Kootenay Lake Area

The Kootenay Lake area of British Columbia is truly a great undiscovered paradise. The natural beauty is stunning and diverse, even for a place like British Columbia. It is unique in many ways. The population density is very low and yet it is a 'modern' place to live. Many residents seldom leave to vacation elsewhere, such is the sense of space and tranquility that is the daily experience of life here.

The weather is pleasant yet with very definite seasons. The summers are long and not too hot, the winters bring snow but without the harsher cold and dreary, damp climate conditions found in Eastern Canada nor the excessive humidity, frequent rain and heavy dampness experienced so often on the West Coast. The Kootenay Lake itself helps to moderate and regulate weather conditions year round. The opportunities for recreation are practically endless!

Although the area is easily accessible throughout the year you can always find seclusion and a wide range of activities is waiting to be experienced. Few places in the world offer such scenic and undeveloped vistas for sailing, motor cruising, fishing, kayaking, canoing, swimming and a variety other water sports. Not only the Kootenay Lake itself is host to a wealth of water-related pastimes but also the many streams, creeks, plus the smaller lakes and ponds up in the surrounding mountains offer even more opportunities. World-class fishing is always close. The Kootenay Lake is nestled between two mountain ranges, the Purcells and the Selkirks. Hiking, mountain-climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, camping, bird-watching, or just picnicking ... your choices are practically as endless as the grace and allure of the mountains that surround you.

A small airport services visitors that come to the world-class Kokanee Springs Golf Resort. There is a lively artistic community in Crawford Bay that is commercially successful creating useful handmade objects d' art. The many diverse formats include ironworks at the forge, hand-blown and crafted glass works, handmade brooms, the artisan bakery, studio potters, and more. You can find information about the Crawford Bay artisans here. Culture abounds disproportionate to expectations in this special environment. You can cross the lake for free 365 days a year on the Provincially-operated ferry system which handles pedestrians and all sizes of vehicles.

Many Provincial parks are nearby and a couple of National parks are only hours away by car. At the south end of Kootenay Lake there is a 'wetland of international importance'. The Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area has a visitors centre and 17,000 acres which are open to the public year round. The Creston Valley area at the south end of Kootenay Lake is one of the major bird migration corridors of North America and over 285 species have been spotted there. All kinds of wildlife are regularly observed throughout the Kootenay Lake region.

There are many towns and villages in the East Shore area to service your daily shopping needs and the City of Nelson is nearby with an excellent selection of restaurants, hotels, extensive shopping opportunities, and much more. Nelson is only a half hour drive from the west shore ferry terminal. There are also many bed-and-breakfast operations and lodges with excellent accommodations to serve you and your visitors. The Ainsworth Hot Springs are open to the public all year and are very popular with visitors and residents alike. The air is clean, the water is pristine, the scenic beauty is incomparable and the people are friendly. The area has an extremely low crime rate and for very good reason: everyone is too busy having fun and enjoying life!