Slocan Valley

The Slocan Valley is dotted with small farms, mountainside hideaways, and quiet lakeside villages. The villages along this valley have unique points of interest. From Sandon in its heyday to Crescent Valley today, it is a great place to explore.

Slocan Lake averages 500 feet in depth; steep cliffs guard the shoreline at many places. The lake is fed by mountain streams, and is the source of the clean, clear Slocan River, which has been used as a transportation route by miners and loggers for well over a hundred years. Yet it still has the feel of a wild, unspoiled ecosystem.

Rich in wildlife and unusually wind sheltered, the Slocan Valley enjoys a multipurpose path developed from an old rail line along the length of the river. Scenic in all seasons, the well loved trail is used by locals and visitors alike. In the winter, the trail is crowded with cross-country skiers, snowshoers and hearty hikers.

The Slocan Valley is a wonderland for those who love the outdoors. Valhalla Provincial Park stretches along two-thirds of the western shoreline of Slocan Lake. If you are coming from the south, there is an entrance to Valhalla Provincial Park at Passmore. This wilderness park encompasses 49,600 hectares, from the sandy beaches of Slocan Lake, up past tumbling waterfalls, to alpine lakes and meadows, crowned by the New Denver Glacier. Observant boaters will spot pictographs painted long ago by members of the Arrow Lakes Band.

The history of the Slocan Valley area, like much of the Kootenays, began with the discovery of large silver-lead deposits. The area was the scene of frenetic mining at the end of the last century and communities like Slocan, New Denver, Silverton and Sandon were founded during this period. Mines were worked until high production costs and low ore prices ended the boom. Now the main industries are forestry, recreation and tourism.

Relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere of the “Slo-as-you-can Valley” and its people makes for a perfect vacation.

Cross-Country Ski Area

What is the best kept secret for cross-country skiers in the Slocan Valley? It‘s the ski trails around Winlaw Regional Park along the banks of the Slocan River. Once the snow flies, this beautiful 20 acre park provides a variety of ski routes that will entice you to get outside and into the fresh air.

To get to Winlaw Regional Park, take Highway 6 to the community of Winlaw, and then take the Winlaw Bridge Road heading off to the west. Once you cross the Slocan River, turn right and then proceed 500 metres north to reach the parking area on your right.