Kaslo + Area

Over a century ago, it was the heart of the gold, silver and lead boom that built this rugged region of British Columbia. Today, Kaslo is coveted for its picture-perfect location, international-calibre backcountry and history that once made a very big splash…

Surrounded by four provincial parks, with a population of just 1,000 residents, Kaslo’s four-season allure is all about its landscape, history and distinct cultural celebrations.

The village’s heritage-rich main street takes you back to small-town shopping the way it used to be, with smiling faces behind the counters of long-time local shops, eateries, galleries, and a number of artisan studios. Kaslo’s claim to heritage fame is two-fold. Both the 162-foot S.S Moyie—the world’s oldest intact sternwheeler —and the Village Hall are National Heritage Sites. Along with the Langham Cultural Centre many of the community’s Victorian storefronts are beautifully restored.

The village’s frontiersman spirit roars loudest and proudest during Kaslo May Days and Logger Sports, followed by the world-renowned Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival and one of North America’s newest adventure-sport showdowns – the Kaslo Suffer Fest.

For those looking for a leisurely pace, there is lakeside camping, mountain retreats, easy lake kayaking and safe, scenic mountainside drives for RVers and motorcyclists alike, plus sport fishing, with charters and houseboats always available.

At Kootenay Lake’s northernmost end, the nearby Lardeau Valley and the community of Meadow Creek are the birthplaces of cat-skiing, and home to some of the planet’s best heli-skiing and snowmobiling.

Jumbo Pass, Trout Lake and the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy offer unique wildlife watching, for grizzlies and spawning Gerrard and Kokanee Salmon.