Halfway down the Magic Line (trust me, it’s a fitting name), after sending it “old-guy style” around endless berms and soaring (a foot of air is sufficient in my demographic) over dozens of drops, rollers, and side-hits, I had to take a little breather. You know, just stop for a minute or two – make sure my pace-maker was still operating, knee-braces and other apparatus still attached to joints, false teeth still in place, etc. – and appreciate where I was. Ah, yes, Kimberley! An all-season adventure town for the ages.
Needless to say, on my short and sweet trailside break, I took it all in. The pines, the sweet single-track I just shredded (that’s a slight exaggeration), the gorgeous gladed runs at the Kimberley Alpine Resort, the snow-dipped peaks of the Purcells; it was a pinch-me moment. And, for the record, I’ve had many such moments in Kimberley.
A classic Kootenay Rockies outpost, encased by mountains and situated at the lofty elevation of 1,120 metres, Kimberley is perfectly positioned to capture everything – and in every season! – that outdoor-lovers typically crave. Awesome mountain biking, heavenly hiking, gorgeous golfing, fantastic fishing, amazing alpine skiing, stunning snowmobiling – and the list goes on – are all prominent pursuits in the region.
Personally, over the last few decades, I’ve engaged in all of those aforementioned activities in and around Kimberley. Multiple times. And, now that I’ve crossed the half-century mark (I don’t actually have a pace-maker but it’s possible that some of my body parts are not original), I tend to be a little pickier in terms of where, exactly, I recreate. And, to be clear, Kimberley is always top of mind when I head to “the Koots.”
Why? Well for me, it has, literally, everything that I look for in a mountain town. First and foremost, and has already been mentioned, the trails and outdoor rec options are off the charts. For example, the mountain biking in the Kimberley Nature Park, Bootleg Mountain, and the Kimberley Nordic Center, is ridiculously good. (And I’ve attempted to shred gnar at, literally, every major biking destination in British Columbia.)
Fly-fishing in the St. Mary River? Yup. It’s phenomenal. Golfing at Trickle Creek, Bootleg Gap, Purcell Golf, St. Eugene Mission? They’re all outstanding mountain golf courses with drop-dead gorgeous scenery. And, in winter, the alpine skiing at the family friendly Kimberley Alpine Resort is truly world class. In fact, the glade skiing there will blow your mind. This resort (the lifts are literally five minutes from downtown) is actually my all-time favourite for glade skiing. (Go right or left off the Easter Chair and you’re in pine-peppered perfection).
The pedestrian-friendly downtown, the friendly locals, the restaurants, the cafes, the watering holes, the
laid-back vibe, the festivals; these all bolster the appeal.
True, there are many places in the Kootenay Rockies that are dear to my heart. And, as I “mature” and gather plenty of “wisdom” – or something like that – I’ve learned that I need to give my favourites the bulk of my time and energy. And just leave the second-tier destinations to “the masses” who haven’t yet learned their life lessons. And that’s why I go to Kimberley. When I remember.
