There’s a great deal of Canadian History surrounding the Golden Kicking Horse area.  It is named after the renowned river and famous high alpine pass that was instrumental in opening the Canadian West to the rest of the world.

In 1858, the Imperial Government enabled the Palliser Expedition to find a route through the mountains, to complete the transcontinental railway. A geologist, Sir James Hector was among those on the expedition team. Camping to the far east of Golden, one of the pack horses broke free, and tried to cross the river.  Sir James jumped into the river after it, eventually being able to catch and bring the animal back to the camp. Whilst he was tying up the pack horse, it became enraged and started kicking.  Sir James received a heavy kick to the head, and instantly collapsed. He was presumed dead by his native guides, and was carried to an area where they were to bury him.  Fortunately, he regained conciousness and after recovering, continued to lead the expedition through the pass and down the river, that was in time, named in honour of his ordeal.

Twenty two years later, the Canadian Pacific Railway opened up the route from the east to west, over the Kicking Horse Pass, and down the river of the same name, bringing the railway through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

Kootenay

The name Kootenay originates from the Kutenai Indians, and means ‘water people’.  The Kutenai tribe lived on the West Side of the Rocky Mountains for centuries before David Thompson (reputedly the greatest land geographer that ever lived) and his friends, discovered the Columbia Valley in 1807.

About Golden

Golden is located within a panorama of mountains and water, situated in the heart of six Canadian national parks, Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Yoho.

Golden, and the Kicking Horse Mountain is visited by many every year who are looking to enjoy some exciting outdoor recreation from whitewater rafting to rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, golfing or skiing, the area offers a variety of outdoor fun and adventure. No matter what recreation you choose, Golden prides itself on offering exhilarating fun and adventure for all fitness levels.

In 1999, the small local ski hill was sold, and became Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, making the town and the mountain a world class tourism destination, described by CNN in January 2004 as ”the best place to go powder skiing in the world”