Nelson is a scenic mountain community on the shores of Kootenay Lake.
With a population close to 11,000, the people making Nelson their home are laid back, into quality of life and expressing personal style, but also driven to pursue their passions.
It’s a walkable community filled with heritage architecture and more restaurants per capita than Manhattan or San Fransisco. Back in 1897 it was more pianos in the homes of “in the homes of Nelson than there are in the homes, saloons, and concert halls in all the other towns in the district combined” according to the Weekly Miner.
Those pianos hinted at the prevalence arts would play in the Kootenay region. Nelson was named Number One Small Town Arts Community in Canada by author John Villani. Located on the West Arm of the magnificent Kootenay Lake, it blends sophistication with rural charm. The pace is unhurried yet people are driven when it comes to pursuing their passions. Nelson wears its history on its sleeve, stunning heritage buildings dotting the streetscape rising up from Kootenay Lake. But, it’s also contemporary in its mindset, supportive, and diverse.
While some might like to keep this gem a secret, the Kootenays are globally known for mountain resorts boasting deep powder.
Recreation enthusiasts flock to this area for super accessible and authentic outdoor activity and leisure. Enjoy all four seasons to their fullest extent, soaking up the summer on a pristine lake in a kayak, blazing a trail on your mountain bike or hiking through some epic backcountry.
Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism’s Finding Awesome slogan captures it all. Check out their website for a wonderful display of what this region has to offer.
The Kootenays are becoming a well-known innovation hub attracting tech sector talents from the cities. Affordability and support for economic diversity through technology being driving factors. Professionals working in the tech sector in Nelson are highly connected through meet ups and co-working spaces fostering a cohesive community set to thrive.