What makes Kimberley such a unique skiing destination is the close proximity of the Kimberley Alpine Ski Resort to centre of town (five minutes' drive), the variety of runs to suit all levels, great snowfall and sunshine, and unending views of the Canadian Rockies.
Open Runs, No Crowds
First-time visitors to the resort are in for a surprise. To the locals, the mountain is known as "the Hill" and described as "friendly on front, black on back" due to the extensive and often challenging ski terrain not visible at first glance.
A high-speed quad chair accesses 80 runs and 729 ha/1800 ac of spectacular terrain. Skiers are rewarded with vast, groomed runs and fewer crowds. In fact, Kimberley all but guarantees no line-ups for lifts during the mid-week.
There are five lifts at Kimberley. With the exception of two runs named after local skiers, all of Kimberley Alpine's runs are named after mining claims that were made on the North Star Mountain.
Being among the highest cities in Canada at an elevation of 1,110m/3,643ft, Kimberley receives an impressive 500cm/200in of snowfall in the winter time. Couple that with 2,125 hours of sunshine per year, and Kimberley is the perfect place for a family ski vacation.
Kimberley Ski History
Kimberley's winter activities have been celebrated for decades. In the early 1930s the local ski club developed its own facilities for cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Ten years later, the club moved to the North Star Mountain, and the expansions continued into what is now a renowned ski destination and home of the Kimberley Alpine Resort.
Kimberley local & Women’s World Cup Downhill Champion, Gerry Sorensen, won several ‘world cup downhill’ events in 1981, 1982 & 1984;and she received an honoured place in the Canadian Skiing Hall of Fame in 1988. Other local champions include Stan Hayer (a 2002 Olympian & Canadian Ski Cross Champion), Monty Paynter (Olympia & Canadian Telemark Champion), Trennon Paynter (Olympian Freestyle Skier), Ryan Rausch (Canadian Freestyle Snowboarder) and Josh Dueck (member of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team).
Accommodations and Practical Skiing Info
Kimberley Alpine Resort is an authentic ski-in ski-out resort that caters to families and is surrounded by on-mountain accommodation ranging from hotel rooms to deluxe condos with private outdoor hot tubs.
The ski season runs from early December until mid-April. Accommodation reservations are recommended as the winter months are often sold out (especially on long weekends and holidays). Also note that because Kimberleyites are such ski bums, some businesses may be closed in the AM to get the first powder tracks, or late in the afternoon to hit the slopes on bright, sunny days.