Anyone skied in Kicking Horse?

[snowgirl1]

We're off to Kicking Horse in Canada at half-term with DD(6). Has anyone been? Any recommendations on things to do (apart from ski), places to eat etc.?

Bit worried that the jet lag is going to impact our enjoyment of the the trip - it's a while since I've skied in North America.

Sorry no, I've only been in summer when Boo the bear was awake and we were able to whitewater-raft down the river below the resort.

It's beautiful though!!!

(I'd love to go back in winter - some one of these years).

I have but many years ago. Golden, the nearest town, used to be something of a logging town not known for its tourist luxuries. I think things have probably changed a bit since then. And certainly, the resort itself is very different from Golden.

If you have a car then I think you could go to the hot springs, Lake Louise (although not so pretty in winter), ice skating on a lake somewhere or maybe a frozen waterfall. I think the train that does a loop is nearby too, but maybe not so interesting.

In all honesty, it is a long way to go for a week. That said, it is a great place to ski with lots of vertical and often lots of snow, so hopefully that is your thing. I would much rather ski in N America.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, it's a long way for a week - but after going to Europe at Christmas last year when there was hardly any snow, decided it was time to give N.America a whirl.

Hi, I was there over a couple of weeks ago and loved it. Where are you staying?
What’s your skiing ability?

Get some melatonin from the health supplements aisle and you'll sleep fine.

I haven’t skied Kicking Horse, but have skied that area of Canada with children that age and younger - so general comments about dealing with jet lag etc. It is much easier now they are older. Personally I wouldn’t give off the shelf melatonin to a child that young, so just tried to deal with odd sleep patterns.

We always make ours sleep for a few hours on the transatlantic flight - usually we have been up early after a mad end of term, so normally one film and then eye shade and podcast with head phones and they fall asleep for at least an hour. That nap could make all the difference in meaning they were awake enough on arrival to eat something before bed. If they didn’t eat before bed then they always woke really early because they were hungry. We would normally take something like brioche with us to hand to child at 2 am and then hope they would go back to sleep!

You will be up early so just embrace it - be first in line to pick up skis/lift tickets. We used to stop after lunch on first day, then swim/watch move/chill out and be ready to eat again at 5 - otherwise children still asleep with no dinner and more middle of the night wake ups. At 6 mine would take about 3 days to be able to still be awake at 7 pm, but be able to ski all day after the first day.

Kicking Horse has skating and tubing so by the time you need to fill evenings I’m sure that will be fine for your dd. Canadian resorts often have family games nights - bingo / minute to win it etc. Even if this would make you cringe the kids seem to like them (and there is usually a bar) so that fills time.

Have a great trip. I’m sure the snow will be good and make up for the long travel. I normally find coming home much harder sleepwise so aim for a low key first week back at school for your dd.

Bodear Good to hear that you loved it! We're staying at a house we're renting (with DB and DSIL) in Blaeberry Valley. The website says 24km from Golden. I'm a pretty strong skier (worked 2 seasons in a resort) and what DH is pretty good - what lacks in technique he makes up for in strength and fearlessness. Ended up going to Kicking Horse as my DB knows someone who has moved there.

Aftershock15 Excellent tips thank you - I wouldn't have thought of having a snack to give DD at 2am! And great to hear that your DC were able to ski all day after the first day. I'll have to print off your suggestions to take with me so that I remember.

dontcallmethat I think I have some melatonin from years ago (which I'd forgotten about) that I might take along for myself.

I seem to recall there was a relatively decent sized supermarket in Golden town - they are quite hard to find in that part of Canada (small convenience sized stores - 4 years ago anyway) so might be handy for shopping on your way between slopes and house.

Hey OP, I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time. The skiing is a bit more challenging than Sunshine/ Lake Louise etc and I did feel that but you’ve got much more experience than me so I’m sure you’ll love it!

The restaurant at the top of the gondola (Eagle Eye) has the most amazing views. It’s billed as fine dining and whilst it might be in the evening, it’s a lovely lunch place and really family friendly too. It was a tiny bit more expensive than the pub/ restaurant at the bottom of the gondola but well worth it. I can recommend the cheesecake 😉 it might be worth popping in to book a table By the window if you can. We waited for about 10 mins without booking.

If dc is interested in animals / wildlife then you could learn a lot about Boo the bear. The slopes go right round the edges of his habitat and his den is right in the corner so you can see that (quite cool to know he’s asleep about 30 feet away from you)! There’s an interesting history of why he’s there/ the conservation lessons learnt/ his escape a few years ago etc/.

We stayed in the one of the hotels at the bottom of the gondola so can’t comment on Golden, which is 15-20 mins drive from the bottom of the slopes. I can recommend the Copper Horse Steak House for dinner (near the gondola) but it might not work for you to eat away from where you’re staying. If you want to eat before leaving the slopes then Winstons was great. Fab food (try the winter salad), big fires, and lots of games for kids inc giant jenga, dominoes, chess etc.

You’ll be about 2 hours from Lake Louise I think and if you want a day off skiing it really is a gorgeous drive and then there’s ice skating on the lake itself/ an ice bar serving fresh maple syrup lollies etc when you get there. However, I don’t have dc so that length of drive may not be practical!

I absolutely loved it (can you tell?) and would go back in heartbeat. Have a fab holiday and do come back and tell us all what you thought.

Oh and we had a real cold snap when we there (-30). In case you have the same: we layered up but the one piece of kit I wish I’d had was some boot gloves. They’re c$40 I think and everyon I spoke to who had them swore by them.

Boot gloves? Explain more!

www.thoughtco.com/ski-boot-gloves-3009378

They’re neoprene covers for boots that help to keep your feet warm

I was imagining like individual toes in nice snuggly socks .

Wish I'd had these a year ago. -30 was def cold on the toes!

Thanks for the feedback Bodear - I've never heard of boot gloves, but will look out for them when we get there.