Found in the heart of the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia — between the ranges of the Columbia Mountains and the Rockies — Kicking Horse Mountain Resort brings skiers and snowboarders to pristine mountain terrain. Rather than simply consisting of denuded hillsides, Kicking Horse’s runs cruise through high alpine bowls tucked among impressive peaks. And these runs aren’t just for the experts — Kicking Horse’s democratized slopes mean that even beginners can bomb down these sky-scraping runs that feel like untouched backcountry.
Add to that the resort’s top-notch dining options, and Kicking Horse checks all the boxes from on-mountain eating and drinking to village stops worth the venture. Here are four to check out before (and after) ski season closes.
The Most Important Meal
Start your day with breakfast and espresso at Double Black Café in the village. The café gets busy, so go early — though the lines do move quickly. From-scratch pastries, chilaquiles, breakfast parfait, egg-topped avocado toast and a grapefruit brulée are some of the morning standouts. The café also serves lunch and beer in the afternoon.
Aprés Ski Staples
You burned all those calories on the mountain for good reason: to eat a ton of food and drink cold beer at Peaks Grill. Pulled pork poutine, chicken wings and fish ‘n chips are some of the heartier options, but there’s also a quinoa salad and vegetable coconut curry for anyone trying to keep things healthy. There’s also live music and a patio for nice weather enjoyment.
Sky-High Dining
Kicking Horse’s best dining experience is Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, which sits at the top of Kicking Horse Mountain. Diners can get here in a single ear-popping gondola ride that ascends from village base to mountaintop, making it accessible for both skiers and non-skiers. The restaurant serves hearty lunches and dinners with mountain views, but the special events, like multi-course wine dinners, are worth planning a trip around. Atop the restaurant, there are two rooms for rent. Staying here turns the top of Kicking Horse mountain into your own personal bed-and-breakfast, and you can be the first to ski the mountain in the morning before it opens to other visitors.
Eat Well in Golden
At the base of the mountain, the town of Golden provides a welcome change of scenery. The small downtown area stretches along Kicking Horse River and offers a few solid dining options. There’s Whitetooth Brewing Co., which pours a range of flagship and seasonal styles and hosts the occasional food truck. If a full-service restaurant is more your speed, head to Whitetooth Bistro, where the big portions are impeccably executed, whether you opt for the parsnip poutine, venison striploin, roasted bone marrow with onion marmalade, or the Thai green curry. Don’t overlook the well-crafted original cocktails.
