Local’s info about golden
Golden BC:
Golden is an adventurous little town nestled in the Columbia Valley between the Selkirk, Purcell and Rocky Mountains. It is a haven for climbers and skiers and is perfectly positioned for alpine trips to the three enormous chains of mountain ranges nearby which includes areas like the Bugaboos, Rogers Pass, and the Icefields Parkway. There is also great rock climbing and ice climbing near town providing exciting options for all seasons.
Even though it is a small town there is a wide variety of amenities, 2 supermarkets, a movie theatre, a bowling alley, a world-class ski hill and even 2 climbing gyms, the Confluence Climbing gym is the best place to get a workout on a rainy day and meet fellow climbers.
Getting to Golden:
Getting to Golden is a little tricky, but that’s why it’s less crowded than other destinations.
Flying into Calgary (YYC) is the nearest major airport. Flying into Cranbrook (YXC) is another option but Cranbrook can be less reliable in winter so if you’re joining us for an ice climbing trip then Calgary is preferred. We recommend booking with Kayak as they have a user friendly site which is an efficient way to find the cheapest/best flights into Calgary and other major centers, visit their site here!
There is one bus from Calgary to Vancouver per day which stops in Golden, the Rider Express.
Rental cars are an easier option and will allow you more freedom to explore, for this a wide variety of options exist. Be sure to check road conditions in Alberta and BC before starting your trip.
The Columbia Valley Rideshare Facebook group is another option, but can be unreliable if you’re on a tight schedule. Please contact us if you experience difficulties getting to Golden we are always happy to help our clients with logistics.
Where to stay:
For camping, there are many many great options, our favourite being the Golden Riverfront Campground just south of town. In town there is a nice municipal campground on the shore of the Kicking Horse River.
There is one Hostel downtown, the Dreamcatcher Hostel which is in a great location and has a good reputation.
For Motels/Hotels there are a wide variety of options. Mary’s Motel is our pick of the budget options, conveniently located near the local brewery. Newly restored the historic Edelweiss Village is now open to stay in an original Swiss Guides house. Built in 1911 they blend mountaineering, history, and architecture. Golden Mountain View Suites is one of our favourite spots, family run and exceptional views.
Where to Eat and Drink:
Whitetooth Brewing is the local craft brewery featuring delicious Belgian inspired beers, they provide ample options for thirsty climbers looking to celebrate after a great trip!
Blue-collar pubs popular with climbers, skiers, and various other sorts of riff-raff are the Golden Taps and the Riverhouse Tavern both are highly recommended for those who enjoy a casual atmosphere and meeting charismatic locals.
For Mexican food the popular Reposados is awesome and has a great selection of fine tequila.
The best Indian food in town is on the #1 highway, it is also the best of all the restaurants on the highway, the Indian Kitchen is not to be missed for those who love curry!
For finer dining our favourites are Eleven22 and the Whitetooth Mountain Bistro, both offer a pretty darn fantastic fine dining experience for a small town!
Our favourite cafe in town is above Four Points Books, Bacchus Cafe. This is a bookstore and upstairs an excellent cafe with used books, highly recommended for a rest day! Also Ethos Cafe is wonderful and a convenient stop-off on your way to Kicking Horse Mountain.
Buying or renting equipment:
Golden is a small town so bringing all necessary equipment with you is recommended, please keep in mind that we provide all technical climbing gear for our clients should you need it.
That being said there is equipment available in town if needed, Golden Outdoors has a good selection of high-quality outdoor equipment, generally camping equipment and footwear.
The Dirtbag Climbing Corporation is the other climbing gym in town and has the town’s only climbing gear store, selection is limited.
Avalanche rescue equipment is available from Avalanche Safety Solutions and Higher Ground Sports. Higher Ground also rents other gear like mountain bikes and SUPs.
