Golden

Perhaps no community feels the change in seasons quite like the Columbia Valley. In winter, it truly is ‘locals only,’ with a smattering of international skiers at Kicking Horse and Panorama Resort. From Victoria Day to Labour Day, the floodgates open and millions of travellers pass through Golden en route to the Coast, or head south at Castle Mountain Junction to weekend retreats on or near Lake Windermere. These sun-seeking Albertans have driven up real estate, especially on waterfront properties, to stratospheric prices. Farther north, Golden is surprisingly affordable.

Work: Golden is very much a forest industry town although it’s also an affordable housing alternative for managers and employees at the many backcountry lodges just a short heli-drop away. The Radium and Invermere economy is almost entirely tourism based.

Play: More exotic activities include paragliding in Golden and Invermere, and, surprisingly, some of the best birdwatching in all of B.C. in the Columbia Valley.

Culture: Natural and human history are on display through the majestic grandeur of Canada’s three national parks located east and west of the Columbia Mountains.

Municipalities & Districts:
Golden – golden.ca
Radium Hot Springs – radiumhotsprings.ca

Real Estate: 
Golden Listings 
Radium Hot Springs Listings

Developments:
The Residences at Bighorn Meadows – bighornmeadows.ca

Builders:
Discovery Dream Homes – discoverydreamhomes.com
Pan-abode – panabode.com

Note: Population is listed by either municipality or region. Sample listing represents a home near the median average selling price in 2017. Real estate trend metric uses B.C. Assessment data for value and includes sales of all property types.