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Travel Tips

Travel Tips – Every good adventure deserves an even better plan.

We are all here for the beauty, pristine outdoors and culture filled communities. Let’s keep this place as amazing for the next visit as it is for this one.

Get travel savvy and make the most of your time in Arrow Slocan. Here are a few things to consider when planning your next trip:

  1. Protect our nature. Brush up on the seven Leave no Trace Principles
    * Plan ahead & prepare
    * Travel & camp on durable surfaces
    * Leave what you find
    * Minimize campfire use & impact
    * Respect wildlife
    * Dispose of waste properly
    * Be considerate of others
  1. Shop Local
  2. Reduce Waste
    * Pack a reusable drink bottle and to-go coffee mug
    * Pack your own cutlery
    * Carry a re-usable bag
  1. Follow COVID guidelines and Protocols
  2. Drive carefully
  3. Keep Arrow Slocan clean & pristine
  4. Adventure Smart & be prepared
  5. Appreciate local culture & communities
  6. Invasive Species & Travel
  7. More Resources

Campfire Ban in Effect

Campfire bans are common occurrence in the summer to help prevent the potential of human caused wildfires. Before lighting a fire, always check to see what restrictions are in place.

Detailed information is found through the South-East Fire Centre.

Protect our Nature & Leave No Trace

Here in Arrow Slocan we are fortunate to live in the middle of beautiful wilderness with access to incredible outdoor spaces. To keep our region what it is, always follow the seven Leave no Trace principles.

This starts with how you plan and pack for your trip, as well as what you do when in the outdoors. Finally, how you pack up to make sure no one could ever know you were there.

Drive Carefully

Arrow Slocan highways are predominately one lane in each direction – it’s part of the local charm. Mountain roads can be windy and the line of sight not clear. Sometimes traffic may move more slowly than expected.

Wait for a passing lane or pass only when the road lines indicate that it is safe to do so. Check carefully for oncoming traffic before passing. The time available to pass many be shorter than anticipated.

Winter Travel

The region is known for its unstoppable powder. There is a reason it is home to a ski hill and five backcountry ski lodges.

In winter, roads can be icy or snowy. Late at night snow plowing may be limited. Always have dedicated good condition winter tires and be confident driving in winter conditions. Whenever possible, plan your trip to avoid driving in the middle of a storm cycle.

Travel in winter requires additional consideration:

  • Dedicated winter tires are highly recommended. All seasons, even those with the snowflake, don’t provide the same kind of traction ideally needed for ice and snow conditions.
  • Winter tires or chains are required on most highway routes in British Columbia from October 1 to April 30.
  • Slow down to match the road conditions. The max posted speed may not be appropriate for the current winter road conditions.
  • Avoid a rush. Give yourself plenty of extra time to arrive at your destination.

Check DriveBC.ca for major road events such as delays, closures and suggested detours:
DriveBC.ca
Highway Webcams
ShiftintoWinter.ca
Winter Driving – Province of BC
Twitter: @DriveBC

Shop Local

While here, why not plan to support local businesses? The communities that host you rely on the small businesses that call here home. One way to give back to the region is by buying local and helping those businesses’ ongoing viability.

Part of the Arrow Slocan experience is tasting all the deliciously local food, enjoying that unique local coffee shop and the made-no-where-else arts and crafts of the region. Come away having had a truly local experience.

Reduce your Waste

Cutting down on the amount of waste you create can go a long way to helping keep Arrow Slocan clean. Try the following tips to reduce your waste as you’re travelling.

1. Pack a reusable drink bottle

Help to cut down on the amount of plastic bottles going into landfill, recycling, or the environment by using a drink bottle. 

Tap water in Arrow Slocan is safe to drink. You can refill your bottle at your accommodation, a provincial park, or ask at a local cafe or restaurant if they will fill you up when purchasing something from them.

By carrying a reusable drink bottle, you cut down on the amount of plastic waste created and save money at the same time.

2. Pack a reusable coffee cup

Why not enjoy that cup of coffee out of your favourite to-go mug? Most people order a hot beverage in the morning. Make sure that your week-long vacation in Arrow Slocan doesn’t mean seven more cups in the landfill.

3. Carry your own cutlery

You can reduce your waste by carrying your own knife, fork, and spoon. It’s handy to have a cutlery set when camping in the wilderness, but also when getting takeaway meals in town. Refusing single-use plastic cutlery is a great way to travel more sustainably.

4. Carry a reusable bag

Don’t rely on plastic bags when shopping. Paper bags also have an environmental impact. Make shopping easier and greener by carrying a reusable bag.

Shop at local farmers markets to reduce the amount of packaging you go through and support local growers at the same time.

Keep Arrow Slocan Clean & Pristine

Taking responsibility for your litter is an important part of caring for our region’s future by leaving it as beautiful as you found it.

If you can pack it in, you can pack it out.

Always:

  • Plan ahead to reduce the amount of potential garbage packed in with you.
  • Always pack all garbage out – this includes burnables.
  • Bring a garbage bag. Make pack out clean and easy.
  • Leave nothing in the fire rings at a campsite.
  • Never attempt to burn garbage in the fire.
  • Leave the location better than you found it. If you see garbage pick it up and pack it out!

Adventure Smart & Be Prepared

In the mountains and on the water weather can change quickly. There is often no cell service and in remote areas it is up to you to be prepared to manage emergencies.

Check out AdventureSmart to learn outdoor activity based tips to keep you safe and make sure you get the most out of your next adventure.

Here are a few basics:

  • Be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
  • Plan your route, have a map, know where you are going.
  • Know the terrain and conditions.
  • Check the weather.
  • Have appropriate essentials with you – be prepared to spent a night outside in case of emergency.
    • Always pack items such as: warm clothing, flashlight, food, emergency communication device, water, knife, emergency shelter.
  • Obtain the knowledge and skills you need before heading out.
  • Know and stay within your limits.
  • Be aware of wildlife. Learn how to avoid and handle a potential animal encounter safely.
  • Dress appropriately for the outdoor environment – consider your footwear and clothing choices.
  • Get the training needed for land, water and winter travel – and the right safety gear to head out on a trip.
  • Don’t assume Search and Rescue (SAR) will be able to come for you in an emergency. Weather or hazardous conditions will prevent SAR from responding to a call until it is safe to do so. Be prepared for self rescue and to overnight.

Keep Wildlife Wild

The region is a home to many types of wildlife – grizzly and black bears, cougar, deer, birds, small mammals and rodents, coyotes – and many more! Allow wild animals to stay wild by not acclimatizing them to human interaction. Never feed, approach or follow an animal. Keep food and garbage securely stored at all times. Be prepared for how to handle a potential encounter – Learn More!

When nature calls, use a bathroom

You’ll find toilets at provincial campsites, recreation sites, at marked viewpoints, rest stops, visitor centres and at some municipal parks and beaches. You can also find bathrooms in supermarkets, cafes, gas stations and restaurants.

Never miss an opportunity to use the bathroom while travelling, especially if you’re heading off into the outdoors.

If you do find yourself on a hiking trail with no bathroom in sight, dig a hole well away from people and water, try to use as little toilet paper as possible and cover the hole when finished. This prevents the spread of diseases and reduces the amount of waste left in our beautiful nature spots.

Campfires 

A campfire is an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width. Campfires contribute to the province’s wildfires every year. During dry and hot months campfires are restricted or banned.

Only have a campfire in a designated fire ring and never in the alpine. Campfires have a lasting impact on the environment. Ash and charcoal along with blackened earth and rocks last for many many years creating an unsightly mark in a pristine environment.

If having a fire:

  • Keep the fire small and burning only for the time you are using it.
  • Allow wood to burn completely to ash.
  • Put out fires with water, not dirt. Dirt may not completely extinguish the fire.
  • Avoid building fires next to rock outcrops where the black scars will remain for many years.

To prevent your campfire from turning in to a wildfire be sure to:

  • Check current campfire restrictions for the area you are in.
  • Only burn in a designated fire ring.
  • Remove all leaves, twigs and other flammable material from the area around where you plan to light your campfire.
  • Never have a campfire when it’s windy.
  • Do not leave a campfire unattended for ANY amount of time.
  • Keep a bucket of at least eight litres of water close by the fire at all time, and/or a hand tool (such as a shovel) to extinguish the fire properly.
  • Completely extinguish your campfire before you go to sleep or leave the area for any period of time.
  • To extinguish your campfire, pour plenty of water on the fire and surrounding area, dousing the site of the campfire thoroughly. Stir the campfire until there are no embers and the ashes are cold to the touch.

Appreciate Local Culture & Communities

Let us host you – immerse yourself in our local communities. There is something unique about that Arrow Slocan vibe, embrace it. Slow down, take your time travelling through the region and get to know us for who we are.

Invasive Species & Travel

Invasive species are non-native plants, animals or other organisms whose introduction and spread harms BC’s native species, ecosystems, economy and human health. Invasive species damage ecosystems, landscapes and native wildlife.

DID YOU KNOW? Invasive species are second only to habitat loss in reducing global biodiversity. BC is the most biologically diverse province in Canada. 75% of Canada’s mammal species are found here and there are over 1,800 species at risk!

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Invasive species can rapidly establish and spread, reducing biodiversity and destroying habitats that support entire ecosystems. Invasive plants can displace native vegetation and reduce forage for wildlife, severely damage riparian areas, destabilize slopes and increase fire hazards.

Invasive animals can outcompete native species for food, shelter and space, spread diseases, introduce parasites and disrupt food webs. Invasive species damage infrastructure, reduce crop yields, destroy forests and costing millions of dollars in management and control costs.

TRAVEL is also a major pathway for the introduction and spread of invasive species. People participating in activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, camping and moving between sites can spread invasive species. These activities also bring travellers to ecologically sensitive areas like parks, biodiversity hotspots and remote wilderness sites. Invasive species can cling to clothing, animal fur, camping gear, firewood, vehicles and watercraft and be transported to new locations.

Follow these simple steps to prevent the spread of invasive species!

BEFORE ANY ACTIVITY:
✓ Clean gear before going to a new location.
✓ CHECK that all watercraft and vehicles are CLEAN and DRY prior to use.
✓ Plan to BURN LOCAL firewood only—insects and diseases in firewood can destroy our forests.

DURING YOUR OUTING:
✓ STAY on designated trails and roads.
✓ CHECK for invasive species hitching a ride on clothing, watercraft, vehicles, equipment, pets and gear.
✓ REPORT any invasive species using the Report Invasives BC app or visit. bcinvasives.ca/report

AFTER YOUR EXPERIENCE:
✓ CLEAN all plant parts and mud from boots, gear, watercraft, pets and vehicles.
✓ DRAIN all water from your watercraft and gear onto land, including all internal compartments, ballast tanks, live wells, bilges, bait buckets, motors, etc.
✓ DRY all parts of your boat and gear completely and pull the plug when storing or transporting your watercraft.
✓ CHECK your clothing, gear and equipment, plus yourself, kids or pets for any hitchhikers.

For more information: www.bcinvasives.ca/tourism/

More Information & Resources

For the latest information before you travel: