New season, new systems
New season, new systems!
How to smooth out your first day on the slopes.
Well, here we are!
We’ve made it to another ski season during a pandemic, and while some regulations will stay the same as last season, we are also dealing with a few new ones. Here are some guidelines to help make your first day out in the mountains as smooth as possible for you and your family.
Request your Season Pass or Direct to Lift Card in advance
If you have purchased a season pass, you should have received an email requesting your upload your QR code/proof of immunization online. Please upload your information and request your pass be sent to you as soon as possible. Ensuring your pass gets into our printing queue as soon as possible allows you the best chance of receiving your pass ahead of your first visit. If you have not received your email requesting proof of immunization, please feel free to reach out to our guest services team to request one by emailing information@skircr.com. If you have requested your pass but have not received it before your first day, you will need to visit the resort Guest Services building to receive a day ticket and show proof of immunization. If you are having problems with our system accepting your Proof of Immunization please refer to our FAQ’s to find out why.
Mind our Know Before you Go updates
While many of our guidelines have stayed the same, a key update this season is the requirement to be fully vaccinated to access our resort lifts and facilities. Please refer to the information above on how to provide this ahead of your visit.
Bring your QR Code on your first few visits
To ensure we have record of your information, we encourage you to have your QR Code and government-issued photo id with you on your first few trips. If you purchase day tickets, you will need to show proof of immunization when picking up your lift tickets each time you visit.
Limit your baggage and prepare for a few lineups
We will not be allowing bags to be stored unattended in our daylodge or common areas. Please ensure you’re leaving any unnecessary baggage in your car or purchase a locker. While requiring proof of immunization should help alleviate some lineups at our lifts and facilities, please note that some people may still choose to stay distanced from others; we ask you to respect the wishes of those around you.
Be kind
As always, we ask you to be kind to our fellow guests and also our staff. Please realize our front-line staff are working hard to ensure you enjoy your experience and share your passion for the mountains. Let’s all work together to make our mountain experience an enjoyable one.
Photo by Tim Grey
- Published in Winter
Mid Winter Check Up on Boo
While skiing by the Grizzly Bear Refuge this week you may have noticed some staff members around Boo’s enclosure.
This year, Boo has had the unique opportunity to hibernate in his main enclosure as opposed to his usual winter holding area. This is a first for Boo, giving him the experience to spend the winter in a den he has created on his own.
Over the past few days our team members have been working hard on extending the Bear Refuge Habitat fence by four more wires. This is to ensure that come spring time Boo and everyone around the Refuge are happy and safe with the added snowpack!
Boo’s natural den is dug into the roots of an old Spruce stump and is about ten feet into the earth. At the den entrance is a large tunnel about 3 feet in width and 4 feet long. This entry way slants slightly to the left and has a mound of dirt at the end of it creating a windbreak. Past this windbreak you find a large, round area about seven feet in width which is used as the main “sleeping quarters”.
On warmer days, Boo may stretch out to his tunnel and create a break in the snow that has covered the den entrance. On very cold days like we have had recently, Boo will be tucked deep into the back of his den, as it is heavily insulated with the snowpack and deep earth. In the fall, Boo will prepare his den by collecting bedding such as grasses, leaves, and fireweed from the nearby areas. He will roll the bedding up into large tufts, and then proceed to roll it backwards into his den entrance, setting it up in his bedding area. This will add additional warmth and comfort throughout the winter season.
The amazing part of this process is that Boo has never been taught how to hibernate, create a den, or even collect his bedding material. This behavior is based solely on instinct.
You can visit Boo this summer! Stay tuned for upcoming information about the day to day life of Boo the Bear and the team who care for him and get information about visiting our Grizzly Bear Interpretive Centre on our website.
Words by Catherine Cowan, Grizzly Bear Ranger
We’re Kicking Off the 2020.21 Season Thursday, December 10th
Golden, B.C – After the abrupt end to last winter, all of us here at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort are incredibly excited to welcome you to the resort on Thursday, December 10, 2020! While our operations will look different this winter, we are really stoked to have the opportunity to welcome skiers and riders to the mountain.
Our team worked hard this summer to deliver a safe environment for our staff, our guests and our community. From that experience and guided by the expertise and direction of various organizations, including WorkSafeBC, the Canada West Ski Areas Association, and provincial and local health authorities, we have developed a comprehensive COVID-19 winter operation plan that addresses the complex and unprecedented situation we are currently facing.
Despite all of the planning we have done, the privilege of having a long, safe and healthy season will depend on all of us and our ability to follow public health orders and the measures all businesses in our town, including ours, have put in place. There are many in this community, and likely among you who are feeling anxious about where things are at currently, and uncertain about what the right thing to do is. But if we all work at this together, be respectful, kind and do our part to keep us and those around us safe, then we believe that we can play among the mountain tops this winter.
Here are some of the changes you can expect at the resort this season:
1. Face coverings are to be worn at all times including when you leave your vehicle, in the base area, in lift lines and while riding lifts, all indoor outlets, washrooms.
2. As a result of our safety protocols surrounding the COVID Virus and looking to create a safe environment for our guests, this season we will be closely monitoring lift capacity and ticket sales to help ensure that we can manage daily the number of people at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Day lift tickets will be available at our resort ticket windows daily. However, on high demand days only a certain number of day lift tickets will be sold – so one should use the opportunity to pre-purchase your lift tickets online to guarantee you get the ski day’s you want on those days. We do anticipate some periods of higher demand, so to avoid disappointment, it is recommended that you pre-purchase your lift tickets online and in advance as some dates may sell out.
3. Resort capacity is being managed through the sale of lift tickets. On high demand days the availability of tickets will be reduced, so pre-purchasing online is strongly recommended in order to ensure you get the dates you want.
4. Lift lines will be adjusted and stretched out to accommodate physical distancing of 2m between cohort groups.
5. The Golden Eagle Express gondola has undergone an anti-microbial treatment, and will see increased cleaning daily. Cabins will be loaded with family or cohort groups, up to 8 if that is the size of your family or cohort group. Singles will be required to ride with one other single, and loaded after every 5 or 6 cabins. The windows in the cabins will be kept open to improve air flow.
6. As we follow restaurant guidelines, the seating capacity in Eagle’s Eye Restaurant and The Whitetooth Grill have been reduced, and there is a maximum of 6ppl allowed per table. As such reservations will be required in order to dine in both of these outlets, and this can be done in advance through Opentable.ca or www.kickinghorseresort.com. Heaven’s Door Yurt will be open daily, and plexiglass dividers have been placed to maximize the use of the seating.
7. There will be capacity restrictions in place for other outlets so make sure to read signs as you enter and follow the directions. This includes the Performance Rental Centre, so it is strongly recommended that you pre-purchase online to speed up the process for yourself.
8. There will be no bag storage in the daylodge due to physical distancing and sanitization measures. Therefore it is required that you gear up, and leave your belongings at your vehicle.
To review these and other measures being implemented this season, and to keep updated on any new developments make sure to visit our COVID19 information page. Now more so than ever before it is important to Know Before You Go.
We have all been through so much change this year, and change is hard for all of us. But these changes we are making at the resort at least come with the special reward and privilege of chasing our powder filled dreams with our friends and families.
We appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation – “Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe”
Think Snow!
KHMR Team
Photo by Jeff Bartlett
- Published in Press Release, Winter
6 breathtaking views and awesome adventures you won’t believe are less than a days drive from Calgary
If you live in Calgary, you’re actually pretty lucky to! Being able to live in a beautiful urban area surrounded by gorgeous mountains is certainly something to be thankful for. On top of the views, being so close to seemingly endless outdoor adventure and activities are an accolade many cities don’t have to brag about. If you’re looking for outdoor fun while maintaining social distance, here are a few suggested short staycations to consider.
Golden, B.C
Hiking & Via Ferrata at Kicking Horse
Let’s start with Golden, B.C, home to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and just a 2.5 hour drive from Calgary’s north side. One of the unique aspects of Kicking Horse is the view of 6 National Parks from the peak of the mountain. And guess what, the peak of the mountain is easily within your reach! Kicking Horse has gondola accessed hiking and dining that offer some of the most stunning views you’ll find. And if you’re looking for something a little more to get the adrenaline pumping, the views from Via Ferrata are intense not just due to the views but due to the fact that you’re dangling off the side of a mountain or the suspension bridge (all while harnessed in of course).
Fernie, B.C
Views from town and the top of the mountain
Continuing onto what is already many Calgarians’ favourite short trip to make is Fernie, B.C. An easy 2.5/3 hour drive from the south end of Calgary along the Cowboy Trail you’ll drive right into Fernie’s town site, where you are literally surrounded by mountains on all sides. Continue through the town to Fernie Alpine Resort and you will not be disappointed. The views of the Lizard Range from the base of Fernie Alpine Resort are breathtaking enough, but by taking a ride on the Elk Chairlift you’ll get a view of the valley of Fernie, B.C that can’t be matched.
Kimberley, B.C
Hiking & Biking
People love to describe Kimberley as a hidden gem in the rockies – and that’s exactly what it is. You’ll need to turn off the main highway to find this town but trust us, it’s worth the time. Not only can you hike up the ski hill at the resort to take in some of the gorgeous views of the town from the top of the mountain, but Kimberley, like the others above have an array of trail networks in and around the towns. One of the places that is a must do while in Kimberley is the short walk to the Marysville waterfalls, it’s another one of those hidden gems you don’t expect to find so easily and is definitely worth the short trek out to it!
Places to stay along the way
Even though you can easily visit any one of these towns and get back to Calgary in a day, staying overnight is always a nice option to have!
✅ Gorgeous slopeside mountain views
✅ Outdoor patios & in hotel restaurants offering take out
✅ Outdoor pools & hot tubs
✅ Close to all activities & adventures
✅ Convenient and safe – all our suites have full kitchens
Both of our feature properties at Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort feature all of the above, making either location a great basecamp for your quick getaway or longer staycation.
See special offers at Lizard Creek Lodge
See special offers at Trickle Creek Lodge
We realize this can be a difficult time to consider travelling, before heading out on your trip check on the Alberta & British Columbia government website for any guidelines or restrictions at your time of travel. To see what safety procedures and routines we have put in place visit our resort or hotel websites.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort COVID information.
Feature Photo by Powder Matt
Mountain Bike Preview Weekends – Two Opportunities to get on the Trails Early
June 5, 2019 – Can’t wait to get on the mountain and do some biking?
We’ll be open for TWO special preview weekends before our full time opening – June 8th & 9th as well as June 15th & 16th.
Riders can enjoy 11 runs accessed off the Catamount Chair, open from 10am – 4pm. Mountain Bike rentals will be available from the Performance Rental Centre.
Full opening is on June 22nd – get more information on our website.
Mountain Bike Trails Open on Preview Weekends;
#1 – It’s a Ten
#4 – Superberm
#2 – Lower Pioneer
#17 – LYM
#8 – Trapper Trail
#10 – Claim Jumper
#11 – Easy Rider
#5 – Buffalo Jump
#7 – Devil’s Disco
#20 – Swamp Donkey
#32 – Jump Zone
Upcoming Summer Events;
Canada Day Trail Race – July 1st – Ring in Canada’s birthday with us at the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort! This family-friendly alpine race course will start and finish at the top of the Gondola. There will be a 10K and a 5K race. The course will be a mix of single-track and double track. More details on the specific course routing will be release in mid-June. More information.
Western Open Canada Cup – July 19th – 21st – Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is proud to be the host site for the Dunbar Series Kicking Horse Western Open Canada Cup Downhill Race on July 21, 2019. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has a long history of hosting great downhill events including BC Cup races from 2012-2017 and is looking forward to finally hosting Canada Cup competitors! Registration information.
For more event information see our online events calendar.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter, Facebook & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Release
The Largest Terrain Expansion in Canada is Open to the Public
Golden, B.C – Hot off the heels of a successful Freeride World Tour event, the revered Ozone face has now opened to the public. This marks the completion of the new terrain expansion for the 2018-19 season, adding over 600 acres of incredible big mountain lines.
To access, hike up to Whitewall, ride down the ridge and then hike to the top of Ozone reaching the new high point of the resort at 2,505 m (8,218 ft), then drop into some of the rowdiest in-bounds terrain you can imagine. Ride it like the pros in the Freeride World Tour!
‘This is a one-of-a-kind skiing and riding experience’, says Matt Mosteller, ‘combine the best of Mother Nature’s wildest terrain with the incredible Champagne Powder of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and you have a real treat’, he added.
This is big! In fact so big, it’s the biggest terrain expansion in Canada this winter, so give yourself some time to learn the lines, scope out entry points, take it easy on the first go, and make sure you check in with Ski Patrol and/or Winter Sports School for the best tips on how to ski it and or for your own skill enhancement to take it on!
*Ozone is double black extremely advanced terrain, we advise anyone to ride with caution and only enter with appropriate ability level.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Release
Kicking Horse to open for winter season on December 7th
Golden, BC – We’re kicking it up at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, with our opening date this Friday, December 7th. As always we will be running our popular First Gondola Raffle with all proceeds going to the Golden Food Bank. Visit Guest Services to purchase your first Gondola raffle ticket to support a great organization and for the chance to be the first on the slopes for the season!
‘Plan ahead for your riding tradition this winter so you don’t miss out – you’ll want to check out later this winter the new terrain- in fact the largest terrain expansion in Canada this winter. More terrain to go around here’, says Powder Matt Mosteller, Senior VP of Marketing & Resort Experience at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.
Please note, we will be opening with early season conditions and limited terrain, to see all the details please visit our Snow Report on our website.
What makes this season the season to visit Kicking Horse? Check it out on our featured blog post by Matt Cote.
NEW this season at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort – the Horse is back with more kick than ever! With our recent expansion in Rudi’s Bowl. ‘Bigger is sometimes better. This massive terrain expansion also made the vertical change. Don’t hold back on the reigns, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is now the 5th biggest vertical in North America’, said Powder Matt.
Book your vacation to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort this winter, with great places to stay on mountain including everything from cabins and private homes to ski in/ski out condo lodges. Don’t forget the whole array of awesome options in the community of Golden. For more information and to book your ski vacation visit www.skircr.com/vacations.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Release
Winter is most certainly on its way with the announcement of The Freeride World Tour (FWT) 2019 calendar.
Lutry, Switzerland– October, 2019 – As autumn begins to quickly spread through the high mountains, the moment to announce the FWT19 calendar has finally arrived. In 2019, FWT athletes will return to five of the most challenging and pristine freeride venues the globe has to offer.
50 of the world’s best freeriders in four categories – ski men, ski women, snowboard men, and snowboard women – will face-off in big mountain arenas spanning across three continents for their chance to be Freeride World Champion. Following the fourth stop in Vallnord-Arcalís, Andorra only riders holding enough points will have the opportunity to compete in the final stop in Verbier, Switzerland in March.
With an incredible lineup of riders already confirmed – from hungry rookies, hard charging veterans and legendary wild cards such as Tanner Hall (USA) and Victor De Le Rue (FRA) – the FWT19 is shaping up to be an epic show.
And without further ado, the FWT19 calendar:
1) HAKUBA, JAPAN – THE WINTER BEGINS
JANUARY 19-26, 2019
2) KICKING HORSE GOLDEN BC, CANADA – TIME TO GET ROWDY
FEBRUARY 02-08, 2019
3) FIEBERBRUNN, AUSTRIA – HOLD THE LINE
FEBRUARY 22-28, 2019
4) VALLNORD-ARCALÍS, ANDORRA – CRUNCH TIME
MARCH 02-08, 2019
5) VERBIER, SWITZERLAND – THE GRANDE FINALE
MARCH 23 – 31, 2019
Don’t miss any rider news and competition information. Follow FWT social media channels and stay tuned to www.freerideworldtour.com as the competition season approaches!
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
Photo: Andrew Chad
- Published in Press Release
What’s New? Mountain Improvements & Upgrades for the Upcoming Ski Season
Golden, B.C – Kicking Horse is well known as being the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada and each ski season we make various improvements, upgrades and program changes in order to keep providing out guests with the world class experience they are accustomed to at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Some highlights for this season are;
The Epic Pass
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies’ Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Nakiska Ski Area, Mont-Sainte-Anne, and Stoneham will join the industry-leading Epic Pass in a long-term alliance beginning with 2018-19 winter season, bringing the total to 61 mountain resorts around the world for skiers and snowboarders.
Major Terrain Expansion
‘Yee-Haw’ winter with the addition of new terrain being added! In fact, over-time this will be the biggest new terrain expansion in Canada. This year, potentially, a stomping 660 acres could open up, starting with the famous Ozone (featured on the Freeride World Tour last year) and Middle Ridge offering skiing into both Fuez Bowl & parts of Rudi’s Bowl. Increases the epic vertical to 4,460 feet and the area to 3,500+ acres of total terrain. This would not be possible without the tremendous support of Purcell Heli Skiing.
Freeride Events
Kicking Horse is excited to be the only North American stop on the Freeride World Tour yet again this coming winter. Some of the most exciting big mountain action can be witnessed in person during the week of Feb 2 to 8, 2019. This is the ultimate compliment to other freeride events we host annually – Jeep Junior Freeski series – Feb 7-10, 2019 and Wrangle the Chute 2* and 4* Freeride World Qualifier – March 6-10, 2019.
New Equipment
We’re adding 1 new grooming cat to our fleet! Plus our new cats are ‘Tier 4’, innovative technology from Pinroth, meaning they meet the new emission standards.
Best Family Ski Resort
We’re proud to have been named the in the Top 5 Family Ski Resorts in Canada by the publication ‘Ski & Snowboard with Kids’. Ski & Snowboard with Kids is Australia’s only ski magazine for families.
More fun for Families
We have extended our Horse Play Corral, giving families a longer experience through the forest and it will also be great for our beginner Winter Sports School lessons.
New Shuttle Service
Getting to Kicking Horse is easier than ever. A shuttle service connecting Calgary International Airport to the resort will run twice a week, via the Banff Brewster Airport Express. Service runs Wednesday and Saturday from December to March.
Some information is subject to change.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Release
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort recently named in Top 5 Best Family Ski Resorts in Canada
July 31, 2018 – We’re proud and honoured to be named in the Top 5 Best Family Ski Resorts in Canada by the Australian publication Ski & Snowboard with kids magazine!
At Kicking Horse Mountain Resort we put an emphasis on family bonding and fun and offer a variety of family oriented events, programs and activities throughout the winter. Some of the family friendly activities we feature are a slopeside skating rink, tube park and snowshoeing. Noto nly do we also have fun and informative ski school programs for kids and families, we also have events throughout the winter family focused including The Sugar Shack (Quebec’s maple syrup tradition), Easter Egg hunts, 50% off tickets for family days and family friendly concerts.
Book your family winter getaway
Book early and save big! There are winter vacation packages for next season available online to purchase, by booking early you ensure you get the date and location you want and can take advantage of early bird savings. Visit our website for all the options and to book today.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter, Facebook & Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in Press Release
