Top 10 Local Attractions in the Kootenays

The Kootenays in southeast British Columbia are a real hidden gem. Not found on any “must-see before you die” list, the area is nonetheless an area of outstanding natural beauty with scenic lakes, hot springs, historic towns and a host of things to do. Here are 10 of the best…

Kootenay Lake

There is so much to see and do around Kootenay Lake it’s hard to know where to begin. Take a drive along the lakeside to Creston or board the ferry for a ride from Kootenay Bay to Balfour. This scenic 35-minute ferry crossing is known as “the longest free ferry ride in the world”. Ferries depart every 50 minutes at peak times. Heritage boat tours on the lake with a local guide are another great way to learn about the lake’s history, including many tales of sunken ships.

Riondel

The Riondel Museum offers a journey into the past of this former mining town, best known for the historic Bluebell Mine which mined silver, lead and zinc. Riondel also makes the ideal base for exploring the thunderous falls in the creeks to the north of the town.

Glass House in Boswell

For a truly unique sight visit the Glass House in Boswell which is built from empty bottles of embalming fluid. It took half a million bottles to construct this unique and beautiful house which was built by retired funeral director David H. Brown in 1952.

Hugh Keenleyside Dam

Located 8km upriver from Castlegar, the Hugh Keenleyside Dam holds back the waters of the mighty Columbia River. The dam is 52 metres high and 853 metres in length. Free tours of the dam are well worth taking to appreciate this feat of engineering.

Christina Lake

This lovely lake at the south end of the Gladstone Provincial Park has eight beaches around its perimeter offering a host of recreational activities. There is even a golf course, complete with black sand traps, built on the site of the ghost town of Cascade City. Camping, fishing, swimming, kayaking, boating and hiking are just some of the things to do here.

Cascade Gorge and Falls

These 30metre (100-foot) falls are located on Kettle River near Christina Lake. Visit in spring to see the falls at their most impressive. The hike to the falls is easy with plenty of look-out points along the footpath.

Nakusp Waterfront Japanese Gardens

Walk along Nakusp’s waterfront pathway to the Japanese Gardens. These peaceful gardens celebrate the Japanese Canadian community in the Kootenays and are filled with Japanese maples and azaleas in a stunning waterfront location.

Nakusp Hot Springs

Nakusp hot springs offers two thermally heated pools for year-round bathing in the therapeutic waters. Visitors can bathe in the mineral-rich waters in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by gorgeous Kootenays scenery and wildlife.

Historic Sandon

This ghost town welcomes guests each summer to visit the historic Sandon Museum, browse the Prospector’s Pick General Store and visit the Historic Silversmith Generating Station with a local tour guide. Enjoy hiking amidst an abundance of flora and fauna or take a half-day ATV tour around Sandon’s old mine workings.

Canadian Museum of Rail Travel

This excellent museum at Cranbrook is the perfect day out for steam railway buffs and those interested in the history of the Canadian railways. Recognized as one of the great railway heritage collections in North America the pièce de résistance is the reconstructed European Dining Room with its arched ceiling from the Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg, demolished in 1971.

Events in the Kootenays

The Kootenays are seen by many as a quiet area where nothing much happens. However, with the advent of summer most small towns in the area put on an admirable program of events to suit all ages and interests. Here are some top summer and fall events in the Kootenays to mark on your calendar and head for this summer:

Family Events

Early July kicks off with Canada Day celebrations at Nakusp which includes a Pancake Breakfast courtesy of the volunteer firefighters, a parade, races and all kinds of family entertainment.

Revelstoke celebrates July 1 with pancakes, flag raising, a parade and a bocce tournament and Fairmont Hot Springs hosts a Wilderness Spirit Triathlon followed by a BBQ.

Wednesday nights in Nakusp are the time to bring the family (and a lawn chair) to Music in the Park. The event runs from 6.30pm to 8pm throughout July and August.

For youngsters, the Christina Lake Sandcastle contest is held on July 31st on the public beach at the lakeside town of Christina Lake.

Cranbrook Fightermeet Airshow hosts top military fighter pilots and aerial performers who demonstrate their flight skills against the snow-covered backdrop of the Rockies. This superb family event will be held on July 20, 2011.

Music Events

Nakusp is always a gorgeous little town to visit on the shores of the Upper Arrow Lake. The Nakusp Music Fest gives twice as many reasons to go. Held over the weekend in mid-July there are a minimum 23 live bands on two stages with family entertainment, crafts and beer gardens. Past visitors list this top summer festival in as “one of the best weekends of the year”.

Whatshan Lake Music Festival is a 6-day event starting July 5, 2011. Whether your taste in music is rock, bluegrass, country, R&B or folk, there’s great live music to suit. The festival is held at the southern end of Whatshan Lake, near Needles BC.

July 8, 2011 is the start of the 3-day Bluegrass Jamboree Festival at Pass Creek Exhibition Grounds. Acoustic bluegrass entertainment is accompanied by a choice of food stands. Those staying at the campground will appreciate the pancake breakfast every morning. There’s a band scramble, open mic and a bluegrass gospel on Sunday morning.

More live music, this time at Shambala Music Festival, takes place the first week in August. This is Canada’s premier Electronic Music Festival with lights, sound, lasers and great talent in a breathtaking location at Salmo River Ranch. Six stages host light shows and displays as well as music to dance to from hip-hop to trance. The Pagoda is a monolithic structure which comes alive with technological wizardry at this unique festival of free spirits.

Art Shows

Local crafts are featured from mid-June to early September at the annual Creston Art Walk which showcases the talented artisans of this inspirational area. Brochures and full details of specific events can be picked up from Visitor Info Centres or on the ferry.

Kaslo also hosts a summer-long Art Walk event at various venues and dates.

Take a self-guided tour around the juried works of local artists at the Columbia Valley Tour of the Arts, spread over five locally locations. Tour passports are a fun keepsake of this worthwhile fundraiser, held each year on July 31.

The Fernie Writers Conference is open to all and runs for a week in mid-July. It features writing courses, readings and panel discussions attracting award-winning writers from across Canada.

Markets

Cottonwood Falls Market takes place next to the Japanese Garden at Nelson to the backdrop of the sound of the mighty rushing falls. The market has an array of different vendors and stalls while local musicians add to the relaxed atmosphere of this open-air event.

Saturday Farmers Markets can also be found at Cranbrook and Creston where fresh baked goods, produce, cut flowers and seasonal fruits can be found at their freshest.

Crafters, weavers and artisans display their works of art at Fernie’s Mountain Market in Rotary Park every Sunday throughout July and August.

Sporting Events

Scott and Kelsey’s at Fernie organize a Fun Mountain Bike Race that takes place at 7pm every Thursday. Registration is at the Mountain Adventure Centre.

For hardcore mountain bikers looking for a challenge, July 9, 2011 is the date for the Lost Boys Lungbuster Mountain Bike Hill Climb from the base of the Fernie Alpine Resort to the top of the Timber Express Chairlift, a climb of 640 vertical metres (2,100 feet). Brunch and awards follow afterwards at the Lost Boys Café.

The Xterra Moonraker Off-Road Triathlon takes place on Sunday July 10, 2011 at Golden. This incredible off-road multi-sport event is great fun to spectate and includes swimming, mountain biking and running.

Invermere enjoys a One-night Rodeo on the third Friday in June at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Enjoy a cowboy dinner and auctions with rodeo events and a dance.

More than 100 baseball teams participate in the Kokanee Glacier Challenge Baseball Tournament at Revelstoke Centennial Park. Cheer on your favourite team, eat well and enjoy the fun.

Biker Events

July 1, 2011 is the start of the annual charity fundraiser the Toad Rock Motorcycle Rally at Nelson, BC. This annual get-together of motorcyclists includes live music, vendors, bike games and free camping at the Toad Rock Campground.

Historic Events

Fort Steele hosts Wild West Wednesday every week from mid-July through August. After a BBQ dinner at the International Hotel, board the 1077 steam locomotive to experience bandits in the woods and a good old-fashioned train heist. Survivors are served dessert at the railway viewing platform afterwards!

Gray Creek Museum Days are held over a long weekend at the end of July. The event features the art of Will Baylis, the Gray Creek gold boulder, the Kootenay Lake Players and local information on Gray Creek families.

The middle weekend of July is Kimberley JulyFest with platz entertainments, a parade, fun run and sports tournaments.

Whatever your particular interest you will find plenty of events in the Kootenays where friendly locals are sure to give visitors a warm welcome. Enjoy!

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