Kicking Horse, Canada - BC

AB from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Just back from Kicking Horse after 3 days spent there in Jan 2009; last went in 2003. As with all resorts, this place massively improves with a good dump of snow. 2007/08 was a record breaking season at Kicking Horse so this was a phenomenal place to ski/ride then. When I went this year (2009) there had been no snow for 15 days so the bowls/runs were hard packed/icy/tracked out and not much fun - contrary to other reports in previous years there was NO pow to be found in trees/bowls. The 'village' has improved since my last visit - there are now accommodations at the base and somewhere to eat 'n drink. Golden (nearest town 15/20 min drive depending on conditions) also seems to have expanded to meet increased demand from skiers/riders. Only compensation for the lack of decent snow at Kicking Horse was the restaurant at the top of the gondola which still serves fab grub even if the wine list was reduced from fully international to local BC wines; nothing against BC wines but occasionally would want an alternative. The restaurant can be enjoyed no matter what the snow conditions - that's why I may come back again but for only a few days. It's an awfully long way to come from Britain if the snow here is poor as there really is no good skiing unless the pow is here 'cos the steeps are short and after them, the bottom 3/4 of the mountain (in reality, no matter what the piste map says) is a dreary blue. In pow this place would be fantastic - empty runs, lots of lines through trees, 3 (?) bowls - but I haven't yet been lucky enough to experience it.

2009-02-09