January 3, 2014

Rad Resorts: Interior BC’s best-kept secret — Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Somewhere along the Powder Highway, deep in the interior of BC, Canada, lies Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, a beast of a mountain with some of the gnarliest lift accessed terrain anywhere on the continent. Put it this way: Kicking Horse was part of a heli op before they even put the gondola in.

words: Nate Deschenes

Somewhere along the Powder Highway, deep in the interior of British Columbia, Canada, lies Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, a beast of a mountain with some of the gnarliest lift accessed terrain anywhere on the continent. Put it this way: Kicking Horse was part of a heli op before they even put the gondola in.

3
With over 4,000 ft of vertical drop, Kicking Horse is known for kicking your ass. | Photo: Nate Deschenes

As a relatively new resort— it is currently in its 13th year of operation— those who value powder and scenic slopes are setting up shop in the nearby town of Golden, with its authentic Canadian feel; no contrived village here. As one of the area’s most respected rippers and something of a modern day mountain man, Justin Baun has called Golden home his entire life. Sponsored by Ride Snowboards and the local sled shop Motor Tech, Justin has been riding these mountains for over 20 years.

According to Baun, “I have chosen to stay in Golden and ride Kicking Horse because of the snow quality and access to the backcountry. When you get to the top of the gondola, you’re on top of a huge mountain ridge and nothing beats the freedom of picking your own run down one of those faces.”

Want a real Canadian getaway without the glitz and glam of Whistler? Check out Justin Baun’s inside info on Interior BC’s best-kept secret.

Best Month to Shred: March. Tons of snow, long days.

Best Sidecountry Hike: Terminator 2

Best Person to Ride With: Ave Perry

Best Hit Run: Blaster

Best Pow Run: Super Bowl

Best Live Music: Rockwater

Ave Perry calls Golden home for a reason… this reason. | Photo: Jeff Curley
Ave Perry calls Golden home for a reason… this reason. | Photo: Jeff Curley

Best Bar: The Riverhouse

Best Nightlife: Downtown Golden

Best Hotel: Mount 7 Lodges

Best Hotel on a Budget: Mary’s Motel (Scary Mary’s)

Best Hot Tub/Hot Spring: Radium Hot Springs (45 min)

Best Breakfast/Coffee: Jitta’s

Best Grocery Store: Sobeys

Best Pizza: Turning Point

Best Burger: Wolf’s Den

Best Veggie: 11/22

Best Snowboard Shop: Darkside

Best Night to Go Out: Thursday Jam Nite at The Taps

Best Place to Scare Yourself: The Riverhouse!

Best Secret Stash: If I told you it wouldn’t be a secret.

Best Urban Myth/Resort Legend: You’re talking to him!

Best Reason to Call Kicking Horse Home: The people and these mountains.

VITALS:

Website: Kickinghorseresort.com

Where: Located 1.5 hours from Banff (2.5 hours from Calgary) on the Trans Canada Highway just outside the town of Golden, British Colombia.

Kicking-Horse_pistemap

Elevation: 3,900 – 98,033

Vertical Drop: 4,133

Lifts: 4

Acreage: 2,800+

Number of Inbounds Chutes: 85

Parks: 1

Pipe: No

Powder: 750cm

Lift Tickets: $83.95

Season Pass/Discount Info: www.skircr.com