Most people know Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain for its awesome ski resort, backcountry skiing, and fresh snow that this part of the country gets all winter long!
But what not everyone knows is how fun it also is to visit the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in the summer! It has one of the most remarkable bear refuges in the world, incredible hiking, and it is home to the most elevated restaurant in Canada!
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a ski resort but it’s also an awesome summer destination – and from late spring to late fall, there are so many fun outdoor activities you can try here.
In this post, we’ve put together 7 fun activities to do at Kicking Horse in the summer. Let’s dive in!
Disclosure: This post has been created in collaboration with Tourism Golden. Everything in this post is based on our personal opinions and experiences. This post also contains affiliate links which means if you decide to use the links and make a valid purchase, we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
7 fun things to do on KHMR in the summer
Kicking Horse is full of awesome activities and since it’s only a short drive from Golden you can easily go and spend the day (or longer) adventuring the mountain!
If you’re a coffee lover like us, make sure to grab a coffee at The Wandering Fern Cafe or Ethos before making the 15-minute drive up the mountain.
Be aware that the train network is busy in Golden and at times you may have to wait up to 10 minutes on your drive up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort or on your way back.
We were told there is no set schedule so you don’t actually know at what time the trains are coming. But we promise you it’s worth the wait if you do have to wait for one because so much fun waits for you at the mountain.
Fun fact: Despite its name, Kicking Horse Coffee is actually made in Invermere and not in Golden but the local coffee shops are awesome!
#1 Hike to Terminator Peak
Terminator Peak is one of our favourite hikes we’ve done around Golden! Since the hike already begins from the top of the Kicking Horse Gondola you can imagine just how high the peak of Terminator Peak is!
At 2408 meters you’ll reach the top of Terminator Peak where you’ll get an awesome view overlooking Golden and all the other mountain ranges in the area.
It’s one of the most beautiful panoramic views you’ll ever get! On a clear day, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world being up as high as some of these other mountains!
The best part of the hike is that it’s less than two hours long so you can do this hike and a few other activities on the mountain resort on the same day!
You can read this whole guide about Terminator Peak for more information about the trail. It’s a moderate to hard hike but it’s also “short and sweet” (as long as you’re not too afraid of heights)!
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#2 Visit Boo the famous grizzly bear
Boo is the rescue grizzly bear that lives on Kicking Horse Mountain Resort! He has a 20-acre area that he calls home where he has rangers who work with him, monitor him, and learn from him every single day!
There are a few ways you can see Boo and you can read all about that in this post about Boo the Bear.
It’s hands down one of the most unique things you can do in Golden and it’s so cool learning about bears, debunking myths about them, and seeing Boo out in the ‘wild’ doing his thing.
We had the chance to go on the Ranger Assist Program (RAP tour) which is a small group / private tour with a ranger. You’ll get the chance to see Boo up close and, if you’re lucky, watch him go on his daily treasure hunt for food.
He’s a big grizzly who has a very unique life story and it’s so cool having the chance to see him in person!
The RAP program is quite limited (5 spots a day) but if it doesn’t work out on the day you’re exploring Kicking Horse Mountain Resort you can get the Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour Pass or the Adventure Pass instead and still get the chance to see him!
Out of all the things you can do at Kicking Horse in the summer, this is probably the coolest one since it is the only bear refuge like this in Canada!
Also read: Meet Boo the Bear at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge
#3 Try out the Via Ferrata
Via Ferrata what? That was our thought the first time we heard the name. It sounds like something you’d eat in Italy or France!
What it actually is is Kicking Horse’s newest summer attraction. If you’re into rock climbing (or curious to try it) you’ll for sure enjoy this “iron road” which is located on Terminator Ridge.
If you do hike Terminator Peak before doing the Via Ferrata you’ll actually see some signs saying “climbers below this hiking trail” since it’s the trail that actually connects to the Via Ferrata!
Via Ferrata is basically a fixed route that is connected into the mountain. You are fully connected along a series of cables and you “climb” along this “iron road”.
It’s a fully adrenaline-packed activity that is safe but quite scary at the same time since you will be on the side of the mountain and high above the ground at times!
The Via Ferrata is the newest activity at the mountain resort and also one of the most fun!
So if you are looking for a bit of adrenaline fun on Kicking Horse then this is it. Otherwise, the Golden Skybridge Adventure Pass (on the other side of Golden) will give you all the adrenaline you need!
Also read: 6 Stunning Mountain View Hotels in Golden BC
#4 Eat at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant
In case you didn’t know, Eagle’s Eye Restaurant is the most elevated restaurant in Canada (and one of the best restaurants in Golden)! Located at 2347 meters (7700 feet) you’ll find Eagle’s Eye Restaurant right next to the top of the Kicking Horse Gondola.
The trailhead for Terminator Peak is also right next to the restaurant! If you’re looking to eat lunch at the top of the mountain and want a once-in-a-lifetime experience it’s a pretty damn cool place to eat!
On a nice sunny day, you can enjoy a meal outside on their patio or inside where you still get incredible views thanks to the big glass windows!
You can enjoy a glass of wine, a yummy hot chocolate, or even a delicious lunch at the restaurant! It’s a great place to stop and take in the breathtaking views.
Fun fact: On a clear day, you get a panoramic view of five Canadian National Parks from the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant.
#5 Disc golf around Kicking Horse
Over the past few years, it seems like disc golf has become increasingly popular! At Kicking Horse Mountain Resort they have an 18-hole course on the mountain.
You’ll ride up the Catamount Chair to the mid-station and from there you can start playing! Most of the course is downhill which is nice because it’s less effort to walk around and when you finish you’ll be back down at the bottom of the mountain.
The awesome thing about the disc golf in Kicking Horse is that it’s free if you purchase a Grizzly Bear Refuge ticket, an Adventure Pass Ticket, or a season ticket!
We haven’t played on a ton of different disc golf courses, but in our experience, this has to be one of the ones with the best views!
It’s one of those activities that are super fun to try and especially during the long days of summer you have plenty of daylight. Make the most of your time at the resort and test out this disc golf course!
#6 Alpine mountain biking
The kicking Horse Bike Park offers a one-of-a-kind riding experience and if you are looking to cruise through the mountains and enjoy an afternoon of adrenaline this is it.
The alpine meadow biking is surrounded by epic mountains and the views are out of this world!
At Kicking Horse Bike Park there are quite a few different trails so it does fit any bike style and bike level!
Whether you’re a beginner like us or a pro looking to run some laps in a cool location, we’re sure you can find a trail that works for you. No matter your level of experience, the pure rush of cruising down the trails is something special.
If you want to make the most of your day, you can go mountain bike for a few hours in the morning and then check out some of the other fun activities to do on the mountain in the afternoon.
Mountain biking with a combination of the Via Ferrata is perfect if you love some adrenaline!
Everything is so close here at the resort so it’s easy to have a packed day with a bunch of different activities!
#7 Hike the whole mountain
You heard that right, you can hike the whole mountain!
The hike has quite a funny name since you’re basically hiking up on a few of the ski slopes that turn into a hiking trail in the summer months. The hike is called “It’s A 10, Dragon Chaser, Rangoon, and Super Berm”!
You can find the trail information here.
It takes you from the very bottom (where the resort starts) and all the way up to Eagle’s Eye Restaurant! If you want you can even stop by the Grizzly Bear Refuge and say hi to Boo as you make your way up the mountain.
It’s a big hike and roughly 10 kilometers one way but it is a rewarding feeling hiking from the resort all the way to the top! If you’re not done there, you can even make your way to Terminator Peak.
Then once you’re back at the Eagle’s Eye restaurant, you can take the gondola down. Just make sure to check what time the gondola stops running before starting your hike (it’s usually around 4 pm depending on the time of year you visit).
This hike is awesome if you’re spending multiple days at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort!
Since it will take most of the day to do this we don’t recommend doing this if you only have one day at the resort as there are so many other cool things to do as well. But if you have multiple days, then it’s perfect!
Hiking Tip: Look up the trail on AllTrails before starting your hike 🗺️. You can find important trail information such as recent wildlife sights and trail closures. Check out the free version here or get a 7-day free trial of AllTrails+ here.
You may also like…
- Meet Boo the Bear at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge
- 9 Fun Things To Do at Golden Skybridge
- Hiking the Epic Terminator Peak – Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
- Incredible Wolf Sanctuary Tour in Golden BC – Northern Lights
- 11 Unique Small Towns in BC You Need to Visit
Recap of what to do at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in the Summer
As you can see, Golden is awesome to visit in the summer as well.
Yes, it’s a winter wonderland but with places like Golden Skybridge and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden is definitely a great summer destination too!
With new additions like the Via Ferrata and additional bike trails being added to KHMR, it’s a growing summer destination with lots to offer. So plan to stay a few nights either at a hotel in Golden or up on the resort.
The bear refuge is enough of a reason to put Kicking Horse Mountain Resort on your map since seeing and learning about Boo is such a unique experience!
We had an awesome time here and highly recommend coming to the resort in the summer if you have time.
If you have questions about Golden, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, or anything related feel free to reach out! You can DM us on Instagram or leave a comment below and we’ll get right back to you 🙂
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