The ultimate family ski vacation in the Canadian Rockies

Discover legendary terrain, deep snow, breathtaking views and plenty of family-fun activities in the Canadian Rockies, Golden, B.C.

Golden, B.C. is a winter wonderland in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. With breathtaking views and an incredible range of activities, it’s the perfect winter destination for families. Experience an authentic mountain town that is away from the crowds and offers a diverse adventure.

Lead image: Golden BC © Dave Best

Winter activities

Golden is also home to the legendary Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where you can explore terrain that varies from steep chutes to forest glades and smooth groomers. Boasting 4,314 vertical feet, five alpine bowls, more than 120 runs, and more than 85 inbound chutes; Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the real deal when it comes to experiencing the ultimate ski adventure.

When the family needs a break, hunker down at the Heaven’s Door Yurt for a hot chocolate and dig into a juicy meal at Whitetooth Grill. Take your meal to the next level with some fine dining at the highest restaurant in Canada, Eagle’s Eye, which is perched at the top of the resort.

Spend a day nordic skiing at the nearby Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre. It has more than 33 kilometres of groomed trails and rentals. Or, follow snowshoe trails through the alpine and enjoy the scenery at a slower pace. Rest and warm up in the Nordic Centre’s wintery log cabin lodge.

On-mountain family activities

Tubing

Skating rink

Guided snowmobile tours

Snowshoe trails

Nordic skiing

Off-mountain family activities

Guided snowmobile tours

Indoor rock climbing

Summer activities in the Canadian Rockies

Wide variety of hiking trails including in nearby national parks

Whitewater rafting

Canoe rentals and guided tours

Mountain biking (including downtown pump and skills track)

Horseback riding

Golf and mini-golf at Golden Golf Course

Fishing and guided fishing tours

Guided ATV tours

Northern Lights Wolf Wildlife Centre

Grizzly Bear Refuge at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 

Canada’s highest suspension bridges and zipline at the Golden Skybridge.

Family-friendly events

Huckleberry Loppet

Golden Nordic Club’s premier event each ski season encourages skiers of all abilities and ages to participate in a great celebration of Nordic skiing. The event includes a hot lunch and plentiful prizes.

Snow King MasqueParade

This family-friendly event celebrates the Snow King and Lady Spring as they return from the mountain and are heralded by fire spinners, stilt walkers, and revellers.

Live Kicks & Film Kicks

Cultural events, like theatre, music, and markets are regular happenings in Golden. Attend a film at the quaint mountain town theatre, or listen to local musicians at a Live Kicks concert.

You can stay in the loop with these events with the Golden Local App. You’ll receive notifications on current events, like live music and theatre shows. You can also browse events on the events calendar.

For information on these and many other events in Golden throughout the year visit tourismgolden.com/events

Accommodation in the Canadian Rockies

Book your stay at a hotel and enjoy evenings at a pool and water slide. Or, spend your days in a cozy cabin with a fireplace in the woods. If you’d like to spend more time in the alpine you can book accommodations up near Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, or stay in the valley and access all of the town’s amenities by foot.

There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options in Golden. You can find them at tourismgolden.com/accommodations.

Eat

Golden takes pride in its variety of family-friendly restaurants, offering plenty of great eats for every price point and diet. Here are a few dining options.

ELEVEN22
A popular neighbourhood restaurant in downtown Golden, ELEVEN22 offers a relaxed atmosphere. The original, modern and comfort cuisine is drawn from chef and owner Konan Mar’s passion for culinary diversity and talent for fusing Canadian and Asian cuisine with a distinct European flair. Dishes are prepared fresh with the finest ingredients and served in satisfying portions.

Reposados Tacos Y Tequila

Reposados is Golden’s very own authentic Mexican-style restaurant with a rocky mountain twist. They are known for their hand-crafted margaritas with house-fermented syrups, locally brewed beer, homemade gluten-free corn tortillas, BBQ meats, slow-roasted meats & a wide variety of vegan & vegetarian options.

Bluebird Cafe
Bluebird Cafe offers a great grab n’ go breakfast and lunch menu, including bagged lunches. Conveniently located on the way to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, they have a variety of homemade breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, salads, and a selection of in-house baking.

For more dining options in the Canadian Rockies, visit tourismgolden.com/dining.

How to get to Golden

Leave the car and your winter driving worries behind. Use the daily shuttle service to get directly from the closest international airport in Calgary to Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. A regular local service makes it easy to move between downtown Golden and the slopes at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Getting to Golden is hassle-free and affordable so you can sit back and enjoy a getaway with your family.

Trekking through town

Once you’re there, the rotary trail system makes it easy to explore the town on foot, even with little ones. Kids will enjoy the delightfully scenic stroll over the famous timber Pedestrian Bridge into downtown Golden. The Rotary trail system stretches for more than 16 kilometres, linking residential to downtown Golden. The picturesque path weaves through forested trails and alongside the Kicking Horse and Columbia rivers. It’s a maintained dual-purpose trail making it perfect for walking, running, and fat biking in winter.

Download the app & book your trip

Learn about Golden while you’re on the go with the Local Golden BC App. Through it, you can access information about accommodations and activities, explore the town on foot with walking itineraries and get notifications for community events.

Visit tourismgolden.com to learn more about this family-favourite ski destination or to book your trip.

Keep reading:

• Insiders’ guide to Kicking Horse and Golden
• Why Aussie families love skiing at Kicking Horse Resort