Ainsworth Hot Springs-Balfour

Ainsworth Hot Springs and Balfour are neighbouring unincorporated communities in the West Kootenays, of British Columbia, Canada.

Understand
Ainsworth Hot Springs and Balfour are neighbouring unincorporated communities about from each other and are situated on the north shore of Kootenay Lake. Ainsworth Hot Springs is best known for its natural hot springs, considered to be the best commercial hot springs in British Columbia, as well as Cody Caves, a network of limestone caves. Balfour, at the juncture of Kootenay Lake with its West Arm and is the western terminus of the Kootenay Lake Ferry, which at 8 km (5 mi) to Kootenay Bay, is said to be the longest toll-free vehicle ferry in the world.

By car
Balfour is about east of Nelson on Highway 3A, which takes about 25 minutes. Ainsworth Hot Springs is an additional 15 minutes north of Balfour via Highway 31.

By ferry
The ferry crosses crosses Kootenay Lake between and, a distance of about 8 km (5 mi) apart. Sailings depart about every 50 minutes during the summer and every 100 minutes during the winter. The schedule is subject to change and there can be delays during peak times.

Drivers coming from Creston and points-east wishing to bypass the ferry can take the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) west to Salmo, across Kootenay Pass, and then Highway 6 to Nelson, a 2-hour drive under normal (summer) driving conditions.

By public transit

 * Route 10 operates between Balfour and Nelson (55 minutes) from Monday to Saturday.
 * Health Connections trips three days per week between Balfour and Kaslo. Health Connections trips are open to everyone to ride, but must be reserved in advance and trips to medical appointments receive priority
 * Health Connections trips three days per week between Balfour and Kaslo. Health Connections trips are open to everyone to ride, but must be reserved in advance and trips to medical appointments receive priority

Do

 * Boating and fishing. Kokanee, Rainbow Trout and Burbot are all present in Kootenay Lake with various marinas and public boat launches available.
 * Cycling. There is both road and mountain biking in the area.
 * Boating and fishing. Kokanee, Rainbow Trout and Burbot are all present in Kootenay Lake with various marinas and public boat launches available.
 * Cycling. There is both road and mountain biking in the area.
 * Cycling. There is both road and mountain biking in the area.

Buy



 * For handcrafted work by artisans, visit (near Kootenay Bay on the east side of the lake), where several artisans have shops that can be visited.

Splurge