Preserving Canada’s Swiss Edelweiss Village
Edelweiss Village in Golden BC, Canada, is the historic home of the pioneering Swiss Mountain Guides in the Rocky Mountains. Thanks to the advocacy work by our foundation, the village is now saved from being demolished. We are working together with the new owner towards the preservation and restoration of the buildings to make sure the significant history is not forgotten. Read our joint statement here.
Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation is an incorporated non-profit in BC, Canada. Our mission is to preserve and promote Edelweiss Village for present and future generations to enjoy, making it a gift for all communities to explore.
Our undertakings include mobilizing key players, fundraising, and promoting awareness about the village and its cultural value.
Land Acknowledgment - We acknowledge that the Swiss Edelweiss Village is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc peoples. We recognize that they cultivated a deep and ongoing relationship with the mountains and nature for thousands of years prior to the Swiss Guides’ arrival. We acknowledge that the land is also home to the Métis Nation.
The Film
At the end of the 19th century, an essential connection of mountain culture began as certified Swiss mountain guides were hired by the Canadian Pacific Railway to successfully lead the “Golden Age” of mountaineering tourism. As we come out of a global pandemic, the future of many historical buildings and landmarks lies on shaky ground. With a transition to a more online world, talks of digital preservation come up frequently, but will these recreations ever imbue the same experience as being there in person?
RE/MAX of Golden
Credit: Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Credit: Claire Dibble
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
RE/MAX of Golden
Voices from the community
“I was lucky to know the Swiss guides at Edelweiss Village. They treated me like their grandson. Their contributions to mountaineering in the Canadian Rocky Mountains are outstanding. We owe it to them to keep their village alive!”
— Rudi Gertsch, Swiss-Canadian mountain guide & heli-skiing pioneer, Golden, BC
“The Edelweiss Village in Golden, B.C. is one of many memories of the achievements of the Swiss mountain guides in the Canadian Rocky Mountains that we should keep alive. Switzerland is proud to have contributed to shaping this mountain region that we know today as a world-renowned mountaineering and tourist destination.”
— Andreas Rufer, Consul General at Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver, BC
“The Golden Museum and Archives strongly believes that the Edelweiss Swiss Village is an important part of Canadian and Swiss Heritage that should be treasured, celebrated, and preserved. The creation of a Foundation with the focus of meeting those goals is something we fully support. It is our hope that together we can save these historic buildings and use them to share the story of the Swiss Guides on a global level.”
— Brittany Newman, Executive Director, Golden Museum and Archives, Golden, BC
“As newcomers from Switzerland to Golden, we feel very fortunate to have such a rich history of the Swiss Guides in town that speaks to their incredible achievements for the entire region. This is an important and unique part of Swiss history in Canada. We feel honored to be part of the efforts to preserve Edelweiss Village.”
— Ralph Stalder, resident of Golden BC, former professional Hockey player for the Swiss National League