Kimberley News
According to some of our staff, the best thing about spring in Kimberley is…
Sue Raymond is 1st year Ski Host at Kimberley Alpine Resort, she’s lived in Kimberley for 10 years and owns Stonefire Pizzeria in the Platzl and is also a Kimberley Alpine Resort Event Volunteer Extraordinaire!
We asked Sue about her favourite part of Spring in Kimberley;
Q: What’s your favorite thing about the resort in Spring?
A: SUNSHINE!! And Kimberley gets lots of it!
Q: What’s your favorite Spring Event?
A: Spring Splash! There’s lots of people and a great vibe! It’s the happening place to be.
Q: Where do you go for Apres?
A: Stemwinder for live Apres music at 3!
Q: What are you favourite runs at Kimberley Alpine Resort?
A: I especially love our groomers especially Flapper – A groomed Black run!
Our Ski Hosts run FREE mountain tours daily at 10:30 am, find them at the sign outside the rental shop (see Sue and the sign in the picture to the left) to join in on a free tour!
Glenn Hauptman is our smiling, laughing Ski Tech Extraordinaire and Trickle Creek Golf Course General Manager. He has been working at Kimberley Alpine Resort for 8 years – working here in the late 90’s for 5 years and then taking a hiatus and now has been back for the last 4 years.
Q: What is your favourite thing about Kinmberley Alpine Resort in Spring?
A: Corn snow and blue bird days. (Kimberley is famous for its sunshine)
Q: What is your favourite Spring Event?
A: Definitely, the Spring Splash – I get a kick out of people wiping out in the pond! I also like the Beer and Burgers on the deck!
Q: What is your favourite place to Apres?
A: Stemwinder! I LOVE their Poutine and Honker’s Ale.
Q: What is your favourite run at Kimberley Alpine Resort?
A: Magma! I head straight over to Easter Chair to Magma for its sustained fall line and steep pitch.
The Spring Splash Festival is on April 2nd! Book your room now and see what all the fuss is about! Rooms at Trickle Creek Lodge start at just $99 with our special Spring splash offer, call 1-877-282-1200 or email info@tricklecreeklodge to book your spot!
- Published in News
**You can NOW Register and Pay at Guest Services or call 250.427.4881**
You can also fill out the RCR Event Waiver online. Please click on the following link: https://
Downhill Ski or Board (2km) Cross Country Ski (5km) Road Runner (4.2km) Rock Climb (5 climbs) Cyclist (4km)
Individual (all ages) $40
Mixed team up to 5 people (all ages) $100
Registration fee includes a bbq lunch, event souvenir and a draw ticket for a chance to win awesome prizes!
Click here to view Schedule and Nordic Maps – 2016 iron legs schedule 5km Nordic Map 3.5km/kids Nordic
8am – Bib pick up, waiver signing and collection of payments on the day of the race. (It is recommended that individual racers drop their equipment off at the transition areas prior to registering at 8am-9:30am on Saturday. There will be a volunteer present at 8am outside the Climbing Gym and Nordic Centre to watch over equipment.)
9:30am – Pre race meeting in Slopeside
10.30am – Race starts
1:30pm: Ceremony in KAR Plaza
Running/Cycling Map
Here is the 2016 Course Map for the running/cycling portion of Iron Legs. Runners will start at Kimberley Nordic Club and run down to Spirit Rock Climbing Center through the Platzl. The cycling portion will start at Climbing Gym through the Platzl (mandatory for all cyclists to walk/push bike through Platzl) up Gerry Sorensen Way to Stemwinder Drive (past Trickle Creek Lodge) into the KAR Plaza.
A special thanks to our sponsors so far: Rossignol, Helly Hansen, Head, Jeep, Telus, Kokanee, Spirit Rock Climbing Centre, Kimberley Vacations, Kootenay Mountain Works, Purcell Outdoors and Handz on Evolution, B104 Total Country and 102.9 The Drive, Kimberley Nordic Centre, St. Eugene Resort and Casino and the City of Kimberley.
- Published in News
Schedule of Events
Saturday, April 2nd
9am Splash event information and REGISTRATION tents opens in plaza *Please note – Registration is on the day of the event on a first come first serve basis.
11am BBQ and beer gardens open, photo booth, plaza games, free facepainting and more!
12pm Live music by Mile High Club
2:15pm Spring Splash event begins!!!
4:45pm Spring Splash & event awards
5:00pm Live music by Jory Kinjo and the Static
7:30pm Live music in Stemwinder by Oak Republic
Sunday, April 3rd
9 – 11am Information and Registration Tent opens in the plaza (you can register now for Dummy Downhill at Guest Services or email events@skikimberley.com)
Dummy inspection begins
11am BBQ and beer gardens open, photo booth, plaza games, free facepainting and more!
12:30pm Live music by Lucas Hanny and The Fable Hoppers
3:00pm Dummy Downhill starts
4:00pm Dummy Downhill and event awards!
4:30pm Live music by the Good Ol’ Goats
For more info call: 250.427.4881
- Published in News
March 12, 2016
Click here to view Ski Mo results 2016
Thank you to all the participants, sponsors, organizers and volunteers for all their help to make this event a success.
- Published in News
**Ski Mo Update**
Rules:
1. Competitors must descend on skis or board through the gated course to the finish at base.
2. If using snowshoes, competitors must carry their own equipment and ski or board to finish.
3. Since the awards ceremonies will be held at 3 pm in the plaza, competitors must be able to reach the first control station at the top of Boundary within 2 hours or will be disqualified. Competitors must complete the competition to qualify for prizes and draw prizes.
5. If you miss a control station on the descent you will assess a 10 second penalty.
**You can now Register and Pay at Guest Services or call 250.427.4881**
All AT -Gear, splitboards, tele-mark and snowshoes welcome. (Snowshoes available for $11 at the KAR rental Shop-this is a special deal only for participants)
Participants will start in Plaza, skin up Boundary (2) to Kootenay Haus. Participants will then take their skins off and descend through the gates to the plaza.
$20 entry fee includes: burger, beer and a raffle ticket for prizes
- Race Start: 12:00pm in Plaza
- Registration: 9-11am in Slopeside
- Mandatory Safety Meeting: 11:30 in Plaza
Atmosphere will be extremely friendly ( a good way to get introduced to the sport)
Awards/prizes at the Ski-Mo Social in Stemwinder Bar and Grill
**Helmets required** No x-country skis allowed
We would like to thank our sponsors so far – Boulder Hut Adventures, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Kootenay Mountain Works, Kimberley Orienteering Club, Spirit Rock Climbing Gym, Kimberley Vacations, Purcell Ourdoors, Big Magic Designs, Montana’s BBQ and Bar, Trickle Creek Golf Course, Kimberley Golf Club
For more info call 250.427.4881 and events@skikimberley.com
- Published in News
What a sweet first day at the Jeep Junior Freeski presented by Smith Optics & Rossignol at Kimberley Alpine Resort. 100 participants rocked sunny Geneva today. Goggle tans gone wild!!!
Click on the following link to view Saturday’s results:
IFSA Final Results for Sunday 28th Feb
Click on the following link to view Sunday’s startlist
Start List sunday 28th jr free ski
Check out Saturday pics from Jay Armstrong unityblue media
Many thanks to the athletes, parents, volunteers, staff and sponsors for making this happen.
- Published in News
Words by Cali Sammel
Photos by Tourism Kimberley, The Real Mckenzie Photography and Mike Reece.
The ski (and tourism) industry are run by numbers and stats – i.e how many runs the mountain offers, how many centimeters or feet of snowfall received, how many other things can I do while visiting? Well, here are some interesting Kimberley numbers you might be less familiar with!
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historic points of interest. Kimberley Alpine Resort and the city of Kimberley, B.C have a strong history in mining, leading the town and resort to have many names and areas that pay homage to the industry. Find out more about the points of interest on our website – https://skikimberley.com/things-to-do/points-of-interest/.
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feet of fire! A favourite tradition of the locals and staff in Kimberley is the annual Ullr Dag ski burning ceremony. Near the beginning of each year, there is a gathering and offering to the Norse god of snow by burning old skis and hoping to appease the god to bring the perfect purcell powder falling all season long.
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in the morning – NEW this season, Montana’s opens for breakfast at 8:00am on Friday, Saturday & Sundays (8:30 am Monday through Thursday). Montana’s is located in Trickle Creek Lodge in the base area at Kimberley Alpine Resort.
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hundred! Hectares of skiable terrain, now that should keep you occupied for a wee bit of time!
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thousand! Our lift capacity per hour, it’s easy to keep those slopes uncrowded with that kind of movement.
5
kilometers of cross country ski track. There are various cross country ski tracks near Kimberley Alpine Resort, maintained by the Kimberley Nordic Club, loops are 7 km, 5 km and 3 km in length.
4
months to night ski! From mid December to mid March, enjoy Night Skiing on our main run (and the longest lit run in North America) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Don’t forget to check out the ‘Rec Rut Runners’ our Thursday night race series or our Friday College Nights! Visit the Online Events Calendar for more information.
3
hours of Fat Biking! Try the newest and hottest winter outdoor activity craze and take a Fat Biking tour around Trickle Creek Golf Resort. Rent it for just $45 – email the Winter Sports School (skischool@skikimberley.com) for more information or see the Fat Bike section on our website.
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awesome après spots on mountain. Head up the stairs and check out The Stemwinder – featuring a variety of daily food and drink specials as well as local jam nights and live après music every single weekend throughout the season! Got kids? Montana’s is the place to be, with views of the ski resort and a restaurant for the whole family to enjoy a beverage or after ski snack together. (Note – Stemwinder is kid friendly as well – ask our staff for ‘kid friendly’ hours).
1
Good Place to Be. Kimberley is: A Good Place to Be… “all together now, finding adventure, closer together, pinnin’ it, roughing it with friends” or whatever else you choose to do here!
- Published in News
Don’t be one of those skiers or snowboarders who decide to store their gear in the garage by the time the first tiny flower begins to bloom in early March. Indeed, there’s a rather cruel irony to spring skiing. Days are longer. Snow is softer. Vacation packages are cheaper. And you’ll come back to the city with a killer tan. Tucked into the southeastern corner of British Columbia and just a short shuttle from the city of Cranbrook and its Airport of the Canadian Rockies, Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort really know how to celebrate spring.
- Spring skiing starts with sunshine, and plenty of it. After three months of heavy snowfall and endless face shots, most skiers and riders are happy to see ol’ sol. How much sunshine is there? Well, Cranbrook, BC (home to the Airport of the Canadian Rockies), boasts over 2300 hours of sunshine annually. Morning temperatures start a few degrees Celsius below freezing, but warm up by mid-day to very comfortable It’s not exactly spring in Vancouver, but the sunshine is abundant and is strong enough to make the need for sunscreen on exposed patches of skin mandatory. On another note, keep the bikinis and surf shorts for the hot tub, you really don’t want a bad case of road rash if you fall on corn snow!
- There’s plenty of snow. It goes without saying that by the time the vernal equinox rolls around, that base measurements on the mountain exceed two metres or more. That means you won’t ding any rocks or stumps and can ski with confidence on all aspects. At this time of the year, it’s prudent to “follow the sun” around the mountain; starting with slopes that Both Kimberley and Fernie have many runs that face in different directions – east and south facing runs “warm up” the quickest, west and north facing runs receive sun later in the day. It’s worth noting that even on the warmest spring days, north facing slopes can hold grippy, even powdery snow because they’re in the shadows all day long. And of course, the higher you go on the mountain, the colder temperatures will get.
- Not only is the sun more powerful, by the time March rolls around the days are getting longer, too. Early birds will want to rise near dawn and get the heart beating with an invigorating morning run. And make sure you go for a walk around downtown Kimberley or Fernie after the lifts shut down. Enjoy the fiery rays of golden light that mountain folk call alpenglow.
- Combine sunshine and a deep base and you get… corn snow. Corn snow is so named because its granular structure resembles kernels of corn that have been cut from the cob. The kernels form on a melt/freeze cycle. As the sun comes out and intensifies during the day, hard, icy snow starts to melt and morphs into a slushy texture (think of a snow cone that you eat at a fair or farmer’s market). Forming in a layer up to several centimetres thick, these pellet-like grains are easy to set an edge in and a delight to ski. Fearsome mogul runs become easily tamed piles of mush. Bulletproof groomed slopes develop a layer of granular goodness that makes it fell like your Marty McFly and his hoverboard – literally, you’re cruising effortlessly on a thin carpet of frictionless, ball bearing snow. Corn snow is often called “hero snow” because it’s so easy to work with – push out your skis and “rail” those hard carving turns. Or widen your stance, flatten your ski and butter some spins in the terrain park – it’s all good. To get the most out of your skiing day, sign up for a lesson or two and explore chutes, alpine bowls, soft bumps, and carpeted cruisers. Lessons are worth taking at any time of year, but since you’ve probably already got your ‘ski legs’, you can take more chances and have more fun!
- Blue skies and puffy clouds are great for snapping photos with your iPhone camera or recording videos on GoPro. At high mountain elevations, the blue end of the spectrum becomes especially vivid, which is why spring skiing is synonymous with “bluebird days.” Of course, you’ll want to Snapchat or Instagram your day on the slopes, but here’s a high contrast tip: try shooting when the sun’s a bit lower in the sky, before ten in the morning and after two in the afternoon to reduce harsh glare and black skier/ white background contrast. You might even wait until the sun ducks behind a cloud for an instant to make the colours and skin tones pop a bit.
- Virtually all school districts throughout British Columbia now receive a two week Spring Break during the month of March. , Spring Break sees both Kimberley and Fernie with virtually all terrain 100 percent open and with short, manageable lift lines.
So, extend your ski season this spring at Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort… and get a great goggle tan!
Words by Steven Threndyle.
Photos by Raven Eye Photography & The Real Mckenzie Photography
- Published in News
City of Kimberley receives $4.5M federal Gas Tax Fund contribution for reconstruction of Gerry Sorensen Way
KIMBERLEY, B.C. – The City of Kimberley is pleased to announce that it will receive the lesser of $4.5M or 100% of the costs for the Gerry Sorensen Way Reconstruction project under the Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund.
With an estimated 800,000 vehicle trips on Gerry Sorensen Way each year, local residents should benefit from reduced wear and tear on their vehicles. As a resort municipality, the City of Kimberley is also interested in improving tourists’ perceptions and experiences in our City. Travel between the downtown core and the Kimberley Alpine Resort, Trickle Creek Golf Course, Kimberley Nordic Centre, 500 condominiums, and 300 townhouses should be greatly improved.
The poor condition of Gerry Sorensen Way is largely due to poor drainage and improper subsurface materials from the original construction. The annual patching of potholes and cracking has consumed approximately half of the City’s paving budget over the last five years.
The project will go out to tender in March. The work on Gerry Sorensen Way will begin in May and finish in September 2016.
Quotes:
Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick states “Good roads create a positive impression of the community, and are a visible indication to taxpayers that their tax money is being well spent. Virtually every visitor that comes to Kimberley drives Gerry Sorensen Way, as does the majority of residents on a regular basis. Our highest profile road needs to be one of our best. We are thrilled to be able to do the work this year.”
Don McCormick, Mayor, City of Kimberley
“Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, the Government of Canada is allowing communities in BC, and all across Canada, to make informed decisions about their infrastructure investments and how best to spend federal dollars. Community officials are best positioned to identify their specific needs, and the federal Gas Tax fund supports them in making those strategic investments. These 57 projects will contribute to building the strong, inclusive and sustainable communities Canadians desire to live in.”
Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“These funds will help support the construction of infrastructure improvements that will provide a better standard of living for residents in communities all across B.C. I’m pleased to say that local governments throughout the province are receiving more than $69 million in funding for 27 capital projects through the Federal Ga s Tax Fund, which is administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and provided by the Government of Canada.”
Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
“Investments through the federal Gas Tax Fund are helping British Columbia’s municipalities address their local infrastructure priorities, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Gas tax funding is important for building and improving critical transportation infrastructure, including the bridge in Zeballos and other municipal facilities. We thank the federal government for its support from this fund, which will make way for a number of worthwhile projects around B.C. to complement our 10-year transportation plan – B.C. on the Move.”
The Honourable Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“The federal Gas Tax Fund is helping local governments accelerate their capital investment plans. These investments will support improved levels of service for facilities in communities throughout BC. The 189 local governments that we represent appreciate the ongoing commitment of the Government of Canada to improving local infrastructure. We are also pleased with the valued support provided by the Province of British Columbia to deliver this program.”
Al Richmond, President, Union of BC Municipalities
Associated Links:
To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html.
http://infc.gc.ca/b5a1
- Published in News, Press Releases
IPCAS Speed Event and Masters Race Series
On February 16-20, Kimberley Alpine Resort in hosting the IPCAS/Masters Ski Race Series. This is a very unique combination, as we are combining the adaptive/disabled ski racers with 18-80 year old Masters Racers.
The IPCAS will be training and competing in Downhill and Super G disciplines only. The Masters will be doing Downhill, Super G, GS and a Night Slalom. Masters is open to anyone 18 and older that has the desire to compete.
Racers must pre register and can register NOW through https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=11146 (registration closes Monday, February 15)
Itinerary:
Tuesday, Feb 16 and Wed. Feb 17 – Downhill Training days (IPCAS and Masters)
Thursday, Feb 18 – 2 Downhill Races (IPCAS and Masters) *Masters must particpate in 1 day of Downhill Training in order to race in the Downhill*
Thursday, Feb 18 – Night slalom for Masters
Friday, Feb 19 – 2 Super G Races (IPCAS and Masters)
Saturday, Feb 20 – GS for Masters
- Published in News, Press Releases