I don’t learn about you however come winter I want one thing to stay up for regularly. In the summertime, we go away nearly each weekend, however someway in winter we solely appear go away each month or so. John and I made a decision we wanted a break and determined to move to Golden BC for a change – and avail ourselves of winter actions each in Golden and in close by Yoho Nationwide Park. Most individuals I do know head for Kicking Horse Mountain Resort however on this journey we had been on the lookout for quieter winter actions.
Over three days in winter we knocked off some cross-country snowboarding, a number of snowshoe outings together with a few winter hikes. We additionally loved some good consuming and a superb keep at Dwelling Lodge, simply 12 minutes from downtown Golden. Take a look at all of the issues to do in Golden BC we found over simply three days. The whole lot is listed in chronological order so you possibly can see simply how a lot you are able to do if that’s what you need. Thoughts you, a day of studying and napping on the Dwelling Lodge would have been good too.
Attending to Golden BC
I’m not going to lie. It was a gnarly drive to Golden BC from Calgary on the winter weekend we selected. Actually, we nearly cancelled due to the climate. As soon as we obtained previous Lake Louise the Trans-Canada Freeway was down to at least one lane in every course and roads had been snow-covered and icy. Nonetheless, we persevered, breaking apart the drive with a cease for a couple of hours of cross-country snowboarding in Yoho Nationwide Park.
Usually it’s a few three-hour drive to Golden from Calgary. What’s completely different now and for years to come back is the development improve to Kicking Horse Canyon, simply east of Golden. There are frequent slowdowns and even full closings so all the time verify the Kicking Horse Canyon web site earlier than you go. Its up to date each day with all of the wait instances and closure info.
Location map of issues to do in Golden BC in winter
Go cross-country snowboarding in Yoho Nationwide Park
I had examine some cross-country ski trails in Yoho Nationwide Park that I used to be eager to attempt. The one we did started together with the highway close to the Yoho Pure Bridge. The parking zone doesn’t appear to be plowed in winter however there may be room to tug over and park.
We skied about 11 kilometres on a mixture of the Kicking Horse and Otterhead Trails. A part of the path is often track-set but it surely had snowed a lot that we broke path your complete means. There was lower than 50 metres of elevation acquire.
The trailhead is close to the washrooms on the north facet of the parking zone. Ski a mixture of broad roads and slender trails by way of the woods, crossing each the Emerald and Amiskwi Rivers. Ultimately you attain the Kicking Horse River the place there are purported to be fantastic views of the encircling peaks, however we couldn’t see a lot.
We rotated earlier than the sunshine began to fade so we might get to Golden in daylight. We’d like to return and do extra snowboarding on this space as its in a snow belt and really peaceable.
In a single day at Dwelling Lodge in Golden
We spent two fantastic nights on the Dwelling Lodge in Golden run by Lynn, a Scot (recent baked shortbread had been ready for us one night) and Sigi a Swiss. Each are personable and welcoming – and know the area just like the proverbial again of your hand. You’ll be able to rely on a lot of native intel should you want solutions on what to do, the place to eat…
Regardless that the B&B is in Golden, it felt like we had been in a nature sanctuary. The B&B sits on a big acreage with a view of the mountains – but its only a 12-minute drive from the primary road in downtown Golden. When you can nonetheless see a couple of different houses, principally what you see if you look outdoors is both deer, birds or one in every of their photogenic Scottish Highland cattle.
We had your complete place to ourselves although there are 4 bedrooms. It was a deal with to have an enormous widespread space to sit down and luxuriate in a glass of wine. And one evening we introduced a scrumptious Mexican dinner again from Reposados Tacos and ate it at their massive eating desk. Each nights we availed ourselves of their sizzling tub.
Breakfasts come together with your keep. Not solely are they scrumptious (recent fruit, yogurt, bacon, pancakes…) however they’re enjoyable and filled with nice dialog with Lynn and Sigi. And also you get a view of deer checking you out as they stroll by the kitchen home windows.
Drive up Blaeberry Street and go snowshoeing
We wouldn’t have gone snowshoeing close to the Blaeberry River if it wasn’t for Lynn’s suggestion. She did say we’d discover a lot of unmarked trails – and it will be lovely. She was proper.
To search out someplace to snowshoe, we drove down Blaeberry Street to the top of the place it had been plowed. There’s a big parking space. From there you are able to do one in every of two issues. Backtrack 150 metres to the bridge over the Blaeberry River. Cross it after which snowshoe on some forest service roads. That’s what we ended up doing for about 75 minutes. There’s loads to discover and not one of the terrain we had been in posed any avalanche threat. As you possibly can see within the photographs, it was untracked and delightful snowshoeing.
The opposite possibility is to proceed up the unplowed Blaeberry Street to Thompson Falls. I don’t know if its 5.3 km a method – the gap marked on an indication we noticed, however I assume that’s how far you’d need to go. I noticed a photograph on Tourism Golden’s Instagram feed of Thompson Falls – so I knew it was an possibility, although I do know nothing concerning the path itself.
Eat lunch in Bacchus Books and Cafe in downtown Golden
One other one in every of Lynn’s suggestions was to take pleasure in lunch at Bacchus Books and Cafe in downtown Golden. It was an important suggestion because the meals is scrumptious, parts are massive, and I really like an excellent bookstore. Search for secondhand books upstairs whereas the downstairs has each new and used books.
I additionally perceive that one of many cooks right here is non aside from Katie Mitzel, the beloved prepare dinner up at Skoki Lodge for a few years. We totally loved her cooking over one winter weekend years in the past, so we knew we’d be in for a deal with right here as nicely. The whole lot we ordered was scrumptious.
Stroll the Rotary Loop beside the Kicking Horse River in Golden
After lunch we hopped onto the Rotary Path from the again door of the bookstore. After crossing the Kicking Horse River on the aptly named Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, we hung a proper and made our means all the way down to Confluence Park the place the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers meet.
What was most noticeable was the quantity of ice on the Kicking Horse River. There was a lot that they needed to dredge a channel, eradicating ice, so water might movement. Observe how excessive the ice is in relation to the pedestrian bridge. I hope this doesn’t spell bother come spring.
That is a straightforward out and again stroll. To get to Confluence Park you do need to stroll on a brief stretch of highway.
Stroll or snowshoe the Moonraker Trails close to Golden BC
The Moonraker Trails are accessed off the highway to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. From downtown Golden, it’s a few 10-minute drive. There are over 50 kilometres of trails which might be closely utilized by mountain bikers and hikers in summer season however in winter most of the trails could be walked or snowshoed.
We walked rapidly to Cedar Lake – post-holing solely often and arriving about 45 minutes after leaving the automotive. All instructed it’s someplace between a 4 – 5 kilometre out and again hike. It was fairly with a whole lot of snow. In summer season, the lake is a well-liked recreation website, providing 22 primitive campsites.
Snowshoe or stroll to Wapta Falls in Yoho Nationwide Park
We snowshoed to Wapta Falls in Yoho Nationwide Park on the drive residence. The beginning of the path, instantly off the Trans-Canada Freeway, is about half-hour from Golden so it’s straightforward to do as a day journey.
It’s a pleasant path to the falls although it’s longer in winter as you could stroll or snowshoe to the parking zone that’s utilized in summer season. All instructed it’s 8.8 km return with an elevation acquire of round 30 metres. Permit 3- 3.5 hours as you’ll want to spend a while at Wapta Falls, admiring the falls from completely different angles.
Except there’s a large recent dump of snow, you need to be capable to hike to the falls although I’d advocate that you just throw some microspikes in your pack in case it will get icy.
Consuming in Golden BC
We didn’t eat inside any eating places whereas in Golden, however we did decide up meals from Reposados Tacos on the Principal Avenue. It was REALLY good. They’ve provide you with a inventive resolution and are providing a dine-outside-in-a-heated-dome expertise. You need to reserve it.
Different eating places in Golden that come extremely advisable are eleven22, Whitetooth Bistro, and the Ronin Noodle Bar.
Extra studying on issues to do in BC in winter
Click on on the photograph to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
