Mountains, lakes, rivers, golf courses, the Kimberley Alpine Resort and two of the area's famous mineral hot springs are a short drive away. You can also head east to explore Fort Steele Heritage Town, a restored 1890s pioneer boomtown.
Make Kimberley your base for mountain biking, hiking and walking. Explore the diverse terrain of the Kimberley Nature Park along with several dozen kilometres of multi-use trails. Stroll the forested paths of the Lions & Rotary Trail along Mark Creek, leading from Kimberley to Marysville, home of the spectacular 30-m (100-ft) Marysville Falls. Hike mountain trails at Kimberley Alpine Resort.
Camping is also within an hour's drive of Kimberley. Several provincial parks have campgrounds set in the spectacular Rocky Mountain Trench. Private and rustic backcountry campsites are also available.
Play a round of championship golf at Kimberley-area courses. Award-winning courses include Trickle Creek, Bootleg Gap and, in Cranbrook, the top-ranked St. Eugene Mission Golf Resort.
For an authentic taste of the old west, stay at one of the area's fine guest ranches. Three Bars Cattle & Guest Ranch and Top of the World Guest Ranch overlook the Rocky and Purcell Mountains.
Stroll Kimberley's Platzl, a downtown pedestrian walking area lined with unique storefronts. Don't miss seeing one of the world's largest free-standing clocks. Catch Happy Hans, the town mascot, who emerges from the clock on the hour to sing.
Kimberley is also home of the "Old Bauernhaus" building, originally built in southern Bavaria about 350 years ago. In 1987 it was taken apart and shipped to Kimberley, where the reconstructed building now houses the Bauernhaus Restaurant.
Fort Steele Heritage Town, just east of Kimberley, is a restored 1890s pioneer boomtown with over 60 heritage shops and buildings.
Discover the rich culture and history of the Ktunaxa Nation at the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Interpretive Centre, located at the St. Eugene Mission Resort near Cranbrook. The Spanish colonial building was constructed in 1910 and operated as a residential school for First Nations children before its conversion into a full-service resort in 2002.
Kimberley is a western mining town with a distinct European alpine theme. Experience the town's European charm as you stroll the Platzl, a downtown pedestrian walking area surrounded by stunning mountain views. Don't miss the Kimberley Cuckoo Clock, one of the world's largest free-standing clocks.
Visit the historical Sullivan Mine Interpretive Centre, adjacent to the Sullivan Mine and Railway. Relive Kimberley's mining history with a tour of the Power House, Orpheum Theatre, North Star School House and Miner's Cabin. Centre 64 is Kimberley's art gallery and gift shop, which features art exhibits, theatre, concerts, workshops and an annual craft fair.
Just east of Kimberley is Fort Steele Heritage Town, a restored 1890s pioneer boomtown boasting several heritage buildings as well as period theatrical presentations in the summer months. Hop aboard a steam train or ride on a horse-drawn wagon.
Discover the rich culture and history of the Ktunaxa Nation at the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Interpretive Centre set on the banks of the St. Mary River near Cranbrook. Tour the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel in Cranbrook, featuring the only complete set of cars from the luxurious "Trans Canada Limited," built by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1929.
Experience the history of pioneers and prospectors whose legends haunt the ghost towns of nearby Fisherville and Lumberton.
In downtown Kimberley, the pedestrian walking area, or Platzl, is a gathering point where you can stroll, shop and explore lovely storefronts in a European village atmosphere. See Happy Hans emerge from one of the world's largest free-standing cuckoo clocks.
Visit Kimberley's Cominco Gardens, where more than 48,000 flowers adorn the Memorial Rose Garden, gazebo and prairie garden. In summer, the Sullivan Mine and Railway Historical Society offers fascinating exhibitions and train rides into mining history. Adjacent to the Sullivan Mine and Railway is the historical Sullivan Mine Interpretive Centre, where you can relive Kimberley's mining history. Early life in Kimberley is also explored in the Kimberley Heritage Museum.
Visit the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Interpretive Centre, located at the St. Eugene Mission Resort, to learn about the Ktunaxa First Nation. Head east to explore the restored 1890s pioneer boomtown of Fort Steele Heritage Town, or experience the dramatic history of local pioneers and prospectors at the nearby ghost towns of Fisherville and Lumberton. Stop in Cranbrook to tour the remarkable Canadian Museum of Rail Travel and visit the Kootenay Trout Hatchery, one of BC's largest hatcheries.
Summer in Kimberley means celebration in the downtown Platzl. Through July and August, see a play performed by the Kimberley Summer Theatre troupe at Centre 64. Mid-day vaudeville shows also keep the Platzl humming.
In the second week of July, the Platzl transforms into a musical stage as the International Old Time Accordion Championships come to town. Parades in the Platzl are a highlight of Julyfest, held the third weekend in July. You can watch or participate in sporting events such as soccer and fastball as well as enjoy live entertainment. On the Labour Day weekend, the International Music and Dance Festival will serenade you through the closing days of summer with live dancing and entertainment.
Catch the Kimberley Dynamiters, a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League team, as they face off at the Civic Centre Arena.
Located at the eastern slopes of the Purcell Mountains, Kimberley Nature Park is a haven for outdoor recreation. The park's varied terrain and its diverse ecosystem provide endless opportunities for hiking, biking and walking plus wildlife viewing.
Top of the World Provincial Park is an alpine park set on a plateau at an elevation of more than 2,200 m (7,218 ft). Camping, hiking, horseback riding and cycling are popular activities in this family-friendly park. You'll also share the area with moose, elk, white-tailed deer, wolverines, black bears, bighorn sheep and abundant birdlife around Fish Lake.
Enjoy swimming the warm waters of Wasa Lake Provincial Park where canoeing, fishing, cycling, windsurfing and waterskiing keep you active. The park provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Moyie Lake Provincial Park features 1,300 m (4,265 ft) of developed sandy beach with swimming, windsurfing, sailing, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing.
The Wasa Sloughs are a seasonal sanctuary to waterfowl, eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, turkey vultures and Canada geese, often seen nesting atop muskrat houses. Visit the Kootenay Trout Hatchery, one of BC's largest hatcheries, which produces 2.5 million trout fingerlings each year. Nearby Marysville is home of the spectacular 30-m (100-ft) Marysville Falls.
Immerse yourself in one of the area's popular mineral hot springs. Closest to Kimberley, enjoy the wilderness setting of Lussier Hot Springs in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. The Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, the largest and most popular hot spring pool complex in Canada, is perched above the river on the east side of the Columbia Valley. Also take a dip in the area's many refreshing lakes, creeks and rivers. Swim the warm waters of Wasa Lake Provincial Park or play on Moyie Lake Provincial Park's 1,300 m (4,265 ft) of developed sandy beach. Local spas also offer massages and other soothing treatments to rejuvenate body and spirit.
The Kimberley area is home to many refreshing lakes, creeks and rivers. Cast your line into the St. Mary River for great fishing. Local river-rafting companies also offer family-friendly, guided adventures on the river. St. Mary Lake is a lovely spot for canoeing or kayaking. Partake in all manner of water activities at Wasa Lake Provincial Park. The park also offers camping facilities as well as hiking and cycling trails. Moyie Lake Provincial Park features 1,300 m (4,265 ft) of developed sandy beach backed by a large grassy area.
After your active day, soak in one of the area's inviting mineral hot springs. Enjoy the wilderness setting of Lussier Hot Springs in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. The popular Fairmont Hot Springs Resort features Canada's largest, odourless, hot spring mineral pool.
Kimberley Alpine Resort is one of BC's most popular ski and snowboard destinations. Expect light, dry powder and perfectly groomed slopes. Choose from 70 runs covering 728 ha (1,800 ac) of skiable terrain serviced by Kimberley's eight lifts. You'll have access to wide-open, intermediate terrain and expert runs amidst 751 m (2,465 ft) of challenging vertical. "The Main" run is one of North America's longest illuminated night-skiing runs.
Cross-country skiers are sure to enjoy over 33 km (20.5 mi) of groomed, double-track trails at Kimberley Alpine Resort. A 3.3-km (2-mi) lit trail is open for night skiing. Break your own trails at Kimberley Nature Park, also open for ski touring and snowshoeing. Snowmobilers can ride in Kimberley's surrounding backcountry near Lost Dog Creek. Local, guided tours are available. The Perry Creek trail system, southwest of Kimberley, is also popular for snowmobiling. Try Kimberley's outdoor rink or the Kimberley Alpine Resort for outdoor ice skating. Indoor arenas are also close by.