THE COMMUNITY
Winlaw is a small unincorporated community, located in the middle of the Slocan Valley. The town of Winlaw originally centered around a lumber mill named after John Brown Winlaw who also pioneered in Wyndell BC. In the late 19th century he took the train to the end of the rail line and founded the mill. Winlaw consists of Winlaw Elementary School and a number of other independent businesses. The area also has a post office, fire department, ambulance station and golf course.
For up to date info on community activities in the Slocan Valley please visit: www.slocanvalley.com |
Slocan Valley
The Slocan Valley is located in the Kootenays region of British Columbia. The discovery of silver in the 1890s brought prospectors by the thousands to the Slocan Valley. Known for good reason as the Silvery Slocan, most communities in the area owe their existence to silver. Known at one time, a booming city of 6,000 people around the year 1900, Slocan City today is now a small town with around 350 residents.
A drive up the Slocan Valley and the Upper Arrow Lake area runs from Salmo to Galena Bay via Highways 6 and 23, as well as a side trip to Kaslo on Highway 31A, including Valhalla and Monashee Provincial Parks. This is a very pretty drive, not to be attempted in a rush. By their very nature, the Selkirk Mountains define this part of the Kootenays. Highway 6 links Salmo with Highway 23 and stern-wheeling Nakusp, and forms alliances with branches of Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) to wrap all who journey here in a seductive embrace. Love at first sight is the reaction of many visitors to the Kootenays.
Winding gently through one of the most beautiful river valleys in British Columbia, the Slocan Valley Rail Trail offers easy access to 50 km of breath taking scenery. Following the contours of the Slocan River, the trail makes its way from Slocan Lake in the North, towards the Kootenay River in the South. From the beaches that line its path, to pristine wildlife sanctuaries, world-class fishing, white water rafting, and some of the quaintest cafes in BC, the trail is extensively used by both locals and people from all over the world. The trail brings your close to mixed forests, meadows, wetlands, river shoreline and rocky escarpments, and all the amenities our valley has to offer.
To add to all this beauty and history, amenities like schools, shopping, business and banking are all within a short drive away. Nelson and Castlegar are approximately 45 minute drive south with convenience stores along the drive as well as banking opportunities. Schools are excellent here from public schools to private schools as well as college opportunities. Bus routes are available for the children and travel daily during the school year. Community spirit is very much alive and well in the Slocan Valley with many annual activities such as the Fall Fair, Garlic Festival, Canada Day events and local farmers markets.
A drive up the Slocan Valley and the Upper Arrow Lake area runs from Salmo to Galena Bay via Highways 6 and 23, as well as a side trip to Kaslo on Highway 31A, including Valhalla and Monashee Provincial Parks. This is a very pretty drive, not to be attempted in a rush. By their very nature, the Selkirk Mountains define this part of the Kootenays. Highway 6 links Salmo with Highway 23 and stern-wheeling Nakusp, and forms alliances with branches of Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) to wrap all who journey here in a seductive embrace. Love at first sight is the reaction of many visitors to the Kootenays.
Winding gently through one of the most beautiful river valleys in British Columbia, the Slocan Valley Rail Trail offers easy access to 50 km of breath taking scenery. Following the contours of the Slocan River, the trail makes its way from Slocan Lake in the North, towards the Kootenay River in the South. From the beaches that line its path, to pristine wildlife sanctuaries, world-class fishing, white water rafting, and some of the quaintest cafes in BC, the trail is extensively used by both locals and people from all over the world. The trail brings your close to mixed forests, meadows, wetlands, river shoreline and rocky escarpments, and all the amenities our valley has to offer.
To add to all this beauty and history, amenities like schools, shopping, business and banking are all within a short drive away. Nelson and Castlegar are approximately 45 minute drive south with convenience stores along the drive as well as banking opportunities. Schools are excellent here from public schools to private schools as well as college opportunities. Bus routes are available for the children and travel daily during the school year. Community spirit is very much alive and well in the Slocan Valley with many annual activities such as the Fall Fair, Garlic Festival, Canada Day events and local farmers markets.