Onward to our next hot springs on the tour and today we are driving in tandem. From Nakusp we took Hwy 6 heading to the city of Nelson. The highway is narrow and winding and high in elevation above Slocan Lake for half the drive (a highway to be avoided at night for sure). We stopped for a short stretch at a rest area before continuing on to Nelson and had planned to spend a few hours here checking out the city, but rain set in and changed that plan. We stopped to restock and continued on. Following the Kootenay river which then flows into the large Kootenay lake we soon arrived at Woodbury Resort and Marina. This resort is mainly seasonal campers with large mobile homes decked out like cabins, a store, and a very popular restaurant called JB’s which is famous for their fish and chips. Our sites were small and with water views, and there is a small off leash beach area for dogs.
Ainsworth Hot springs is 3 km from the resort. We had made reservations as recommended and in the morning drove to the spa. Parking for larger vehicles would be difficult but we both managed to find a spot and, leaving Cedar in the van with snacks and the fan running, we headed in. The major draw here is the caves and I was excited to see them. The hot springs were first visited by the Ktunaxa First Nations peoples who embraced the nupika wu’u, or spirit water, for their healing and rejuvenating powers and Ainsworth Hot Springs has been welcoming guests since the 1930s. Today the property is owned by Yaqan Nukiy, the Lower Kootenay Band of Creston, BC, returning the Ktunaxa peoples to this significant land so that they may share their appreciation with others.
The hot springs originate around the Cody Caves, above and to the east of the resort. The water flows down through fractures in the rock and hydraulic pressure forces the water up along the fault until it emerges at the resort. The warm mineral water enters our system at a temperature of 47°C / 117°F before it is cooled to an average of 42°C (108°F) for the 150-foot horseshoe caves, and an average temperature of 35°C (96°F) for the main lounging pool.
The facility is a little more upscale here with a large reception, gift shop, and change rooms. The main pool is also large, with seating along the sides and in the middle, with both shallow and deeper areas. There is a very cold plunge pool and the caves. In the cave the water is about waist high and both the water and air is warmer and steamy. It is dark when entering until the eyes adjust but strings of lights under the water show the path. A very different and fun spa experience for sure.
Back at Woodbury, we all decided to get take out of the ‘famous’ fish and chips. They were indeed delicious.