road down to a<br />
dull roar, road closures in the<br />
winter are not uncommon; the<br />
closures give the avalanche<br />
technicians the time to set off<br />
and then monitor small spills.<br />
If the pass is closed, you'll have<br />
to take the East Shore route<br />
from Creston to the Kootenay<br />
Lake ferry and from there by<br />
highway to your destination.<br />
The MV Osprey ferry will run 24<br />
hours until the pass re-opens.<br />
Again, check drivebc.ca<br />
There are over thirty webcams<br />
in the West Kootenay, including<br />
on the summits of the Kootenay,<br />
Bombi, Strawberry and Paulson<br />
passes. The images get updated<br />
at least twice an hour.<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 15
Modern European comfort food<br />
with vegetarian and gluten free options.<br />
• Kids’ menu • Licensed • Outdoor patio.<br />
<br />
Be inspired, day or night<br />
#BeingAwesome<br />
Respect. Beautiful. Curiosity.<br />
Our region is full of colourful things<br />
to see and do.<br />
VISIT NELSONKOOTENAYLAKE.COM<br />
Photo by Jesse Schpakowski<br />
AINSWORTH HOT SPRINGS | BALFOUR | EAST SHORE | KASLO | NELSON | NORTH KOOTENAY LAKE<br />
16 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
NELSON<br />
Of course, there are other things<br />
to do in Nelson then drink<br />
delicious craft beer. Between<br />
the historic architecture,<br />
lakeside setting and soaring<br />
mountains in every direction,<br />
Nelson is pretty spectacular any<br />
time of year. The winter, though,<br />
is when it shines.<br />
Rob Mangelsdorf, Vancouver Courier<br />
Dec 12 2017<br />
Most Canadian towns are not<br />
at their best in the winter. Grey,<br />
slushy – it gets dark too soon,<br />
people all seem to be in a<br />
rush, focussed on getting back<br />
indoors.<br />
But in Nelson there are very<br />
few days, even in the depths of<br />
winter, when you shouldn’t slow<br />
yourself down, and look up towards<br />
the snow-clad mountains<br />
or up at the trees overhanging<br />
the city streets, their bare<br />
branches stark against the sky.<br />
At night, when you come back<br />
to town after a day on the ski<br />
hill, the coloured lights gleam<br />
darkly on the wet pavement<br />
on Baker Street, Nelson’s main<br />
artery.<br />
On a winter’s day when it’s<br />
bright and crisp outside and<br />
the area ski hills are humming,<br />
downtown might seem<br />
strangely quiet. But wait until<br />
dark. In the evenings, if it’s<br />
been a perfect powder day, the<br />
restaurants and night spots will<br />
be humming.<br />
Orange Bridge, Nelson Photo: Karma Halleran<br />
Check out Nelson’s restaurants<br />
for ethnic, traditional, or<br />
vegetarian dining to satisfy<br />
your foodie soul. Live performances<br />
and cinema are coming<br />
back after a year or more of<br />
uncertaintly. You might take in<br />
a world class performance at<br />
the Capitol Theatre, or catch a<br />
movie at the Civic.<br />
A good way to appreciate<br />
Nelson’s period charm is on<br />
foot with a walking tour guide<br />
in hand. Get one at the Nelson<br />
visitor centre in the newly<br />
re-furbished Canadian-Pacific<br />
Railway station. (Head down<br />
Baker Street, cross through the<br />
4-way stop and the station is<br />
straight ahead.) You might feel<br />
like you’ve driven into a picture<br />
book. Nelson’s classic Victorian<br />
elegance can be found on<br />
nearly every street – over 350<br />
buildings have been designated<br />
as having an important heritage<br />
value.<br />
Then there are all the new<br />
murals - colourful evidence of<br />
four years now of the Nelson<br />
International Mural Festival - a<br />
month-long event in August<br />
each year that has left in its<br />
wake some very exciting art<br />
that is here for everyone.<br />
You might want to<br />
spend a cold wintry<br />
afternoon inside.<br />
A good long wander through<br />
Touchstones Museum of Art &<br />
History may be just the ticket.<br />
Find out about Nelson's early<br />
City of Nelson Photo: Adrian Wagner<br />
history as a town – go back further<br />
and learn about the culture<br />
of the First Nations in this area.<br />
If it's a Saturday, check out one<br />
of Canada's underground nuclear<br />
fallout shelters –a space that<br />
was the region’s go-to place for<br />
all its important people (judging<br />
by the bathroom facilities, the<br />
important people were mainly<br />
men). The "Diefenbunker"<br />
is next door to Touchstones<br />
Museum.<br />
Or spend an intense hour looking<br />
for clues and solving the<br />
puzzle that will release you from<br />
the Queen City Escape Room<br />
(see ad next page).<br />
Visit Nelson’s<br />
Cold War Bunker<br />
<br />
Saturdays 12-4 pm<br />
Guided Tours:<br />
Saturdays at 11 am<br />
Wednesdays at 4 pm<br />
502 Vernon Street | Nelson BC | 250-352-9813<br />
Visit touchstonesnelson.ca for details<br />
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BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 17
NELSON NORDIC SKIING<br />
Maybe you’re a rank beginner, or you are someone who has been<br />
addicted to the rhythm of cross-country skiing for decades. Either<br />
way, head to Apex and Busk. The Nelson Nordic Ski Area has over<br />
28 km of groomed trails, and it is just ten minutes south of Nelson.<br />
Head towards Ymir and Salmo; the trailhead is right across the highway<br />
from the Whitewater Ski Hill Road.<br />
On these well marked trails you’ll be spooling through marsh, meadow<br />
and old growth forest. There are warming huts to give a little rest<br />
to the rhythm – a chance to pause, breathe deeply, rehydrate and<br />
chow down some trail mix.<br />
A 1.3 kilometre loop is lit at night and that makes for a gorgeous<br />
skiing experience. The<br />
Nelson Nordic Ski<br />
Club keeps the lights<br />
on until 10 pm, seven<br />
days a week and until<br />
midnight on New<br />
Year’s Eve.<br />
The Club Area<br />
operates in co-operation<br />
with private<br />
landowners and the BC<br />
Forest Service. Daily or<br />
nightly fees are payable at<br />
the trailheads. If you have<br />
membership with Blackjack<br />
or Castlegar Nordic Ski, you only<br />
pay half price day use fees on the club’s<br />
trails. Call the snowphone 250-354-4292 for the latest in<br />
snow conditions and visit nelsonnordicski.ca and their<br />
Facebook page for updates on trail conditions and club<br />
events.<br />
Cross-Country Photo: Dave Heath courtesy Destination BC<br />
18 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
<strong>Winter</strong> Fun in Nelson<br />
SLIDE<br />
<strong>Go</strong> sledding! Nip into a hardware store and<br />
buy a plastic crazy carpet or flying saucer.<br />
Although there are a lot of hills in Nelson,<br />
not all hills are great for launching your 4<br />
year old (or 40 year old) no matter how<br />
tightly they can hang on. Actually it’s all<br />
about landing. You don’t want to end up<br />
spinning in a roadway or smacked into a<br />
tree trunk or the lake. Your best bet for a<br />
good landing is the hill at Queen Elizabeth<br />
Park (Cottonwood and Fifth Street.)<br />
RIDE<br />
Rent a fat tire Bike at Gerick’s (Baker and<br />
Hall streets) and ride up to the Bike Skills<br />
Park on West Richards Street in Rosemont.<br />
Maybe take the bus – Art Gibbons Memorial<br />
Park is on route #3. Every Nelson City bus<br />
has space for two bikes.<br />
IMBIBE<br />
Tour a craft brewery. There are three to<br />
choose from. Starting from the top: Nelson<br />
Brewing Company (http://nelsonbrewing.<br />
com/) is located in Nelson’s original 100 year<br />
old brewery building. Uphill Nelson at 512<br />
Latimer Street. Backroads Brewing Company<br />
is right on Baker Street, downtown.<br />
Torchlight Brewing is a little further down<br />
the hill towards the lake at 511 Front Street.<br />
Come with a thirst and leave with a growler!<br />
SWIM, SKATE, SWEAT<br />
The Nelson & District Community Complex<br />
at 305 Hall Street is your action-packed<br />
centre for inside fun! There are 3 swimming<br />
pools including a tot pool with water<br />
features, a water slide, hot tub, sauna, steam<br />
room and a full range of water aerobics<br />
classes.<br />
The Fitness Centre is fully equipped and<br />
fitness classes include step aerobics, pilates,<br />
yoga, ball, low impact and indoor cycling.<br />
Everyone is welcome at public skating.<br />
You can rent a pair of skates at the arena<br />
or bring your own if you have them. View<br />
schedules and events online at www.rdck.<br />
ca/EN/main/services/recreation/complexes-facilities.html<br />
CHEER!<br />
<strong>Go</strong> to a Nelson Leafs Junior Hockey game at<br />
the Nelson & District Community Complex<br />
and help to cheer on the home team. For a<br />
schedule of home games visit https://www.<br />
nelsonleafs.ca/<br />
Mountain Station Trails<br />
If you want to experience a winter’s day in<br />
the woods, under your own power, at your<br />
own pace and without lift lines or crowds,<br />
head to the hills just above Nelly town. Is<br />
your dog with you? <strong>Do</strong>es she need a good<br />
run? Take her to Mountain Station and she<br />
will love you forever.<br />
Leave your vehicle at the parking area at<br />
the top of <strong>Go</strong>re Street, or, if it’s just you and<br />
human company, take the Uphill bus. You<br />
can rent cross-country skis for the day at<br />
Gerick’s on Baker Street if you don’t have<br />
your own. In the shoulder season, when the<br />
snow is too patchy, a fat tire bike is a good<br />
option, too.<br />
Mountain Station was once a stop on the<br />
Nelson and Fort Sheppard (N&FS) Railway<br />
that used to connect Spokane and Nelson.<br />
The old rails have been removed and now<br />
the Great Northern Rail Trail is used by<br />
bikers and hikers.<br />
In the winter the path is groomed for<br />
cross-country skiing. There are other trails<br />
that branch off from Mountain Station and<br />
meander into the forest. Experience the<br />
beauty of the deep woods as you enjoy the<br />
rhythm of your stride, your breath and the<br />
sound of your skis on the crisp snow, like<br />
brushes lightly swishing a snare drum.<br />
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park<br />
Located just 20 km east of Nelson, on the<br />
West Arm of Kootenay Lake, Kokanee Creek<br />
Provincial Park is one of the most popular<br />
parks in the West Kootenay.<br />
In the winter, the campground gate is<br />
closed, but the day-use and overflow areas<br />
remain open. The park has 9.5<br />
km of easy hiking trails and<br />
one of the trails lead to a<br />
viewing platform overlooking<br />
the Kokanee Creek<br />
canyon.<br />
In winter, there are<br />
cross-country skiing and<br />
snowshoeing opportunities<br />
along the<br />
campsite roads<br />
and the<br />
trails.<br />
Wildlife<br />
sightings are plentiful and bird watching<br />
is excellent at this park in winter – there is<br />
a large population of birds inhabiting the<br />
Kokanee Creek delta.<br />
Slocan Valley Rail Trail<br />
Winding gently along a de-commissioned<br />
rail line, through one of the most beautiful<br />
river valleys in British Columbia the Slocan<br />
Valley Rail Trail follows the contours of<br />
the Slocan River. The trail makes its way<br />
from Slocan Lake in the north, towards the<br />
Kootenay River in the south. Most of the Rail<br />
Trail parallels Highway 6, and the trailheads<br />
along the way are well marked on the<br />
highway.<br />
With beautiful valley and mountain views as<br />
well as nature reserves and a bird sanctuary<br />
over its 52 kilometres, in the fall and spring,<br />
the rail trail is a favourite for strollers and<br />
runners.<br />
There are a few months each year with<br />
enough snow in the valley for good<br />
cross-country skiing conditions. When that<br />
happens, the Slocan Valley Heritage Trail<br />
Society gets to work tracksetting. Before<br />
you go, check out the trail conditions:<br />
http://slocanvalleyrailtrail.ca/conditions/<br />
Fat Biking Photo: Dave Heath courtesy Destination BC<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 19
DOWNHILL SKIING<br />
Whitewater<br />
Whitewater still has that out-of-the-way vibe<br />
of a community ski hill far from the madding<br />
crowds.<br />
Cradled in British Columbia’s legendary<br />
Selkirk Mountains, at the day lodge<br />
beneath Ymir Mountain the elevation is<br />
5,400ft/1,640m, Whitewater’s dependably dry<br />
snowfall totals over 10 metres a season. That<br />
is more than 40 feet. There just aren’t many<br />
resorts that see snowfalls as big, as often.<br />
With no hotels or residences clustered<br />
around the day lodge, once you are ready<br />
to be taken up the Glory Ridge triple chair<br />
lift, you won’t be angling for a view of where<br />
you’re headed or stamping your feet to stay<br />
warm in long lineups. (Even if you are waiting<br />
in a lift lineup, the people watching is too<br />
good to ignore. There is every kind of budget<br />
goin’ on here. This is not a pretentious hill!)<br />
On site amenities include the day lodge, Adventure<br />
Centre, Whitewater Store, Rentals &<br />
Repairs, Coal Oil Johnny’s Pub, Fresh Tracks<br />
Café, and Fresh Tracks Café Express.<br />
To make the most of your experience, consider<br />
taking a course at the Adventure Centre.<br />
These courses get skiers and snowboarders<br />
alike past the falling or falling in love stage,<br />
and will turn you into a Whitewater lifer.<br />
From basic learn-to-ski to advanced clinics<br />
and two levels of avalanche awareness, the<br />
centre is a one-stop shop. Whether you are<br />
downhill skiing, snowboarding, telemarking,<br />
cross-country skiing, or heading off into the<br />
backcountry, the committed, professionally<br />
trained snow school and snow safety instructors<br />
are passionate about ensuring you<br />
have the tools and information you need and<br />
will likely use.<br />
Whitewater Ski Resort is located 22 km<br />
south of the city of Nelson. Head south out of<br />
Nelson along Highway 6 for approximately 12<br />
km until you see the sign for Whitewater Ski<br />
Resort. Turn left and head up the mountain<br />
for another 10 kms, be prepared to lose cell<br />
service and WiFi and reconnect with those<br />
around you. For more information, you can<br />
check out their website at www.skiwhitewater.com<br />
or call 1-800-666-9420.<br />
Ski Salmo<br />
If you’re looking for a fun family ski experience,<br />
Salmo has a great local hill just 2<br />
km south of town on Highway 3. Salmo Ski<br />
Hill is a volunteer-run enterprise that is a<br />
well-deserved source of community pride.<br />
With friendly staff, incredible scenery and<br />
great winter temperatures, the hill is really a<br />
must-do. Amp up the experience by skiing at<br />
night on fully lit runs. Wednesdays are Ladies<br />
Night. Get rentals, lift ticket and a lesson for<br />
$25.<br />
There are six groomed runs: gentle slopes,<br />
moguls, steep slopes, racing courses, a half<br />
pipe for snowboarders, and a bunny hill. At<br />
the day lodge you can warm your toes and<br />
fingers and have lunch or a snack. Skiing and<br />
snowboarding equipment can be rented at<br />
reasonable rates.<br />
Lift hours: 5:30 pm to 9 pm Monday to<br />
Thursday and 9 am to 3:30 pm Saturday and<br />
Sunday. Friday and Saturday nights are made<br />
available for hill rentals. Half day pass starts<br />
at noon. For two weeks over the Christmas<br />
and New Year’s holidays, when the local kids<br />
are out of school, the ski hill is open every<br />
day until 3:30 pm. For more information visit<br />
www.skisalmo.com<br />
Red Mountain<br />
A day at Red is a must-do for any skier on the<br />
powder highway. Red Mountain ski area is<br />
three big mountains, Red, Granite and Grey.<br />
With 2877 total lift serviced acres of terrain<br />
(2919 vertical feet), 110 marked runs plus<br />
4200 acres of easy to access backcountry,<br />
Red boasts a powerful potential for unforgettable<br />
skiing and boarding.<br />
For the ultimate in backcountry touring,<br />
you’d be hardpressed to find as much variety<br />
and opportunity east of the coast’s Whistler<br />
Village. Five different peaks are easily<br />
accessible from the resort boundary. Guided<br />
backcountry tours are highly recommended,<br />
and are available through the resort.<br />
If you are a new guest to Red Mountain<br />
Resort, take advantage of the<br />
fantastic Snowhost program<br />
with free tours of the mountain.<br />
Stop by the guest<br />
services office for details.<br />
Tours depart<br />
twice daily from<br />
the base<br />
area.<br />
Summit Lake Ski Area<br />
Summit Lake Ski Hill overlooks the beautiful<br />
Summit Lake, 10 miles (16 km) east of<br />
Nakusp.<br />
It’s a volunteer-run hill and the community<br />
spirit that keeps the hill going guarantees a<br />
fun experience that is worlds away from the<br />
trendy resorts. There are 8 ski or snowboarding<br />
runs from beginner to expert (T Bar lift),<br />
a bunny hill (handle tow) and a tube park!<br />
If half your party prefers a more horizontal<br />
snow trek, there are cross-country trails and<br />
snowshoeing trails in the Summit Ski area as<br />
well as the downhill runs.<br />
Although several of the runs are challenging<br />
for the expert skier or snowboarder, Summit<br />
is the perfect hill for kids and beginners of<br />
any age. You can get lessons from certified<br />
instructors, there are quite a few hill areas<br />
meant for the novice skier and there is a cafe<br />
to hang out in when your legs start to feel<br />
a bit wobbly. A day at Summit is a hoot; it’s<br />
winter fun that is accessible to just about<br />
anybody.<br />
https://skisummitlake.com/<br />
Skier Photo: Dave Heath courtesy Destination BC<br />
20 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
SALMO<br />
Salmo, Erie and Ymir were small mining<br />
towns that grew up along the right-of-way of<br />
the historic Nelson/Fort Shepherd Railway<br />
during the gold rush years of 1896 and 1897.<br />
<strong>Go</strong>ld, silver, lead, zinc and tungsten were<br />
mined in the surrounding mountains and<br />
Salmo grew as a centre for supplies and<br />
entertainment.<br />
Today the logging roads that were carved<br />
into the mountains provide access into<br />
beautiful backcountry, a paradise for<br />
snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and<br />
snowshoeing. The local ski hill has great<br />
downhill skiing, snowboarding and refreshment<br />
facilities. Other activities to pursue in<br />
Salmo during the winter include shopping,<br />
the outdoor ice rink and winter fishing, while<br />
the local curling club is happy to welcome<br />
new members. Local dining and pubbing are<br />
enjoyable après-sport activity.<br />
Salmo is home to many stone murals celebrating<br />
the history and natural beauty of the<br />
area. Take a walking tour around the village<br />
and visit these unique murals created by<br />
the students from the local Kootenay Stone<br />
Training Institute.<br />
Snowy Salmo Photo: Stefanie Harron Castlegar Photography<br />
Another frequently photographed landmark<br />
is the Salmo Hotel, built in 1912. There has<br />
been a hotel on this location continuously<br />
since 1860, but all four previous hotels on<br />
the site succumbed to one of the heating<br />
systems of the time, in other words, fire!<br />
• FULL SERVICE SHOP • CAR REMOVAL • 24 HOUR TOWING<br />
• USED AND AFTERMARKET PARTS • RIGGING SPECIALISTS<br />
• HEAVY DUTY RECOVERY SPECIALISTS<br />
SALMO AREA<br />
250-357-2091<br />
CRESTON AREA<br />
250-428-2323<br />
ALL OTHER AREAS<br />
TOLL FREE 1-888-357-2091<br />
SALMO VALLEY PHARMACY<br />
FULL SERVICE PHARMACY<br />
Including:<br />
Gifts and Souvenirs<br />
Professional Medication Reviews<br />
Compliance Packaging<br />
Travel Vaccinations • Flu Shots<br />
Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30<br />
107-4th Street • 250-357-9444<br />
Ski Salmo!<br />
• 6 runs<br />
• Night<br />
Skiing<br />
BEST NIGHT SKIING<br />
IN THE KOOTENAYS!<br />
DAY HALF DAY/NIGHT<br />
Adult $33.00 $25.00<br />
Student $25.00 $19.50<br />
Senior 60+ $25.00 $19.50<br />
Senior 70+ Free Free<br />
Child 7-12 $21.00 $16.50<br />
Reservations, Information, Rentals<br />
www.skisalmo.com 250-357-2323<br />
info@skisalmo.com<br />
Reserve the whole hill for your group!<br />
Private Group Rental $165/hr<br />
(minimum 4 hr)<br />
Check us out<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 21
BACKCOUNTRY<br />
Stagleap<br />
36 kilometres south of Salmo,<br />
at the summit of the highest<br />
all-weather highway in BC,<br />
is the provincial park called<br />
Stagleap. It sounds epic and it<br />
is, especially in the winter (think<br />
2.5 metres of snow!), so you<br />
should go.<br />
Stagleap is one of the most<br />
accessible backcountry skiing<br />
destinations in the Salmo-Creston<br />
area. Which is most definitely<br />
not to claim that backcountry<br />
skiing is an “accessible”<br />
sport. There are no lift lines, and<br />
at Stagleap, snow machines are<br />
not permitted. The park plays<br />
a key role in protecting habitat<br />
for internationally endangered<br />
mountain caribou, so there are<br />
some restrictions such as no<br />
dogs in the wintertime. (see<br />
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/<br />
bcparks/explore/parkpgs/<br />
stagleap/ for more detail)<br />
The Bonnington Range<br />
If you are a hiker or a backcountry<br />
skiier who grew up<br />
in Castlegar, the Bonnington<br />
Range is where your heart is. In<br />
almost 1400 square kilometres<br />
of terrain you can ski between<br />
twelve lightly treed, relatively<br />
low elevation mountain peaks.<br />
The alpine and subalpine terrain<br />
is dotted with creeks and<br />
little lakes and there are four<br />
rustic cabins, each about 10<br />
kilometres apart.<br />
The cabins are maintained by<br />
the Kootenay Mountaineering<br />
Club and have simple amenities,<br />
like Coleman stoves for<br />
cooking and wood stoves for<br />
heat. Your drinking and wash<br />
water is melted from the snow<br />
you bring in from outside. You<br />
can reserve your night’s stay<br />
and get all the information you<br />
need about access to trails,<br />
the different routes and their<br />
degree of difficulty through the<br />
club’s website kootenaymountaineeringclub.ca<br />
Snowmobiling<br />
Steep, densely forested mountain<br />
passes and breathtaking<br />
alpine bowls lure the die-hard<br />
powder seeker. Get moving in<br />
late November and continue<br />
until April. There’s plenty of variety<br />
in the alpine areas around<br />
Salmo and Castlegar; you can<br />
switch up your ride from morning<br />
to afternoon, from one day<br />
to the next.<br />
Groomed trails are fun with a<br />
group, or how about exploring<br />
decommissioned logging roads<br />
with just your buddy? An area<br />
that is popular because it’s so<br />
family friendly is <strong>Go</strong>ose Creek;<br />
other areas demand more advanced<br />
skills and backcountry<br />
knowledge.<br />
The most popular spots for<br />
snowmobiling are maintained<br />
by the Castlegar Snowmobile<br />
Association. Its volunteers<br />
maintain two areas that boast<br />
over 70 km of groomed trails<br />
and three cabins. Buy your pass<br />
online before you head out for<br />
the day. No waiting in line to<br />
pay at the staging areas, just<br />
get on your sled and go. . .<br />
More info at www.csasled.org<br />
Sledders Photo: courtesy Castlegar Chamber<br />
Welcome to SALMO<br />
We know how to <strong>Winter</strong>!<br />
There’s great, affordable skiing or<br />
snowboarding week nights and weekends.<br />
Not into skiing? Come and shop in town for<br />
winter wear and sporting equipmen, visit<br />
our brew pub, enjoy our outdoor skating rink,<br />
become a new member at the Salmo Curling<br />
Centre, or snowmobile, cross-country ski or<br />
snowshoe on the Rails For Trails and other local<br />
trails.<br />
Tired after all your activities? Relax and enjoy<br />
hot refreshments at the hillside lodge.<br />
discoversalmo.ca | 250-357-2596 salmo.ca | 250-357-9433<br />
22 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
CASTLEGAR<br />
The City of Castlegar lies in a wide valley at<br />
the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia<br />
Rivers. World class angling, snowshoeing,<br />
skiing, museums, plenty of restaurants<br />
and a fun night life scene make Castlegar a<br />
great choice for a winter vacation. So many<br />
options, so close!<br />
Plus, as the Sculpture Capital of Canada,<br />
public art is on display on many a corner.<br />
Mosey around and decide where you’ll eat<br />
and where you might go out later.<br />
How about old-style sledding? Try the hill located near the entrance of the <strong>Do</strong>ve Hill Hike, near the Castlegar Airport.<br />
Park before the golf course gates at the entrance to <strong>Do</strong>ve.<br />
Better work up an appetite first!<br />
Strap on your ice skates! Putting your<br />
skates on while sitting in a snowbank,<br />
picking up your stick and skating outside is<br />
a part of every Kootenay kid’s upbringing.<br />
In Castlegar, the best outdoor rink can be<br />
found at Kinnaird Park (2501 14th Avenue)<br />
near the baseball diamonds. It’s free, open<br />
every day and lit up during the evenings.<br />
There is also the rink in the Castlegar Community<br />
Complex during public skating. Or<br />
go swimming. The Aquatic Centre has a 6<br />
lane - 25 metre pool, a spray pool, whirlpool,<br />
steam room, fitness studio and weight<br />
training room.<br />
Zuckerberg Island<br />
Walking around this beautiful little island<br />
park will take you back several thousand<br />
years to when the Lakes Salish people arrived<br />
and fished the Kootenay and Columbia<br />
Rivers. You will find a replica of a Salish pit<br />
house on the island like those used by the<br />
Salish First Nation throughout the region.<br />
Also on the island is a Russian Orthodox<br />
style chapel house that was built by Alexander<br />
Zuckerberg over 60 years ago.<br />
The Island park is connected to Castlegar's<br />
9th Avenue with a pedestrian only suspension<br />
bridge spanning the Columbia River.<br />
Millennium Park<br />
At 23 hectares in size, downtown Castlegar's<br />
Millennium Park offers plenty of room to<br />
roam. The Millennium Walkway is a 1.8<br />
km long paved path beside the river that’s<br />
handicapped accessible. If you’re with your<br />
dog, there are 4 dog-friendly areas in the<br />
park including a dog beach for a little runaround.<br />
If it’s drizzly, find the Celgar Pavillion<br />
and take shelter inside the award-winning<br />
timberframe structure. The largest bike park<br />
in the region is here. It's got pump tracks,<br />
dirt jumps, and other structures including<br />
the lumber drop-in platform that’s one of the<br />
most aesthetic in the province.<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 23
CASTLEGAR<br />
Nordic Skiing<br />
Castlegar’s Paulson Recreation Area has<br />
over 45 km of packed and tracked ski trails<br />
on rolling terrain through mosaic forest. Old<br />
growth trees line the trails (groomed mainly<br />
for classic skiing) and there are four shelters<br />
along the way for you to warm up and connect<br />
with your fellow skiers. More adventurous<br />
skiers can choose to ski the ungroomed<br />
trails. The club map will show you trail skill<br />
levels, distances and the location of shelters.<br />
<br />
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www.DQcakes.com<br />
604 18 th Street, Castlegar<br />
250-365-5522<br />
The 8 km circular route from<br />
Mud Lake to the Ben Shaw<br />
cabin is ideal for young families<br />
and for the beginners. From the<br />
Norwegian trail you’ll get unforgettable<br />
views of Old Glory<br />
Mountain. The trailhead cabin<br />
(the Viking Centre) is located<br />
on Highway 3 at Mud Lake,<br />
about 5 km west of the junction<br />
of Highways 3 and 3B.<br />
See more info at<br />
www.castlegarnordic.ca<br />
The Rebels<br />
Castlegar Rebels<br />
play in the Kootenay<br />
International Hockey<br />
League, (KIJHL) a<br />
league with 3 divisions<br />
and 17 teams.<br />
Home ice is the<br />
Castlegar Complex,<br />
2101 6th Avenue.<br />
Check out the<br />
League’s website at<br />
www.kijhl.ca<br />
Renting & Selling<br />
Quality Cars<br />
at Great Prices<br />
• compacts<br />
• mid size<br />
• full size<br />
Trail Smoke Eaters<br />
The Trail Smoke Eaters have a long and<br />
rich history in the City of Trail. The “Smokies”<br />
still hold the distinction of being the<br />
last Canadian amateur hockey team to win<br />
a World Championship (1961). They say<br />
“When you’ve played for the Smoke Eaters,<br />
you become a Smoke Eater for life,” and that<br />
is true of their fans too!<br />
Be sure to come out to the Cominco Arena<br />
to see the Smoke Eaters play! Wander the<br />
halls of the Sports Hall of Fame while you<br />
are waiting for the game to start.<br />
To learn more about the Smokies, visit www.<br />
HistoricSmokeEaters.ca<br />
Drive a <strong>Go</strong>od Bargain!<br />
• 15 passenger vans<br />
• minivans<br />
• moving trucks<br />
• SUVs<br />
• pickups<br />
Trail 250-364-0211<br />
Nelson 250-352-5122 • Creston 250-428-9343<br />
Castlegar 250-365-1980 • Grand Forks 236-352-0400<br />
trail@practicar.ca www.practicar.ca<br />
24 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
TRAIL<br />
The small town friendliness,<br />
lifestyle, rich history, favourable<br />
climate and access to<br />
four-season and first-class<br />
recreational facilities make it<br />
easy and affordable to explore<br />
Trail and area.<br />
Are you passionate about<br />
recreation, technology or<br />
history? Trail has a story to tell<br />
you – you just have to visit to<br />
listen.<br />
The Silver City, set along the<br />
banks of the Columbia River, is<br />
steeped in rich mining history.<br />
Just under 8,000 people call the<br />
area home, and it is one of BC’s<br />
important economic centres<br />
and the industrial heart of the<br />
Kootenays.<br />
Trail had not yet come into<br />
being when the Dewdney Trail<br />
was started in 1860 to serve as<br />
a trade route from the coast to<br />
the BC interior. Adopting the<br />
name from the Dewdney Trail,<br />
the settlement on the legendary<br />
route was originally known as<br />
Trail Creek.<br />
Trail’s transition from frontier to<br />
settlement began in 1895 when<br />
there was interest in locating a<br />
smelter in the area to serve the<br />
rich mines in Rossland.<br />
A small copper smelter on a<br />
bench above the townsite was<br />
completed in 1896. This smelter<br />
evolved into what is now known<br />
as Teck, a successful and innovative<br />
worldwide mining company.<br />
Cutting edge technology is<br />
championed here, and is available<br />
to all who are interested.<br />
Visit the MIDAS Fab Lab or the<br />
Teck Interpretive Centre, a mini<br />
science centre featuring interactive,<br />
hands-on exhibits. The<br />
Centre tells the story of what<br />
Teck’s Trail Operations do. Call<br />
the Trail Chamber of Commerce<br />
at 250-368-3144 to book a tour.<br />
More and more Trail is becoming<br />
a pedestrian-friendly city.<br />
Make a point of spanning the<br />
Columbia on foot. The brand<br />
new Columbia River Skywalk<br />
is one of the longest pedestrian<br />
bridges in North America<br />
at 1000 feet in length. This<br />
majestic, signature structure is<br />
part of the Trans Canada Trail<br />
Society’s Great Trail and a local<br />
2 km walking loop known as<br />
“Walking the Bridges.”<br />
Visit Trail’s newest facility, the<br />
Trail Riverfront Centre is located<br />
on the picturesque Explore Esplanade. our industrial roots<br />
Home to the Trail && sporting District heritage.<br />
Public Library, the Trail Museum<br />
& Archives and the Trail Visitor<br />
Centre, it's Trail’s hub for learning,<br />
history and information.<br />
A visit to the museum is free!<br />
www.trailriverfrontcentre.com<br />
Columbia River & Trail Photo: Kari Medig courtesy Destination BC<br />
Explore our industrial roots<br />
& sporting heritage.<br />
Spend some time with us at<br />
the Trail Visitor Centre.<br />
Explore our industrial roots<br />
& sporting heritage.<br />
Spend some time with us at<br />
the Trail Visitor Centre.<br />
Visit our gift shop for vintage<br />
Smokies apparel & more.<br />
at the Trail Riverfront Centre<br />
Spend some time<br />
at<br />
with<br />
the<br />
us<br />
Trail<br />
at<br />
Riverfront Visit our Centre gift shop 1505 for vintage Bay Avenue, 1505 Trail, Bay BC Avenue, 250-364-0821<br />
Trail, BC<br />
the Trail Visitor Centre.<br />
Smokies apparel & more.<br />
250-364-0821<br />
trailmuseum.ca • museum@trail.catrailmuseum.ca<br />
museum@trail.ca<br />
Explore our industrial roots<br />
& sporting heritage.<br />
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 25
FRUITVALE<br />
The Heart of Beaver Valley<br />
For a rural community, even in the wintertime,<br />
there is a surprising variety of sports<br />
and activities to choose from. Beaver Valley<br />
Nite Hawks at the arena, sledding, nordic<br />
skiing – the Beaver Valley has it all.<br />
The Beaver Mountain Snowmobile<br />
Association works in<br />
cooperation with several land<br />
stewardship organizations, including<br />
the Nature Conservancy<br />
of Canada. Club members can<br />
venture into the 136,000 acres<br />
on the west shore of Kootenay<br />
Lake known as Darkwoods. For<br />
more info<br />
bvrmntn.<br />
webs.com<br />
Grab your skis,<br />
grab the kids and your<br />
friends and head out<br />
for a bracing day of<br />
skiing in the Beaver<br />
Valley. A lovely spot<br />
to ski is where a lot of<br />
local people take their<br />
dogs for a good run<br />
– the trails in Beaver<br />
Valley Family Park. Or if you prefer groomed<br />
trails, glide through the forest and wind<br />
around the lakes on the 13 km of trails in<br />
Champion Lakes Park. The terrain is gentle<br />
and there is a warming shelter when you<br />
need to take a breather.<br />
You can find a map of all the Champion<br />
Lakes trails at the trailhead by the parking<br />
lot of Champion Lakes Park. To get there<br />
take the Champion Lakes Road,<br />
approximately 10 km east of Fruitvale on<br />
Hwy 3B – watch for the blue sign.<br />
For all your off-road backcountry needs,<br />
see us today!<br />
Service & Sales<br />
1470 Hwy 3B, Fruitvale<br />
TF: 1-888-989-1615<br />
dealer<br />
#5996<br />
www.barretthondayamaha.com • 250-367-6216<br />
Planning a Special Event?<br />
We have the place for you!<br />
Welcome to<br />
Creekside RV Park<br />
• Seating for 300 with bar, sound system, stage, and<br />
projector with big screen • Modern commercial kitchen<br />
• Round and rectangular tables • Competitive rates<br />
• Great for weddings and special events<br />
FRUITVALE MEMORIAL CENTRE<br />
For Bookings 250-367-7551<br />
1970 Main Street<br />
5 RV SITES<br />
• Full hook-ups<br />
(water, sewer, 30 amp electricity)<br />
• On-site sani dump<br />
• NO TENTS<br />
Located behind the Fruitvale Memorial Centre is the newly<br />
constructed Creekside RV Park with 5 full service RV spaces.<br />
Each graveled space has its own 30 amp service, water and<br />
sewer connections, picnic table and fire pit.<br />
No reservations – first come first served<br />
www.village.fruitvale.bc.ca<br />
26 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada
BC Canada #gokootenays - share the adventure! <strong>2021</strong> /<strong>2022</strong> GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> 27
your community-owned grocery store<br />
eat well. be well.<br />
777 Baker Street, Nelson<br />
Open Daily 8am-8pm<br />
www.kootenay.coop<br />
28 GO & DO Fall | <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> www.gokootenays.com BC Canada