Kicking Horse
1,411 hectares, 120 runs near Golden. Substantial vertical drop, dry powder, advanced terrain, Epic Pass.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
11 Dec 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
121
Annual snow
8m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Kicking Horse's summit reaches 2,505 metres, dropping 1,315 vertical metres to a base at 1,190 metres across 120 runs spread over roughly 1,411 hectares near Golden, British Columbia. Terrain splits 45 per cent advanced, 20 per cent each for beginner and intermediate, and 15 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 8.2 metres. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Six lifts, including two quad chairs and one double chair, serve the mountain alongside one gondola and two surface lifts.
Kicking Horse holds a genuinely distinctive place among Canadian resorts for its considerable vertical drop, among the largest in North America, and its consistently light, dry snow, long marketed by the resort as Champagne Powder. Its heavily advanced-and-expert-weighted terrain has built Kicking Horse's reputation as a serious big-mountain destination rather than a family-oriented resort.
The area began as Whitetooth Ski Area, a small, town-owned facility that opened in 1986 with the Pioneer Chair serving three runs on around 2,000 feet of vertical. Vancouver architect Oberto Oberti envisioned a considerably larger four-season resort in 1996, and the following year the local community voted 97 per cent in favour of selling the ski area to Oberti and the European development firm Ballast Nedam.
The resort opened in its current form as Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in December 2000. Resorts of the Canadian Rockies acquired the resort from its original developers in 2011, and Boyne Resorts has more recently taken ownership. Adult daily tickets run from 149 to 175 Canadian dollars.
1315m
Vertical
120
Runs
3,487 acres
Skiable
8m
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
120 runs across 3,487 acres skiable
Kicking Horse is a steep, serious mountain beside Golden, with 120 runs across roughly 1,411 hectares and a 1,315-metre vertical between 1,190 and 2,505 metres. The grading tells the story: 45% advanced and 15% expert, against 20% intermediate and 20% beginner. Four large bowls, Super Bowl, Bowl Over, Crystal Bowl and Feuz Bowl, merge about two-thirds of the way down, and the resort counts roughly 75 inbound chutes. Light, dry snow, close to 8.2 metres in a season, keeps the steeper terrain rewarding, and the bowls collect powder well after storms.
CPR Ridge offers advanced to expert chutes on one side and glades on the other, while Terminator Ridge sits beside Bowl Over and gives access to Super Bowl. Stairway to Heaven, a fixed chair, climbs from Crystal Bowl towards White Wall, Feuz Bowl and Redemption Ridge. Kicking Horse suits strong, fit skiers and powder chasers, and advanced intermediates stepping up with a guide will get plenty from it. Beginners have a smaller share of easy ground, so families wanting broad variety, or less sustained steeps, may prefer a gentler mountain.
Terrain split
120
runs
120 runs across 4 grades
Beginner24 runs · 20%
Intermediate24 runs · 20%
Advanced54 runs · 45%
Expert18 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Kicking Horse
The 2025-26 season at Kicking Horse ran from 5 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 8.2 metres. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather conditions near Golden.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent, dry powder conditions to Kicking Horse's heavily advanced-weighted terrain. As an Epic Pass resort, Kicking Horse draws dedicated big-mountain skiers alongside Epic Pass holders seeking the resort's considerable vertical drop.
Kicking Horse's substantial, reliable snowfall continues to draw committed powder-seeking skiers throughout the season, with the resort's comparatively remote location offering lighter crowds than the busier Alberta Rockies resorts. School holiday periods bring some family visitation to the resort's more moderate lower-mountain terrain.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since opening in its current form in December 2000, Kicking Horse has continued building on nearly four decades of history since Whitetooth Ski Area's 1986 founding. The resort's considerable vertical drop and dry snow remain central to its enduring appeal among dedicated skiers.
Season 2026 - 2027
11 Dec 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
121
Days open
8 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Kicking Horse, and where to stay
Kicking Horse sits near Golden, British Columbia, with a base elevation of 1,190 metres and a summit at 2,505 metres across a 1,315-metre vertical drop over roughly 1,411 hectares. This considerable vertical places Kicking Horse among the more dramatically situated resorts in the Canadian Rockies.
The town of Golden, a small but growing mountain community, offers lodging and dining within a short drive of the resort, providing a considerably quieter alternative to the busier Banff and Whistler corridors.
The Trans-Canada Highway provides direct access to the resort from Golden. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, and travellers should carry appropriate equipment given the mountainous terrain surrounding the area.
Calgary International Airport, roughly a three-hour drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the region, with Kicking Horse's comparatively remote British Columbia location drawing a genuinely dedicated visitor base seeking the resort's considerable vertical and consistent powder.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Kicking Horse, powered by Stay22.
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Kicking Horse Lift Tickets
Kicking Horse lift tickets & passes
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 11, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Kicking Horse typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from CA$75, with peak rates up to CA$175.
Epic5 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Full Day Lift Ticket
CA$149up to CA$175 peak
Full day skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort with access to 120 trails and 6 lifts. Known as the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada, Kicking Horse offers the 4th highest vertical drop in North America at 1,315 meters. Located 3 hours from Calgary in Golden, BC.
Buy passSenior 65–74
Senior Full Day Lift Ticket
CA$125up to CA$145 peak
Discounted lift tickets for seniors 65-74 at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Experience legendary champagne powder and spectacular Canadian Rockies views from the top of the Golden Eagle Express Gondola. Kicking Horse features some of the most challenging terrain in BC.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Full Day Lift Ticket
CA$119up to CA$139 peak
Youth lift tickets for ages 13-17 at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Perfect for teenage skiers exploring Kicking Horse's famous bowls and expert terrain. The resort offers incredible backcountry-style skiing within resort boundaries.
Buy passChild 6–12
Child Full Day Lift Ticket
CA$75up to CA$89 peak
Children's skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for ages 6-12. Kids enjoy the Magic Carpet beginner area and dedicated learning terrain. Kicking Horse provides excellent children's ski school programs with experienced instructors.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Season Pass
CA$1,699up to CA$1,899 peak
Unlimited skiing at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort plus Epic Pass benefits. Access to 40+ Epic Pass resorts worldwide including Vail, Whistler, and European destinations. RCR Rockies Card benefits with free days at Fernie, Kimberley, and Nakiska.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Kicking Horse day pass cost?
Kicking Horse day passes range from CA$75 to CA$175 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Kicking Horse lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Kicking Horse lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Kicking Horse, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Kicking Horse lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Kicking Horse - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Kicking Horse lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Kicking Horse offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Kicking Horse directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Kicking Horse.
More Kicking Horse intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.