: Nelson Nordic Ski Club. Photo by Steve Ogle. Cross Country Skiing in BC
Welcome to the cross country skiing trails in the Nelson & Kootenay Lake region! They are our lil' secret, but growing and evolving, and we are thrilled to share them with you. Nordic trails include groomed and ungroomed tracks, and both skate and classic. We hope you enjoy your stay, and your ski.
Kaslo Cross Country Skiing Trails
Kaslo Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) provides “classic” cross country ski trail grooming and track-setting along a section of the scenic Historic Kaslo to Sandon Wagon Road Trail. Parking is 6.5km west of Kaslo alongside Hwy 31A. Skiing is by donation or you can purchase a KNSC membership.
Two day-use warmup cabins (Moose Meadow and Yew) along the track-set Nordic Ski Trail and the Wilderness Route day-use Bucky Cabin are great winter destinations for families and nordic ski adventurers. The KNSC Adventure Playspace Rollers and trail at the Moose Meadow Nordic Ski Teaching Arena are fun for all ages.
Dogs are welcome on-leash and off-leash on designated trails. Fun and scenic snowshoeing, hiking and dog walking trails abound in the True Blue Rec Area, the Mount Buchanan Rec Area, and the Kaslo River Trails Area.
The Kaslo Adventure Centre rents cross country ski equipment and snowshoes, and sells ski wax, winter recreation equipment and clothing.
After a ski, or quiet stroll, spend the night and take in one of the galleries/museums, live entertainment at the Langham or at one of the restaurants, and enjoy the dining and beer at the award winning Angry Hen Brewery. Kaslo may look sleepy on the outside, but it's a happening place on the inside.
There are plenty of places to rest your head in the Kaslo area after a full day of xc skiing.
Some places even have winter specials - check them out!
Nelson Cross Country Skiing Trails
The Nelson Nordic Ski Club (NNSC) is Nelson's cross-country skiing hub. Just 10 minutes south of Nelson, it offers more than 25 km of groomed trails for both skate skiers and classic skiers, from beginner to expert level. Facilities include multiple warming huts, washrooms, and a lit loop for night skiing. View Trail Map here. Regular updates on conditions and events are available on their Facebook or website, as well as this new tool, created by local tech company Nordic Pulse. See the full up-to-date grooming report by clicking the button below. Very cool!
Another Nelson option, to get out and experience the winter trails, is the dog-friendly Great Northern Rail Trail. A former Canadian Pacific Railway line, this wonderful section of The Great Trail is a designated park with gorgeous refurbished trestle bridges. Occasionally, the several kilometres between Cottonwood Lake and Nelson are groomed for classic skiing. Access is just a 10 minute walk from downtown Nelson.
For questions about Nelson trails, conditions, or rentals, talk to the friendly staff at Gerick Cycle and Ski on Baker Street in Nelson.
Balfour
On the Balfour Golf & Recreation property, you can experience cross country skiing, winter walking, tobogganing, and snowshoeing. Dogs are welcome, but please bring a bag to pick up after your pets. Balfour Golf & Recreation has taken on a significant increase to its annual insurance premium and has introduced a Winter Recreation Pass that will help support them. The pass will be a $50 per household purchase and will ensure continued use to facilitate winter recreation. Click here to learn more.
Crawford Bay
Kokanee Springs Resort fairways are open to the public throughout the winter to xc ski or snowshoe. Tracks are set from time to time, but if not, make your own tracks and adventure across the snowy fairways. You'll love the fresh air, open space and scenic mountain peaks.
Whitewater Ski Resort
10 minutes east, up the mountain, from the Nelson Nordic Ski Club is Whitewater Ski Resort Nordic Trails. They have 5 km of groomed and track-set cross-country skiing trails with spectacular views of Ymir peak. These trails are known to be hilly, but many love them for the incredible views and immersing you right into the snowy wilderness.
The multi-use trails can also be used for snowshoeing, dog walking, and fat biking. Visit the Whitewater website for a trail map.
The resort is open from 9am to 3:30pm daily throughout the ski season. Cross-country skis and snowshoes can be rented at the lodge.
KootenayXC - Travel the Region and Ski
7 towns. 300+km groomed trails. Endless wild trails. Kootenay Culture.
Pack the car and hit the road for a Kootenay XC adventure! #KootenayXC
Safety First
Before venturing into the mountains be sure to check Avalanche Canada and DriveBC for snow conditions. There are lots of backcountry and avalanche awareness courses available and local guides to help make your trip as enjoyable and safe as possible.
The Region
TRAVEL BOOK
Read our visitors guide online or order a copy of the official visitor's guide and map for our region.
