Recreation

Hiking and Biking

The best nearby hiking is in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park [1], but the bed of the Burlington Northern Railway, built in 1893, provides an interesting nine-kilometer trek right on Nelson [2]’s back doorstep. Access the railway from the top end of South Cherry Street.

The many old logging and mining roads surrounding the city are great for mountain biking; one favorite is the Svoboda Bike Trail, accessed along Elwyn Street beyond the college. For bike rentals and a trail map, head to Gerick Cycle and Sports (702 Baker St., 250/354-4622).

Skiing and Snowboarding

Legendary powder and an off-the-beaten-path location makes Whitewater Winter Resort (250/354-4944 or 800/666-9420, www.skiwhitewater.com [3]) a hidden gem. The small resort 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Nelson sits beneath a string of 2,400-meter (7,900-foot) peaks that catch an amazing amount of snow. Three double chairlifts access 18 marked trails (the Summit Chair opens up the best powder-packed slopes). The area’s abundant snowfall makes for a long season, but conditions are best in February and March.

Whitewater has no on-mountain accommodations—just the lifts and a day lodge with a cafeteria, rental shop, and ski/snowboard school. Lift tickets are adult $57, senior and youth $46.