I’ll be the first to admit that this wasn’t the greatest summer ever, and that’s mostly thanks to Calgary’s rainy weather over the last few months. However, there’s still hope for a nice fall, which means outdoor adventures don’t have to end when September begins. Weekend adventures are out there!
While Banff and Kananaskis are popular getaway destinations, a few extra hours on the road will take you to Golden, B.C., a wildly underrated town situated in the Canadian Rockies. Golden is surrounded by six of Canada’s national parks, making it a great base to explore amazing scenery, hiking, waterfalls, lakes, and heritage sites. But if you’re working on a time crunch, the Golden Skybridge is the way to go.
I had the pleasure of experiencing the action at Golden Skybridge, and let me tell you, the activities go far beyond the bridge itself. Here’s what I got up to!
Canada’s highest suspension bridges
I was surprised to learn that Golden Skybridge is relatively new, having first opened to the public in 2021. As such, the facilities and activities are all in pristine condition — something you really value once you’re walking 426 feet above a canyon.
Yes, the Upper Skybridge is 150 meters long and 130 meters high, making it the highest suspension bridge in Canada. I wish I could say I got pictures overlooking the beautiful Kicking Horse River, but my hands were gripped tight to the railing the whole time.
If you’re frightened of heights, it’s a heart-pounding experience, but certainly not an unsafe one. The bridge can hold over 70,000 pounds, which is the equivalent of 110 adult black bears. With a capacity of 60 people, you certainly don’t need to worry about crossing that threshold. And regardless of any nervousness, being able to cross such a vast canyon is a special experience worth facing your fears.
See you in the canyon
While planning the trip — in the safety of my home, mind you — I agreed to go on the Canyon Swing. I then proceeded to not think about it until my ticket time arrived. As I watched the duo in front of me safely plummet into the abyss, I began to wonder what I had gotten myself into.
The Canyon Swing is an extreme thrill ride that starts with a free-fall and ends with a high-speed swing over a deep canyon. It’s located 500 feet above the canyon floor, and reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h.
The operators strapped me and my new friend, who I’d be riding with, into harnesses that came up to our shoulders before equipping us with helmets. We were then strapped into the swing mechanism, where we hung as the metal landing plate was lowered from beneath our feet. I thought to myself, “There are worse places to die,” and then with a blink, we were falling.
Spoiler alert: We didn’t die. The fall was brief before we began to fly up over the valley and back again. I forced myself to keep my eyes open, taking in the view as I screamed, and laughed, but mostly screamed. By the time we slowed to a stop, the two of us were laughing and wiping tears from our eyes, bonded for life. The Canyon Swing may have been the scariest part of the day, but it was also my favourite.
More adventures
There are plenty of other activities at the Golden Skybridge as well. The Zipline is a popular attraction, 500 feet above the canyon floor, reaching 60 km/h. If you’re not keen on the Canyon Swing, this experience offers you a similar adrenaline rush and the best birds-eye-view in the area, minus the free-fall.
The Canyon Edge Challenge Course was another highlight. Picture an obstacle course, but built amongst the treetops that you complete attached to a harness. There are four different routes of varying difficulty; I would’ve loved to try the higher, more advanced challenge, but unfortunately, you have to be able to do a pull-up. Now, I have a goal for when I return.
There’s also an axe-throwing station (which is harder than it looks), a playground and rock climbing wall suitable for kids, and a mountain coaster that was unfortunately closed for maintenance. Pair that with delicious bites from the onsite dining options, and you get a full day of family-friendly fun.
There are several different ticket options available, depending on what you want to do. The best deal is the Adventure Pass, which allows you access to the skybridge, mountain coaster, challenge course, and zipline. Canyon Swing tickets can be purchased separately.
The fun I had at the Golden Skybridge made me feel like I was a kid again, and there’s still time for you to tap into that childlike joy this summer and early fall. Visit the Golden Skybridge website to learn more and start planning your next adventure.
The author of this article was hosted by Pursuit.
Where: 503 Golden-Donald Upper Rd., Golden, B.C.
Cost: Varies. Browse passes online.
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