BULMER'S POINTE . activities

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Pedal through history, on trails, up hills and down mountains. Cycling of all sorts - freeride, cross-country, trail and on-road - can be found throughout West Kootenay. The Kaslo/New Denver area alone is filled with unforgettable destinations that run through and to towns, historic sites, river valleys, hillsides and summits. The Kootenay Rockies' Bike Vacation Guide recommends the following.

For freeriding/downhill:

Idaho Peak's Wakefield Trail and North Ridge
The Monster, near Kaslo
Mineshaft, near Meadow Creek

For cross-country/all-mountain:

Old Sandon/H Road, near New Denver
Buchanan Access Trail, near Kokanee Park
Payne Wagon Road, near Sandon
Wilson Creek Trail, from Rosebery

For rails to trails (along reclaimed railway grades):

K&S Line, from Kaslo to Retallack
Galena Trail, from Rosebery to New Denver
CP Rail Trail, from Rosebery to Upper Arrow Lake

For BMX:

New Denver's Centennial Park has a small stunts and trails course for BMX riders

Route information and maps are available at:

Misty Mountain Organic Bakery and Bike Rentals
520 J Avenue, Kaslo
Call: 250.358.7755

Valhalla Pure
101 Eldorada Street, New Denver
Call: 250.358.7755

Wilds of Canada Cycle
422 – 7th Avenue, New Denver
Call: 250.358.7941
E-mail: wildsofcanada@yahoo.ca

For more information, visit www.BikeKootenayRockies.com.

Fishing

Kootenay Lake is a fishing paradise: Kokanee salmon (inland sockeye), sturgeon and hard-fighting Dolly Varden and Gerrard Rainbow trout. It's not uncommon to land Gerrard Rainbows that tip the scales at nine kilograms (20 pounds) or more and deliver lots of action: aerials and long, hard runs.

Explore on your own or with one of several local charters, including:

Split-Shot Charters, Balfour
Tackle, rod and humour included in every charter; accommodation available.
Call: 1.877.368.3474
E-mail: CaptainMike@split-shot.com
Visit: www.slipt-shot.com

Magic Charters Ltd., Ainsworth
Call: 1.877.353.7717 or 250.551.6448
E-mail: woodburyresort@netidea.com
Visit: www.woodburyresort.com

Kootenay Kingfisher Guiding Services, Nakusp
Fully guided day trips as well as all inclusive packages including lodging, incredible meals and licenses.
Call: 1.800.838.5269 or 250.265.4199
E-mail: info@kootenayKingfisher.com
Visit: www.kootenayKingfisher.com

Reel Adventures Fishing Charters, Nelson
Call: 250.505.4963
E-mail: go-fish@shaw.ca
Visit: www.reeladventuresfishing.com

Windsurfing

The narrow Kootenay Lake Valley is ideal for windsurfing. Beachstart right from Bulmer's Creek or get under-way at any of the numerous marina and launches up and down this 144-kilometre long lake. A narrow section on the west arm of the lake near Nelson is known for its boiling water.

Golf

Golf is glorious in the Kootenay Lake Valley. Choose from relaxed nine hole courses to championship 18-hole courses, all with fabulous mountain backdrops and their own risks and rewards. Among the courses near Bulmer's Pointe are:

Kokanee Springs Golf Resort, Crawford Bay
A beautiful championship 18-hole course south of Bulmer's Pointe. Casual atmosphere with full-service clubhouse, pro-shop, full practice facilities, cart and club rentals.
Call: 1.800.979.7999 or 250.227.9226
E-mail: info@kokaneesprings.com
Visit: www.kokaneesprings.com

Balfour Golf Course, Balfour
A prestigious 18-hole Les Furber designed facility complete with a driving range, putting green, a full fleet of rental carts and a new first-class clubhouse. Front nine is carved neatly through a forested region with sand and water hazards, and the back nine uses the mountains to provide elevation from tee to green.
Call: 250.229.5655
E-mail: proshop@golfbalfour.com
Visit: www.golfbalfour.com

Kaslo Golf & Country Club, Kaslo
A nine-hole course with the meticulous greens and fairways. More than 80 years of grooming and care have gone into this public course. Located on Oak Avenue; reasonable rates accommodate players and groups of all ages.
Call: 250.366.2262

Riondel Golf Course, Galena Wharf
A perfectly maintained nine-hole course with a relaxed atmosphere and unique challenges for every golfer. Season's passes, bulk passes, club and cart rentals are available. The course is open from mid April to October, and is just 10 minutes from the Kootenay Lake ferry.
Call: 250.225.3584
E-mail: riondelgolf@telus.net

Granite Point at Nelson
Great golf, great value. This Bill Newis-overhauled course overlooks Nelson, one of Canada's most celebrated mountain cities. Splendid views of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park and hilly terrain featuring a number of risk-reward holes requiring precise shot-making.
Call: 250. 352.5913
E-mail: golf@granitepointe.ca
Visit: www.granitepointe.ca

For more information about golfing in West Kootenay or a copy of the 2007 Golf Vacation Guide, call 1.800.661.6603 or visit www.kootenayrockies.com.

Hiking

Mid-July to mid-October is prime hiking season in the West Kootenays. Day hikes are numerous and more demanding distances are easily found in any number of parks and wilderness areas in the surrounding Monashee, Slocan and Selkirk ranges in the Columbia and Purcell Mountain. Many trails are along old mining or logging roads and are dotted with crumbling cabins and equipment. Popular West Kootenay destinations include:

Earl Grey Pass Trail
This vast, fascinating and wild trail named for Earl Grey, Canada's General Governor from 1904 to 1911, covers the entire northern tip of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. It extends about 61 kilometres from near the town of Argenta on Highway 31 to Toby Creek, north of Invermere off Highway 93. Only the most seasoned backcountry hikers should attempt the entire route; several attractions and destinations along the trail make it ideal for shorter hikes. Visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/purcell.html for maps, detailed descriptions and tips.

Fry Creek Canyon
Another spectacular through into the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, this old mining trail winds for 12 kilometres up the steep walls of the Fry Creek Canyon. Trail conditions are demanding, but the views, forests and untouched beauty in this area are worth the visit. The trailhead is at Johnston's Landing, near Bulmer's Pointe. Visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/purcell.html for maps, detailed descriptions and tips.

Slocan Chief Cabin/Kaslo Lake
A well-travelled trail in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. The route is moderately difficult and covers nine kilometres (5.6 miles) but travellers are treated to views of the Kokanee Glacier, Sunset Pass and Joker Lakes.

Beatrice Lakes
A moderate trail that begins climbs a 1,000 metres over 12 kilometres through the incredible Slocan Lake valley to the shore of Beatrice Lakes in Vahalla Provincial Park.

Three companies offer heli-hiking excursions from Revelstoke:

Canadian Mountain Holidays
Call: 1.800.661.0252 or 403.762.7100
e-mail: info@cmhinc.com
Visit: www.cmhhike.com

Heli Canada Adventures
Call: 1.888.837.5417 or 250.837.5417
E-mail: info@helicanada.com
Visit: www.helicanada.com

Selkirk Experience
Call: 250.837.2381
E-mail: info@selkirkexperience.com
Visit: www.selkirkexperience.com

Top Down Tours
Call: 250.353.7347
E-mail: topdowntours@yahoo.ca
Visit: www.jeephikekootenays.com

Also see Kathy Copeland's guidebooks Don't Waste Your Time in the Kootenays: The Opinionated Guide and Where Locals Hike in the West Kootenay: Premier Trails in S.E. British Columbia near Nelson & Kaslo.

Kayaking, Canoeing & Rafting

Kayaking, canoeing and rafting possibilities are almost endless in the West Kootenays, where the water goes from mild to wild, depending on your destination, abilities and interests. Choose from easy shore hugging routes along the Kootenay Lake's shores or notch up the adventure with trips down Slocan River, Koch Creek, Lardeau River or Wilson Creek.

Abundant scenery and wildlife are always just a glance away.

For guiding and condition information, and/or equipment rentals, visit:

Skiing & Boarding

A snowy paradise in winter, West Kootenay offers some of the world finest backcountry skiing and boarding most of which can only be reaching by helicopter or snowcat. The area is renowned for its heavy snowfall, brilliant blue skies and luxurious mountain accommodations and service. Untracked powder, deep alpine bowls, pillow fields, old growth trees await. Here are just a few of the places you'll find it:

Ski Resorts

Whitewater Winter Resort
This reliable and friendly Nelson ski resort was established more than 70 years ago. Whitewater has more than 25 runs and receives about 10 metres (39 feet) of snow every season. Base elevation is 1,640 metres (5,400 feet) and runs include steeps, deeps, chutes, bowls, groomed cruiser and gentle rollers. Nordic and backcountry skiing also offered.
Call: 1.800.666.9420 or 250.354.4944
E-mail: info@whitewater.com
Visit: www.skiwhitewater.com

Red Mountain, Rossland
Ski Canada describes Red Mountain as “heaven for experts.” The runs don't stop at the traditional black-diamond rating: more than 25 runs are signed as “extreme caution.” Beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders will also find lots of terrain at this 585-hectare (1,200-acre) resort only 10 minutes north of the U.S./Canada border. Rossland also offers a variety of accommodation and a number of great restaurants and shops.
Call: 1.800.663.0105 or (reservations) 1.877.969.7669
Visit: www.redresort.com

Heli Skiing

Stellar Heliskiing
Stellar Heliskiing is located at the north end of Kootenay Lake, nestled high on the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. Stellar Heliskiing has opened a wonderland of big-mountain terrain for your heli skiing and snowboarding pleasure. Rugged, magnificent peaks cleft a jagged skyline above the glacial lake, and it's all within reach of our A-star helicopter. Choose from daily, weekend or multi day heliskiing packages to create the heliskiing adventure that's perfect for you.
Call: 250.366.0067
E-mail: info@stellarheliskiing.com
Visit: www.stellarheliskiing.com

Canadian Mountain Holidays
Forty years of experience come together at Canadian Mountain Holidays to create a ski experience that is truly world class. CMH offer numerous skiing and boarding destinations and packages throughout southeast B.C.
Call: 1.800.661.0252 or 403.762.7100
E-mail: info@cmhinc.com
Visit: www.cmhhike.com

Heli Canada Adventures
Powder ski, board and snowshoe touring packages take backcountry explorers deep into mountain ranges and parks with knowledgeable guides.
Call: 1.888.837.5417 or 250.837.5417
E-mail: info@helicanada.com
Visit: www.helicanada.com

Snowcat Skiing

Selkirk Wilderness Skiing
Based in nearby Meadow Creek, Selkirk Wilderness Skiing offer exclusive snowcat access to legendary powder terrain. This is the skiing and riding you've been dreaming of, made true by billowy deep, dry powder (up to 10 metres or 400 inches annually) and vast untracked and wide-open bowls. You'll ski or ride up to 5,600 metres (18,000 feet) of fresh vertical per day with typical runs between 465 and 1,240 metres (1,500 and 4,000 feet).
Call: 1.800.799.3499
E-mail: info@selkirkwilderness.com
Visit: www.selkirkwilderness.com

Baldface Lodge
With an annual snow fall of nearly 13 metres (42 feet), waking up to knee-deep powder is regularly expected - and celebrated - at Baldface Lodge, a five-minute helicopter ride from Nelson. Steep and deep skiing and boarding isn't just promised - it's delivered on 5,454 vertical metres (18,000 vertical feet). Baldface embraces guests in family warmth and surrounds them in luxurious alpine accommodations. Trips are renowned for gourmet food, spectacular views, and of course enough snow to make you grin for weeks. Call: 250.352.0006
E-mail: info@baldface.net
Visit: www.baldface.net

Highland Powder Skiing Ltd.
Snowcat skiing on 6,880 hectares (17,000 acres) of deep powder in Bad Shot range of the Selkirk Mountains. Highland boasts a new post and beam lodge and vertical runs of 255 to 1,020 vertical metres (1,000 to 4,000 vertical feet).
Call: 250.366.4260
E-mail: rkgreenlaw@look.ca
Visit: www.highlandpowderskiing.com

Valhalla Powdercats
Valhalla Powdercats offers big country: its terrain is six times the size of Whistler and Blackcomb combined. This heli-service caters to strong skiers and boarders with a passion for deep snow and challenging runs.
Call: 1.888.352.7656
E-mail: info@valhallapow.com
Visit: www.valhallapow.com

White Grizzly Cat Skiing
Ski to the edge of gravity with Meadow Creek-based White Grizzly Cat Skiing. With the firm belief that “hibernation is for wimps,” White Grizzly delivers 40 degree pitches and 1,000-metre (3,200 feet) runs on some 25 square kilometres (8,000 acres) of terrain in the Selkirk Mountains' Goat Range. Owners Carol and Brad Karafil share their passion for the outdoors and steep and deep powder skiing with just 12 people or fewer a day. Guests can expect to be treated to the highest level of service at every turn.
Call: 1.800.843.5557
E-mail: snowcats@direct.ca
Visit: www.whitegrizzly.com

Relax

Revel in the warmth, comfort and soothing waters of the Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort. These natural mineral springs, which are cooled to a comfortable 42° C 114° F can be experienced two ways: outside against the backdrop of nearby mountains and inside in natural caves. Plus there's a bracing cold water plunge. Chill out, warm up or take it easy any time of the year. Fine dining is also offered.
Call: 250.229.4212
E-mail: info@hotnaturally.com
Visit: www.hotnaturally.com

Explore

Cody Caves Provincial Park at Ainsworth is a true subterranean wonder; caves are filled with stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, waterfalls, an underground stream and eons-old limestone. A variety of spelunking (cave exploring) tours are available. Children must be 5 and up for family tours and 13 and up for adventures tours. Guides are required for all cave tours.
Call: 250.353.7364
E-mail: caves@netidea.com
Visit:www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore