It’s Big – most people don’t even realize there is truly great cross-country skiing in Golden, BC.  Or maybe they are so focused on the legendary alpine skiing that it does not even cross their mind as something to consider.  Therefor, it is kind of a surprise that Golden has one of the largest cross country ski clubs in BC with more than 600 members and 33 km of groomed trail.

It’s Easy to Find – Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre is conveniently located at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.  Only about 1 km from the gondola base, at the very end of Hector Trail, nearly every vacation rental and hotel that boasts “ski in-ski out” for alpine can also boast the same for Nordic, thanks to the groomed trails connecting most of the residential areas on the mountain.

It’s New – While the trails have been around for many years, the club has a brand new log-cabin chalet and separate machine and grooming facility. There is a passion in the club for building new trail so nearly every year a new trail is christened with autumn’s first snow.  This year the club build a ski-play-park with bumps and obstacles for youth (and adults) to develop skills and balance on skis.

It’s Legit – Dawn Mountain is not your typical back-woods cross-country ski club that only gets groomed with a new snowfall.  The club now has two bombardier groomers and provides fresh tracks nearly every day during the busy winter months.

There is one trail to rule them all – The crown jewel of Dawn Mountain is its beautiful beginner terrain.  A 5 km loop that incorporates Beaver Run and Chickadee takes skiers to the best viewpoint on the entire trail system – a glorious lookout over the Blaeberry Valley.  When skied in the clockwise direction (Beaver Run first) skiers enjoy about 2 km of flat terrain before finishing on the more gently rolling Chickadee.  Although technically a “green” trail, this is an absolute favourite with all skiers at Dawn Mountain.

Dawn Mountain has many amenities, including a ski rental shop, change rooms and ski waxing facility, and a small ski school.  This year Dawn Mountain opened on November 20 and currently has all trails open and listed in good to excellent condition.  For more information and up-to-date trail conditions, visit www.goldennordicclub.ca