BC Kootenays Adventures
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for BC's Kootenays, British Columbia.
Sporting rugged mountains, crystal clear lakes and dense forests, the BC Kootenays offers up a selection of tours and activities as diverse as its scenery. During summer, the region is a hotbed for tourists with superb hiking, rock climbing and water sports, while in winter the Kootenays transform into a winter wonderland with snowy activities like skiing, ice skating and dog sled rides. Whatever season tourists visit the Kootenays, the region is alive and vibrant with exciting tours and activities to try.
SUMMER FUN
Scenic Escapades
During summertime, the Kootenays turn into a recreational playground with a multitude of outdoor activities to choose from. Whether visitors are beginner or advanced hikers, guided hiking tours are a terrific way to experience the region's multifarious nooks and crannies. Nelson, Creston and Kaslo are just a few of the communities where visitors can sign up for guided hiking excursions. Another way to revel in the scenery is with a guided bike tour. Wright Wheels Bicycle Tours, based in Nelson, offers various guided bike rides, such as its popular 48-km (30-mi) Salmo to Nelson ride—a route filled with mining history, gorgeous lakes and photogenic wildlife. Visitors who want to see panoramic views and climb to new heights can include a rock climbing tour in their itineraries. Summit Mountain Guides and Mountain Sense, both based in Nelson, offer a selection of invigorating rock climbing adventures for all abilities.
Out-Of-The-Ordinary Tours
Tourists who like to try activities that are a bit different should squeeze in gold panning or a brewery tour. On the Canadian Gold Panning Adventures' guided gold panning tour, visitors learn about the region's past gold rush glory days while trying their own luck at panning for gold. The Columbia Brewery, home of Kokanee Glacier Beer, will bring out the barley lover within. The Columbia Brewery tour, which runs from mid May through October, shares the brewing and packaging process at Columbia Brewery along with free samples of brew.
Making a Splash
Blessed with numerous clear, freshwater lakes, it should come as no surprise that water activities are a big part of summer in the Kootenays. Kootenay Lake, which stretches over 100 km (62 mi) long, is one of British Columbia's largest natural lakes and a summertime favourite. Visitors can choose from a range of activities such as sun tanning on its beaches or swimming, fishing or hitting its waves on motor boats and wakeboards or water skis. Visitors who want to spend their whole vacation on Kootenay Lake can consider a houseboat rental for their overnight home away from home.
Overlooking Kootenay Lake is another favourite water destination—Ainsworth Hot Springs. The natural springs have been developed into a resort with an outdoor pool and horseshoe shaped cave, as well as on-site lodging and dining.
WINTER ADVENTURES
Skiing and Snowboarding
Although there are a multitude of summer tours and activities in the Kootenays, winter in the region can be just as fun. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are hugely popular choices for making the most of a beautiful winter day in the Kootenays and skiers and snowboarders of all abilities can hit the slopes at several area ski hills, such as Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson, Red Mountain Resort in Rossland and Summit Lake Ski Area in Nakusp.
The Kootenays are also the birthplace of cat skiing and the region continues to be a sought-after destination for backcountry ski and snowboard expeditions. Numerous remote lodges operate near Nelson, Rossland, Kaslo, Meadow Creek and New Denver, and are the ultimate in exclusive winter adventures.
Skating
Visitors who love to ice skate can fit in some quality ice time in various community arenas or bundle up, pack some hot chocolate and head out to one of the region's frozen lakes to ice skate in the great outdoors—the best time for this is December through February.
On-of-a-Kind Adventures
Guests eager to explore the Kootenays' spectacular winter scenery while trying something new can book a dog sled ride. The Spirit of the North Kennels Dogsled Tours, based in Salmo, offers a 7-km (4-mi) ride led by Alaskan huskies through snow dusted forests and meadows. Finally, tourists who crave adventure might want to incorporate an ice climbing tour into their Kootenay trips. Mountain Sense and Summit Mountain Guides in Nelson offer daily guided ice-climbing tours for different skill levels.
SUMMER FUN
Scenic Escapades
During summertime, the Kootenays turn into a recreational playground with a multitude of outdoor activities to choose from. Whether visitors are beginner or advanced hikers, guided hiking tours are a terrific way to experience the region's multifarious nooks and crannies. Nelson, Creston and Kaslo are just a few of the communities where visitors can sign up for guided hiking excursions. Another way to revel in the scenery is with a guided bike tour. Wright Wheels Bicycle Tours, based in Nelson, offers various guided bike rides, such as its popular 48-km (30-mi) Salmo to Nelson ride—a route filled with mining history, gorgeous lakes and photogenic wildlife. Visitors who want to see panoramic views and climb to new heights can include a rock climbing tour in their itineraries. Summit Mountain Guides and Mountain Sense, both based in Nelson, offer a selection of invigorating rock climbing adventures for all abilities.
Out-Of-The-Ordinary Tours
Tourists who like to try activities that are a bit different should squeeze in gold panning or a brewery tour. On the Canadian Gold Panning Adventures' guided gold panning tour, visitors learn about the region's past gold rush glory days while trying their own luck at panning for gold. The Columbia Brewery, home of Kokanee Glacier Beer, will bring out the barley lover within. The Columbia Brewery tour, which runs from mid May through October, shares the brewing and packaging process at Columbia Brewery along with free samples of brew.
Making a Splash
Blessed with numerous clear, freshwater lakes, it should come as no surprise that water activities are a big part of summer in the Kootenays. Kootenay Lake, which stretches over 100 km (62 mi) long, is one of British Columbia's largest natural lakes and a summertime favourite. Visitors can choose from a range of activities such as sun tanning on its beaches or swimming, fishing or hitting its waves on motor boats and wakeboards or water skis. Visitors who want to spend their whole vacation on Kootenay Lake can consider a houseboat rental for their overnight home away from home.
Overlooking Kootenay Lake is another favourite water destination—Ainsworth Hot Springs. The natural springs have been developed into a resort with an outdoor pool and horseshoe shaped cave, as well as on-site lodging and dining.
WINTER ADVENTURES
Skiing and Snowboarding
Although there are a multitude of summer tours and activities in the Kootenays, winter in the region can be just as fun. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are hugely popular choices for making the most of a beautiful winter day in the Kootenays and skiers and snowboarders of all abilities can hit the slopes at several area ski hills, such as Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson, Red Mountain Resort in Rossland and Summit Lake Ski Area in Nakusp.
The Kootenays are also the birthplace of cat skiing and the region continues to be a sought-after destination for backcountry ski and snowboard expeditions. Numerous remote lodges operate near Nelson, Rossland, Kaslo, Meadow Creek and New Denver, and are the ultimate in exclusive winter adventures.
Skating
Visitors who love to ice skate can fit in some quality ice time in various community arenas or bundle up, pack some hot chocolate and head out to one of the region's frozen lakes to ice skate in the great outdoors—the best time for this is December through February.
On-of-a-Kind Adventures
Guests eager to explore the Kootenays' spectacular winter scenery while trying something new can book a dog sled ride. The Spirit of the North Kennels Dogsled Tours, based in Salmo, offers a 7-km (4-mi) ride led by Alaskan huskies through snow dusted forests and meadows. Finally, tourists who crave adventure might want to incorporate an ice climbing tour into their Kootenay trips. Mountain Sense and Summit Mountain Guides in Nelson offer daily guided ice-climbing tours for different skill levels.
Scenic Views
Kootenay Lakeview Lodge Balfour
In the heart of the Kootenays surrounded by the area's best skiing and golfing!
Mountain Tour Company
Air-Conditioned Hotel
Ramada Limited Grand Forks
Official Site: Click for guaranteed best rates. Save with Ramada: Book Now!
Lake & Mountain Views
5 min to Skiing
Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland
Offering first-class accommodations and conference facilities in Rossland, BC!
