Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
1 Mar 2025
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
5
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
I have been hosting Workaway guests since 2016, but this is an entirely new message, as husband recently passed away.........hence writing this as a single person...... no longer part of a "newly retired fun loving hard working couple"...... although same place, same land, same dreams.
My project for the summer of 2022 is to plant a permaculture food forest on land I have enjoyed for many years now. The 2 A. piece sits on a bench above the Village of Silverton, in the Sloan Valley, West Kootenays in S.E British Columbia.
Summer 2022 goal was a success. 2023 will see mushroom cultivation, with continued care of the new trees, plus fire mitigation type work.
I am located midway between Vancouver and Calgary about 1 hour north of Nelson, and welcome visits from people wanting to experience a beautiful, remote, progressive, creative, eco-minded community.
The land above Silverton houses a rustic cabin with electricity and cold running water, which I use as my studio, but I live lakeside in the Village of New Denver about 3 km north of Silverton.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
People in this region are friendly, very progressive, creative, community minded, and practise sustainability. Lifelong friends can be made here.
Help
I have a sweet heritage home beside Slocan Lake in the small village of New Denver as well as a 3 acre clearing of land on a bench above the village of Silverton. The two properties are about 3 km. apart.
For the summer of 2022, I need help on the land which would include cutting slash, digging holes, planting food bearing trees, as well as other land work.
My legacy is to leave behind a permaculture food forest.
May also want to do fire mitigation type land clearing which involves branching trees, bucking dead wood, taking wood to slash piles for burning in either early spring or late fall, when fire risks are zero. I regularly use a chain saw and am very used to bush work. You can be too!
You all may have heard that BC has experienced wildfires and many of us are doing our best at fire mitigation. To understand more about this, you can read about the Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative at sifo.ca.
Summertimes, I tend to work hard in the mornings when cooler; afternoons dedicated to paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, biking, hiking and so on.
The area is rich with music festivals (Kaslo Jazz Festival, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues, Starbelly Jam, Unity Festival, Shamballa) & local concerts, farmer's markets, art shows, hot springs, ghost towns which we attend as often as possible. As of winter 2022, all COVID restrictions are off. Fingers crossed.
Winter is ski season. The backcountry is wild and powder perfect.
I am also involved with a Japanese Garden run by dedicated volunteers in New Denver. I may need help with gardening chores in the Garden which was established by locals to honour the Japanese-Canadians interred here during World War II.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
German: Beginner
Accommodation
I have nice bedrooms in the house (New Denver), comfortable accommodations in an outdoor coachhouse, or sleeping arrangements in the cabin (above Silverton). You can also camp near the house or in the bush, if that experience is desired.
What else ...
The easiest way to get to the Slocan Valley is to find a ride to Nakusp (from either Vernon or Revelstoke) or to Nelson and I can pick you up. I can easily pick you up in either Castlegar, Nelson, Kaslo, or Nakusp all near by towns/villages.
"Kootenay Rideshare" is a web platform which facilitates rides between big cities like Vancouver or Calgary to the West Kootenays. This is cheapest way to travel.
There is also a bus service from Calgary or Vancouver, landing in either Castlegar, Nelson or Kaslo from where I can pick you up.
There is also a small airport in Castlegar with flights from YVR.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Have high speed internet service and plenty of quiet work space.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (3)
To be precise: a few steps away from the Dogwood tree.
Some say it looks like a doll house, others will say they would not be surprised if one day Hansel and Gretel knocked at the door.
Whatever this house looks like, its owners look alike.
Peculiar, independent, welcoming,… read more
They were very welcoming and attentive, i felt like a member of their family.
New Denver is a lovely village surrounded by amazing landscapes and the community is very nice.
I worked essently outside to cut wood and help Birgit in her garden, you need to like to… read more
Photos
Feedback
To be precise: a few steps away from the Dogwood tree.
Some say it looks like a doll house, others will say they would not be surprised if one day Hansel and Gretel knocked at the door.
Whatever this house looks like, its owners look alike.
Peculiar, independent, welcoming,… read more
They were very welcoming and attentive, i felt like a member of their family.
New Denver is a lovely village surrounded by amazing landscapes and the community is very nice.
I worked essently outside to cut wood and help Birgit in her garden, you need to like to… read more
