Words & photos :: Bob Covey.
Skiers know Golden as a must-stop on B.C.’s Powder Highway, and summer athletes flock there to bike and paddle. Fall is hiking and fishing and dining season, but what about a Golden spring?
During March and April in the Canadian Rockies, trip planning can be tricky—should I pack running shoes, ski boots, flip flops or waders? As my family and I learned over the recent spring break, if you’re an open-minded and nimble guest, you can sift plenty of good times out of Golden’s “crossover” season.
Spare Me from Crowds
Inextricably tied to my image of Golden was the powerful, untameable Kicking Horse—the river, the resort, the caffeine, the vibe. However it was another four-legged effigy which seduced my four and eight year olds as we cruised the historic downtown’s riverwalk: the rascally, feline mascot of the friendly bowling alley, Alley Cat.
Goofing around on the covered pedestrian bridge after rolling into town, a muffled rumbling caught our ears. Spring avalanches sloughing off the surrounding DogTooth Range? Downshifting semis from nearby Highway 1? Nope and nah. What we were hearing was the satisfying reverberation of polished resin spheres on hardwood, and the unmistakable crash of bowling pins careening askew.
Twenty minutes later, my wife was moon-walking to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, my four-year-old was stuffing fries in his face, and my eight-year-old daughter was chirping me for throwing another gutter ball. You never know when genuine family fun is going to strike!
A Confluence of Community
As the non-climbing husband of a seasoned and passionate rock jock, I can usually think of less intimidating places to hang out than a bouldering gym. But the kids love to climb, and it’s their spring break, so on day two I did my best to shelve my self-consciousness and followed the family into Golden’s dedicated climbing space, Confluence Climbing.
Turns out (as my wife had assured me), my imposter syndrome was completely unwarranted. Immediately upon entering the sun-lit facility, owner and ACMG-certified mountain guide Chris Brazeau welcomed us warmly. He pointed out perfect problems for the kids to tackle, and we could see from both the posters on the wall and the people popping in that Confluence is a community hub, designed to be inclusive for climbers of all abilities and experiences. The club’s mantra epitomizes Golden’s embracing energy, we agreed, and while the family sent their routes, I sent emails from the wall’s adjacent lounge. Kids’ energy expended, dad’s inbox emptied. Win-win!
Double Dipping
Spring’s warm winds and steady sunshine bring a brief but brilliant window in Golden that is prime for a plethora of outdoor pursuits, sometimes all in the same day.
For some it’s mountain biking the Mountain Shadows trails then rafting the river, others like to hit the links after they shred the slopes. Had this been a solo trip, I might have called up the Golden Gillie to rig up for an aprés-snowboarding trout-tracking expedition.
And for our friend Sanne, who helps run the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre, morning skate skiing and afternoon paddling on the Columbia River wetlands was whetting her whistle.
Our own biathlon was less-intense: after we skittered around the nordic centre’s gentle Beaver Loop on skinny skis, we puttered over to the Golden Golf Club for a raucous round of mini putt.
In another week the 18-hole championship course would be open for the season, but for us an informal game of mini golf was the ideal add-on to the afternoon’s itinerary. No matter which way you slice it, spring in Golden had us hooked!
Golden Rules
I was in grade two when I first learned about the Golden Rule, and I was significantly older when I started to practice it with any kind of regularity.
But I was today years old when I realized just how well the tagline of the charming mountain community—which serves as a launchpad to adventures in the Purcells, Rockies and Columbia Valley—fits.
Because after a spring visit with my wife and two young kids, I’m shouting it from the mountain tops: Golden Rules!
MLRM publisher Bob Covey was a guest of Tourism Golden from April 2-5.
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