Why Kicking Horse is Highly Rated for Off-Piste

Kicking Horse has absolutely crushed it, earning a 4.85/5.00 rating from our community for Best Ski Resort for Off-Piste in North America. What sets this Canadian gem apart is the sheer volume of ungroomed, natural terrain that's actually within resort boundaries. Expert skier Drew sums it up perfectly: "Easily the most butt puckering resort in Canada. The best in bounds chutes, bowls and views." The majority of users think the terrain here is genuinely next-level, with advanced snowboarder Andrew noting it "feels like a step towards backcountry, but patrolled and avalanche controlled." You're getting proper freeride skiing without leaving the resort - steep bowls, gnarly chutes, and natural features that'll push your limits while still having patrol watching your back.

The backcountry-style access is what really gets our users stoked. Expert skier Jovica mentions "lots of short hikes but very well worth it. Some insane lines 15-20 min hike," whilst Rob raves about the Stairway to Heaven lift where "with a 10-30 min hike up the mountain ridge you can drop into any level of expert terrain." One Snomad community member liked that you can even find fresh tracks a few days after storms. Our reviewers mention that this place hosts the Freeride World Tour within resort boundaries, which tells you everything about the calibre of natural features on offer. If you're after proper big mountain terrain with minimal crowds and powder that actually sticks around, Kicking Horse delivers in spades.

Thinking about adding Kicking Horse to your ski bucket list? Head to our full resort guide to see what our community has to say about its slopes, lifts, après and more.