West Kootenay getaways

Three West Kootenay business owners talk about their favourite local vacation spots

1 of 2Derrick Bruce, owner of Kokanee Camera Co. in Nelson, B.C., enjoys canoeing at Wragge Beach on Slocan Lake. — Photo courtesy Derrick Bruce

2 of 2Scott Minor is the owner of JMK Kitchens & Custom Woodworking Ltd. in Castlegar, B.C. — Photo courtesy Scott Minor

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Within an hour or two of Nelson, Trail and Castlegar are numerous parks, lakes, campgrounds and winding highways with magnificent views. We thought it would be interesting to find out where West Kootenay residents like to go when they want to enjoy their own backyard.

Dale Fasthuber, owner of Columbia Glass Ltd. in Trail, is a long-time Harley rider who likes the winding highway linking Silverton, New Denver and Kaslo. This is ranked as one of the favourite rides in British Columbia, and possibly in Canada. If you’re in the area and plan to stay the night, Fasthuber recommends the Kaslo Hotel.

Scott Minor, owner of JMK Kitchens & Custom Woodworking in Castlegar, likes to occasionally get away from civilization. He said that he and his friends like to camp in remote areas where there’s nothing but wilderness. One of his favourite local destinations is Deer Park, north of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam along Lower Arrow Lake, about an hour from Castlegar. As an alternative, he likes Syringa Provincial Park.

Derrick Bruce, owner of Kokanee Camera Co. in Nelson, likes going camping and canoeing with friends to Kokanee Creek Park, where there are some good group campsites. They like the relatively remote locations where they can pitch their tents and enjoy being truly out in nature, knowing that they’re not leaving any significant footprint. He also likes camping at Garland Bay near Riondel, and Wragge Beach on Slocan Lake, past New Denver.