Arrival and Parking Fees

After a scenic trip up the farm road, you’ll arrive at a clearing where our Parking Crew will direct you to the Fairy Lot.

Here your vehicle will be searched – all vehicles are subject to searches. Security will check photo IDs at this point, so please have yours ready.

While you wait, Parking Fairies will sell and affix a parking pass to your vehicle. Parking fees are as follows:

*Oversized vehicles are: RVs, Truck & Travel Trailers, Hummers/H2s, Buses, or any other unmentioned 8 (or more) passenger vehicle.

**Camping is always free in any zone, so opt to leave your vehicle in our free parking lot!

Come prepared with cash in hand – the ATM at the Mill Gate may encounter downtime or lineups.

Click Map to Enlarge!

Entry, Wristbands and Re-Entry

To pick up a Will Call ticket, visit us at the Reception Building. You must show your gov’t issued photo ID to pick it up. Please check out the Ticket FAQ for full instructions on what you need to pick up a ticket from Will Call!

Need to leave a ticket for a friend? You can register tickets on the Will Call list for a $15 registration fee – be sure you know your friend’s full name as seen on their gov’t ID (you can also leave notes/maps this way too!).

Once you have your Parking Pass, Ticket and Cash (if you arrive on an Early Entry day) you are ready for the Mill Gate! Mill Gate opens at 8am on Wednesday August 3^rd.

Early Entry fees are per person, payable in cash only and are as follows:

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011:

$50 per person.This fee is in effect until 8:00 am on Thursday, August 4th.

Thursday, August 4th, 2011:

$25 per person. This fee is in effect until 8:00 am on Friday, August 5th.

Friday, August 5th, 2011 on:

General Admission (no extra fee).

Fees are in effect for a FULL 24hr period each, 8am-8am. Please take this into consideration when planning your arrival.

Our helpful Scanning Crew will take your ticket (and early entry fee if applicable), scan it, and affix a wristband.

Wristbands

If your wristband becomes loose, or falls off, hold on to it and keep it safe! If you lose your wristband, we CANNOT give you a new wristband, and you will have to leave the festival (with the festival being sold out, we cannot even sell you another ticket).

You MUST HAVE your ticket AND the damaged wristband to receive a replacement. Find the nearest Shambhala Crew member. They will help arrange an escort for replacing your wristband.

Re-Entry Fee

$10 per person upon re-entry to the festival grounds

Shambhala: Where chaos and the senses reign, and egos evaporate. ~ Jamie Temple

The Wait and Fairy Lot Vendors

Like a Scout – Be Prepared!

Come prepared. Regardless of when you arrive, prepare for the heat of the day; make sure you have things like sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, appropriate clothing, lots of water (at least a 6 pack, or a 4L jug per person), at least one substantial meal, and snacks. And, for extra comfort, maybe a couple of icepacks and a spray bottle (to mist yourself and other wary travellers) in your cooler.

Because we don’t know exactly how many people are going to show up before The Influx, it’s hard to predict how long wait times will be.

It could be as little as a few minutes (more likely from Friday on than any other time) or several hours.

Food Available in the Fairy Lot

Smokies: After a long drive, you’ll be wanting some meat. Veggie available too!!

Old World Bakery: Balfour’s own best baked goods, made fresh daily!”

Water and other drinks also available!

Not keen on The Wait? There are several motels in Salmo, as well as hotels, motels, hostels and bed & breakfasts in Nelson. Both towns have campgrounds, and there are several Provincial campgrounds in the area – there is even a campground next door to the Farm. Instead of spending the night cramped and uncomfortable in your car, you could get a good night’s sleep and arrive at Shambhala fresh and well-rested. Check our Kootenays page for more info (coming soon – 7/20/11)!

Some say it [Shambhala] will change you – it made me grow. 17 hours of patience for something for that I had never met or seen. It was worth every second… ~ Kyle Baker

Welcome, Shambhazens

We’re happy you could join us here at the Salmo River Ranch. At first glance, you may think you’re at a music festival. What you are about to experience, however, is so much more than that.

When you come through the gate, you are not simply a ticket holder. You are not a just a patron or a guest. You are a citizen of the Republic of Shambhala; a temporary city celebrating music, art and creative self-expression for a fleeting 5 days each year. We are the largest community in the West Kootenays. And you are a part of it.

So welcome.

And remember; Shambhala happens 365 days a year, but for 6 magical days and 5 dreamy nights, we celebrate together under the stars, in the city where we all belong.