North America’s best ski town is in B.C. & it has a top-notch arts & culture scene

Situated in the Selkirk Mountains and known as North America’s best ski town, Nelson, B.C. has a ton of small-town charm, attracting visitors from all directions. So if you’re looking for the ideal winter road trip to take before the season ends, this is it!

North America’s best skiing & cat skiing

In addition to top-notch skiing and snowboarding options, Nelson’s Baldface Lodge was named the Best Cat Skiing Destination in North America, according to Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism. For those who don’t know, cat skiing is a backcountry experience involving snowcats to transport skiers to fresh powder.

What’s more, cat skiing was made possible by ski hill grooming techniques created by the nearby Selkirk Wilderness in 1975 (now Selkirk Snowcat Skiing).

Flash forward to today, and Nelson is known as the Cat Ski Capital of the World, with “more snow operators and snow than anywhere else.”

Visitors can hit the slopes for some unparalleled skiing and snowboarding at Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, Baldface Lodge and Valhalla, Retallack, White Grizzly, and the award-winning Whitewater Ski Resort – which suits snow sport lovers of all abilities as well as families.

Those looking for a little aprè-ski action can visit one of over 80 restaurants and craft breweries in the region.

North America’s best arts and culture scene

If outdoor sports aren’t your thing, don’t worry. Nelson was included in author John Villani’s “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in North America,” offering an array of live music venues. This includes The Royal and Capitol Theatre, which brings some of the best local and touring theatre productions to the small city.

So be it hundreds of heritage buildings (more per capita than anywhere else in B.C.!) or public art displays, a concert or two, or some top-notch action on the slopes, Nelson has a little bit of everything to offer.

Happy winter adventures!

Nelson 

How to get there: Drive seven hours and 35 minutes from Vancouver to Nelson via Crowsnest Highway/BC-3 E.

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