How big is Kicking Horse?
Kicking Horse has 85 pistes served by 5 lifts — 9th for pistes of the 15 resorts we track in Canada. On lifts it ranks 13th of the 15.
Kicking Horse resort guide
British Columbia, Canada
Champagne Powder and steep expert terrain
Kicking Horse at a glance
85
Pistes
5
Lifts
2,453m
Top
1,175m
Base
1,278m
Vertical
YXC
Nearest airport, 208 km
20% beginner20% intermediate60% advanced
Kicking Horse offers Champagne Powder, steep expert terrain, and stunning Rocky Mountain scenery in British Columbia.
Your questions about Kicking Horse, answered
How high is Kicking Horse?
The lifts run from 1175m at the base to 2453m at the top, a vertical of 1278m. Of the 15 resorts we track in Canada, that is the 3rd highest, with the 3rd biggest vertical.
Is Kicking Horse good for beginners or experts?
The pistes at Kicking Horse split 20% beginner, 20% intermediate and 60% advanced, against an average of 20% beginner and 34% advanced across the resorts we track in Canada.
On those numbers it suits confident skiers and riders looking for steep terrain.
For off-piste, our guide documents 3 zones at Kicking Horse, with the lift to take and the avalanche risk for each.
When is the ski season at Kicking Horse?
Over the last ten winters Kicking Horse has typically held skiable snow at mid-mountain from around 4 November to 28 May, about 207 days.
February is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 120cm, 36cm of new snow and 1.5 bluebird days.
Month-by-month snow history →What is the nearest airport to Kicking Horse?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies (YXC), 208km away in a straight line. Calgary (YYC) is 213km, Kelowna (YLW) is 222km. Road distances are longer, often much longer in the mountains, and the nearest airport is not always the one with the most flights.
How much is a lift pass at Kicking Horse?
A 6-day adult Kicking Horse lift ticket costs CA$1,130 for 2025/26, or CA$188 a day. For value it ranks 9th of the 15 resorts we price in Canada.
Full lift pass prices and history →Airports near Kicking Horse
Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.
- Cranbrook/Canadian RockiesYXC208 km
- CalgaryYYC213 km · major airport
- KelownaYLW222 km · major airport
Travel time to Kicking Horse
Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.
- Fly to Calgary (YYC)Quickest
- Flight
- 9h 20m · 7,014 km
- Transfer by road
- 4h 25m · 288 km
- Total
- ≈ 13h 45m
- Fly to Cranbrook/Canadian Rockies (YXC)
- Flight
- 9h 35m · 7,224 km
- Transfer by road
- 4h 20m · 281 km
- Total
- ≈ 16h 25m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Kelowna (YLW)
- Flight
- 9h 45m · 7,350 km
- Transfer by road
- 4h 35m · 300 km
- Total
- ≈ 16h 50m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, transfers at an average 65 km/h by road. They leave out check-in and baggage time, and mountain roads in snow can take much longer. Check with airlines and transfer companies before booking.
Kicking Horse lift pass 2025/26
CA$1,1306-day adult Kicking Horse lift ticket · ≈£604
CA$188 per day · 0.9 km of piste per € · #9 of 15 for value in Canada
Dynamic pricing — book early for lower prices
27value scorePremium price
Kicking Horse piste map
We publish a piste map only once we have checked it against the lift company's own file, and we do not yet have a verified map for Kicking Horse. Most resorts release the new season's map between October and December, so this page will fill in as winter approaches. In the meantime, Kicking Horse has 85 pistes and 5 lifts, running from 1,175m to 2,453m.
Why go to Kicking Horse
- Champagne Powder
- Steep expert terrain
- Stunning Rocky Mountain scenery
- Less crowded
- Authentic atmosphere
- Great facilities
Things to know
- Very challenging - not beginner friendly
- Can be expensive
- Limited beginner terrain
- Weather can be extreme
- Requires advanced skills
Skiing and snowboarding Kicking Horse by ability
Beginners
Kicking Horse is NOT recommended for beginners. The resort has very limited beginner terrain and most slopes are challenging. If you're a beginner, consider starting at a more beginner-friendly resort first.
Intermediates
Intermediate skiers should be cautious at Kicking Horse. While there are some intermediate runs, the resort is primarily known for advanced and expert terrain. Consider taking lessons and stick to marked intermediate pistes.
Advanced
Kicking Horse is a paradise for advanced skiers! The resort offers steep expert terrain, Champagne Powder, challenging off-piste opportunities, and stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. Perfect for experienced skiers seeking adventure.
Our take on Kicking Horse
Food & dining
Après-ski
Price level
Mid-range
Facilities
Official resort website: kickinghorseresort.com
More on Kicking Horse
- Kicking Horse snow reportLive conditions, snow depth and the 7-day forecast by elevation
- Kicking Horse snow historyTen seasons of snowfall, snow depth, powder days and when the season ends
- Kicking Horse lift pass pricesDay and week pass prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Kicking Horse off-piste guideWhere the powder is, which lift to take and the avalanche risk
- Kicking Horse off-piste guidesMountain guides and schools offering off-piste, touring and heli-skiing here.
- Ski resorts in CanadaLive snow reports and a map of resorts, cities and airports in Canada
Ski resorts near Kicking Horse
Distances are straight-line, not by road.