Just a five-minute walk from the Day Lodge of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Dawn Mountain is known for excellent early season snow conditions for cross-country skiing. In fact, the Canadian National Team uses Golden as a training facility, with team members taking part in the Dawn Mountain Challenge - a "non-sanctioned" Nordic Ski race held annually in November.
Nordic Ski Terrain in Golden
With a membership base comprising 10% of the town’s population, the Golden Nordic Ski Club maintains 32km/21mi of 6m/20ft wide trails, groomed for both skating and classic techniques. With much of the area in forested rolling terrain, approximately 50% is deemed beginner, 40% intermediate and 10% advanced. Other features of the trail network include a small warming hut and a couple of scenic viewpoints - and the views across the valley are awesome. A section of the trails is set on Golden Golf Club property. This active club hosts the Huckleberry Loppet in February, a classic style race over distances of 1km for kids and up to 22km for grown-ups. Thursday afternoons might be busy at Dawn Mountain - the Golden Rabbits (young skiers) meet at 4pm for their weekly romp.
Yoho National Park
The Field Cross-Country Ski Club maintains a number of groomed trails within the Yoho National Park, in the vicinity of Field and Emerald Lake. Check the Yoho National Park website for more information on trails in the park.
Nordic Ski Rentals
Classic equipment rentals are available in Golden at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, while both classic and skate equipment can be rented from Selkirk Sports, downtown on 9th Avenue North.
Nordic Ski Instruction
Lessons for beginner and intermediate skiers are available from a certified CANSI instructor and CCBC Coach. For more details, check the Golden Nordic Ski Club website.