Arriving in Calgary & Kicking Horse Mountain, Golden, BC

We arrived into Calgary Saturday evening and were picked up from the airport by our friend Chris. Since then we have been lucky enough to stay with Chris and Natasha in their fantastic condo in downtown Calgary. We really have to say a huge thank you for looking after us so well, from taking us to look at cars to taking me on a guys trip to Kicking Horse mountain catching some amazing fresh power. Their condo is a short walk into the city centre and has been great for us to check out the city and get all the little things we have needed to get organised before we head to Banff. Thanks very much Chris and Tash we really appreciate it!

Over the weekend Chris had been checking out the snow forecast and reports and Kicking Horse in BC came up the winner with approx 20cm of fresh snow on Sunday / Sunday night. So we headed off early Monday morning with 2 of Chris's mates for theirs and my first day of the season on the snow. The 3 locals told me that Kicking Horse is their favorite mountain, it didn't disappoint. I'd have to say it has the best terrain I've been on with some amazing runs, bowls and chutes. Best area of the day was definitely Feuz Bowl which opened up around midday after the ski patrol had set off charges to get rid of any avalanche risks.

A few facts about Kicking Horse before the pictures that speak for themselves.

Kicking Horse Mountain, Golden BC
The fourth highest vertical drop in North America.
VERTICAL: 1,260 metres (4,133 feet)
SKIABLE ACREAGE: 2,800+ acres
ELEVATION:
* Top of Kicking Horse: 2,450 metres (8,033 feet)
* Bottom of the lowest chair: 1,190 metres (3,900 feet)

Monday, 13 December 2010

The bottom of the resort was underneath the clouds but is so high you come through the clouds into the clear sky above. Very pretty.

Boarding down into the clouds.

Says it all.

Bottom of Feuz Bowl, just over my right shoulder was where we came down.

Tim, Chris and Jesse, thanks for a great 1st day of the season.

Snow sun shower.

Think Twice, a ridge we dropped off down into Crystal Bowl.

Top of the ridge before dropping into Feuz Bowl.

Rest stop on the way home, anyone for a picnic?

Mountain View from the rest area.

Same Again. Over all a great day, very tiring in so much soft snow, I'll definitely be back to Kicking Horse by the end of the trip.