Find a winter wonderland at Golden and Kicking Horse in Canada

Surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, Purcell and Selkirk Mountains, Golden offers spectacular views and dry champagne powder at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR) and in the surrounding backcountry. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is known for its incredible vertical (4th highest in North America), world-class snow quality, and awe-inspiring location. With five alpine bowls, 120+ runs and 24 ft of average snowfall, there is terrain to enjoy for all ages and abilities. For Epic Pass and Epic Day Pass holders (four-day minimum), receive up to seven days total of skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. For extended ski trips, Golden is within a two-hour drive of four other world-class ski resorts in the Columbia and Rocky Mountains.

Outside the resort, Golden is a warm and welcoming mountain town. There are a wide variety of accommodation options from motels, hotels, lodges, mountain cabins or vacation rentals, and a diverse range of restaurants and locally owned cafes.

Golden is located only a three-hour drive from Calgary International Airport. If you don’t want to drive, the town has a winter shuttle service from the airport to Golden, and Golden to the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. For more information visit tourismgolden.com/activities/winter/

Lead image © Dave Best

The best things to do at Golden and Kicking Horse with kids

In Golden, you can also experience many other fun family activities, such as ice skating, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, indoor rock climbing or a guided snowmobile tour.

On-mountain family activities

Downhill skiing

Tubing

Skating rink

Guided snowmobile tours

Snowshoe trails

Nordic skiing

Off-mountain family activities

Guided snowmobile tours

Indoor rock climbing

Bowling

Watching the Golden Rockets hockey team

Art classes

Summer activities in Golden

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, mountain coaster, and more at Golden Skybridge

Family-friendly events

The annual Huckleberry Loppet is Golden Nordic Club’s premier event each ski season and 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.

EmberFest is Golden’s vibrant winter festival, presented by Kicking Horse Culture each February. Featuring live music, art, workshops, and a spectacular outdoor pageant in Spirit Square, the festival brings locals and visitors together in a multi-day celebration of creativity, connection, and winter magic in the heart of Kicking Horse Country. Keep an eye out for Live Kicks for winter theatre, dance, and music performances.

Throughout the summer and parts of spring-fall, Golden has some great weekly event options, from the Golden Skybridge summer concert series, summer kicks concert series, and a locals’ farmers markets.

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

Accommodation in Golden and Kicking Horse

Rustic cabins and lodges in Golden offer a real mountain experience and the opportunity for kids to explore and have fun. Luxury homes at Kicking Horse provide on-mountain convenience. All homes offer full kitchens and ample space for everyone. The locator map and amenities filter at tourismgolden.com/accommodations will help you find the perfect place.

Eat

Families are particularly welcome in Golden and the town and ski resort offer a variety of dining options for all tastes and budgets. Visit tourismgolden.com/dining

Some great options are:

Ethos Cafe
Located in the small town of Golden within the northern Purcell Mountain range of BC, Ethos Cafe is deeply connected to the surrounding natural beauty and committed to strengthening community through integrity, sustainability and meaningful moral action. The cafe serves exceptional coffee, delicious light breakfast and lunch options, and freshly baked goods in an aesthetic environment, with ingredients and products sourced from passionate local suppliers.

The Island Restaurant
Located in the heart of Golden, the Island Restaurant will tempt you with Rocky Mountain cuisine that has a taste of Asian and European fusion. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests can stop in for a soup, salad or sandwich, or relax and dine on an entree of local game. Kids and gluten-free menus are available.

Eagle’s Eye Restaurant at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Canada’s most elevated dining experience. Take a gondola to the top of the mountain and discover Canada’s highest-elevation restaurant and the crown jewel of resort dining at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Lunch at the Eagle’s Eye offers 360-degree views over the majestic peaks of the Purcell, Selkirk, and Rocky Mountains.

How to get to Golden

Golden is located on TransCanada Highway 1 and Highway 95 and is less than a three-hour drive from Calgary International Airport. During the winter months, book with the Golden Shuttle, which offers transfers between Calgary International Airport, Golden, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Find more information at tourismgolden.com/getting-here

Kicking Horse resort stats

Skiable area
3,400 hectares

Lifts
5

Terrain parks
1

Runs
120+

6 years
Minimum age for ski lessons

6 years
Minimum age for snowboard lessons

Daycare available 18 months and up

Grading of runs
Beginner: 20%
Intermediate: 20%
Advanced: 45%
Expert: 15%

Summit height
2,450 metres

Length of season
December to April

Average snowfall
7.5 metres

Golden to mountain
14 kilometres

Ski-in, ski-out

Keep reading:

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