British Columbia Highway 6

Highway 6 is a two-lane highway passing between the Kootenay and Okanagan regions in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is divided into two parts—the Nelson-Nelway Highway between the Canada–United States border and Nelson, and the Vernon-Slocan Highway between South Slocan and Vernon. Highway 6 is a north–south highway between Nelway and the Needles Ferry and an east–west highway between the Needles Ferry and Vernon; it has a total length of 407 km. It first opened in 1941 and, aside from minor realignments along it's concurrences with 3 and 3A, its very winding path through the western Kootenays has not changed since.

Nelson-Nelway Highway


Highway 6 begins at the Canada–United States border crossing at Nelway, where it connects with Washington State Route 31. The highway parallels the Salmo River for the rivers entire length from Nelson to the border and many views of the river can be seen from the highway. From the Canada–United States border, it travels north through the Selkirk Mountains for 10 km to the Burnt Flat Junction, where the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) merges onto it from the east. Highway 3 and Highway 6 share a concurrency north for 14 km to the town of Salmo, where Highway 3 diverges west.

From Salmo, Highway 6 goes north for 10 km, continuing to follow the Salmo River valley to the town of Ymir. Then it continues north for 34 km passing through the communities of Porto Rico and Hall Siding, to the city of Nelson, just south of which (10 km) access to the Whitewater Ski Resort is located. Highway 3A merges onto Highway 6 in Nelson, and the two highways travel west for 24 km along the Kootenay River, passing through the communities of Taghum, Bonnington Falls, Beasley and Corra Linn to where Highway 3A diverges southwest just west of South Slocan at Playmour Junction. The highway then proceeds north west up the Slocan Valley.

Vernon-Slocan Highway
From South Slocan, Highway 6 follows the Slocan River north for 75 km passing through Winlaw, Slocan City and Silverton to the community of New Denver, where Highway 31A meets Highway 6. 46 km northwest of New Denver, Highway 6 reaches its junction with Highway 23 at the resort community of Nakusp. Highway 6 then turns southwest and proceeds to follow the east bank of the Columbia River (Lower Arrow Lake) for 60 km to Fauquier, on the east shore of Lower Arrow Lake, where the Needles Ferry is located.

From Needles, Highway 6 takes a winding path northwest through the Monashee Mountain range, passing through the community of Cherryville on its exit from the mountains, until it reaches the community of Lumby, 110 km away. Highway 6 then proceeds west on its final 26 km through the district of Coldstream, and terminates at a junction with Highway 97 in Vernon.

History
Some maps show Highway 6 originally continuing west from Vernon to Monte Creek, approximately 26 km east of Kamloops. This section became part of Highway 97 in 1953.

Major intersections
From south to north: