Located just a short drive from Golden and nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Kicking Horse Lodging is a desired destination during the summer for travellers interested in exceptional accommodations and a menu of things to see and do.
The resort is located away from the more crowded tourist destinations, with accommodations for individual travellers, couples, or family preferences.
MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES DON’T STOP IN THE SUMMER
We know that during cold weather, the beautiful Rockies stay bustling with tons of winter activities. But that doesn’t mean everything shuts down for the rest of the year.
In the summer, Golden and the surrounding areas always have unique and fun things happening. Even the Resort keeps up with warm weather fun for your off-season vacations. Here are our top choices for something to do on the mountain during the summer.
1. Resort Activities
With multiple options for accommodation, guests of Kicking Horse Lodging have a variety of onsite activities and amenities available in the summer. Whether you’re a self-care lover or looking for outdoor adventure on-site, we have something for everyone.
Great Food Selection
For guests that love fine dining, try the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant. It’s the highest-elevated restaurant in Canada, giving you stellar views without needing to leave the mountain.
Looking for great food at the base of the mountain? Peaks Grill is your stop for great beer and homemade food during the summer. Maybe you’ll want to stop at the Double Black Cafe for coffee before hitting the gondola to do some sightseeing.
Self Care
If you’re into self-care, try the selection of spa and massage services. As a guest, you also receive access to our world-class Fitness Centre, so there’s always a way to take care of yourself and relax.
Stay® | Well Amenities
At Kicking Horse Lodging, we’ve curated amenities to enrich your stay and benefit the surrounding communities. You’ll have access to hiking gear and standup paddleboards to expand your hiking horizons.
2. Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Kicking Horse Lodging during the summer offers outdoor enthusiasts a choice of many fun, entertaining, and challenging summer mountain attractions and activities. Pick your pleasure or expand your horizons and add a new activity to your itinerary.
Hiking
If you’re an avid hiker, it’ll come as no surprise that there are many great options around Kicking Horse and Golden. If you’re looking for easy hikes, check out Wapta Falls or the Rotary Loop.
Other great options include the Great Glacier Trail and Abbott Ridge. These trails are a bit more complicated but offer picturesque views and places to breathe.
There are also more than 120 hiking trails to explore at the resort. Choose from trails such as Terminator Peak and Terminator 2 Peak, Easy Rider, and Northern Lights to tap into your hiking techniques and skills.
mountain biking
Lessons are available through Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to hone your skills or learn new moves. Then explore the trails such as Dragon Chaser, Super Berm, and Rangoon.
Ready to check out trails off the mountain? The nearby Mount 7 systems are an excellent option for avid bikers.
Paddleboarding
If you’re into aquatic activities, paddleboarding is a great option. Take the resort paddleboards to nearby Cedar Lake for a quiet afternoon. You can also take a full day's tour of Wapta Falls or explore the Columbia Wetlands on a stand-up paddleboard.
canoeing and kayaking
For those interested in canoeing and kayaking, there are several options. You can go for a calm adventure around Emerald Lake or Reflection Lake. The Columbia River also offers excellent opportunities for canoeing because it’s a more tranquil river – great for newbies and families.
national parks
Take a day trip to one of British Columbia's expansive national parks. Parks like Yoho, Kootenay, and Glacier are great for outdoor adventures and exploration.
Skydiving
For the adventurer, extreme skydiving is just minutes from Golden.
rafting day tours
Known for its impressive rapids, the Kicking Horse River offers the perfect challenge for new and experienced rafters alike. Check out the class III and IV rapids for a full day of whitewater rafting while enjoying the scenic shoreline and majestic mountains.
glacier viewing
Stay cool with a trek up the one-way 5.7km Glacier Crest Trail where there is a 360-degree vista of hard rock and ice of the Illecillewaet and Asulkan glaciers. This is an excellent day trip option if you’re ready to explore beyond Kicking Horse Mountain.
Gondola Sightseeing
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has a fantastic bird's eye view of the Rocky Mountains. You’ll soar high in the sky at 7,000 feet aboard a gondola as part of your next big adventure.
Via Ferrata
Whether you’re an expert or novice, the newest summer activity at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a great option to get in some rock climbing. You stay clipped in for this fixed route climb through cables. Guests have two route options for several hours of physical activity.
Photo Credit: Willow And Wolf Photography
3. take a walk on the wild side
When visiting Golden, B.C. and the surrounding areas, you'll be surrounded by mountains, lakes, and wilderness areas, allowing you to find interesting, unusual, and rare wildlife species.
Visit a Wolf Conservation Centre
Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre is a family-friendly educational facility that seeks to educate folks on the importance of wolves in our environment. Enjoy a 25-minute interpretive tour that shows how the wolves act daily. You may even get the chance to see them howl and howl alongside them during a stroll.
Birdwatching for Everyone
British Columbia is home to many bird species, making the area great for hobbyist birdwatchers. You can visit any nearby national parks in British Columbia, explore the environment and landscape, and take a picture or two of resident birds. You may see some species, including pheasants, New World quail, ducks, geese, swans, pigeons, grouse, mourning doves, nighthawks, whip-poor-wills, and cuckoos.
Grizzly Bear Refuge
Make time to visit the resident Grizzly on the mountain, Boo! After a quick ride on the Catamount Chair Liff, you’ll end up at the Tour Centre for information and activities on the 20-acre preserve. Interpretive tours are even available several times a day during the spring and summer.
4. lifestyle attractions
Many outdoor summer activities on the mountain are great for all ages. You’ll find various interesting places to visit, relax, replenish and refuel, learn about the area, or swing into action.
Check Out the Skybridge
Take a walk on the high side with the Golden Skybridge. With the highest suspension bridge in Canada, hanging 426 feet above a massive canyon, leading guests to a mountain coaster, ziplining, and more, it’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
Enjoy Good Food & Drink
Golden has many great food options. Experience the pinnacle of fine dining at The Cedar House Restaurant. This restaurant celebrates sustainably sourced fish and meats. You’ll also sample some of the area’s best wines.
Interested in something else? Rockwater Grill & Bar is next to the Kicking Horse River and offers fantastic views. You can also take advantage of their venue space, which boasts indoor dining for 250 and 75 riverside tables, perfect for the summer.
Calling All Art & Culture Lovers
If you’re tired from adventuring outdoors, want to make the most of a rainy day, or just not feeling up to other summer activities, check out some of Golden's great museums.
There’s the Golden BC Museum, where you can learn about the first residents -the Aboriginal People. This includes the history surrounding the area, the Ktunaxa and Kinbasket Peoples, the Sikh Temple, and more. A series of collections and exhibits will take you through time.
A visual smorgasbord awaits you at the Art Gallery of Golden. You can explore the creative endeavours of more than 150 regional artists. There are pieces on display and for purchase.
Image from Art Gallery of Golden
BOOK WITH KICKING HORSE LODGING TODAY
Don't delay. Book your reservation at one of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s luxurious accommodations now.
Plan your stay to take in the scenic landscape. Our plethora of summer activities and attractions in the Canadian Rockies will keep you on your toes. Kicking Horse is ready to help guide you toward an unforgettable summer vacation.
