Flying by zipline to see Canada’s pristine wilderness is one way to celebrate Canada 150.
The July 1 long weekend is fast approaching and soon everyone will be a part of Canada 150 celebrations.
Whether it’s watching fireworks light up the sky, visiting a historical site, paying tribute to Canada’s diverse cultural identity, or even going on an adventure, like trying a zipline for the first time, there are numerous reasons to don the red and white and wave the maple leaf.
Here are 4 Ways to Celebrate Canada 150 in the West Kootenays:
1. See pristine Canadian wilderness from a zipline
Quickly becoming one of the things to do in BC, ziplining offers you a bird’s eye view of what makes this country so great – our incredible wilderness. Kokanee Mountain Zipline, just east of Nelson at the entrance to Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, is a perfect example of that. Where else can you get a look at one of the most beautiful mountain glaciers in the province, see wildlife as it should be, as well as zip above trees much older than confederation? And you can sing O Canada while you do it!
2. Visit a historic site
The West Kootenays is home to a number of historic attractions in BC. One of them, located in Nelson’s Lakeside Park, is the old Streetcar #23, which was once part of Nelson’s Street Railway, serving the city from 1925-1949. The streetcar, which is still in operation thanks to the Nelson Electric Tramway Society, operates seven days a week in the summer and will offer free rides on Canada Day. For those visiting Kaslo, you can take a tour of the SS Moyie, a sternwheeler that worked on Kootenay Lake from 1898-1957, and is now a National Historic Site of Canada.
3. Learn about West Kootenay French-Canadian pioneers
The Francophone Association of West Kootenays, or AFKO, is hosting a special bilingual street puppet show to celebrate Canada 150. The federally funded event, which is currently touring various communities around the Kootenays, showcases three French Canadian pioneers of the region, Eli Carpenter, J.O. Patenaude, and Henri Bourgeois. A performance will take place at the Group 1 Campground at Kokanee Provincial Park, located two kilometres from Kokanee Mountain Zipline, June 24.
4. Wave the flag
Hosted by the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, Nelson’s Canada Day festivities take place at Rotary Lakeside Park right near the orange bridge. The family-friendly event sees thousands of residents and visitors indulge in some free Canada Day birthday cake, followed by live music and fun-filled activities for kids of all ages.
The community of Balfour, a 17-minute drive east of Kokanee Mountain Zipline, is also celebrating Canada 150 with festivities for the whole family, including an artisans market, live music, beer garden, hotdogs and hamburgers, games, and a pancake breakfast.
For more ways to enjoy Canada outdoors, including ziplining in BC, read our blog Tourist Attractions in BC: 5 Best Parks in the Kootenays.
Kokanee Mountain Zipline is booking tours on the Canada Day long weekend, including on Monday, July 3. Tours can be booked online or by calling 1-844-764-4484.