Finding activities in the winter can be a challenge, especially when there isn’t a coat of soft fresh snow on the ground (although if there is, here’s a list of outdoor winter activities for you).
Even if it might not look like a winter wonderland some days, we’re all about getting out of the house and exploring our community (even in the rain and slush). Here’s our suggestions for 5 indoor activities to make the most of this winter in the Kootenays!
1. Ainsworth Hot Springs
Admittedly, this activity is technically outdoors, but we’re calling it an indoor activity since you aren’t required to wear winter clothes to enjoy it. 😉 Plus it’s still very much an ideal activity for those rainy or snowless days.
Ainsworth Hot Springs is a small resort along the Kootenay Lake with some cozy hot-spring pools and stellar views. If you’re coming for a visit to the area, don’t miss this! Visiting the hot springs at Ainsworth is a quintessential West Kootenay activity all year around, but it’s especially magical in the winter when it’s snowy out. ❄️
This location has been special to the Ktunaxa First Peoples over time and now is currently owned by Yaqan Nukiy, the Lower Kootenay Band of Creston, BC.
Ainsworth has three pools: The main pool has great views of the Kootenay Lake and Purcell Mountains (pictured above). The medium hot pool is really special: it features a dimly-lit tunnel cavern filled with calcite formations that you can wade through where the warm water comes directly from the spring itself. There’s also a small cold-plunge pool that is FREEZING but you know, great for your circulation. 🥶
🚙 Getting There
- 45-minute drive north of Nelson
- Some hours are only open to hotel guests, so check the website to make sure you’re coming at a time open to the public!
- Online reservations are required
💲Prices
- Kids under 2 are free
- Otherwise, prices range from $12 – $18 based on age
- Family pass is $50 and covers entries for 2 adults and 2 kids
🍔 Food
Check out the Ktunaxa Grill upstairs after your soak for some yummy eats and more expansive views of Kootenay Lake.
🔗 Links
https://www.ainsworthhotsprings.com
2. Take a Pottery Class
Want to try out a new skill in the winter but don’t want to commit a ton of time and resources? Sign up for a beginner pottery workshop!
Beginner workshops are awesome because typically you just show up for an event and have a fun time. All supplies are typically provided, you’ll be guided step-by-step, and you get to bring home something YOU made.
For example, Bronwen Wetter Clay is a studio just outside of Nelson, BC that provides pottery workshops. They offer workshops for creating mugs, pet bowls, Christmas ornaments, and other assorted pottery.
💲Prices
Prices at Bronwen Wetter Clay vary depending on the class, but for reference their mug workshop costs $60 and the pet bowl workshop is $75. All supplies are provided, and your pottery will be glazed, fired, and ready for pickup within a couple weeks of the event!
There are a lot of incredible local artisans around this area, so taking a class is a fabulous way to support local business!
🔗 Links
3. Attend a Junior Hockey Game
Hockey is Canada’s game, and many municipalities host competitive Junior A teams. Games involve one hour of play time, that can be extended by intermission and/or overtime periods, so bring some snacks or treat yourself to some game day eats for this classic indoor winter activity!
💲Prices
Tickets range between $10-17 for adults, with free or low cost tickets for children. Take the whole family out for a fun afternoon or evening game and cheer on your home team! Tickets can usually be purchased directly at the walk up counter, and some teams also offer tickets online.
4. Check Out Some Live Music
Going out to see a show is still a favourite evening pastime in the Kootenays, and with such a diverse offering of talented musicians there’s a show out there for everyone. Nelson is the hotspot for music in the Kootenays (shout out to Selkirk College’s renowned music program), with live entertainment on offer most nights of the week.
Here’s a few Nelson hangouts to check out:
The Library Lounge: Live jazz, 6-9pm Tuesday through Thursday. Go here for a more intimate dinner experience, or for some fabulous cocktails.
The Royal: Assorted genres, Fridays around 8:00. Musicians of all kinds play at The Royal: DJ’s, Acoustic Covers, Country, Pop, and Rock bands.
Torchlight Brewing: Blues/Jazz covers, Fridays around 6:30
Spirit Bar: Friday/Saturday around 8pm. One of Nelson’s most popular venues for touring musicians, Spirit Bar has been host to artists spanning all genres. Keep an eye on their website for a full list of upcoming shows, and be sure to buy tickets in advance!
Favourite spot didn’t make the list? We’ll do a full music feature soon, but in the meantime @ us on socials and drop a comment to let us know where we should catch a show!
💲Prices
Generally there’s no cost to catch a live musician, but there can be a cover charge for in-demand shows. Expect to buy tickets for travelling acts, and of course expect to buy drinks and food at whatever venue is hosting.
Oh, and tip the musician!
5. Challenge an Escape Room
For the uninitiated, escape rooms are interactive real-world puzzle adventures with a strict 60 minute time limit. You’re put into a room (or series of rooms) that are styled after a particular theme. It can be ancient Egypt, sci-fi, medieval – any setting the game makers have imagined.
You can usually challenge the rooms with as little as two people, but it’s fun with the whole family, or up to a party of 8!
We recommend doing an escape room with older children, as some of the puzzles can be hard to solve, but kids of all ages often love the immersion into a fantastical world escape rooms provide.
Nelson has one facility for escape rooms – Queen City Escape Rooms, located on Ward Street, just past the bus depot. At the time of writing, they currently offer two themes: a World War II era spy-themed room, and a high fantasy wizards-and-dragons theme room, and we also quite enjoyed their rustic frontier-era escape room (since rotated out).
This is a great one for birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate events, family nights, or just an excuse to get out with some friends and put your wits to the test!
💲Prices
Queen City prices are $25/adult, $20/youth (10-17), and $10 for kids (9 and under).
All parties are required to have at least one adult present in the room.
🔗 Links
https://www.queencityescaperooms.com/
If today is proving a little too slushy, rainy, or just absent of snow, we hope you find something interesting to do today in this list 5 Indoor Activities to do this Winter.
If the winter weather is cooperating, check out our list of Outdoor Activities to Do this Winter for all sorts of snowy fun!
