Ski Hill
We have three local ski hills to check out, not too far from Nelson.
I have been skiing here for over 40 years and am still excited to ski each winter, all winter. Our terrain and snow quality are amazing. You will never get bored here. It is only about 20 min drive away. Leave early on a powder day because us locals fill the parking lots up aiming for first chair.
There is no need to pack a lunch up to the hill as the food is awesome too. You can get the usual burgers and things but they are unusually delicious. All the food is made extra special with heathy accents to power you over the beautiful powder snow, all day.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whitewater Ski Resort
6010 Whitewater Ski Hill RdI have been skiing here for over 40 years and am still excited to ski each winter, all winter. Our terrain and snow quality are amazing. You will never get bored here. It is only about 20 min drive away. Leave early on a powder day because us locals fill the parking lots up aiming for first chair.
There is no need to pack a lunch up to the hill as the food is awesome too. You can get the usual burgers and things but they are unusually delicious. All the food is made extra special with heathy accents to power you over the beautiful powder snow, all day.
This place will bring you back to the 80's. Just the prices of the lift and rentals will make you smile. Remember the olden days with the T-bar and night skiing? It is still possible here. It is about 45 min drive away.
Salmo Ski Area
PO Box 894This place will bring you back to the 80's. Just the prices of the lift and rentals will make you smile. Remember the olden days with the T-bar and night skiing? It is still possible here. It is about 45 min drive away.
This ski hill is about 1.5 hours away so it isn't too much of a drive. It has more moderate terrain than Whitewater for the intermediate skier. For a change, it might be fun to check it out. I must admit to loving Whitewater so much that I don't do the drive often.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Red Mountain Resort
4300 Red Mountain RoadThis ski hill is about 1.5 hours away so it isn't too much of a drive. It has more moderate terrain than Whitewater for the intermediate skier. For a change, it might be fun to check it out. I must admit to loving Whitewater so much that I don't do the drive often.
Food Scene
Nelson is a 'big' small city. For such a small place you will be surprised with the wide variety of restaurants to choose from. My only difficulty is deciding where to eat. You can't really go wrong in this town.
At the Hume, there is a few different places to hang out. There is The Library, Mike's Place and The Spirit Bar. The food and the locals are quite varied here. Everyone in your group is sure to find something on the menu here to make them happy and it is just a nice place to hang out.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hume Hotel & Spa
422 Vernon StAt the Hume, there is a few different places to hang out. There is The Library, Mike's Place and The Spirit Bar. The food and the locals are quite varied here. Everyone in your group is sure to find something on the menu here to make them happy and it is just a nice place to hang out.
The top quality of local and gourmet offerings here are not to be missed. Bring a touch of the Kootenays and France on your next adventure or to nibble on with a glass of wine at home.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Charcuterie Totoche
502 Front StThe top quality of local and gourmet offerings here are not to be missed. Bring a touch of the Kootenays and France on your next adventure or to nibble on with a glass of wine at home.
They make the best margaritas in town here. Watch out, their regular pour is more than a double. It is possible to get their yummy tacos with a 'cheese tortilla'. Yum!
61 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cantina Del Centro
565 Baker StThey make the best margaritas in town here. Watch out, their regular pour is more than a double. It is possible to get their yummy tacos with a 'cheese tortilla'. Yum!
They have an interesting drink menu and delicious pho soup.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yum Son
522 Victoria StThey have an interesting drink menu and delicious pho soup.
This is the hot spot for carnivores. Lots of smoky goodness to find here as well as interesting side dishes like popcorn and fried greens
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Broken Hill
479 Baker StThis is the hot spot for carnivores. Lots of smoky goodness to find here as well as interesting side dishes like popcorn and fried greens
Everyone loves the pizza here. It is always busy so I do recommend a reservation. This has a big city swanky fun feel to it.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Marzano
153 Baker StEveryone loves the pizza here. It is always busy so I do recommend a reservation. This has a big city swanky fun feel to it.
Best Kootenay City
After happily growing up here in Nelson I am proud to say Nelson has even gotten better over the years. Our fabulous outdoor opportunities are year round so it is hard to leave. The hiking, skiing, swimming and camping keep me here. The temperate climate is pretty easy to take too. These fun things haven't changed too much over the years but the arts and culture scene have.
As a community we have seen a lot of developments in how much art is up around town, how many live shows are developed here and come through, and quite frankly, there is a fun night life vibe going on.
61 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nelson
After happily growing up here in Nelson I am proud to say Nelson has even gotten better over the years. Our fabulous outdoor opportunities are year round so it is hard to leave. The hiking, skiing, swimming and camping keep me here. The temperate climate is pretty easy to take too. These fun things haven't changed too much over the years but the arts and culture scene have.
As a community we have seen a lot of developments in how much art is up around town, how many live shows are developed here and come through, and quite frankly, there is a fun night life vibe going on.
Sightseeing
This natural hot springs is a 40 minute beautiful drive up along Kootenay Lake. There are three different temperature pools. The hottest is a horseshoe shaped cave that goes through the mountain and comes back out again. It is pretty wild, you don't want to miss it. There is a cold plunge, you might want to miss it :) And then there is the larger pool overlooking the lake and mountains. It is so relaxing.
Ainsworth is a fabulous way to take a day to recover between days of skiing, hiking or mountain biking.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort
3609 Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay HwyThis natural hot springs is a 40 minute beautiful drive up along Kootenay Lake. There are three different temperature pools. The hottest is a horseshoe shaped cave that goes through the mountain and comes back out again. It is pretty wild, you don't want to miss it. There is a cold plunge, you might want to miss it :) And then there is the larger pool overlooking the lake and mountains. It is so relaxing.
Ainsworth is a fabulous way to take a day to recover between days of skiing, hiking or mountain biking.
Amazing views make this fairly steep one hour hike up worth the work.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pulpit Rock
Amazing views make this fairly steep one hour hike up worth the work.
Gyro Park
An easy walk in town nets big views overlooking Nelson.
This park is close to Nelson and worth the short drive with all it has to offer. It has beautiful walking trails, beaches, as well as picnic and play areas.
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
British Columbia 3AThis park is close to Nelson and worth the short drive with all it has to offer. It has beautiful walking trails, beaches, as well as picnic and play areas.
Hiking the Kootenays
Gwillim Lakes
It is a doable day hike of about 10 km, one way. After the first 5 km of an uphill grunt, you will be rewarded with an easier hike to 'the cabin'. Along the way you will enjoy views of clear mountain lakes and astounding mountains and even a glacier.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
It is a doable day hike of about 10 km, one way. After the first 5 km of an uphill grunt, you will be rewarded with an easier hike to 'the cabin'. Along the way you will enjoy views of clear mountain lakes and astounding mountains and even a glacier.
This is a secret local gem of a place to go backcountry glamping, hiking and swimming. Please go to their website to know the rules before you go. Google 'Fry Creek Wilderness Society'. This is a non-profit society and I appreciate their contributions to the community.
Fry Creek
This is a secret local gem of a place to go backcountry glamping, hiking and swimming. Please go to their website to know the rules before you go. Google 'Fry Creek Wilderness Society'. This is a non-profit society and I appreciate their contributions to the community.
Shopping
Kolmel Silver & Gold
459 Ward StSo many fun, groovy and well made shoes to choose from here. It is good fun just to browse.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Shoes For The Soul
553 Baker StSo many fun, groovy and well made shoes to choose from here. It is good fun just to browse.
Ian and Heather know their ski stuff and back up their gear. This is a great pace to get good advice and a good deal too.
Village Ski Hut
367 Baker StIan and Heather know their ski stuff and back up their gear. This is a great pace to get good advice and a good deal too.
Grocery Stores
Kootenay Co-op Grocery Store
777 Baker StThis is an all around good grocery store with pretty much everything you need in one stop.
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Save-On-Foods
1200 Lakeside DrThis is an all around good grocery store with pretty much everything you need in one stop.