Is Nelson the ultimate hub for adventure?
Situated in the Selkirk mountains and sitting snug along the shoreline of the majestic Kootenay Lake, Nelson is not a town you easily stumble across. It’s somewhere you have to seek out. Somewhere you’re only going to know about if you move in the right circles or if you’re on the look out for adventure.
In the summertime, there’s world-class mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and climbing right on our doorstep. Zip-lining, whitewater rafting, sailing, caving… the list goes on. And in the winter, Nelson is right in the middle of the Powder Highway. A plethora of incredible backcountry skiing, heli ski operations, wilderness lodges and downhill ski areas surround our beautiful little city. Not to mention the other pursuits available with cross-country skiing, ice-skating, fat tire biking and snowshoeing.
Adventure comes in many guises. Maybe you’re a weekend warrior looking for high-adrenaline thrills and spills. Maybe you’re a dedicated explorer, looking to find the secret spots and powder stashes that no-one else knows about. Or maybe you’re an adventurous soul, branching out on a solo trip, looking to meet new people. No matter what type of adventurer you are, there are some key aspects which can make or break your day of exploration.
First things first: planning.
If you’re thinking about heading out for a day in the backcountry, or even a day at a new ski area, I like to gather my group together, take a look at some maps and make a plan. It’s good to do this in a place with some nice big tables that you can gather around. Your kitchen table might be a good option, but bars also have beer, so they’re good spots too. I find that the booths in Uptown Sports Bar are the perfect size for this activity. Plus, once you’ve made a plan and enjoyed some snacks and brews, there’s often some great skiing or ice hockey to watch on the big screens.
The second aspect of a great day for me, is coffee.
I’m making a generalisation here, but I think adventurers tend to like early mornings. Driving onto the dirt track as the sun rises, or being the first to break trail is a thrill. Caffeine is a big part of that for me, so I’m always on the lookout for places which open early enough for me to grab a coffee before I head out for the day. Empire Coffee opens at 6am every single day and has some of the best coffee in town. A flurry of people in technical outerwear can be seen popping in and out before 7am most mornings. It’s a great place to meet other people heading off on adventures for the day.
Once you’ve had your fill of exploring and pow slashing; whether you’ve made a new friend on the chairlift or added a couple of first descents to your list, the last thing to complete a perfect day, is to decompress and get some sleep.
There have been numerous times when I’ve headed off on a weekend adventure and ended up crashing on a buddy’s sofa. Or I’ve landed in a lumpy hostel bunk bed and struggled to sleep as a drunk person snores right next to me. Or our whole group have tried to squeeze into a ‘6 person airbnb’ which ended up being a studio apartment with a hammock and a pull out armchair. Finding a fun and affordable spot to stay, where you’re going to get a good night of sleep and where you’re likely to find other people in your ‘tribe’, is key to making a good trip a great one.
Aptly named, The Adventure Hotel is the perfect spot for anyone coming to Nelson, looking for a place to rest their head after a day packed full of adventure.
Written by Bex Dawkes Cover photo by Dave Heath
The Adventure Hotel offers a variety of room types, catering for large groups to solo travellers. With an on-site bar, restaurant, coffee shop and liquor store, along with several communal spaces, including a rooftop patio, it’s the perfect base for anyone seeking out some Kootenay Adventures. To plan your trip, visit www.adventurehotel.ca