Kaslo

The prettiest town in BC — a heritage gem on the shores of Kootenay Lake.

Kaslo is a small village on the west shore of Kootenay Lake in the West Kootenay, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful small towns in BC. With a population of just over 1,000, it has a remarkably well-preserved collection of Victorian-era heritage buildings, a stunning lakeside setting, and a vibrant arts and culture community that belies its tiny size. The town was founded during the silver mining boom of the 1890s, when the Slocan Valley to the west was one of the most productive silver mining districts in North America. At its peak, Kaslo had a population of over 3,000 and was a major commercial centre for the region. The silver boom faded, but the town's heritage buildings survived, and today they give Kaslo a character and charm that is rare in BC. The SS Moyie, moored at the Kaslo waterfront, is the oldest intact sternwheeler in the world. The ship operated on Kootenay Lake from 1898 to 1957, carrying passengers and freight through the lake's remote communities, and it has been beautifully restored as a National Historic Site. A visit to the Moyie is a highlight of any trip to Kaslo. Kootenay Lake at Kaslo is spectacular — a deep, clear lake flanked by the Selkirk and Purcell mountains, with views that change with every season. The lake offers excellent fishing for Gerrard rainbow trout, kokanee, and bull trout, and the surrounding mountains provide hiking, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing. The Kaslo Hotel, built in 1896, is one of the finest heritage hotels in BC.