It’s a Golden rule that to truly experience the essence of this place, you’ve got to get your blood pumping. Year-round, Golden runs on adventure. Raft the whitewater, paraglide the world-record updrafts for a bird’s eye view, ATV in the natural beauty of Golden’s backcountry, tackle some of the best mountain biking terrain on the continent. Pick your challenge and go!
Backcountry, heli and cat skiing found their groove here, and today a myriad of operators provide heart-pounding ways to get up close and personal with the powder. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has the Rockies’ highest vertical at 4,133 feet, and 106 different runs. The resort has 4 kilometres of trails for showshoeing, too.
Ice climbing is popular at various sites in Kicking Horse Canyon, the Blaeberry River Valley, Mount Hunter, Yoho National Park and the Glenogle Valley. Certified guides know the conditions and how to be safe.
One of the finest and most challenging downhill systems in Canada is Mount 7 (for ten years, host to Psychosis, the steepest, longest and fastest downhill mountain bike race in the world). Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is home to an epic 10 kilometre-long, 1128-metre (3,700 feet) descent, and there’s exceptional single track at the bottom of Mount 7 and on the Moonraker and Dawn Mountain trail systems.
Golden is a snowmobiling paradise, with light and dry snow, awesome scenery, and invigorating terrain. Quartz Creek, Gorman Lake and Silent Pass are popular choices, and local operators offer all the gear and expertise for snowmobile touring.
Rent horsepower of a different sort from local ATV tour operators. Rain or shine, there is fun to be had on four wheels in Golden’s backcountry.
Ride tall in the saddle with trail rides on horseback through Flying W Trail Rides. Experienced guides can take you on a tour that overlooks the Columbia Valley, as well has some great views of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
The Kicking Horse River is renowned as one of the wildest, most intense waterways in Canada, with big waves and lots of rapids. Rafting operators offer trips for all adventure levels. Great kayaking and canoeing trips are enjoyed from May through September on the more than 10 spectacular rivers within a 90-minute drive of town.
With its superlative thermal conditions, Mount 7 has long attracted hang gliding and paragliding enthusiasts from around the world. Those new to it can try a tandem discovery flight with Altitude Adventures. Sport climbers love the gorgeous limestone walls of Spillimacheen Crags (or Spilli Rock), and the world-famous granite towers of the Bugaboos.
Skydive Extreme Yeti is proud to offer extraordinary skydiving in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet. With the Rocky Mountains to one side and the Selkirks to the other, the panoramic views are simply breathtaking! Their professionally trained staff are always happy to make your skydiving experience one you will never forget!
