Surrounded by the Purcells, Selkirks and Rocky Mountains, Golden, BC has everything for your next winter adventure. There’s so much to do in this mountain town, it may be difficult for you to decide which activity you want to try. Here are a few ideas to help you find your perfect winter adventure.
If you’re looking for summer activities, click here.
Golden, BC 
Golden below Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
1. Downhill ski and snowboard
Powder day, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Skiing and snowboarding are the most popular winter activities in Golden since it is home to world class skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. With champagne powder beneath your feet, dropping into one of the many bowls is like floating on clouds of snow.
Terminator, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, BC
KHMR is known for its expert terrain having 60 double diamond runs and over 85 tight chutes. In these mountains usually the north ridges are steep and the south ridges are more gentle, but at Kicking Horse, gentle is a relative term. With an average annual snowfall of almost 7 ½ meters the steep slopes are often filled with fresh powder. The resort keeps it safe with expert avalanche control.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Controlled avalanche, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
With 5 big mountain bowls filled with champagne powder and lined by 10 steep walls, your choice of runs is endless. Many start their day on the moderate slopes of Crystal Bowl. You can take the groomed run access or get into it on one of the steep lines from CPR or Redemption Ridges.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Crystal Bowl, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Powder day, CPR Ridge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Feuz Bowl is favoured by advanced skiiers for its deep champagne powder and steep runs. The most common access is from Redemption Ridge but if you’re more adventurous you can bootpack up to Whitewall or Ozone (a Freeride World Tour venue). You won’t be dissapointed by the steep runs and deep powder this area is known for. Next to Ozone, take a quick hike to the top of Middle Ridge for awesome glade skiing into Feuz Bowl or deep powder runs into Rudi’s Bowl.
Access to Whitewall and Ozone, KHMR 
Whitewall with Ozone in the background, KHMR 
Whitewall, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
View from Whitewall, KHMR 
View from Ozone, Kicking Horse Moutain Resort 
Middle Ridge below Ozone, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Feuz Bowl, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Powder day, Middle Ridge, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Bowl Over is a great bowl that is reached directly from the gondola. The bowl is bordered on one side with the treed runs of CPR Ridge and on the other with steep couloirs of Terminator 1.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Bowl Over, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Ski and bootpack across the ridge above Bowl Over to reach Super Bowl. From the ridge you will marvel at the views of Canyon Creek and the mountains toward Glacier National Park. Super Bowl’s powder is well worth the walk. Whether it’s from the tops of Terminator 1 (T1), Terminator 2 (T2) or the pass between them you’ll think you’re in heaven in this snowy bowl.
Looking down Canyon Creek toward Glacier National Park, KHMR 
Walking to T1, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Walking to Super Bowl, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Walking to Super Bowl, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
View from Super Bowl, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
T1 and Super Bowl, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
T1, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
For fewer crowds continue walking to the top of T2. The bootpack trail involves using a fixed rope so it’s better to have a backpack for your skis. If you catch it on a powder day you will be so glad you walked the extra few minutes.
Bootpacking to T2, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Bootpacking to T2, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
T2, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
T2, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
If you don’t ski or snowboard take the gondola to the top for spectacular views of the Purcell and Selkirk Mountain Ranges. Stay for lunch at Eagle’s Eye restaurant and enjoy a birds eye view of the incredible mountain scenery.
Eagle’s Eye at the top of the gondola, KHMR 
View from Gondola top, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 
Looking down Canyon Creek to Glacier National Park, KHMR 
View from gondola top of Canyon Creek, KHMR
2. Slackcountry skiing and snowboarding
On the other side of Rudi’s Bowl in KHMR is the powder hound heaven of Rudi’s Ridge. Stairway to Heaven or Pioneer Chairs get you part way up. From there you can skin up on backcountry skis or a splitboard. Depending on where you start it’s a 45 minute to 1 ½ hour climb. The views from the ridge and the top of Rudi’s are spectacular. On one side is the steep terrain of Molar Bowl and Holt Repeater Ridge on the other you can see Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. The ski down is a perfect slope for powder turns.
Backcountry skiing, Rudi’s Ridge, Golden, BC 
View from Rudi’s Ridge, Golden, BC 
Backcountry skiing, Rudi’s Ridge, Golden, BC 
View from Rudi’s summit 
Rudi’s summit, Golden BC
3. Backcountry skiing
Keep moving north from Rudi’s to Molars Bowl or Holt Repeater Ridge to find even more backcountry options. There are many avalanche hazards so if you’re not experienced it is recommended that you hire a certified ACMG guide in town.
Molars Bowl Ridge line from Rudi’s summit
4. Cross-country skiing
If downhill skiing isn’t your thing there are a few options for cross-country skiiers. Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre has 33 km of groomed trails for classic and skate-skiing. Located below Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Dawn Mountain offers unbelievable views. A cheaper option is to ski the trackset trails at Golden Golf Course. Or make your own trail and cross-country ski along the Cedar Lake road.
Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre, Golden, BC 
Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre, Golden, BC 
Cross-country skiing, Golden Golf Club 
Cedar and Moonraker trails, Golden, BC
5. Snowshoeing
There are a few options for snowshoers as well. There are designated snowshoe trails at Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre and 2 or 4 km snowshoe loops just off Palliser Road beside the ski resort. Or make your own trail along Cedar Lake Road.
Snowshoeing, Golden, BC 
Snowshoeing, Golden, BC 
Snowshoeing, Golden, BC
6. Skating
On your rest days you can go skating. Reflection Lake is just outside of town and provides an incredible setting for skating. The lake is often clear from snow due to strong winds but if it’s not, bring your own shovel make your own rink.
Hockey, Reflection Lake, Golden, BC 
Skating on Reflection Lake, Golden
7. Fat (Winter) biking
A large network of biking trails in the Mountain Shadows, Moonraker and Cedar Lake areas are very popular for fat biking. Golden Cycling Club grooms some of the trails in the winter. See their FaceBook page for the latest conditions.
Fat (winter) biking, Golden, BC 
Fat (winter) biking, Golden, BC 
Fat bike trails, Golden, BC
8. Visit a National Park
If you drive a little outside of Golden you have your choice between several national and provincial mountain parks. Roger’s Pass in Glacier National Park to the west has awesome terrain for backcountry skiing. Make sure you have the Roger’s Pass permit. Drive a little east to reach Yoho and Banff National Parks where there are unlimited options for backcountry skiing. You need a park pass to visit these parks.
Illecillewaet Glacier , Rogers Pass, BC 
Backcountry skiing, Rogers Pass, BC 
View of Mount Temple, backcountry skiing, Lake Louise, AB 
Boulder Pass, Lake Louise, AB
9. Snowmobiling
We haven’t done it yet, but the mountains around Golden are famous for sledding. There are a few operators in town and at the resort offering tours and rentals of snowmobiles.
Snowmobile rentals and tours, Golden, BC
10. Walk along the Kicking Horse River
When you need a rest day from your adventures, go for a stroll in town on the pathway along Kicking Horse River.
Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, Golden, BC
There’s a lot to do in Golden in the summer too. Read about our Top 10 Things to do in the Summer in Golden, BC.
How to get to Golden
By car – Golden is very easy to access as its located at the intersection of the TransCanada Highway and Hwy 95. The drive is less than 3 hours from Calgary International airport, 2 ½ hours from Cranbrook airport and 4 hours from Kelowna airport.
By Bus – Rider Express offers daily bus service between Calgary and Vancouver, stopping in Golden.
Shuttle – During the winter season Brewster Transportation offers a Calgary to Golden shuttle.
Where to stay
There are many choices for accommodation in Golden and on the hill ranging from budget to bed & breakfast to luxury homes. Staying in town means you’re closer to a large amount of excellent restaurants, but have to drive 10 km to the resort.
Where to eat
Wolf’s Den, Golden, BC
For a small town there is a remarkable number of great restaurants both in town and on the hill. A few of our favourites are Double Black for coffee, Wolf’s Den for burgers, 1122 for intimate dining, Whitetooth Brewing Co. for a cold beer, The Riverhouse or Golden Taps Pub for a casual meal and The Island for the best patio. For a great meal with amazing views take the gondola up to Eagle’s Eye restaurant.
Coming Next: A Treehouse Adventure in Laos
For extra pictures from Canada click here. For pictures from other blogs go to Gallery at monkeystale.ca
To read about more of our adventures go to Destinations.
If you like what you read, please comment or share (with credit) using the links below.
Monkey's Tale 
Kicking Horse Resort is now on my bucket it!!!! Another great post and accompanying photos! Thank you for sharing!!
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Thanks Colin – next winter, I’ll see you on the slopes!!
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You are most welcome! Haha, You’ll easily recognise me – I’ll be the one flat on his backside 😉
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😊😊😊
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As a working man, many of our vacations would be through this area to Kelowna or Vancouver. Most times, we only stopped for a pee break and/or lunch. But, one time, we stopped the night here. We were impressed with the town and scenery, but have never been up to Kicking Horse. What a spectacular sight from up top. Thanks for taking us along. Allan
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Thanks Alan, well next time through you can go up to the top of the gondola for lunch! You’d love photographing the mountain scenery up there! Maggie
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You two must need thousands of calories a day to keep up with all your activity! 🙂 The skiing looks amazing, and I’ve read that Golden is a great place to visit in the summer as well. Hope to get there someday to compare to our part-time home in Golden, Colorado!
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We’ve never been to Golden, CO but I know there’s a ton to do in BC in both summer and winter. Hopefully you can come see one day!
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Rediscovering the locality can be very rewarding. Excellent post, as usual.
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Especially this year! Thanks!
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Wow… stunning views!!!
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Thak Jyothi, it’s a beautiful part of the world! Maggie
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As always excellent post. I have traveled in Golden, Colorado but not Golden BC. Love the term “champagne powder’ Enjoyed the virtual travel you provide in these awesome travel journals. Thank you.😊
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Thank you Suzanne! Maybe you’ll make it up here one day. There’s a lot here to inspire a poet.
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Ah yes! I can see from the photos!! Thank you for the idea!
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So picturesque, with so many fantastic things to do! I can’t wait to ski again, or even just feel immersed by snow. I’ve wanted to explore Canada for a while, but this consolidated that
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Well one things for certain, Canada will always have another winter! 😊 Hope you can make it here one snowy day.
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Stunning photos! I hope to visit someday.
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Thanks! It’s a lesser known gem in the Rockies! Hope you can get here one day, summer or winter😊
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I hope so too! It’s about an 8 hour drive from my home, and I imagine there is some gorgeous scenery along the way.
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It would be a great drive!
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You got some amazing shots there! It sounds like they have an amazing range of activities too. I would love to see the parks around there, but would certainly love to Send It at some point!
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It’s not that far from Calgary and there’s a lot to do both summer and winter. I hope you can make it out to Golden or the mountain parks! Maggie
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That’s why I’m excited about it! I have a lot of places I want to go see 😊
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The pictures alone make people want to go, what an abundance of snow!
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Thanks! It’s a hidden gem in the Rockies and this year we’ve had a huge amount of snow.
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You guys live in paradise. I am most jealous of the natural, outdoor skating. I love to skate, and do so once a week at our indoor rink, but there is nothing like skating on lakes/rivers surrounded by that majestic scenery. We have lots of skiing opportunities here but outdoor skating is hard to come by. I hadn’t heard the term slackcountry skiing but now I know! You’ve done Golden proud.
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Reflection Lake is a great spot and as you would guess it’s very popular. I think it’s called slackcountry because we’re slackers to use a chairlift to get into the backcountry! 😊
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Awesome! My family checked out different ski hills while we are here in BC 😊
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Oh great! Did you go to Kicking Horse!
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Not yet! 😊
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Next time do eat at Red Tomato Pizza. One of the best pizza places at Golden, BC. Beautiful photos of the kicking horse area and that of Lake Louise. Beautiful BC as they say is indeed beautiful.
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Oh ya thier pizza is great! Beautiful British Columbia is very true! Thanks for reading!!
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Beautiful mountain scenes. So much to do there!
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Thanks, yes we are lucky to spend the winter here!
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It looks magical! Though I can’t ski so just the idea of a visit is too much for me haha!
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Haha! It is a magical place!
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Amazing photos, and what a collection of adventures!
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Thanks, yes it’s a great place to be forced to stay this winter!
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so beautiful and open! looks like a great place to cross country ski
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It’s sure a great place for us to have stay at home orders )
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Wow, what an amazing place to explore – I am in awe of natures beauty! With its lush forest, diverse plants, unique wildlife and fantastic wide open spaces, Golden looks like a perfect place for outdoor lovers, be it summer or winter months! Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Aiva 🙂
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Thanks Aiva, it’s been a great place to be for the travel local rules 🙂 Maggie
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Oh, those XC trails had me drooling. We’re almost to green grass here. It’s been a poor winter for snow lovers. Great for our home construction work, but not great for skiing.
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We’ve had an amazing year for snow! The x-c pictures were just taken last week. The downhill resort is open for another month and there’s so much snow it could stay open a lot longer. It might be a late start to the biking season.
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Wow! Love the pictures. Definitely need to add it to my BC trip plans!
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Thanks! Yes Golden is a little known gem😊
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Gosh it all looks so beautiful
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Thanks, yes, it’s a beautiful part of the country. Thanks for reading!
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Just love that area of the province…was going to ask for a summer edition, but I see you have one…which I will read now 🙂
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We have loved spending our winter here! There’s so much to do! 😊
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It’s been years since I was at Kicking Horse. So nice to see the more remote terrain. Do you live in Golden full time?
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We have this winter and it’s been great!
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Such amazing pictures … it really looks like a winter wonderland! We are now nearing our winter season, but we will most definitely not have scenic views like these 😊. Thanks for showing us the beauty of Golden.
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Thanks, we’re lucky to have been ‘stuck’ here for most of the winter. It’s been a great year for snow too, so even though we can’t travel, it hasn’t been too bad. 🙂 Maggie
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