Nelson is one happening small town!  There is often more going on than one can comfortably take in during any given month!

From our cooperatively run movie theatre and our historic live stage theatre to our various street and park festivals and markets, you will be entertained by experienced and talented locals.

When it comes to big-name musical acts, more come to Nelson than any other town of this size!  With a myriad of venues to choose from you can see live music or DJ sets every weekend of the year.

Are you entertained by meandering through farmer’s markets?  I sure am!!!  Nelson and the surrounding towns have a lovely assortment of markets that take place all summer long.

Check out our local events calendar here to learn more 

The Kootenay’s are an outdoor recreational paradise!

In the warmer months you can explore the Kootenay Lake on foot by hiking or walking one of the fabulous trails (Pilot Point Trail is a great lakeside one!), by boat (see Captain Eric at “The Captains Boat Shop” or go to “Nelson Paddleboard and Kayak Rentals”), or jump right in at one of our many fabulous beaches.

Hiking:  The amount of incredible and accessible hiking trails will exhaust even the most avid mountaineer visiting Nelson.  

Biking: The mountain bike trails in the Nelson area are the stuff dreams are made of! There is everything from gentle railway grades, to hard core DH for the adrenalin junkies, to technical blast runs with tons of freestyle stunts to keep you wired until the brewpub! Explore some self guided trails or join a group …. but just do it!

Golf:  Experience the Kootenay’s mountain golfing adventures right in town at Granite Pointe Golf Club.  This course boasts spectacular views of  Nelson, Kootenay Lake and the famous Kokanee Glacier and you can relax after your game at The Grill at Granite for great food and bevvies.  

Drive 30 minutes north to the Balfour Golf Course where you will have an unforgettable experience at one of nature’s most scenic golf courses with 18 holes guaranteed to challenge any skill level. 

In the winter we boast some of the best powder you will ever find!

Downhill Skiing: Ride the fluff at Whitewater Ski Resort where you will be hard-pressed to wait in a lift line longer than 10 minutes which will bring you up to a multitude of groomed runs, powder runs, treed runs, and slack country bliss.

Ski Touring:  Explore the backcountry by ski touring just 15 minutes from town in the Hummingbird Pass or delve into the bottomless powder at Stagleap Provincial Park up the Kootenay Pass which is the highest elevation highway accessed pass in BC….therefore the earliest and latest snow to be found!

Xcountry skiing:

Apex ski area lets you enjoy 30+ kms of groomed trails including warming huts and classic/skate groomed trails.

Paulson Ski area boasts 45 kilometers of interconnected classic track trails including the Viking Centre at the entrance to the ski area and 4 warming huts placed strategically along the trail system.  Go for a 1 hour to a full day adventure in this scenic outdoor playground!

Snowshoe: Make your own tracks by strapping on a pair of snowshoes and heading out in any direction from town!

In the winter we boast some of the best powder you will ever find!

Downhill Skiing:  Ride the fluff at Whitewater Ski Resort (www.skiwhitewater.com) where you will be hard-pressed to wait in a lift line longer than 10 minutes which will bring you up to a multitude of groomed runs, powder runs, treed runs, and slack country bliss.

Ski Touring:  Explore the backcountry by ski touring just 15 minutes from town in the Hummingbird Pass or delve into the bottomless powder at Stagleap Provincial Park up the Kootenay Pass which is the highest elevation highway accessed pass in BC….therefore the earliest and latest snow to be found!

Xcountry skiing:

Apex ski area (http://nelsonnordicski.ca) lets you enjoy 30+ kms of groomed trails including warming huts and classic/skate groomed trails.

Paulson Ski area (www.castlegarnordic.ca) boasts 45 kilometers of interconnected classic track trails, the Viking Centre at the entrance to the ski area and 4 warming huts placed strategically along the trail system.  Go for a 1 hour to a full day adventure in this scenic outdoor playground!

Snowshoe: Make your own tracks by strapping on a pair of snowshoes and heading out in any direction from town!

As if there isn’t enough to do in the immediate Nelson area, we also have tons of ideas for you to get out of dodge for the day!

Check out:

Ainsworth Hot Springs:  Just 40 minutes north of Nelson these healing waters have been welcoming guests since the 1930’s.  These are the only hotsprings offering a horseshoe cave filled with healing hot water flowing from the earth for you to steam and soak in…truly an experience not to miss! The Lower Kootenay Band of the Ktunaxa people bring a unique First Nation brand to the hospitality industry. After you soak, be sure to enjoy some of the fresh, local, indigenous inspired food at the Ktunaxa Grill overlooking the pools.

Fletcher Falls:  North of Ainsworth en route to Kaslo you can stop and walk down to the waterfront and over to the waterfalls.  Just a 15 minute walk down to the lake and a 5 minute walk in to the falls.  A great place for a picnic or hike in camping!

Kaslo:  Nestled in the mountains 1.5 hours north of Nelson this is a little town with a lot of charm.  Steeped in history, you can tour the Moyie sternwheeler and get transported back to an era when the lake was the only highway bringing people into this rugged landscape.  Come in midsummer for the famous “Kaslo Jazz etc festival”. Picture performers on a floating stage with spectators dancing on the beach with mountains rising over 10,000 feet from the lake as the backdrop…what’s not to like?!  The restaurants are delicious and the Angry Hen brewbub is awesome….well worth the trip!

TheArtisans of Crawford Bay:  Take the Kootenay Lake Ferry (longest free scenic ferry crossing in the world! 35 minutes) from Balfour (40 minutes north of Nelson) to Kootenay Bay and drive 7 km to Crawford Bay. Walk from one unique studio to another and watch the artisans at work. Step into a variety of structures made from logs to strawbales where you can ask questions and purchase crafts directly from the makers.  Pottery, textiles, forged iron accessories, blown glass, and traditional handmade brooms (that were used in the Harry Potter series) are just some of the items you’ll find!

Sandon and Idaho Peak:  Visit a bonafide ghost town!  Back in the day (beginning in 1891) Sandon was the centre of what was the richest silver-lead producing region in Canada. What was once a booming town of 5000 people is now occupied by little more than a caretaker.  Still, it boasts a cool little shop in the summer months, a hydro electric power plant (that sells power to the government!), a summer music festival (Valley of the Ghosts Music Festival), as well as a 2 km gentle hike to a look out with breathtaking 360 views of the surrounding area. Take this hike from mid July to mid August for the most incredible display of wild flowers you’ll ever see!

New Denver:  This picturesque mountain town is nestled in the Selkirk Mountains on the eastern shores of the Slocan Lake.  It has been the setting for several movies including “A simple Curve” and “Snow Falling on Cedars” and you’ll see why as you wander through the scenic streets and the lapping lakeshore with awe-inspiring views.  Visit the The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre with it’s important history and unique Japanese Heiwa Teien Peace Garden.

The Slocan Valley:  Drive south of New Denver through the pastoral landscape of the Slocan Valley.  Home to organic farms, quaint family bakeries, earthy cafes, and quirky shops, this valley boasts a rich mix of draft dodger and Doukhobor history and still attracts and houses people of  the same ilk. A blast from a colourful past!  The Frog Peak Cafe at the south end of the valley is a local gem that is not to be missed!  Open until 4 pm, locals beat a path to it’s door for fabulous breakfast and lunch.