Why Kicking Horse is Highly Rated for Expert Skiers

Kicking Horse has claimed silver in our Best Ski Resort for Expert Skiers category with an impressive 4.63/5.00 rating, and frankly, it's not hard to see why when you look at what our community is saying. This Canadian gem serves up some of the most extreme terrain you'll find within a resort boundary anywhere in the world. Drew, an expert skier, sums it up perfectly: "Easily the most butt puckering resort in Canada. The best in bounds chutes, bowls and views in Canada." The mountain hosts the Freeride World Tour, which tells you everything you need to know about the calibre of terrain on offer. Multiple reviewers mention the need to boot-pack between 10-30 minutes to access the gnarliest lines, but they all agree it's worth every step when you're dropping into double-black chutes and bowls that'll genuinely test your skills.

What makes Kicking Horse even better for expert riders is the variety of professional-level challenges available. Richard notes the mountain "puts you in your place with huge vertical, great snow, and the best leg burning runs you have ever done," whilst Rob describes the extreme level as "beyond anything you can imagine until you experience Kicking Horse." The Stairway to Heaven lift lives up to its name, giving access to technical terrain that feels like backcountry riding but with patrol and avalanche control. Claire mentions the resort "attracts some amazing riders" and the terrain "truly puts you out of your element." With minimal crowds even on powder days, you can session those cliff drops and technical lines without battling lift queues, letting you focus on pushing your limits rather than waiting around.

Chasing steep runs and unforgettable descents? Check out our full resort guide to see how Kicking Horse rates with expert skiers.