Kimberley is a GREAT place to be!
Nestled amidst breathtaking mountain vistas and oozing with laid-back charm, Kimberley Alpine Resort is a hidden gem for powder enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
What really stood out to me initially is that Kimberley isn’t just a ski resort; it’s a community. From the moment I rolled in, I was greeted by smiles all around. From liftees to the instructors to the ski patrollers, everyone’s got that Kimberley charm that’ll make you feel right at home.
Getting to Kimberley is a breeze. A smooth drive from Calgary and we were right at the base, ready to hit the slopes. Plus, the journey to Kimberley is like a scenic tour through Mother Nature’s finest work – epic mountain views for days! And if you’re flying in, Cranbrook Airport is just a stone’s throw away.
March treated us to three days straight of the lightest, fluffiest powder imaginable. Fresh lines for days, my friends! We shredded through untouched snow in the mornings. And day three, we got lucky and soaked up some spring skiing goodness in the afternoon. It was like having the best of both worlds served up on a snowy platter.
Kimberley doesn’t mess around when it comes to making your stay top-notch. Ski in/ski out accommodations? Check. Short hop to downtown for a change of scenery? Double check. The Stemwinder is where it’s at for après-ski shenanigans – killer tunes, tasty bites, and a vibe that’s as warm as the sun on a bluebird day.
Nominated by USA Today as one of the top ski schools, Kimberley’s winter sports school offers exceptional ski and snowboard lessons. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, their top-notch instructors will help you elevate your skills. Plus, they offer this rad thing called First Tracks Guided Tours. Picture this: you’re up at the crack of dawn, cruising through untouched powder or freshly groomed runs with your own private guide. It’s like having your own personal snow paradise for a glimpse in time. Worth every penny.
Kimberley isn’t just about skiing and snowboarding – they’ve got a whole lineup of family-friendly activities that’ll keep everyone smiling. S’mores by the fire, fat bike tours, snowshoeing adventures – you name it, they’ve got it.
Pack your gear, grab your crew, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime at Kimberley Alpine Resort. It’s a vibe, a community, and an experience you won’t soon forget.
- Published in News, Uncategorized
COVID-19 Precaution: Kimberley Alpine Resort Closed for the Season
Dear Guests
Further to our March 15th decision to suspend Ski Area Operations, after careful consideration of the quickly changing circumstances around Coronavirus (COVID-19), Resorts of the Canadian Rockies has made a decision to suspend ski resort operations for the remainder of the 2019/20 ski season at our Western Canadian Resorts, including Nakiska Ski Area, Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Here at RCR our number one priority is the safety, health and well-being of our Guests, Team Members, and the Communities which we live, work and play in. As tough a decision as this has been, we feel it is the right thing to do under the current circumstance.
In an effort to limit social interaction we will not be opening our guest service and ticket offices for the time being, both at resorts and our Calgary office. For questions regarding purchased products please email the address below (In response to this situation we are receiving an overwhelming volume of calls and emails, your patience is appreciated as work respond to these requests).
We sincerely apologize to you our guests for this inconvenience. As always, we truly appreciate the support which we receive from you and thank you for that. We will look forward to welcoming you back to our resorts and Mountain Communities in the future.
Sincerely,
John Shea
President/Chief Resorts Officer
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
- Published in News, Press Releases, Uncategorized
BUCKHORN & MAIN SPRINKLED WITH A FEW KIMBERLEY FAVOURITES
Delicious smells wafting from the kitchen and friends laughing on the patio make up the summer vibe at Buckhorn & Main Mountain Eatery. With potted flowers outside and rustic cabin-like styling indoors, the restaurant weaves itself seamlessly into the mountain landscape. Buckhorn & Main is connected to the Trickle Creek Lodge at Kimberley Alpine Resort and is the perfect jumping off point for your next summer get-away. The reason you’ll want to come back year after year though, is because of people like Food and Beverage Manager – Shawna Crawford.
Shawna’s been with the resort since 2000 when the restaurant first opened as Kelsey’s. She fondly remembers celebrating Mother’s Day there with her then 18-month and 4 year old daughters. Her girls were raised in the small community of Kimberley and largely at the hill. This fuels her passion for patrons to experience the same friendly and comfortable environment her own family had growing up in the area.
In spite of being the gateway for an endless number of activities, Kimberley has maintained it’s small town, off-the-beaten-path feel. Locals have an inherent pride of where they are from and extend the invitation to visitors to enjoy their town as locals too. When the restaurant ended it’s franchise with Kelsey’s and launched Buckhorn & Main Mountain Eatery it was only natural that it was named after one of Kimberley’s own favourites, the beloved fixed-grip lift the “Buckhorn” and the longest night skiing run in North America the, “Main.”
With the restaurant, golf, biking and hiking trails, swimming and hot tubs all on the hill, staying at Trickle Creek or the Polaris Lodge make for a nice locale to go out from but that’s only the start of activities in the area.
You’ll feel yourself slip into holiday mode walking around the Bavarian style Platzl with it’s quaint boutiques, coffee and bike shops and restaurants where it’s not uncommon to take in live music or a game of open-air Ping-Pong.
Must-see activities include the short, easy walk along the meandering river in Marysville (just south of Kimberley) to take in the views of a 30-meter waterfall. Enjoying an ice cream across the street at Lickity Split before heading to the skate and bike-park for the kids to play is a sure favourite. The area is surrounded with bike trails, from easy 2 km loops like Happy Hans that’s great for even the smallest of pedalers accessed easily from the Nordic Centre parking lot to the Bootleg Bike Trails for the downhill enthusiasts.
Thankfully the Spirit Rock Climbing Centre is open most nights until 10 pm allowing you to sneak a climb into an already activity-filled day. There are routes for everyone from seasoned climbers to beginners, and with the auto-belay system the whole family can have fun together.
Lastly, make time to unwind with the scenic 83 km drive north of the city to take a short hike at White Swan Provincial Park to soak in the natural, rocky pools along the river that make up the Lussier Hot Springs. It’s the perfect way to end a perfect trip.
- Published in News, Uncategorized
Do you have what it takes to be a Spartan?
Spartan;
noun Spar·tan | \ ˈspär-tᵊn
marked by strict self-discipline or self-denial; undaunted by pain or danger // a Spartan athlete
If you weren’t sure why the Spartan Race chose the name, the above definition will provide any explanation needed. The Spartan race describes their competition as the ‘world’s leading obstacle course race’, however it’s organizers want to take it even further than it just being a race, suggesting it can be the start of an entire way of life. Encouraging athletes to not only sign up, train in advance of the race and eat well while doing so but to continue this practice much further than just completing the race.
With 3 main types of races, starting at 5km (Sprint) and going up to 21km (Beast), you can choose the type of race that suits your ability level best. Looking for a team building event? Sign up as a team and work together through a fun, challenging (sometimes grueling) event, get in shape together and bond through the experience. There’s even a kids race for the littles to participate in the fun!
Check out the 2019 course maps;
The Spartan website has everything to get you started, including training and nutritional guidelines, download yours now through their website and start your regime!
The Spartan Race is coming to Kimberley Alpine Resort this July on the 12th – 14th. Again, we ask, do you think you have what it takes to become a Spartan? If you do, accept the challenge and Sign up now.
Check out some pictures of the course at Kimberley Alpine Resort last year to see what’s in store for you on our flickr page.
The Spartan needs volunteers to help make this event a huge success! Get more information and sign up through the volunteer section on their website.
Volunteer Support Detail
Sign up to volunteer
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Kimberley, B.C – ALL Things Adventure
Nestled in the Kootenay Rockies, at the footstep of the Purcell Mountains you’ll find a charming town gently tucked into the mountainside with access to it all, Kimberley B.C. Known for it’s epic supply of fresh snow at Kimberley Alpine Resort during the winter months, Kimberley can fly under the radar when it comes to summer adventuring, keeping the gems of this town yours to discover! Endless options for exploration exist in all directions, but where to begin?
Trickle Creek Lodge makes the ultimate base camp for adventure with all the bells as whistles. With the P2P trail and Railway Trail literally out the lobby door, it’s too easy to hike, bike or run to your destination of choice. The extensive network of trails connect multiple parks with in town, most notably the Kimberley Nature Park. Connecting parks run into town, up the mountain offering incredible views for sunsets and all the way to Marysville. The best part? After a busy day of activities the outdoor pool and hot tub will be calling your name as the sunsets over the towering mountains. Finish the night with a bite and earned beer at the restaurant in Trickle Creek Lodge before crashing in that cozy bed to do it all over again.
Several extensive trail systems exist with in the Kimberley area including the braggable new downhill trails on Bootlegger Mountain. Much of the Kimberly Nature Park is also bike specific. Hosting over 50km of trails nearly all of them all bike-able at varying ability levels there is some loamy goodness for everyone. Bike to a variety of destinations for an extra enticing outing like the Halfway Cabin, Dipper Lake or into the Platzl for an après bike session!
Again with the Kimberley Nature Park, but it’s too good to not mention again! These manicured and town accessible trails offer views with elevation gain, family walks and educational hikes. A drive to area that won’t disappoint is the nearby Top of the World Provincial Park. Top of the World’s hiking network is easily accessible via a easy 6.7 km hike into a campground complete with cabin, from there the trails ascend quickly justifying it’s name as it produces endless alpine views. For a heli of a hike, connect with Boulder Hut Adventures and do just that, take a helicopter into a remote backcountry lodge location for some once in a lifetime hiking opportunities!
When not chasing an adrenaline induced adventure, relax downtown Kimberley and enjoy some local eats at Pedal and Tap, or spend an evening on one of the 3 golf courses in town. Take a paddle on St. Mary’s Lake or simply enjoy the stroll to Marysville Falls with an ice-cream in hand. Big or small, the town of Kimberley is the gateway to adventures for all.
Words & Photos by Abby Cooper
- Published in Uncategorized
Matt Mosteller, For The Vancouver Sun
Published: December 7, 2014
Tucked away in the Southeastern corner of British Columbia is a gem of a ski town called Kimberley. You won’t read about it in recent skiing magazines touting top 50 ski towns in North America. It does not have that breath-taking backdrop of peaks framing main street. Many drive in and are not immediately captured in nets cast by glitzed up shops that adorn the streets of many US ski towns and a few Canadian destinations. Hordes of fur topped boots, Canada Goose clad people strut those places not here. Kimberley is ‘Do Town’ a place where the locals are busy immersing themselves in adventure. 5 reasons to visit Kimberley now for a different experience. Warning hanging with friendly outdoor people is contagious.
Glide gleefully. Science says it’s one of the healthiest things to do. Cross Country skiing rules in Kimberley. One of the best places in British Columbia to slide one foot in front of the other. The Kimberley Nordic Club, with over 30 km trackset for cross-country, dedicated snowshoe trails and over 6 km of magical night-time kick and glide.
Canadian Rockies backdrop from Kimberley Alpine Resort
Snow in your pants. Get lost in tree skiing here. With North America’s largest gladed tree skiing project, Kimberley Alpine Resort, offers more skiing than meets your eye when you drive into the base area. It is big, in fact bigger than the famed US ski resort, Beaver Creek, more fall-line vertical than many famous Canadian resorts, this is a place where the skiing and snowboarding will offer up surprise and powder stashes long after the storm. Bet your ski area doesn’t offer that.
Good grub. Your munchies will be taken care of here. Before skiing hit coffee at aptly named SnowDrift Cafe, during your turns hit slopeside for lunch at the Stemwinder Bar and Grill, and after ski nourishment hit one of these three. The Pedal & Tap, a biking spirited place with tummy warming goodness, meat lovers go for Camburger and vegi delight in the Glorious Bowl, Heart Beet, a vegetarian bistro, features filled with local farm fresh, don’t miss the Root Mash or The Old Bauernhaus, a Kimberley classic, you will love the setting, a 350 year old Bavarian farmhouse, mouth-watering features include, like Schnitzel Munich or Buttermilk Marinated Heritage Farms Free Range Chicken Breast. Now that should be enough to make you hungry to try Kimberley.
Mountain cabin is calling you!
Passionate people. You may meet a famed outdoor & adventure writer for the Globe on the trails, a tech star who made the break to a natural life or the bartender at the local pub. They all share the passion for this place. Friendly down to earth folks who appreciate the good things in life and are busy out doing it, live here. Kimberley truly is that place to get yourself embedded in what’s important: the simple things.
Backcountry is out the back door. Kimberley is tucked away, snuggled up tight, hugging Mark Creek. If you don’t look quickly as you drive in from the South you might miss the high peaks of the Purcell Mountains that beckon out the back door. Adventure abounds for snowshoe enthusiasts and ski touring nuts, with 1000’s of peaks, ridges and hidden snow-filled valleys calling you. Be safe, check Avalanche Canada bulletins before you go and best to check in at Kootenay Mountain Works, local bike shop, filled with ski touring enthusiasts, keen to provide local knowledge.
Easy to get to. With the closest airport to skiing in Canada, Kimberley can boast, fly in and ski the same day. A short 12 minutes drive from airport to skiing, combined with a short hour flight from Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Airlines is what you could call ‘easy access!’.
Source: Vancouver Sun
© Vancouver Sun 2014
- Published in News, Uncategorized
