Kicking up powder at Kicking Horse

PAULA ARAB

It was the dump of the year. Yes, we were only 24 days into 2015 but it had been a skimpy snow start to the ski season. So when snow reports called for 19 centimetres overnight at Kicking Horse, we went to bed early to hit the road at 6 a.m. This got us to Golden B.C. from Calgary at a decent hour. But it seemed everyone else had the same idea — the parking lot situation let us know it was still too late to beat the bottleneck snaking out of the Golden Eagle Express Gondola.

That’s the way it is at the Horse. When it snows everyone wants to be there and the wait to the summit can make an ansty skier impatient. But on this day, the wait was worth it. Take a look at what we got to ski.

Some of the terrain can be wildly edgy at KH, even on a powder day, when you know if you fall, you can’t do too much damage. Skiing here is exhilarating. We started off “easy” down the cat track at the top of the gondola, making our way to the Stairway to Heaven chair. Take CPR Ridge if you’re up for the challenge, or meander through Crystal Bowl and play in and out of the trees.

There was no problem kicking up some powder at the Horse. All that snow made for an epic day.

Burn baby burn! At 1,260 metres from top to base, KH is the fourth highest verticle drop in North America. Yes. This is the day we all wait for. I can feel the Kicking Horse burn and I love it.

On to more extreme skiing, just as the sun comes out over some of my favourite double black diamond chutes. This is shaping up to be an epic day.

Down Terminator Ridge and into Super Bowl in search of more powder. My legs are working on overtime, but it’s all good.

It looks like a blast, but I’ll pass on the cliffs, thanks. The great thing about KH is that you can always find an easier way down this rugged and intimidating terrain. Don’t be afraid, just push yourself at your own pace. The first turn is always the hardest. I’m ready to head back to Stairway to Heaven, and do my favourite run, the Feuz Bowl.

Redemption Ridge is for adrenalin junkies only. This track is way steep, and fast and intimidating. The best thing about is that it focuses all of your fears on just getting to the run, so that by the time you arrive at the top of Feuz Bowl and look into the abyss, dropping over the edge is a breeze.  

Saving the best for last — après ski at the beautiful Eagles Eye Restaurant at the top of the summit. The views are stunning and the food is exquisite. Kick back, have a Gluhwein ( a German mulled wine) or a cold beer and talk about fun you had on Kicking Horse’s slopes.

For current conditions, check out our SnowSeekers snow conditions page.

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