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"This is so much more than we had anticipated. We came for only one night and ended up staying for 3. We will definitely be back to the Mountain Hound Inn!!"
Doug & Norma-Jean MacKae Calgary Alberta
"Comfort, cleanliness and convenience. All is so important! These are the most comfortable beds. They even have great pillows! The staff is #1, always so helpful."
Marion Greenan
Calgary Alberta
About Nelson:
Voted as one of the top ten small art towns in North America, the historic mountain Mecca of Nelson offers countless activities and experiences for everyone from families to businesspeople to extreme sport enthusiasts.
Arts and Culture:
Nelson has numerous galleries and boutiques brimming with local talent. Every summer Nelson's Art Walk invites locals and visitors alike to stroll the downtown and review the very best in local artists and craftspeople.
Check out: the Craft Connection, Mermaid Gallery, Serendipity and Nelson's new Museum and Art Gallery situated in the old City Hall building on the corner of Vernon and Ward streets.
Wine and Dine:
Nelson's restaurants are famous for their superb cuisine and diversity. Few small cities in Canada can boast the selection of great eateries found in Nelson. From authentic Mexican and East Indian to sublime Sushi, Chinese and Greek, there are enough tapas bars, pubs, healthy take-outs and 4-star restaurants to make every night a different and supremely enjoyable culinary adventure.
Check out: All Seasons Café, Main Street Diner, Fusion, Jacksons Hole, DJ's Deli, New China, the Outer Clove Red Fish Grill and Mazatlan to name only a few.
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Nightlife:
In short, Nelson rocks! Numerous live venues offer a mix of music from House, Folk, Jazz and Rock. Shake it up on the dance floor or watch the game or for a cultural treat, there are numerous theatrical offerings from out-door theatre, back alley thespians or take in a night at the historically spectacular Capitol Theatre. You can even check out the latest release at the local movie theatre.
Check out: Club 182, Findley's Irish Pub, the Royal, Spirit Bar, the Library Lounge and the Capitol Theatre
Shopping:
No visit to Nelson is complete without a stroll down historic Baker Street. Nelson's shops are as diverse and interesting as its people. Small boutiques pepper the street with unique offerings and marvelous wares. Choose from eclectic fashions, exotic furnishings and charming gifts. Adventure enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous outdoor gear stores.
Check out: ROAM Shop, Valhalla Pure, Central Bark, Cottonwood Kitchens, Hemp & Co., Kootenai Moon, Pixie Candy Shop, Snowpack, Abacus Beads and the Kootenai Clothing Co.
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History:
Nelson is imbued with a cultural history that is evident the moment you arrive. Classic turn of the century buildings line every street and invoke a bygone era of architectural detail not found anywhere else in Canada. Be sure to drop by the Visitors Bureau for a map of Nelson's historic walking or driving tours or explore its charming homes and buildings on your own.
Check out: Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Centre, Nelson Mining Museum, Nelson Museum and Art Gallery
Activities ::
Summer
If you though winters in Nelson were full of adventure opportunities, be sure to be here when the snow goes and local life comes into full bloom.
Mountain Biking:
Nelson is famous for its freeride mountain biking. Featured in many international mountain bike videos, the local trail network is worth a visit on its own. From steep and stunted fall-line riding to the gentle slopes of the old rail bed, Nelson is the epicenter of West Kootenay riding.
Check out: Nelson Cycling Club, Gericks Cycle and Sport, the Sacred Ride and Boomtown Sports
Road Biking:
If Nelson's trail system is too hardcore for your tastes, or if you prefer the smooth groove of highway and backroad riding, there are countless scenic tours along Kootenay Lake to Balfour and Kaslo, up the Slocan Valley and south to Salmo.
Check out: Sacred Ride, Gerricks and the Silvery Slocan Tour
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Fishing:
Kootenay Lake boasts some of the best fishing around with the famous Gerrard Rainbow trout to 25lbs, Dolley Varden and the Kokanee, a land-locked (and delectable) salmon. Guided fishing charters are available on the lake and on the Columbia River west of Nelson. There are also many alpine lake fishing opportunities for rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Check out: Split Shot Charters
Boating:
Sea Kayak, canoe and motorized boat rentals are available for those with a penchant for aquatic adventures. Tours are available or set out on your own to explore the pristine shoreline of Kootenay Lake or paddle the fun and scenic Slocan River.
Check out: Kootenay Kayak Company, Wildways
Golfing:
Spend an afternoon on the links or plan an entire vacation around the golfing opportunities in and around Nelson. The Granite Pointe Golf Club is a challenging 18-hole course perched above Nelson with incredible views of the town and surrounding peaks. Many more courses are accessible within an hour's drive of downtown Nelson.
Check out: Granite Pointe, Balfour, Kokanee Springs, Castlegar G&CC, Birchwood
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Hiking:
One of the best ways to explore Nelson's stunning surroundings is on foot. Hiking trails crisscross the landscape with alpine routes in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park and lower level trails along the Kootenay River. For those seeking a less exhilarating experience, a walk along Nelson's waterfront or a short hike up Pulpit Rock is always an option.
Check out: Nelson and Area Trails Association
Wildlife:
You don't have to travel far to see the wild and reclusive co-inhabitants of the West Kootenays. Deer are a common site in and around town, elk, moose and the endangered Mountain Caribou all call this area home. You can also spot eagles and osprey nesting along the river's edge. The back country is home to black and grizzly bear, cougars, wolf and even wolverine. Late summer sees the annual spawning run of the Kokanee Salmon on many small rivers in the region.
Check out: Kokanee Creek Park
Winter
Nelson embraces winter's bounty of deep and light powder snow like no other community. Many locals adhere to the 20cm rule (if it snows 20cm or more, you will find them on the ski hill - but don't worry, we'll be here for you!) If you're planning a visit to Nelson from November to April, pack your skis or snowboard and plan for a day on the slopes - you'll be glad you did.
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Alpine Skiing and Boarding:
Whitewater Ski and Winter Resort is Nelson's local ski hill. With regular dumps of 20cm (8 inches) or more of fresh, light powder, few lift lines and one of the best on-mountain restaurants anywhere, you will soon discover why Nelson's Whitewater was chosen as one of the best powder destinations in Western North America.
Check out: Whitewater Resort, Red Mountain in Rossland
Snowmobiling:
For the adventurous crew who are seeking a backcountry romp with a little more horsepower, Nelson offers mountains of sledding terrain all easily accessible from numerous logging and forestry service roads. Drop by the local snowmobile shops for the latest conditions and best places to explore.
Check out: KMA, Kootenay Sleds and Wheels, Main Jet Performance
Cat and Back Country Skiing:
The Purcell and Selkirk Mountains that surround Nelson are home to some of the best back country and Cat skiing opportunities in North America. With regular accumulated snowfalls in excess of 4 metres (14 feet), you will discover why Nelson is the chosen destination for countless ardent powder hounds from Europe, Asia, the USA and Canada.
Check out: Baldface Lodge, SnowWater Heli Skiing, Valhalla Powdercats, Wildhorse Cat Skiing, Deep Lines Guiding Services
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Nordic Skiing:
Nelson offers 3 main options for the Nordic skiing enthusiast. Apex-Busk just 10 minutes south of Nelson on Highway 6 provides lit and groomed tracks for day and night skiing, Whitewater has its own network of X-country trails or you can simply strap on your skis and hit the Burlington Northern Rail corridor at the top of town for a linear track along the old rail bed.
Check out: Whitewater Resort, Nelson Nordic Ski Club
Ice Sports:
Nelson's newly opened recreation centre houses the newest rink in the Kootenays and its proximity to the Aquatic Centre means you can enjoy a skate and then kick back in the sauna or hot tub or workout in the weight room. Nelson also has a curling rink and hosts the annual Summer Bonspiel, drawing curlers from across Western Canada and the USA.