Meet Tattoo Artist Selena Garlow
“How many tattoos do you have?” I ask Selena Garlow, the owner of Emerald City Tattoo. She’s wearing a black sundress with spaghetti straps and I can see all manner of ink on her, from spider webs and dream catchers encircling her arm to a crescent moon and Luna moth on the front of her neck. “Oh,…
Meet Castlegar Photographer Steven Wells
When he's not photographing the epic local views, Castlegar photographer Steven Wells is riding the mountain bike trails near his house or playing with his two young sons. In the past few years he's worked as the lead photographer at Big Red Cats, photographed multiple 50+K ultra marathons for the…
Castlegar to Host Invasive Species Fishout Derby Aug 14-23rd, 2026
This fall Castlegar will host the Invasive Species Fishout Derby on the Columbia River. The intent is to catch as many walleye (Regional Guidelines) and northern pike as possible because both species were introduced to the waters here and are detrimental to the native species of trout, Kokanee, and…
15 Quirky and Delightfully Unexpected Things to Do in Castlegar
My first rock climbing experience in Castlegar was also my most novel. I'd climbed for decades around the world but nowhere in all those travels had I ever climbed in the backyard of a brew pub before. The Lion's Head Smoke and Brew Pub is the only bar in North America with a natural rock climbing…
5 Quirky and Cool BnBs in Castlegar
Imagine bunking near your own private mini-golf course. Or near a secret, secluded swimming hole. Or above one of the most popular brewpubs in BC? Nestled at the confluence of the Columbia and Kootenay rivers, Castlegar is a hidden gem in British Columbia’s interior where nature, creativity, and…
Get To Know The Wildlife Of Castlegar
Story by Jenny Wallace, Castlegar's Wildsafe Community Coordinator Castlegar and the West Kootenay region of British Columbia is like the African savanna when it comes to wildlife. Some of the largest creatures on the continent live here and many are unique to this area of the world. In this…
Why Castlegar is a RV Dream Destination
In a recent article for the Explorer RV Club, writer Josephine Matyas describes the West Kootenay region as having "a superabundance of unspoiled beauty, scenic driving routes, excellent campgrounds, and more places to soak, fish, swim, hike and just relax than you could ever manage in one visit.…
Work Smarter at the Confluence: Castlegar's Premier Co-Working Space
It's time to get out of that musty basement, the chilly garage, or that cramped attic and move into a beacon of architectural innovation in Castlegar. The new Confluence Building has opened its doors to entrepreneurs, business people, students and anyone looking to work in a modern, inspiring…
Castlegar's New Confluence Building Now Open
Finally, the Kootenays have a gateway building worthy of the region's splendour. Castlegar's newest landmark is The Confluence, a beacon of architectural innovation and community spirit located at 1995 6th Ave. Designed by Kootenay-based Cover Architecture, the $8.7 million, 8,300-square-foot…
Meet Metal Artist Willow Enewold
Willow Enewold made a mid-life career change few others would be brave enough to do: she left the day-to-day office work of her successful accounting practice for "the hammering, the noise, the filth, the machines and the tools" of metal artistry. She still owns the accounting firm but these days…
Meet Musician and Photographer Yanive Feiner
Yanive Feiner is a renaissance man of sorts: he's been a music teacher for over 20 years; his photography is being used by various businesses and associations around the West Kootenay region; he's written one of the anthems being used by the Trail Smoke Eaters hockey team; he facilitates…
Meet Castlegar Photographer Josh Fogal
Although he's only been doing photography professionally for three years, Josh Fogal already has his work being showcased in the Kootenay Gallery. Born and raised in Castlegar, Josh says he was always inspired by the local animals and scenery to pick up a camera and he finally did so when he got…