Lakeside Nelson is the basecamp for Whitewater Ski Resort, one of best ski alpine resorts on the Powder Highway. Located on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, Nelson reigns as a mountain city exuding an electrifying urban vibe. Renowned for its warm embrace, a variety of thrilling outdoor escapades and a remarkable collection of incredible dining options. It is superb destination for an unforgettable 72 hours with your family.

DAY 1

• A great way to kick off any Nelson visit is with coffee and breakfast at Oso Negro Café. The café’s timber frame and wrought-iron art will compete with the perfect cuppa and a back bacon breakfast bun for your undivided attention. Hint: Oso Negro’s chocolate quinoa cake makes a choice chairlift pocket snack!

• One look at the Whitewater Ski Resort’s area maps, reveals a range of blue and green options, plus the terrain park for the kids on the Silver King side of the resort. Start there on Day 1 to ease your legs into your ski holiday. Free mountain tours for ages 13 and up head out from between the rental shop and Silver King Chair. Look for the bright blue mountain host jackets for an insider’s overview of Whitewater’s three incredible ski zones.
  
• Plan on lunch at Fresh Tracks Café in Whitewater’s main lodge. Former Whitewater owner Shelley Adams put the resort on the global map with her Whitewater Cooks cookbooks of Kootenay-inspired recipes. Souvenir alert!
  
• Bring your appetite and a pack of gum for a rich Euro-fusion dining experience at the Outer Clove in downtown Nelson. From perogies to spaetzle, stroganoff to a yam and millet veggie burger, the Outer Clove will send your tastebuds into garlic orbit.
  
• To carbo-load for tomorrow’s ski day with an after-dinner pint and juice for the kids, stop by Backroads Brewing Co. and enjoy their First Descent Northwest IPA or Pale Ale alongside some locally sourced pub snacks.

DAY 2

• Swing by Empire Coffee at the Adventure Hotel for a Stumptown Coffee and a breakfast sandwich in their solarium to start your ski day off on the right foot.
  
• Time to push your legs a bit  in Whitewater’s (conditions) newest terrain. Head up Summit Chair and spend the morning exploring Glory Ridge, which offers a little something for rippers of all ages, from creamy groomers to secret glades.
  
• Since you’re in the neighbourhood, pick up lunch at Glory Lodge where the Wild Boar Hick Stick or the Buckshot Beef Hoagie will keep you ripping all afternoon.
  
• Delay your return to the valley as long as possible with an aprés-ski session at Coal Oil Johnny’s, where you can relive the face-shots, yard-sales, and big airs of the day under the iconic face Ymir Bowl in the Whitewater slackcountry.
  
• Join us on a thrilling journey back in time to the era of the Cold War. Canada’s rich history includes the construction of approximately 50 bunkers, strategically designed to protect our officials during the intense nuclear threat. We are proud to invite you to the Nelson Museum for an exclusive guided tour of the permanent museum exhibition and heritage site. Discover the secrets hidden within these historic walls and delve into Canada’s courageous past.
  
• For a family evening out, hit the Nelson and District Community Centre for a family swim and soak, followed by a good ‘ol hockey game. The Nelson Leafs are a notoriously scrappy KIJHL team, and games promise some fast-paced, exciting hockey.

DAY 3

• You’ve got time to savour the morning, why not hit up the General Store Restaurant in Nelson’s cornerstone Hume Hotel & Spa for a morning coffee and their daily breakfast special?
  
• Stick around downtown for the morning exploring and shopping up a storm on Nelson’s downtown with its unrivalled collection of outdoor stores, specialty shops, and downtown characters.  Or discover all of the Murals tucked away, created by artists from around the world.
  
• The mouth-watering calzone and pizza-by-the-slice at Thor’s Pizzeria will help the Team keep its strength for the afternoon mission, and leave everyone convinced that Thor just might have added God of Pizza to his quiver.
  
• For a winter wonderland afternoon, rent nordic ski gear at Gerick’s Sports on Baker Street, and head out to the Apex/Busk Trail System at the base of the Whitewater Ski Area road, and sample some of the expertly groomed trails that meander through gorgeous forest and open meadows. The Apex loop on the North side of the highway is lit until 11pm if a night ski is in your plans. (Or rent some snowshoes and explore the dedicated Snowshoe trails: Big Cedar Loop, Wetland Loop & the Euphrates Extension; close-by the Nelson Nordic Ski Club). Don’t forget a thermos of hot chocolate!
  

• You’ve earned it! Check out the Indigenous owned – hot spring cave & pool at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort, a gorgeous 45-minute drive north along the shore of Kootenay Lake. The brave will dunk into the cold plunge, a brisk rejuvenation after three days on skis (or a snowboard). An afternoon appetizer of Bannock and Dip, or Bison French Onion Soup at Ainsworth’s Ktunaxa Grill will bridge the afternoon snack gap.

• For dinner, fill up the team with a favour-bomb burrito, taco, or Huichol Bowl from El Taco on Victoria Street, before checking out Nelson’s historic Capitol Theatre for the magic of live theatre, or catch a new release at the Capital Theatre for a relaxing end to your 72-hour Nelson family whirlwind.

Overnight in the Nelson & Kootenay Lake area. | Additional dining options.