You don’t have to board a plane to feel like you’ve landed somewhere in the Swiss Alps. Tucked between six national parks and surrounded by towering Rocky Mountain peaks, Golden, British Columbia delivers big mountain adventure, deep Canadian history, and small-town charm in one unforgettable winter escape.
On our latest family trip, we spent three days exploring Golden and I’ve broken down the full itinerary in my YouTube video below. From skiing legendary terrain to dining at the highest restaurant in Canada, here’s exactly how we structured our stay.
We based ourselves at Edelweiss Village + Resort, and this was more than just a place to sleep, it’s a landmark.
Originally established in 1911, Edelweiss Village was home to the legendary Swiss mountain guides brought to the Rockies by the Canadian Pacific Railway. These guides played a pivotal role in shaping early mountaineering and alpine tourism in Western Canada. Today, the beautifully restored chalets sit perched above the Columbia Valley, offering sweeping mountain views and a rare chance to stay somewhere that genuinely shaped Canada’s alpine culture.
For families, the suites are spacious and cozy, making it an ideal home base after full days outside.
Day one is all about skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Known for its 4,000+ foot vertical drop and expansive alpine bowls, this resort is a dream for confident skiers and riders, but it’s also surprisingly accessible for families. We started the morning with coffee at Double Black Cafe before splitting up based on skill level.
The Winter Sports School offers terrain for every stage, whether you’re brand new like my four-year old or building confidence like my six-year old. Meanwhile, experienced skiers can explore steep chutes and wide-open powder fields that make Kicking Horse famous.
The highlight of the day was indisputably lunch at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant.
Perched at 7,700 feet above sea level, Eagle’s Eye is officially the highest restaurant in Canada. You take the gondola to reach it, and on a clear day, the panoramic views stretch across the Rocky and Purcell mountain ranges. It’s not just the elevation that impresses, the food is elevated too, making it a true BC Bucket List dining experience.
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After a full day on the slopes, we headed into downtown Golden for dinner at Turning Point Restaurant, the perfect cozy wrap-up to a high-energy day.
Less than an hour from Golden sits one of British Columbia’s most iconic natural gems: Emerald Lake.
In winter, Emerald Lake transforms into a frozen fairytale. Families can take the groomed 30-minute trail to Hamilton Falls to see a stunning frozen waterfall, or commit to the full two-hour loop around the lake. The trail is relatively flat and accessible, making it manageable with kids while still delivering dramatic mountain scenery.
On the way back, we stopped in Field for lunch at Truffle Pigs Bistro, a cozy mountain bistro we stumbled on 6 years ago and I haven't been able to forget about my meal since then! This quirky little place is so memorable, it was fun to finally bring the kids to see it.
Back in Golden, we tried out a climbing session at Confluence Climbing. It’s an excellent indoor climbing gym and such a fun way to burn off extra energy, especially for families traveling with active kids.
Our final morning started with breakfast at Bacchus Cafe where you'll find incredible food (and excellent gluten-free options) and the kind of relaxed mountain-town atmosphere you hope to find on a trip like this.
We wandered Golden’s charming downtown shops before heading to one of the town’s most iconic landmarks: the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge. This is the longest freestanding timber frame pedestrian bridge in Canada, built without metal fasteners using traditional joinery techniques. Constructed by community volunteers, it stands as a symbol of Golden’s craftsmanship and pride (and a great photo spot!)
We finished our stay back at Edelweiss Village with board games and mountain views before packing up for the drive home.
Golden offers something rare: serious mountain adventure paired with deep Canadian history and small-town warmth. You can ski world-class terrain, dine at the highest restaurant in the country, hike through a frozen national park, and sleep in a piece of mountaineering history all in one long weekend.
I break down exactly how we structured each day, what we’d repeat, and tips for making it seamless in the full YouTube video linked above.
Follow along as we continue exploring British Columbia and beyond at @thiswildpassport on Instagram. The next place you'll find us exploring is Japan!
