Golden is a picturesque town that sits at the tip of the Southern Rocky Mountain Trench and at the confluence of the Columbia and Kicking Horse Rivers. It is conveniently located three hours west of Calgary and 1.5 hours north of Radium Hot Springs. With spectacular scenery all around, including three mountain ranges and six national parks, Golden is a four-season paradise to live, stay or play.
The dramatic peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcells to the west attract mountain bikers, climbers, hikers, hang gliders and paragliders. The nearby rivers offer first-class fly-fishing, kayaking, rafting and canoeing in the longest unspoiled wetlands in North America. Golden is also home to unrivalled heli-skiing and cat-skiing, served by more than 50 backcountry lodges and remote bed and breakfasts. Add to that the famed Kicking Horse Mountain Resort — the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada — just 15 kilometres away, and a nationally acclaimed golf course, and you have an ideal outdoor playground.
The oldest town in the Columbia Valley, Golden began in the mid-1800s as a survey camp for Major A. B. Rogers, for whom the nearby Rogers Pass was named. In an attempt to outdo the nearby Silver City camp, Rogers named his site Golden City. In 1957 the site was incorporated as the Town of Golden.
The Kicking Horse Pass and river were named for Palliser Expedition geologist, Sir James Hector, who suffered a near-fatal kick from a horse while seeking a route through the mountains for the railway in 1858. The pass Sir Hector found made way for the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which used Golden as a base to extend its rail network into Western B.C.
When the railway was completed in 1885, Golden became a prominent stop on the line. To this day, the CPR and Louisiana Pacific — a building materials manufacturer — are the town’s biggest employers.
Tourism began in the late 1800s when the CPR hired Swiss mountain guides to allow visitors to Golden the chance to stay and explore this incredible, untamed area. Today, Golden has a bustling and diverse economy, with many opportunities for further development.
Visitors can enjoy reasonably priced motels and hotels, seasonal rentals, and dozens of rural and remote bed-and-breakfasts, most accessible only by helicopter. There are many fine shops and eateries, ranging from quaint cafes to five-star dining establishments.
Golden also has a lively arts and cultural scene. Kicking Horse Culture coordinates a range of performances, studio arts exhibits, arts education and community arts activities. The not-for-profit organization also operates the Golden Civic Centre, the community’s hub.
For more information, visit www.GoldenBritishColumbia.com.
Designed by Shawn Wernig © 2011 Columbia Valley Pioneer • www.columbiavalleypioneer.com