Kicking Horse Skiing and Snowboarding Guide

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Consisting of four main bowls, and one of the longest verticals in North America, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a must-experience for avid skiers and snowboarders. The upper bowls at Kicking Horse have become a haven for freeride fans that enjoy skiing and riding through the glades. There are 106 marked runs to choose from, including the 10km long ‘It’s a Ten!’, so there’s plenty to occupy you for a few days of skiing. Ride to the summit in the eight-passenger, twelve minute Golden Eagle Express Gondola and enjoy the assurance that the wind won’t chill you to the bone on the way up after working up a sweat on the descent.
Be sure to stop and look around every once in awhile – you will love the breathtaking views from up here. Kicking Horse has the Rockies’ highest vertical at 4,133 feet, 106 different runs, 70 inbound chutes over 2,750 acres, ski-in/ski-out lodging and exceptional staff.
The terrain here offers gentle, wide-open runs for beginners and steep chutes for double-black skiers. Their ski program provides really great instruction for beginners and some great camps to tighten your technique if you’ve been at it for a while.
At least once during your visit to Kicking Horse you should have a meal at the Eagle Eye Restaurant on the summit of the mountain. Great food and spectacular views.
Mountain Stats

• Vertical: 1,260 metres (4,133 feet)
• Skiable Acreage: 2,800+ acres

Elevation

• Top of Kicking Horse: 2,450 metres (8,033 feet)
• Mid-Mountain: 1,722 metres (5,646 feet)
• Bottom of the lowest chair: 1,190 metres (3,900 feet)

Run Types

• 120+ Runs
• Beginner – 20%
• Intermediate – 20%
• Advanced – 45%
• Expert – 15%
• Inbound Chutes: 85+

Lifts
Winter & Summer:

• Golden Eagle Express Gondola: 8-Passenger Omega III Gondola cabin – length 3,413 metres (11, 266 feet), ride time – 12 minutes.
• Catamount: 4-Passenger fixed grip chairlift

Winter:

• Stairway to Heaven: 4-passenger fixed grip quad
• Pioneer: 2-Passenger fixed grip chairlift
• Pony Express surface lift

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers a variety of children’s programs that teach essential ski and snowboard skills and safety. Arrange for courses with qualified ski school instructors, or take a private ski, snowboard, or telemark ski lesson to rapidly improve your technique and learn new skills.
 

Purcell Heli-Skiing

There is no adventure more thrilling for an avid skier than Heli-Skiing. Heli-Skiing was invented just south of Golden in the in the staggering Purcell Mountains because the area is home to some of the most amazing skiing on the planet.
Owned and operated by Rudi Gertsch, Purcell Heli-Skiing has been shredding legendary champagne powder in the backcountry near Golden since 1974. Rudi immigrated to Canada from Switzerland in 1966 and shortly afterwards became one of the first Heli-Ski guides in Western Canada and the world. Today, his son, Jeff, is an integral part of the business. Their passion for the mountains and skiing is palatable. At Purcell Heli-Skiing, you are in good hands. All guides are fully certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and highly experienced.
Details
1-877-435-4754 / 1-250-344-5410
www.purcellheliskiing.com
Location
438 Lafontaine Road, Golden, BC
The Purcell Heli-Skiing meeting spot is located at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
 

PLANNING A VACATION TO KICKING HORSE?

We have a selection of vacation rentals in Kicking Horse and Golden to suit a variety of needs. Call our highly knowledgeable Destination Experts who can answer any questions you may have about skiing or boarding at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, or our selection of accommodations.