“A true gem [that should] most definitely be on your radar for a spring jaunt,” says Abby Cooper of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. “Whether you’re chasing pow, following the FWT and FWQ series, or just want to party with Canada’s finest, look no further than Kicking Horse.”

In regards to chasing pow, KHMR is situated just nine miles from historic Golden, British Columbia and the ski resort sees its biggest and most frequent storms in March, annually on average. The freshies are coming, folks…

And in regards to the FWT/FWQ reference, Cooper gives a nod to the widely-unknown-yet-ultra-badass event dubbed Wrangle the Chute. The seventh annual contest, hosted by Helly Hansen, is slated for March 27-28; it’s Canada’s only only 4-Star Freeride World Qualifier and it’s also the last 4-Star event on the North American circuit for 2015. Always drawing a slew of talent from around North America, the event helped propel names like Logan Pehota (competing again this year) and Dave Treadway to the spotlight. And for 2015, the event has an exciting change in store:

This go-round, on day 1 of competition, riders will have the opportunity to strut their stuff in a venue that has never before hosted a Freeride event. As one heads south off the peak of Terminator Ridge, one enters Super Bowl, home to world class terrain that was skied by locals as out of bounds until it received inbounds sanctioning in 2010. The zone features some of the longest lines at KHMR; a rocky start with plenty of cliffs transitions into terrain loaded with gullies and natural features. Rest assured, competitors will have plenty of opportunity to pursue creative, crowd-pleasing routes from T-2-B.

How about this for a #WrangleTheChute Day 1 venue March 27-28 @HellyHansen @Freeskier @writereimers @FreerideWTour pic.twitter.com/f43M8gKccU

— Kicking Horse Resort (@KickingHorseMtn) March 17, 2015

Day 2 will see the finalists back in “Truth & Dare” for the second year straight. For a taste of what’s to come in this rowdy spot, enjoy the video of 2014 champ Dylan Siggers, above.

For those who are considering a trip to KHMR, March 27-28 is your go-to. The snow is destined to fall in the second half of the month, and the prospect of witnessing some of the world’s most talented shredders tackling mind-boggling terrain is an obvious bonus. Competitors will be gunning for a 2015-16 FWT berth, and they’ll be chasing some hefty cash prizes, too. Soak in the show from the gondola while you’re spinning hot laps, or join the motley crew of spectators, athletes and judges in the finish corral. I’ll be there. (Seriously. I’ll be there. And I’ll share my Kokanee with you.)

Also, on Friday the 27th, Canada’s beloved Skratch Bastid will bust out the turntables at Whitetooth Grill, inevitably inspiring a raucous dance-fest that will last well into the night. (Doors at 7:30) Try not to get too tuned up, though. There’ll be epic shredding to be had in the subsequent days.

For those who are unfamiliar with the ski area, Cooper sums it up well:

“There are over 130 marked runs on the resort. Three predominate and gorgeous ridgelines adorn the resort from top to bottom. Crystal Bowl, Bowl Over, Feuz Bowl and Super Bowl are going to give you googly eyes; be prepared to be smitten by these four delicious bowls that all feed right back to the base of the gondola. We’re talking about 4,200 vertical feet of steep, gnarly skiing via gondola. The ultimate terrain list doesn’t stop there—Kicking Horse has beautiful basins, wide gullies and narrow couloirs that will get your adrenaline pumping. KHMR boasts the 4th most vertical in North America with a whopping 2,750 acres of skiable terrain to boot. If that doesn’t impress you, the fact that they have the most chutes over any other Canadian resort should win you over; 85 inbounds.”

You can read more about KHMR in Cooper’s recent destination piece, written for freeskier.com, here.

Additionally, KHMR offers a wide range of accommodations. Choose from three large ski-in/ski-out lodges, comfortable town homes, luxurious 10-room boutique lodges or a bevy of resort homes. Click here for more info.

We’ll hope to see you out there, friends. Let’s get weird.

Wrangle the Chute 2014, schedule of events:

Thursday, 3/26 – Inspection

Friday, 3/27 – Day 1 Qualifiers (Terminator Ridge South into Super Bowl)

Saturday, 3/28 – Day 2 Finals (Terminator Ridge North, Truth & Dare)

Sunday, 3/29- Weather Day 

Related: Hardcore skiers, get yer’ butt up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort this spring