Where is Golden?

Golden, B.C. is located in the Rocky Mountain Trench, a unique geologic feature nestled between the Canadian Rocky Mountains on the east and the Purcell and Selkirk Mountains on the west. It is located at the confluence of the Columbia and Kicking Horse Rivers, and sits next to the Columbia Valley wetlands. Golden is within a half hour drive of two of Canada's mountain national parks, and within an hour and a half drive of four more mountain national parks. It is also close to Bugaboo Provincial Park, Hamber Provincial Park, and Upper Cummins Lakes Provincial Park. It is on the Trans Canada Highway, about an hour and a half west of Banff. It also sits on the Canadian Pacific Railway main line.


Who lives here, and what do they do?

The population of Golden is about 4,000, with another 4,000 living in the surrounding area. The major industries are forestry, railroading, and tourism. The Kicking Horse ski resort is located just west of town.

Golden is also the base for the many backcountry lodges that are nestled in the mountains around it.


What other outdoor activities are available?

Whitewater rafting and kayaking: The Kicking Horse River, one of the most famous whitewater rivers, literally runs through the middle of Golden. There are many other whitewater routes nearby, described in two books by Stuart Smith. To book a whitewater raft trip, visit the Murphys at www.glacierraft.com .

Hang gliding and paragliding: From Mount 7, fliers take advantage of the summer afternoon thermals for spectacular rides down the eastern side of the Rocky Mountain Trench. Their sails are visible from downtown Golden, or you can take the Mount 7 hike and watch them take off from up close.

Mountaineering: Rogers Pass, the cradle of Canadian mountaineering, is located west of town in the Selkirk Mountains. There are still unclimbed peaks in the Selkirks, and two guidebooks by David Jones detail recorded climbs in the Selkirks. We feature several hikes in the Rogers Pass area, including Asulkan Hut.

Trail rides: There are several businesses offering trail rides in the Golden area.

Flatwater canoeing and kayaking: The Columbia River, with its slow moving, meandering channels, is a wonderful place for canoes, as well as both ocean and river kayaks.

For more information on Golden, visit the Golden Tourism Association site.