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Kimberley Ski Resort
You’ll find Kimberley in the Purcell mountains of British Columbia and while the resort is little known, it packs a pretty big punch. Because it’s not as big a name as massive BC resorts like Whistler, the area’s known for being gloriously crowd free, letting you roam the ski area without hanging around in queues or having to worry about traffic on the piste.
It’s not just the skiing that brings visitors to this end of the woods, the world famous Trickle creek golf course also calls Kimberley home. The Alpine resort is a small and ski in / out village. 5 lifts are able to transport up to 6,452 skiers and boarders every hour.
The resort is less than a half hour drive from the Canadian Rockies International Airport - the tourist office claim you can get “from runway to lift in 20” - which is a huge selling point of holidays here. Calgary Airport is about a 4 hour drive (and although the drive’s long, it’s really, really scenic).
A couple of miles from the resort is Kimberley itself, which was once an old mining community and is now a Bavarian themed town, famous for its cobbled Platzl (which is home to the largest cuckoo clock in the world!). A regular bus service runs between the town and the resort, so you can choose between direct slope access if you stay in the resort or a short bus trip to the slopes and livelier setting if you stay in Kimberley itself.
Stats & FAQ
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Established: 1890
Open: Dec - April
Downhill: 1,800 acres
View our detailed Kimberley snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Kimberley snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Calgary International Airport (YYC) | 270mins |
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| Top Altitude: | 1982m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1230m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1230m |
| Longest run: | 6.4km |
| Slope Orientation: | NE E SE |
| Vertical Drop: | 751m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 751m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 1,800 acres |
| Beginner slopes: | 20% |
| Intermediate: | 42% |
| Advanced slopes: | 38% |
| Lift Pass Price: | $69.95 (adult 1 day) |
| Nearby resorts: | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Kimberley
The massive ski area includes 4 sections: Northstar mountain, Tamarack Ridge, Vimy Ridge and Black Forest with 68 marked runs and 12 in the glades.
The new Owl zone is super for learning the basics if you’re skiing for the first time. Beginners and early intermediates should start off on Northstar mountain. Easy Way and Canada Way will get beginners started while more confident skiers can try Midwinter and Ego Alley. There’s some terrain for experts here too: black diamonds include Blueberry and Blast Off and the fearless can conquer double diamonds like Jack the Bear and Robinsons.
Hoot’s Way, Shooter and Nate’s on Tamarack Ridge are suitable for beginners although most of the terrain is for experts – there are 15 black diamond runs (check out Rush, Good Luck and local’s favourite Tamarack).
Over on Vimy Ridge, there’s something for all abilities including the green Caper, blue Purl and notorious black diamond All Over.
Black Forest is, you guessed it, pretty much all expert terrain with 19 black diamond trails including some super glades like Twixt and Angus. There are 4 blue trails (Notre Dame is the most popular) and 2 easy greens (Pine Flats and Ridgeway). The longest ski run in the resort is the Ridgeway at 6.4km (nearly 4 miles).
The RCR rail park has progressive features for everyone from beginners to pro’s. Kimberley is home to North America’s longest floodlit ski run (2.5km) and the Nordic loop is also floodlit if you fancy some skiing after hours.
Kimberley Apres Ski
In the resort, Montana’s has a super menu, cosy fireplaces and super views of the mountains. Stemwinder Bar & Grill is the place to be for après, with a good sized bar, BBQ, music and entertainment. You’ll also find an outdoor Ice Rink, usually with a nearby bonfire to keep non-skaters warm. Other activities include bowling and curling and you can watch the latest blockbusters in the cinema (in previous years there’s been a shuttle bus to take you to the cinema and back).
For families staying here, the tourist office has put on a ‘Date Night’ in the past, where parents can drop off their young ones at the Wildhorse childcare centre and enjoy some nightskiing and a romantic meal.
If you’re a group after something livelier, head downtown into Kimberley where you’ll find pubs like the Sully and Ozone. The Platzl is the place to go for souvenirs or just some retail therapy.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Kimberley
Best time to visit & ski Kimberley
Kimberley is known for having excellent quality snow, with an average snowfall of 4m a year. In the winter season, the temperature is usually around -5°C.
The direction which the various Kimberley slopes face can make or break your ski holiday. To guarantee good snow conditions, choose a resort with piste which face the right way for the time of year you're travelling.
In the coldest winter months of January and February pick a resort with sunny south facing slopes, so your days on the snow doesn't feel like a polar expedition. Conversely, in the warmest spring skiing months of March and especially April, a resort with cool and shady north facing trails will ensure you're not riding on slush, but benefitting from best late season snow. The best destinations have areas which face in all directions so that you're guaranteed greating conditions whatever the weather. Kimberley has slopes facing NE E SE.
Peak Dates
Families in Kimberley
A quiet, sunny and easygoing resort, less than half an hour from the Canadian Rockies International Airport, Kimberley’s fabulous for families. The mountain resort has an excellent ski school, slopeside accommodation and extra features like the family ice rink (complete with a fire pit for s’mores) and the warming hut above the above North Star Express Lift. Look out for special lift pass deals as in recent seasons, under-fives have been able to ski for free.
Complete beginners can conquer the basics in the Owl learning area before hopping on the Northstar Express to enjoy the slopes. Northstar Mountain’s a dream for those on their first couple of weeks skiing, covered in blues and greens (with a few black diamonds and double diamonds to keep anyone more advanced entertained). Sprogs will love the Minute Maid Adventure Trail and the ‘Easy Way Down’ green lets even nervous skiers enjoy the run back to resort. For those with more confidence on the white stuff: Vimy Ridge, Tamarack Ridge and the Black Forest all have a superb network of black trails, there’s a new rail park and if Mother Nature’s been good to you, there should be tonnes of that legendary Purcell powder.
The Wildhorse Woods Kidz Korner provides childcare for tots up to 6 years old, with lunch and lessons thrown in if need be. Their usual thrice weekly kid’s evenings allow parents some adult time, while sprogs make friends and enjoy things like crafts, games and films. If you all want to learn and improve together on the slopes, the Telus Winter Sports School often run Family Clinics, while evening family activities include ice skating, bowling and trips to the cinema.
GroupsGroup Holidays Kimberley
Kimberley’s quirky town and laid back mountain village make it a great destination for groups after days of good skiing and nights of hearty North American grub in a friendly, easygoing atmosphere.
Non skiers can explore the Bavaraian-themed town, while snow lovers roam the Purcell powder topped slopes of the mountain resort. The ski area has a good mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain, including the green ‘easy way down’ run which makes sure everyone can enjoy the ski back to base. Northstar Mountain is an absolute dream for beginners and early intermediates, while the Black Forest on the opposite side has a superb network of gladed black runs for experts.
Stemwinder Bar & Grill is a top spot for après, with Montana’s being an excellent place for an evening meal of awesome burgers, Antojitos and decadent desserts. Downtown Kimberley has a few bars but if you’re looking to party into the early hours each night, a holiday in Whistler might be a better bet.
Great group activities here include snowshoeing, fondue tours and ice skating. If your party needs any more persuading, the transfer from Canadian Rockies International Airport takes less than half an hour…
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