Golden (British Columbia)

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 5000, 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 purchasing second homes.
There are two visitor information centres in Golden.

• Tourism Golden - Visitor Information Services Amenity Hub (VISAH)

  phone: +1 250-439-7290
  address: 1000 Trans Canada Highway
  Information specific to the Golden area. Will answer phone enquiries. Facilities at the VISAH include Wi-Fi, digital kiosks, picnic tables and a dog run.

• Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce

  address: 500 10th Ave N
  Carries only local information.

By car

Golden is at the junction of Trans Canada Highways 1 and 95. It's 4 hours north of the US border on Highway 95. The nearest major airports are Calgary, 3 hours east on Hwy 1; Edmonton, 8 hours northeast via Hwy 93 and Highway 16; and Vancouver, 8 hours west on Hwy 1.

By bus

• Kicking Horse YYC Express ShuttleDuring 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 / picked up in town if you ask. Bookings must be made by phone 72 hours in advance.

• Rider Express

  phone: +1-833-583-3636
  Bus service along the Trans-Canada Highway from Calgary to Vancouver with stops in Golden. Check their website for current schedules and prices as they change frequently.

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.

Golden is so small that you don't 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, Overwaitea on the south) which makes it easy to get the necessities by foot.
Mount 7 Taxi (+1 250-344-5237) is open 24 hours - a trip across town will probably cost you $10-15, up to Kicking Horse is likely $30-40.
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.

• Kicking Horse Pedestrian BridgeThe 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

  phone: +1 250-344-6798
  address: 1745 Short Rd
  Promotes wolf conversation. The centre houses wolves, and presents an interpretive talk about their behaviour and the work to help protect them.

• Golden and District Museum

  phone: +1 250-344-5169
  address: 1302 11th Ave S
  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.

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

  address: 1500 Kicking Horse Trail
  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

  phone: +1 250-344-2700
  address: 576 Golf Course Dr
  Ranked as the best value in British Columbia.

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.

• Bear Corner Adventures

  phone: +1 250-344-4785
  address: 2054 Blaeberry Rd
  The only company that offers year-round riding. Acts as a bed and bale for those travelling with horses.

• Flying W Trail Rides

  phone: +1 250-344-0495

• Goldenwood Lodge

  phone: +1 250-344-7685
  address: 2493 Holmes Deakin Rd
  Offers 1-hour to half-day rides. Also available for accommodation, with packages available.

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.

• Canadian Rockies Tandem Paragliding

  phone: +1 250-344-3214

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 LakeA pleasant little lake that you can swim, fish, or boat in. Popular among locals and great for picnics.

• Golden Swimming Pool

  phone: +1 250-344-2118
  address: 1408 9th St S

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.

• Alpine Rafting

  phone: +1 250-344-6521
  address: 1509c Lafontaine Rd

• Glacier Raft Company

  phone: +1 250-344-6521
  address: 1509a Lafontaine Rd
  Glacier Raft Company has been providing whitewater rafting trips on the Kicking Horse, and other beautiful rivers around Golden for 35 years.

• Wet N Wild Adventures

  phone: +1 250-344-6521
  address: 1509b Lafontaine Rd
  Also the site of Whitewater Lodge, an adults-only accommodator.

Entertainment

• Kicking Horse Culture

  phone: +1 250-344-6186
  The Golden Arts Council organizes local artistic performances. In the summer, they run Summer Kicks which offers a concert every week.

• Kicking Horse Movies

  phone: +1 250-344-5510
  address: 802 10th Ave S
  The local movie theatre. Shows one video a week.

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.
For souvenirs check out the:

• Moon River Gift Gallery

  phone: +1 250-344-5313
  A selection of local art and knick knacks.

For those in town to participate in any sort of adventure recreation, there are a variety of sporting good stores in town that rent equipment.

• Canyon Creek Outfitters

• Selkirk Sports

  phone: +1 250-344-2966
  address: 504 9th St N

• Summit Cycle

  phone: +1 250-344-6600
  address: 1007 11th Ave S

• Golden Farmer's MarketLots of local products ranging from honey to pottery.

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

  phone: +1 250-344-5600
  address: 409 9th Ave N
  New and used bookstore is on the ground floor, cafe is above. Serves bagels, soup, sandwiches, salad.

• Canadian 2-for-1 Pizza

  phone: +1 250-344-7241
  address: 519 9th Ave N
• Fast-food places off Highway 1 include McDonald's, Subway, Dairy Queen, Tim Hortons and A&W.

Mid-range

• Copperhorse Steakhouse

  phone: +1 250 344-6201
  address: 1587 Cache Close
  Casual, yet unparalleled mountain dining experience that is inspired by locally sourced food and wines from British Columbia. Rocky Mountain Cuisine such as Elk, Bison, Beef, and Salmon.

• Eleven 22

  phone: +1 250-344-2443
  address: 1122 10th Ave S
  Open for dinner. Excellent fusion cuisine. Reservations recommended.

• Golden Grizzly Cookhouse

  phone: +1 250-439-1833
  address: 1002 Trans Canada Hwy
  Decor features photographs of many locals, providing a homey touch. Food is fairly basic steak & pizza.

• Cedar House

  phone: +1 250-344-4679
  address: 735 Hefti Rd
  Organic food, fine dining, scenic mountain atmosphere. Definitely make a reservation, especially during peak season.

• Eagle's Eye

  phone: +1 250-439-5425
  Accessible only by gondola at above sea level. Go on a clear day to make the most of the views. The prices are much more reasonable for lunch.

• Fire Pit BBQ Smokehouse

  phone: +1 250-344-5222
  address: 1105 Highway 1 Frontage Rd
  Southern-style BBQ breakfast, all food is made and smoked in house. A lounge with some big screens local draft. Two patios (front and back).

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

• The Golden Taps Pub

  phone: +1 250-344-7155
  address: 505 9th Ave N
  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.

• The Local Hero Scottish Pub

  phone: +1 250-344-7220
  address: 1593 Cache Close
  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.

• Peaks Grill

  phone: +1 250-344-4950
  address: 1549 Kicking Horse Trail
  Post-skiing homemade meals. Served with ice-cold beer on the patio or inside the lounge.

• Rock Water

  phone: +1 250-344-5951
  address: 429 9th Ave N
  Used to be called Packers. Rock Water is the place to go for bands, DJs, and big nights out. It is pretty dingy during the day. They do offer accommodation, it often closes earlier than the other bars, but if it's busy, will keep going all night long. It has a few pool tables etc for entertainment. Now home of the "fresh beat" Mondays.

• Whitetooth Brewing

  phone: +1 250-344-2838
  address: 623 8th Ave North
  A local brewery with a tasting room. In the summer there is outdoor seating and usually a food truck.

Budget

Hostels

• Caribou Hostel

  phone: +1 250-344-4870
  address: 1401 Adolph Johnson Rd
  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.

• Kicking Horse River Lodge

  phone: +1 250-439-1112
  address: 801 9th St N
  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.

Camping

• Golden Eco-Adventure Ranch

  phone: +1 250-344-6825
  address: McBeath Rd
  400 scenic acres. Full campground facilities include modern plumbing, laundry, internet, and full service for RVs. Rents bikes and kayaks. Has a swimming pond with beach and playground equipment.

• Golden Municipal Campground

  address: 1411 9th St. S
  On the river, within walking distance of downtown.

• Whispering Spruce Campground

  phone: +1 250-344-6680
  address: 1430 Golden View Rd
  off Hwy #1

• Columbia River Wetlands RV Park

  phone: +1 250-348-2094
  address: 2122 Hwy 95
  RV Park with services in Columbia Wetlands region, near the Columbia Wetlands Outpost, which offers kayaking, rafting and float tours among other activities.

• Golden Golf Club RV Park

  phone: +1 250-344-2700
  address: 576 Golf Course Drive
  Quaint RV park on the grounds of the Golden Golf Club. Ideal for those golfing on course, but open to anybody. Restaurant on-site at Golf Club.

Mid-range

Bed and Breakfast

• Mount 7 Guesthouse & B&B

  phone: +1 250-344-4707
  address: 1308 Selkirk Dr
  Organic continental breakfasts. Hardwood floors, jacuzzi, twin or king sized bed, private bathroom.

• Auberge Kicking Horse B&B

  phone: +1 250-344-3997
  address: 1306 Selkirk Dr
  Continental breakfasts with yoghurt parfaits. Hardwood floors, jacuzzi, queen or king sized bed, private bathroom.

• Kicking Horse Canyon B&B

  phone: +1 250-344-6848
  address: 644 Lapp Rd
  The owner is really friendly and an amazing cook. Decor is historical, creating a great atmosphere. A little out of town.

• River to Peaks Inn

  phone: +1 250-344-4775
  address: 420 Riverglen Drive

• Country Comfort B&B

  phone: +1 250-344 6200
  address: 1001 10th Ave S
  Within walking distance of downtown core, which hosts many restaurants and shops.

Cabins and lodges

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

• Alpenrose Cabins

  phone: +1 250-344-5549
  address: Althoff Road

• Blaeberry Mountain Lodge

  phone: +1 250-344-5296
  address: Moberly School Rd

• Glenogle Mountain Lodge Resort & Spa

  phone: +1 250-344-7638
  address: 913 Oster Rd

• Hillside Lodge & Chalets

• Kicking Horse Kabins

  phone: +1 250-439-1117
  address: 1732 Oberg Johnson Rd
  3-bed 2-bath lodge. Groups all year, couples rate in spring and fall.

• Whitewater Lodge

  phone: +1 250 344-6521
  address: 1509d Lafontaine Rd, Golden, BC V0A 1H3
  Adults only 10 bedroom lodge with a mix of Twin and Queen rooms all with en-suite bathrooms. Common area with TV. Breakfast included.

Motels and hotels

• Best Western Mountainview Inn

  phone: +1 250-344-2333
  address: 1024 11th Street N

• Golden Rim Motor Inn

  phone: +1 250-344-2216
  address: 1416 Golden View Rd
  Has an indoor pool with a waterslide. The Canyon's Edge Restaurant is in the same building.

• Mary's Motel

  phone: +1 250-344-7111
  address: 603 8th Ave N

• The Prestige Mountainside Resort

  phone: +1 250-344-7990
  address: 1049 Trans Canada Hwy N
  4.5 stars.

• Purcell Mountain Lodge

  phone: +1 250-344-2639
  Open July 7 - Oct 3, and Dec 28 - Apr 4. 2200 metres above sea level on the edge of Glacier National Park. A spectacularly scenic base for helihiking or heliskiing.

On Mountain - Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

• Copper Horse Lodge

  phone: +1 250-344-7644
  address: 1587 Cache Close, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
  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.

• Glacier Mountaineer Lodge

  phone: +1 250-439-1160
  address: 1549 Kicking Horse Trail, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
  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.

• Highland Lodge

  phone: +1 250-344-7272
  address: #3 Cache Close, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
  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.

• Palliser Lodge

  address: 1420 Palliser Trail, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
  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).

• Vagabond Lodge

  phone: +1 250-344-2622
  address: 1581 Cache Close
  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.

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.