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About Kicking Horse
If you’re an admitted powder hound with a craving for deep snow and adrenaline-pumping terrain, then a Kicking Horse ski vacation should be your next winter getaway. Not only is Kicking Horse considered one of North America’s best places to score some pow, but it’s also home to one of the highest vertical drops on the continent—a staggering 4,133 feet.
Located along British Columbia’s iconic Powder Highway, just outside of Golden, Kicking Horse Resort is blessed with an average of 23 feet of some of the lightest, driest and deepest powder on the planet.
Off the slopes, Kicking Horse has eight on-mountain eateries serving everything from French cuisine to Japanese delicacies. The nearby town of Golden provides even more dining options. With its convenient location just over an hour and a half from Banff and two and a half hours from Calgary, getting to Kicking Horse is as easy as it is rewarding.
5 best things about Kicking Horse according to our Mountain Travel Experts
Heli-Skiing Access
Large vertical drop
"Champagne Powder" and Steep Terrain
Mountain Top Dining
Authentic Wilderness Experience
MOUNTAIN STATS
Snow reports
Where to stay in Kicking Horse
Kicking Horse Trail Maps
How to get to Kicking Horse
The resort is just a quick 1.5-hour drive west of Banff (90 miles), 2.5 hours west of Calgary (168 miles), and if you’re up for an adventure, it’s a 7-hour trek east from Vancouver (435 miles) along the Trans-Canada Highway. Trust us—it’s totally doable and worth every mile!
To book your Kicking Horse vacation or to learn more, call or chat with one of Ski.com's Mountain Travel Experts.
Getting around
Getting around Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is simple, with everything conveniently located near the village and gondola. The resort offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations, making it easy to hit the slopes. For exploring nearby Golden, it’s just a 15-minute drive, offering additional dining and shopping options.
Skiing in Kicking Horse
Like its namesake, Kicking Horse packs quite the punch, even for the most seasoned skiers and snowboarders. With 60 percent of its terrain designated as black and double black, it’s easy to see why this mountain has earned its fierce reputation. Despite its repute, Kicking Horse also offers plenty of terrain for beginners, and the Learning Center provides the perfect setting for learning to ski or ride. After all, if you learn to ski at Kicking Horse, you’re destined to be a skier for life.
Beginner Skiing in Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Early beginners will love Kicking Horse’s gentle green runs located at the base of the resort, while more seasoned beginners will love skiing and riding longer runs from top to bottom.
Expert Skiing in Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Family vacations in Kicking Horse
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the ideal family ski destination, offering terrain for all skill levels, from gentle beginner slopes to more challenging runs. The resort’s central village, conveniently located by the gondola, provides family-friendly amenities like daycare, snow school, a tube park and a skating rink, ensuring everyone is entertained and cared for.
After a day on the slopes, families can enjoy a meal at the summit restaurant, where stunning views and a kid-friendly menu set the stage for sharing stories. A visit to Boo, the resident grizzly bear, adds a memorable touch of adventure that will leave a lasting impression on both kids and adults.
Ski destination