Kimberley News
A Guide to Thrive in Winter
Let’s get straight to the point; winter tends to overstay its welcome. With major snowstorms lasting into April earlier this year, Mother Nature definitely took longer than expected to bestow warmer temperatures upon us Canadians.
Living in this wonderful, snowy nation, there are some crucial lessons to learn in order to thrive in the ‘Great White North’. Most importantly, is realizing the importance of making the best of your environment and conditions (especially the long winter months we so often endure).
Our initial instincts are to stay warm and cozy during blizzard-stricken months, huddled indoors with blankets, warm drinks, a crackling fire and taking in an unhealthy amount of Netflix, while silently praying that our neighbour or significant other will shovel the walkway. Winters have such great potential though, why surrender such glorious opportunities to see the remarkable beauty Canada boasts in its backyard?
Exploring the outdoors throughout all four of our Canadian seasons is a revitalizing experience for us, which should be taken advantage of to refresh our frame of mind. It’s a chance to discover new adventures just a snowball’s throw away. We’re all familiar with making the most of warm temperatures during the summer months with patio season and backyard lounging in full swing. The winter landscape can be just as inspiring too, when given the chance.
If you need more convincing, here are a few of Canada’s premiere winter activity destinations:
Fernie, British Columbia
The shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs along 2nd Avenue in Fernie are some of the Canadian Rockies’ hidden gems, with surrounding mountain peaks looming over the glow of its downtown streets.
Located just down the road, Fernie Alpine Resort is home to some of Canada’s most legendary powder, with an average snowfall of 30ft. From epic downhill skiing to leisurely snowshoe and groomed cross-country skiing trails, the resort has activities for the whole family. It also offers plenty of weekly programs to get you outside and even yoga classes to help you find your winter Zen. Their on-mountain accommodations along with a local shuttle to town make for a perfect introduction to Canada’s winter activities.
Fernie’s picturesque peaks in the background
Kimberley, British Columbia
If you’re looking for a classic mountain town, you’ve found it. The town of Kimberley embodies the Canadian spirit with humble, welcoming locals and a relentless passion for nature. Kimberley is home to craft beers, great local dining, the oldest building in Canada and a variety of activities to enjoy outside.
With stunning scenery of the Kootenay mountains, Kimberley Alpine Resort is just minutes from town and offers great facilities and terrain for people of all skiing and snowboarding ability levels – from first-timers to seasoned slope shredders. Looking to stay on level ground? Try the area’s expansive snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing network or check out fat biking, one of North America’s favourite new activities (mountain bikes with wider tires for better grip in snow conditions).
No crowds – one of the amazing aspects of Kimberley Alpine Resort
Golden, British Columbia
One of the most famed locations along the Powder Highway, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and the town of Golden are conveniently located along the TransCanada Highway and ready to provide you a mountain experience like no other. Drop into Whitetooth Brewing Co. for locally crafted beers, or the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre for an up-close learning session with these amazing animals.
Delving deeper into nature, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers Canada’s highest dining experience, the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant at 7,700ft. Once you’re fueled up, hit the slopes of the Catamount Chair to learn the basics on your skis or snowboard, or bring your little ones to the tube park and natural ice rink at the base of the resort. Advanced skiers head to the top via the gondola for wide ranging bowls, ridges and chutes. If staying grounded is your preference, Golden is primed with world-class snowmobiling, along with plenty of rentals and tours available.
Wide bowls at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Life’s too short – and winters are too long – to miss out on a lifetime of adventure. Let winter activities revitalize your soul and help you look forward to the inevitable snowfalls each year. Meet Mother Nature halfway on this one and discover how rewarding Canada’s winter climates can truly be.
- Published in News
Get The Most Out Of Your Swing – Golf Balls Travel Further in the Highest City in Canada
There are many reasons why one golf in Kimberley, B.C, whether it’s about the course, the town or the people – whatever your reason is, these might be a few more to consider;
Top courses to play
Trickle Creek Golf Resort – voted #1 course in the Kimberley & Cranbrook region by the B.C. Golfer’s Dream survey in 2016 and again this season! If golfing the #1 course in the region doesn’t tickle your fancy then we don’t know what will.
Escape the heat
Kimberley is cooler (in temperature that is). As well as being the highest city in Canada, Kimberley is located in the mountains, providing some nice cool mountain breezes on those hotter days. Don’t get us wrong, there are hot days, but compared to other nearby places (i.e – Okanagan area) Kimberley is definitely cooler!
Balls travel further
Kimberley, B.C is the highest city in Canada and no we don’t mean THAT kind of high. We mean altitude high and it’s a fact that golf balls do in fact travel further in higher altitudes. The science behind it is all about air density – air density decreases and elevation increases which means the ball can fly more easily through the air. So, if you’re looking to get more out of your swing – it’s time to try golfing in Kimberley! Don’t buy it? Well listen to a real scientist discuss higher altitudes and how it effects your game here on the Titleist website.
Take in the mountain views
Trickle Creek Golf Resort is frequently referred to as ‘a golfers dream’ with ‘dramatic elevation changes, peak-filled horizons, gorgeous white-silica bunkers, undulating greens and a solid Les Furber design add up to an unforgettable day of golf’. And it really is all that and more, just look at this photo and try to argue this point;
Animals and more
Don’t come just for the golf or the amazing landscape, come for the wildlife experience as well. Trickle Creek Golf Resort and Kimberley, B.C are home to friendly deer, birds, cute ground gophers and chipmunks as well as (not so friendly) bears, who all stop by once and a while to check out your score. While you always need to practice safety around wildlife and be bear aware, there is something amazing about seeing a mama bear and her cubs take a stroll across the green you’re aiming at, just sit back and take it all in (from a safe distance). Get a sampling of the wildlife you might see on our previous blog – ‘The keenest spectators, the wildlife of Trickle Creek‘.
A round (or two) after your round
Kimberley has a great ‘apres’ scene – whether it’s golf or ski season! At Trickle Creek Golf Resort, The Clubhouse offers a large patio facing the 18th green with amazing food and great drink options, or try out Buckhorn & Main Mountain Eatery for a view of the ski resort during the summer – it’s located just down the road at Trickle Creek Lodge. Plus Buckhorn & Main have just release their new summer flavours menu which features the incredible Smokey Bacon Burger! Venturing into town gives you even more options include Overtime Beerworks for some craft beer action, Pedal & Tap for a place the locals love as well as Stonefire Pizza for a family meal or Sullivan’s Pub for some keno fun and pub style fare.
The delicious food at The Clubhouse
- Published in News
Historic Event for the Community – WestJet Has Arrived
On Wednesday, June 20th the very first WestJet flight landed at YXC, the Canadian Rockies International Airport, marking the beginning of their new Calgary, YYC to YXC direct flight service. This exciting new service brings Cranbrook and the surrounding areas including Kimberley, B.C even more accessible for travelers. Unless you live in a mountain town, you’ve likely never contemplated leaving your house and skiing or golfing that same day, but now you can! With Kimberley Alpine Resort & Trickle Creek Golf Resort just a short drive from the airport you can fly in the morning and ski or golf in the afternoon! Stay at Trickle Creek Lodge, ski in/ski out accommodations at Kimberley Alpine Resort and just down the street from Trickle Creek Golf Resort and enjoy shuttle service from the airport.
See the arrival of the first flight through our Facebook live video and check out more photos on our Instagram.
Book your YYC to YXC WestJet flight on their website.
- Published in News
The Kimberley Century Club
No we don’t mean beer…..we mean ski days!
Here’s a list of the most hardcore of hardcore skiers who made it out for 100+ days this past ski season!
A special congratulations to Ivan Mather who skied every single day this past season (121 days) and congratulations to all who skied 100 + days.
What a feat! How many days did you get in this year?
- Published in News
Boulder Hut – Backcountry Experience in the Purcells
There are no baths or showers at Boulder Hut. Clean-up after a day of strenuous backcountry skiing involves soaping up in a wood-fired sauna, then dumping a bucket of water over one’s head. To my surprise a fellow guest, fit naked and female, offered to do the pouring. I reluctantly acquiesced. Thereafter, the absence of a proper shower seemed trivial and I decided to forego my complaint to management.
Management at this remote backcountry lodge consists of owners Mark and Sarah Yancey, whose infectious love of Boulder Hut – and the remote lifestyle it entails – is evident from the moment they greet you on the snow-packed heli-pad.
Over the years I’ve acquired all the accoutrements for ski-touring – and on occasion I’ve skinned up the Kimberley ski hill – but I had never before toured in the backcountry.
So I was curious when a helicopter touched down at the base of the ski hill on a sunny morning in January. A group of people, ski paraphernalia in tow, was preparing to board. I put down my coffee, stepped off the deck and wandered over. I asked the pilot where they were bound.
“Boulder Hut” he said.
“Where’s that?” I queried.
“Twelve minutes that way,” he said pointing west over Northstar Mountain.
As I ain’t gettin’ no younger, I determined to be on that chopper before the season ended. And so in mid-March I was soaring over our condo, watching my wife Florence waving goodbye from our deck. I hoped it was not a permanent farewell.
Moments later we were up and over the Black Forest on the ski hill’s back side.
Then we were into the rugged roadless world of the Purcell Range. We steered along a ridge of wintry peaks, summited Boulder Pass and descended into a broad forested valley. A tiny dot far below soon resolved into the Boulder Hut.
After a welcoming lunch and safety briefing we strapped on skins and started our first ascent through the thick forest of old-growth spruce that provides Boulder’s gorgeous back-drop. The conditions were fabulous; a storm had just blown through. Fresh powder and sunny, bluebird conditions greeted us.
Every winter the media warns of avalanche danger in the backcountry. At Boulder Hut safety is paramount. With Mark and alpine guide Brent Peters constantly checking conditions – and leading the way through dicey areas – we felt safe and comfortable.
When there was any hint of risk they dug a snow profile to check for stability and to ensure some rogue slab wouldn’t ruin our day.
Boulder Hut is remote, quaint and rustic – guests share an open sleeping cabin. If you forget earplugs (and sleeping pills), your repose may be ruined; exhausted snoring skiers make a hell of a racket. In the evening guests are responsible for stoking the wood-burning stove. Failure to maintain the fire means for a long cold shivering night. As the only rookie, I was utterly exhausted at the end of each day and slept like a baby – with an assist from earplugs (and a little blue friend).
Boulder has no laundry facilities. By the fourth night my ski socks, hanging over the bunk to dry, had taken on a crisp flavourful bouquet – or so my fellow guests observed (I was obliviously comatose).
Drinking water is drawn directly from a small creek that flows year-round. The same stream supplies power via a small hydroelectric plant.
Boulder’s bathrooms are located al fresco; open A-frame jobbies where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Purcell Mountains whilst engaging in one’s morning constitutional. A sign planted in the snow announces whether the privy is occupied or available.
At Boulder Hut there is no cellphone coverage or internet. And guests are (gasp) expected to help with dishes after dinner.
I’ve been to five-star ski lodges where a cat whisks you to the top of the mountain for each run. At Boulder Hut every turn is earned. Mark calculated that we climbed 14,000 feet (4300 meters) during our stay.
Sound like a miserable experience?
I had the time of my life. Mark, Sarah, their kids Grace and Alden, mascot Rosie the Great Pyrenees and my seven fascinating fellow guests made for a fabulous, unique experience.
I’m going back to Boulder this winter – and taking along a few buddies – all rookies. Now if only I can arrange for a reprise of that fit lady with the water bucket.
Check out Gerry’s Blog to read about the rest of my adventures.
- Published in News
Ring in 2018 with Fresh Pow & Warmer Temps
2018 is sure starting off right at Kimberley Alpine Resort, with the perfect combination for skiers & riders – new snow & warm temps! Now is the most amazing time of the year in Kimberley. Kick off your new year the best way, with Mountain Time!
Even though the year has just started we’re already in deep – this season kicked into high gear with record setting early snowfall – our total to date is nearly 10 feet with 45 cms falling in the last 7 days alone. Warm temperatures have hit the mountains, so don’t wait – now is the perfect time to ski and ride!
More presents coming soon! Skiers and riders celebrate as the winter 2018 storm track is focused on the Powder Highway region with weather forecasts predicting more snow on the way this weekend.
Take your own turns in the Kimberley winter wonderland with great vacation packages, book now as the powder chasers will tell you that January is one of the best months to ski!
Want to get a taste of what that perfect Purcell powder skiing at Kimberley is like right now. Check out this video from this past week on our Facebook page.
- Published in News
Ski Season Starts on Saturday!
There’s not much skiers and snowboards look forward to more than the first few turns of the season and with great early season snowfall in November this year’s opening weekend is looking like it’s going to be an awesome one! Most terrain off of the Easter Chair will be open, this includes skiing in the Vimy Ridge zone, and the upper parts of the Black Forest and Tamarack Ridge zones. Access to the Easter Chair will be by way of the North Star Express Quad Chair. Exit off the mountain back to the base will be by way of the Ridgeway ski way. (Please be aware and ski with care, and watch for early season hazards. Skiing on the Easter Chair is not recommended for first-timers or beginners). Services open will be Guest Services, Winter Sports School (lessons start Dec 16th), Rental & Repair shops, NEW Buckhorn & Main restaurant located in Trickle Creek Lodge, Stemwinder Bar & Grill, Slopeside Café and the Retail Shop.
For hours and ticket prices see our website. The most up to date information will be posted to our Snow Report & the RCR App.
December 6th at Kimberley Alpine Resort
- Published in News
New Air Service links Powder Highway with the World
For Immediate Release: November 27th, 2017
New Air Service links Powder Highway with the World
British Columbia – WestJet link has just been announced! WestJet link is a new regional air service, operated by Pacific Coastal, which will now provide flights into the Cranbrook International Airport (YXC). Skiers and snowboarders can land and ski on the Powder Highway all in one day with YXC located under 30 minutes away from Kimberley Alpine Resort & under 60 minutes away from Fernie Alpine Resort. With flights from Calgary International Airport costing just about the same as a tank of gas, it’s a quicker option to get on those slopes as fast as possible!
Starting March 2018 WestJet will be flying YYC —> YXC 3 times daily with fares starting at $64 (one way, plus taxes).
“This is very exciting news for the City of Cranbrook and surrounding communities. Residents from the East and West Kootenay have been waiting for years for WestJet connections to Calgary giving access to destinations around the world. This also opens up the world with easier access to the Kootenays. Pacific Coastal has been a great supporter of the Canadian Rockies International Airport and this solidifies their other routes with us. We will put concentrated effort into encouraging the public to take advantage of this added service.”
Lee Pratt, Mayor of Cranbrook (excerpt from WestJet press release)
Book your flight now on http://www.westjet.com.
Kimberley Alpine Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
Fernie Alpine Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller, Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
mmosteller@skircr.com • Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt • Powder Matt’s Blog
- Published in News, Press Releases
Why Kimberley is your young family’s new favourite destination
I have truly arrived. Most of this sunny Kootenay winter day had been spent sessioning Kimberley Alpine Resort’s marquee kids run, known as the Mascot Trail. After a half dozen laps, I had become intimately familiar with every twist, turn, banked corner, camel bump and kicker that the little Mascot could throw at us. Now late in the afternoon, photographer Steve Ogle and I settle into deck chairs outside the Trickle Creek Lodge lounge in the sunshine, order some cold pints and watch our oldest kids Casey, 6, and Zola, 7, happily lapping the Owl T-Bar without direct parental support. The timeless ski resort classic rock soundtrack that seems perpetually trapped in the 80s – Joe Jackson, Talking Heads, Men at Work, etcetera – sets the après ski mood. I’ll speak for both generations and say that both generations are enjoying this newfound, mutually enjoyable liberty.
I’ll be honest, I had up until now given Kimberley Alpine Resort a pass in my ski travel plans, even though it’s a hill with an interesting past, built by millwrights and other trades people employed at the nearby massive Sullivan underground lead, zinc, silver and tin mine that ran for 92 years until its 
closure in 2001. My loss as I was to discover during a week in March, when Ogle and I traveled to the East Kootenays with our families to sample Kimberley’s skiing riches. What the resort lacks in bowls, chutes and alpine faces, it makes up for with a respectable vertical drop of 750 metres, long runs (like the 6.4 km long Ridgeway), steep fall line groomers, bump runs and glades that have produced more than its fair share of national level skiers and athletes. This fact is reinforced when we park our entourage of eight one afternoon at Kootenay Haus, a bring-your-own-bag lunch chalet, with a self-serve, pay-by-donation coffee pot, tucked on a knoll between a pair of blue runs and sporting a deck with a jaw dropping view of the Columbia Valley. Displayed on one of the inside walls are the mugs of the many Kimberley characters who have left their mark on the race courses and mountains of the world – Gerry Sorensen, Stan Hayer, Paralympian Josh Dueck, Seven Sumitteer, Pat Morrow, and telemark skier extraordinaire Monte Paynter, to name a handful.
Later that same day we connect with another local Heidi Korven and her skiing family to explore more of the hill. Korven is proud of her town and ski hill; for good reason. Kimberley’s heritage village core has traded in its Bavarian motif for something a little more contemporary with a bevy of new businesses that includes the awesome family friendly Spirit Rock Climbing Centre, a craft brewery, and popular eateries like the Pedal and Tap and Stonefire Pizzeria, all minutes away from the chairlifts. Heidi’s daughters, Sawyer,7, and Noa, 4, make the run call, and we navigate our way to Vortex, a black diamond that funnels down through the Black Forest glades and requires our kids to step up their game from the Mascot Trail. We lay siege to this narrow run, six kids seven and under getting it done. By the time we’re riding the fixed grip Easter Triple back to the summit, après is calling. We finish with – you guessed it – the Mascot Trail and half an hour later are commandeering the outdoor Jacuzzi at the Mountain Spirit Resort and I’m wondering why it took me so long to pencil in a trip to this East Kootenay treasure.
- Published in News
12 (plus) reasons to visit Kimberley this August
1) Waterfalls
The Meachen Creek Falls (just off the road on the way to Hourglass lake) offers some absolutely amazing photo opportunities for your Instagram!
2) Farmers Market
Running every Thursday evening from 5 – 7:30pm until September 7th, visit Downtown Kimberley (Howard Street) to find fresh local and sustainable food as well as some local artisans. Started and still run by Wildsight, a company committed to protect biodiversity and support sustainable communities, Wildsight also offers educational programs for kids and families to learn more about the wild outdoors, recycling and much more.
3) Pool Party – Trickle Creek Lodge
Time to party! Trickle Creek Lodge has an outdoor heated pool and two hot tubs, with nearby BBQ’s it’s the perfect location to come for a road trip or week away. Hang with the family and entertain friends and have a pool party!
4) Hiking 
While there are many easier hikes in and around the Kimberley area (even a trek up the ski hill is easier than this one), if you’re looking for a real challenge, try Fisher Peak. Once scaled the views from the top are definitely hard to match! Read about the experience on our post ‘The Taunting Temptress – Climbing Fisher Peak’.
5) Rails to Trails
Opened in 2010, the Rails to Trails is a well travelled passage that has been used as far back as the early 1900’s as a railway to transport lead, zinc and logs between the Kimberley and Cranbrook area, eventually being revamped into the passenger track it is today (hence the name). Rails and Trails is open to anyone on foot, bike, skateboards (skis or snowshoes in the winter) and is a 28 km trail connected the two cities. For a full map of the trails visit the Rails to Trails website – northstarrailtrail.com.
6) Nature Park
Also known as ‘the gateway to nature’, the Kimberley Nature Park is the largest municipal park in British Columbia! Offering everything from guided hikes for everyone of any age to group mountain bikes and educational programs. Find out more about their programs and what to explore in the Nature Park on their newly redesigned website – kimberleynaturepark.ca.
7, 8 & 9) Golf Central
Bootleg Gap
This gorgeous course is known for its wide open spaces and perfect greens. Hole #12 is the signature hole here and after playing the hole we think you’ll realize why.
Trickle Creek Golf Resort
Affectionately called ‘a golfer’s dream’ Trickle Creek is home to 18 challenging holes surrounding by the beauty of the mountains and is one of just a few Canadian Courses to be rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest. Don’t miss a chance to stop for a photo op at the signature hole #11.
Kimberley Golf Club
From their website – the Kimberley Golf Club is ‘proven to be one of the most scenic, charming and challenging courses in the B.C. Rocky Mountains’.
Trickle Creek Lodge is located close to all three courses and has a package to stay and play all three. See the Offers page on the Trickle Creek Lodge website and look up the package called ‘Golf Kimberley Package’ for this special offer.
10) Downtown Platzl
The pedestrian platzl in downtown Kimberley is not to be missed, with its quaint brick lined paths surrounding by locals restaurants and shops including a German themed bakery with delicious daily specials and fresh made items and the Kimberley Heritage Museum. Top it off with life size chess and a huge freestanding cuckoo clock (put a coin in the clock to see what happens).
11) River Sports
Through the Kootenay Raft Company you can sign up for a guided whitewater rafting trip (introductory or extreme tours available), or you can simply rent kayaks canoe’s or Stand Up Paddleboards. Whatever water adventure you’re in the mood for, you can find it near Kimberley! More iformation is available on the Kootenay Raft Co. website – http://www.kootenayrafting.ca/.
12) Black Spur Ultra
Trail Running has been gaining significant popularity in recent years and the Black Spur Ultra race event is no exception either. The course starts and ends at Kimberley Alpine Resort (meaning if you stay at Trickle Creek Lodge you can walk to the start and finish line) and is a challenging race that can be run individually or in a relay team. Teams have 12 hours to finish 50K and individuals or teams have 24 hours to finish 100K – now that’s a race with bragging rights! If you aren’t interested in racing, the event needs many volunteers to help run smoothly – get more information about racing or volunteering on the official website – blackspurultra.com.
Too many to mention! Other attractions to check out include the Comico Gardens, Mini Golf, Kimberley Skate Park, Kimberley Underground Mining Railway Tour, Spirit Rock Climbing Centre (and yes, there is still more). Get more information about all activities in Kimberley on the Tourism Kimberley website.
- Published in News
