The city sits at the meeting point of the Rocky, Purcell, and Selkirk mountain ranges, making it a gateway to some of the most dramatic winter terrain in British Columbia. From world-class skiing to cozy indoor escapes, here’s a look at some of the best winter fun Golden has to offer.

Whitetooth Brewing: Your Après-Adventure Headquarters

After a day of chasing powder or exploring Golden’s backcountry, Whitetooth Brewing is where the town comes together. Known for its approachable, award-winning craft beers, friendly atmosphere, and deep community roots, Whitetooth is the ideal place to unwind, warm up, and swap stories from the day.

This winter, Whitetooth’s tap list leans perfectly into the season. Launchpad, a Belgian-inspired rye ale, brings smooth malt character with a subtle spicy rye edge, making it an easy companion after a long day outdoors. Newly released as well is Emberfest Black Lager, a collaborative brew with Kicking Horse Culture created to celebrate Emberfest, running February 14–21, 2026. With notes of chocolate and coffee, and a crisp, refreshing finish, it captures that winter energy and Golden’s creative vibe.

Looking ahead to spring, they’ve got some fun brews on the way. Sunpit Coconut Mango Blonde Ale drops in March, bringing a bright, tropical taste that hints at the warmer days to come. Also coming is Shreddy Shreddy Pow Pow Hazy IPA, a playful nod to Golden’s mountain culture. Later in the season, Dogtooth Rover Red Lager makes its return. This Canadian Beer Cup Gold medal winner is a true fan favourite.

With its rotating tap list and laid-back atmosphere, Whitetooth Brewing is the best place to wrap up a winter day in Golden.

While Whitetooth doesn’t serve food in-house, they’ve partnered with local restaurants to make sure great beer is always paired with great food. Reposados Tacos brings authentic Mexican flavours with house-made gluten-free corn tortillas and slow-roasted meats, while Doka Lisa Pizza and Red Tomato Pies serve handcrafted pizzas perfect for pairing with a fresh pint. Guests can pick up their food and bring it into the brewery, or order directly and have it delivered straight to their table.

Outdoor Adventures

Golden is a playground for winter sports enthusiasts, offering activities for every level of adventure. These are some of the top outdoor winter experiences: 

Ski and Snowboard at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Just 14 kilometres from Golden, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is one of North America’s most epic ski destinations. Known for its smooth, dry “champagne powder,” the resort consistently delivers outstanding snow conditions throughout the winter season.

With the fourth-highest vertical drop on the continent, long continuous runs, and a vast ski area featuring both marked runs and off-piste terrain, Kicking Horse offers challenges and rewards for confident riders and adventurous explorers alike—while still providing terrain suited to a range of abilities. For non-skiers, sightseeing gondola passes make it possible to ride to the summit without any ski equipment and enjoy stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and surrounding national parks. At the top, Eagle’s Eye Restaurant offers Canada’s most elevated dining experience, paired with sweeping alpine views.

Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is a relaxed and rewarding way to experience Golden’s winter landscapes. It’s a great option for those looking to enjoy the outdoors at a slower pace while still getting a solid workout surrounded by mountain views.

Thanks to the Golden Nordic Ski Club’s investment in grooming, the trails are kept in tip-top condition throughout the season. The Golden Golf Course features groomed trails ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers, especially during the heart of winter. The Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre is another popular spot, with an extensive network of groomed trails winding through forested terrain, along with rental services and on-site facilities to make getting started easy.

For more confident skiers, there are also opportunities to venture beyond the groomed tracks, creating your own routes across frozen lakes and through quiet woodland areas. With convenient rentals available around town, cross-country skiing in Golden is accessible, scenic, and well worth adding to your winter itinerary.

Snowmobiling
Golden is a favourite winter destination for snowmobilers thanks to its stunning mountain scenery, varied terrain, and consistently light, dry snow. The area features three staging areas, six signature groomed snowmobiling areas, and eight additional riding zones, offering everything from beginner-friendly trails to intermediate terrain, advanced hill climbing, and extreme mountain riding.

Visitors can choose from guided tours or sled rental services, with options ranging from half-day introductions to full-day adventures better suited for experienced riders. With more than 150 kilometres of trails to explore and a season that typically runs from December through April, snowmobiling in Golden delivers both adrenaline and unforgettable alpine views, no matter your skill level.

Heli-Skiing in the Purcells
Based in Golden, CMH Purcell provides access to an enormous backcountry playground in the Purcell Mountains, where vast alpine terrain stretches as far as the eye can see. With hundreds of potential runs across glaciers, high alpine bowls, and tree-filled subalpine forests, no two days are ever the same.

Guided by experienced professionals, groups head out on day heli-skiing adventures, flying far beyond the resort into untouched terrain in search of deep powder and wide-open lines. The experience is tailored to your group’s ability and style, making it ideal for confident, advanced skiers looking for first tracks, dramatic scenery, and the unforgettable thrill of arriving by helicopter.

Snowshoeing
Few winter activities let you slow down and truly take in Golden’s alpine surroundings like snowshoeing. Moving through quiet, snow-covered forests and along mountain trails, it’s an immersive way to experience the landscape without the need for technical skills or lift tickets. With snowshoe rentals available at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre and rental shops in town, getting started is easy.

Popular routes like Moonraker and Canyon Creek offer a mix of terrain, from gentle sections to more challenging climbs, along with rewarding viewpoints along the way. For well-marked routes and a more relaxed outing, the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre is a great option, with mapped trails winding through forested surroundings. Just outside Golden, winter waterfall trails—such as the route to Wapta Falls in nearby Yoho National Park—make for a memorable day trip, leading through snow-covered forest to a dramatic frozen waterfall that’s especially striking in winter.

Indoor Activities

Not every adventure has to be outside. Golden also has a variety of indoor activities perfect for winding down or taking a break from the cold:

• Confluence Climbing Gym – Stay active indoors with challenging climbing routes.
• Hockey – Catch a game and experience the adrenaline rush of the Junior A Golden Rockets hockey 
• Alley Cat Bowling – A classic five-pin setup makes for an easy, all-ages activity out of the cold.
• Golden Cinema – Catch a movie after a day in the snow, cozy and warm.

Golden, BC, is a destination where adventure and community collide, and Whitetooth Brewing sits right at the heart of it all. Whether you’re carving down mountain slopes, exploring hidden backcountry gems, or just looking for a welcoming place to share stories over craft beer, Golden has it all—and Whitetooth is the perfect place to cap off your day.

Explore More: Find Golden, BC, and Whitetooth Brewing on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail. 

Every Pint Tells a Story

Supporting Local. Celebrating Community.

The post Winter in Golden: Adventure, Après, and Community appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Twinkling lights all around, Christmas markets fill the air with the scent of fir and baked treats, and local businesses, including West Kelowna’s two standout breweries, bring their own winter warmth to the community.

Whether you’re planning a cozy weekend getaway, exploring with friends, or searching for the perfect holiday gift, West Kelowna offers a festive mix of activities, flavours, and cheer. Here’s your guide to experiencing the best of the city this Christmas on the BC Ale Trail.

Holiday Spirit in West Kelowna

West Kelowna truly comes alive during the holiday season, offering festive events, charming experiences, and plenty of cheer for visitors and locals alike. Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss.

Twinkle Tour – December 1–31 | Various locations

Want to see the best holiday light displays in town? Take a self-guided tour of all the Twinkle Tour entries. Winners will be announced December 19th, and a mobile-friendly map is available online. 

Family Paint Night at The Hatching Post – December 11 | 5.30 pm – 7 pm

Create a festive masterpiece — choose between painting Elf Legs or a Snowman. Fun for all ages!

Ugly Sweater Music Bingo at Connector Brewing – December 18 | 6 pm – 8 pm

Head to Connector Brewing dressed in your ugliest holiday sweater. Listen for songs, dab your card, and win fun prizes. Free to play!

Lakesider Brewing Ugly Christmas Sweater Party – December 19 

A crowd favourite! Enjoy music, mingle with friends, and compete for prizes in your best (or worst) festive sweater. Free entry.

Pancake Breakfast with Mrs. Claus at Connector Brewing – December 21 | 11 am

Warm pancakes, family fun, and a holiday appearance from Mrs. Claus herself.

Dining in the Domes – Frind Winery | Wed–Sun

Frind’s iconic winter domes return for another cozy season. Book a private, twinkle-lit dome right along the lake and settle in with wintery views, delicious food, and an intimate holiday atmosphere that feels straight out of a snow globe.

Boxing Day Hangover PJ Party at The Hatching Post – December 26

Still recovering from the holidays? Throw on your comfiest PJs (or get dressed if you must) and join The Hatching Post for a day of laid-back fun with all-day Happy Hour and Music Bingo. 

NYE Beer-Paired Dinner at Lakesider Brewing – December 31

Ring in the new year on Eastern Time with a 3-course beer-paired dinner and a 9 pm bubbly countdown.

A Craft Beer Christmas: Meet West Kelowna’s Breweries

West Kelowna’s brewery scene is small but vibrant — and during the holidays, both taprooms bring their own festive flair. Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot to warm up or the perfect local gift for the craft beer fan in your life, these two breweries deliver.

Lakesider Brewing Co.

Lakesider Brewing Co. embodies everything people love about the Okanagan lifestyle — casual, welcoming, and effortlessly cozy. Their lake-house-inspired taproom features warm lighting, a glowing fireplace, and a just-launched food menu that fits perfectly with winter comfort vibes.

Their seasonal lineup is built for winter comfort. The Fireside Winter Ale brings rich notes of dried fruit and brown sugar (so popular it’s now only available in the taproom). Midnight Swim Nitro Stout is smooth and roasty with dark chocolate and coffee under a creamy nitro head. And Pandosy’s Penance, a Belgian Abbey Ale aged on Okanagan cherries, offers dark fruit, spice, and slow-sipping warmth. Whether you’re sipping in the taproom or grabbing Gift Cards and merch (toques, tees, hats, or hoodies), Lakesider makes holiday gifting easy.

The Hatching Post

The Hatching Post is West Kelowna’s most cinematic brewery — a custom-built Wild West saloon full of rustic charm, smoky BBQ aromas, and a lively community vibe. Part brewery, part destination, it’s the perfect place to warm up after a day of holiday exploring.

Their Midnight Run Nitro seasonal is rich, dark, and kissed with hints of coconut, poured silky smooth thanks to its nitro finish. Pair it with a platter from Smokeshow BBQ and settle in for a cozy winter feast. With trivia nights, live music, themed events, and family-friendly fun all month long, The Hatching Post is always buzzing during the holidays. Looking for the perfect gift? Get their Gift Card online or in the taproom. 

Sip, Celebrate & Stay Cozy

Whether you’re here for the festive events, the cozy brewery vibes, or the sparkling lights of the Twinkle Tour, West Kelowna offers a winter season filled with warmth, flavour, and holiday spirit. Bundle up, sip local, and make the most of this magical time on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

For more events and travel inspiration, check out Visit Westside.

Every Pint Tells a Story

Supporting Local. Celebrating Community.

The post A West Kelowna Winter: Christmas Magic, Local Cheer & Festive Sips appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.