| abstract | - Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a new ski resort village located 14 km outside of Golden, British Columbia. It features what is currently the third highest vertical drop North America, at 4,133 feet it is only 6 feet shorter than Jackson Hole. In total the resort includes 2,750 acres of skiable lift-served terrain. The resort was named after the nearby Kicking Horse Pass, discovered in 1858 by John Palliser. The area was formerly known as Whitetooth Ski Area, where a cat ski operation operated for some time. Development of the area as a lift served resort started early in the 21st century and opened for business in 2004. The majority of the skiable area consists of two large bowls that combine about half way down the mountain into a single flatter area, with a fairly flat ski-out to the lifts at the bottom. A third bowl is accessible from the top, and generally sees less traffic. The hill is served primarily by a high speed gondola, the Golden Eagle Express, that rises from the base area to the peak. Two smaller chairlifts also operate from the base area, a fixed-grip quad and a fixed-grip double. Another fixed-grip quad serves the upper areas to the north of the gondola, including the third bowl. Uphill capacity is generally limited, however, and most skiers need to return to the summit via the gondola at the base of the mountain. Annual snowfall ranges from 254cm (100") at the bottom of the mountain to 700cm (275") at the summit. The slopes are well known for the light and dry snow, dubbed Champagne Powder. The resort is open for skiing from mid December to mid April. The resort village is currently being built out at the base of the ski area. The resort is currently owned by the Dutch company Balast Needam.
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