Our two daughters sure keep us on our toes when it comes to family adventures. The goal is to come out on top with a lovely photo album to post to social media that looks like everything was smooth sailing 24-7. Am I right? If you’re a parent – we both know that’s not always the case!
When someone tells you about a sweet waterfall in the Rocky Mountains, what comes to mind first?
Busses? Crowds? Parking fees?
Or, worst of all… selfie sticks!?
Well, stress not my little travelling buddy. The Blaeberry Valley is where you want to be and the antithesis of tourist-havens that our amazing Parks can sometimes be. Just outside of Golden, follow the Blaeberry River as it winds up a massive valley deep into the hear of the Rocky Mountains and away from all those lame-o things you want to get away from.
Some might say the Moonraker Trails in Golden are sooo 2005 but I’ve always liked me a bit of retro and, honestly, I can’t even call those gems-of-trails old school. So, without further ado, here are my top 5 reasons to run in the moon(rakers).
Golden is a known and treasured as an outdoor playland for both families and hardcore thrill-seekers. The breathtaking beauty of its natural surroundings – its rivers, valleys, mountains, and wetlands – practically unrivalled. But everybody also likes to get a bit of pleasure from their built environment every once in a while – here are a few fun things to do in and around Golden if you are kicking about on a summer day.
Generally, the further west down the Columbia valley one travels, the more snow you will find; the further east down the valley, there are more sunny days. Golden is smack dab in the middle of the delicate balance between sun and snow. The cold weather blowing from the Rockies in the Yoho Valley keeps temps cold, the sun out, and the snow light and dry throughout the season. Golden is all about having the best of both worlds.
When winter comes knocking at the door the only sensible thing to do is to head to the Rocky Mountains, where adventure is waiting for you around every curve of the skin track. The snow is sugary powder, the ice is blue and the mountains are beautiful, big and in your face. The area surrounding Golden is the perfect winter playground where you can ice climb one day, ski big backcountry mountain lines the next and then head for a fun day at the ski resort.
Golden Moments
by Hannah KeiverJanuary 18, 2017
Golden is a very dog-friendly town so it’s a little surprising that taking your dog for ski is not easy. This is mostly because our primary cross country ski area, Dawn Mountain, only has a 250 m long trail that is dog-friendly.
I accidently rescued a puppy (named Moberly) in June and have been trying to figure out the best place to ski with him, as skiing is my favourite form of winter exercise.
Gazing out the windows of the Bluebird Café in Golden BC always seems to inspire an adventure regardless of the season. The ski runs craved into the mountainside of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort stare back at me, and next to them lay the untouched goods of the seemly endless Dogtooth Mountain Range. Both bekcon me to ski them, but today the backcountry wins.
With the first powder turns of the year made this week, I can’t help to wonder if the bike season in Golden is truly over. Only in the last few days has the transition from fall to winter started to happen. While the snowpack in the alpine has started to provide some excellent skiing, the trails in the valley remained in great shape. Spring and Fall are my two favourite seasons around here when I can ski, bike, and kayak all in the same day.