Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is one of the most remote ski resorts in North America. It’s home to famously varied and exhilarating skiing terrain, the best powder conditions in the country, and the highest restaurant in Canada, making it an amazing place for a winter getaway in Golden, British Columbia.

kicking horse resort winter guide — Eagle’s Eye Restaurant on the top of Kicking Horse Mountain; Canada’s highest restaurant. Photo Credit: Mark Eleven Photography

Chris and I have loved every opportunity we’ve had to spend time in some of Canada’s most well-visited places, from famous sites like Niagara Falls to cities like Quebec City. But one of our favourite things to do when we travel within Canada is to go a little off the beaten path, and spend more time on the road to reach some of its quieter and more natural destinations.

This is what makes a winter trip to Kicking Horse Resort so special—it’s located in the small and quiet town of Golden, British Columbia, just west of the provincial border from one of Canada’s most visited parks, Banff National Park in Alberta.

Being in such a remote and picturesque place makes a winter trip to Kicking Horse Resort memorable, since there will be many times during your visit that you’ll feel like you have the Canadian Rockies all to yourself.

Why Kicking Horse Over Other Ski Resorts in North America?

Western Canada is filled with iconic ski resorts. From massive and expansive luxury resort hubs like Whistler to quieter resorts like Marmot Basin in Jasper, Alberta, Kicking Horse falls somewhere in between, but its location and position in the Rockies creates an identity that makes it uniquely its own.

First of all, it’s remote. For killer mountain views like the ones you’ll experience at Kicking Horse, you have to get a little out of the way and go further inland to enjoy the expansive mountain range views here. Since Kicking Horse is the northernmost resort on British Columbia’s Powder Highway (a route connecting eight resorts in the eastern part of the province), its elevation lends itself to favourable snow and preservation conditions, and a lot of powder.

On average, Kicking Horse gets over 700cm of dry, fluffy snow each year, which is how it got its nickname of being the “Champagne Powder Capital of Canada”. For avid skiiers and snowboarders, or even for those who are just learning or honing their craft, at the right time of the season, the snow conditions here can be some of the best for downhill adventures.

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How to Get to Golden & Where to Stay

You’ll need to make a plan before you visit Kicking Horse, that’s for sure. As I’ve already mentioned, the resort is in a relatively remote place.

Seeing as it’s in British Columbia, many who haven’t visited may expect that landing at Vancouver International Airport would be the best bet for visiting. But as soon as you look at the map and realize just how far east it is within the province, that plan quickly goes out the window.

Getting to Kicking Horse

The best option for visiting Kicking Horse Resort from out of province or out of the country is to actually land at Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Alberta. Calgary has the most options for daily flights from a number of Canadian, American and international destinations, and it’s the closest international airport to Kicking Horse. It takes about three hours to drive from Calgary, weather and traffic permitting.
Depending on where you’re coming from, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) also has several domestic and international flights that land here. It’s about a four hour drive from Kelowna to Golden, also weather and traffic permitting.
Renting a car is likely your best option from either airport, but if you’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable with winter driving, it isn’t advised to drive. From Calgary, you’ll have to pass through some narrow stretches of the Trans-Canada Highway that go through the Rocky Mountains. Road closures due to weather are possible, as are unfavourable road conditions.
If you are planning on driving, ensuring you depart Calgary early in the day is recommended, to avoid driving in the winter at night. Driving from Kelowna presents similar challenges to driving in the winter, so always check weather conditions ahead of hitting the road.
A final option for transportation is to take a shuttle from Calgary Airport to Golden/Kicking Horse Resort. The Golden Shuttle has daily shuttles that make the trip, which is a good option for those who’d rather forego winter driving. You can learn more about the Golden Shuttle here.

Accommodation options

During your winter trip to Kicking Horse, you can choose to either stay on resort, or in the town of Golden. There are a few types of accommodations available on the resort, namely the main lodge in the resort village, or ski-in/ski-out accommodations on the slopes.

There are also several off-resort options for lodging in and around the town of Golden. With so many different types of accommodations, it’s worth zooming out on the map below to find the right accommodation for your dates and your price range, or take a look at the nearby accommodation listings provided by the resort.

Wherever you end up staying, just make sure that you’ll have access to the transportation or parking options that you and your party will need to make the most of your time here.

Things to Do at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Winter

Whether you’re staying on- or off-resort, it’s easy to start the day early at Kicking Horse. If you’re visiting without a car, there’s a quick and easy cash-only shuttle service that departs the town of Golden and brings you to the resort. Kicking Horse Resort also has plenty of free parking available on-site.

Start Each Day at Double Black Cafe

Double Black Cafe is located in the resort’s village, and it’s a great place to get the day started before you hit the slopes. They offer breakfast options like sandwiches, breakfast plates, bowls and omelettes, and they serve up locally roasted Kicking Horse Coffee.

Kicking Horse Coffee isn’t only a staple here in Golden, but it’s become a beloved coffee brand across Canada. It’s actually my go-to coffee at home in Toronto, and you really can’t go wrong with any of their blends. Their roasted beans are named for local attractions and riffs off of Kicking Horse Resort. “Three Sisters” is personally my favourite blend, but they’re also well known for their “Kick Ass” blend, and others.

Honestly, if you’re planning to gift a winter trip to Kicking Horse to a loved one, ordering up a package of Three Sisters coffee beans with a little note about the trip would make for the perfect gift to get a taste of The Rockies before you go.

Hit the Slopes on Your Own

Kicking Horse is an incredible place for skiing or snowboarding, not only in B.C., but in North America. From their vertical drop routes near the top of the mountain for expert skiiers to their beginner and advanced hills, there are terrain options for every type of skiier.

The Golden Eagle Express gondola is the main way to get up Kicking Horse Mountain on the resort. From the top of the gondola, you have the choice to hike to some harder-to-reach ski hills, or go down the nearby slopes from the centre of the mountain. The Stairway to Heaven chair lift services some of the more remote and challenging parts of the park. A lot of routes around here are complex and challenging—make sure you double check the routes and bring a map before you head out, and never go down the mountain alone. Especially if you’re taking backcountry routes, going out on the mountain with a buddy and walkie-talkies is recommended.

For families, the Kicking Horse Kids’ Club is a daycare option available for kids ages 18 months to 5 years. It’s the ideal option for families looking for a memorable trip away, while the parents still have some time to enjoy the mountain’s slopes on their own.

Try Your Hand at Snow TUbing

The Tube Park at Kicking Horse offers a great way to get outside and enjoy a winter thrill, without necessarily having a lot of experience skiing or snowboarding. It’s a great option for families who visit the park, since it’s open to anyone over 3’6” tall for independent rides, and anyone under this height can ride with an adult.

The tube park is at the base of the mountain near the village, and tickets can be purchased at Guest Services. Helmets are recommended.

tAKE A clASS OR jOIN A gROUP ON THE sLOPES

Whether you’re an advanced skiier or snowboarder looking to hone your craft, or you’re just starting out and learning to get more comfortable on the hill, Kicking Horse has plenty of programs that will make your downhill experience here more comfortable and empowering.

If you’ve never skied before, the Telus Winter Sports School has several programs designed to help you learn and be confident on the resort. They offer kids’ lessons and adult lessons for all ability levels, and I’d recommend booking your lessons in advance of your visit to make sure you secure a spot.

Some of the special classes on offer include the aptly named Women’s Powder Room group skiis. These advanced classes runs on Fridays and Saturdays, and they’re aimed to bring women together to feel confident when approaching moguls, powder, trees, steeps and chutes on the mountain. They give you the opportunity to be some of the first skiiers on the hill in the morning, and a minimum of four people need to register for the group experience to go ahead—it would be great for a women’s trip to the mountain!

Big Mountain Club Sundays are expert clinics for women and men. In these classes, pro instructors help skiiers and snowboarders tackle the most technical terrain and inbound chutes on Sundays.

enjoy Unforgettable Dining at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant

A night under the stars at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant. Photo Credit: Resorts of the Canadian Rockies

You’ll be quite literally living the high life on a visit to Eagle’s Eye Restaurant. It’s Canada’s highest restaurant, and one of the highest restaurants in North America, sitting at 2347m above sea level. The restaurant offers jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains from a larger than life vantage point that can’t quite be experienced anywhere else in Canada.

To reach Eagle’s Eye, take the Golden Eagle Express gondola to more or less the top of Kicking Horse Mountain, and the restaurant is a short walk from where you’re dropped off. Their menu consists of rich dishes inspired by local flavours in western Canada. It’s perfect for a celebratory lunch or dinner, with gourmet soups and sandwiches by day, or delectable offerings like Beef Tartare, Elk Carpaccio and Bison Tenderloin by night.

Their commitment to keeping things as local as possible is evident here, and emphasized by their curated selection of British Columbia wines. If you’re looking to really up the ante on a trip to Kicking Horse, consider spending a night or two in the Eagle’s Eye Suite. Located right on site on the top of the mountain, staying here offers a memorable luxury package including dinner, a welcome drink and lift passes, to name a few perks. It’s the ultimate way to stay on the resort, and you can learn about more details here.

During peak season, the restaurant can have limited space. If reservations are possible, it’s recommended to book a table here in advance, or be prepared to wait a little for an unforgettable experience.

Check Out The Resort’s Other Restaurants

About halfway down Kicking Horse Mountain is Heaven’s Door Yurt. It’s the perfect spot to stop and catch your breath, enjoy a drink in the winter sun, or warm your fingers and toes inside. Their small indoor area offers soups and sandwiches, and they have several comfortable outdoor seating areas to enjoy on a sunny winter’s day.

At the village level, Whitetooth Grill in the Day Lodge is a great place to come for lunch or dinner, and Peaks Grill is a cozy spot in the village for a solid meal and a refreshment after a day spent on the slopes.

Enjoy Kicking Horse By Night

There’s just something about the sun going down in winter that makes sitting back and relaxing so permissible. You’ve put in the work outside for the day, and now it’s time to cozy up and enjoy time in a warm and welcoming space at night.

Kicking Horse Resort and Golden in general aren’t known for their nightlife or late-night apres-ski vibes—busier mountain towns leave that to their forte. But there are great places to sit back for a relaxing pint with good company once the day is done.

In the early evening, Whitetooth Grill is a great place to head with your crew in the resort village. They have special events like open mic nights and happy hour specials on the weekends, and you’re sure to be surrounded by likeminded people happy to warm up at the end of a cold day.

There are also several accommodation options with private hot tubs for a good soak after a big day out, which is another perfect way to relax in the fresh mountain air once the day is done.

Making the Most of Your Winter Escape to Golden, British Columbia

There’s no question that Kicking Horse is a special ski resort to visit here in Canada. Between its remote location, picturesque setting and laidback approach to mountain life, it’s a welcomed respite for travellers keen to get a taste for interior B.C.’s infamous Rockies. In a place like this, you’ll find it hard to peel yourself away once the time comes to say farewell to the mountains and return home.

If you find yourself missing Kicking Horse when you leave, you won’t be alone. Fortunately, planning to return here in the summer offers an opportunity to experience the magic of this terrain in a whole new light. You can expect to see the same mountainous views under more clear conditions, with plenty of hiking opportunities along routes like the Kicking Horse Trail. Plenty of visitors also embark on some epic mountain biking in the mountains.

Beware of grizzly bear encounters in the summer months, though—this is one of the blessings of visiting the resort in winter!

This post is sponsored by the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. For more information about Kicking Horse resort, you can head to their website.

Your Winter Guide to Kicking Horse Resort: Kicking Horse Restaurants, Attractions and Experiences in Golden, B.C.