Getting Here

So where is the fabled Slocan Valley, and how do I get there?

The Slocan Valley is in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, in western Canada.

Although the Slocan Valley may be a tad off the beaten path, it makes it that much more of an adventure to get here by plane, car or bus (outlined below).

Check out this interactive map!

View Larger Map or View our Communities

By road

Highway 6, the main highway that winds through the Slocan Valley, is paved, scenic and has little traffic.

Nelson or Castlegar

Both cities are a short 20 km (12 mile) drive from the southern end of the Valley (about 20 minutes).

Calgary & Vancouver

Both major cities are equal distance by road (about 7-8 hours). Calgary is 650 km (400 miles) to the east, and Vancouver is 650 km (400 miles) to the west.

U.S. Border

It’s 60 km (36 miles) to 90 km (54 miles) north of the U.S. border, depending on which road you choose (about 1 to 1.5 hours).

Spokane, Washington, U.S.

It’s 250 km (150 miles) north of Spokane, Washington (about 3-4 hours).

Revelstoke/Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada highway at Revelstoke is about 120 km (75 miles) north of the northern-most part of the Slocan Valley at Summit Lake (about 2 hours, including a short free ferry ride).

Okanagan
Kelowna is about 250 km (150 miles) to the west (about 3.5-4 hours, including a scenic free ferry ride).

Before you head to the Slocan:

Up-to-date road conditions can be found on Drive BC

Need a ride or offering a ride ? Check out Kootenay Rideshare.

By air

Air Canada provides daily service from both Calgary and Vancouver to the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar, the nearest commercial airport (a 20 minute drive to the southern end of the Valley). The flights are only about an hour from either city and car rentals, shuttles and public transportation are available at the airport.

Pacific Coastal Airlines provides daily service from Vancouver to Trail Regional Airport (a 40 minute drive to the southern end of the Valley).

If you choose to land at the Spokane International Airport in Spokane, Washington, it’s a 3-4 hour drive to the Slocan Valley.

Airport Shuttles:

Kootenay Gateway (formerly Mountain Shuttles) offers shuttles from the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar and Trail Regional Airport (must book in advance).

BC Transit offers service to the Slocan Valley. Check out route and schedule information here.

By bus

Mountain Man Mike’s Bus Service provides eco-friendly bus transportation between Vancouver, Calgary and Kaslo. The bus does not run though the Slocan Valley but does stop at the Playmor Junction, at the southern end of the Valley.

By train

Trains were an important part of Slocan Valley heritage. However, the old railways have been closed and the rail beds deactivated. They are now a beautiful network of hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails.

The nearest Via Rail train station is in Kamloops, B.C. (about a 4-hour drive to the northern end of the Valley).

For cross-Canada rail service, contact VIA Rail at 1.888.842.7245 or visit www.viarail.ca.

For service from Vancouver to Jasper, Banff and Calgary, contact Rocky Mountain Railtours at