Nelson travel guide

Beautifully situated on Kootenay Lake in a natural amphitheatre of rolling hills, Nelson is the obvious hub of the West Kootenays and arguably the most interesting small town in BC. The focal point for dozens of small communities scattered through the surrounding valleys, it caters to a large population without having to house or employ it, thus combining the positive facilities of a big town with the charm and friendliness of a small one. In particular, Nelson has a good range of quality restaurants, live music venues, cafés and craft shops. Benefiting from the creativity of the many satellite villages, it is one of the best small arts towns in the country.

Nelson has many faces: arts town, cultural oasis, well-preserved historical relic. It’s also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with a ski hill down the road, backcountry skiing and hiking in the surrounding mountains, paddling and fishing in many local lakes and rivers, and a whole network of trails famous in mountain bike circles. This is also a magnet for all kinds of alternative types who hang out around the Kootenay Co-op and Oso Negro, playing drums and guitars.