KICKING HORSE, CANADA
Ski Holidays in Kicking Horse, Canada
Steep, deep, powder-filled Canadian gem. Until now a small area with a lone rinky-dink double chair-lift, the resort now boasts six more chair-lifts, a flash eatery, the Eagle Eye, at the gondola top station and more than a smattering of condos and chalets clustered at the base. Spectacular views of the Rocky, Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges will be found at the gondola summit.
Resort Statistics
| Level | Rating | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | 16 | |
| Intermediates | 15 | |
| Advanced | 47 | |
| Snowboarders | ||
| Total Runs | 78 |
- Off piste
- Groups
| Resort Altitude | 1188m |
| Highest Lift | 2448m |
| Total Piste | 70km |
| Longest Run | 8km |
| Directions of Slopes | NE, E SE |
Skiing in Kicking Horse
The endless selection of expert black runs filter down to wide open green and blue runs below the four main bowls and near to the resort hub. The four main bowls are a powder hounds home from the awesome ridgeline along Terminator Peak and newly accessed steep, deep chutes, in the Super Bowl, to It's A Ten, a perfectly groomed 10 km piste. This resort was formerly only accessed by heli-skiing, so like its local rival, Revelstoke, it truly is a backcountry skiers delight. This is one resort where it really is worth hiring a guide and taking on the incredible, easy accessed, backcountry skiing.
Snow conditions in Kicking Horse
Kicking Horse has serious cred among avid skiers and the area is renowned for its big snowfalls.
Apres-ski, restaurants and other activities in Kicking Horse
The resort itself is on of the newest in British Columbia and has an old town feel in a newly build surroundings. You might be able to throw a snowball from one side to the other, but there is still plenty of fun to be had. The aprés scene offers live music and lively locals, it's the kind of resort where people are more interested in talking up their day on the hill as opposed to seeing how much beer they can drink.
This quaint resort has a good selection of bars and restaurants and the usual choice of ski shops, though the larger town of Golden is only a ten minutes drive down the road. There is ski in/out accommodation in the resort itself, with more to chose from down the mountain.
Other activities include:
- Tubing
- Snowshoeing
- Ice Skating
- Eagle’s Eye Restaurant
- Orientation Tours
- Telemark Skiing
- CrossCountry Skiing
- Gondola Sightseeing
- Purcell Heli-Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Climbing Gym
- Wolf Center
- Hot Springs
- Rogers Pass
- Golden Dog Sled Adventures
Transfer time in Kicking Horse
Located above the town of Golden and 90 minutes drive from Lake Louise. The nearest airport to resort is the Calgary International Airport (YYC) which is around a two and a half hours bus transfer or drive away along the beautiful Trans Canada Highway.
Kicking Horse Reviews
I spent 4 days here in 08. Amazing terrain, excellent facilities with non-crowded and very nice expansive beginners area at the foot of the mountain. However this mountain is definitely for those who want to test themselves a bit more, with areas aptly named Redemption Ridge and terminator, you get the picture. The town of Golden isn't as pretty as most and the mountain from a distance looks small. However, this perception soon disappears on the mountain when you take the first ride on the lifts and look at the runs on either side of you. There are also fantastic back country opportunities in the area. Will be returning this year and doing a Heli ski trip.
Dave Brook
If there was one place I'd love to come back to on a powder day, it would be Kicking Horse. We skied here as a day trip from Banff, on the Powder Express coach tour - just $99 for a day out including transfers & lift pass - happy days! Being able to ski trees, cornices & cliffs all in-bounds is incredible. This used to be heli-ski terrain - so you can only imagine how epic the mountain is. There are runs for intermediates, but advanced skiers will have a lot more fun. Areas such as "Stairway to Heaven" will make your adrenaline pump... If you like steeps, the name is very apt! If you get a chance to go, jump on it before the cat is out the bag and the masses turn up.
Apres Ski: 2/5
James Turner
Iglu Staff