Deeper Thoughts: A Cultural Experience

Beyond boundless slopes and snow, it’s the West Kootenay’s character, culture and calendar that make winter out here way better than back there. So you want to blow up those blahs and get your Ullar groove on?

Well road trippers, buckle up, baton down and head for the West Kootenay hills. While the winter holiday haunts of Nelson, Rossland, Castlegar and Kaslo are known for big snow and little line ups, there’s a deeper vibe to behold in this supernatural setting — home to the Syilx, Sinixt, Secwépemc and Ktunaxa peoples for thousands of years. 

We acknowledge the land on which we gather, and the many experiences offered: festivals, crazy amounts of art, culture and heritage, spas and hot springs, shop ’til you drop, dining from every menu around the world, and locals who are happy to see you. 

The day of all days to be in the region is…opening day. Deep dust or early-season crust, first tracks of the year at Red Mountain, Whitewater, or Summit Lake are highly anticipated and marked with mucho revelry — keep your browser locked on Summit Lake, RED Mountain Resort and Whitewater Ski Resort for the checkered flag, and have your ski bum bug-out bag ready.

Exhibit Eh: Rossland

Rossland. Think of the little scene inside your snow-globe — shaken, and stirred. There’s heaps of reasons Canada’s Alpine City is considered one of the best ski towns in the world. Canada’s longest running and outright unpredictable Winter Carnival rolls in little RossVegas in late January. The Blizzard Music Fest provides all the ski boot-scootin’ boogie-ing you can take, the same week. Fly your true colours in March people, when Red hosts Peak Pride.  

Soak it all in Arrow Slocan

Arrow Slocan is well known for its hot springs and quiet get-aways. Its culture is relaxation combined with the great outdoors. Unplug from the world and immerse yourself in the quiet and peaceful surroundings. Pair a stay at the springs with a visit to the local winery, cidery, restaurants and galleries.

Book in to a touch of luxury at Halcyon Hot Springs Resort. If only up for a day trip, there is also the Nakusp Hot Springs located conveniently close to town. While you are here, check out the ever rotating carefully curated collection of paintings at Studio Connexion Gallery.

The Slocan Valley is well known for its unique culture steeped in artistic flare. Local artisans are found at the markets in Winlaw, Slocan, New Denver and also Nakusp. Stop into local cafes to find sensational creations from local makers. Still Point Pottery’s Gallery in Slocan Park is not to be missed.

Halcyon Hot Springs Resort. Photo: Mitch Winton

The Great ‘Gar’

Castlegar is just down Highway 22. The Gar’s awesome! Home to the region’s remarkably unique and proud Doukhbour culture (and cuisine!), the West Kootenay Regional Airport, the Kootenay Gallery and the confluence of the West Kootenay’s two legendary rivers — the Kootenay and the Columbia — Castlegar and its cozy river-bank enclave of Robson are in the eye of the winter season’s on-going celebratory storm, located in between Rossland, Nelson and the gateway to the Slocan Valley. A perfectly situated basecamp for a multi-day West Kootenay winter vacation.

Another 30 minutes west and you’re on one of world’s most metropolitan mountain town main streets. Baker Street in Nelson, BC. Retailing, dining, drinking, a vibrant live music scene and over 350 heritage buildings. 

Events to Inspire

The Polka Dot Door Dragon Lantern Festival, Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest and WH2O Slush Cup and Beach Bash, marking the end of Whitewater’s winter, are true-blue Western Canadian odes to the time of year that brings out the high country hoser in all of us. Visit Kootenay Calendar to see all that is happening, all year round.

To the north, along the winding mountainside curves of Highways 3 and 31, the villages of Balfour, Harrop/Procter and the steaming hot springs of Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort all nestle along the 110-kilometre shoreline of Kootenay Lake. 

Kaslo’s legit enchantment and the deep mountain dispatch of Meadow Creek are just beyond. With the star-scraping peaks of Mt. Loki and the Purcells across the lake’s dark blue expanse, the South Selkirks at your back, you’ll feel it. This is real Kootenay country. Switzerland meets logger boots and a tie-died t-shirt. Drop in for Kaslo Lights Up at the beginning of December and February’s Winter In The Forest Festival. Kaslo’s Langham Cultural Centre and SS Moyie national historic site are troves of the region’s richest history in mining, the sternwheel era, and the stories of the First People and vital Japanese and Doukhobour communities. History. Culture. Cuisine. The snow’s not the only thing that piles up out here.

Want to learn more about the culture in these communities? Visit the local tourism websites.

Enjoy the #WestKootRoute