One of my favourite hikes in the winter is up to T2 which is the peak to the south edge of Kicking Horse Resort.  It is also one of  my favourite summer hikes.   Last summer they put in a really nice trail for hiking which really makes it accessible to pretty well everyone.  The views from the top are outstanding in all directions and it only about 40 minutes or so from the top of the mountain.  The gondola does all the work.  There are some steps to climb on your way up to the top of the ridge but only for about 15 minutes.  
I did it for the first time this summer yesterday.  Once you get to the top you can keep going on a game trail and eventually make it onto a logging road and end up in Golden.  I have never done the whole thing but it is getting popular with the extreme mountain bikers who carry their bikes up the top and then ride down.  Not for me..ever. 
Photos are from yesterday. 

You don't have to go far to get some great ridge hikes.  The easiest or most accessible is to ride the gondola to the top of the Kicking Horse Resort and then follow the ridges in both directions.  The views are fabulous and unlike the Lake Louise area and Banff, you won't feel like you are in a parade.  It is pretty busy in those areas.  Not here..yet.  A few days ago I did a loop from the top of the mountain.  When you get off the gondola, you cut into the bowl on the left into "Bowl Over".  There was still some patches of snow but nothing serious.  It was a warm day so it was nice to cool off.  At the exit of the bowl, the trail heads back up to the top of the ridge and then follows basically under the gondola.  There are a lot of rock steps they have made which is a little tough going up.  I think going the opposite way is better.  It took me about an hour and a half.  I met about 6 other people on the trail.  Beautiful views.  
It was a gorgeous day when I went but the weather has changed again and last night we had a cool front roll through and this morning the top of the mountain had some new snow.  Just to warn you.  
If you are thinking of coming here this summer and doing some of the ridge hikes, the resort has a great "summer gondola/grizzly bear pass " deal.  It ends on June 14th and you can purchase here on-line.  Right now you buy it for $32.95 and ride the gondola and see the grizzly bear unlimited number of times until September 27th.  Regular price for this pass is over $80.00.  It is actually cheaper than buying 1 ticket.  
Downhill mountain biking starts June 20th weekend.  And the "Via Ferrata" which is the man-made climbing trail opens on July 1st.  It is going go to be pretty cool.  They were starting to build the suspension bridge the other day. 

There are some amazingly beautiful spots within a few minutes drive of Vagabond Lodge.  One of my favourite is Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park.  it is about a 30 minute drive east of Golden and a few minutes off the transcanada Highway.  The lake itself is stunning.  I went a few days ago and couldn't believe how busy it was with motorhomes, and buses.  But the majority of the people who stop there really don't venture too far.  And that is the part I like the most.  We went on a hike to Yoho Lake which is located at the top of the pass into Yoho Valley with very few people on the train.  The first part of the hike is easy and is on a well-worn trail to the end of Emerald Lake.  From there you start a steady climb for about the next hour with some breath taking views looking down on Emerald Lake.  There is a beautiful waterfall along the side of the trail at one point.  
We originally planned to go to Yoho Lake but as we got into the trees there was more and more snow and we weren't prepared to go slugging through knee deep snow and decided to turn back.  I am sure the lake would have still been frozen.  
Just the same it was an outstanding hike and took us about 5 hours return.  We were probably about 40 minutes from reaching the lake. 

Another summer season is underway at Kicking Horse and Vagabond Lodge.  Our first summer guests rolled through on Saturday night.  The Gondola and Grizzly Bear refuge opened up on Saturday and will be in daily operation right through until September 27th which is one of the longest summers we have had for a long time.  We went up both Saturday and Sunday to check things out including having a nice lunch at the Eagle's Eye Restaurant and Sunday we went for a hike to the top of the Stairway to Heaven chair which is about an hour or so return. There is still some snow but it was great to get to the top of the mountain again.  I was pleasantly surprised how busy it was in the restaurant both days which bodes well for the extended summer operation.  Downhill mountain biking will start in a couple weeks too and in reality they could be already open.  The resort is presently building a "Via Ferreta" which will be open by July 1.  It is a man-made climbing area and looks pretty fascinating.  Great addition to the summer operation here. 
There are all sorts of great things to do already including whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking on the Columbia River, Golf and hiking.  Lots of fun. 
Give us a call toll free in Canada 1 866 944 2622 or 250 344 2622.  Email info@vagabondlodge.ca to book your stay at Vagabond Lodge. 
Here are some photos from the weekend opening.