Like the town of Golden itself, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a true year-round destination. While there's no question the "Champagne Powder Capital of Canada" is renowned for its epic winter skiing and snowboarding, this mountain playground offers something for every kind of adventurer in every season. Whether you're here for the winter thrills, looking for summertime Golden activities, or something in between, stick around while we share the top things to do in Golden on your next visit to Kicking Horse.
1. Dine at Eagle's Eye Restaurant
At 2,347 meters (7,700 feet), Eagle’s Eye Restaurant really earns its nickname as the highest restaurant in Canada. And in this case, it’s as much about the journey as the destination. To reach this stunning spot perched atop the Purcell Mountains, you’ll need a reservation and a scenic lift ride up the mountain. Enjoy lunch, après, or dinner on Fridays and Saturdays (and, of course, jaw-dropping views of countless peaks) during ski season and in summer and early fall.
2. Hit the Trail
Golden is a paradise for hikers, with hundreds of trails for every skill level. Families and beginner hikers love the Golden Rotary Trail, Wapta Falls, Hemlock Grove in nearby Glacier National Park and Confluence Park Trail. For more of a challenge, try Thompson Falls or Cedar Camp Trail, or tackle Kicking Horse Mountain, where gondola-access hiking opens up ski runs transformed into over 100 summer trails.
Insider tip: Spring and early summer are prime times for chasing waterfalls, roaring with snowmelt. In the fall, larch season brings brilliant gold to trails in nearby national parks like Yoho and Kootenay.
3. ...or the Water
For many, Golden’s bodies of water are just as exciting as its trails. From late spring well into autumn, you can paddle around tranquil Emerald, Reflection, or Cedar lakes, or explore the calmer wetland sections of the Columbia River. We touch on it in more detail later but be sure to check out a paddleboard from the concierge at Kicking Horse Lodging!
Adrenaline seekers, you'll want to set your sights on the Kicking Horse River with its legendary Class III and IV rapids. To get the full experience, book a whitewater rafting tour with a local guide. Looking for something a bit calmer? Opt for a scenic river float instead.
4. ...or the Slopes
With over 3,400 acres of skiable terrain, insane vertical (over 1,315 meters, or 4,310 feet!), five thrilling bowls, endless chutes, famously light, dry snow, and an extra long season, Kicking Horse Mountain is a winter sports mecca. It’s a magnet for thrill-seekers, with over half of its runs rated as advanced and expert, but there are plenty of green and blue runs for beginners and intermediates, too—plus lessons and avalanche safety courses for first-timers.
5. Come Face-to-Face with Wild Animals
All year, Golden offers unique opportunities to see wildlife up close. The Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre educates visitors on the importance of keeping wolves in the ecosystem through interactive daily tours. You can even book a Wolf Walk for a (much) more intimate experience, not to mention one of the most unforgettable things to do in Golden. Note that the wolf centre is strictly cash-only, and participants must be 16 and up for the wolf walks.
On Kicking Horse Mountain during the summers, you can meet Boo the bear at the Grizzly Bear Refuge, a 20-acre preserve accessible via the Catamount Chairlift. Interpretive tours offer rarely-seen insights into Boo’s life and habitat.
6. Walk Across the Highest Suspension Bridge in Canada
Suspended in a canyon 426 feet above the Columbia River Valley, the Golden Skybridge offers breathtaking views...and we mean that literally—you just may feel your breath catch as you step out! After all, this is Canada’s highest suspension bridge! Aside from the bridge itself, you can enjoy even more thrills, including ziplining, the Railrider Mountain Coaster, axe-throwing, a rock climbing wall, and even a canyon swing. The Skybridge is open about half the year, closing in the winter and spring.
7. Be a Musher for a Day
Dog sledding is a quintessential Canadian winter adventure, and this is easily one of the most sought-after Golden activities. Outfitters like Golden Adventure Tours and Kingmik Dog Sled Tours offer fully immersive, bucket-list-worthy dogsled experiences, including opportunities to mush your own team of huskies. In just a few hours, you'll glide over frozen, snow-covered landscapes, spot wildlife, learn the ins and outs of this incredible sport, and get to interact with the incredibly impressive pups.
8. Play a Round
In the warmer months, you'd be hard-pressed to find a place to tee off that's more scenic than the Golden Golf Club. Set alongside the Columbia River, this notoriously challenging 18-hole course is framed by soaring mountains and often frequented by local wildlife. The club even has a mini golf course, making it a great outing for the entire family.
9. Explore Nearby National Parks
Golden’s location makes it an ideal base for exploring some of Canada's more underrated national park gems on a half- or full-day trip: Yoho, Kootenay, and Glacier. Just a short drive from Kicking Horse (Kootenay is about 1.5 hours, while the other two are within one hour), these parks offer everything from breathtaking waterfalls and glassy turquoise lakes to world-renowned scenic drives and incredible hiking trails.
10. Embrace Some Downtime on the Mountain
Adventure is certainly abundant, and Kicking Horse Lodging offers plenty of opportunities to relax and recharge. Stay in one of the resort’s three unique properties, each with its own vibe and amenities, and reflect on days well spent. Enjoy perks like ski-in, ski-out access, private hot tubs, fireplaces, and numerous on-mountain dining and shopping options, plus Stay® | Well amenities that include complimentary snowshoes, paddleboards, and trekking poles, among many other things.
However, if you choose to spend your time experiencing the best things to do in Golden, book your stay at Kicking Horse to savour unforgettable moments—on the mountain and off.
