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 The
town of Balfour was originally a steamboat terminus for the mining
activities up and down Kootenay Lake. Presently Balfour is a resort
community with accommodation, camping, marinas, and a full range
of fishing services.
Much
more than a couple of fun shops and restaurants at the ferry landing,
the "greater metropolitan Balfour area" has more than
60 businesses and 1,200 residents.
By
the way, it's not "Bal Fore," but "BAL fer."
Just humour us.
Balfour's
sparkling jewel is, of course, the world-class, Les Furber-designed
Balfour Golf Course. Don't be fooled by the unpaved parking lot
or modest clubhouse. Balfour's
passionate golfers built the whole thing just a few years ago,
and, having their priorities straight, they started with the course
itself, which is arguably the best in the area (really). Then
they built the clubhouse, and we mean they wielded the hammers.
The beer is cold and the deck view is spectacular. They'll
get around to paving the parking lot.
The
toughest part about the Balfour Golf Course is trying to keep
your eyes on the golf ball instead of the scenery --
Treacherously breathtaking. Anyway,
bring your A game – you'll love the course, and it'll demand
your best.
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 Elevation:
1736 ft or 530 meters
Climate:
Four distinct seasons characterize Balfour's climate.
Average
minimum and maximum temperatures vary from -5C to 5C (12F to
41F) in winter to 15C to 27C (59F to 80F) in summer.
Rainfall
averages around 25 mm (.98 in) per month March through October.
Snowfall
occurs November through March, with December and January averaging
70 cm (27.5 in) each.
Average
Mean Temperatures: Winter:
Lows -4.9 c (23F) Highs 0.6 c (33F)
Summer: Lows 11.1 c (51F) Highs 26.6 c (79F)
Population: approx. 1200
 Main
Industries: tourism
Access:
Balfour can be reached along Highway 3A east of Nelson and
south of Kaslo. Travelling south from Kaslo on Highway 31 also
arrives at Balfour. The ferry from Kootenay Bay has a crossing
time of 35 minutes.
Check the Ferry Schedule
Services:
Balfour district offers over 60 businesses including a well-stocked
grocery store, bakery, service and gas station, restaurants, a
couple of pubs, gifts shops, and more. Balfour has a fire hall
and medical clinic close by. There
is a hospital in Nelson as well as ambulance service.
Recreation
Facilities & Activities: camping, fishing, golfing, hot springs,
swimming, boating
 Local
Attractions: Redfish Creek Spawning Channel, new Balfour Golf
Course, Ainsworth Hot Springs,
Annual Fishing Derby
Things to Do:
-
Get
some duck food at Lang's, and wander down to the beach. Watch
the ferry and feed the ducks.
-
Launch your boat at Balfour wharf.
-
Go for lunch and shopping at the Balfour Ferry Landing.
-
Play nine or eighteen at the golf course.
-
Hit a bucket of balls at the driving range.
-
Try to conquer the Eagleview putting course.
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Take a bike ride over to Procter via the cable ferry.
-
 Rent
a couple of kayaks.
-
Rent a boat.
-
Take a fishing or sailing charter.
-
Drive up to Ainsworth – check out the historic cemetery
and Fletcher's Store Museum, and then go soak in the hot springs.
-
Go cross-country skiing at the golf course.
-
Go back-country and heli-skiing.
-
Hike to or drive (with a tough vehicle) to Kokanee Glacier.
-
Take a helicopter ride over Kokanee Glacier!
-
Wander through Cody Caves.
-
Go bird watching.
-
Visit Kaslo and the beautifully restored Moyie paddlewheeler.
-
Drive the Sandon Circle tour and Idaho Peak Lookout - A must!
(August is best for viewing wildflowers.)
-
Tour the off-road biking trails at Kokanee Glacier Road. (The
Regional Forestry office at 3 Mile will provide maps of all
local marine parks and trails.)
-
 Go
for the longest free ferry ride in the world.
-
Go see the creative East Shore artisans (weaver, broom maker,
glass blower, blacksmith) in Crawford Bay, and go farther down
the lake to see the Glass House.
-
Wander through the Creston Wildlife Wetlands Bird Sanctuary.
-
Use the Balfour soccer field for playing softball, throwing
a frisbee, and kicking a soccer ball, or book it for family
parties or team tournaments.
-
Play tennis.
-
Go for a walk around the golf course and gravel pit trails.
-
Drive to Castlegar and see the demonstration Doukhobour farm,
museum, and fantastic gift shop.
-
Just sit and watch the waves on the lake. Oh, there's an eagle!
Accommodations:
Campgrounds, RV parks, motel and bed & breakfast as all available.
We
extend our thanks to the Balfour Chamber of Commerce for information
and photos on their community.
For
Information:
Balfour
and District Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 2, Balfour, BC, V0G 1C0
e-mail: info@balfourcanada.com
Web:
www.balfourcanada.com
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