Winter - Outdoor Recreation

Cross Country Skiing is right in Kaslo's backyard. The True Blue recreation area has many kilometres of marked skiing trails – woodland paths and gentle grades as well as some good climbs and swift flying slopes. 

Snowmobiling is an important pastime here. There are many logging and mining roads in the high country for snowmobilers of all levels of experience and hundreds of miles of trails. More information can be found at www.bcsf.org (BC Snowmobile Association).

Kaslo’s Arena becomes the focus of the lives of many families during the winter months. From toddlers on cheese cutters to Oldtimers hockey, the ice sees just about everyone in town. Teams of all ages use the arena and many tournaments are held there. Public skating is enjoyed by all during the week.

The Curling Rink is neighbour to the hockey rink. With a men’s, women’s and mixed league, a junior program, a drop in night and an active social club...odds are you will find yourself at the Arena (on Arena Road) for one reason or another.

Winter usually brings at least one safe opportunity for outdoor skating on Mirror Lake. There is nothing like a heated game of shinny between all ages, or the indescribable serenity of just skating at dusk on a lake in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

After a day of winter recreation, grab a bathing suit (or rent one there) and head to Ainsworth Hot Springs. Steaming in the caves, or lounging around in the pool is the perfect end to a winter day.

 

This New Year’s Day tradition gets the hardy souls out for a nice swim in the lake. The annual Polar Bear Dip is a fundraiser for the Langham Cultural Centre. The Langham houses galleries, a theatre, studios and offices, and offers art shows, workshops in a wide variety of disciplines for all ages, plays, movies, live music, lectures and readings. Take the plunge at 12 noon sharp (waiting barefoot on the beach for latecomers is not an option), or drink some hot chocolate with the locals and watch the fun. 

 

Winter in the Forest Festival 

Got the “blues”? Celebrate winter at this annual festival with sleigh rides, woodsman sports, snowshoe races, interpretive nature booths, and maple taffy on the snow. The event takes place at the Kaslo Golf Course.

This fun break towards the end of winter is sponsored by the Kaslo Community Forest and is a great family event.

 

Just north of Kaslo, surrounded by majestic peaks and awe-inspiring valleys, gorges and glaciers, you can experience some of the best heli skiing in the world!

Stellar Heli Skiing of Meadow Creek, at the north end of Kootenay Lake, offers several options for skiing or snowboarding the untouched, deep powder of the area mountains. With access to both the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges and their distinct snow characteristics and exceptional weather conditions, an abundance of powdery snow adventure is waiting for you.

Stellar Heli Skiing terrain encompasses 320 square kilometres of untouched, untracked winter wonderland slopes with many terrain choices to accommodate your skiing style. With breathtaking views every way you look, your skiing experience will be a lifetime memory.

Also recommended in the Kaslo area: snowcat skiing with Selkirk Wilderness Skiing.