Ski at Kicking Horse

A story about a ski trip to Kicking Horse Mountain in Golden, Canada. The protagonist, a beginner skier, repeatedly falls but learns to enjoy the process, embracing the essence of travel. From gazing at the snowy landscape from the gondola to savoring hot chocolate and poutine at the mountaintop, every moment becomes a cherished memory. Capturing the breathtaking scenery with a large-format film camera, they realize that some emotions cannot be recorded. As winter nears its end, they reflect on how travel mirrors life—filled with challenges and discoveries—and wonder what the next journey will bring.

Kicking Horse Mountain

In the small town of Golden, located in British Columbia, Canada, there is a ski resort called Kicking Horse Mountain. In winter, the land is covered in thick snow, and the air is so cold that it feels like it could freeze your lungs. Yet, at the same time, it gives you an incomparable sense of freedom.

“Alright, let’s go!”

The rented ski gear was heavier than I expected, and I struggled to put everything on properly. Standing at the edge of the ski slope, I could hear the wind howling around me and the distant laughter of other skiers. I took a deep breath, pushed off with my feet—

And within five seconds, my face had made an intimate connection with the snow.

“Ughhh!”

I had lost count of how many times I had fallen. Every time I tried to stop, I would either spin out of control or roll into a heap. But maybe that’s just part of the fun of skiing—finding joy even in the clumsiness. That, after all, is the essence of travel.

After a short break, I boarded the gondola and gazed down at the vast white landscape below. The skiers moving across the slopes looked like brushstrokes on a blank canvas, painting their own paths in the snow. As the gondola steadily ascended, the view opened up, revealing the entire town of Golden, wrapped in snow like something out of a fairytale.

“This place… is even more beautiful than I imagined.”

When I reached the mountaintop, an endless stretch of snow-covered peaks unfolded before my eyes. The sun shone down, reflecting brilliantly off the snow, making me instinctively squint. Even the breathtaking scenery of Banff couldn’t quite compare to this pristine, white world.

At the summit stood a cozy wooden lodge called Eagle’s Eye Restaurant. A wind chime hung at the entrance, emitting a crisp, clear sound as the breeze passed through. I pushed open the door and ordered a hot chocolate and a serving of poutine. The rich aroma filled the air. Though poutine is available even at McDonald’s, enjoying it atop a snowy mountain made it taste all the more special.

“This is pure happiness…”

Wanting to preserve this feeling, I took out my 4×5 large-format film camera and captured the magnificent mountain scenery. The world through the lens looked exactly the same as reality, yet I knew that the emotions of this moment could never truly be recorded.

After descending the mountain, I walked along the Columbia River and saw that the ice on the river’s surface had begun to melt. The flowing water carried a hint of spring, as if whispering that winter was coming to an end, and so was my journey.

That evening, I dined at Turning Point Restaurant and treated myself to a plate of pork ribs. It wasn’t cheap, but as a reward for myself, it was well worth it. With each bite, the rich sauce spread through my mouth, blending perfectly with the smoky aroma of the meat. In that moment, life in a foreign land didn’t feel quite so lonely.

Thinking back to when I first arrived in Golden, I felt like I had been “tricked” into coming here. But now, the scenery had far exceeded my expectations, and I had grown to love this small town.

Falling, struggling, standing back up again—this journey felt just like life itself. Pushing my limits, facing challenges, and along the way, discovering unexpected beauty.

“I wonder what my next journey will bring?”

That’s a question only my future self can answer.