Clubs & Trail Societies
The West Kootenay has some great clubs and trail societies. Joining a club is a great way to meet new folks, discover new trails, and learn hiking or mountaineering skills!
The Kootenay Mountaineering Club organizes over 100 annual trips including hiking, climbing, skiing, biking, week long climbing/skiing/hiking camps, and various courses on basic outdoor skills. KMC volunteers also maintain four cabins in the Bonnington Range and are involved in trail development and maintenance.
The West Kootenay Naturalists Association encourages insights into nature through group outings, educational presentations, conservation efforts and scholarship sponsorship.
These folks improve and maintain nine recreational trails in Nakusp, BC and the surrounding area. They also organize group hikes in the summer!
The KCTS manages, maintains and develops a regional network of recreational trails for a variety of non-motorized trail users.
The Castlegar Parks and Trails Society maintains trails and builds new trails for hiking and biking in the Castlegar area for non-motorized use.
These folks have been taking care of the trails around New Denver!
This group maintains the 50km Slocan Valley Rail Trail. Winding gently through one of the most beautiful river valleys in British Columbia, the Slocan Valley Rail Trail offers easy non-motorized access to 52 km of breathtaking 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, with multiple entry and exit areas.
http://slocanvalleyrailtrail.ca
KORTS has developed several trails around Kaslo, including building the beautiful red bridges along the River Trail.
The Salmo Valley Trails Society has been developing new trails around Salmo, including at the ski hill!
The Nelson Cycling Club maintains a huge network of trails around Nelson, many of which are used by hikers as well as mountain bikers!
This group maintains the Pulpit Rock Trail above Nelson, BC. It’s one of the most popular trails in the West Koot!
A group of outdoor enthusiasts with a passion for our beautiful valley and waterways. Their goal is to protect and maintain access to our treasured outdoor spaces. https://www.crestonvalleytrails.com
There are many more outdoors clubs for things like rock climbing, paddling, skiing, etc!
I couldn’t open the link for Kootenay mountaineering club, is there such a thing?
Yes, I just had a link to their older website which wasn’t working anymore. Here is the new website: https://kootenaymountaineeringclub.ca/