By Elke Porter | Westcoast German News | July 23, 2025
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Morning mist lingers over the craggy peaks encircling Edelweiss Village as resort guest Sarah steps onto the wooden veranda of the Feuz chalet. More than a hundred years after travel writer Ellen Spragge first described this site as an "enjoyable spot," her words still resonate. Now, under the stewardship of Montayne and the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation, this historic mountain hamlet has stirred from decades of slumber into a new chapter.

Nestled just outside Golden, British Columbia, Edelweiss Village was originally built in 1911 by the Canadian Pacific Railway to house expert Swiss guides who shaped Canada's early mountaineering culture. The cabins—home to legendary alpinists such as Eduard Feuz Jr. and Christian Häsler—once served as the base for countless climbing expeditions that helped define the spirit of the Rockies.

Stepping inside the carefully restored Feuz cabin, visitors are immediately transported back in time. Original timber beams and rustic detailing echo the lives and stories of those pioneering guides. The sense of history is palpable.

“When the 50-acre property went up for sale in 2021 for $2.3 million, its future was anything but certain,” said Montayne, project lead and current resort manager. “But the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation stepped in with a vision—not just to preserve the past, but to make it live again.”

That vision has now come to life. Phase One of the restoration is complete, with all six original chalets lovingly refurbished to combine alpine authenticity with modern comfort. “It’s more than accommodation,” Montayne noted. “Every floorboard we saved, every design choice we made, was to honour the people who helped shape Canada’s mountaineering legacy.”

The site has been re imagined not only as a heritage resort, but also as a living museum—an immersive space where history breathes. Future plans include thermal pools, eco-pods, and the construction of the Swiss Guide Great Hall, a cultural hub dedicated to storytelling, exhibitions, and community events.

As evening descends over the valley, Sarah returns to the veranda, gazing out at the same snow-dusted summits that inspired generations of climbers. The silence is rich with memory. Edelweiss Village now stands not only as a testament to the past, but as a beacon for future adventurers.

What began as a rescue mission has become something much greater: a bridge between eras, where heritage and hospitality meet beneath the watchful gaze of the Rockies.

TAGS: #Edelweiss Village #Swiss Guides #Canadian Rockies #Heritage Resort #Alpine History #Mountain Retreat #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788. Public Relations. Communications. Education.

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