GOLDEN, B.C. – The number of via ferratas in Canada is growing.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort says it plans to open one of the climbing attractions this summer.

A via ferrata – or “iron road” in Italian – uses fixed cables, ladders and bridges to facilitate a climb.

The resort, 14 kilometres west of Golden, says its version will have two difficulty levels and take about 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours to complete.

Common in Europe, recreational via ferratas have been installed in Canada in recent years. Mount Norquay in Banff National Park opened guided via ferrata routes last summer.

Other locations include Whistler, B.C.; Mount Nimbus in B.C.’s Purcell Mountains; near Nordegg, Alta.; and Canyon Ste-Anne near Quebec City.