Voices from the community
"The story of Edelweiss Village speaks to Swiss immigration in Canada and finding adventure far from home. As Swiss residents of Golden, we are reminded of this story every time we see the chalets. The Swiss guides brought their mountaineering expertise to the Rockies over a century ago. We owe it to them to protect and cherish this little piece of Switzerland in Canada. We gladly support this initiative."
— The Lathion family
Golden, BC, Canada
"As a Swiss-Canadian couple who love the outdoors and mountains, we deeply appreciate what the Swiss guides accomplished with the trust and support of their Canadian friends. We travelled through Golden many times and with family in the Kootenays, we understand the importance of preserving this historic site, not only digitally, but even more so in reality. It would be a great win for everyone if this story can be told to many generations to come."
— Diana and Thomas Arn
Founders, owners and operators of SBO Distributors Ltd. and Stories-by-Swissbo
"The Town of Golden’s history is rooted in adventure, with the Swiss Guides helping shape the mountain culture that is still alive and well today in Golden. It’s part of our Town’s ethos of Authentic. Community. Adventure and the Edelweiss Village is an iconic representation of that history in our community. It is important to preserve and celebrate this unique and beautiful piece of history."
— Ron Oszust
Mayor of Golden
"Edelweiss Village is an important part of Swiss Canadian heritage. As a teacher and mother, I feel it is vital to preserving this unique village for future generations to enjoy and learn from."
— Jane-Ann Kay
Mother, Teacher & Member of the BC Teacher Federation (BCTF)
"I was very fortunate as a child, to be taken every summer to spend time with the Swiss Guides. We were particularly close to Edward Feuz Jr. and his wife, Martha, and eventually Edward would come to call my sister and me “his girls.” I am honoured to have played a role in recording the achievements of this amazing man, and of the other early Swiss Guides in Canada, whose contributions to mountaineering and to Swiss heritage need to be remembered. I can think of no better vehicle for sharing their legacies than the preservation of Edelweiss Village."
— D. L. Stephen, PhD, Author of Edward Feuz Jr: A Story of Enchantment
"The incredible achievements of the Swiss Guides paved the way for modern-day mountain tourism and alpinism that the residents and visitors to Golden and the Canadian Rockies enjoy today. Tourism Golden believes it is important to preserve the Edelweiss Village as a compelling and accessible legacy of the unique Canadian and Swiss history that marked a new era in the development of tourism in Western Canada."
— Tourism Golden Association
Board of Directors
"The loss of Edelweiss Village would be devastating to the history of the Swiss Guides and Canadian Pacific Railway, of Switzerland and Canada."
— Colleen Palumbo
Former Executive Director, Golden Museum and Archives, Golden, BC
"I had the pleasure to work on a very special film about the Swiss mountaineers in the Rockies and the history of Edelweiss Village. I was surprised to learn what a crucial part they played in establishing the mountain culture in Canada. The village is a historic foundation of that important time that needs to be preserved at all costs. It would be such a shame to lose this fundamental part of the Swiss and Canadian mountaineer's legacy."
— Josias Tschanz
award-winning Swiss-Canadian film director and producer
"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
"As a Swiss living in Canada, I think we have a moral responsibility to preserve this unique cultural heritage."
— Dr. Johann Roduit
Elected Swiss Delegate, Council of the Swiss Abroad for Western Canada
“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 of Switzerland in Vancouver, BC
"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 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
"Edelweiss Village represents one of the foremost birthplaces of Canadian mountaineering. Its cross-cultural, Swiss-Canadian heritage speaks to Canada’s distinct multiculturalism. The village needs to be preserved for present and future generations to enjoy."
— Dr. Ilona Spaar
Swiss-Canadian Historian, Author of Swiss Guides: Shaping Mountain Culture in Western Canada
"The origin and history of mountaineering culture in BC and Canada is deeply indebted to the Swiss Guides and their home in Golden, Edelweiss Village. I have been fortunate to spend time in Edelweiss Village and written various articles about the Swiss Guides and Edelweiss Village. The chalets and generous mountain range across the valley still speak about an almost forgotten mountaineering community that embodies the best and wisest of alpine life. Edelweiss Village is, indeed, a Canadian icon and a perennial message of what it means be mountaineers and reflect the nobility of the pure white vision of mountain life. It would be both shortsighted and a memory eraser if Edelweiss Village was not protected as part of the best of Canadian history and culture. Montani Semper Liberi"