Temperate climate, long growing season, abundant wildflowers and greenery, frequent thunderstorms, and moderate to heavy snowfall accumulation. The moderating effect of lakes in most of these communities keeps the snowfall levels in town manageable. Lakes are generally cool for swimming, excellent for fishing. In the shoulder seasons, valley fog tends to hem in the most narrow valleys, given the temperate gradient and frequent inversions.
Architecture: Heritage homes feature in most West Kootenay communities. Nelson is notable for its restored downtown core, with many original buildings still operating as businesses. Along this city’s waterfront, condominiums are being developed. In the rest of the region, rustic properties, acreages, and outlying areas are populated along the highway and waterfront.
