Powder, Peaks & Personality: We Asked A Local Why Golden BC Is So Good?
Choosing where to head on a Canadian ski holiday is a big decision, especially if you’re looking for an authentic destination where you can really immerse yourself in the mountains, find some of that world famous powder, and feel part of the community.
Canada is famous for the sense of space and freedom you get just being there. There are also those spectacular views, the high value, and that fabulous abundant light, powder snow.
© Abby Cooper
There are plenty of options of course, some better known than others, but Golden, British Columbia is probably your perfect choice. Not only home to the very best powder, it is more than just a ski destination, it’s a winter town with soul.
Tucked between the Selkirk, Purcell, and Rocky Mountains, with the resulting deep snow, dramatic terrain, and a community that lives and breathes mountain life, Golden offers a rare blend of adventure and authenticity that’s increasingly hard to find in ski towns these days.
Located just a few miles from world-famous Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden is equally proud of its incredible backcountry ski opportunities.
© Dave Best
Outside the resort, the town and its surrounding mountains are a hotspot for backcountry lodges and heliskiing scattered in the Rocky and Columbia Mountains. They are usually quite remote and all receive a lot of snow meaning that you can almost always find great turns. In fact, there’s the highest concentration of backcountry lodges in the world here, more than 20 in total. That pretty impressive for a town of just 4,000 people. It’s no coincidence that heli-skiing was pioneered in this very landscape – Golden’s mountains were made for it, and now hosts four heli/cat skiing areas in its vicinity.
The truth is that this is a place where winter isn’t just a season, it’s a way of life. Whether you’re carving through alpine bowls or venturing into the backcountry with a guide, Golden delivers the kind of snow-filled experiences that stay with you long after the last run.
If all that wasn’t enough, we asked Golden local and Tourism Golden Marketing Manager Hugh Brown, just what makes Golden so special.
“Golden is still a town that has a working population of people who have moved here or live here for the shared love of the mountains. I like to think of some of the glitzier destinations as having the pristine and polished outdoor wear. Golden is the land of people who have the quality gear you need for serious snowsports, but it is obviously well used. Our shops are locally owned and operated and many of them live by the 20cm rule, which means you will still see closed signs on their doors on a pow day.”
© Scott Sports
And just why is the snow so good?
“We have incredibly light powder snow, which makes for some of the best turns anywhere. The resort is in the Purcell range, and most of the storms roll in from the west from the Pacific coast. The storms first hit the Coastal Mountains, bringing a lot of precipitation, but it is usually warmer, wetter and heavier. The next big mountain range the storms will hit is the Columbia Mountains (Purcell and Selkirk ranges). We get the snow at the end of the Columbia wall, which is usually softer and lighter. We are also next to the Rockies and get the colder temperatures, which all helps with consistent snow quality. Having temperatures 5-10 degrees colder means the snow skis nice and consistently for longer, and the relatively quiet atmosphere means I’ve had powder turns for days or even a week after a storm,” Hugh explains.
Who skis here?
“Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is largely geared toward advanced skiers who can explore the whole mountain. About 60% of the terrain is advanced or expert, and the mountain is widely considered to have some of the best ski terrain in North America, with five alpine bowls and hundreds of chutes. It has hosted the Freeride World Tour multiple times on several in-bounds faces, and you can ski those lines yourself outside of the event. Intermediate skiers can ride the gondola to the alpine and enjoy glorious top-to-bottom runs, while beginners will find more gentle terrain and groomers near the base on Catamount Chair. Huge vert. Big mountain terrain. Unbelievable views. It is a wild experience,” Hugh enthuses.
Besides Kicking Horse, Golden sits within reach of five major ski areas, all within a two-hour radius, making it a strategic base for powder chasers planning a longer stay with some day trips.
© Maur Mere Media
There’s much more to a stay in Golden than just incredible skiing though, Hugh explains,
“Outside the resort, the experience can really depend on what you are looking for. The town of Golden is set in spectacular scenery, you don’t need to go searching for a view. There are guided snowmobile rides (need to be guided, no experience necessary), some nice cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing. You could catch a local hockey game, go bowling, play pool, have a delicious meal at a local restaurant, and really integrate with the lifestyle and town. There are accommodations for every type of traveller, some of which are spectacular and really a part of the experience, rather than just a cost to play.”
The town has hosted a range of seasonal events, from international freeride competitions to family-friendly parades and festivals. These gatherings bring together locals and visitors alike, turning the snowy streets into stages for music, dance, and mountain culture.
How do get there?
“The most common way to get to Golden is flying into Calgary International Airport. The drive takes around three hours, winding through the Canadian Rockies with incredible views around every turn. Driving in the mountains comes with winter conditions, so the Golden Shuttle is a great option for those who prefer not to drive and just take in the stunning vista. The Golden Shuttle connects the airport directly to Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort with a local shuttle doing daily shuttles between the town and the resort.”
Besides the amazing skiing and fantastic snow then, what makes Golden truly special is its character. This isn’t a manufactured resort town with a ‘look at me’ culture, it’s a living, breathing mountain community.
Locals are proud of their home and there’s a warmth here that’s woven into the fabric of the place.
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Main Image © Jeff Bartlett