Family

From toddler to teen, a holiday to Nelson Kootenay Lake is a family affair.

With parks, indoor attractions, programs and all sorts of amenities specifically tailored to families, this is a holiday destination where children can safely adventure and experience a vacation like they’ve never had before.

Mom and Dad can let their inner kid run free too.

There are a number of well-maintained, wide-open green spaces in the region, including Nelson’s Lakeside Park, Lions Park and Gyro Park, and Kaslo’s Waterfront Trail Regional Park.

During the summer, there’s a great beach and buoyed swimming area at Lakeside, plus the city’s biggest playground, a food kiosk, picnic areas and lit tennis courts. There are water parks and wading pools at Lions and Gyro. Kaslo has the area’s biggest outdoor skateboard park. The Nelson and District Youth Centre has indoor skateboarding and BMXing year ‘round.

During the winter, Lions Park is home to the city’s outdoor ice rink. There are indoor rinks at the Nelson and District Community Complex and the Nelson Civic Centre, and indoor soccer at the Soccer Quest facility.

For BMXers and mountain bikers, there are bike parks in Nelson’s Rosemount neighbourhood, in Kaslo, Bonnington and Harrop/Procter. Nelson’s Mountain Station riding area has well-marked trails for every level of rider, and maps are available for all the region’s mountain biking and rail-to-trail routes at local bike stores and Visitor Information Centres.

The Nelson and District Community Complex offers a pool, diving tank and wading pool, and during the mornings, child care, so parents and teens can enjoy a workout.

Kids’ ski courses are offered at Whitewater Resort throughout the winter, and at the Gravity Climbing Centre.

And culturally, there are summer art and film schools offered through Kootenay School Of The Arts, along with a number of day and week-long classes provided through Nelson and District Recreation.