Industry News
In the recently released 2025 Snomad Ski Resort Awards, which rate ski destinations around the globe for off-piste excellence, Canada’s Kicking Horse Resort emerged as the highest-ranked North American ski area—and second overall worldwide—underscoring its reputation among serious powder hunters.
Snomad, a data-platform based on reviews from more than 220,000 skiers and snowboarders, assesses resorts according to their back-country and off-piste terrain, accessibility, avalanche-control support, and skier feedback. Kicking Horse earned an off-piste rating of 4.84 out of 5, based on 105 reviews, putting it just behind Switzerland’s Engelberg (5.00).
One reviewer described it as “unbelievable terrain that’s hard to believe is still in bounds,” citing countless couloirs and expansive bowls easily accessible via short hikes of five to twenty minutes. The results place Kicking Horse ahead of other North American heavyweights including Revelstoke, Jackson Hole, Snowbird, Alyeska and Grand Targhee—all of which ranked in the top ten globally.
Kicking Horse’s performance reflects a growing demand among advanced skiers for terrain that bridges back-country thrills and lift-access convenience. For operators and resort developers alike, the accolade signals success: a place where control and safety meet deep snow, steep lines and vertical drops.
Seven North American resorts made the Snomad Off-Piste list in 2025, affirming the region’s global standing in freeride skiing. Yet for all the North American brio, one surprising omission stands out: Japan, long revered for its deep powder and legendary off-piste zones, did not feature in the Snomad rankings—or the voting pool. That omission raises questions about the sample base and regional awareness behind the awards. Japanese resorts have dominated powder reports and freeride travel itineraries for years—but either fewer Snomad reviewers visited or regional review-density remains low. The result is a ranking that may tilt toward the Western ski market.
Snowmad’s full 2025 ranking for best off-piste resort are as follows:
- Engelberg, Switzerland (5.0 points)
- Kicking Horse, BC (4.84 points)
- Revelstoke, BC (4.81 points)
- Jackson Hole, WY (4.78 points)
- Snowbird, UT (4.77 points)
- Alyeska, AK (4.76 points)
- Grand Thargee, WY (4.76 points)
- Saint Foy Tarantaise, France (4.72 points)
- Verbier, Switzerland (4.68 points)
- Alta, UT (4.68 points)
Still, the recognition for Kicking Horse remains clear and unequivocal and will serve as a drawing card for international visitors seeking great freeride opportunities.
