Know Before You Go

Travelling safely and being informed is key to a happy holiday. Following protocols, knowing border details, and road & ferry closures or delays are essential. Check out the links below to be as informed as possible when travelling in the region.

• Know Before You Go to ensure a safe travel experience. 

Roads & Highways

• Check DriveBC for closures or delays - including on the Kootenay Lake Ferry.
• Webcams through DriveBC
  • Balfour Ferry Terminal
  • Kootenay Bay Ferry Terminal
  • Kootenay Pass
• Travel Advisories - TranBC
• BC Parks - access to backcountry and FRS
• BC Fire Bans and Road Restrictions in Southeast BC
• TranBC_WestKoot local highway updates for the West Kootenay region - Twitter

Weather Warnings

• Environment Canada - resource for latest weather information, alerts, and air quality advisories. 
• twitter.com/environmentca
• Flood Warnings and Advisories
• Snow Conditions and Water Supply Bulletins

Wildfires

• BC Wildfire Service
• Interactive Wildfire Map
• Emergency MapBC
• Smoke Forecast Map
• Air Quality Health Index (Castlegar is our closest point of reference)
• Campfire bans and restrictions
• Firesmoke.ca shows weather patterns of smoke in Canada
• Report wildfires to *5555 on a cell or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.
• Be Prepared BC - 3 steps

Regional Alerts

• RDCK (Regional District of Central Kootenay) local news and updates
• Sign Up for the RDCK Emergency Notification System

Other Resources

• Emergency Resources from Destination BC
• Destination BC provincial travel information
• The Kaslo and Nelson Visitor Centres are also very knowledgeable resources. Please visit or contact them directly by phone:
  Nelson 250-352-3433 |  Kaslo 250-353-2525 

 COVID-19 Information

Effective October 1, 2022, all COVID-19 border requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine/isolation requirements will end for all travellers entering Canada whether by land, air or sea.

For more information on current federal border measures and requirements, including crossing the border via car, please visit the Government of Canada website here.

Responsible Travel

To make the most of your holiday we encourage you to be awesome, so that we can continue to stay awesome, while you are finding awesome. Following some general travelling conduct will help us all enjoy the region, all year round, and in the years to come.