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If you're looking for the genuine Canadian ski town experience, look no further than Golden BC, a tight-knit community of people who live and breathe skiing. It’s a place of breathtaking scenery and rich history, with Golden playing a pivotal role in the origins of mountain tourism in Canada.
Golden’s local mountain, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, shares the attitude of Golden - wild and untamed. It's known for its champagne powder and is the North American host of the Freeride World Tour, which returns here next February. It's known for its bootpacking and ridge traverses, where people are able to find pockets of fresh snow for weeks after a storm.
This wild terrain is why heliskiing was born in Golden’s backyard. Today, Golden is host to one cat skiing and four cat heli-skiing areas, and has more than 20 backcountry lodges with guided ski trips. This provides exclusive access to some of the most spectacular terrain in the country. The action doesn’t stop at downhill skiing, as Golden has great cross country ski trails, snowshoeing, fat-biking, tubing, and is a mecca for snowmobiling.
At the end of the day share your story at a local bar or restaurant, with everything from locally-owned cafes to breweries. You will find visitors and locals alike pleasantly tired, gathered together to tell tales of their adventures. Along with unique cultural events, you'll soon discover why Golden is so cherished by the people who live and work here.
Plus Golden has a wide range of accommodation options from full service hotels, to quaint cabins and cottages. If you’re on a tight budget or just fancy the buzz of staying at a hostel, then Golden’s got that covered, too.
Where is Golden BC?
Golden BC is in the south east of British Columbia, Canada, ringed by six of Canada’s most stunning national parks; Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Mount Revelstoke, and sits at the junction of two heritage rivers – the Columbia River and the Kicking Horse River.
Getting to Golden
So, where is the nearest airport to Golden? And how do you take a holiday to Golden BC from the UK? The nearest airport is Calgary International - 262km and a three-hour drive away, with several airlines offering direct flights from the UK, such as Air Canada, WestJet and Lufthansa. And this is an occasion where the transfer to resort is actually something to look forward to, as the trip to Golden is a spectacular scenic ride through the Canadian Rockies. If you don't feel like driving, The Golden Shuttle, provides shuttle services between Calgary, Golden, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Why take a ski holiday in Golden?
The combination of authentic mountain town and world-famous ski resort offers an irresistible opportunity to spread your wings over some of the wildest ski terrain and come home to a town with a real frontier flavour. And beyond both the resort and the town lie miles and miles of off-piste adventure making this an ideal destination for the serious skier.
Located an hour's drive out of town to the west of Golden are the Selkirk Mountains, home to the legendary Rogers Pass, known as the ski touring capital of the world for its terrain ranging from high-glaciated ascents to outstanding tree skiing (permit required). Head east to the Rocky Mountains and you’ll find some long ski runs among some of the highest peaks in the Rockies, all in majestic scenery. The Dogtooth range of the Purcell mountains is easily accessible from town and offers brilliant ski touring options. ACMG certified guides are highly recommended before venturing out into the backcountry.
Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort: On the mountain
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is renowned for its breath-taking views, legendary terrain and some of the best snow on the planet. But while its reputation as an expert mountain is in many respects rightly earned, 40 per cent of the mountain is beginner and intermediate terrain. On the mountain, there are opportunities for all levels of ability, from sweeping alpine bowls to gentle groomers. Hire a ski instructor for the day or a mountain guide to help you explore the best of the terrain.
It has a huge 3,486 acres of skiable terrain, including more than 120 runs. The stats say Beginner – 20%; Intermediate – 20%; Advanced – 45%; Expert – 15%, with 5 alpine bowls, 85+ chutes and the fifth-highest vertical drop in North America, of 1,315m. Kicking Horse's top elevation is a towering 2,505m, so get ready for some spectacular panoramic views over the Purcell and Selkirk mountains and Glacier National Park.
Experienced skiers will be in their element. From the top of either the Golden Eagle Express gondola or the Stairway to Heaven chair, you can ski along CPR or Redemption ridge and choose where to drop into one of the legendary chutes, which range from wide open to exhilarating narrow couloirs. Once in, the chutes are steep but never too long before you’re into wide open powder for a quick blast, before heading back to the gondola for another loop.
For those willing to put in a bit of extra effort, hiking from the top of the lifts to the Terminator Ridges, Whitewall, and Ozone areas is well worth it. These spots offer some of the best steep faces and powder chutes on the mountain, rewarding adventurous skiers and riders with exceptional terrain.
Want a unique experience to top off your time on the mountain? At Eagle's Eye Restaurant at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, you can feast on epic panoramic views and gourmet dishes at Canada's highest restaurant.
Golden Town: Off the mountain
A wonderful trail network called the Rotary Trail winds itself around and through Golden, linking residential areas of Golden with beautiful forested trails, stretches along the two rivers, the Kicking Horse and the Columbia, and connecting into downtown over the famous timber pedestrian bridge. You can use this multi-purpose trail to walk, jog or fat bike with a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain views.
It's not all adrenalin sports in Golden, though. You can enjoy lowkey activities like ice skating, or just sit back and enjoy the vibe in a local bar or cafe.
Hungry? Discover a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Golden that offer culinary delights to suit all tastes and budget. Many feature organic and local ingredients and have amazing views of the Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountain Ranges. Comfort food, fine dining, amazing coffee and craft beers - Golden has something for everyone.
And after the day’s adventures you can wind down with the vibrant nightlife in Golden. Check out the Golden Events Calendar for Live Kicks concerts, art exhibits, and outdoor events, such as the annual Snow King Masque Parade every February, a uniquely wild and wacky grassroots pageant performed with more than 1,000 participants in Golden’s Spirit Square.
Golden has great places to stay while you play, including hotels and motels, all with ready access to local amenities. Some also provide hot tubs, gym facilities and indoor pools to relax in after a great day of winter activities.
If you prefer a holiday cabin in the mountains, the scenic outskirts of Golden offer a wide range of accommodations to suit any taste - from cosy, rustic cottages and cabins to large, luxurious lodges. One-off, owner-operated b&bs can be found both in town and in the surrounding rural areas, where getting to know the owners is half the joy (a tasty homemade breakfast is the other half).
Excited to explore Golden this winter? Go to tourismgolden.com/snow for everything you need to know about visiting this outstanding ski town.
