1.) Snowshoeing
It’s a family friendly activity, from toddler to senior. If you can walk, you can learn to snowshoe! No special skills required. With many new models of snowshoes now coming with front and rear crampons and serrated edges, you can choose local trails or go off the beaten path, as snowshoes are the perfect answer to breaking trail. You can tackle some pretty adventurous terrain in the Koocanusa area! With a pair of lightweight aluminum alloy snowshoes coming in at $100-400, there’s a price point for everyone. Don’t let cold temperatures scare you either, as snowshoeing has you breaking a sweat within the first 15 minutes!
2.) Cross Country Skiing
It’s the affordable answer to finding a love for skiing! It’s also a bit safer of an option, for those who might not have the adrenaline junkie gene required to hit the downhill slopes. With that said, cross country skiing is anything but boring. Cross country skiing is a winter sport that continuously grows in popularity for good reason. It’s a beautiful way to explore the area, a great way to spend the day with friends and, much like snow shoeing, is a fabulous workout.
3.) Snowmobiling
There’s no denying that the Kootenay Rockies provides an abundance of amazing snowmobiling areas and the area surrounding Lake Koocanusa is no exception. The backroads in and around the area provide you with hundreds of kilometers of accessible terrain. If you are looking for marked trails or a group to go with, there are multiple snowmobile clubs in the surrounding area including the Fernie Snowmobile Association and the Cranbrook Snowmobile Club.
4.) Fat Biking
Whoever thought biking in the winter would be a thing? Now it is! For those who love cycling, fat biking is your answer to year-round fun! The bigger than average tires, and option for studding them, provides an opportunity to hit the most adventurous of areas regardless of snow and ice. If you haven’t tried it and you enjoy biking in all other seasons, then fat biking is a must try for you!
5.) Ice Fishing
We include this one with caution and a bit of a redirect to surrounding lakes! Drive by most any lake in the Kootenays this winter, and you’re likely to see a tent, a fire, and a good crowd of people gathered around the fishing hole. Ice fishing at Lake Koocanusa can result in a good catch of bull trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat and white fish. But proceed with caution and measure the ice. Koocanusa is truly a river, creating possibly dangerous conditions for ice fishing. Nearby lakes like Baynes, Edwards, Rosen and Tie will provide you with a day full of ice fishing fun followed by the best fresh fish dinner you’ve ever made.
While Lake Koocanusa is known as a summer destination, there’s no denying that it’s a year-round mecca for family fun and adventure.