We are at the end of the longest dry spell this winter without snow for the past week but it looks like it is ending today with snow forecast over the next few days here at Vagabond Lodge at Kicking Horse Resort.  But the lack of snow for the past few days doesn't mean the skiing isn't any good.  You just have to look a little harder and for us that means some exploring off piste. 
After a busy stretch things are quieting down for a the next week and then ramps up in February.  We are still getting a nice number of overseas guests and even have a couple of Aussies who are with us for 3 weeks which is the longest stay in our 18 years here.  They will leave better skiers, you can count on that. Video is from earlier in the week with friend Patrick and son Kori and his wife Elaine.  We found some nice powder.  

We have an amazing backyard at Vagabond Lodge.  Kicking Horse Resort is so good on its own.  But with a little extra effort, along with an experienced guide the backcountry skiing is virtually unlimited. 
The video is just a taste of what we have.  You can also do extensive back-country skiing in the Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park which is very popular.  
Unless you are knowledgeable about snowpack and snow conditions hire a guide. 
We are getting ready for a busy time here at Vagabond Lodge with guests from around the world again making their way here.  A number are going heliskiing with CMH or Great Canadian and many are also cat skiing with Chattercreek. Another popular destination are one of the great backcountry lodges we have in our area such as Golden Alpine Holidays or Mistaya Lodge  where they cater to ski touring groups.  
We have a covid protocol in place at Vagabond and guests must be fully vaccinated in order to stay here.
Book direct for best rate.  We do have a number of sold out dates. 
Video is from our favourite area not far from Kicking Horse.  It is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. 

It has been quite the amazing past few weeks for snow here at Kicking Horse Resort.  We certainly had some cold days over Christmas but even on those days, it was snowing.  Champagne powder at its finest.  There continues to be a lot of challenges everyday due to covid but we have been pleasantly surprised with guests who have been loyal to us.   We have some regulars who come throughout the winter which is awesome.
And we even had some overseas visitors and more scheduled throughout the winter. 
Food service is probably the biggest challenge for the resort with staffing issues resulting in some eating facilities closing for a few days or shortening their hours of operation.  But I think our guests realize this, and have been able to adapt.
The resort has been doing a great job of trying to get the message across to all the skiers to make sure they wear their masks on the gondola and in the lift lines.  And because the resort only allows skiers who are fully vaccinated has really been awesome. We have really had no long lift lines at all. 
It has been pretty sweet powder skiing and I have managed to get out and about doing some quality control. 
The other day I did some off-resort skiing with some friends and we found some great terrain.  I had only been down this run once before.  I was doing great until I wasn't.  Coming over a small knoll I found a small stand of trees in front of me.  The result??  See for yourself in the video.  
All is well.  No after effects.  
Be safe. 

It has been quite the start to the season here at Kicking Horse.  Best ever since we have been here and that is going on 18 years.  We already have had over 300cms of snow and our best season ever for snowfall was about 1000cm quite a few years ago and we are almost a third of the way there. 
We had some horrible rain for a few days shortly after the resort opened which wasn't nice.  It was the same time the coast had all sorts of flooding.  As yet, only essential traffic is allowed from the Vancouver area which will certainly cut into the visits from skiers from that area, unless they fly to Calgary or Kelowna and drive. 
With the vaccination passport requirement to ski here, what a treat.  You can actually get directly onto the gondola without a big lineup at least so far.  Everyone must  wear a mask on the gondola and it feels pretty safe.  Great job by the resort. 
I have been going out pretty well every day for a run or two and friend Patrick and I made a nice run yesterday with all the new snow for some quality control,  
If you are looking for a great getaway this winter, come and play with us at Vagabond Lodge.  Book direct from this website or give us a call at 250 344 2622. 
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Wow.  What a way to start off the winter.  It has been a crazy time in BC.  We started off with a huge snow storm a few days ago dumping about 2 feet of snow if not more here at Vagabond Lodge.  See video. Up to now, we had a small amount of snow at the base and about 70cms at the top but it was staying pretty warm here.  And then it hit big time with over 60cms at the top but it began to rain at the base for most of yesterday which made it a pretty major mess. 
We got away lucky in our area.  Some parts of the area lost power for over 24 hours.  We didn't.  And all roads have been shut down throughout the province due to flooding and washed out roads.  I am not sure how long it will take to get things repaired. It may be awhile.  A lot of people have been evacuated from their homes due to flooding and many will be homeless for a long time.  Very sad. 
The weather has cooled off and no snow or rain and from the looks of the forecast we will be getting more snow.  

I am  so proud and relieved of what Kicking Horse Resort has mandated for this coming winter.  You must be fully vaccinated for covid in order to ski or board here.  Click here for details.  Other ski resorts who have followed suit, include Sunshine Village, and Revelstoke along with all the RCR resorts of Fernie, Kimberly, and Nakiska and their Quebec resorts too.
We had decided at Vagabond Lodge to do that over the summer for the health of ourselves, our staff, other guests and our community and take only fully vaccinated guests and of course that is not changing. 
Reservations have been solid for the upcoming winter with a lot of return guests who we haven't seen in a couple years, from overseas and the US as well as some new ones.  Great to see some Australians on the move again.  
Right now the resort and Vagabond is scheduled to open December 10 until April 17.  Historically they always open a week earlier for a bonus weekend but is all dependant on the snow.  Already they have over 50cms at the top but now it needs to get to the bottom and the weather forecast for the next week sounds promising.  
Video is from the end of last season just to get you pumped. 

It turned out to be even better than we expected.   With the weather changing from fall to winter shortly our days were numbered for a final trip to Yoho National Park which is about a 45 minute drive from Vagabond Lodge.  Our intentional was to go for a short hike at Takakkaw Falls; one of our favourite spots and with the long weekend over we were hoping for a quiet day.  When we got to the entrance to the road we found out they had shut the road a day early.  Normally the road to the falls is only open in the summer. We had decided to take our ebikes just in case and we were rewarded big time.  
We were able to ride our bikes the 14 km and it was magical with virtually no-one there.  A few hikers along the road side.  What a great way to end the fall.  A picnic at the old warden's cabin(where we had stayed a long time ago on different occasions) and then back home.  Now we are ready.  
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Wow, Wow, Wow.  What a day on the water.  Along with a few friends recently we decided to go for a lake kayaking trip.  We originally thought Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park which is an easy 45 minute drive from Vagabond Lodge.  It was so crowded with car traffic we didn't even get to the parking lot.  And this is on a Tuesday after the labour day weekend when everyone is supposed to be going back to work and school.  Go figure.  After a few seconds discussing what to do we decided to head up the Banff Jasper highway to Bow Lake.  Best decision we could have made. 
It was just perfect with only about 10 people on a very large lake.  We had an amazing day taking advantage of a classic fall day.  We spent a couple of hours paddling around and found a nice spot to park for a picnic on the water in a little protected cove.  
Bow Lake can be tricky at times with wind gusts and sudden weather changes.  But not on this day.  It was perfect.  
There still were a lot of people around at the various viewpoints and hiking trailheads but not on the water. 
Video is from our day at Bow Lake. 

As the summer is coming to a close, there are a few things left on the plate I want to do yet.  One was kayaking a last time down the Kicking Horse River through the town of Golden.    The water levels have been dropping a lot in the last week or so with the cooler nights and cooler days.  Friend Patrick and I did a more thorough scoop of the river to make sure we weren't going to have to deal with a lot of natural obstacles such as big rocks poking through.  You do not want to hit a big rock.  We found a good route and away we went.  It is about a 45 minute trip and eventually we make our way onto the Columbia River which is more of a gentle float.  
Vagabond Lodge is closing in a couple weeks and then will be reopening for ski season.  International guests are going to be allowed into Canada from a variety of countries in a couple days as long as they are fully vaccinated.  We are looking forward to having them back as they are our lifeline. We have an "Early Bird discount" for the upcoming winter season.  Book now and get a 10% savings.  Phone 250 344 2622 or email info@vagabondlodge.ca.  These reservations need to be booked direct and you must be fully vaccinated in order to stay with us.  Video is from our last trip of the season on the Kicking Horse. 

I am always in awe of what we have in our backyard.  The latest was a trip a few days ago to Mummery Glacier which is basically to the north of us down the Blaeberry Valley.  It involved about an hour drive, then a short ebike ride and a 45 minute hike to an amazing viewpoint of the glacier and all the waterfalls coming off it.  It was one of those perfect days. 
With cooler weather, rain off and on the smoke has cleared.  It doesn't get much better. 
Our summer is winding down and Vagabond will close on September 20th.  September is always my favourite month for hiking and exploring with fewer people, no mosquitos, cooler temperatures and no smoke. Give us a call at 250 344 2622 or email info@vagabondlodge.ca .  You can also book direct using by clicking Here.