True North Living
Discover the Golden advantage! A consistent snow-friendly climate and a charming, authentic mountain town made for an alpine vacation to remember.
Is a vacation in Golden, BC, the winter getaway you’ve been searching for? Located in the heart of ski country between the Canadian Rockies, Purcell Mountains, and Selkirk Mountains, it’s perfectly positioned to be an ideal ski destination.
For those flying in, Golden is a scenic three-hour drive from the Calgary International Airport and just over the border into British Columbia. Visitors can also take advantage of the convenient Champagne Shuttle service if they prefer to let someone else do the driving. Once you arrive, getting around is easy. A connector service runs between downtown Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, so there’s no need to rent a car unless you’re keen to explore farther afield. The resort is just 15 minutes from downtown, and if you’re looking to turn your trip into a bigger ski adventure, several other major Western Canadian resorts are within roughly a two-hour drive.
PHOTO CREDIT: Vincent Schnabl
Built for adventure
Golden’s interior location brings colder, more consistent winter temperatures than coastal regions; this helps reduce freeze-thaw cycles and preserve the light, dry snow the area is world-renowned for.
Since its founding, Golden has been the base for mountain adventurers and has retained its roots as an authentic mountain retreat for locals and tourists.
Depending on where you’re coming from, Golden’s climate may feel a little chilly or relatively mild. At the resort, average winter temperatures range from a high of -6°C to a low of -14°C, with a season average of 750 cm of snowfall at its upper snow station. Those colder temperatures help earn the mountain its title as the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada™.
PHOTO CREDIT: Maur Mere Media
Untamed and uncrowded
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers a distinctive terrain that keeps those in the know coming back year after year. At 1300 metres top to bottom, the mountain has a series of high alpine ridges, bowls, chutes, and steep faces that funnel all the way toward the base. Kicking Horse’s 3400+ acres spread skiers across the mountain, helping to maintain a wild, uncrowded feel.
PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Sports
Venture beyond
There are more riding destinations beyond the resort in Golden. With over 20 backcountry lodges in the surrounding area, you can venture beyond by booking guided ski touring, heli-skiing, or cat-skiing. Plus, the wide open natural spaces are excellent for snowshoeing and winter hiking, and the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre offers an extensive groomed cross-country ski trail network near Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Diligently maintained by the Golden Snowmobile Club, there are more than 240km of groomed snowmobile trails. Spanning over four maintained areas and 13 distinct zones, this makes Golden one of the premier destinations for snowmobiling.
Mountain town charm
After all the snow-filled adventures, you’ll be cozy and comfortable during your stay in Golden. The mountain town is a welcoming spot for visitors to soak up alpine charms. Golden has a strong history of being the base for mountain adventurers and has retained its roots as an authentic mountain retreat for locals and tourists.
PHOTO CREDIT: Made to Explore
After the ski boots come off, Golden keeps the adventure going with independent restaurants, cozy cafés, local craft drinks, and shops worth wandering into – giving après-ski a distinctly mountain-town feel. When it’s time to say good night, you’ll sleep tight in Golden. From cozy B&Bs, mountain lodges, or comfortable hotels, you’ll find a warm welcome, plenty of mountain hospitality, and the perfect place to rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.
Make your next winter vacation a trip into the heart of snow country and discover the Golden in all of its winter glory for yourself.
Discover winter in Golden, BC at tourismgolden.com/trip.
