As I have mentioned before, I am not an avid skier or snowboarder, which people find surprising when they find out I grew up in a mountain town. I never excelled at sports in my high school days, which carried on in my early twenties. That changed when my husband and I started dating.
I feel like when you start dating a new person, you try and find a balance of staying true to your hobbies and things you enjoy doing while taking an interest in their pastimes as well. Well, for me, it was learning to be active.
Around the same time Ray, my now husband, and I started dating, we also got a puppy. While he is a very spoiled dog, he is a big part of our lives. Bruno, who is half Bernese Mountain dog, half Golden Retriever, absolutely loves the snow.
I wish I could keep a snow pile for him year-round just so I could watch him roll around in it all day. Ray was teaching me to snowboard when we first got together, which meant spending time at the hill (aka Kicking Horse Mountain Resort).
At the back of my mind, I would always feel so guilty that we had this snow-obsessed puppy at home that would also want to be outside. This led us to try out snowshoeing.
Snowshoeing is a great winter activity where we could bring Bruno along while getting some movement in for the day and enjoying some fresh air. It’s also an affordable pastime that is suitable for a variety of ages and skill levels.
I think it’s similar to hiking, with a bit of a different motion and varying amounts of snow to move through (which can increase the difficulty level), plus there are usually a lot fewer people, which is a bonus!
There are tons of different choices to choose from for snowshoeing in Golden and the surrounding areas. The closest options are located in the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort area, the first being Cedar Lake.
You can park at the little parking lot located along the Kicking Horse Trail road, then cross to access the Dogtooth Forest Service Road (the road to access Cedar Lake). You will most likely share the road with cross-country skiers and fat bike riders.
There is also a 2km or 4km loop option from Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and you can find a map on their website!
If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the hill, Dawn Mountain trails are only a couple of minutes up the road! Although the area is known for its cross-country skiing, it also offers 10 km of snowshoe trails! They are accessible from the Chalet, where they also offer snowshoe rentals.
Another popular option for snowshoeing is Yoho National Park. The first of the two well-known spots is Wapta Falls. You can park in the small parking lot along the highway, and then you have to walk in. It does add some extra kilometres, but it is worth it!
Depending on the weather, you’ll either see the waterfall completely frozen over or it’ll be powering through the ice. Regardless, it’s a sight to see. Your second option is Emerald Lake, a popular destination for locals and travellers alike. You will definitely see people here, but it is still a great area to go to.
Usually, by the time you get to the opposite side of the lake, you won’t see many people. For more information about trails in Yoho National Park, visit their website.
If you’re looking to try snowshoeing out, there are rental options available around Golden! In town, you’ll find rentals at Higher Ground Sports. They have regular, youth and kids sizes with the option to add poles as well. Up at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, you’ll find snowshoe rentals at the Pro Shop with the other gear. If you plan on going out at Dawn Mountain, you can also rent from the Chalet there.
You’ll want to do some research before heading out for your snowshoe expedition. Check the weather and dress appropriately.
If you aren’t familiar with the area, let someone know when you’re going out and when to expect you’re expected back in case you get lost or injured. While some of the areas are dog-friendly, some aren’t, or your dog has to be on a leash, so know what is and isn’t allowed.
If you’re interested in more stories like this, check out our local sports stories here.
