FAQS About Kaslo

Wing Creek Resort is located at 9114 Highway 31, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0 — 6 km (about 5 minutes’ drive) north of the village of Kaslo, on the western shore of Kootenay Lake. Key driving distances: Ainsworth Hot Springs — approx. 20 minutes south; Nelson, BC — approx. 55 minutes via Balfour; Castlegar (nearest regional airport) — approx. 1.5 hours; Cranbrook / Kelowna / Spokane — approx. 4–4.5 hours. Note: GPS may not route you via the best-travelled highways — always check wingcreekresort.com/directions or call 250-353-2475.

Kaslo Airport (small aircraft only) — 10 min from Wing Creek. West Kootenay Regional Airport, Castlegar (YCG) — approx. 1.5 hrs (closest with commercial service). Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) — approx. 4 hrs. Kelowna International Airport (YLW) — approx. 4.5 hrs. Spokane International Airport (GEG), USA — approx. 4.5 hrs (convenient for US guests). Helicopter arrangements directly to Wing Creek can also be made — contact the resort for details.

Yes and there are three choices! The Kootenay Lake ferry between Balfour and Kootenay Bay is the longest free ferry ride in the world, crossing the lake with panoramic mountain views. If coming from the east (via Cranbrook or the Rocky Mountains), take the ferry from Kootenay Bay to Balfour, then drive north on Highway 31 to Wing Creek.

If coming from the west via Kelowna, take the short cable ferry from Needles to Fauquier across Arrow Lake, then drive on Highway 6 to New Denver, Highway 31A to Highway 31 and Highway 31 to Wing Creek.

If coming from the north via Revelstoke, take Highway 23 south to the Upper Arrow Lake ferry from Shelter Bay to Galena Bay. Then drive south on Highway 6 through Nakusp to New Denver, Highway 31A to Highway 31 and Highway 31 to Wing Creek.

All ferries are free! Check the appropriate ferry schedule before you travel as crossing times vary by season.

All routes end at 9114 Highway 31, 6 km north of Kaslo.

From Nelson/Vancouver: Highway 3A east to Balfour, north on Highway 31 to Kaslo, continue 6 km north. From Cranbrook/Rockies: Kootenay Bay Ferry to Balfour, then north on Highway 31. From Revelstoke/North: South on Highway 6 through Nakusp to New Denver, Highway 31A to Highway 31 and north on Highway 31.

Note that winter tires are required on BC mountain roads from October through April.

The Kootenay Lake region enjoys four distinct seasons. Spring (May–June): Mild temperatures, blooming orchards and wildflowers, occasional showers. Summer (July–August): Warm to hot days reaching 30°C+ (86°F+) with long evenings and warmer lake temperatures. Book early — this is peak season. Autumn (September–October): Crisp air, spectacular fall foliage, ripe orchard fruit, fewer crowds. Winter (November–April): Average lake-level temperature of -2.1°C (28°F), world-class skiing in the area, but Wing Creek is closed.

Kootenay Lake is 156 km long and one of BC’s premier wilderness lakes. Activities include: kayaking, standup paddleboarding and canoeing (Wing Creek Resort partners with Kaslo Kayaking, which offers guided tours, rentals, and lessons); boat rentals through Jones Boys Boats; fishing for trophy bull trout and kokanee salmon. Explore hidden coves and water-access-only marine parks; sailing, windsurfing, swimming, and water skiing. Your kayak, tour, SUP or canoe can be booked for you at Wing Creek Resort.

The area is a hiking paradise with world-class hikes for guests of every age and ability. Top trails include: Fletcher Falls — short, rewarding forest trail to a stunning cascade, great for all fitness levels; Kaslo River Trail — easy 6 km scenic riverside ramble; Wardner Lookout Trail — panoramic views over Kaslo Bay and Kootenay Lake; Lyle Lakes / Mount Brennan — mineral-blue subalpine lakes and a challenging 2,900m summit; Loki-Baldur Trail — epic alpine hike accessible via the Kootenay Bay ferry; Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park — glaciers, alpine lakes, and backcountry wilderness; K&S Wagon Trail — historical trail following the old Kaslo & Slocan Railway route. Use AllTrails (alltrails.com) for offline trail maps and navigation.

Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is just 20 minutes south of Wing Creek on Highway 31 and is a quintessential Kootenay experience. Features include: natural geothermal mineral pools with breathtaking Kootenay Lake views; a unique horseshoe-shaped cave pool — one of BC’s most distinctive hot springs experiences; and a cold plunge pool. The springs were traditionally used by the Ktunaxa First Nations for their healing mineral waters. Today the resort is owned by Yaqan Nukiy (Lower Kootenay Band). Reservations required Wednesday–Sunday; adult admission approx. $18. Book at ainsworthhotsprings.com.

The Kaslo Golf Club is just minutes from Wing Creek — a beautifully maintained 9-hole course established in 1923, making it the oldest golf course in the Kootenays. Perched between the Purcell and Selkirk Mountain ranges with breathtaking views of Kootenay Lake, it features a stunning modern timber frame clubhouse and great food. No tee time required! Other nearby courses include: Balfour Golf Course, Granite Pointe Golf Club (Nelson), and Kokanee Springs Golf Course — one of BC’s most scenic championship courses.

The SS Moyie is a National Historic Site permanently docked on Kaslo’s waterfront, just 5 minutes from Wing Creek. It is the world’s oldest intact passenger sternwheeler, built in 1898 and operating on Kootenay Lake for 59 years carrying railway passengers and cargo. Now fully restored, visitors can step aboard and explore its Victorian-era interior — complete with original dinner settings, passenger cabins, and artefacts. Guided interpretive tours are available in summer. The SS Moyie also serves as the Kaslo Visitor Centre.

The Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival is one of Canada’s most beloved intimate music festivals, held every August long weekend on the shores of Kootenay Lake. It has been running 30+ years — among the oldest jazz festivals in Canada. Its unique floating stage on the water, surrounded by mountains, creates extraordinary acoustics and an atmosphere unlike any other festival. The population of Kaslo swells considerably for the weekend. Book accommodation well in advance if you plan to attend. Visit kaslojazzfest.com for dates and lineup. Note that the 2026 festival has been cancelled.

Kaslo has remarkable cultural depth for a small community. Key sites: SS Moyie — world’s oldest intact passenger sternwheeler, National Historic Site. Kaslo City Hall is another National Historic Site, built in 1898. Langham Cultural Centre — an 1896 Provincial Heritage Site and ‘Best Building in BC’ award winner, featuring three art galleries, theatre, and the Japanese Canadian Museum (the building was used to intern Japanese Canadians during WWII). Kootenay Star Museum — mining history and artefacts from the silver boom era. Kaslo Art Walk — annual event featuring local artists throughout the community, including at Wing Creek Resort.

The Kootenay Lake region is extraordinarily rich in wildlife. Guests commonly encounter: bald eagles, golden eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons along the lakeshore; mountain goats in the high country; black bears (particularly in autumn berry and fruit season); grizzly bears live north of Wing Creek and are rarely seen except when the kokanee salmon running in the Meadow Creek spawning channel. The spectacular sight of the salmon run can also be seen at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park. Abundant songbirds and deer are often seen in the Wing Creek forest. Black bears are also sometimes seen on the property. Early morning and dusk are the best times for wildlife viewing. Never feed animals and give bears a wide berth.

The village of Kaslo (5 minutes away) offers: The Waypoint Restaurant at the Kaslo Hotel — full restaurant and bar with lake views; Angry Hen Brewing — a locally beloved craft brewery; amazing pizza and live music at Buddy’s; the hotdog-inspired Doghouse, newly minted Taqueria Tiburon, and Bluebelle Café are among the casual dining options downtown. Don’t miss the Sunflower Sisters Café in Upper Kaslo, Hazey Days for ice cream and cappuccino. Patios and sidewalk cafes are popular with locals and visitors alike.

Further afield is the Kaslo Golf Course for western and Chinese dishes, JB’s for fish and chips, The Landing at Balfour and the most restaurants per capita in Nelson BC, which boasts a thriving food culture.

Nelson, BC is approximately 1 hour’s drive from Wing Creek Resort — an ideal half-day or full-day excursion. Nelson is a vibrant city of approx. 10,000 known for: beautifully preserved Victorian heritage architecture; a thriving arts, gallery, and live music scene; outstanding restaurants and cafes; excellent independent boutiques, bookstores, and outdoor gear shops; and access to Whitewater Ski Resort in winter. Visit discovernelson.com for more.

Between Kaslo and Nelson don’t miss Cody Caves, Ainsworth Hot Springs, Kokanee Ziplines, and the sandy beach at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park.

The nearest EV charging station is at the Kaslo Hotel in Kaslo village (5 minutes), which has a Tesla charger compatible with most EVs. Nelson (approx. 1 hour) has additional public Level 2 and DC fast chargers. Plan your charge stops before departure, as charging infrastructure in rural BC is more limited than in urban areas. Use PlugShare (plugshare.com) to locate chargers along your route. Wing Creek offers free slow charging at your cabin and a discount to guests driving EVs.

Yes! Cody Caves offers a variety of tours from 2 to 7 hours long and is a popular local attraction. Reservations are required and details and reservations are available at codycavetours.com. This is a great rainy day or hot day activity. Check in advance for appropriate footwear and recommended clothing. Your tour can be booked for you at Wing Creek Resort.

Yes! Kokanee Mountain Ziplines offers six breathtaking zip lines for a fun day soaring above the trees and enjoying a bird’s eye view of Kokanee Provincial Park. Reservations are required. Check in advance for appropriate footwear and recommended clothing. Your tour can be booked for you at Wing Creek Resort.

DriveBC.ca — road conditions, closures, and webcams for BC highways. AllTrails (alltrails.com) — trail maps, reviews, and offline navigation. PlugShare (plugshare.com) — EV charging stations along your route. Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism (nelsonkootenaylake.com) — regional travel guide and events calendar. Visit Kaslo (visitkaslo.com) — official Kaslo destination guide. Environment Canada Weather (weather.gc.ca) — local forecasts. Kootenay Lake Road Trip App — self-guided audio tours including the Kaslo River Trail Tour.