Going for Golden

Snow Alert: You all know that Western Canada has been blasted with snow all winter, right? Well, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has had 804cm (316in) of snowfall so far this season, exceeding its winter average already! The base is at 204cm (80in), with 145 runs wide open and all those amazing chutes and bowls!


What you may not know is that Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is part of the gentrifying community of Golden, BC.  One of the indicators that a ski town is getting on the mainstream mountain map is when it gets its own craft brewery. Not only does gorgeous Golden now have the Whitetooth Brewing Company, but it also won a second place award for one of its beers at the BC Beer Awards in 2017, its first year of business. Swiftly becoming THE après ski hub, Whitetooth is the brainchild of Kent Donaldson and partner, Mark Nagao who both live in Golden.

Blower Pow IPA from Whitetooth Brewing Co in Golden, BC - photo by Brenna Donaldson

When the budding business was still in the idea stage, Kent built a garage at his house first to install a home brew pilot system. Having chosen a big plot of land in central Golden, he coordinated the design of a new brewery building, upscaled to gleaming stainless steel commercial grade equipment, and hired Evan Cronshaw as Brewmaster to collaborate on the redolent recipes. "The pilot brewing system in the garage was a very useful testing ground in the development of the final beer recipes," Kent recalled.

Morph to now and Whitetooth Brewing produces 12 beers on tap - six core brews and six limited selections - which are quickly taking over the town. "Our beer is in most of the Golden restaurants and bars, at all the liquor stores, and also up at the bars on the mountain," said Kent's wife, Shelley Donaldson who I met recently when she was helping out in the tasting room. Beers are named for local attractions and pursuits: for example Icefields Pale Ale for the nearby glaciers on the Icefields Parkway, Speed Metal Stout as a nod to mountain biking, Thread the Needle Witbier for kayaking, Whitetooth Session Ale for rock climbing, Launchpad Rye Ale for paragliding, Blower Pow IPA for skiing as well as Truth, Dare and Consequence Imperial Stout which are ski runs at nearby Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. "We're very excited to be producing a special limited release beer for the Freeride World Tour at Kicking Horse this season," Shelley told me. 

Groomer on the lower slopes at Kicking Horse

With eye-catching aqua resin rivers decorating the slab tables, the tastefully-decorated tasting room is attracting locals and tourists from 2pm to closing time at 10pm. And filling growlers and kegs is also popular for home entertaining. There's a great panoramic patio for spring, too. "One of the attractions for the Donaldson family locating to Golden was the stellar alpine terrain and dry powder snow found at Kicking Horse, and the laid-back authentic vibe of this mountain town," said Kent. "Ironically, the demands of the brewery have cut into play time at the hill but morning laps on the gondola are still frequent on powder days, especially during peak snow months February and March."  

The Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, the longest freestanding timber frame bridge in Canada
Photo courtesy of Tourism Golden

Golden in general is gradually gentrifying with an al fresco focus around the huge array of sports and outdoorsy pursuits over three mountain ranges: Canadian Rockies, Selkirk and Purcell. Outdoor action includes resort skiing and snowboarding at Kicking Horse, snowmobiling, cat and heli skiing, Nordic skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice climbing in winter and sky-diving and gliding, hiking and heli-hiking, mountain and road biking, climbing and mountaineering, canoeing and kayaking, paddle-boarding, rafting, trail running, wildlife watching, horse riding, golfing, quad and dirt bike riding, and fishing in summer. The town is famous for its timber pedestrian bridge over the Kicking Horse River which was built by an international consortium from the Timber Framers' Guild together with local volunteers and sponsors. 

Moberly Lodge, Golden, BC

The magical mountain motif of Golden, with its mantra of 'Authentic Community Adventure', attracted the Haywards, a British couple, to buy a beautiful bed and breakfast property there in May 2015. Built from gleaming Golden Spruce, Moberly Lodge took off right away. "After a few upgrades and all new linen, towels and a few other things, we registered for Booking.com and Expedia and it all snowballed from there," said Lucille Hayward. "We went live on Booking.com one evening and woke up the next day to find a dozen bookings overnight." The Main Lodge and two Self Catering Cabins are booked solid from May to Thanksgiving and see a regular flow of visitors - some ski, some sledders, business travelers, general tourists - throughout the winter. You can even rent the whole property over New Year for the quintessential Winter Wonderland holiday retreat.

Highlights for winter visitors are the roaring fire in the Great Room, a muscle-massaging hot tub with its own roof on the front porch area, and family-feeling hospitality to cater for your every need. Lucille is an ace bread-maker and breakfast chef (think oven-baked feta/spinach omelettes, fruity parfaits, and creamy pancakes) and husband, Jonathon - a former Major in the Royal Engineers - is a dab hand at maintenance and construction. A third cabin is underway on the 12 acre woodland plot to accommodate the growing summer market. 

 Great Room at Moberly Lodge

View from CPR Ridge, Kicking Horse

They are both keen sportspeople, Lucille preferring skiing at Kicking Horse and Jonathon a fervent fan of hockey. "Every Wednesday and Thursday I join Endless Tuition, which is a ski class for all levels, intermediate and up," said Lucille. "Skiing with a group of people, you have that security and you are always learning. We did moguls today. I can now do most things on the mountain except for the double black chutes." She hopes to tackle CPR Ridge, negotiating one of the chutes into Feuz Bowl later this season. Although Jonathon is hockey-oriented - on the local team and a kids' coach - he is also getting the ski bug. "I learned to ski in Garmisch, Germany originally and now I'm starting the Sunday program at Kicking Horse called Adventure Skiing," he said. "I also ski a bit with a couple of guys from the hockey team." Their two sons, Jack (9) and Finlay (4) are also in ski lessons at the home hill, where there is a huge array of tuition choices for every age and level. 

Skiing above the clouds in Feuz Bowl at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

To stay at Moberly Lodge yourself, go to http://www.moberlylodge.com/; call 1 250 344 6676; Email: lucille@moberlylodge.com or admin@moberlylodge.com; or find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moberlylodge/; or Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoberlyLodge. 

Tourism professor and researcher, Dr Simon Hudson enjoying flat white and second hand books at Bacchus Books & Café

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort base area and village

Many people choose to stay on the hill at Kicking Horse for the ski in/out comforts, but even those visitors should try a trip into town to get the bigger picture of the area. For example: great dining at the Whitetooth Mountain Bistro - which focuses on local, sustainable, healthy, veggie, vegan and gluten-free offerings - creative coffee and lunch at Bacchus Books & Café, the artsy cottage Eleven 22 restaurant for modern comfort food, eclectic one-off shops in Main Street, and the local art scene anchored by the Art Gallery of Golden. 

Elegant Eagle's Eye at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Catamount carving area, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Back to the sensational skiing at Kicking Horse: this is a Purcell powder paradise with a unique mix of mega mountain views, ridge and chute skiing, gnarly hikes, big blue bowls, and dedicated learning lift and terrain. If you take the gondola, then ski to the Stairway to Heaven chair, then ski from the top back to the gondola base, the whole loop takes over an hour - and you will be grateful for the gondola rest. Eagle’s Eye Restaurant is arguably the best summit stop-off anywhere with heart-stopping views (voted Best View from a Bar Stool by Ski Canada mag), glamorous upscale mountain-modern décor, magical menus, and topnotch service. So gorgeous that it hosts over 50 weddings a year, many in the winter. And this season they introduced their own beer - Kicking Horse Ale now on tap. As well as staycation tourists, Kicking Horse attracts Banff and Lake Louise-based visitors who can hop on the Powder Keg Express shuttle with is free with the purchase of a Kicking Horse adult lift ticket. Alchemy of Ride's Lynne Harrison regularly skis there from her Canmore home: "It has super great steeps and that CPR chute wow," she says. "There are loads of natural features to ski on or jump off and Eagle's Eye Restaurant has fantastic views and great food."

Gorgeous Golden, BC, nestled below Kicking Horse Mountain Resort - credit Dave Best

Kicking Horse Updates

Deals:
For the latest deals and discounts go to: https://kickinghorseresort.com/purchase/winter-ski-vacation-hot-deals-packages/ 

Kicking Horse Lift Tickets:

Check out prices at: https://kickinghorseresort.com/purchase/lift-tickets/

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort by Antoine Caron Cabana

The Powder Highway
The “Powder Highway” refers to the group of authentic ski towns and resorts of the Kootenay Rockies in British Columbia. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a constant favourite known for its consistent conditions and is officially trademarked as the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada!

Dine, Stay, or get Married at 7,700 feet!
Not only is Eagle’s Eye the Highest Elevated Restaurant in Canada, but also is home to two luxury suites, where you can sleep on top of a mountain with all the amenities of a high end hotel. Dinner service is every Friday & Saturday night in the winter; however you can reserve the suites any night of the week during our operating seasons. A night at Eagle’s Eye includes a private chef, butler and instructor guide to help you get around the mountain. Perhaps the best perk is guaranteed first tracks in the morning.

Wrangle the Chute, Freeride World Qualifier
Each season the best in the sport gather on the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort slopes and compete in the IFSA Freeride World Qualifier event, last year being the only resort in Canada to host such a prestigious competition. With a recent new venue being introduced the comp has got even better with it now being on the Truth or Dare run off Terminator Ridge.

Ride by a Grizzly Bear
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is home to the world’s largest grizzly bear protected habitat in the world! See the resident bear, Boo, in action during the summer and during the winter, what do bears do? Hibernate, and that’s just what Boo does, right on the ski hill! Ride by him hibernating away in his home on the Grizzly Paw Run (#18). 

Ski Heaven - Back Country Skiing & Lodges, Heli & Cat Skiing
It’s easy to see why Golden is the ideal base for skiing enthusiasts. With the biggest concentration of back country lodges in Canada, 4 heli and cat skiing operations in our backyard (including the world famous Rogers pass at our doorstep) it’s no wonder we’re a top hub for die hard skiers from all over the globe. NEW this season: heli ski and be picked up right from Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, now that’s service!

Zen on Top - Courtesy of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Zen on Top – Mountain Top Yoga

What’s a better backdrop to relax and recharge than surrounded by Mother Nature. We have 3-4 mountain top yoga sessions during the winter, all are FREE and led by Golden local Jessica Pyper. These are held at the top of the mountain, on the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant Terrace, giving the ultimate environment for your yoga session!  

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to be only Freeride World Tour stop in Canada
After a long summer season of anticipation, the Freeride World Tour (FWT) launched the official competition calendar featuring a completely revamped competition schedule for the 2018 season. This year, the FWT unveiled two brand new locations for the opening events in Hakuba, Japan and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, BC, Canada – two legendary freeride destinations. The FWT was at Kicking Horse from February 3rd – 9th.

Rippin’ Betties Women’s Clinic
An affordable 2 day clinic led by a Golden local: “Led by women, for women. “Whether you are an intermediate skier/rider looking to build confidence or an advanced skier/rider eager for the challenges of double-black-diamond terrain, this clinic is designed for women looking to boost their confidence on off-piste terrain & learn some tricks to explore expert terrain with other great women. 

Social Media:

Facebook - @kickinghorsemountainresort 

Twitter and Instagram - @kickinghorsemtn
 

Courtesy of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort