Kicking Horse

Q: Is Kicking Horse a beginner mountain?

No, and an honest instructor will say so. The great majority of its 1,200 m of vertical is rated advanced or expert, in four big alpine bowls reached from a single gondola. Where it earns a lesson is the step into big-mountain terrain: steep bowls, and learning to read where the snow is safe. Calgary is around three hours through Banff, on a road that closes for avalanche control after big storms.

Columbia Mountains, British ColumbiaSee it on the map

Region

Columbia Mountains, British Columbia

Country

Canada

Local time

America/Edmonton

Currency

USD

Kicking Horse rises above Golden, between the Rockies and the Columbias, and it is unapologetically a steep skier's mountain: over 1,200 m of vertical, with the great majority of the terrain rated advanced or expert, in four big alpine bowls reached from a single gondola.

The interior position gives it the light, dry snow the coast never sees.

Last reviewed 14 September 2026

Best suited to

Advanced skiers
Off-piste and freeride
Intermediates

Featured instructors at Kicking Horse

No instructors available at this resort yet

Nobody is offering lessons here for now — try a nearby resort, or check back soon.

Do you teach at Kicking Horse?

Join Alpine Pal, publish your profile and reach the customers already looking for lessons right here.

Become an instructor

Where lessons start

Not a beginner mountain, and an honest instructor will say so. Where it earns the fee is the step into big-mountain terrain: steep bowls, and reading where the snow is safe.

Getting there

Calgary is around three hours through Banff on the Trans-Canada; the road crosses passes that close for avalanche control after big storms.

See it on the map

Qualifications required in Canada

Canada has no state teaching licence. The professional standard is the Instructor certification, and Alpine Pal shows what each instructor actually holds so you can judge it for yourself.

Find instructors in Canada

Kicking Horse: common questions

Is Kicking Horse a beginner mountain?

No, and an honest instructor will say so. The great majority of its 1,200 m of vertical is rated advanced or expert, in four big alpine bowls reached from a single gondola. Where it earns a lesson is the step into big-mountain terrain: steep bowls, and learning to read where the snow is safe. Calgary is around three hours through Banff, on a road that closes for avalanche control after big storms.