For Immediate Release: May 24th, 2016
Early Bird 2016.2017 RCR Season Pass Sale on Now
The Resorts of the Canadian Rockies annual Early Bird season pass sale has begun. To take advantage of the best deal in skiing/riding in the Canadian Rockies, purchase your Fernie, Kimberley, Kicking Horse and Nakiska season passes before June 25th.
Here are some items you won’t want to miss with this sale;
- Free food (we knew that would get your attention). This season get over $100 in free food! Pre purchase a food card with your season pass to redeem at any RCR Food & Beverage outlet at our resorts – food cards are just $399 when purchased in conjunction with your season pass and are worth a full $500 to use at the resorts throughout the season.
- Get friends a great deal on skiing/riding too! Save up to 25% on family & friend lift tickets (no blackout dates)! When purchasing a season pass, up to 12 tickets can be purchased for family & friends for $74.95 and can be used through the entire season at all RCR resorts.
- Thinking of getting a Nakiska season pass? Don’t forget you can purchase two days of riding at one of our B.C resorts for just $69.95 for an adult. The Ski BC two day pass is valid all season long!
Purchase your season pass from the Skircr Online Store now.
What a great winter – thank you!
We love to share the many moments that matter, here are some of our guest moments from the past season;
About Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.
Proudly Canadian, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc. (RCR) is the largest private ski resort owner/operator in North America, owning six ski resorts across Canada, including Nakiska Ski Area in Alberta; Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort in British Columbia. RCR also owns and manages a number of hotels and golf courses, including Trickle Creek in Kimberley, and Wintergreen Golf and Country Club in Bragg Creek. RCR aims to provide each and every guest The Ultimate Experience.
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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 – @PowderMatt • Powder Matt’s Blog • Powder Matt on Pinterest • Powder Matt on Google +
- Published in Press Releases
**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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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
Slopes For Hope Kimberley
March 5, 2016
To register for this event please visit the Slopes for Hope Website
2 Everest Challenges
What Will You Conquer?
Slopes for Hope is a family-friendly winter enthusiast event designed by local residents in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.
We are inviting snowboarders, Alpine & Nordic skiers and all people who love to play in the snow to join the fight against cancer as we take it to the slopes! Participate individually or in teams of up to 4 people with your family, friends and co-workers.
You can participate in one of 2 challenges:
- Descending Everest – downhill ski or snowboard 16 passes of the main run at the Kimberley Alpine Resort.
2. The Everest Trek – ski 24 kms at the Kimberley Nordic Club (4 loops of the 6 km trail).
There will be an apres-event with entertainment and prizes awarded at the end of the day for both challenges.For more details on the event and each of the challenges, click here.
In addition to the $20 per person registration fee, we ask that all participants fundraise to support the Canadian Cancer Society. Funds raised through the event will help the Canadian Cancer Society fund cancer prevention initiatives, support programs, research and more. To learn more about what the Canadian Cancer Society does in your community and the services they provide, go to www.cancer.ca
If you want to fundraise offline, click here to print a donation form. Please bring collected donations and filled out forms to the registration table with you the morning of the event.
Please note: Due to last years cancellation, we have rolled over 2015 registered participant’s registration fees into the 2016 Slopes event and any donations collected in 2015 will count towards your 2016 totals.
2015 registrants should login with your 2015 username/password – please do not re-register.
Contact
Sonya Parker
slopesforhopekimberley@gmail.com
- Published in News
A hidden gem, that’s the phrase often used to describe Kimberley – a ‘hidden gem’ in the Canadian Rockies. It’s one of those ski resorts that is slightly lesser known to the world, however anyone who visits is almost guaranteed to fall in love. Even if you are a frequent visitor to Kimberley, there’s a good chance you don’t know about those ‘hidden gems’ on the mountain – runs, certain spots and powder stashes only our staff and locals tend to know about. Well, we think it’s about time we let the secrets out and tell everyone about our hidden powder stashes, covert runs and secluded favourite spots for all to enjoy (sorry locals).
Flush
#44 – Black
Flush is one of our staff’s favourite spots, it’s been the site for our JEEP Junior Freeski comp for the last few season as it’s got plenty of playful terrain, lots of little hits and bumps. The first part of the run is mellow, tree skiing and often home to late stashes of that perfect purcell powder Kimberley is so known for. Much of Kimberley’s history is owed to mining, being home to at one time, the largest producing zinc mine in Canada, therefore a lot of the runs in Kimberley lend their name to that legacy, Flush is no exception as it’s named after a mining claim. (Plus there’s a natural half pipe at the bottom)!
Dreadnaught
#4 – Blue
Also, named after a mining claim, Dreadnaught offers great variation, with wide open meandering groomers at the top to fun rolling terrain near the bottom. The Kootenay Haus, located at the top of the run offers some of the best views of the valley and entire run. Dreadnaught is the dedicated race run for Nancy Green and other race training and race events.
Locals Tip – The front side is THE perfect intermediate terrain, long fall-line cruisers on corduroy groomed softpack (typically). Kimberley has the best cruisy groomers in the Kootenays hands down.
(View from the top of Kootenay Haus)
Geneva
#59 – Black
One of our locals’ favourite run is called Geneva, it’s located in the gladed area known as The Black Forest, the largest tree skiing area in North America. Geneva is a long leg burner with very interesting and variable terrain and is always the first stop after a large overnight powder dump (and you can see why from this picture).
Dorval
# 50 – Black
Our next undisclosed spot is also located in the Black Forest. Another one named after a staked mining claim, Dorval is a forever favourite of our staff as most people ride right on by it! Our theory is everyone is too busy making their way to the Easter chair to notice this spot and pass it by, but next time we suggest you try it out! To get to Dorval, ski right of the intersection to Dean’s Right and Ridgeway, some of the best attributes of Dorval are – it’s one of the steepest runs on the hill and is only groomed once a week. One of the rarest experiences you’ll have on this run is actually seeing another soul riding near you and if you do, there’s a safe bet they work at the resort or grew up skiing there.
Tamarack
#28 – Black
Tamarack AKA the ‘show off’ run because; top to bottom, Tamarack runs fully below the chair of the same name. Since many people don’t like to ride right under the lift and be exposed to chairs and chairs of onlookers, there are often fresh tracks to be found here! Tamarack’s fall link is top to bottom with a vertical rise of 1182 ft, making it a real thigh burner to ride and get that heart rate up. Hit up Tamarack, then it’s time hit up the hot tub!
Need to look any of these spots up? View and download our trail map online.
See you out here!
- Published in News
Mountain Rail Jam – Feb 13th
Come show you skills at the Mountain Rail Jam presented by The Choice
This event takes place at the bottom of the quad and is open to skiers and boarders ages 12 plus.
Register in the plaza at 4pm
Cost: $10
Practice Runs: 4-6pm
Competition Starts: 6pm
Music from Mr. Diggler
Fire Spinners, Outside BBQ and Beer Garden, Awesome Prizes, 50/50
After Party: 9pm at Stemwinder Bar and Grill
*participants under 16 must have a parental consent*
- Published in News