The Golden Skybridge is Golden’s newest attraction. Brand new in May 2021 is this 426 ft high bridge over a fantastic canyon. What’s great is there is not just one long suspension bridge, but two!
These are the highest suspension bridge in Canada and give views over the whole Columbia Valley. At any time, you’ll be able to see the Rocky and Purcell mountains.
As you walk the bridge, you’ll be able to see Hospital Creek crashing below you, and the experience really puts into perspective the beauty of the area you are in.
The Golden Skybridge is an excellent adventure for the entire family. Their bridges and walking trails are ideal for young and old and easily accessible for all. There is an exciting new zipline, mountain coaster, and canyon swing for adventure seekers, and this is the only place you can enjoy a canyon swing in the whole region!
Stopping 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 2023, it is set to open May 12th for the season.
Where is the Golden Skybridge?
The Golden Skybridge is located just outside of 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 2 to 3 hour affair. There’s a lot to do here besides walk on the suspension bridges. As soon as you walk in, you’ll notice the outdoor BBQ and entertainment area. 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, as well as the Canyon Edge Challenge Course for families. For those that want to fly high over the canyon, there is a thrilling zipline experience, mountains coaster, and a canyon swing. Let’s break down all the attractions individually!
Face Your Fears on the Golden Suspension Bridge
Two separate suspension bridges spanning 150 meters gets you up close and personal with the canyon and crashing water below. Fantastic views of Hospital Creek Falls to be had.
Treetop Village Play Park
Perfect playpark for the young kids before the 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 for a ride on this 1000 foot zipline and get 360-degree views of the Columbia Valley.
Giant Canyon Swing!
Designed for two people to enjoy this swing sends visitors free falling over the canyon edge before the swing kicks in and lets riders swing from side to side.
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 metres (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 available spots spanning the entire structure.
Axe Throwing
For those 16 and older, Unleash your inner lumberjack with this hatchet throwing activity on the target range.
Golden Skybridge Prices
Base admission to the Golden Skybridge is $39, and then depending on any extras you want to add on, like the zipline, challenge course, or gondola swing, prices will go up. Note that anything on this list includes access to the suspension bridges.
You can save by buying a Golden Hour ticket. Golden Hour General Admission and Adventure Pass is available daily starting at 5 PM from June 24 to September 4 and on weekends only from September 5 to October 9.
Top Tip: If you book any Golden Skybridge experience online ahead of your visit you will save 10%. As a bonus, you also get to skip the line.
Activity | Adult Price | Kids Price |
---|---|---|
Golden Skybridge | $39 | $29 |
Adventure Pass (Includes General Admission + Railrider Mountain Coaster + Canyon Edge Course + Sky Zipline + Axe Throwing + Climbing Wall) | $79 | $69 |
Golden Hour General Admission | $31.20 | $23 |
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 | $123 |
Golden Skybridge Hours
Unlike the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, the Golden Skybridge is only open between May and October and closes during the winter months.
Golden receives quite a bit of snow come late October, and the Skybridge and other activities cannot operate. The 2023 daily operating hours are as follows:
- May 12 – June 23: Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM // Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM-8 PM
- June 24 – September 4: Daily, 9 AM – 8 PM
- September 5 – October 9: Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM // Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM – 8 PM
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. Every year they keep adding more activities, making it a full stop entertainment center in the mountains.
The Golden Skybridge is great for families and those with not much experience in the mountains. At $39, it’s cheaper than other Pursuit attractions and is great for a family or those looking for a relaxing day.
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 just 45 minutes away from Emerald Lake.
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?
Unforunately 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?
There is a Season Pass offering 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 many times as they want. Season passes are only sold onsite.
Are There Any Deals for the Golden Skybridge?
Yes there are a few deals that will save you money at the Golden Skybridge. They are:
- Book Online Ahead of Time and Save 10%
- $199 Pursuit Pass Rockies Value (available June 2nd – October 9th): Includes a visit to the Banff Gondola anytime. And Visit after 3:30 PM the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Golden Skybridge.
- $249 Pursuit Pass Rockies (available June 2nd – October 9th) Visit anytime the Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Golden Skybridge.
*Pursuit Passes can be used on any day during the 2023 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, which is 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 full 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 you could easily spend half a day enjoying the Skybridge.
- On weekends expect the Golden Skybridge to get busy. To avoid crowds it’s best to avoid midday and arrive right at opening or two hours before closing.
- Last entrance is 30 minutes before close, 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
30 Best Things to do in Golden, BC
Where to Eat in Golden
For such a small mountain town, Golden has quite a few tasty restaurants. 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 out.
10 Best Golden, BC Restaurants You Should Try
Stay Near the Golden Skybridge
We’ve visited Golden multiple times, and we 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 us with 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.
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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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Hiking in the Rockies: Purchase an AllTrails subscription to have a mobile map on you as you hike.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Pack for the Rockies: See our complete Alberta packing list here.
- Get Around: We suggest either renting a car to get around, you can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. Or embark on an epic campervan trip with companies like Outdoorsy.
- Fly For Free: Turn your spending into airline miles and points with travel credit cards (that’s what we do!). See our favorite travel credit cards. We also use Going to watch for cheap airfare deals!