Kelowna 
A day in Golden grants you seemingly endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. The mountain town is set on the confluence of the Columbia and Kicking Horse Rivers.
Credit: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Plus, Golden sits among six of Canada’s Rocky Mountain National Parks. And to take in all the adventure, one would barely need to leave the town of Golden.
The town is a hub and basecamp for adventure with several places to stay for a variety of budgets, and a variety of local restaurants.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is one of the top destinations in the Rockies for downhill skiing and snowboarding. The large hill provides runs for all skill levels as well as some of the most challenging of double black diamond runs.
Summer operations include a sightseeing gondola, wildlife viewing into a grizzly bear refuge, a via ferrata course, a mountain bike park, and a disc golf course.
The resort is part of the Kicking Horse Village with restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping, and places to stay.
When: Summer May-September; Winter December-April
Where: 1500 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden
Thrilling Summer & Winter Tours
There is no lack of thrills or adrenaline-pumping fun in Golden. During any time of the year, adventure is easily found, whether on the trails, on the mountains, or the water.
- Find four different whitewater rafting companies in and near Golden for spring, summer, or fall adventures: Alpine Rafting, Wild Water Adventures, Kootenay River Runners, and Hydra River Guides.
- The snowy winter landscape in and around Golden is enjoyed by many via snowmobiles. White n Wild helps make touring the nearby areas with their winter Snowmobile Adventures. Tours start up each December.
- Walk with the wolves in Golden! The Northern Lights Wolf Centre is a conservation area and organization that allows visitors to get close enough for tours, or for Walking with Wolves. The Centre is open year-round.
Explore Golden on a Bike or on Foot
Both areas of Golden, the north and south sides of the Kicking Horse River, have neighbourhoods to explore on foot with local food to try. Plus, there is even a restaurant on the river!
- While exploring Golden, there will be many options for local dining. This includes international cuisine and local cuisine, casual spots, family restaurants, and more upscale dining options. Many locations are also in scenic riverside spots.
- Many of those restaurant options are near Golden’s Spirit Square. The town square is the start of a trail which crosses the river on the pedestrian bridge, and it is home to a scenic riverside garden.
- From the pedestrian bridge and on the south side of the river, those on foot or bike can connect to the Rotary Trail, which follows the river in both directions.
Golden Sky Bridge
The Sky Bridge is a must-see attraction while in Golden, with the bridge stretching high over the top of the Columbia Valley. It is a seasonal summer attraction with different ways to experience the valley beyond walking across the Sky Bridge. The park features a mountain pipe coaster, a 28’ rock-climbing wall, axe-throwing, a giant canyon swing, and the Sky Zipline!
When: May-September
Where: 503 Golden Donald Upper Rd, Golden
How much: $32.49 & up
The Best Hikes from Golden
There is no doubt that there are dozens of great hikes around Golden, both easy and challenging. If you’re staying in Golden to explore, or are here for the day, there are many things around the town to try to save some time.
- See the entire town on the 16km Rotary Trail loop, which permits hiking and cycling. A great place to start on the west end of the loop is Confluence Park, or start in the east at the Municipal Campground.
- The Confluence Park trail is a simple 2km loop through trees and partly alongside the Columbia River. The park has amenities for picnics as well as washrooms.
- A short drive south of town is the Cedar Lake Recreation Site. The hike has the option for a 1km trail to one lake, or 2km out-and-back to see both Cedar Lakes.
