Golden, BC

The name of the place alone makes it beautiful and in real life, it only becomes more so. Whereas Banff has quite a touristy feel about it for example, Golden feels quite authentic. Golden, itself, is located in one of the most beautiful places in the world set between Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Yoho. The list of activities to do takes up a big page with Kicking Horse (one of the best and most challenging ski hills around) during winter and some of the Rockies’ best hiking in summer.

A ground squirrel enjoys the Golden sun.

If biking is your scene, then you are coming to the right place. Golden hosted the longest singletrack downhill mountain bike race in the world (Psychosis) for 10 years. Though this race doesn’t exist any more, the trail is still there for anyone who wants to challenge themselves. If you want to do something a bit more relaxing, the Kicking Horse Gondola provides unbelievable panoramic views. In fact, it has the highest elevation sightseeing Gondola of any resort in BC.

The rafting on the Kicking Horse River is second to none in summer with several different options ranging from the ‘Oh this is fun’ level to the ‘Oh God I am going to die but I love it’ level. Golden is only about a beautiful 90 minute drive from Banff (one hour from Lake Louise) and is definitely somewhere you should take time to visit.

Golden Tourism

Getting to Golden has never been easier! Pack those bags, book accommodations, choose some great activities and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Golden is a destination of ‘must do’ and ‘must see’. Below are some hints to help you achieve as much as humanly possible.

By Air

Getting to Golden is the easy part, but you may never want to leave.

Golden is roughly a three hour drive from Calgary International Airport and the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook. If you choose to fly into Calgary International Airport, there are several companies who provide shuttle service directly to Golden. A shuttle service from Calgary is provided by Sundog Tours.

By Car

Access to Golden from east or west is simple, thanks to its location right on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1). Hwy #95 begins in Golden and heads south to the U.S. border. Beyond the border, Interstate 95 continues through Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and all the way down to the U.S.-Mexico border. Drive Times vary depending on season and weather.

The Trans-Canada Highway between Golden and Yoho National Park was upgraded to a modern four-lane design, including a new Park Bridge over the Kicking Horse Canyon. These upgrades have made vast improvements for safe and quicker travel to Golden from the east.

By Bus

Greyhound Buslines stop four times a day in Golden, coming from either Calgary, Alberta or Vancouver, B.C. Greyhound also has a daily bus leaving from Cranbrook, B.C., plus services to every other community throughout the region, province and country.

Getting Around Town

Car and truck rentals are available in Golden. Golden also provides a Taxi/Limousine service through Mount 7 Taxi.

British Columbia offers up another side of the Canadian Rockies, where you’ll find Kootenay National Park, Mount Revelstoke and Yoho National Park. Golden, British Columbia is a great little town from which to explore the ample skiing, hiking, rafting, backpacking and other activities the Canadian Rockies offer. Look for more information on British Columbia from CanadianRockies.net in the near future.

Nipika Mountain Resort

Radium area – Nipika Mountain Resort borders Kootenay National Park and offers guests a recreational playground right out the front door of our luxurious lodge and cabins.

Nipika is a remarkable eco lodge inviting guests to retreat, relax and recreate. Cross-country ski, mountain bike, hike or run on our endless trails out the front door. Fish, canoe, kayak or raft the nearby Kootenay River. Or just sit on the porch and watch wildlife graze on the meadow.

Grizzly Bears of Knight Inlet

Trains, Planes and Grizzly Bears

Outstanding wildlife together with “The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World” A perfect combination for an unforgetable daylight journey through the spectacular Rockies and Canada’s West.

Grizzly Bear viewing Glendale Cove in Knight Inlet is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon for up to 40 bears to be within a few miles of the lodge during the peak fall season when the salmon are running up the Glendale River.

Click here for details on this fantastic Eco Tour and Activities