West coast winters in Canada can be extraordinary, especially in British Columbia’s southeast corner, specifically Golden. There’s scores of snow, outdoor adventure aplenty and this small town is big on adventure.

Having previously enjoyed summer in Golden, this time I did a road trip from Vancouver to Golden to see what winter was like here in a 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Canada’ best-selling PHEV.

Join me as I discover the wonders of winter, where to eat and where to stay in Golden.

Skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

The best named run in my opinion at kicking horse mountain resort

A primary attraction for winter in Golden is skiing and with good reason. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is truly spectacular, and I say that with first-ski, errr, first-hand experience.

the view from the top of 7,700 feet at kicking horse mountain resort

For the adventure-seekers, it offers up to 4314 feet of vertical descent – the 5th biggest vertical in North America, along with over 70 Black and Double Black Diamond runs.
If you’re like me and good but not great on skis (but always looking to learn and improve,) there are 21 Green runs (the least challenging ones) that still provide panoramic views if you take the gondola to the top of the mountain. Yes, there are Green runs that start partially up the mountain but the fact that they’ve made the top of the mountain accessible with Green runs is truly a smart move. Skiing should be for everyone and this is one of the best implementations of accessibility that I’ve experienced.
Also, as you swish and swoosh your way down the hill, there are numerous “Easiest Way Down” signs throughout, giving some newer skiers peace of mind or perhaps, if it’s one of your last runs of the day, an easier way down the hill.

As a bonus, the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant awaits you at the end of the gondola ride, a cool spot for a meal and or drink with gorgeous panoramic views. More on that in the dining portion of the article.
After my meal there, I sauntered to get my skis and took a quick left and descended the majestic mountain through the Crystal Bowl on a Green run called “It’s a 10.”

plenty of these smart “easiest way down” signs make for a pleasant experience at kicking horse mountain resort.

On the ground, a very short distance from the gondola is a traditional ski lift, which takes you to a plethora of Green runs where you can still enjoy the mountain.
or the in-betweens, there’s a dozen Blue runs to be enjoyed.

On-site rentals are available and the process is easy, the service levels are excellent and the quality of gear is great.

Snowmobiling with Golden Snowmobile Rentals & Tours

yours truly having a ball with golden snowmobile rentals and tours.

I’ve driven over 1,000 new cars in my career and clocked over one million kilometres behind the wheel. I hadn’t driven a snowmobile yet…
Golden Snowmobile Rentals & Tours changed that!

the warming station at quartz creek in golden.

My tour-mate, Yves from Sherbrooke, QC and I met our leader, Sean at their location in downtown Golden, got our snowsuits and in separate cars, followed Sean for approximately 30 minutes north on Highway 1 until we reached the Quartz Creek Snowmobile Staging Area. After a quick lesson and a thorough safety session, we hit the road, ummm, snow along a groomed trail with twists and turns and my-oh-my the views would fill dozens of 64G SD cards. It had snowed heavily the night before so the scenery was stunning as I darted and dashed along the trail.
There’s a warming station with a fireplace to rest and recharge before you get back out there.

My group (figuratively) ran into several other snowmobilers and there was instant camaraderie, with the sharing of stories and what their days were like so far.
A short distance from the warming station are wide open meadows, ideal for me learning how to further navigate and maximize my experience. Weight balance is the key element here to a safe and fun and extra safe experience. It’s not difficult but without the right distribution of weight, it’s challenging to get the sled to do what you ask of it.

A couple of hours of learning and playing, I must say my skills were significantly better than when I started, with plenty of credit going to Sean.
Backing up a touch, when you do rent from them, they take such good care of you with ensuring everything fits, you have the right goggles, gloves and that you safely and smartly have as much fun as possible.

Drive the scenic roads

the 2026 mitsubishi outlander phev was the perfect road trip companion for an adventure in golden, bc.

Golden has so many beautiful driving routes surrounding the town that it’s easy to spend a day wandering. Reflection Lake Road, Bowle-Evans Drive, Kicking Horse Trail, Dogtooth Forest Service Road, Nicholson Creek Road and Highway 95, which runs along the Colombia River, are but a few routes to enjoy and explore.

Go for a Golden Stroll

one of the many stops along the golden stroll.

Grab a hot drink from one of the local coffee shops, dress in layers and hit up the Golden Stroll, an interactive walking tour.
There are QR codes to scan along the way that outline the history of Golden, the community and it’s a great way to get your daily steps in.
There are two routes; the 15-stop Reflection Route and the 6-stop Confluence Walk.

Find home at Cedar House Chalets

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With all these daily adventures, you’ll need somewhere to rest, relax and recharge.
Cedar House Chalets does just that as a great place to stay in Golden, BC.
Located a few minutes drive outside of downtown Golden, Cedar House Chalets is a collection of eight luxury chalets on a private mountainside.
All chalets feature a private hot tub and a woodturning fireplace, and they’re spaced far apart enough to provide privacy without being remote.
I stayed in the quaint Adventure Chalet that was right-sized for me, and would also be ideal for two people. It’s cozy, the couch and bed is oh-so comfortable and with a view of Kicking Horse Mountain, quiet mornings and evenings are made that much better.

Where to eat in Golden

Ethos Cafe is a breakfast hotspot in golden.

There’s a terrific list of dining options in Golden and in true Modern Traveller fashion, I’m only speaking to the ones that I’ve experienced. No silly AI garbage happening here.

Eagle’s Eye, previously mentioned and located at the top of the gondola route in the ski section, has good pub fare, vivacious views and how many other restaurants can you say you’ve dined at that are atop a mountain?

Ethos is a cute breakfast spot in town with fresh made sandwiches and a local hotspot. Sometimes there’s a lineup early in the morning of skiers on their way to the mountain but the line moves quickly.

Golden Bakery & Deli is famous for their fresh baked goods.

Golden Bakery & Deli is a staple in the community with delicious, fresh sweet treats and in the heart of town.

Reposados is where you’re going for authentic Mexican food served with a smile. The tacos…oh those terrific tacos!

Rockwater Grill & Bar serves up great wings and pairs it with live music. Yes, there’s more than wings on the menu; it’s fully of the usual yummy suspects but give the wings a try.

reposados has amazing and authentic mexican food in golden.

Turning Point brings you a family-style restaurant with pizza, pasta, wings and more. Located in town, they’ve been in the community for nearly 40 years.

Whitetooth Mountain Bistro blends upscale with approachability through splendid service and fabulous food. They’ve been in the community for nearly 20 years and it’s one of my favourite spots in town.

Wolf’s Den brings an energetic atmosphere that pairs well with their memu options.

Wolf’s Den has such a cool vibe, with dollar bills stapled to the pillars, a vast but not overwhelming menu and yes, the wings are fantastic. Get there early as the place can fill up quickly.

To plan your visit and learn more, visit Tourism Golden.