Food scene
Apparently Nelson has more restaurant seats per capita than San Francisco. There are so many good places to eat!!!
Town Hall! If you want to get a taste (literally and figuratively) of what Nelson is all about, go to Oso. They roast all their coffee just blocks away in the Ol' Brewery building. The coffee is awesome, the breakfast sandwhiches are great, and building is beautiful. People watching here is world-class. I love double americano's but they are amazing at making any coffee you like.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Oso Negro Café
604 Ward StreetTown Hall! If you want to get a taste (literally and figuratively) of what Nelson is all about, go to Oso. They roast all their coffee just blocks away in the Ol' Brewery building. The coffee is awesome, the breakfast sandwhiches are great, and building is beautiful. People watching here is world-class. I love double americano's but they are amazing at making any coffee you like.
This is just a couple blocks downhill from where you’re staying. Take a growler down with you, taste a bunch of awesome beers, and bring some back to enjoy on the patio. This is the place where you’ll always run into a friend!
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nelson Brewing Company
512 Latimer StThis is just a couple blocks downhill from where you’re staying. Take a growler down with you, taste a bunch of awesome beers, and bring some back to enjoy on the patio. This is the place where you’ll always run into a friend!
Apres- anything central. This is the place to go and relive how great your day was. You'll always find someone to share the stoke with. And the beer is pretty good too!! Check out the retired chairlift in the corner from Wh20’s fabled Summit chair
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Backroads Brewing Company
460 Baker StApres- anything central. This is the place to go and relive how great your day was. You'll always find someone to share the stoke with. And the beer is pretty good too!! Check out the retired chairlift in the corner from Wh20’s fabled Summit chair
Great Hungarian themed spot. Pretty unique little restaurant and a long time Nelson staple. If you're looking for something filling and satisfying, but different, this is your spot.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Outer Clove Restaurant
536 Stanley StGreat Hungarian themed spot. Pretty unique little restaurant and a long time Nelson staple. If you're looking for something filling and satisfying, but different, this is your spot.
South Indian Food. Soul good! Pretty much everything is good here. I love getting a roti, but pretty much anything Chef Raj makes is delicious. Order some parathas too!!!
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kootenay Tamil Kitchen
318 Anderson StSouth Indian Food. Soul good! Pretty much everything is good here. I love getting a roti, but pretty much anything Chef Raj makes is delicious. Order some parathas too!!!
Tucked away with great ambiance and a fantastic locally sourced menu. Great food! The tomatoe tart is particularly fantastic. And their cocktails are top shelf too!
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pitchfork Eatery
518 Hall StTucked away with great ambiance and a fantastic locally sourced menu. Great food! The tomatoe tart is particularly fantastic. And their cocktails are top shelf too!
Viet-modern cuisine. Highlight on the menu for me is their chicken wing and spring rolls, but all of their food generally doesn't disappoint. also, great cocktails!
In the winter, ask to be seated AS FAR AWAY FROM THE DOOR AS POSSIBLE. Nothing ruins a good meal like freezing to death.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yum Son
522 Victoria StViet-modern cuisine. Highlight on the menu for me is their chicken wing and spring rolls, but all of their food generally doesn't disappoint. also, great cocktails!
In the winter, ask to be seated AS FAR AWAY FROM THE DOOR AS POSSIBLE. Nothing ruins a good meal like freezing to death.
Italian fare with a local twist. The decor is great, the food is better. If it's cold outside, this place will warm you up. Make a reservation though, as it's super popular.
The Cesar (drink) here is on another level. If you're a Cesar lover, don't miss this one.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Marzano
153 Baker StItalian fare with a local twist. The decor is great, the food is better. If it's cold outside, this place will warm you up. Make a reservation though, as it's super popular.
The Cesar (drink) here is on another level. If you're a Cesar lover, don't miss this one.
I beg you, please go here. It's small, and the parking is awkward, but I promise, you will not regret it. This spot was started by a lovely french couple a number of years ago. They make all their own sourdough baguettes and delicious charcuterie. Their cheese selection is incredible. and it's so damn cute. and delicious. Do you think I love this place or what?
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Charcuterie Totoche
502 Front StI beg you, please go here. It's small, and the parking is awkward, but I promise, you will not regret it. This spot was started by a lovely french couple a number of years ago. They make all their own sourdough baguettes and delicious charcuterie. Their cheese selection is incredible. and it's so damn cute. and delicious. Do you think I love this place or what?
Beauties
449 Baker StreetLegit thin crust pizza, beer, and drinks. simple and effective. This place is great.
Legit burgers and poutine. Great post shred snack or casual dinner. They close kinda early (6pm) some days, so get 'em while they're hot. I love a double cheeseburger with fried onions and lettuce. That's me, but you do you. You can't go wrong.
Ashman's Smash Burgers and Fries
301 Victoria StLegit burgers and poutine. Great post shred snack or casual dinner. They close kinda early (6pm) some days, so get 'em while they're hot. I love a double cheeseburger with fried onions and lettuce. That's me, but you do you. You can't go wrong.
This place is all about the burritos. I'm not actually sure if anything else is good, because I can't get enough of their burritos. Hot local tip: When you order a burrito ( I suggest Turkey Chorizo), ask them to fry the cheese. ooooooooh... so good.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Taco
306 Victoria StThis place is all about the burritos. I'm not actually sure if anything else is good, because I can't get enough of their burritos. Hot local tip: When you order a burrito ( I suggest Turkey Chorizo), ask them to fry the cheese. ooooooooh... so good.
Smoked Meat, beer and whiskey. Great menu that's always fresh. Great ambiance as well. Wait, did I mention it was delicious? It is!
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Broken Hill
479 Baker StSmoked Meat, beer and whiskey. Great menu that's always fresh. Great ambiance as well. Wait, did I mention it was delicious? It is!
Probably the best place for ice cream in town. They make all of their ice cream in house. My hands down favourite is the Chocolate Honeycomb, but you can’t really go wrong here. Their fancy weiners are pretty good too if you’re looking for a light meal or heavy snack.
Big Dee’s Fancy Wieners & Quality Ice Cream
Probably the best place for ice cream in town. They make all of their ice cream in house. My hands down favourite is the Chocolate Honeycomb, but you can’t really go wrong here. Their fancy weiners are pretty good too if you’re looking for a light meal or heavy snack.
This place is iconic in Nelson! One of the only seasonal Dairy Queen’s in Canada (or the world?), when the weather is right, there is always a line up for their chill treats. But, no hot eats here!
Dairy Queen (Treat)
724 Nelson AveThis place is iconic in Nelson! One of the only seasonal Dairy Queen’s in Canada (or the world?), when the weather is right, there is always a line up for their chill treats. But, no hot eats here!
Tucked away in the an alley, this place is work finding. Their Chocolate Espresso Cookies are incredible, but so are all their other cookies. The Fougasse is amazing too. If they are fresh or even hot, do not pass on one of these!!!!!
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ausoleil Levant
281 Herridge LaneTucked away in the an alley, this place is work finding. Their Chocolate Espresso Cookies are incredible, but so are all their other cookies. The Fougasse is amazing too. If they are fresh or even hot, do not pass on one of these!!!!!
A small, single varietal coffee roaster. Amazing beans, coffee cuppings, and a mellow vibe. It’s not as much a cafe as it is a place where they roast beans and sell coffee, as well as make killer cups of coffee.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
No6 Coffee Co.
511 Front StA small, single varietal coffee roaster. Amazing beans, coffee cuppings, and a mellow vibe. It’s not as much a cafe as it is a place where they roast beans and sell coffee, as well as make killer cups of coffee.
Board/Ski/Bike/Gear Shops
Places to get what you need, to get you to where you want to go!
This is the most OG snowboard shop. Go in and look at the pieces of history on the wall. The most legendary riders in the snowboard world have walked through their door.
Also, they are the most knowledgable staff, with the best gear. If you need anything snowboard related, Shane and the Tribute crew got your back.
Tribute Boardshop
556 Baker StThis is the most OG snowboard shop. Go in and look at the pieces of history on the wall. The most legendary riders in the snowboard world have walked through their door.
Also, they are the most knowledgable staff, with the best gear. If you need anything snowboard related, Shane and the Tribute crew got your back.
Bike gear and Ski gear, these peeps got you. They are friendly and the store is well stocked with AT, XC, and Downhill ski equipment. In the summer, they have all your biking needs. This is my go to shop.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gerick Cycle and Ski
702 Baker StBike gear and Ski gear, these peeps got you. They are friendly and the store is well stocked with AT, XC, and Downhill ski equipment. In the summer, they have all your biking needs. This is my go to shop.
Great outdoor gear store that has what you're looking for in the world of camping, climbing, disc-golfing, skiing and generally enjoying life outdoors.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
626 Baker StGreat outdoor gear store that has what you're looking for in the world of camping, climbing, disc-golfing, skiing and generally enjoying life outdoors.
Honestly, I don't like this shop too much, but if you need something, it's best you know this place exists. They do have a wide array of bike, ski and a little snowboard stuff.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Sacred Ride
213 Baker StHonestly, I don't like this shop too much, but if you need something, it's best you know this place exists. They do have a wide array of bike, ski and a little snowboard stuff.
Great little gear shop. Locally owned, and long-standing, a great place to pick up a piece of gear you need for your next adventure.
ROAM Shop, Rivers Oceans And Mountains
405 Hall StGreat little gear shop. Locally owned, and long-standing, a great place to pick up a piece of gear you need for your next adventure.
Our local Motorcycle and powersports store. Full selection of gear and a reliable shop, and great staff
Main Jet Motorsports Inc
Our local Motorcycle and powersports store. Full selection of gear and a reliable shop, and great staff
Mountain Biking trails
Trails in the Nelson area offer a wide variety of challenges for all different skill levels. Check out Trailforks, talk to some locals or ask me for some suggestions.
This place has a great amount of trails. There are machine build flow trails (Rhythm and Blues, Lefty, Turnstyles) or more technical trails (Placenta Descenta, illuminati). Ride Bottoms Up to the top of Lefty or R&B or continue on Upper Bottoms to the top of Turnstyles or BlueSteel and other trails. If you want something more epic, keep ascending until you reach the top of the climb on Giveout Creek FSR (or find someone to shuttle you here). From here you can access class Nelson epics like Bear's Den or Bedframe.
Alternatively, you can climb all the way up Fairly High to this same point.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Morning Mountain Regional Park
Blewett Ski Hill RoadThis place has a great amount of trails. There are machine build flow trails (Rhythm and Blues, Lefty, Turnstyles) or more technical trails (Placenta Descenta, illuminati). Ride Bottoms Up to the top of Lefty or R&B or continue on Upper Bottoms to the top of Turnstyles or BlueSteel and other trails. If you want something more epic, keep ascending until you reach the top of the climb on Giveout Creek FSR (or find someone to shuttle you here). From here you can access class Nelson epics like Bear's Den or Bedframe.
Alternatively, you can climb all the way up Fairly High to this same point.
These are the closest trails to town, being just a couple blocks from The StayWell. This area has some of the original MTB trails in the area. You can park at the Mountain Station parking lot and then bike up the road, or for a fun up track bike to the trailhead of Racoon trail which is just 100m downhill from the parking lot on the Rail Trail.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mountain Station
These are the closest trails to town, being just a couple blocks from The StayWell. This area has some of the original MTB trails in the area. You can park at the Mountain Station parking lot and then bike up the road, or for a fun up track bike to the trailhead of Racoon trail which is just 100m downhill from the parking lot on the Rail Trail.
At the very top of this road is the access point to the Fairly High trail. This trail is a multi-directional flow trail and one of the few true green rated trails in the area. It climbs into the sub-alpine, passing through old mining areas that founded Nelson's European settlement, and finishes up at the top of the Morning Mtn Trail network. Connect these two areas together for a big epic day!
Silver King Road
Silver King RoadAt the very top of this road is the access point to the Fairly High trail. This trail is a multi-directional flow trail and one of the few true green rated trails in the area. It climbs into the sub-alpine, passing through old mining areas that founded Nelson's European settlement, and finishes up at the top of the Morning Mtn Trail network. Connect these two areas together for a big epic day!
This MTB area is about a 20 min drive east of town along the lake. Great assortment of trails here that you can access by pedalling or shuttling. Don’t miss a dip at the lake in the provincial park on the other side of the highway, It’s a really beautiful spot!
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
British Columbia 3AThis MTB area is about a 20 min drive east of town along the lake. Great assortment of trails here that you can access by pedalling or shuttling. Don’t miss a dip at the lake in the provincial park on the other side of the highway, It’s a really beautiful spot!
Hiking Trails
Awesome summer/fall hike that ends at a great view point of Nelson. About 30-45 min hike to the lookout. Lots of people treat this trail as their cardio/legs day at the gym! There's parking at the trail head, but it's not endless.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pulpit Rock
Awesome summer/fall hike that ends at a great view point of Nelson. About 30-45 min hike to the lookout. Lots of people treat this trail as their cardio/legs day at the gym! There's parking at the trail head, but it's not endless.
A great hiking trail that leads to multiple view points and has some really interesting terrain to hike through.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lyons Bluff Trail
1207 British Columbia 3AA great hiking trail that leads to multiple view points and has some really interesting terrain to hike through.
Epic alpine hiking that is close to town. It’s a big day hike to get up and down, but doable. You can camp up there or stay the night in the cabin if you book ahead. Great ski touring in the winter too!
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
Epic alpine hiking that is close to town. It’s a big day hike to get up and down, but doable. You can camp up there or stay the night in the cabin if you book ahead. Great ski touring in the winter too!
Our local ski resort has put lots of great hiking trails in over the last few years. It’s great because you drive pretty high up in elevation to the base chalet, and then there is a nice hike that takes you up to the ridge and alpine that overlooks the ski resort. A great day of hiking
Whitewater Chalet
Our local ski resort has put lots of great hiking trails in over the last few years. It’s great because you drive pretty high up in elevation to the base chalet, and then there is a nice hike that takes you up to the ridge and alpine that overlooks the ski resort. A great day of hiking
Skiing areas
If you like to ski powder, you've likely come to the right place.
Remember, Everyone's a friend on a pow day!!!
This place is the best. The best tip I can give you for finding fresh tracks is to watch where everyone else goes, and then go just before or next to that. Seriously though, there are lots of hazards out there, so if you're new to tree skiing in deep snow, please have someone show you around! and ask them to show you some secret spots;)
If you like, I offer a Airbnb experience of giving a local’s tour of Whitewater. I'd be more than happy to show you around my winter playground!
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whitewater Ski Resort
6010 Whitewater Ski Hill RdThis place is the best. The best tip I can give you for finding fresh tracks is to watch where everyone else goes, and then go just before or next to that. Seriously though, there are lots of hazards out there, so if you're new to tree skiing in deep snow, please have someone show you around! and ask them to show you some secret spots;)
If you like, I offer a Airbnb experience of giving a local’s tour of Whitewater. I'd be more than happy to show you around my winter playground!
If you've still got some power left in your legs in the evening, you need to check out Salmo. With one of the longest t-bars in the world (unofficial, but your legs will agree) and a lodge that is like a time portal to 1987, this place is awesome. It isn't open during the day on weekdays, so if it's been snowing all day, join all the other powder hounds and shred under the lights all night. Serious local vibes. The official site of Turning Man 2021!
Salmo Ski Area
If you've still got some power left in your legs in the evening, you need to check out Salmo. With one of the longest t-bars in the world (unofficial, but your legs will agree) and a lodge that is like a time portal to 1987, this place is awesome. It isn't open during the day on weekdays, so if it's been snowing all day, join all the other powder hounds and shred under the lights all night. Serious local vibes. The official site of Turning Man 2021!
Local hot spot for easy access ski touring. There's lots of great terrain to access here if you know what you're doing. Please make sure you are properly equipped and trained to be self-sufficient in the backcountry. If you'd like to hire a certified backcountry guide or get on a tour of some sort, chat with me and we can point you in the right direction.
Kootenay Pass
Local hot spot for easy access ski touring. There's lots of great terrain to access here if you know what you're doing. Please make sure you are properly equipped and trained to be self-sufficient in the backcountry. If you'd like to hire a certified backcountry guide or get on a tour of some sort, chat with me and we can point you in the right direction.
Parks and Beaches
This little park has something for everyone. There's a beach, there's an awesome food vendor, there's paddleboard rentals, there's a park for kids, there's shady places under the trees, there's a mandala, there's a picnic area, there's lawn bowling, there's tennis, there's the 2nd best place for people watching! LAKESIDE PARK HAS IT ALL!!!!!
Lakeside Park
This little park has something for everyone. There's a beach, there's an awesome food vendor, there's paddleboard rentals, there's a park for kids, there's shady places under the trees, there's a mandala, there's a picnic area, there's lawn bowling, there's tennis, there's the 2nd best place for people watching! LAKESIDE PARK HAS IT ALL!!!!!
Best place to watch the sunset or soak in the heat of the summer next to the lake. This place is popular with the volleyball crowd and kids. Awesome beach!
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taghum Beach Regional Park
Best place to watch the sunset or soak in the heat of the summer next to the lake. This place is popular with the volleyball crowd and kids. Awesome beach!
This is a little bit of a hidden local secret. You just need to park on the road and follow the path down to the beach and you’ll be rewarded by insane views up and down the lake. The danger warnings are real though, be careful.
Six Mile Beach
This is a little bit of a hidden local secret. You just need to park on the road and follow the path down to the beach and you’ll be rewarded by insane views up and down the lake. The danger warnings are real though, be careful.