Activities
Skiing – Nelson has every time of skiing imaginable. As the "champagne powder" capital of Western Canada its no surprise that 30% of the town's population holds a ski pass. Still there's plenty of snow to go around! Cross-country, skate skiing, backcountry, lift serviced, cat and heli-skiing - the Kootenays have it all.
Hotsprings – Ainsworth Hot Springs ( a 40 minute drive from Nelson ) is set into the mountainside overlooking the vast expanse of Kootenay Lake and the Purcell Mountains . The hot steamy, odorless shower of mineralized water falls from the cave's roof and forms a waist-deep pool, providing a rejuvenating natural steam bath. The main pool provides the perfect place to relax and enjoy some of West Kootenay 's majestic scenery.
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The hot springs are heated naturally and vary in temperature between 40-42°C (104-114°F) in the Cave, 35-38°C (96-101°F) in the Pool, and 4-10°C (40-50°F) for the Cold Plunge. The caves are old mine tunnels carved out by miners attempting to increase the flow of hot water from the springs. Considered to be the best commercial hot springs in BC, they were probably first discovered by native Indians who came up to Kootenay Lake in the late summer to take advantage of the Kokanee Salmon run. Since this timing coincided with the ripening of the huckleberry crop, it would be natural to assume that after spending the days clambering around the hills these people would welcome a soak in the hot springs . This idyllic lifestyle probably continued for decades until the Indians guided the first prospectors in the area.
Kayaking- Kootenay Lake is surrounded by glacial peaks and offers a myriad of secluded beaches, impressive side hikes and first class scenery. From the seat of your sea kayak, Kootenay Lake presents you with glacial fed creeks, lush forests, abundant wildlife, rugged shorelines, and few people. Whoever said paradise had to be tropical has never visited the Kootenays. Golf – Granite Pointe and its undulating 18 holes course is just minutes from your door. A scenic and challenging track, you'll have a hard time concentrating on your game because of the outstanding views. Castlegar Golf Club is located 30 minutes west of the Alpine and is also open to the public. To the north, a scenic 30-minute drive up the lake you'll find the Balfour Golf Club. It is a dazzling Les Furber-designed course that will keep you on your game. Across from Balfour in cosy Crawford Bay, lies the Kokanee Springs course. A traditional Robert Trent Jones design, Kokanee is well worth the trip.
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Hiking- Enjoy a relaxing day exploring the mountains of the West Kootenays. You will travel through forests, along mountain streams, into the high alpine with stunning views of glaciers.
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Mountain Biking – Looking for some new trails to get your next fix on? From stunts and single track to extended downhill epics, we'll show you the trails lurking in the Kootenay forests. Whether it's a quick shuttle to your favorite trail, or a full day of guided riding in the mountains.
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Flight seeing: NEW ! Enjoy the kootenays from the air. A choice of adventure flights are available with pricing starting at only $89.00 per person. Click here for more info & pictures.
Fishing - Kokanee Creek and Kootenay Lake maintain considerable populations of various fish species, including kokanee, rainbow and cutthroat trout, dolly varden, burbot, and whitefish. Kootenay Lake supports record-sized rainbow trout, and the world's largest recorded kokanee - almost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) - was taken from the lake. Rainbow trout are plentiful in Lockhart Creek on the east side of the south arm of Kootenay Lake.
Want to explore the waters of Kootenay lake or the columbia river?
Reel Adventure fishing charters will take you on a fishing trip you will never forget.
Swimming – Sandy beaches and good swimming is available at Lakeside Park & Taghum beach.
Nelson's aquatic center offers indoor swimming, whirlpool and sauna facilities.
Bowling – Nelson has its own 5-pin bowling alley. Located at the foot of Baker, the facility is licensed and serves as a kid proof backup plan for the occasional rainy day.
Caving – Cody Caves provincial park.
Please click here for a presentation of Cody Caves.
Discover a wondrous and fragile underground world.
Cody Cave tours offer a Unique, fun family adventure.
1 and 3 hour tours available.
The Cody Caves are just a 45 Min scenic drive from the Alpine motel and can easily be combined with a visit to Ainsworth Hot Springs.
Sailing – Kootenay Lake is a tremendous body of water for sailing. Surrounded by mountains and stretching more than 90 miles, there are no shortages of places to see and you can almost always find wind somewhere.
Rowing – The Nelson rowing club offers lessons on Kootenay Lake
Rafting- white water rafting is available on the Salmo, Slocan and Duncan rivers. With rivers ranging from class 1-IV there is whitewater appropriate for all ages and abilities
Skiing – Nelson has every time of skiing imaginable. As the "champagne powder" capital of Western Canada its no surprise that 30% of the town's population holds a ski pass. Still there's plenty of snow to go around! Cross-country, skate skiing, backcountry, lift serviced, cat and heli-skiing - the Kootenays have it all.
Snowmobiling – similar to the backcountry skiing, the terrain is endless. For those without their own snowmobile, there are rental machines and guided tours available.
Dog Walking: A great dog walk is located on the lakeshore next to the Nelson Airport. There are off leash trails and swimming areas. The parking at the Prestige Inn is a paid parking lot. The only people not on "Kootenay Time" around here are the city parking enforcement officers. Free parking is available on the south side of the airstrip.
2 other beautiful off leash dog-beaches are within 15 minutes from our motel for a longer walk.
Please ask for directions at our front desk.
Climbing – Indoor climbing wall
Waterskiing and wakeboarding
Diving
Tennis courts - Lakeside Park,
Squash courts – located above the Royal
Day Spa and massage
Shopping: Historic Baker Street
Theatre – Capitol, David Thomspon, Civic
Artwalk, Roxanne walk, Heritage walking and driving tours
Museums and galleries
Seasonal salmon run,
Gerard trout
Things to do in Nelson, B.C. Canada
* Hiking * Biking * Kayaking * Cross-country, Backcountry, lift serviced, Heli & Cat-Skiing * Snowboarding * Canoeing * Rafting * Sailing * Golf, golf & more golf * Spa * Bowling * Hot Springs * Swimming * Aqua centre * Shopping * Antique tours * Boating * Caving * Heritage Tours * Historical Tours * Mountain Climbing * Mountain Biking * 4X4 Tours * ATV Tours * Sightseeing Tours * Fishing * Bicycle Rentals * Snowmobiling * Cinema * Theatre * Circle Tours * Motorcycle Tours * Wildlife Centre * Art Galeries * Artwalk * Storytelling Festival * Hockey * Soccer * Tennis * Curling * Rowing * Horseback Riding * Streetcar #23 * Nelson Museum * Helicopter Tours * Areal Tours * Fish Watching * Bird Watching * Glacier Trips * Sauna * Walking tours * Massage * The longest free ferry ride in the world * Sightseeing * Picknicking * House Hunting * Waterskiing * Wakeboarding * House hunting and more ....................