Kicking Horse Resort
Encyclopedia
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR) is a ski resort
located 14 km outside of Golden, British Columbia
. It features what is currently the fourth highest vertical drop North America, at 4133 feet (1,259.7 m). It is only 6 feet (1.8 m) shorter than Jackson Hole
. In total the resort includes over 2800 acres (11.3 km²) of skiable lift-served terrain. The resort was named after the nearby Kicking Horse River
and Kicking Horse Pass
, although the resort is in the Purcell Mountains
while the Kicking Horse is across the Rocky Mountain Trench
in the Rocky Mountains
.
, but was bought out and expanded in 1999, to be reopened under the new name on December 8, 2000. The majority of the skiable area consists of four large bowls (Crystal Bowl, Bowl Over, Feuz Bowl and Super Bowl) that combine about half way down the mountain into a single area, with a fairly gentle ski-out to the lifts at the bottom. One run, It's a 10, is 10 km long and connects the runs in the main Bowl areas. In 2002 a new chairlift (Stairway to Heaven) was added to allow access to a third bowl (Feuz Bowl), which generally sees less traffic. In 2010, a fourth bowl to the south of the existing resort (Super Bowl) was added to the area adding over 300 metres of new vertical.
The resort is currently owned by Matt Nichol, his company also built the Confederation Bridge
in Prince Edward Island, and Grouse Mountain Resorts, which owns Grouse Mountain
.
, the Golden Eagle Express, that rises from the base area to the peak. Two smaller chairlift
s also operate from the base area, a fixed-grip quad (Catamount) and a fixed-grip double (Pioneer - a relic from Whitetooth days). Another fixed-grip quad (Stairway to Heaven) serves the upper areas to the north of the gondola, including the third bowl. Uphill capacity is generally limited, however, and most skiers need to return to the summit via the gondola at the base of the mountain. The limited terrain park is compensated by the natural terrain and exceptional backcountry access.
Annual snowfall ranges from 254 cm (100") at the bottom of the mountain to 700 cm (275") at the summit. The total in boundary ski area is over 2800 Acres. The slopes are well known for the light and dry snow, dubbed Champagne Powder
. The resort is open for skiing from mid December to mid April, and for mountain biking and sightseeing from late June to early October.
Stairway to Heaven is a fixed chair lift that is situated at the bottom of Crystal Bowl and accesses White Wall, Feuz Bowl and Redemption Ridge. White Wall is a quick hike right of the chair and is rated expert skiing for some rock bands and large cornices
. Feuz Bowl is advanced skiing, quite similar to CPR ridge. Stairway to Heaven follows Redemption Ridge. On one side are chutes into Feuz Bowl and the other side is a series of glades back into Crystal Bowl.
Terminator Ridge and Terminator Peak are situated on the left side of Bowl Over. On the south side of Terminator Ridge Super Bowl can be accessed. On the north side a few steep, narrow, expert chutes come back into Bowl Over. The hike to the top of Terminator Ridge is often well traveled and takes from fifteen to thirty minutes, depending on fitness.
This year most development will be done on 'softening' Kicking Horse. Kicking Horse has been known for its advanced terrain and wants to become a more rounded resort. The new master plan launched in August 2008, is aimed at creating a year round resort including an 18 hole golf course.
The resort village is currently being built out at the base of the ski area. The resort provides lodges, hotels, townhouses and cabins. The Eagle's Eye Restaurant is at the top of the gondola. At the base there is a coffee shop, sushi restaurant, daylodge, retail shop and ski rental service.
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
located 14 km outside of Golden, British Columbia
Golden, British Columbia
Golden is a town in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located west of Calgary, Alberta and east of Vancouver.-History:Much of the town's history is tied into the Canadian Pacific Railway and the logging industry...
. It features what is currently the fourth highest vertical drop North America, at 4133 feet (1,259.7 m). It is only 6 feet (1.8 m) shorter than Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a ski resort at Teton Village, Wyoming. Located northwest of Jackson and due south of Grand Teton National Park in Teton County, it is named after the historically significant Jackson Hole valley. The region is served by the Jackson Hole Airport.-Ski area...
. In total the resort includes over 2800 acres (11.3 km²) of skiable lift-served terrain. The resort was named after the nearby Kicking Horse River
Kicking Horse River
The Kicking Horse River is a river located in the Canadian Rockies of southeastern British Columbia, Canada.The river was named in 1858, when James Hector, a member of the Palliser Expedition, was kicked by his packhorse while exploring the river. Hector survived and named the river and the...
and Kicking Horse Pass
Kicking Horse Pass
Kicking Horse Pass is a high mountain pass across the Continental Divide of the Americas of the Canadian Rockies on the Alberta/British Columbia border, and lying within Yoho and Banff National Parks...
, although the resort is in the Purcell Mountains
Purcell Mountains
The Purcell Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. They are a subrange of the Columbia Mountains, which includes the Selkirk, Monashee, and Cariboo Mountains. They are located on the west side of the Rocky Mountain Trench in the area of the Columbia Valley, and on...
while the Kicking Horse is across the Rocky Mountain Trench
Rocky Mountain Trench
The Rocky Mountain Trench, or the Trench or The Valley of a Thousand Peaks, is a large valley in the northern part of the Rocky Mountains. It is both visually and cartographically a striking physiographic feature extending approximately from Flathead Lake, Montana, to the Liard River, just south...
in the Rocky Mountains
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. They are the eastern part of the Canadian Cordillera, extending from the Interior Plains of Alberta to the Rocky Mountain Trench of British Columbia. The southern end borders Idaho and Montana of the USA...
.
History
It started life as Whitetooth Ski Area, a smaller facility owned by the town of GoldenGolden, British Columbia
Golden is a town in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located west of Calgary, Alberta and east of Vancouver.-History:Much of the town's history is tied into the Canadian Pacific Railway and the logging industry...
, but was bought out and expanded in 1999, to be reopened under the new name on December 8, 2000. The majority of the skiable area consists of four large bowls (Crystal Bowl, Bowl Over, Feuz Bowl and Super Bowl) that combine about half way down the mountain into a single area, with a fairly gentle ski-out to the lifts at the bottom. One run, It's a 10, is 10 km long and connects the runs in the main Bowl areas. In 2002 a new chairlift (Stairway to Heaven) was added to allow access to a third bowl (Feuz Bowl), which generally sees less traffic. In 2010, a fourth bowl to the south of the existing resort (Super Bowl) was added to the area adding over 300 metres of new vertical.
The resort is currently owned by Matt Nichol, his company also built the Confederation Bridge
Confederation Bridge
The Confederation Bridge is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. It was commonly referred to as the "Fixed Link" by residents of Prince Edward Island prior to its official naming. Construction took place...
in Prince Edward Island, and Grouse Mountain Resorts, which owns Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is one of the North Shore Mountains of the Pacific Ranges in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Exceeding 1,200 m in altitude at its peak, is the site of an alpine ski area in the winter season overlooking Greater Vancouver with four chairlifts facilitating 26 runs...
.
Lifts
The hill is served primarily by a high speed gondolaGondola
The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in...
, the Golden Eagle Express, that rises from the base area to the peak. Two smaller chairlift
Chairlift
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...
s also operate from the base area, a fixed-grip quad (Catamount) and a fixed-grip double (Pioneer - a relic from Whitetooth days). Another fixed-grip quad (Stairway to Heaven) serves the upper areas to the north of the gondola, including the third bowl. Uphill capacity is generally limited, however, and most skiers need to return to the summit via the gondola at the base of the mountain. The limited terrain park is compensated by the natural terrain and exceptional backcountry access.
| Name | Type | Capacity (per hr) | Make | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Eagle Express | Gondola | 1,200 | Leither Poma | 2000 |
| Stairway to Heaven | 4 person fixed grip | 1,000 | Leither Poma | 2002 |
| Catamount | 4 person fixed grip | 1,200 | Leither Poma | 2000 |
| Pioneer | 2 person fixed grip | 1,500 | ||
| Pony Express | Surface lift | 600 | ||
Winter Activities
Kicking Horse is frequented by skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers.Annual snowfall ranges from 254 cm (100") at the bottom of the mountain to 700 cm (275") at the summit. The total in boundary ski area is over 2800 Acres. The slopes are well known for the light and dry snow, dubbed Champagne Powder
Champagne Powder
Champagne powder is a very smooth and dry snow, which is great for skiing. The term originates from the ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains, which often have these snow conditions...
. The resort is open for skiing from mid December to mid April, and for mountain biking and sightseeing from late June to early October.
Ski Terrain
The gondola accesses CPR Ridge, Crystal Bowl and Bowl Over. Crystal Bowl is large and open, providing intermediate skiing and is the easiest way down from the gondola. Bowl Over is also open but much steeper and often has more moguls than Crystal Bowl. In 2007, a trail was made to allow for advanced intermediate skiing into Bowl Over. CPR ridge is situated between the two bowls. One side of the ridge, the Crystal Bowl side, provides some of the 75 inbound chutes available at Kicking Horse. These chutes range from advanced to expert skiing. The other side of CPR Ridge is a series of glades.Stairway to Heaven is a fixed chair lift that is situated at the bottom of Crystal Bowl and accesses White Wall, Feuz Bowl and Redemption Ridge. White Wall is a quick hike right of the chair and is rated expert skiing for some rock bands and large cornices
Cornice (climbing)
A snow cornice or simply cornice is an overhanging edge of snow on a ridge or the crest of a mountain. They form by wind blowing snow over the crest of the mountain, so they often form on the leeward sides of mountains...
. Feuz Bowl is advanced skiing, quite similar to CPR ridge. Stairway to Heaven follows Redemption Ridge. On one side are chutes into Feuz Bowl and the other side is a series of glades back into Crystal Bowl.
Terminator Ridge and Terminator Peak are situated on the left side of Bowl Over. On the south side of Terminator Ridge Super Bowl can be accessed. On the north side a few steep, narrow, expert chutes come back into Bowl Over. The hike to the top of Terminator Ridge is often well traveled and takes from fifteen to thirty minutes, depending on fitness.
| Total Runs | 137 including all inbound chutes |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 20% |
| Intermediate | 20% |
| Advanced | 45% |
| Expert | 15% |
Backcountry Access
Kicking Horse has exceptional backcountry access. South of the resort, Super Bowl can be accessed by hiking up Terminator Ridge. North of the resort, Rudi's Bowl and many other backcountry assets are accessible.Grizzly Bear Refuge
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is also the home to a 22 acres (89,030.9 m²) acre Grizzly Bear "Refuge"; two orphaned cubs (Cari & Boo) were taken there in 2003, but one (Cari) died during her first winter hibernation due to a twisted intestine. Boo can often be seen mid-winter from the Gondola, if he decides to take some exercise, but can be more reliably seen on a 'bear tour' during the summer months, provided he has not escaped (as he did for several weeks in 2006 and 2011).Mountain Biking
Kicking Horse is open during the summer for downhill mountain biking accessed by the gondola. Kicking horse provides the longest descent in Canada for mountain biking.Upcoming Development
Chairlifts are planned for access of bowls on either side of the current ski area boundary. In total 9 lifts will be built under the current master plan by build out. This will expand the skiable area to 4000 acres (16.2 km²). The mountain village accommodation is rapidly expanding.This year most development will be done on 'softening' Kicking Horse. Kicking Horse has been known for its advanced terrain and wants to become a more rounded resort. The new master plan launched in August 2008, is aimed at creating a year round resort including an 18 hole golf course.
The resort village is currently being built out at the base of the ski area. The resort provides lodges, hotels, townhouses and cabins. The Eagle's Eye Restaurant is at the top of the gondola. At the base there is a coffee shop, sushi restaurant, daylodge, retail shop and ski rental service.