Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR) is located 6.4 km west of Golden of BC. in the Purcell Mountains. With the 3,486 acres and 128 runs and a jaw-dropping 4,314-foot (1,315-meter) vertical drop, it should be the third largest in Canada. For sure it’s like the haven for advanced skiers chasing steep chutes. Talking about the annual snowfall it can be around 730 cm. Beyond winter, it offers summer adventures like mountain biking, hiking, and visiting Boo, a rescued grizzly bear in Canada’s largest grizzly refuge.

What feature Kicking Horse Mountain famous?

With the abundant snowfall, here is the place you can experience the true powder days. Also, plenty of advanced terrain ( 60% black/double-black runs, including 85 chutes and four bowls is definitely a great feature for experts. About the dinning, the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant is Canada’s highest dining spot at 7,700 ft (2,347 m). The meals with panoramic views cost you around CAD 40–60. In addition, Boo the Bear is a unique grizzly refuge in summer only (CAD 30–40) for a wildlife experience, it’s not common for ski resorts.

How to get to the Kicking Horse?

Kicking Horse is at 1500 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden, BC.

• By Car from Calgary: Drive 270 km (3–3.5 hours) west on Highway 1 through Banff to Golden, then 14 km up Kicking Horse Trail. Winter tires or chains mandatory—roads are narrow and snowy (check DriveBC). Free parking, but arrive by 9 AM on weekends.

• From Vancouver: Drive 710 km (8–9 hours) via Highway 1 through Kamloops and Revelstoke. Best as a multi-day trip.

• From Cranbrook: Drive 240 km (3 hours) from Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) via Highway 95 north to Highway 1 west. A closer flight option.

• By Air: Fly into Calgary International (YYC, 270 km away) via major airlines, rent a car (~CAD 60–120/day), and drive 3–3.5 hours. YXC (Cranbrook, 240 km) has fewer flights but is viable—drive 3 hours. No direct resort shuttles—taxis from Golden ~CAD 30–50.

• Tips: Highway 1 can close in winter—monitor conditions. Stay in Golden (e.g., Prestige Inn) for cheaper lodging and shuttle to the resort (~CAD 10–15).