Golden is a true mountain biking hub, offering everything from fast-flowing downhill runs and lift-access riding at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to an extensive network of trails around the mountain and through town. Whether you’re chasing technical descents or scenic valley rides, there’s terrain for every level and style.

From gentle valley walks to high alpine ridgelines, the surrounding mountains offer a wide range of hiking routes with sweeping views and quiet, untouched landscapes. Trails begin just minutes from Vagabond Lodge, making it easy to step straight into the mountains, or head further afield into nearby national parks for longer hikes and iconic scenery.

Take on the Via Ferrata at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for a guided alpine climbing experience across exposed rock faces and fixed cables. Suitable for beginners and experienced adventurers, it offers a safe but thrilling way to experience the mountains. For experienced climbers, the Golden area also offers natural rock climbing across the surrounding Rockies, with granite crags and more technical alpine routes within a short drive of Vagabond Lodge.

Golden offers everything from whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River to kayaking on calmer waters nearby. In summer, there are also opportunities for wild swimming in mountain-fed rivers and lakes, all easily accessible from Vagabond Lodge.

The Rockies are alive with wildlife and changing landscapes. Around Golden, you may spot black bears, elk, deer, moose, mountain goats, and eagles. Scenic drives into Yoho, Glacier, and Banff National Parks offer lakes, viewpoints, and photography spots, while the Kicking Horse gondola gives easy access to sweeping alpine views above the valley.

Golden offers plenty to explore close to Vagabond Lodge, including the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, riverside trails, and the Golden Skybridge with suspension bridges, canyon views, and zipline experiences. It’s also a great base for exploring nearby waterfalls, viewpoints, and national parks.

Rent an ATV or side-by-side and explore Golden’s network of forest service roads and backcountry trails. It’s a fun way to reach remote viewpoints and alpine terrain just beyond town, all within easy reach of Vagabond Lodge.

Experience Golden from above with a tandem paragliding flight launching from the surrounding mountains. Soar over the Columbia Valley and Rocky peaks for a peaceful but unforgettable aerial view of the landscape.

A round at Golden Golf Club is an easy addition to your stay at Vagabond Lodge, just a short drive away in the Columbia Valley. It’s a relaxed 18-hole course set along the river flats, offering an enjoyable, easy-going round in a peaceful mountain setting.

Guided horseback tours explore forest trails, river valleys, and open meadows, offering a slower-paced way to experience the surrounding mountain landscape.

World-class terrain is right on your doorstep at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, known for its steep slopes, deep powder, and uncrowded runs. With the gondola just steps away, access to some of the best skiing in the Rockies is immediate and effortless.

Golden offers extensive snowmobiling terrain with groomed trails, alpine bowls, and deep snow routes throughout the surrounding mountains. Local rental companies and guided tours like Rocky Mountain Riders make it easy for both beginners and experienced riders to explore the backcountry, with options ranging from scenic rides through forest trails to full alpine powder adventures.

It goes without saying that heli-skiing is a bucket-list activity for any keen skier or boarder. Golden is one of the world’s premier heli-skiing destinations, known for its deep powder, reliable snowfall, and vast alpine terrain across the Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges. Guided heli-skiing experiences take you deep into remote backcountry areas filled with open glaciers, steep alpine faces, tree runs, and long untouched descents far beyond the resort boundaries.

With experienced local operators nearby, heli-skiing is one of the most unforgettable ways to explore the Canadian Rockies from Vagabond Lodge.

For experienced adventurers, winter hiking and mountaineering routes offer a more technical way to explore the surrounding peaks, with snow-covered ridgelines, frozen landscapes, and stunning alpine views.

On clear winter nights around Vagabond Lodge, there’s a chance to catch the northern lights dancing across the sky. With minimal light pollution in the valley, Golden offers excellent conditions for aurora viewing, especially during colder months when the skies are at their clearest.

Golden is a gateway to vast backcountry terrain, with access to alpine bowls, tree runs, glaciers, and untouched powder throughout the surrounding Purcell and Selkirk ranges. Popular with experienced skiers and splitboarders, the area offers everything from shorter touring days to full alpine objectives in some of the most impressive mountain terrain in the Rockies.

With the right avalanche knowledge, proper safety equipment, and careful planning, Kicking Horse really is the place to head for your next backcountry adventure.

Snowshoeing is a simple way to explore the winter landscape at a slower pace, with quiet forest trails and snowy valley routes offering peaceful access to the mountains around Golden. The Vagabond even has some you can borrow for free!

Cross-country skiing around Golden offers a great way to explore the winter landscape, with groomed trails winding through forests and open mountain scenery. Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre provides excellent trails close to Vagabond Lodge, while a drive further afield takes you to the iconic tracks around Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, surrounded by frozen lakes and towering alpine peaks.

During the colder, winter months (when conditions allow), frozen lakes around Golden can offer beautiful natural skating spots. If outdoor ice isn’t available, the local indoor rink provides public skating throughout the winter. You can also experience a classic Canadian hockey night by watching the local team, the Golden Rockets, play in town.