The resort

Untouched blankets of snow make for eerily quiet skiing.

Surrounded by national parks and with a regional population of only 8,500, the ski resort of Kicking Horse is one of the world's more remote locations for skiing and snowboarding. Originally only accessible by helicopter new developments have allowed the experience of soaring mountains, swathed in blanket white to be reached at an affordable price.

The skiing and boarding

The ski  resort of Kicking Horse has a hardcore reputation but does offer skiing for all levels. As with many other resorts with steep terrain, the avalanche danger at Kicking Horse is ever present, so ski and ride with care and respect for the mountain. Tucked up against the Rockies, on the other side of the pass to Lake Louise, the resort benefits from its location by often missing wetter weather that can plague its southern neighbours. It gets dumped on with snow, though it can be a heavy, technical powder.

The apres ski

A $300 million development to be completed in 2010 will make the ski resort of Kicking Horse one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Until then local bars such as Corks at the Copper Horse Lodge gets chatty with local beers, wine and contemporary music. For a bird's-eye-view, drinks and starters the Eagle's Eye at the summit (Friday and Saturday) won't dissapoint. Squaw Valley is home to a number of bars with a local presence and atmosphere offering live music at weekends, DJs and pool.

Kicking Horse ski resort is located just 60km from Lake Louise between Kootenay and Glacier National Parks.  Kicking Horse has a large ski area and the second highest vertical in Canada. Within the next few years Kicking Horse will become one of the country's top resorts. The ski resort of Kicking Horse was originally known as Whitetooth and was run by local volunteers.

The name Kicking Horse has its origins in a near-fatal accident suffered in an 1858 expedition to discover a route through the mountains for the Canadian National railroad. In an effort to retrieve an injured packhorse, Sir James Hector was kicked so severely that his native guides thought he was dead and almost buried him. When he later discovered the desired pass through the mountains, the nearby river and pass were named after his kicking horse in his honour.

Last winter saw the opening of the first major condominium property at the base of the ski area and there are a couple of places at the base area to eat and drink. Further evening entertainment and accommodation options are available in the town of Golden, a 15 minute drive away.

Spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains as well as the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges can be enjoyed from the gondola summit and there is some fantastic ridgeline skiing off the Dogtooth range.

Kicking Horse has rapidly built a reputation for its light, champagne powder snow, aided by natural advantages including northeast facing slopes allowing excellent snow retention.

Skiing in Kicking Horse offers skiing in wide-open bowls with runs for all levels of skier. This is Canadian skiing and snowboarding at its best. 

Heli-skiing is available through Purcell Heli-Skiing, which has been offering its guests the ultimate deep powder heli-skiing experience since 1973. The company's aim is to provide less demanding skiing at a more relaxed pace rather than encouraging vertical descent records.

Après-ski in the ski resort of Kicking Horse starts at the Day Lodge every afternoon and moves on to the Eagle's Eye at the summit for drinks and starters. Corks at the Copper Horse Lodge gets lively with local beers and wine with contemporary music playing in the background.
The Mad Trapper is a pub with pool tables and lots of locals. Packers, a dance bar, has live bands at the weekend and DJs on Thursdays and Fridays playing mainly pop tunes. 

Skiing in the ski resort of Kicking Horse really does offer something for all levels of skier. The ski resort of Kicking Horse is also a destination for world-class Heliskiing and snow cat skiing operators, as well as backcountry guided tours.  Guided snowmobile tours are available too.

The scenery in the region is simply amazing, with frequent wildlife sightings, and places worth day visits include Lake Louise, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, and the surrounding six national parks. 

If you fancy treating yourself after skiing in Kicking Horse, try the most spectacular and elegant dining in the ski resort of Kicking Horse at Eagle's Eye Restaurant for dinner. It is located just a gondola ride up to the 2500m summit. Billed as 'Canada's Most Elevated Dining Experience,' it's the highest restaurant in Canada, equally fabulous for lunch and dinner.

In the ski village, Corks Restaurant at Copper Horse Lodge, serves contemporary mountain cuisine, such as maple-glazed wild salmon, in a bistro setting.  Off the mountain in Golden, Cedar House Cafe & Restaurant has an open concept kitchen and features a vegetarian menu alongside the obligatory Alberta beef, pork, salmon and lamb. The chef uses wild, sustainable fish, free-range meats and organic produce.
The Kicking Horse Grill is in an old log cabin that belies its interior of burled logs, white tablecloths, candlelight and jazz playing in the background. The laid-back staff members, called 'culinary tour guides.
 

the latest snow and weather conditions

Last Snow	12th April		Forecast	Overcast skies
Lower Snow Depth	0 cm		Upper Snow Depth	0 cm
Conditions	Not reported		Runs Open	0 %
Last Report Update	4th December 08:30