Located
on the shore of the beautiful West Arm of Kootenay Lake, surrounded
by the Selkirk Mountains, Nelson is home to 350 heritage buildings.
Nelson's story-book charm with lush parks overflowing with bright
flower gardens gives the visitor a sense of relaxation that pervades
even the bustling city center.
In
1867, gold and silver were found in the area and Nelson grew quickly
as a result of the frantic mining activity. Chateau style civic
building were designed, as were lakeside orchards, and the first
hydro-electric generating plant in BC. On March 4th, 1897, the
City of Nelson was incorporated with a population of 3,000.
Today,
visitors can ride the restored Streetcar 23 which winds along
Nelson's waterfront. This popular attraction along with self-guided
heritage walking tours and the Nelson Museum make the community's
history come alive. Nelson has consistently been ranked as the
number one small town arts community in Canada, by John Villani,
who publishes The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America.
Boaters will also enjoy Kootenay Lake, a the lake that as a result
of its size, is more like an ocean. In the afternoon, winds channel
through the valley providing excellent conditions for sailing.
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort: This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy majestic scenery – with accommodations to suit your every need. Along with a great hot springs experience and accommodations, enjoy our dining room & lounge, gift shop, along with local attractions and activities. more
Kootenay Kingfisher Guiding Services: Fish the Kootenay’s for world class Gerard Rainbow, Bull Trout & Walleye on the Arrow & Kootenay Lakes, & Columbia River. Full time licensed guide Brad Stubbs offers guided day trips & and all inclusive packages, and provides you with exceptional service. more
Snowwater Heli Skiing: Located near Nelson, in the Kootenay region of southern BC, our area was chosen for its spectacular beauty and superb, light deep powder. Heli-ski on 150,000 acres of pristine wilderness with endless untracked turns. This is the heli-skiing adventure of a li... more
Valhalla Powdercats: It’s the most incredible big mountain terrain in BC with high alpine bowls and steep, old-growth forests in the Valhalla Mountains! Our ski / snowboard terrain is 6 times the size of Whistler / Blackcomb, offering bigger mountains and deeper snow than ever be... more
Woodbury Resort & Marina: Welcome to our membership resort offering safe, relaxing & enjoyable vacations year round. Not only are we a fabulous place to spend your summer vacations, but we have stellar Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing on Kootenay Lake in the Fall & Winter. more
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City
Information
Population:
9,700
Main
Industries: forestry, mining, tourism
Access: Highways 6 & 3A, airstrip, heliport and float-plane
base located 500 m. from city center. Greyhound bus & charter,
as well as private service by small aircraft at the Nelson Airport
are available. Scheduled domestic air service from Castlegar (30
minutes by road) daily.
Location:
Surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, and set on the shores
of Kootenay Lake. The community is 663 km (412 miles) from Vancouver,
628 km (390 miles) from Calgary, and a short 55 km (34 miles)
from U.S. border
Elevation: 580 m. (1,902 ft.)
Recreation
Facilities & Activities: fishing, boating, sailing, canoeing
/ kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, wakeboarding, water-skiing
and diving, Valhalla Park, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, hiking,
cycling, 3 golf courses, Whitewater ski hill, catskiing and cross
country skiing. aquatic centre
Local
and Area Attractions: Streetcar 23, restored Capitol Theatre,
Artwalk, Whitewater Ski Area, Granite Pointe Golf Course, Lakeside
Park, Nelson Museum (displays on Native Peoples, explorers, and
settlers of the area, as well as art and history), Chamber of
Mines Eastern BC Museum, Blaylocks Estate, self-guided Heritage
& Craft-Art-Antique Walking Tours, Waterfront Pathway, Kokanee
Glacier, Kootenay Lake Ferry, Harrop Procter Cable Ferry
Events:
June -- World Mid-Summer Bonspiel, Kootenay Lake Poker Run
July -- Nelson International Street Performers & Arts Festival
July to September -- Artwalk (a walking tour of the arts)
August -- Fat Tire Festival (downhill & cross country mountain
bike races), Summer Songfest, Ameri-Cana International Relay (begins
in Nelson)
November -- Kootenay Artisans Christmas Market
Accommodations:
There are a variety of bed & breakfasts, first-class heritage
hotels, comfortable motels and many campsites in Nelson and the
surrounding area. The city-run park offers campsites in the downtown
area.
For
Information: Nelson & District Visitor Info Centre (year round)
225 Hall Street, Nelson, BC V1L 5X4
Telephone: (250) 352-3433 Fax: (250) 352-6355
Toll Free (877) 663-5706
Promote
your business to over 5.5 million BC visitors per year.
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and most visited tourism Web site . . . more
info.
Located
on the shore of the beautiful West Arm of Kootenay Lake, surrounded
by the Selkirk Mountains, Nelson is home to 350 heritage buildings.
Nelson's story-book charm with lush parks overflowing with bright
flower gardens gives the visitor a sense of relaxation that pervades
even the bustling city center. 
Location:
Surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains, and set on the shores
of Kootenay Lake. The community is 663 km (412 miles) from Vancouver,
628 km (390 miles) from Calgary, and a short 55 km (34 miles)
from U.S. border 
