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Treasured terrain
Well-groomed trails lead riders to exceptional alpine sledding
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER
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| BREATHTAKING BEAUTY: Located in the heart of Kicking Horse Country, Golden has fantastic scenery at every twist and turn. —photo by Tracy Stewart |
Each year, Golden sees hundreds of riders heading for the hills on their hunt for virgin snow, but according to avid sledder Aaron Bernasconi, there is more than enough terrain to go around.
“Golden has such a variety of riding areas that it is easy to make this your sole trip destination,” said Bernasconi. “You can hit a new zone each day for a week.”
With an elevation reaching 8,500 feet, it is no wonder Quartz Creek is Golden’s showcase riding area. Located about 45 minutes west of town, Quartz offers a variety of sledding options. A groomed trail leads to the snowmobile club’s cabin, where novice riders can warm up and take in the beautiful scenery. Those with more experience can venture farther and tackle the challenging terrain and deep powder of the Prairie Hills. When sledding in the hills, snowmobilers should use caution and be aware of avalanche risks and restricted areas.
Gorman, Silent Pass, Hope Creek and Susan Lake are also rewarding places to ride, but Bernasconi’s personal favourite is Chatter Creek—a 238-square-kilometre area situated approximately 88 kilometres northeast of Golden.
“Chatter has more terrain than any other zone I have ever been to,” he said. “It has amazing accessibility due to a winter cat-ski operation, and there is a backcountry lodge that puts most hotels to shame, a chef that cooks five-course meals and an endless supply of fuel on hand.”
Fun family riding
Extreme sledders are frequent visitors to Golden, but the area is equally suitable for families and novice riders. Many zones feature groomed access into safe sub- to mid-alpine areas.
For valley riding with plenty of powder and virtually no risk of avalanches, families can ride the Blaeberry River Trail. Snowmobiling this 160-kilometre route is also a historical experience since the trail follows the steps of great Canadian explorer David Thompson.
Another excellent place for a family outing is the West Bench Trail. This route features 100 kilometres of logging roads and powder playgrounds. Hospital and Lang creeks are ideal for intermediate sledders looking for a challenging excursion and tons of champagne powder.
Of course, another feature Golden boasts is unbelievable mountain scenery.
“Our riding areas offer a full 360-degree view of peaks and valleys, and an incredible range after range feel of seclusion,” said Bernasconi.
Pleasant surprises
Attracted by the amazing snowmobiling opportunities, Bernasconi moved to Golden six years ago and started Golden Snowmobile Rentals in the fall of 2006. He was pleased with the company’s first season and said many of his clients who were new to the area were surprised by the extensive riding opportunities.
“Golden is starting to get a reputation for having an incredible amount of terrain, which goes hand in hand with not seeing many people out there,” said Bernasconi. “During mid-week you can have entire riding zones to yourself—it doesn’t get any better than that.”
A sled-friendly community
Golden is very fortunate to have its own trail society, whose members spend hours grooming trails, maintaining bridges and cleaning cabins. Popular events such as Snowarama and Radar Run are organized by the local snowmobile club. Both groups have a strong vision for the future and plan to expand parking lots and promote Golden as a first-rate destination.
The town itself is catering more and more to powder-hounds, and a number of hotels have designated parking spots for trucks with trailers and offer special rates for snowmobilers.
Although most of the sledders in Golden are out-of-towners, the community has a close-knit crowd of locals who are very loyal to the sport.
“There aren’t many people in Golden who aren’t into sledding in one form or another,” said Bernasconi. “My posse is a tight group of people who are all out there for the same reasons.”
Mix it up outdoors
With two national parks at its doorstep, Golden boasts a plethora of other recreational options. From skiing and snowboarding to fishing and snowshoeing, there is more than enough to satisfy everyone’s craving for winter outdoor adventure.
A number of reputable tour companies and outdoor guides exist in the area who are thrilled to take visitors into Golden’s beautiful backcountry.
