About 10 minutes
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
Two glaciers feeding more than 30 alpine lakes, with trails for every level, excellent fishing and backcountry cross-country skiing.
The Nest Estate · Local guide
Things to do
near Nelson, BC.
Our favourite places around Balfour, Nelson and Kootenay Lake—the beaches, trails, hot springs and restaurants we send our own friends to.
The West Kootenays
A mountain lake town with a silver-rush past.
Nelson grew from an 1890s mining camp into the “Queen City of the Kootenays,” and its restored Victorian storefronts now hold galleries, cafés and some of the best restaurants in British Columbia. Around it, Kootenay Lake stretches 104 kilometres through the mountains—beaches in summer, powder in winter, and hot springs all year.
For events, maps and more to explore across the region, visit our regional tourism partner, Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism.
- 104 km
- Kootenay Lake, set between the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains
- 35 min
- The world's longest free scenic ferry, five minutes from the estate
- 350
- Restored heritage buildings in Nelson, the Queen City of the Kootenays
- 12 m+
- Of powder a season at Whitewater, on the Powder Highway
Parks & adventure
Out the door and into the mountains.
About 5 minutes · Balfour
Kootenay Lake Ferry
The world's longest free scenic vehicle ferry: a 35-minute, year-round crossing to Kootenay Bay. Make a day of the East Shore's shops and cafés in Crawford Bay.
About 15–20 minutes
Ainsworth Hot Springs
Mineral pools and a 150-foot horseshoe cave above the lake. Reservations are required—stay for a meal at the Ktunaxa Grill.
Above Ainsworth
Cody Caves
Guided tours through limestone caves and calcite formations shaped over millions of years. A memorable day for all ages.
Kokanee Creek canyon
Kokanee Mountain Zipline
Six ziplines over the canyon, one of them 2,400 feet long. Reservations recommended.
About 5 minutes
Balfour Golf Course
An 18-hole Les Furber design with lake and mountain views, club and cart rentals—and a clubhouse kitchen that’s now one of the best meals nearby.
Nelson
Pulpit Rock & Flagpole
Nelson's favourite hike: a steady switchback climb to a view over town, with an even bigger panorama if you continue to Flagpole.
Nelson · about 25 minutes
Great Northern Rail Trail
A gentle 48-kilometre former rail line for walking, biking and cross-country skiing, part of the Trans Canada Trail. Nelson also has 270+ km of maintained mountain-bike trails.
Beaches & the lake
Summer days on Kootenay Lake.
About 5–10 minutes
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
Several sandy beaches, a boat launch, and canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals at Friends Beach.
About 15 minutes
Five Mile & Six Mile Beaches
Fine-sand beaches with long sandbars reaching into the lake. Stay close to shore on the spits and follow posted signs.
Nelson
Lakeside Park
Nelson's town beach beside the big orange bridge, with good swimming and non-motorized water-sport rentals.
Balfour & the North Shore
Boats & rentals
Launch at the Balfour public boat launch or Kokanee Park Marina, or rent deck boats, pontoons and more near Ainsworth.
Winter
Deep snow on the Powder Highway.
About 45 minutes
Whitewater Ski Resort
Famous for 12+ metres of powder a year, retro charm, great lodge food and Nordic trails—plus lessons and rentals for the whole family.
Redfish Creek FSR · minutes away
Snowmobiling
More than 100 km of groomed trails maintained by the Nelson SnoGoers, with warming cabins along the way. Sled rentals can be delivered to the chalet.
Markets & provisions
Stock the chalet like a local.
Wednesdays & Saturdays
Nelson Farmers' Market
A 40-year Nelson institution with farmers, bakers, distillers, live music and a changing line-up of food stalls.
Sundays in summer
Harrop–Procter Market
A charming small market at the Red Schoolhouse across the lake—come for the cinnamon buns.
About 30–35 minutes
Kaslo Saturday Market
Food, art and live music in a green park in the heart of Kaslo, every Saturday through the summer.
Balfour · by the ferry
Old World Bakery
Breakfast sandwiches and butterhorns worth an early start—they sell out fast.
Nelson
Totoche
House-cured charcuterie, incredible bread and French specialty products for an evening on the deck.
Balfour & Nelson
Groceries
The Balfour Superette covers the basics nearby; the Kootenay Co-op and Save-On-Foods in Nelson have everything else.
Where we eat
Some of the best food in the Kootenays.
Balfour · at the ferry terminal
The Landing
A new restaurant right at the Kootenay Lake Ferry terminal, five minutes from the estate—perfect before or after a crossing.
About 5 minutes
Balfour Golf Course clubhouse
Tremendous food with lake and mountain views—well worth the trip even if you’re not playing a round.
Ainsworth Hot Springs
Ktunaxa Grill
A fresh, Indigenous-inspired menu—sizzling mussels with bannock, trout, and a breakfast worth the drive.
Nelson
Pitchfork
Farm-to-table brunch and dinner, a local wine list and a lovely patio.
Nelson
Broken Hill
Smokehouse barbecue in a restored heritage building, with 24 rotating taps and over 100 whiskies.
Nelson
Marzano
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and handmade pasta, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Nelson
Louie's Steakhouse
A classic steakhouse with a great ribeye, crab cakes and a deep BC wine list.
Nelson
The Black Cauldron
Charcuterie, cocktails, award-winning burgers and a back patio with fire tables.
Nelson
Yum Son & Busaba
Vietnamese with creative cocktails, and authentic Thai with a small but excellent wine list.
Nelson
Main Street Diner
A Nelson staple since the '80s for halibut fish and chips, Greek fare and halibut chowder.
Kaslo
Kaslo favourites
Breakfast at the Treehouse, from-scratch baking at Bluebell Bistro and award-winning poutine at Chez Serge.
Coffee & a drink
Nelson takes coffee seriously.
Nelson
Oso Negro
Some of BC's best roasted beans, served in a unique Japanese-style garden.
Nelson
No. 6 Coffee & Sidewinders
A boutique roaster's tasting bar, and a family café with a rooftop patio over town.
Nelson
Nelson Brewing & Backroad Brewing
Award-winning organic craft beer since 1991, and a Baker Street taproom with live music and local art.
Nelson
Easy Tiger
A hidden speakeasy in the alley behind Broken Hill—ask there for the password.
The Nest Estate