About 7–8 hours
Calgary & southern Alberta
Head west through the Crowsnest Pass and Cranbrook toward the West Kootenays and Nelson.
Getting here
Remote,
not unreachable.
A scenic drive from Alberta or Washington, or a short flight from Vancouver—then the last winding miles along Kootenay Lake to your private chalet.
- ~1 h
- Flight from Vancouver to Castlegar (West Kootenay Regional Airport)
- 3.5–4 h
- Drive from Spokane, Washington
- 7–8 h
- Drive from Calgary, Alberta
- 20–25 min
- From Nelson to the estate along the lake
From Alberta
The great Crowsnest drive.
From Calgary it’s roughly seven to eight hours west through the Rockies—a road trip worth taking, and the easiest way to bring skis, sleds and the whole crew.
Via the Kootenay Lake Ferry
The scenic finish
From Creston you can follow the lake’s East Shore to Kootenay Bay and ride the free ferry to Balfour—five minutes from the estate.
Eagles Nest
Bring the toys
Parking right by the chalet for trucks, trailers, sleds and boats.
From Washington
Closer than you think.
Spokane is the nearest major city—an easy drive north into British Columbia. Our prices are in Canadian dollars, so US guests often find their money goes further.
About 3.5–4 hours
Spokane & Coeur d’Alene
Drive north to the Nelway border crossing, then on to Nelson. Allow extra time for the border.
Plan ahead
Border hours
The Nelway crossing keeps reduced daytime hours—check CBSA and US CBP times before you go. Bring passports for everyone.
Spokane International
Flying in
Fly into Spokane from Seattle and across the US, then drive or take the regional Spokane–Nelson shuttle.
From Vancouver
An hour in the air.
The quickest way from the coast: a daily flight to Castlegar, then a short, beautiful drive to the lake.
About 1 hour 15 minutes
Fly YVR to Castlegar
Air Canada flies daily from Vancouver to West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG). Rent a car at the airport—about an hour to the estate.
About 7.5–8 hours
Drive the Crowsnest Highway
A full day through the Okanagan and Boundary Country, with wineries and lakes along the way.
Castlegar flights
Mountain weather
Castlegar’s mountain approach means occasional weather delays in winter—build a little flexibility into your plans.
Winter travel
Arriving in snow season.
Required by law
Winter tires
Winter tires are required on most BC highways through the winter months. Four-wheel drive isn’t needed to reach the estate.
DriveBC
Road conditions
Check DriveBC before you set out, especially over the mountain passes.
Self check-in
Arrive any time after 4 pm
Keyless entry means no rush—take your time on the road and arrive when it suits you.
Good to know
Questions, answered.
What’s the closest airport?
West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar (YCG), with daily Air Canada flights from Vancouver. It’s about an hour’s drive to the estate. Spokane International (GEG) is about 3.5–4 hours away by car.
How long is the drive from Calgary?
Roughly seven to eight hours, depending on the route and road conditions.
Do US guests need a passport?
Yes. Everyone crossing the border needs a valid passport or other accepted travel document.
Are prices in Canadian or US dollars?
All prices are in Canadian dollars.
Do we need four-wheel drive in winter?
No. Winter tires are required by law on BC highways in winter, but four-wheel drive isn’t needed.
The Nest Estate
The journey ends
at the lake.
Check in from 4 pm with keyless entry, then unwind with the mountains in view.
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