Historic & Cultural Value of Edelweiss Village

While today’s mountain culture in Western Canada is a result of diverse cultural influences, the impact by the CPR-hired Swiss mountain guides is a particularly strong one. Deriving from the vibrant mountaineering tradition of the Swiss Alps, the certified guides brought their expertise to Western Canada and significantly shaped today's world-famous Canadian mountain culture.

Having served as a home base for the legendary CPR Swiss guides, Edelweiss Village in Golden BC represents one of the foremost birthplaces of Western Canada’s mountaineering history and its cross-cultural, Swiss-Canadian heritage.

Located in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the village embodies a historical treasure unlike anything in the world. Built in 1911, the six one-of-a-kind Swiss-style chalets weave together a mosaic of rich histories: mountaineering, tourism, architecture, Swiss immigration, and Canada’s multiculturalism.

The distinct architectural style of the village’s chalets—a seemingly Swiss Alpine style with eclectic decorative elements— represents a piece of architecture history unique to this world.

Edelweiss Village and its unparalleled history holds a tremendous historic and cultural value, worth to protect for present and future generations to enjoy.

See also: Swiss Guides: Shaping Mountain Culture in Western Canada by Dr. Ilona Spaar

Milestones

Swiss Edelweiss Village

1910-12

Construction of the Swiss Edelweiss Village in Golden, BC, as the base for the Swiss mountain guides hired by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).

1912

The six Swiss Alpine-style chalets become a permanent home for the Swiss guides and their families, including brothers Ed Jr., Ernst and Walter Feuz, Christian Haesler Jr., Rudolf Aemmer and Christian Bohren.

1915

Ed Feuz Jr. purchases his own property and moves away from Edelweiss Village. In time, some of the other Swiss families move closer to Golden’s town centre.

1959

Walter Feuz, the last Swiss guide to live in the village, buys the six houses and surrounding land from the CPR and modernizes the properties. Eventually, some of the chalets are rented out.

1978

A new lodge-style home is added on to the property. It becomes the home of Walter Feuz’s daughter Jean and her husband Allan.

1984

Walter Feuz passes away. His wife Johanna continues to live in their chalet until her passing in 1987. Their daughter inherits the property and later passes it down to her children.

The descendants look after the property and ensure that the chalet is kept well in its original state. In the following years, occasional tours through the chalet are offered to the public.

2013

A group of local individuals creates the Edelweiss Heritage Village Project to preserve the village as heritage site in collaboration with the owners.

2021

Edelweiss Village and its surrounding 50 acres are put on the market for CAD $2.3 million.

Located in the Columbia Shushwap Regional District Area A, no heritage protection and recognition is in place for the historic site.

Potentail buyers express desire to demolish the historic village in order to develop.

2022

The village is still for sale and its future is at risk.

Swiss-Canadians Drs. Ilona Spaar and Johann Roduit form a grassroot movement with the mission to preserve and protect the historic village. On April 14, the movement becomes the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation (SEVF), a BC registered non-for-profit society. Their campaign receives wide national and international attention with 50+ media pieces.

Thanks to the efforts of the SEVF, the village has been included in the Top 10 Endangered Places List 2022 by the National Trust for Canada, published on March 17.

SEVF starts a fundraising campaign with the goal to purchase the site. Despite strong support by diverse communities, the raised funds are not sufficient to buy the village.

SEVF approaches sellers, start of conversations.

SEVF gets contacted by potential buyers, one of which is the later new owner. Start of series of conversations.

In partnership with Dr. Peter Dawson, Digital Preservation of Heritage, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, AB, the SEVF creates a digital copy of the Swiss Village including 3D models of the chalets. Project supported by the Swiss Government/Consul General of Switzerland Vancouver, in partnership with Golden Museum & Archives and Golden Tourism.

2023

July: Montayne purchases Swiss Edelweiss Village. The village is no longer at risk of being demolished. Shortly after: Start of land and fire smart work, start of renovations of buildings.

The previous owners, descendants of Swiss Guide Walter Feuz, gift SEVF with the Swiss Guides artifact and furniture collection that was housed in the original Edward Feuz (later Walter Feuz’) chalet.

October: Phase II of digital preservation of village by SEVF in partnership with Dr. Peter Dawson, University of Calgary, AB.

SEVF president Ilona Spaar is part of the Abbot Pass Hut Commemoration Working Group spearheaded by Parks Canada. Abbot Pass Hut, a National Historic Site, was built by the Swiss Mountain Guides who lived at Edelweiss Village. The hut had to be dismantled due to the effect of Climate Change in 2022.

2024

Feb 1: Joint statement published between SEVF and the new owner, Montayne.

May 2: Johann Roduit and Ilona Spaar receive the prestigious Heritage BC Outstanding Award, Category Planning & Management, in recognition of their successful efforts of “saving and preserving Swiss Edelweiss Village, a historic icon”.

Website launch of Edelweiss Village & Resort by new owner. Anticipated opening of resort Summer/Fall 2024.

Swiss Mountain Guides in Western Canada

1899

Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) hires their first Swiss certified mountain guides, Christian Haesler Sr. & Eduard Feuz Sr. from Interlaken, Switzerland. This marks the beginning of the “Golden Age” of Swiss mountain guides in Western Canada.

1900

The Canadian Rockies are promoted as “50 Switzerlands in One”. Swiss motifs and the picturesque Swiss guides attract a considerable amount of tourists in the years to come.

1901

A second generation of seasonal-employed CPR Swiss guides follows, with the majority of them originating from the Bernese Alps. They are stationed at Banff AB, Lake Louise AB, Glacier BC and Field BC.

1901-1911

Of the 56 first mountain ascents over 3000 metres, not less than 50 were performed under the guidance of the Swiss mountaineers. One of the most spectacular climbs was the first ascent of Mt. Assiniboine (3818m), often referred to as the “Canadian Matterhorn”.

1922-23

Construction of the Abbot Hut (2925m) on the ridge between Mt. Lefroy and Mt. Victoria, built by Swiss mountain guides. The hut served as a destination and safe shelter for many of the hotel Chateau Lake Louise’s adventurous guests. Today, the cabin is a designated National Historic Site of Canada.

In February of 2022 - to the regret of many who enjoyed this beloved historic site - it was announced that the hut has to be dismantled due to the impacts of Glacial Recession and Climate Change.

1925

The Swiss guides had led more than 250 first ascents in the Rocky and Selkirk mountains without any fatalities.

1954

After 55 years, the “Golden Era” of the CPR Swiss mountain guides comes to an end. In honour of their achievements, 15 mountains are named after them. Numerous historical memorials are established throughout the Rocky Mountains to remind us of their contributions.

1960s

A younger generation of Swiss mountain guides brings new expertise and innovation. They become crucial for the development of modern mountain rescue, the mountain guiding profession, avalanche control, skiing, and heli-skiing in Western Canada.