While skiers and snowboarders know all about Kicking Horse’s legendary powder, summer might be this Rocky Mountain resort’s best-kept secret. When the snow melts, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort transforms from winter wonderland to summer’s adventure playground.
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I’ve been going to Kicking Horse for a few years now with our family. We love it because it offers that perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping adventure and serene natural beauty. Even if you’re a seasoned traveller, it’ll leave you breathless – not just from the elevation. Read on to discover how this mountain paradise kicks it up a notch.
Where is Kicking Horse Mountain Resort?
Situated in the Kootenay Rockies of British Columbia, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort sits quietly above the charming town of Golden, a 15-minute drive away. It’s a scenic 3 hour drive west of Calgary, 8 hours east of Vancouver, and less than 2 hours from Revelstoke.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Summer
The champagne powder capital isn’t just a winter playground. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in summer is an adventure hub with serious altitude and attitude (the good kind!). Ride the gondola to epic alpine views, hike through wildflower meadows, tackle some of Canada’s best lift-accessed mountain biking, or test your nerves on the sky-high via ferrata.
Want to keep it chill? Try a round of disc golf, snap photos of Boo the resident grizzly, or just soak it all in over lunch at Canada’s highest restaurant. It’s the kind of place where mountain magic happens easily and affordably. Here are our favourite summer activities at Kicking Horse.
Kicking Horse Via Ferrata
If you’ve ever fantasized about climbing a mountain like a real mountaineer, you’ll want to tackle the Kicking Horse Via Ferrata. It offers all the thrill of rock climbing without requiring decades of experience or upper body strength.
Securely clipped to a steel cable system, you’ll scale craggy rock faces while internally debating if “moderately terrified” is a normal emotional state for a vacation activity. (It is.)
There are three course routes of differing levels—all exploring Terminator Peak’s north face.
You’ll start with a quick hike to the course. Our first challenge came quickly—a 90-foot suspension bridge. No, I could not hang horizontally from the steel cable, but you could!
The exposure is real, but you’re guided the entire way. What I really appreciated about the Kicking Horse Via Ferrata experience is that there’s no double carabiner system. Just one clip from your safety harness into the steel cable affixed to the course gives you a very confident measure of security. (And you’re not bashing your knuckles along rocks as I tend to do with the double clip system.)
If you’re looking for a different yet thrilling way to experience the mountains, be sure to book this experience.
Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge
Wildlife viewing takes on a whole new meaning at Kicking Horse’s Grizzly Bear Refuge, home to Boo, an orphaned grizzly. The refuge is the largest enclosed and protected mountainside habitat in North America. And it’s located right on the mountain at Kicking Horse.
Before we get into the experience, it’s good to know how it came into being. In 2002 Boo the bear was orphaned at 4 months old after a hunter killed his mother. Grizzly cubs have a 50% survival rate at the best of times, and without a mother, it plummets to a 5% survival rate.
There weren’t a lot of options for rehabilitating bears back into the wild 20 years ago. That’s why a 20-acre refuge was built here. It was designed for research to see if orphaned cubs can learn the skills they need without their mother. Thanks to Boo, we found out they could.
Boo learned how to dig a den and forge for his own food (there are 11 different species of berries, plus squirrels to tempt him). Because of this research at Kicking Horse’s Grizzly Bear Refuge, 36 other bear cubs have been released back into the wild.
Boo is quite the character and on the Ranger Assist Program, you get a behind the scenes perspective to learn more about this adorable grizzly, his habits and how he’s leading the charge in bear behaviour.
Obviously, this is an excellent activity for families. Even without a kid in tow, The Huz and I really enjoyed it. (I’ve gone twice and would totally visit a third time.)
Kicking Horse Summer Gondola
Thanks to Kicking Horse’s summer gondola, lift-assisted hiking and biking are the way to go. It’s particularly great for families with young children or those who may not have the time or fitness level to tackle a challenging alpine trek on their own.
The resort’s gondola whisks you effortlessly to 7,700 feet, where alpine meadows explode in technicolour wildflower displays that look suspiciously like your desktop wallpaper come to life. Fiery Indian paintbrushes sway alongside delicate mountain daisies, creating the perfect photo backdrop.
No heavy breathing or burning calves required—just step off the gondola and into a pristine mountain playground, where the hardest decision you’ll face is which panoramic vista to capture first.
Hiking trails range from gentle meadow strolls to more adventurous ridge walks, each offering frame-worthy Rocky Mountain views that make your social media followers question their life choices. It’s a high-altitude adventure with a low-effort entry—what’s not to love?
Mountain Biking at Kicking Horse
The resort’s renowned mountain bike park features 35 km of trails that wind through wildflower meadows and dense forests. Difficulty levels range from gentle family cruises to technical descents that will test even the most experienced riders. Most excitingly, you’ll find over 3,700 ft of vertical drop.
The bike park’s progressive learning environment means everyone from wobbly beginners to fearless daredevils can find their sweet spot. And unlike certain coastal mountain biking destinations, you won’t need to remortgage your home to afford a day pass.
Gear and mountain bike rentals can be found onsite, plus there’s a tech shop should you need to make any repairs or pick up product.
Disc Golf
Disc golf is one of Canada’s fastest-growing sports, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a course as picturesque as the 18 holes offered at Kicking Horse. Perched high on the mountain, the course winds through alpine meadows and towering pines, with sweeping views of the Columbia River Valley and Rocky Mountains at nearly every turn.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just tossing for fun, it’s the kind of activity where you’ll want to stop and snap a few photos between throws. And hey—if your game’s a little off, the scenery more than makes up for it.
Bring your own discs or purchase them at Outfitters.
Events at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
What you really want to do before visiting is check the events calendar. We happened upon a meteor shower viewing night. There were still tickets available, so we got a full-on astronomy evening led by a Royal Astronomical Society of Canada member.
Included in our experience was dinner at Eagle’s Eye and tips on how to best capture the stars, the northern lights and meteors streaking across the sky.
Eagle’s Eye Restaurant
Perched 7,700 feet above sea level, Eagle’s Eye restaurant isn’t just about the food—though the locally sourced menu is pretty divine. It’s about the experience: dining above it all with panoramic views stretching across five—count ’em, FIVE—national parks. Canada’s highest-elevation restaurant (yes, we’re talking vertical feet) pairs fine dining with mountain magic.
The rustic-elegant dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows and chairs crafted from branches, like a chic alpine cabin in the sky. It’s also a killer spot for family photos, with jaw-dropping scenery just steps from your table.
Lunch featured hearty handhelds, soups, and vibrant salads when we visited. A standout? The chicken thigh sandwich with fig and brie—savoury, sweet, and perfectly paired with a colourful, veggie-loaded side salad. Don’t skip the satay chicken appetizer either; it’s big enough to be its own meal.
And if you’re into mountain brews, The Huz insists we mention: the pints are a steal. Cheers to high-altitude dining done right.
Kicking Horse Lodging
Staying at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort felt like having our own cozy alpine hideaway, with all the mountain essentials covered. We stayed at Glacier Mountaineer Lodge, where there’s a full kitchen for post-adventure snacks, a fireplace for fireside lounging, and a deep tub to soak away trail-weary muscles.
Summer evenings? Chill out with mountain air flowing through screened balconies and fans—no A/C needed at this refreshing altitude. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just here for the views, we found it to be the perfect basecamp for mountain memories.
While winter warriors aren’t wrong about Kicking Horse’s snowy attractions, I think summer is pretty sweet. Summer at Kicking Horse offers warmer weather, longer days, and significantly less need for thermal underwear.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or an adventure-packed trip with friends, Kicking Horse offers that rare combination of world-class amenities without the crowds.
It’s where Canadians (like me!) go to escape. And isn’t that always the best endorsement a destination can get? I like to think so.
Have you ever visited Kicking Horse in summer or stayed at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
