Kicking Horse
Golden · British Columbia · Canada
1,260m
Vertical Drop
129
Runs
5
Lifts
1,133 ha
Skiable Area
750 cm
Avg Snowfall
Dec 2026 – Apr 2027
Season
About
Famously steep BC interior resort with the 4th-highest vertical drop in North America at 1,260m. 2,800+ acres of terrain across four alpine bowls and 120+ inbounds chutes. 85% of the mountain is intermediate or expert — little for beginners but a legendary destination for advanced skiers and freeriders. The Eagle's Eye restaurant at the top of the Golden Eagle Express gondola is the highest in Canada. Located in the Purcell Mountains above Golden, BC.
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
2,450m
Base
1,190m
Vertical Drop
1,260m
Lift Breakdown
1
Gondolas
3
Chairlifts
1
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
300–500
Main Employers
- Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (RCR — Resorts of the Canadian Rockies)
- Eagle's Eye Restaurant
- Copper Horse Lodge
- Vagabond Lodge
- Kicking Horse Snow Sports School
- Golden hospitality (lodges, restaurants, cafés)
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- International workers typically arrive on Working Holiday Visas (IEC). Canada has IEC agreements with Australia, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Japan, and many other countries. Some specialised roles (instructors, senior chefs) sponsored on LMIA-backed work permits.
- Recruitment Timeline
- Kicking Horse begins hiring in August–September for the December opening. Most lift, F&B, and housekeeping roles fill by October–November. Instructor positions require CSIA/CASI certification (or equivalent international certs). Apply through the Kicking Horse and RCR careers pages.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- CAD $300–$450 (Golden cheaper than Whistler/Banff)
- Public Transport
- No regular public transit between Golden and the resort. The resort runs a guest shuttle. Most staff have cars or carpool — the access road is well-maintained but requires winter tires. Calgary International Airport is 3 hrs east via Trans-Canada Highway 1.
Staff Perks
- Free season pass at Kicking Horse
- Reciprocal benefits at RCR sister resorts (Fernie, Nakiska, Stoneham, Mont-Sainte-Anne)
- Staff meals at some employers
- Pro deals on gear
- Steep-skiing access on staff days
- Free first-aid and avalanche awareness training
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- Eagle's Eye at the top of the gondola for sunset drinks. Whitetooth Bistro and Peaks Grill at the base. Golden's town centre (15 min) is the main social hub — Whitetooth Brewing, the Mad Trapper, Wolf's Den, and the historic Golden Hotel. Smaller scene than Whistler or Banff but tight-knit.
- Healthcare
- Golden & District Hospital in Golden (15 min). Rocky Mountain General in Invermere (1.5 hrs) and Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary (3 hrs) for major care. Helicopter retrieval available. On-mountain ski patrol clinic during operations.
- Shops & Services
- Kicking Horse base village has limited retail and a small market. Golden has IGA and Save-On-Foods supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, gear shops (Selkirk Source for Sports), and a strong restaurant scene for a small town. Calgary (3 hrs) for major shopping.
- International Community
- Medium — strong Australian, British, and French staff presence. Smaller and quieter than Whistler/Banff but a tight, freeride-focused community. English is the working language.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Kicking Horse →Season
Dec 2026 – Apr 2027
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -15°C to -3°C
- Snow Reliability
- high
- Snowmaking
- 5% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 750 cm/yr
Location
51.3000°N, -117.0500°W
Nearest town: Golden