Snowmobiling in Golden, BC
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Winter in Canada promises breathtaking views of snow-covered landscapes, icy features and thrilling adventures. One such adventure that fully encapsulates the spirit of the Canadian winter, is snowmobiling. This has been on my bucket list since moving to Canada in 2021 but the barriers of cost and accessibility have kept it at bay… until now!
Sure, snowmobiling might not be the cheapest or most accessible winter activity, but sometimes, the most rewarding experiences come with a bit of investment. As you consider a snowmobiling adventure in Canada, remember it's not just a ride through the snow but an investment in memories that will last a lifetime.
Snowmobiling is not permitted in Banff National Park so it was off to Golden, BC for the day. Here we joined a guided tour with Rocky Mountain Riders.
Watch the full video below or read about it in the blog!
How to get to Rocky Mountain Riders
Rocky Mountain Riders is a 2 hour drive (150 kms) from Banff and is located at the base of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, BC. Once you arrive in Golden, follow the signs up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. From the town of Golden, this is another 15 kms and should take you an additional 20 minutes of driving time.
If you don’t have your own vehicle, Rocky Mountain Riders offer a shuttle that departs from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Field and all you need to do is advise at the time of booking where you are staying and they will organize the pick up and drop off for you.
You can book this adventure directly through Rocky Mountain Riders.
Tour Options
There are a range of different tour options to consider when you are looking at snowmobiling in Canada. At Rocky Mountain Riders, they offer half day, full day, backcountry and even night tours. All of these range in price and inclusions but there is a variety of options so hopefully one will fit your budget!
We chose the full day tour which starts at 10am and runs for approximately 5 hours. A BBQ lunch, hot chocolate and cookies were also included.
As this is a self driven tour with a guide, you can rent a snowmobile per person or you can pay for a driver and passenger and share the riding. We chose to ride with two people per snowmobile which not only reduced the costs but had other advantages by being able to closely share in the laughter and excitement together.
On Arrival
We were required to arrive 30 minutes before the tour departure to ensure the necessary waivers were completed and our gear properly fitted. At this time we were asked if we would like to take out insurance for the snowmobile in case of damage, there were 3 levels of cover that were offered with the relevant costs associated. Insurance options started at $25 per sled and were not mandatory.
There was also an option to upgrade your sled’s power for an additional cost! I don't think this is a necessary expense unless you have experience snowmobiling and are looking for a specific machine as a result. The regular inclusion will provide you with a great experience as is!
I would highly recommend being as prepared as you can with a snow jacket and pants, full-head balaclava, ski goggles, gloves and snow boots! If you don't have something, Rocky Mountain Riders have you covered as you can hire anything you need but this does come at an extra cost. However, helmuts are provided as part of the tour cost. Make sure you layer up as it does get cold out there! I would advise packing hand and toe warmers just in case.
Our Tour Experience
Once everyone had arrived, our group gathered together for a full safety briefing. The guide explained how the snowmobiles worked, the hand signals that would be used and what they meant. He also explained the safe distance that needed to be kept between vehicles whilst on the tracks especially when we were traveling at higher speeds. Most importantly, he showed us how to operate the heated handles, an absolute luxury for your fingers on a cold day!
The day on the trail was magical! With snowy conditions and the sun peaking through we had a blast learning how to drive the sleds. The tour started slowly to allow everyone time to get used to the controls and trail conditions but once we were all comfortable it gradually picked up the pace.
We rode along the private trails owned by Rocky Mountain Riders, only crossing over public trails now and then. The first half of the tour just flew by and before we knew it we had arrived at the picnic location. Our guide lit a fire for us to warm up and cooked us very simple burgers for lunch. These were accompanied by cookies and hot chocolate which is always appreciated! The short lunch stop was the perfect time to take photos, chat with others on the tour and relax after an exciting morning.
After lunch we took off down some different trails and the second half of the day quickly became our favorite! With confidence on the sleds building, we explored more of the trails and were taken to the most amazing winter wonderland playground that was just beautiful. We stumbled across so much fresh snow, drove below stunning mountain peaks and had time for free play on the sleds. A few sleds may have been tipped here but it was all fun and games…
Snowmobiling is an activity you should absolutely add to your Canadian bucket list if you have the means to do so! The beauty of snow-covered valleys, the crisp air, and the thrill of maneuvering through the snowy trails is an experience that I will never forget. Our experience with Rocky Mountain Riders was amazing and they are a provider I would happily ride with again.
Other snowmobiling providers can be found in Invermere, Golden, Revelstoke and Kananaskis as well!
