Choose the product first. Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort sits beside Kootenay Lake in British Columbia. You can visit the public pools without booking a hotel room; the operator describes entry as first come, first served. Hotel access and spa treatments are separate products. If you are driving over just to soak, check the public-pool day and last admission rather than borrowing the longer hours shown for overnight guests.
What makes the soak different
The resort pool page describes a main lounging pool, a hotter natural cave shaped like a horseshoe, and a cold plunge. The cave is the distinctive experience; using the cold pool is optional. Published water temperatures are averages, not a promise for your visit. Mineral water is cooled before use and chlorine is added under pool-operation rules. Do not confuse a mineral spring with untreated water or read the resort's wellness language as medical evidence.
A locker comes with pool entry; towel rental is separate and the operator says it does not rent swimsuits. Bring your own swimwear and water, and use the cave at a pace comfortable for you. A private or special-needs change room is listed. Personal flotation devices are allowed, while pool noodles and toys are not. These practical details matter when planning a family visit.
Arrival and variable hours
Use the resort's address at 3609 Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay Highway, not a pin in the middle of Ainsworth village. The hotel and public pools have different schedules; even the operator's home and pool pages differ on some guest hours. Recheck the live pool rules and price shortly before travelling. The 2009 photograph documents the actual outdoor pool, not its current appearance.