A Golden Gateway to the Rockies

	The Majestic Rocky Mountains of British Columbia 1

Pass through the Gateway to the Rockies and let the adventure begin, this is Kicking Horse Country where a whole world of outdoor adventure and recreation converges around the exciting mountain community of Golden, B.C. In the past, this quiet little Rocky Mountain village was mostly concerned with industries like railway, mining and forestry. Today Golden is poised to become a world contender in adventure and resort tourism. As the word spreads about how much the area has to offer, the city's population steadily grows, showing great promise for the years to come.

Ideally located where the white waters of the Kicking Horse River rage down from the Rocky Mountains beyond and merge with the emerald waters of the mighty Columbia River, Golden attracts rafters, fishers and sightseers. Golden is also surrounded by five of Canada's National Parks—Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Yoho—providing an optimal base for outdoor enthusiasts looking for an adventure.

	Playing in Golden's Champagne Powder 2

Overlooking this quaint little village, the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and its 1,112.8 ha (2,750 acres) of champagne powder, vertical drops and inbound chutes draws worldwide attention and the crowds that come with it.

Downtown Golden has many stories to tell: Walk down to the Kicking Horse river from North Ninth Avenue and discover one of Canada’s longest single span timber frame pedestrian bridges. There, the story can be heard of how volunteers from all over the world banded together with this community to construct more than a bridge but a symbol of cooperation. Then listen to the story of the rails, as trains pull into the repair station and the sound of carts being shucked from one another reverberates through the whole valley.

HISTORY

The story states that after being kicked by a horse on his travels and narrowly escaping death, it was Sir James Hector, a geologist who was part of the Palliser expedition in the 1850s, that named the pass Kicking Horse Pass, then the river that flows through it Kicking Horse River respectively. It also tells of surveyors for the transcontinental railway in 1882 naming their settlement Golden in an attempt to outdo a neighbouring camp named Silver.

The Canadian Pacific Railway has always played a roll in Golden's history, from that first settlement, to coal mining, to employing mountaineering guides from Switzerland. Evidence of this symbiosis can be found in the many Swiss chalets that overlook Golden and at the CPR coal-car repair facility that works tirelessly day and night in the south end of town.

Today, there are several other communities in the area like Donald, Field and Parson, but Golden is its only incorporated community, having a mayor, Town Hall and council of its own.

Visit the Golden and District Museum to learn more about the history of the Golden area.

	A Whitewater Roller Coaster on the Kicking Horse. 3

GEOGRAPHY

On the riverbanks where the Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers converge within the Rocky Mountain Trench, the town of Golden is shaded by the Columbia Valley Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountain Range to the west.

Accessible from the east and west by the Trans-Canada Highway and from Highway 95 in the south, Golden can be found about three hours or 262 km (163 mi) west of Calgary, about four hours north of the Idaho state border and 713 km (433 mi) east of Vancouver.

CLIMATE

The massive mountains that surround the town play a large roll in weather patterns as they block the rising and setting sun and trap moisture within the valley. Summers are warm and dry, while the evenings cool off quickly. In the fall, the hillsides glow as leaves turn yellow and red, then fall to the ground. Winter often brings record snowfalls to the hills. Then spring brings so much rain it is comparable with springtime in Ireland.

TRANSPORTATION

Although the town is quite secluded, it is surprisingly easy to get to and from. The Calgary airport and Cranbrook airport are the two closest spots to land for those travelling by air, and from there Greyhound Canada is always a convenient and affordable way to get dropped off right in town. The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort also provides a shuttle service from Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise that allows visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. The resort also offers car rentals and shuttles from Golden to the mountain and back. Mount 7 Taxi can provide local transportation and ski shuttles 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

ACCOMMODATION

The World Web Travel Guide provides informative accommodation articles that can make planing a trip to Golden easy and fun. There are also three detailed directories that are designed to assist visitors who are looking for the right place to stay.

1. Accommodation Directory - This link contains detailed information about hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, campgrounds and more.
2. Room Reservations - This link allows the user to check for room availability and then conveniently and securely reserve a choice online.
   
3. Maps - The maps are designed for a user to easily locate an attraction, restaurant, shop, tour or activity and see where it relates to other locations within the city.

ACTIVITIES

Golden's amazing mountains, rapid rivers and tranquil lakes make it a wonderland of outdoor adventure and recreation. All year round the activities available are limited only by one's ambition and abilities.

	Golden is Mountain Biking Territory 4

On Mount 7
Reflecting in the shimmering lake at its base, only minutes south of downtown, Mount 7 is crisscrossed by a network of hiking trails and stamped with one wicked rodeo. It contains the longest single track mountain bike trail in the world, which plays host to the annual Psychosis Downhill Race. The mountain also acts as runway and control tower for hang-gliders and paragliders who frequently use the Lookout Launch Site to explore Golden's famed thermals, give lessons to novices and participate in airborne competitions.

On the Snow
Few mountain ranges can compare with The Canadian Rockies in either size, height or snowfall. This is the place to experience the serenity of backcountry skiing. These mountains were the birthplace of North American heli-skiing, where huge rides and deep powder are so easily accessible the most difficult thing becomes choosing which mountain to ride. The groomed trails of Mount 7 and Moonraker Trails are ideal for an afternoon of cross-country skiing.

Only minutes from downtown Golden, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort features pristine downhill skiing and snowboarding and more than 17 km (12 mi) of cross-country trails. Enjoy riding the delicate Purcell Mountain powder and some of the best mogul skiing and natural terrain in the country.

Between ski adventures, stay at one of the resort's many comfortable accommodations that range from hostels to high society hotels. Ride the gondola to the top of the mountain and discover the rocky mountain cuisine of The Eagle's Eye Restaurant. Take a lesson from one of the resident pros, see a show at a hillside pub, go on a guided tour, climb walls of ice, the list goes on and on—just get up there and experience all there is to do.

	On Top of the World in the Rockies 5

Most Canadians are aware of how much more there is to do on snow than just ski or snowboard and most Goldenites will attest to this, then provide a few suggestions. Take, for example, the number of trucks around town that tow snowmobiles throughout most of the season. These people are aware of how much fantastic terrain there is to explore and what an exciting ride sledding provides. For a unique form of snowmobiling, some prefer the slower pace of dogpower over horsepower. These people can attain the help of some four-legged friends to tug their dog-sleds through the countryside. Those still looking for something more relaxing are happy to strap-on some snowshoes and walk atop the snow of the Mount Seven and Moonraker trails.

On the Water
Exhilarating, exciting, safe and fun, the whitewater rafting at one of Canada's premier white water attractions, Kicking Horse River, should not be missed. No experience necessary, the local professionals are ready to take anybody on a wild, whitewater roller coaster ride, anytime from May to September, with the peak season in June and early July. For those who aren't interested in a full body soaking, smooth flatwater drifting is a relaxing alternative to the raging waters and can still satisfy that passion for the great outdoors.

The mighty Columbia River is inhabited by char, lingcod, kokanee and rainbow trout, providing enthusiasts with an abundance of fishing spots to cast into. The more adventurous anglers can hike in and fish some of the spectacular alpine lakes in the area. The moderate 3 km (1.8 mi) hike along the well-maintained trail to Gorman Lake provides great mountain scenery and abundant wildlife while the lake provides a chance at the catch of a lifetime.

On the Summit
Offering over 50 sport climbing routes, Golden is an oasis for mountaineering. Imagine 1,200 ha (3000 acres) of scenic wilds with prehistoric hoodoos, snaking rivers, majestic alpine lakes and mountain summits that seem to touch the sky. Now imagine being dropped off by a helicopter and exploring this terrain with an experienced professional. Guided heli-hiking tours provide access to backcountry trails and lodges that would otherwise require weeks of trecking and years of experience. Let the guide companies in Kicking Horse Country turn those mountains that have always been the background into the ground under foot.

	Casting a Line in Kicking Horse Country 6

On the Course
When the snow retreats to the mountain tops, and the spring rains wake the grass from its winter slumber, many people can only think about one thing—golf. The Golden Golf Course offers an exciting and challenging course to play, located just west of Golden and at the foot of the wild Rockies. Residing in an incredible natural setting beside the quiet Columbia River, the rushing waters of Holt Creek and the natural scenery beyond the fairway make Golden Golf Course a must-play for those with golf on the brain. This 18 hole, par 72 championship course ranks in at 6,206 m (6,778 yd) and includes an outstanding driving range, a practice putting green and sand bunker and an RV park.

On the Concrete
No longer is a mountain bike and Mount 7 an adrenaline junkie's only fix. The town of Golden recently added a new skatepark facility to its roster. Featuring 929 sq m (10,000 sq ft) of concrete and rails, this free ride was built by Newline Skate Parks in 2005 in response to an overwhelming demand for a safe place for local kids to skate.

	Columbia Valley's Natural Beauty 7

On the Ice
Like any small town in Canada, there is a small arena and a big hockey buzz here. Home of the Golden Jets, this town loves its hockey so much they once proposed temporarily changing its name to Hockey, BC, in an attempt to win a contest that would bring an NHL exhibition game to the small community. The town arena is also home of a figure skating league and host of community skating events.

On a Summer Day
When the days are long and hot, take some time to cool off, or drop off the kids at the popular outdoor swimming pool located near Golden's High School and arena. This pool is seasonal for obvious reasons; however, new talks of an indoor aquatic centre have surfaced.

On the Range
For that authentic home on the range experience, saddle up and take a ride on the wild side with a guided horseback tour. Make sure to camp out in the valley's unspoiled ranges to complete the rustic experience — this is the wild west after all.

After that, find out what a real cowboy looks like at Rodeo in the Rockies. Watch as cowboys and cowgirls from all over the continent come to Kicking Horse Country for some bull riding, calf roping, saddle bronc, and bareback riding at Golden Rodeo Days, during Labour Day Weekend.

RESTAURANTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Exploring Golden as a peaceful little mountain village can also be a rewarding way to spend the day. The whole town is walkable and features scenic trails that follow the river as it winds its way from the in town campsite by Mount 7 up to the rivers' confluence in the north end of town and beyond.

The restaurants that are spread throughout downtown provide diners with a great pallet of flavours. These establishments are focused around the Nineth Avenue pedestrian area, on the south side of town near the Overwaitea, and along the Trans-Canada Highway.

For a quick break, or to wind down after a day on the hills, Golden has some hip cafes and cool pubs to offer. Most cafes can be found downtown amongst the restaurants, and feature creative menus, snacks, drinks and Internet access. There are some great pubs along the Kicking Horse River some of which feature live music and entertainment.