Wrangling the Chute at Kicking Horse

GOLDEN, BC—Kicking Horse Mountain Resort held its 1st Annual Wrangle the Chute February 7th and 8th, and it went off without a hitch!

Top skiers and snowboarders travelled from near and far to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort for the ultimate showdown off the chutes of CPR Ridge. The resort’s famously treacherous chutes proved little challenge for the athletes who dropped massive cliffs, maneuvered through tight terrain, and threw down some style at the finish line jump; although the bucking bronco gave them a run for the money.

“Wrangle the Chute went off without a hitch and raised the bar with this ultimate freeride showdown!” says Steve Paccagnan, president and general manager, at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. “The talent pool on hand ... was remarkable and the event support from Rossignol, Big Rock Brewery, and Red Bull turned Heaven’s Door Yurt into an amazing spectator’s patio.”

Athletes had one run on Saturday and another on Sunday to impress the judges and the crowd. Ryan “Sulli” Sullivan of Whistler, BC, took home the $1,000 cash reward by nailing both his runs and collecting the most combined points. The 18-year-old Sullivan, sponsored by Rossignol, Adidas Eyewear, and Giro, has won many junior contests and has made a name for himself amongst the Rossignol team. Second place went to veteran and fellow Rossignol team member Matt Elliot while Joel Whalen of Fernie was awarded third prize.

Wrangle the Chute is technical big mountain riding layered with terrain park features, and cowboy thrills on a bucking bronco. Spectators watched athletes from Heaven’s Door Yurt where the grill was fired and the Big Rock Beer and Red Bull was chilled.

The event also marked the anniversary of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s Big Mountain Centre. A celebration on Saturday afternoon was held at the Day Lodge with Big Rock Untapped band, The Matt Blais Connection, rocking the house and the BMC Texas Hold’em Poker Challenge.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort opened in the 2000/2001 ski season with the introduction of a gondola to the top of the mountain range.

Proposed plans include a destination resort that will be capable of sustaining the summer and winter activities that are needed for longer term overnight guests and local recreational enthusiasts. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort also proposes developing a signature 18-hole golf course which will greatly enhance lodging through the summer season.