The BC Rural Centre’s inaugural Escape the City contest is in the books. Hundreds of city dwellers from all over North America told us they were interested in moving to a place where the pace is slower, Nature is closer, and people friendlier — in this case, to what has been called “the loveliest village in British Columbia” — Kaslo.
Kaslo, home to the Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival (described in USA Today as one of the top-10 outdoor summer music festivals in the world) is located in southeastern BC’s West Kootenay region, a hour’s drive north of Nelson, 15 minutes from Ainsworth Hot Springs.
Our winners spent four nights at the beautiful Kaslo Hotel, overlooking the sparkling waters of fjord-like Kootenay Lake, and were immersed in local life during their stay.
The Longvals, from Calgary, and the Stobers, from Victoria, were impressed — both families left vowing to return — permanently. The upside for Kaslo was considerable, including contact information for everyone who entered the contest, plenty of (positive) free publicity, and a renewed sense of community pride and optimism.
Interested in learning more, including how your community might do something similar? Drop us a line, at info@bcruralcentre.org, or give us a call, at (250) 353-3016.