Summer Information For Nelson In British Columbia






May 17, 08

Nelson
British Columbia

History and Beauty

Nelson, located in the heart of Kootenay County, has the second highest concentration of heritage buildings per capita in British Columbia. Its 350 historic structures place it second only to Victoria. There is a walking tour of downtown commercial buildings that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s and a driving tour of residential homes and mansions.

Nelson combines spectacular scenery with an abundance of recreational opportunities. A dozen nearby golf courses will meet the challenges of almost any golfer, and the breathtaking surroundings make every game a memorable one.

An Abundance of Trails

Hiking is a popular pastime here because of the abundance of well-marked trails. There is one for all levels of experience ranging from the causal hiker to the avid outdoorsman. Take a trail up to Kokanee Glacier Park to experience her three glaciers: Kokanee, Caribou, and Woodbury; or explore the alpine splendor of Idaho lookout. Wildlife thrives in the Slocan Range of the Selkirk Mountains, so don't be surprised if you encounter deer, elk, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, or brown and black bears.

Mountain bikers will find the trail selection equally pleasing. Showcased in many mountain bike films, Nelson trails offer everything from gentle slopes to steep, technical single-track. For beginners, Stanley Loop and Sproule Creek give beautiful views of alpine streams, while the advanced Paperbag and Vein trails get that adrenaline pumping.

Freshwater Experiences

This region has excellent fishing opportunities as well. Kootenay Lake holds rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, varden and whitefish. 30 Pounders aren't strangers to Nelson anglers where reeling a hooked Gerrard Rainbow makes cameras a visitor's necessity.

Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, boating, water skiing, and sailing are all popular activities in Nelson. Rent a kayak and paddle the waters of the main lake, the Columbia, Slocan and Kootenay Rivers, or on some of the smaller backcountry lakes.
Kootenay is home to some of the largest, preserved, freshwater wrecks and thanks to the clean glacier water, scuba diving is an unforgettable experience as well.

Many other outdoor activities can be found here, including horseback riding, Llama trekking and caving at Cody Caves. After a long day of fun, Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is a good place to relax.

Arts and Culture

And there is no lack of cultural activities in Nelson either. Artwalk, hosted by local galleries, restaurants and shops, offers visitors a chance to get a firsthand look at local artists, opening receptions, silent auctions and exhibits in several different mediums.

The restored Capitol Theatre provides an art deco setting for stage productions and orchestra performances. The summer is filled with seasonal events as well, including the Mid-summer Bonspiel (the world's largest curling bonspiel).

A wide array of unique boutiques and shops offer something for every taste, and, more than 40 restaurants give visitors choices ranging from elegant to casual.

Mammoth Mountain