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Geography and ClimateThe landscape is composed of colossal mountain ranges, lovely valleys, rushing rivers and tranquil lakes. Located on the warm western side of the Rocky Mountains, the Kootenay’s climate provides four totally different seasons. Springtime paints the valleys incredibly green and begins at the end of March with the arrival of swallows and American Robins. Hummingbirds set early signs of summer with their return at the end of April. Summers are sunny, hot and dry, just perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities and they usually last into late September. Fall days offer silky blue skies with the leaves giving the forests a golden hue. Winters are relatively mild, but lots of snow provides excellent conditions for all winter sports.
HistoryThe Kootenay’s small communities take the visitor back to the late 1900's when silver mining brought the first European settlers into the area. Members of the Russian religious community of Doukhobors came from the USA in the early years of the 20th century and started to cultivate land for fruit and vegetable farming. During the years of World War II thousands of Japanese Canadians where displaced and interned in this remote area. Some stayed after the war and their cultural footsteps and fingerprints remain today. During the Vietnam War, conscientious objectors escaped from the US to avoid military service. They brought the hippie movement’s life style to the area as well as skills in arts and crafts. CultureHaus Lemon Creek and Haus Meadow Creek are the ideal starting point for a variety of excursions, all within reasonable driving distance. The city of Nelson with its more than 300 heritage buildings from the turn of the century and its European flair is an attraction. In summer there is always something going on. Events like the weekly market, the streetfest of the jugglers, songfest, film festival and the artwalk, where local artists exhibit their work in almost every store and restaurant make Nelson an extraordinary charming place. The lovely small communities of New Denver, Silverton and Kaslo invite the visitor to relax in one of their cosy garden cafés and to enjoy your choice of Canadian, international, Japanese and vegetarian specialities. One meets friendly people here who always have time for a little chat. And don’t miss one of the Kootenay’s great attractions: the hot springs in fine resorts, but also the wild ones in the bush. Links: - Weather - Provincial Parks - Events
www.hauslemon.com
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Their attempt to live a simple life in harmony with nature is still alive in the Kootenays and appears in the many groups of active conservationists one finds here today.
