Kicking Horse, BC Interior

Kicking Horse: 5 things to know before you go

BC Interior, Canada ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ

Kicking Horse delivers the steepest in-bounds terrain in Canada, 1,260 vertical metres of bowls, chutes and ridgelines crowned by the Eagle's Eye Gondola at 2,450 metres, home to the country's highest restaurant. The town of Golden sits thirteen kilometres below, right on the Trans-Canada Highway between Banff and Revelstoke.

1.Is the snow reliable in Kicking Horse?

Yes. The base sits at 1190 m and the top reaches 2450 m, which puts snow reliability among the very best on our index (score 92/100).

2.Do you need a car, or can you ski in and out?

Ski-in/ski-out depends on the address here: some hotels are on the snow, others need a short walk or shuttle. Pick a slopeside address if skiing from the door matters to you.

3.How big is the ski area, and who is it for?

At 120 km of piste on 5 lifts, it is a substantial mountain that rewards a multi-day stay. The terrain is balanced (12 green, 28 blue, 24 red, 36 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.

4.What is the resort like?

Kicking Horse stands out for demanding terrain for strong skiers and serious off-piste and freeride terrain.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Dec 1 to Apr 13 (about 19 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. Conditions soften as spring arrives, so earlier in the window is the safer call.

The full Kicking Horse guide

Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.

See the full Kicking Horse guide โ†’

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Kicking Horse have?
About 1260 m of vertical, from a 1190 m base to 2450 m at the top.
Is Kicking Horse part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 120 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Kicking Horse good for beginners?
Yes. With 12 green and 28 blue runs, there is plenty of gentle terrain to learn on.

Where to stay

Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
4.62.9k reviews
โ‚ฌ150
โ˜… Top pick

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Excellent ยท 2.9k reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Kicking Horse, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

Guests rate this hotel as excellent (4.6/5 from 2,927 reviews). It sits about 100 m from the slopes. A mid-range option for Kicking Horse, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

โ‰ˆ 100 m to the slopesMid-range
From
โ‚ฌ150/ night
Check availability โ†’
Glacier Mountaineer Lodge
3.8698 reviews
โ‚ฌ135

Glacier Mountaineer Lodge

Good ยท 698 reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Kicking Horse, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

โ‰ˆ 100 m to the slopesMid-range
From
โ‚ฌ135/ night
Check availability โ†’
Copper Horse Lodge
4.4113 reviews
โ‚ฌ135

Copper Horse Lodge

Very good ยท 113 reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Kicking Horse, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

โ‰ˆ 300 m to the slopesMid-range
From
โ‚ฌ135/ night
Check availability โ†’
Whispering Pines by Kicking Horse Lodging - Bellstar Hotels & Resorts
4.730 reviews
โ‚ฌ190

Whispering Pines by Kicking Horse Lodging - Bellstar Hotels & Resorts

Excellent ยท 30 reviews

Why we like it

A dependable, well-reviewed choice for a stay in Kicking Horse.

โ‰ˆ 500 m to the slopesUpper-scale
From
โ‚ฌ190/ night
Check availability โ†’

Ratings and review counts from Google Places. We may earn a commission on bookings.

Live snow reportSki-in/ski-out: Canada