Welcome to Kootenay Getaway — your private lakeside retreat on the shores of Kootenay Lake, just minutes from the historic village of Ainsworth and its famous hot springs cave.
This is the full house: 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sleeps 12+ across the upstairs main floor and the downstairs games + media level. Sunrise mornings over the lake, expansive deck for sundowners, a games room for rainy afternoons, and a private movie theatre for evenings in. We trust that you'll enjoy our home as much as we do, and discover some of the adventures and wonders in the area.
The house will be ready for you from 4:00 PM and time of departure is 10:00 AM.
Kootenay Getaway is on Davidson Road just south of historic Ainsworth. If you're travelling north from Balfour, Davidson Road is a sharp right-hand turn off Hwy 31 — it's safer to drive a couple of minutes past it to Ainsworth and turn around. On your way back south out of the village, you'll pass an 80 km/h sign. The road bears right and then left. After this point, slow down — Davidson Road will appear. Drive down and the house will be almost in front of you with two stone pillars marking the entrance.
Your check-in details — including the front-door key code — are provided in your booking confirmation message. Check your platform chat (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) or email for everything you need to get in.
- No smoking or vaping inside. A security deposit will be charged if evidence of smoking is found inside the home. Please use the can outside the back door for cigarette butts.
- No candles inside the home.
- No events or parties. This is a family retreat, not an event venue.
- Quiet hours 9:00 PM – 9:00 AM to respect our neighbours.
- 12 guests maximum — strictly enforced for safety and neighbour consideration.
- Pets by pre-approval only. Dogs welcome (max 2). No cats. $20/night per pet, arranged before check-in.
- Septic system. Please follow the posted rules in the bathrooms — only flush toilet paper. Use the trash cans for everything else.
- Wood fireplace + pellet stove. Always ensure both are off when not in use and at checkout.
- No garbage outside. Bagged garbage and recycling go in the bins inside the garden shed at the north end of the yard — keep wildlife (especially bears) out.
- Lake access safety. There is no direct lake access due to steep drop-offs. Stay back from the cliff edge — see the Safety section for details.
Garbage & Recycling
Living in the Kootenay 'boonies' means a septic system, wild neighbours (bears, birds of prey, skunks, deer), and no curbside garbage collection.
Garbage: Use the disposal receptacles provided. Food waste goes in the lined compost bin in the kitchen — when full, place the compost bag in the bottom of the fridge freezer for our team to remove on changeover day. All other garbage (including cooled-down fat) goes in the kitchen garbage can. Extra compost and garbage bags are under the kitchen sink.
Recycling: Wash containers and place them in the blue bin by the back door, together with cardboard and paper.
Take out: Full garbage bags and full recycling can be taken to the small garden shed at the north end of the yard, where you'll find two large bins for the appropriate waste. Lock the latch to keep wildlife out.
Never leave garbage, food, or coolers outside. Bears are active in this area and will investigate food odours. Always use the secured garden shed bins.
Heating & Cooling
The house does not have central A/C. There's a fan in each upstairs bedroom and one for the main living area — we recommend opening the windows in the morning to get the air circulating.
For cooler months, the home is heated by electric baseboard heaters with a thermostat in most rooms. There's also a wood-burning stove in the main living area upstairs and a pellet stove downstairs. See Wood Stove and Pellet Stove below for instructions.
The upstairs bathrooms have underfloor heating. Please use the extractor fans after showers.
Kitchen / Dining
Hopefully you'll find a well-stocked kitchen, but if you think of anything that would be useful, just let us know so we can make it a home away from home.
Extra plates and bowls are in the cupboard above the oven.
The kitchen includes:
- Bosch induction stovetop (instructions below)
- Oven, dishwasher, microwave
- Toaster, electric kettle, blender, coffee/tea maker
- Wine glasses, cooking basics, baking sheet, BBQ utensils (in the kitchen drawers)
- High chair and children's dinnerware
Induction Stovetop
- Press on/off on the left side of the silver bar at the front of the stove.
- A red image of the stovetop elements will appear.
- Press the image of the element you wish to turn on, then press the number for the desired heat level. To change the heat, press a different number on the silver bar.
- To turn off an element, select '0'.
- When turned off, an 'H' will be displayed until the element has cooled down.
Sits in behind the stove. Press the round black button on the right-hand side. Once it pops up, use the black switch on the right-hand side to select fan speed.
Wood Stove (Upstairs)
- Use the paper and cardboard in the wooden box beneath the ledge — wood and kindling are to the right.
- Allow the fire to get going with the door open before locking the door.
- Ensure the vent is open (right-hand-side dial).
- There's a fan dial on the bottom left.
- The dial on the top tells you when the fire is active and the lever can be lowered.
Pellet Stove (Downstairs)
- Plug in at the wall.
- Set the temperature on the wall opposite.
- Ensure there are plenty of pellets in the hopper (top of stove).
- Turn the stove on with the side buttons.
- The stove will heat up and then blow out warm air at the correct temperature.
- Spare pellets are kept in the cupboard next to the stove.
Laundry
A large washing machine and two dryers are in the utility room upstairs, along with an iron and ironing board. Feel free to use them when needed. Detergent provided.
Should you need it, the central vac hose is kept in the utility room — the power switch is just outside the door. Broom, dustpan, and mop are also in the utility room.
Towels & Linens
Premium linens and towels are provided for all bedrooms and bathrooms. Please keep the white towels for in-house use only.
Beach towels can be found in the utility room — perfect for hot springs and lake adventures.
TVs
Smart TVs are located in the master bedroom, upstairs living room, and downstairs media room. All are linked to the internet with Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
Game Room
The downstairs games room has a full-size pool table and foosball table — perfect for rainy afternoons or evenings in.
Movie Theatre
The downstairs private movie theatre seats 10+ on the sectional sofa with floor cushions. The 70" TV is streaming-ready (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video).
Baby & Toddler
A stair gate remains fixed in place on the main floor, and the deck has two gates — but please be mindful of other potential hazards in the yard.
In the utility room you'll find: booster seat, play yard with bassinet and sheet, light, small blanket, toilet training seat, step stool, bathtub safety mat, and changing mat. If you'd like the high chair set out, just let us know. Children's cutlery and dinnerware are in the kitchen.
The Deck
An expansive covered deck wraps the lake side of the home with multiple seating areas, Adirondack chairs, and a dining table — perfect for morning coffee, sunset cocktails, or stargazing once it's dark. There's no light pollution out here, so the night sky is incredible.
BBQ
Situated outside the back door. BBQ utensils are in the kitchen drawers. Please clean the grill after use and ensure it's fully off when finished.
Backyard & Gazebo
The grassy backyard has a gazebo with dining furniture for outdoor meals and Adirondack chairs in the lawn near the trees.
Campfire
A wood-burning fire bowl with hotdog and marshmallow roasting sticks is provided — campfires are part of the Kootenay experience. Firewood is provided.
Campfires are typically allowed unless a full fire ban is in effect — usually around August 1st each year. Always check the current status before lighting: BC Wildfire — Southeast Fire Centre. Never leave fires unattended; fully extinguish before going to bed or leaving the property.
We can't imagine a holiday without our beloved dog, so we welcome yours — only asking for reasonable consideration with regards to furniture and bedding. (No cats, please — homeowner allergies.)
To make your furry friend more comfortable, we provide:
- Doggie bowls
- Doggie bed and blanket (next to the couch in the living room)
- Spare poo bags under the kitchen sink
Please clean up any mess in the yard. Dog waste (already in poo bags) can go in the silver garbage can outside the back door.
Dog-Friendly Spots Nearby
- Beaches: Woodbury Marina & Resort, Fletcher Falls, Kokanee Provincial Park, Kaslo beaches
- Walks: Kaslo river walk and many other places worth discovering
Cliff Edge Warning
The lower north-end of the yard (across from the log store, past the retaining wall) has exposed woodland and an old, unstable path next to the garden shed which eventually leads to the cliff edge above the lake. There's no wall or fence at this time — please be mindful with children and pets.
We recommend not going past the retaining wall on the north side of the yard. Steep drop-offs to the lake.
Wildlife
This is bear country. Never leave food, garbage, or coolers outside. Deer, birds of prey, skunks, and smaller wildlife are frequent visitors. If you encounter a bear, stay calm, make yourself big, make noise, and back away slowly. Do not run.
Accessibility
The home isn't fully wheelchair accessible, but some adaptations have been made:
- Small step up to the main entrance and a small lip from the patio doors to the deck. The main patio door is wider than the side patio door.
- The master bedroom and ensuite are adapted for wheelchair use: appropriate mattress height (when topper is removed), no decorative bed frame to impede transfers, widened door frames, sliding ensuite door, toilet with grab bar, and wet-room shower with required turning space.
Safety Equipment
- Smoke detector
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
Security
Exterior security cameras are installed for property safety. No cameras inside the home or aimed at private outdoor areas.
Property Manager
Retreat Vacation Rentals
1-833-636-1919
info@retreatvr.ca
Digital Guidebook
Tap below for the full West Kootenays guidebook — restaurants, attractions, secret spots.
hostful.ly/westkootenaysGetting There & Around
| Balfour Superette (convenience) | 10 min |
| Ainsworth Hot Springs | 5 min |
| Kaslo (groceries, post office, Front St Market) | 18 min |
| Cody Caves Provincial Park | 15 min |
| Kootenay Lake Hospital (Nelson, 24hr ER) | 40 min |
| Nelson (Save-On, Walmart, restaurants) | 40 min |
Dining
Ktunaxa Grill at Ainsworth Hot Springs Hotel — call to reserve 1-800-668-1171 (closed Mon & Tue).
JB's Pub & Restaurant at Woodbury Resort — (250) 353-7716.
Kaslo Hotel & Pub — open daily 11:30 AM–9:00 PM for dine-in or takeout.
Plenty more options in Kaslo — see the digital guidebook above.
Activities & Attractions
Ainsworth Hot Springs — public entry by reservation only, Wed–Sun 10:00 AM–6:30 PM. The signature horseshoe cave is unlike any other hot springs in BC. ainsworthhotsprings.com
Cody Caves Provincial Park — guided spelunking tours through limestone caves, just minutes north. codycavetours.com
Boat rentals & toys: Jones Boys Boat Rentals + Woodbury Resort & Marina, minutes north of Ainsworth. jonesboysboats.com
Walking & Hiking: westkootenayhiking.ca
More info: kootenayrockies.com · nelsonkootenaylake.com
There's a giant Kootenay wall map inside the home to help you plan adventures.
Checkout Checklist
- Gather used towels — Place all used towels in one pile on the bathroom floor.
- Run the dishwasher — Load all dirty dishes and start the dishwasher before you leave.
- Take out garbage — Bag and place in the bins inside the garden shed (lock the latch).
- Turn things off — BBQ, wood stove, pellet stove, lights, fans, baseboard heaters.
- Lock up — Close and lock all windows and doors.
That's it! We'll handle the rest.
Thank you for staying with us — we hope you had a wonderful time.