SNOWMOBILING, GOLDEN, BC
I booked a two-hour snowmobile outing with White N Wild Snowmobile Tours in Golden, British Columbia, which is about an hour’s drive from Lake Louise. As CJ and I interacted with people around Lake Louise, we shared our list of winter activities that we were excited to tackle. Anytime we mentioned that we were going to go snowmobiling, every shopkeeper, waiter, and friendly face replied, “in Golden?” That’s when I knew that I made the right choice in booking with White N Wild. Clearly, their reputation preceded them!
For this adventure, you will need to dress warmly. Even with three layers on my lower body and four layers on my upper body, the White N Wild team gave me a snowsuit to put on TOP of my ski pants and jacket. They even convinced me to switch out my own snow boots for their heavy-duty boots! While I felt like a marshmallow trudging through the snow to my snowmobile, I was so thankful for the extra layer of warmth once we started up the mountain. I was not cold once, even in the freezing temperatures! It definitely also helped that the snowmobiles have heated handles, which you can adjust.
It is also important to bring along fingered-gloves so you are able to operate your snowmobile. If you are a passenger, feel free to wear gloves or mittens! Lastly, make sure to bring ski goggles, so you can clearly see no matter how sunny, snowy, or windy it may be. The White N Wild team will provide you with appropriate helmets. Please note that you will not be able to wear a ski helmet, as only DOT approved snowmobile helmets are acceptable at White N Wild.
Once you arrive (and perhaps add a snowsuit or boots to your outfit), you will fill out a waiver and be given a helmet. Here you can also utilize the restroom in the White N Wild office before you head out on the mountain. Then a trained guide will explain how to use your snowmobile. You can operate one yourself or opt for the passenger princess seat behind your driver. Please note that the maximum allowed combined weight for each snowmobile is 425 pounds, or 193 kilograms.
Then you will climb up to elevations of 6,500 feet, surrounded by snowy trees and the incomparable Canadian Rockies. The guides are incredibly patient and kind (shout out to Jack) and there is exceptionally clear signage throughout your route. Specifically, you will know exactly what path to take, when to slow down, and when there is a curve coming. The guides quickly pick up who is the fastest in the group (and therefore should be near the front aka CJ) and who is slow but steady (and thus should be in the back aka me).
Once you’ve reached the peak of your tour, you will stop on the side of the mountain for hot chocolate and cookies before you head back down. It is wonderfully surreal to be so high up, surrounded by a true winter wonderland. I really took my time and cruised at 30 kilometers per hour, a couple of times climbing to 40 kilometers. One time I had a brush with 50 kilometers per hour and knew that was enough for me! However, there was another really adventurous group that zoomed along the mountain trail, so your adventure is what you make of it! I highly recommend a snowmobile tour with White N Wild, it was the highlight of our trip!
