Nelson
Contributed
Nelson is a relatively small city but has a big personality. With a population of 9,752, it's situated on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains. The town is famous for its alpine and nordic skiing, cat skiing, mountain biking, hiking, boating and golf, and for an incredibly active arts and culture scene in the Kootenay Rockies. Home to an eclectic mix of old Nelson families, urban refugees, Vietnam draft dodgers and hippies, this off-beat Victorian town also boasts hundreds of well-preserved heritage buildings, a number of exceptional restaurants, bustling coffee shops and sidewalk cafes. Downtown is compact, walkable, and packed with unique, boutique style stores that reflect the diversity of the community. Within just a few blocks, you'll 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 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 and cycling, hiking 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 has gained worldwide recognition. 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, including Peak Freaks Expeditions, offer private heli-skiing tours.
Festivals
In the spring, the West Kootenay EcoSociety, which operates the Cottonwood Farmers Market throughout the summer, hosts a colourful Garden Festival on Baker Street. This is typically held in the first weeks of May. While there are no summer festivals in Nelson itself, there are some not far from town. The Shambhala Music Festival, which attracts more than 10,000 people annually, is staged at a rural location about half an hour south. In early August, Nelson sees an influx of dreadlocks en route to and from the festival. 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 the annual Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Fest – a celebration of everything to do with backcountry skiing and snowboarding, combined with an intense photojournalism competition.
Where to Start
Pop in at the Nelson Visitor Centre located at 225 Hall Street just close to downtown and in the Nelson Chamber of Commerce's Tudor-style building. Get information, maps, recommendations and other advice about what to see in town.