Welcome to Golden, British Columbia!

Life shines brighter in BC’s authentic Canadian mountain town 

It’s often said that “Silence is Golden” but if you’re lucky enough to experience the great outdoors in and around Golden, BC, the alluring sounds of nature permeating that silence have a beauty all their own. Just close your eyes and have a listen… tune into the native birds and wildlife going about their business, trees sighing in the forests, rushing rivers beckoning rafters, and wind whistling through the mountains. Then, when you open your eyes, you’ll spy some of the most glorious vistas on the planet. 

Golden is at the humble beginnings of adventure tourism in Canada. In 1899, the Canadian Pacific Railway hired professional Swiss guides to explore and open up the area surrounding Golden to tourism. Edelweiss “Swiss Village” was built in 1911 by CP Rail, specifically for employees hired and brought from Switzerland for their experience as mountain guides. It was a fascinating period in the nation’s history and Golden has continued to thrive as a year-round adventure destination ever since, while still preserving the rugged, community feel the town was built on. 

A Golden Opportunity

It may seem that Golden sits quiet and unassuming nestled between the mountains, but once you’re there, you’ll discover that this small town holds a hidden vein of excitement that makes your adrenaline soar. Visitors have the unique opportunity to experience the Canadian Rockies and six national parks (Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Banff, Jasper and Mount Revelstoke), along with three mountain ranges, two heritage rivers and some of the best outdoor recreation in the world. 

Tourism Golden’s description is pure poetry: “No matter the season, Golden gets its dancing shoes on, and there’s no better dance floor out there.” Be assured, precious memories will be made as you experience a charming, authentic Canadian mountain town, up close and personal, and meet the locals. The people are friendly, the community is tight-knit and everyone has a shared love for nature and outdoor recreation.

Plan your ‘other than summer’ escape!

Golden is a mountain haven that presents a fantastic ‘extended stay’ base for adventure enthusiasts at any time of the year. Of course, summer is the peak tourist time, but it’s well worthwhile considering a trip during one of the shoulder seasons.

Spring is all about renewal, with warmer temperatures bringing fresh snow melt to the creeks and rivers. The trails, too, wake up and stretch their limits, ready for company to join their winding pathways. Mountain bikers enjoy perfect dirt on the gravity-fed trails of Mount 7, while cyclists looking for a more relaxing pedal can enjoy Golden’s Rotary Trail loop and over 100km of pristine cross-country singletrack trails accessible right from downtown. 

Peace and tranquility abound at this time of year. Wildlife emerges after a long winter, with the Columbia Wetlands being a great place for canoeing, kayaking and birdwatching tours. If you’re a little more adventurous, Tourism Golden shares, “Fresh with snow runoff, the Kicking Horse River is renowned for its whitewater rafting, with rafters starting in the calm upper reaches of the Rockies before being delivered 15 miles back to Golden.”

When summer temps soar, it’s time to heed the call of refreshing alpine air. Yoho National Park is home to 400+ kilometres of trails following glacial rivers and pristine lakes, with Takakkaw Falls being one of Canada’s tallest and most magnificent waterfalls. Adventurers of all levels are drawn to explore Glacier National Park, well known for its mountaineering history, glaciated peaks and pristine wilderness. 

Closer to town, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers lift-accessed alpine hiking, mountain biking, and the world’s largest enclosed grizzly bear refuge! Nearby, the ‘accessible to all’ Golden Skybridge promises rollicking fun for the young and young at heart, including a mountain coaster and Canada’s highest suspension bridges, poised over 400 feet above a canyon.

As September arrives on the scene and summer crowds fade away, trail blazers are free to roam. It’s definitely the best time to hike. The days become crisp, the dirt is dampened down and autumn colours rule the landscape. Seeing the larches of Kootenay National Park in fall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, just imagine walking through a sea of golden yellow trees set against a backdrop of Rocky Mountain walls. Photo op! 

Don’t worry ski lovers… we haven’t forgotten you. With the advent of shorter days and cold temps, winter officially stakes its claim on Golden. While the bare trees create silhouettes in the sun, you can take advantage of the best champagne powder snow in Canada. Just a mere 15 minutes from downtown, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort boasts breathtaking views, legendary terrain and outstanding snow quality that gets noticed near and far. Outside the resort, Golden is a mecca for heli-skiing, cat skiing and guided touring, with over 20 backcountry lodges for every type of experience. 

If you’re not keen to sport the skis, then maybe snowshoe tours, guided snowmobiling, ice skating and relaxing winter walks next to beautiful rivers are more your style. Close to downtown, there are plenty of indoor activities too, including a cinema, bowling alley, pottery classes and climbing gyms. Without a doubt, Golden has something to appease everyone’s appetite for fun!

Speaking of appetites… 

No matter where you’ve been adventuring, a welcome awaits in town when it’s time to relax and rejuvenate. Golden’s eclectic variety of restaurants have feasts and flavours for every taste – whether it’s fine dining, pub fare, cocktails and music, or a delicious breakfast at a locally-owned café, you’ll be more than satisfied. 

Visitors are spoiled for choice, accommodation-wise, as well. There is no shortage of places to lay your head at the end of a busy day exploring. The exceptional range of options includes everything from full-service hotels and local inns to quaint cabins and cottages, vacation rentals, lake resorts, even lodges in the backcountry. While you’re in Golden, it’s all about having the best ever home-away-from-home getaway in a genuinely awesome Canadian mountain town.

Feeding your appetite for culture is another important part of any vacation experience. In the midst of such a splendid setting as Golden, artistic talent can’t help but flourish. The region’s galleries and shops are filled with paintings, sculptures and hand-crafted creations designed to go with you and keep the Golden sensation alive, long after you’ve travelled home. Who knows? You might even be inspired to channel your inner potter and play with some clay after a day of exploration. 

At once exciting, invigorating and absolutely unrivaled as a destination, it can truly be said that Golden is worth its weight in… well… gold! 

To plan your trip, download the Golden BC destination app where you’ll find itineraries, events, activities – everything you need for the perfect trip. Discover even more about BC’s beautiful mountain town at tourismgolden.com/horizon. Hope to see you there!