Golden
Situated at the confluence of the Kicking Horse and Columbia rivers, with the Purcell Mountains and the Canadian Rockies providing a backdrop, Golden is set in a true natural wonderland.
Start off with a stroll around this friendly little town of just under 4,000 residents to take in the scenery. Cross over the Kicking Horse River on the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, which at 150 feet (46 meters) is one of Canada’s longest pedestrian bridges. Watch the kayakers and rafters zoom beneath the bridge in summer.
Have lunch in the highest restaurant in Canada by taking the gondola from the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort up to the scenic Eagle’s Eye Restaurant.
Get your pulse racing by trying kayaking and rafting for yourself. Make a visit to Mount 7 for paragliding or try the Moonraker Trails for spectacular mountain biking. Of course, you can also take your activities at a gentler pace, with horseback riding or a round of golf.
Visit in winter to take advantage of the great range of wintersports available. Head up to the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for skiing and snowboarding on its 4,133 feet (1,260 meters) of vertical terrain. Have a blast on one of the many snowmobile trails in the area or go extreme with heli skiing in Bugaboo Provincial Park.
Head out into the surrounding national parks to experience the vastness and diversity of the region. Glacier National Park and Yoho National Park are in close proximity while four other parks are a bit farther out. Immerse yourself in the stunning scenery with one of the many hikes available. Visit in spring to see colorful wildflowers set against the backdrop of snowcapped peaks.
Relax in the evening with drinks or a tasty meal in the town of Golden. At The Golden Taps in the center of town try one of the craft beers and meet the friendly locals.
Golden may seem dwarfed by the vast landscape surrounding it, but a big heart beats within the town, a great base to explore that majestic wonderland.