The snow has returned to the mountains and that means ski season is just around the corner at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
As an early season record snowfall has covered the mountain in fresh powder, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort now has the perfect early opening opportunity which is now scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1.
So far more than 206 centimetres of snow has fallen at the resort.
“With lots of fresh powder snow in the alpine, opening day will offer an epic experience with 4,100 vertical feet of the Rockies best skiing,” said Steve Paccagnan, president of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. “Additionally, our early opening will mark the first full winter with our new resort family, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies and we are proud to be showcasing Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to a whole new group of skiers/riders.”
KHMR will also be holding its annual Valley Appreciation Day on Sunday Dec. 9, offering free day tickets to locals and Area A residents, complimented with great entertainment (proof of residency will be required to pick up your ticket at Guest Services).
The weekend will be a way to kick off the winter in style with a celebration of snow, fun and community.
There will be a variety of events and activities happening on this weekend to enhance the on-mountain experience.
The events will begin on Dec. 6 with Staying Alive.
You will be able to join the resorts mountain safety team at the Senior’s Centre in Golden for an interactive presentation that will help you understand how to make safe decisions when exploring the mountain playground.
This year there will be new presentations specifically designed for backcountry sledders and numerous displays from retailers and organizations.
The event will be hosted at the Senior’s Centre across from the Mount 7 Rec Plex with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
The good times will continue during the weekend with live DJs and bands, the first round of the KHMR’s Junior Rail Jam series and pursuing the success of last year’s Valley Appreciation Day, the return of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort/Golden Community Day.
Broken Down Suitcase, the Parson Jazz Cooperative, and DJ Mihajic Touch will be playing at the resort over the weekend.
In support of the Golden Food Bank, the events team will raffle off the first ride-up of the winter on Saturday. The grand prize will include the first gondola ride on Opening Day, lunch at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant and lift line priority for up to six people.
The 2012/2013 Junior Rail Jam event-series which will continue over the winter will find Goldens best young freestylers. All of the young guns from town and beyond are invited to enter the competition and show off their skills on Sunday, around 2 p.m.
There will also be a barbecue happening with all proceeds going to the Golden Food Bank and the grand opening of the new retail space, KH Mountain Sports, located in the Plaza.
“We see this as a huge opportunity. This is our second annual Valley Appreciation Day after we had one in the spring of last year. We thought we would pull it forward to the start of the season this year. This is a chance to showcase the resort to our local community and regional district,” Paccagnan said. “Even if you are not a skier and have never been up to the gondola to see the great panoramic view of the area you live in, come on up and we will send you up as a passenger. You do not have to be a skier or a snowboarder.”
