Our Four Seasons

Spring is lush and quiet. Summer here sizzles. Autumn, still warm and amazingly colourful, is outright electrified and Wintertime is world class.

Spring

Want some sunshine, but not ready to say so-long to winter? In the valleys, Spring in Nelson Kootenay Lake gets green and mild in a happy hurry. Bring the clubs and bikes. Pack your skis and snowboards and treat yourself to an early-season round of golf at the Balfour Golf Course or Granite Pointe. And don’t forget your shades and sunscreen. The temperature averages 8.3C (46F). We receive a total of 170 mm (6.8 in) of rain and see 643 hours of sunshine. In the nearby mountains, we also average 18.9 cm (8.1 in) of snow, but spring skiing can last well into April, even May.

Summer

Seven days a week, with easily-accessible wilderness literally right out your back door, and outstanding arts, dining and heritage on so many streets, summertime in Nelson Kootenay Lake is like a weekend that never ends. We are graced with 817 hours of sunshine, an average temperature is 18.9C (66F) — but far warmer mid-July through September (closer to 25C/82F). It rains 150 mm (5.8 in), mostly in June.

Fall

Here in Nelson Kootenay Lake, fall can often be confused with summer...September and early October can often feel just like summertime—minus the holidayers, but plus autumn’s brilliant colours. Although there's a big variation from the start of fall to the end, the thermometer reading averages out to 8C (46F). Expect a total of 33 cm (12.6 in) of snow, most of it up high, and 370 hours of sun. That means for those eager to get at it, there can often be some fine early-season skiing before December arrives.

Winter

Snow. Snow. And more snow. Winter here isn’t a season, as much as a celebration. On city streets and local hillsides, look forward to frolicking in 172 cm (64 in) of snow, on average. In the mountains, at the region’s many alpine skiing and snowboarding, cat skiing, heli-skiing and snowmobiling areas, it can snow far, far more. Whitewater enjoys up to 40 feet some seasons! (Over 1,200 centimetres). Winter might be wild, but it’s mild too. The average temperature is just -2.1 (28F), 148 hours of sunshine.