Guide Days Folkfest 2025: Thank You, Golden
On October 18 and 19, 2025, the historic Edelweiss Village + Resort came alive with music, laughter, and community spirit for the first-ever Guide Days Folkfest. The two-day celebration honoured the legendary Swiss mountain guides who helped shape Golden’s alpine heritage and welcomed more than 600 visitors to the Village.
Families explored the grounds, children played in the Family Fun Zone, and the scent of traditional Swiss food filled the air. Performances by the Swiss Yodel Club Heimattreu, Alphorn players, and the Swiss Folk Dance Club Alpenrösli brought an authentic taste of Switzerland to the Canadian Rockies.
Guests also joined guided chalet tours, discovering how the original Swiss Guides lived and worked when they first arrived in Golden more than a century ago.
Music lovers were treated to a full lineup of incredible performances. Local favourites Jimmy Cretney and Greg Wilson set the tone for Saturday night, followed by Curtis Butala and headliners The Frontiers, whose high-energy set kept the crowd dancing late into the evening.
“We were truly overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, generosity, and community spirit that came together to make the Folkfest a huge success,” said co-founder Monika Holik-Yaxley. “This event was a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of the Swiss Guides and to the people of Golden who continue that story.”
The success of the event was made possible through the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and generous sponsors who helped bring this celebration to life.
Gold Sponsor
• The Golden Star
Silver Sponsor
• The Golden Skybridge
Bronze Sponsors
• Legendz Diner
• CMH Heli-Skiing
We also extend our gratitude to Kicking Horse Ford, the Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Valley Credit Union, Edison Motors, HUB International, Golden Dental Centre, Golden Optometry, Stolen Bell Distillery, Tourism Golden, the country of Switzerland, Vibrant Events and many others who supported the event.
From the first alphorn call to the last note of music, Guide Days Folkfest 2025 was an unforgettable celebration of community, heritage, and joy.
We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for Guide Days Folkfest 2026, with new activities, live music, and even more opportunities to celebrate Golden’s alpine legacy together.