The Golden Skybridge is Golden’s newest attraction. It’s a 426 ft high suspension bridge over a fantastic canyon with views across the Columbia Valley. The two suspension bridges are the highest in Canada, and those brave enough to walk across can take in the Purcell and Rocky mountain ranges.
As you walk the bridge, you’ll have fantastic views of Hospital Creek crashing below you, and the experience really puts into perspective the beauty of your area. A visit to the park is more than suspension bridges as there are many more activities to entertain everyone, from adults to children. This makes it an excellent adventure for the entire family.
There is an exciting new zipline, mountain coaster, ropes course, and for thrill seekers, this is the only place you can enjoy a canyon swing in the whole region! A stop at the Golden Skybridge is one of the best things to do in Golden, especially if you are driving between Alberta and BC on an epic Western Canada road trip! Let’s dig into all you need to know about this new attraction.
Is the Golden Skybridge Open?
The Golden Skybrudge is only open between May and October and closes for the winter. In 2024, the Golden Skybridge is open from May 4th to October 14th.
Where is the Golden Skybridge?
The Golden Skybridge is located just outside the Town of Golden, just two minutes from the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s approximately two hours from Banff and one hour from Lake Louise.
We recommend visiting if you are staying in Golden or driving between Banff and Vancouver on a Western Canada road trip! You can see where it’s located on Google Maps here.
Attractions at the Golden Skybridge
Visiting the Golden Skybridge is a solid half-day affair. There’s a lot to do here besides walking on the suspension bridges. You’ll notice the outdoor BBQ and entertainment area as soon as you walk in. It’s a great place to grab some quick food staples.
There’s also a Treetop Village play park for young kids, two large suspension bridges, and the Canyon Edge Challenge Course for families. For those who want to fly high over the canyon, there is a thrilling zipline experience, a mountain coaster, and a canyon swing. Let’s break down all the attractions individually!
Face Your Fears on the Golden Suspension Bridge
Two suspension bridges spanning 150 meters get you up close and personal with the canyon and crashing water below. Fantastic views of Hospital Creek Falls are to be had.
Treetop Village Play Park
Perfect playpark for the young kids before they venture across the suspension bridge.
Canyon Edge Challenge Course
An ideal ropes course to test your fears 40 feet in the air. Great for all ages to enjoy!
Zipline!
Go on this 1000-foot zipline and get 360-degree views of the Columbia Valley.
Giant Canyon Swing!
Designed for two people, this swing sends visitors free-falling over the canyon edge before the swing kicks in and lets riders swing from side to side.
Railrider Mountain Coaster
The Railrider takes inspiration from the region’s railway history, offering passengers a scenic one-kilometre track through alpine landscapes. Once riders ascend the mountainside, the excitement builds as they pick up speed through the forest and along the canyon edge, with the coaster’s curves and turns leading them towards a thrilling vertical descent of 73 meters (240 ft) to the bottom of the hill.
Climbing Wall
Experience the thrill of rock climbing on this 28-foot wall, featuring easy, moderate, and challenging routes for all skill levels. Whether climbing with a buddy or racing to the top, the wall offers six spots spanning the entire structure.
Axe Throwing
For those 16 and older, unleash your inner lumberjack with this hatchet-throwing activity in the target range.
Golden Skybridge Prices
Base admission to the Golden Skybridge is $45, and then, depending on any extras you want to add on, like the zipline, mountain coaster, challenge course, or gondola swing, prices will go up. Note that anything on this list includes access to the suspension bridges.
You can save up to 40% by buying a Pursuit Pass, which has flexible options that also get you access to other Pursuit attractions like the Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefields Experience, Maligne Lake Cruise – and more!
| Activity | Adult Price | Kids Price |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Skybridge | $45 | $35 |
| Adventure Pass (Includes General Admission + Railrider Mountain Coaster + Canyon Edge Course + Sky Zipline + Axe Throwing + Climbing Wall) | $94 | $84 |
| Golden Hour General Admission | $31.20 | $23 |
| Coaster Pass | $70 | $60 |
| Golden Hour Adventure Pass (Includes General Admission + Railrider Mountain Coaster + Canyon Edge Course + Sky Zipline + Axe Throwing + Climbing Wall) | $63.20 | $55.20 |
| Giant Canyon Swing Experience | $99/tandem |
Golden Skybridge Hours
Unlike the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, the Golden Skybridge is only open between May and October and closes during winter. Golden receives quite a bit of snow come late October, and the Skybridge and other activities cannot operate. The 2024 daily operating hours are as follows:
- May 4 to June 22:
- Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- June 23 to September 2:
- Sunday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- September 3 to October 14
- Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Is the Golden Skybridge Safe?
The Golden Skybridge is built with steel cables strong enough to hold…well a lot! This adventure is perfectly safe. The bridge only wobbles enough to get your heart racing just the right amount.
Is the Golden Skybridge Worth the Price?
The Golden Skybridge is similar to other main attractions like the Banff Gondola and Jasper Skywalk in the Rockies. It allows visitors access to the mountains they otherwise may not have. It’s quick, easy, and safe and provides excellent views. They keep adding more activities every year, making it an entertainment center in the mountains.
The Golden Skybridge is excellent for families and those with not much experience in the mountains. At $45, it’s cheaper than other Pursuit attractions and is great for a family or those looking for a relaxing day. It would be easy for kids up to teenagers to spend a whole day at the Golden Skybridge and have a great time.
For the hardcore mountain person, I would give the Golden Skybrige a skip as it is more geared for those with families and those not acquainted with do-it-yourself mountain adventures. If you have been on many hikes in the Rockies, you have likely seen grander vistas, but you know you have put the effort in to get to those viewpoints.
I love the location of the Golden Skybridge as it puts Golden more on the map as a tourist destination, pulling crowds away from the very crowded Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in Banff. It’s a great addition to any Banff itinerary and is just 45 minutes from Emerald Lake. We’ve been twice to the Golden Skybridge now, and we’ve walked away satisfied each time.
Are the Extra Experiences Worth the Price?
The base $45 gives you access to the suspension bridges, but as you can see, there is a ton more to do at the Golden Skybridge. Of course, most of these experiences cost extra, so are they worth it? We’ve done every activity at the Golden Skybride, including the Giant Canyon Swing (unfortunately, no photo evidence exists because I definitely would have dropped my camera if I had it out).
If you do everything, including the Canyon Swing, you can easily spend $200 a person here. An extra $45 to the base admission gets you access to everything besides the Canyon Swing, or you can pay $70 and ride the mountain coaster multiple times.
I would say the full ticket is worth the price if you are treating this as a full-day excursion for the family and are new to any of these experiences. If you have kids who love adventure and ziplines, they’ll have a fantastic time here.
That said, if you’re more of a do-it-yourself mountain person who already gets out on hikes often and has visited the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, you may want to choose another activity. If you go to Jasper, we think the Maligne Lake Cruise is one of the best things to do in the Rockies!
Are Pets Allowed on the Golden Skybridge
Golden Skybridge does not permit pets on its premises, except for service animals, to ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors.
Is the Golden Skybridge Wheelchair Accessible?
Unfortunately, the Golden Skybridge is not wheelchair accessible. A similar experience that is wheelchair accessible is the Jasper Skywalk and Athabasca Glacier Experience along the Icefields Parkway.
Are There Season Passes for the Golden Skybridge?
A Season Pass at Golden Skybridge offers residents of Golden, Area A, and Field the opportunity to explore the skies as much as they like throughout the season. With the pass, visitors can enjoy general admission to the Skybridge as often as possible. Season passes are only sold onsite.
Are There Any Deals for the Golden Skybridge?
There are a few deals that will save you money at the Golden Skybridge, but only if you stack them with other Pursuit activities. They are:
- Book Online Ahead of Time and Save up to 10%. You can also buy tickets on Viator.
- $299 Pursuit Pass Rockies Value (available May 31 – October 14): Includes a visit to the Banff Gondola and Skybridge anytime. Visit after 3:30 PM the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Open Top Touring.
- $349 Pursuit Pass Rockies (available May 31 – October 14th) Visit the Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Open Top Touring, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Golden Skybridge anytime.
- Starting at $210 Pursuit Pass Lite: Visit the Banff Gondola, Skywalk, and Icefield Explorer Tour plus ONE other Pursuit adventure (such as the Skybridge).
*Pursuit Passes can be used on any day during the 2024 season, and reservations are recommended as attractions might sell out for the day.
Golden Skybridge Tips for Visiting
- All ticket prices include admission to the suspension bridges and the area.
- The entire premise is surrounded by gates, so don’t think you can sneak in and avoid paying.
- The Golden Skybride is located off Golden Donald Upper Rd, directly off the TransCanada. From Banff, it takes around two hours to reach Golden, and Golden is also two hours from Revelstoke.
- Plan for at least two hours for the experience. This includes enough time to walk along the bridges, enjoy the views, and take photos at the Touch the Sky photo point! If you take part in the challenge course or zipline, or ride the mountain coaster multiple times, you could easily spend half a day enjoying the Skybridge. Last time we visited, we were here for 3 hours.
- On weekends, the Golden Skybridge can get busy. To avoid crowds, it’s best to avoid midday and arrive right at opening or two hours before closing.
- The last entrance is 30 minutes before closing, but some activities close 45 minutes before closing hour.
- Wear comfortable shoes as the whole loop around the bridges is 3km.
- The trails are one way, but you can always do it twice, or three times if you want!
- Be respectful of others on the bridge, and don’t purposely bounce around trying to scare others.
Other Things to Do in Golden
Golden has plenty of things to do and is well worth a few day trips to explore. The Skybridge won’t take you longer than half a day to explore, so it’s best to fill your day with a few other activities! Some fun things to do in Golden are:
- Horseback Ride Along the Blaeberry
- Hike to Thompson Falls
- Meet Boo the Bear at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
- Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at the Kicking Horse Via Ferrata
- Have a Beer at Whitetooh Brewery
The Best Things to do in Golden, BC
Where to Eat in Golden
Golden has quite a few tasty restaurants for such a small mountain town in British Columbia. Our absolute favorite place to eat when we visit Golden is Reposados for tacos. Bluebird Cafe does fantastic coffee and takeaway sandwiches, while Whitetooth Bistro downtown is great for a more excellent meal.
Our Favorite Restaurants in Golden
Stay Near the Golden Skybridge
We’ve visited Golden multiple times and always stay at different places each time. There are so many hidden gem accommodation options in the area. We can’t recommend the following three places enough!
Cedar House Chalets provided a comfortable place to stay and great views over Kicking Horse Mountain. Each of these Golden chalets comes with a full kitchen, good WiFi, a fireplace, and most come with even a hot tub!
If you don’t mind being a bit far from Downtown Golden, I recommend staying at one of these cabins tucked away in the wilderness. Next to the Kicking Horse River with views of Mt Vaux, this was our favorite place to stay in Golden.
This private and sheltered little cabin is just far enough outside of the hustle and bustle for peace and quiet, yet close enough that you’re never too far from the action. Kicking Horse ski resort is just steps away from the cabin. Great for a winter ski vacation!
We hope you enjoy the Golden Skybridge! If you have any other questions leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.
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