Golden

These days, our addiction to devices, and growing obsession with spontaneity and travelling like a local means that we leave planning a vacation to the last minute, often whilst we are on the road. We are sure that we’ll meet that local who knows everything and has the time to tell us about it, but the reality is that the most famous towns in the Canadian Rockies are so full of tourists and seasonal workers that finding a true local is almost as challenging as discovering a four-leaf clover. But, with a little bit of planning, and being fore-armed on where to find the best information whilst you’re on the road, you too can ensure you get a truly authentic and unique experience. Here’s what I wish I knew when I first visited the mountain parks in the Canadian Rockies:

1. Make Golden your base; Golden is a small unassuming mountain town sitting at the confluence of two historic rivers, surrounded by the majestic beauty and outdoor opportunities of the Rockies and Purcell mountain ranges, and an easy drive from Banff Lake Louise, Yoho, Glacier, Mt. Revelstoke, and Kootenay National Parks, as well as the Icefields Parkway. Yes, it is busier in July and August, but the locals are truly local; families who have lived there for generations, and who love talking about their town, mountains, and outdoor experiences.

2. Use the Tourism Golden website. Their unique Experience Finder will help you discover activities according to your preferences, season, and travel party type. They are experts in the place that they live, work, and recreate, and the suggested itineraries include both the ‘must-dos’ of the Rockies such as Lake Louise and Banff, along with hidden gems that offer the same wonderful rewards but without the crowds. The tripplanning tool helps you create your own customised itinerary that can be saved, printed, and shared via email.

3. Travel in the shoulder season; May, June, September, and October are all great months to visit the Rockies when snow is on the peaks, temperatures are cooler, and crowds diminish.

4. Book your accommodation early, especially if travelling in the high season (July and August). I recommend staying in a bed and breakfast; they’re owned by people who live in Golden because they love it, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get their hints, tips, and stories first-hand during your visit.

5. One of the first things to do on arrival is drop into the new Golden Visitor Centre. The counsellors are all from Golden, and can give their inside tips on additional activities, places of interest, where to eat, shop and lots more. Your customised itinerary can be emailed directly to your mobile device for use during your stay. Parks Canada passes are available to purchase.

6. Keep an eye out in the downtown area and at local events for the roving Golden ambassadors and eye-catching pop up information tent. They’re ready to answer your questions right when you need them to!

7. Connect to the best local information by downloading the Tourism Golden web app to your mobile device. There are four Wi-Fi hotspots in the downtown area, so no need to burn through your own data.

At the heart of your Parks adventure.

Golden B.C. is surrounded by six of Canada’s most stunning national parks; Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Mount Revelstoke. This unique location makes Golden the ideal place from which to experience the spectacular scenery, iconic hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and heritage sites of the national parks. Sitting at the confluence of two historic rivers and surrounded by majestic mountain vistas, Golden is an authentic mountain town that offers unrefined mountain adventure. Enjoy a vast range of activities or just simply appreciate our fabulous scenery and abundance of wildlife. Don’t let the Kicking Horse Canyon Project stop you from escaping to Golden. There will be no daytime interruptions during the summer. To learn more about the closure and travelling to Golden visit Gettingtogolden.ca

Start planning: lovethenationalparks.com Remember to keep informed with public health advisories and abide by all protocols. Find more tips on travelling safely and responsibly at www.tourismgolden.com/travel

Seek and you will find.

Visitor Centre

Wifi Hotspots Local Maps

Trip Planning Digital Kiosks Sani Dump

Golden Visitor Centre

Find everything you need to know about Golden. Open daily during the summer. tourismgolden.com/visitors

1000 TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY

Columbia Wetlands Outpost

River front Accesses and Spectacular Mountain views, Camping Sites and Accommodations, River Adventures, Disc Golf Course, Farm Tours, Try an e-cano Kayak or Paddle board. 1-250-348-2235 www.Columbiawetlandsoutpost.com

Golden Golf Club

• Small Town Club with Big Time Golf • Voted #10 best public golf course in BC • 42 site RV Park, Mini-Golf, and fully licensed restaurant with patio 1-250-344-2700 www.golfgolden.com Mistaya Lodge

Helicopter access only! Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies between Banff and Yoho National Parks. Guests enjoy adventures including hiking, swimming, nature watching, photography & relaxation! 1-250-344-6689 www.mistayalodge.com

Heather Mountain Lodge

With Glacier National Park alpine views, our newly renovated rooms make backcountry adventure and relaxation as comfortable as you can get. Visit Heather Mountain Lodge! 1-250-344-7490 www.heathermountainlodge.com

Golden Skybridge

Golden Skybridge offers something for everyone, and the excitement is easy to access. Our walking trails and sky-high suspension bridges are just minutes from Golden.

1-800-270-1238 www.goldenskybridge.com

Tucked away in a clutch of spindly pines, and perched on a rocky shelf above the TransCanada Highway on the north side of Golden, sits a slice of Canadian mountaineering history that most people have no idea exists. A near-forgotten place (now over 110 years old) and consisting of six one-of-a-kind homes and a treasure trove of stories, the Swiss Edelweiss Village has stood the test of time. But now, its future hangs in the balance.

“50 Switzerlands in one!” As far as marketing slogans go, this little gem, authored by the world’s foremost mountaineer at the end of 19th century, Englishman Edward Whymper, definitely got some traction. The Canadian Pacific Railway, busy building world-class resort hotels in Western Canada at the time, jumped all over it. The goal, of course, was to lure tourists from abroad to the Canadian Rockies to recreate in the snow-smothered mountains that encased the region. And from all over the world, wide-eyed and eager to climb, they came!

However, with that influx of inexperienced adventure seekers, wannabe climbers who wanted to walk the ridgelines where the mountain goats roamed, the CPR had a little “issue” on their hands. These “newbies” to the mountains were accident prone. They got themselves into trouble out there. After all, high on the rocky ramparts, life can be difficult. Dangerous. Deadly. They needed help. Enter the Swiss guides.

When the CPR first started hiring professional mountain guides from Switzerland (the first guides started coming in 1897), they only came on a seasonal basis. However, due to the length of the journey from Switzerland and the potential for year round work in Canada (the guides were also instrumental in the development of the skiing industry in Western Canada) they began moving to Canada on a permanent basis with their families. Obviously, they needed places to live. Homes that honoured their Swiss heritage, complete with many of the architectural themes of their homeland, made some sense.

In 1911 the CPR built six Swiss-style chalets, homes for these pioneering mountain guides and their families, on a beautiful bench above Golden. The Swiss Edelweiss Village was born.

Not surprisingly, the impact, the legacy, that the Swiss guides have left on the mountaineering scene in Western Canada is substantial. An entire industry, a way of life, was nurtured and made possible by these skilled guides; men who were well versed in safe mountain travel. And for generations, until this

very day, Canadian mountaineering history is being written - and revered around the world - because of the contributions of Swiss guides.

Some of their notable achievements in Canada include hundreds of first ascents, implementation of safe climbing techniques, alpine training for thousands of people, helicopter skiing, mountain rescue, avalanche control, construction of alpine huts, and a general culture of appreciation, awe, and reverence for the mountains.

So, with this foundation firmly established, with all of the legendary stories and contributions, their unique village in Golden holds significant heritage value for both Canada and Switzerland, not to mention the thousands of people whose lives have been positively impacted by the Swiss guides for the past 120 years.

In 1959, Walter Feuz, the last of the Swiss guides to live in the village, purchased the properties from the CPR and, up until his death in the mid-80s, his family called the village home. After his passing, the properties were inherited by his daughter and now, as yet another generation passes, the descendents own and manage the village.

However, time, as it always does, has impacted the site. Funding is needed to restore the properties and terrain. Unfortunately, due to the location, government support for restoration has been challenging.

Recently, the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation was created with the vision to preserve and promote the village for present and future generations to enjoy. “Our vision is to make it a historic heritage site, a cultural hub of education, and a world-class destination,” says Dr. IIona Spaar, a Swiss-Canadian Historian and a board member with the foundation. (Currently access to the site are not permitted) “With opportunities presented by community engagement and crowdfunding, we believe we can make this village a reality.” For more information visit swissvillage.ca.

By Andrew Penner