Golden (British Columbia)

Golden is a small town in the Columbia-Rockies portion of the Kootenays in British Columbia near the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

Understand

The town was established in 1883 as a railway base camp named Cache. The name was later changed in an effort to compete with the nearby camp of Silver City. Since 2000, and the development of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden has become increasingly tourist-oriented.

Golden has a population of less than 4,000 (2021), but a drawing area of approximately 15 000. The face of the town is changing with the development at the ski resort, drawing a multitude of transient visitors and wealthy Albertans and international visitors purchasing second homes.

There are two visitor information centres in Golden.

Get in

By car

Golden is located at the junction of the Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and Highway 95, about 4 hours north of the U.S. border. The nearest major airports are Calgary, 3 hours east on Highway 1; and Vancouver, 8 hours west on Highway 1.

Note: There is major construction to expand a 4.8 km (3.0 mi) section of the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Golden, through the Kicking Horse Canyon, to four lanes. You may encounter delays and stoppages due to construction, closures of up to nine hours overnight, multi-day extended closures from April 1 to the end of May and from mid-September to the end of November.
(Information last updated 27 Dec 2022)

Use Hwys 95 and 93 between Golden and Castle Junction, AB (between Lake Louise & Banff) via Radium Hot Springs as an alternate route, which will add 1.5 hours of travel time. See Kicking Horse Canyon - Phase 4 or Drive BC of more information. |lastedit=2022-09-15}}

By bus
  • Kicking Horse YYC Express Shuttle, toll-free: +1-800-258-7669. During the ski season (December - March) a bus runs from the Calgary international airport to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (with a transfer in Lake Louise) on Wednesdays & Saturdays. You can get dropped off or picked up in town if you ask. Bookings must be made by phone 72 hours in advance. Adult $99, child $69. (updated Dec 2018)
  • Rider Express, toll-free: +1-833-583-3636. Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between Calgary and Vancouver with stops in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Golden, Revelstoke, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Sorrento, Chase, Kamloops, Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey. Travel time to Lake Louise from Golden from Calgary is 3.55 hours, from Banff is 1.75 hours, from Lake Louise is 1 hour, from Revelstoke is 2 hours, from Salmon Arm is 3.5 hours, from Kamloops is 5 hours, from Hope is 8 hours, from Abbotsford is 9 hours, and from Vancouver is 10.5 hours. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon. (updated Mar 2022)
  • BC Transit, toll-free: +1-877-343-2461. Two days per week there is bus service between Golden and Cranbrook with a stop in Invermere. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The trips are open to all members of the public, but as "Health Connections" trips, people traveling to medical appointments receive priority for reservations. (updated Mar 2022)

By rail

No passenger trains stop in Golden.

By plane

Golden has a small airport that private aircraft can fly into. It is operated by the Town of Golden.

Get around

Golden is so small that you don't necessarily need a car (especially if you are staying in the proximity of the centre). The town is divided by a river and each side has a supermarket (IGA on the north, SavOn on the south) which makes it easy to get the necessities by foot.

During the winter months, Kicking Horse Resort runs a Snow Shuttle ($6/trip as of Feb 2007 - daily, weekly, monthly passes are available) which runs every 2 hours or so. The Snow Shuttle does a route going around town, up along the strip on the highway (Trans-Canada 1) and up to the mountain.

Of course, the easiest thing is to have a car, especially if you want to explore. There is a National Car & Truck Rental, 915 11th Ave S, ☏ +1 250-344-9899, in town, however, their fleet is very limited. There may also be some in nearby towns (Kamloops, Revelstoke, Canmore, Invermere). Otherwise Calgary would be a good bet.

By taxi
  • Mount 7 Taxi, ☏ +1 250-344-5237. Open 24 hours per day. A trip across town will probably cost you $10-15, up to Kicking Horse is likely $30-40. (updated Jul 2022)

See
  • 🌍 Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge (downtown Golden). The longest covered, free-span timber-frame pedestrian bridge in Canada, over the Kicking Horse River. Built by volunteers from around the world, it won the Communities in Bloom, Most Innovative Project for 2001. It intersects with a walking trail that circles the town, and is great for photos. 
  • 🌍 Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre, 1745 Short Rd (Blaeberry Valley), ☏ +1 250-344-6798. Open 365 days a year, from 9AM to 9PM in July and August, and from 10AM to 6PM during the rest of the year. Promotes wolf conversation. The centre houses wolves, and presents an interpretive talk about their behaviour and the work to help protect them. $10 adult, $8 senior or youth, $6 child, $30 family. 
  • 🌍 Golden and District Museum, 1302 11th Ave S, ☏ +1 250-344-5169. May-Sep: M-F 9AM-noon and 1PM-5PM. Primarily houses displays on local history: exhibits on the railway, Swiss mountaineering guides, and the background and life of the early settlers. It is home to a display on David Thompson, in honour of the bicentennial of his passage through the Golden area. $2 per person. 

Do

Golden's main appeal for the tourist is its wide array of adventure sports. In the winter, visitors should head for the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, ideal for the experienced skier or snowboarder. In the summer, activities to consider include whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and hang-gliding.

Recreation
  • 🌍 Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, 1500 Kicking Horse Trail, toll-free: +1-866-754-5425. Ski resort in winter and mountain bike park in summer, KHMR is Golden's biggest attraction. Those less enamoured with adventure recreation can take a ride up the gondola or tour the grizzly bear refuge. 
  • 🌍 Golden Golf Club, 576 Golf Course Dr, ☏ +1 250-344-2700. Ranked as the best value in British Columbia. $59-65 per adult. 
  • 🌍 Golden Skybridge, 503 Golden Donald Upper Rd, toll-free: +1-800-270-1238. Jun 25-Sep 5: Daily 10AM-8PM; Sep 6-Oct 10: M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa Su 10AM-8PM. Home to one of Canada’s highest suspension bridges at 426 ft (130 m) feet above an expansive canyon. Offers views of the Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges. Other activities include a zipline, rock wall climbing, and axe throwing. $39/adult, $25/child; Golden Hour (last 3 hours before close): $31/adult, $20/child; 10% discount when bought online. (updated Aug 2022)

Hiking

Golden's location makes it a good starting point for many hikes in the area. A comprehensive listing can be found through Golden Hikes. Most hikes are at high elevations, and will definitely be under snow until mid June and quite possibly until late July, depending on the year's snowfall. There is also a 7-km walking path, the Rotary Trail, which circles the town. The section along the river is particularly nice. Start at the Pedestrian Bridge.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding, in the area surrounding Golden, is also popular among tourists.

Mountain biking

In addition to KHMR, the Golden Cycle Club maintains downhill and cross country trails including the Mount 7, Mountain Shadow, Moonraker and CBT networks.

Para-gliding

Mount 7 is a world-renowned heli/para-gliding site, home to several past world records. Tandem paragliding is a great option for amateurs.

Water sports

There are lakes in the area which might appeal to fishermen or canoeists. However, there is no place that rents canoes in Golden, so must bring their own equipment.

You can go swimming in a local lake or in the outdoor swimming pool.

  • 🌍 Cedar Lake (from downtown drive down 7th St N, across a one-way bridge and then 6 km up Kicking Horse Drive until you come to a fork in the road; turn left onto a gravel road; you will come to a three-way fork, take the centre road. On the next fork, turn left to get to the boat launch and right to access the beach). A pleasant little lake that you can swim, fish, or boat in. Popular among locals and great for picnics. 
  • 🌍 Golden Swimming Pool, 1408 9th St S, ☏ +1 250-344-2118. Open in the summer only 6:30AM - 10PM. Schedules vary and can be found on the website. Public swim: $2.20/child, $2.75/student, $4/adult, $9/family. 
Whitewater rafting

Three whitewater rafting companies operate from Golden. All raft the Kicking Horse River, which is known for having one of the longest stretches of class four rapids in the world. There is no appreciable difference between the companies.

Entertainment

Buy

The majority of Golden's stores are downtown on 9th St N, with a few being based on the other side of the river on 10th St S. Anyone interested in shopping can probably browse through the entire town in about three hours.

  • 🌍 Golden Farmer's Market, . Summer: Wednesday Market at Spirit Square (by the Pedestrian Bridge) from noon - 5PM (June - September), Winter: Christmas Market @ Mt 7 RecPlex from 10AM - 6PM (usually the last Saturday before Christmas). Lots of local products ranging from honey to pottery. (updated Dec 2022)

Eat

For such a small town Golden has a remarkable number and variety of places to eat, ranging from numerous fast-food places up on the highway strip, to pub-grub, to lower and high-end restaurants.

Budget
  • 🌍 Bacchus Books and Cafe, 409 9th Ave N, ☏ +1 250-344-5600. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-4PM. New and used bookstore is on the ground floor, cafe is above. Serves amazing food (buddha bowl anyone?) by cookbook author Katie Mitzel (Rocky Mountain Cooking). (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 Red Tomato Pies, 519A 9th Ave N, ☏ +1 250-344-4444. 3-11PM. Wide selection of pizza, wings, salads. (updated Dec 2022)
  • Fast-food places off Highway 1 include McDonald's, Subway, Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons and A&W.

Mid-range
  • . (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 Eleven 22, 1122 10th Ave S, ☏ +1 250-344-2443. 5PM-11PM. Open for dinner. Excellent fusion cuisine. Reservations recommended. 
  • Bear N Bone Burger Co., 1202 Trans Canada Hwy E (Located on the Trans-Canada Highway, near the Ramada Inn and Ponderosa Motel.), ☏ +1 250-344-7222, . Open daily at 4PM. Specializing in homemade, locally sourced hamburgers as well as other homestyle classics with our personal touch. (updated Dec 2022)
  • . (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Eagle's Eye (Kicking Horse Mountain Resort) (Kicking Horse Mountain Resort), ☏ +1 250-439-5425. Accessible only by gondola at 7,700 ft (2,300 m) above sea level. Go on a clear day to make the most of the views. The prices are much more reasonable for lunch. (updated Aug 2019)
  • . (updated Dec 2022)

Drink

Many cafes in Golden are licensed, but these are the best if you're looking for a pub.

  • 🌍 The Golden Taps Pub, 505 9th Ave N, ☏ +1 250-344-7155. M-W 11:30-1AM; Th-Sa 11:30-2AM; Su 1PM-1AM. Great food, drinks and a nice cozy atmosphere. Taps is pretty small so it fills up quickly, but the servers are friendly. Great food; lots to choose from. They have events a couple of nights a week - Wednesdays there are snowboard movies and giveaways all night, Thursdays is open mic night. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 The Local Hero Scottish Pub, 1593 Cache Close (The Highland Lodge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort), ☏ +1 250-344-7220. 3PM to late. A Scottish mountain pub specializing in single malt Highland whisky and Scottish meals. Friendly relaxed atmosphere with low-beamed ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces and many nooks and crannies from Scotland. There is even an outside fireplace incorporated into the stone exterior of the pub, with plenty of outdoor seating on large decking area. Kids welcome. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Peaks Grill, 1549 Kicking Horse Trail (Kicking Horse Mountain Resort), ☏ +1 250-344-4950, . Th Su 11AM-8PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Post-skiing homemade meals. Served with ice-cold beer on the patio or inside the lounge. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 RockWater, 429 9th Ave N (Located across from the post office in downtown Golden.), ☏ +1 250-344-5951. Open at noon daily.. RockWater Grill & Bar is the place to go for bands, DJs, and big nights out. Featuring an excellent river patio overlooking the Kicking Horse River, it's a great spot for lunch, dinner or an appy with drinks, check out their menu online. (Used to be called Packers.) (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 Whitetooth Brewing, 623 8th Ave North, ☏ +1 250-344-2838, . 2-10PM. A local brewery with a tasting room. In the summer there is outdoor seating and usually a food truck. (updated Apr 2019)

Sleep

Hostels
  • 🌍 Caribou Hostel, 1401 Adolph Johnson Rd (in the Blaeberry Valley west of Golden.), ☏ +1 250-344-4870, . Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. On Moberly mountain, this quiet family-run hostel is 10 min west of Golden. Families and groups welcome. The Moberly Pub is a 2-minute walk through the woods. $25/night. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Kicking Horse River Lodge, 801 9th St N, ☏ +1 250-439-1112, toll-free: +1-877-547-5266, . Services include a licensed cafe, laundry facilities, and, most essential of all, shuttle service up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Within walking distance of downtown, ideal for the traveller without a vehicle. Dorm rooms with single beds $31, private rooms begin at $100 and increase significantly in price for additional people. (updated Aug 2019)

Camping

Bed and Breakfast

Cabins and lodges

All of these have a central lodge and cabins for rent. Accommodation in the lodge will include breakfast.

Motels and hotels

On Mountain - Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
  • 🌍 Copper Horse Lodge, 1587 Cache Close, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, ☏ +1 250-344-7644, toll-free: +1-877-544-7644, . A 10-room boutique mountain lodge with spa style bathrooms, featherbeds, mini fridges, down duvets and quality linens. Deluxe suite with private jacuzzi and large sitting area. Guest lounge area with wood-burning fireplace. Breakfast is included with your stay (full hot in the winter and deluxe continental in the summer). Copper Horse Steakhouse onsite. Outdoor hottub. $140 to $250 depending upon season, includes breakfast. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Glacier Mountaineer Lodge, 1549 Kicking Horse Trail, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, ☏ +1 250-439-1160, toll-free: +1-877-754-5486. Located in the heart of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort alpine village - at the base of the Golden Eagle Express Gondola - Glacier Mountaineer offers king and queen guest rooms as well as one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites. All suites are appointed with full kitchens, fireplaces, and private balconies. (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Highland Lodge, #3 Cache Close, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, ☏ +1 250-344-7272, fax: +1 250-344-7275, . Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Scottish mountain lodge set within the heart of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. 10 bedrooms, all of which have en-suite facilities, TV, DVD and Satellite and have their own private balconies with views over looking the surrounding mountain ranges. At the centre of the Lodge is the Great Room, designed to provide a quiet and relaxing focal place to enjoy a wood burning fireplace. Hot gourmet breakfast, wireless internet and use of the outdoor hot tub all included. Dinner available on request. Includes breakfast. $135 to 340 depending upon season. 
  • 🌍 Palliser Lodge, 1420 Palliser Trail, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, toll-free: +1-877-754-5486. Steps away from the mountain village, Palliser Lodge offers easy ski-in/ski-out access. One- and two-bedroom suites are appointed with full kitchens, private balconies, and private hot tubs (in select suites). (updated Aug 2019)
  • 🌍 Vagabond Lodge, 1581 Cache Close (directly across the road from the Gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort), ☏ +1 250-344-2622, toll-free: +1-866-944-2622, . Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. All rooms have feather rest beds, private bathrooms with heated floors, carpeted floors and antique armours. Six rooms have balconies with great views of the Rocky Mountains. Huge guest area with wood burning rock fireplace, bar (but no liquor licence, so guests may bring their own). Downstairs is a secure ski/snowboard room, boot dryer, games room with a pool table and satellite TV, and an outdoor hot tub. $135-250 per room based on double occupancy; prices depend on season, include breakfast. (updated Aug 2019)

Cope

Go next

Golden is in the heart of the national parks, many of which are close enough to be feasible day trips. Yoho National Park is 30 minutes west on the Trans Canada Hwy #1, and Banff National Park lies directly beyond. Kootenay National Park and the small town of Radium Hot Springs are hour south of Golden on Trans Canada Hwy #95. To the west, on Hwy #1, lie Glacier National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park, and the community of Revelstoke.

Routes through Golden
Kamloops ← Glacier National Park ←  W  E  → Field (in Yoho National Park) → Banff
END ←  W  E  → S → Radium Hot Springs → Banff
ENDS at ←  N  S  → Radium Hot Springs → Cranbrook


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