Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, located in Golden, BC, had an early opening this weekend. The Golden Eagle Express Gondola was racing small crowds up 4,100 feet for top to bottom shredding. The Stairway and Catamount chairs were spinning top and bottom giving access to a large chunk of Kicking Horse’s great terrain.Fifty percent of the alpine bowls including Bowl Over, Crystal Bowl, Redemption Ridge South and all of the lower mountain were open for skiing.
Although it didn’t snow much in the days leading up to opening, all the south and east faces of the mountain were skiing great with soft creamy pow over the boots. Ski Patrol have been doing an excellent job of beating down the basal layers so until the next snow falls there is considerable boot packing to look out for on the North. South facing laps on Stairway Chair were the highlights of the day but then after catching the last chair up I found an untouched northerly chute right off the Gondola. Sunday saw clearer skies and slightly colder temperatures allowing you to enjoy the views and turn up the speed. Skiing on the lower mountain, below Catamount Chair, is a little thin and it is best to stick to Big Ben and Little Ben.
There are still pockets of creamy pow to be had but the majority of the mountain is half tracked. Moguls are popping up in a few places but it’s far to early to be a factor. The Groomed runs are fun and convoluted with the early season conditions.
SNOW TOTALS:
| Past 12 Hours: | 0 cm |
| Past 24 Hours: | 1 cm |
| Past 48 Hours: | 4 cm |
| Past 7 Days: | 9 cm |
| Season To Date: | 229 cm |
| Total Snow Depth Base/Top: | 82 cm / 95 cm |
The incoming warm weather is nipping at the base of Kicking Horse, but unlike many neighbours to the West we should avoid the top to bottom rain.
KICKING HORSE FORECAST:
