A small city with a big personality, Nelson (population 10,532) is situated on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains.
People come here for the alpine skiing, nordic skiing, cat-skiing, mountain biking, hiking, boating, rafting and golf, and for the most active arts and culture scene in the Kootenay Rockies.
Home to an eclectic mix of old Nelson families and urban refugees, this vibrant Victorian town also boasts hundreds of well-preserved heritage buildings, a crazy number of good restaurants, bustling coffee shops, retail stores, and no shortage of sidewalk cafes.
Downtown is inviting, compact, walkable, and packed with unique, boutique style stores that reflect the diversity of the community. Within just a few blocks, find everything from natural foods to high-quality clothing, with a whole lot of outdoor gear in between.
Best Art Town
Nelson has been named as the "best art town" in Canada by author John Villani in his book The 100 Best Art Towns in America, and it lives up to its reputation. Performing arts, artists, and artisans are part of the downtown streetscape. With its end-to-end Victorian heritage buildings, Baker Street houses numerous art galleries and craft stores, and is punctuated with street musicians for most of the year.
The community also enthusiastically supports the Capitol Theatre, located on Victoria Street, which presents an impressive mix of theatre, dance and music performance.
Things to Do in Nelson
Surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers, Nelson is a place where an active lifestyle is almost inevitable. In summer, the big attractions are biking, hiking, golf and paddling. But there are many other aspects of Nelson to explore.
Take a ride on Streetcar #23 to Lakeside Park, or walk up to the scenic lookout in Gyro Park, located just north of downtown. Explore Nelson's heritage architecture via a self-guided tour, learn about the city's culture and history, relax or be treated at a Nelson spa or wellness centre, check out the incredible arts and crafts or cool clothing around Nelson's shopping area, or have lunch at a sunny table in one of the city's many sidewalk cafés.
In winter, the focus shifts to a community ski hill that is know for its deep champagne powder. People move here to ski Whitewater Ski Resort, just a half hour from downtown. Whitewater also has cross-country skiing trails, and for extreme adventurers, local suppliers offer private heli-skiing tours. The Nelson Nordic Ski Club has groomed skate and cross-country ski trails throughout winter that cater to all levels of ability.
Read more about experiencing Nelson in "At Home in Nelson," an article from British Columbia Magazine.
Festivals
The West Kootenay EcoSociety hosts the Cottonwood Farmers Market (Saturdays) throughout the summer, along with the Nelson Downtown Local Market (Wednesdays). They also operate a Fall Fair and Garden Fest in spring.
There are a few music festivals in Nelson and the surrounding area throughout the summer. The Shambhala Music Festival is an electronic music fest that attracts more than 10,000 people each August, and is staged at a rural location about half an hour south (in Salmo). The smaller Starbelly Jam is staged in Crawford Bay, on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake a month earlier, in July.
In winter, Whitewater hosts many events, but most popular is the annual Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest – a celebration of everything to do with backcountry skiing and snowboarding, combined with a photojournalism competition.
Where to Start
Pop in at the Nelson Visitor Centre, close to downtown in the Nelson Chamber of Commerce's Tudor-style building. Get information, maps, recommendations and other advice about what to see in town.
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