If you’re over commercialized winter holidays and ready for something more authentic, a vacation to Golden, B.C., may be the perfect option.
If you’re looking for a new place for a winter adventure, it’s time to discover Golden, British Columbia. Located in the midst of the Rockies and the Purcell and Selkirk ranges of the Columbia Mountains, it’s no wonder the town is renowned for alpine sports. If you haven’t planned a Golden getaway yet, consider this your sign to start.
A ski vacation like no other
One of the top winter activities in the region is skiing, and the place to be in Golden is the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Just a 15-minute drive from town, the resort is treasured by in-the-know skiers and riders for the quality of its snow (champagne powder sound good?), its expert-level runs, and its unique terrain. Fans of the resort love the challenging trails: steep chutes that hold powder, bowls, and even tree-lined glades. Take a short hike up from the more travelled runs to find your own little piece of untouched heaven. The truly adventurous can book a heli-skiing excursion. Beginners can find starter-friendly runs lower on the hill — no helicopter required.
A perfect adventure hub
At Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s Village Plaza, there are a handful of places to rent and buy gear, pick up a souvenir of your trip, or grab a snack. If you’re looking for one of the most memorable dining experiences you can have in the mountains, ride the lift all the way up to Eagle’s Eye Restaurant for a meal at the highest-elevation restaurant around. In Golden, there are also a variety of quality food choices, from locally owned cafes to delicious restaurants.
No rest for the winter
Golden may be known for it’s incredible resort skiing, but the truth is, there is a whole world of adventure beyond the lifts. The area surrounding Golden is prime snowmobiling territory, with more than 240 kilometres of groomed trails, from well-established routes to steep and remote alpine sledding areas. Take a trip with one of the snowmobile guiding outfits in Golden for a safe experience in the backcountry.
You’ll find the highest concentration of backcountry lodges in the world in the Golden region. There are more than 20 of these cozy lodges sprinkled throughout the mountains surrounding the town. Just remember, if you’re going to wander into the backcountry, ensure you check the avalanche forecast and enlist the aid of an accredited ACMG guide.
If you need something else to get your heart pumping in the winter chill, Golden is also a great place to enjoy Nordic or cross-country skiing beneath the mountains’ beauty. There are excellently groomed trails at the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre and the Golden Golf Club. There are also some great family activities, from bowling, local hockey games, wildlife watching, and more.
Are you ready?
Now all you need to do is get here. A lot of visitors fly into Calgary and make the three-hour drive along the Trans-Canada Highway to Golden. Recent upgrades to the highway have improved access, but if you’d rather someone else do the driving, the Champagne Powder Express shuttles between the Calgary Airport and the town of Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort daily, from mid-December to the end of March. In town, you can get around and up to the resort aboard the Kicking Horse-Golden Connector shuttle.
You’ll find a range of comfortable places to lay your head after your days of winter fun, from cozy country cabins and quaint lodges to traditional full-service hotels.
Come and visit one of Canada’s last authentic ski towns. See tourismgolden.com/holiday to start planning your Golden winter adventures.
