STORY AND PHOTOS BY : MARC LEPAGE
Although The Powder Highways lead us to the kicking Horse Mountain Resort, it’s the special hydrological cycle that keeps the snow seekers coming back, year after year. The trademark ‘’Champagne Powder Capital of Canada’’ is no exaggeration in this case. The kicking Horse River that flows in the valley below, has not only carved its way through the mountains as the last remnants of ancient glaciers, but has actually modified meteorological and hydrological patterns in the area. This mountain range receives incredible amounts of snow, and all of it in the extremely dry variety. The suspended snow crystals seem to be weightless and enjoying their dance with the mountain breeze.
From the top of The Whitewall and within an 8000 foot vertical drop, one can get a glimpse of frozen, gaseous and liquid rivers in the forms of snow, clouds and fresh water. Only after a few very special minutes can the resort guest start to appreciate the great variety of terrain and the superior snow quality only available in this very special place.
Once aboard the Golden Eagle Express Gondola, please be ready for adventure. From the Eagle’s Eye summit, the expert skier can access 75+ black and double black trails, while the novice or intermediate skier can make their way down the 1260 meter vertical on wide and ever flowing groomed runs. Each journey down the mountain can take up to an hour depending on you physical and emotional reaction to your alpine journey. It is not uncommon to only complete five to six runs in your day while still racking up six to seven thousand vertical meters in this white toothed paradise.
To really appreciate the immensity of this place, the adventurer must complete the trek to all four lifts and bowls to fully comprehend what this ridge has to offer. My two day journey to Kicking Horse produced RSA snow conditions evaluations of 98% and 99%. All trails and all areas of this mountain resort are in pristine condition after having received more than 4 meters of fresh and dry B-C powder in the month of December. From the bumps on Porcupine to the perfectly groomed Race Place or Wiley Coyote, skiers of all levels will be pleased with the velvety soft snow. Raise those arms and feel the freedom!
For the advanced expert, these are the mountain sides that that can make you, or break you. For powder hounds, the effort usually gives way to a great reward. The ridge lines and chutes offer limitless opportunity to feel the real power of gravity. Easily accessed by groomed traverses and a little hiking, you can ride most chutes on the mountain within ten minutes of your arrival at the summit. The steeps here are the real deal and merit respect from even the best.
At this point, may I suggest having a coffee at the Eagle’s Eye restaurant after every two runs? The expert staff makes you feel important with their water first policy! Have lunch and enjoy. The soup and sandwich daily special and reservations are strongly recommended.
In the end, whether your journey to Kicking Horse is an annual pilgrimage or a first time, this bucking bronco just may give you an unexpected kick in the teeth. Be sure to enjoy it responsibly and in moderation!
Marc Lepage
Locoski
RSA Member 461-s
January 20016
