Kimberley Alpine Resort: A Guide for First-Time Visitors
Tucked away in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia’s rugged interior, Kimberley Alpine Resort has been welcoming guests to its slopes for nearly 80 years. Originally developed to entertain working families from the world's largest zinc mine, it’s grown a strong reputation as one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in B.C. This makes it a top choice for anyone looking to plan a memorable ski trip to Kimberley.
Four mountain faces, a solid mix of wide open groomers, glades and steeps, provide the perfect combination for families and groups of all skills and abilities. Additionally, its spot on the prestigious Powder Highway attracts powder hounds in search of deep snow, minimal crowds and small town charm.
A ski trip to Kimberley rewards those who enjoy simplicity, quieter ski conditions and cozy evenings spent with family and friends. Ready to experience a winter destination that favours relaxed skiing and down-home vibes? Look no further than Kimberley Alpine Resort.
Resort Overview
Kimberley Alpine Resort offers 80 named runs, a vertical drop of 751 m (2,465 ft) and over 700 hectares of skiable terrain. A total of five lifts move 6,500 guests per hour up the four mountain faces that make up the ski resort. Northstar, Tamarack, Vimy Ridge and Black Forest. For first-time visitors, the compact lift system allows skiers and snowboarders to experience a variety of terrain without wasting time on long transitions between zones.
Snow & Terrain Mix
Terrain right above the village favours beginner and intermediate skiers with a solid amount of advanced terrain and gladed lines to explore over the ridge. An annual snowfall of over 4 m (13 ft) blankets the ski resort in high-quality, dry powder, which can windload in the gladed zones.
Kimberley Alpine Resort prides itself in its progressive terrain by offering 25% beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% advanced terrain. The resort’s design also tends to funnel higher level riders out of the Northstar zone meaning you’ll experience less high speed skiers wheezing by until later in the afternoon.
Photo Credit: Kimberley Alpine Resort
Northstar Zone
Northstar is primarily made of green and blue groomed runs with a few small glade pockets to explore. It’s an excellent spot to warm up, lap with the family and work on progression. You’ll experience the entire 751 m of vertical here. It’s also home to the learning area, terrain park and the longest night skiing run in North America, Main Run.
Tamarack Ridge
Traverse over the ridge from Northstar and you’ll enter Tamarack Ridge, an advanced, mostly black diamond zone with open runs and more glades. The more open nature of the runs here make this zone an excellent training ground for intermediate skiers and boarders looking to develop control and line choice in more exposed terrain.
You won’t find cliffs or extreme terrain here which takes the edge off for those in progression. Tamarack Ridge also has its own dedicated double to take advantage of when the snow hits deep.
Moving further to the looker rights, the last two zones of Vimy Ridge and Black Forest are similar to Tamarack, just larger. Almost exclusively made up of black runs, you’re surrounded by wooded areas that offer flowy and scenic runs sheltered by forest.
Vimy Ridge
Vimy Ridge tends to see a bit more sun due to its south facing direction which makes its wide open groomed runs enticing for intermediates. Big carves and long, relaxed descents welcome crowds but it’s never awfully busy. Ridgeway, one of the longest runs in the Rockies, lives here and it’s worth checking out for those who enjoy a little leg burn on long groomed cruisers. Enjoy 6.4 km of manicured goodness.
Black Forest
Finally, the Black Forest’s North facing slope pushes skiers and boarders to the far ends of the ski resort. Nestled amongst evergreen forest and sheltered from the noise of the resort, there’s a certain peace that comes with flowing through this zone. The glades here are low-pressure, well-spaced and not super steep for black runs. It’s perfect for intermediate skiers dabbling in glade exploration for the first time. Scenic views, flowy runs and mellow terrain makes this area one of a kind for relaxed skiing and snowboarding.
Where to Stay in Kimberley
What’s the best thing about staying right at Kimberley Resort? Affordability. Even with downtown Kimberley nearby, you just can’t beat the price for ski-in-ski-out right at the resort. Given Kimberley’s smaller size, that means accommodations can book up quickly. It’s best to book early for holidays like Christmas, Family Day and Easter.
Trickle Creek Lodge offers visitors studio, one and two bedroom units right at the base of the resort. Located between the North Star Express and the learning area, it boasts the fastest access to the slopes. Units come with all the amenities you’d find at home like a fully stocked kitchen, cozy living area, a heated pool, hot tub and even in-unit fireplaces.
Property Amenities at Trickle Creek Lodge
- Ski In / Ski Out
- Hot Tubs
- Restaurant, Lounge and Coffee Shop
- Laundry Facility
Photo Credit: RCR | Colby Katzberg
Where to Eat in Kimberley
Since the ski resort is close to the town of Kimberley, you can take advantage of resort dining as well as some local favourites in town.
Eateries at the Resort
Stemwinder Bar and Grill This is the main apres and family friendly eatery in the skiers village. Relaxed atmosphere and casual cuisine compliment a perfect day on the slopes.
Buckhorn and Main Mountain Eatery Located in the Tickle Creek Lodge, it’s another spot with casual food and an extensive kids menu to satisfy the most picky eaters
Slopeside Coffee & Deli Kimberley Alpine Resort’s one stop shop for quick breakfast, snacks and coffee.
Photo Credit: RCR | Colby Katzberg
Eateries in Town
The Clove Kimberley There’s something that just hits right with cold days and spicy dinners. The Clove is the town's highest ranked Indian restaurant and offers traditional Indian as well as North American food.
The Old Bauernhaus Restaurant Interior BC meets Bavarian charm. European fare, rustic ambience and traditional favourites get served up in this cozy log cabin.
Stonefire Pizzeria Great for a casual lunch or an easy dinner. Wood fire pizza oven quality and reliability good. The reviews speak for themselves and is known as one of the locals favourite spots.
Things to do at Kimberley Alpine Resort
Although skiers and snowboarders flock here, the fun doesn’t stop once you step off the slopes. Whether you’re looking to add a little variety to your winter holiday or try something new, here are a few winter activities that make Kimberley Alpine Resort unique.
Photo Credit: RCR | Colby Katzberg
Night Skiing
Yes, we’re back to the slopes again but this is for something incredibly unique. Kimberley, boasts the longest illuminated run in North America making this something you must try while you’re visiting. Shorter sessions, fresh grooming and a more relaxing atmosphere allow for a quieter experience on the Northstar side.
Snowshoeing
Meander through scenic trails by yourself or as part of a guided tour. The Kimberley Nature Park, Lois Creek and Trickle Creek Golf Course maintain 70 km (44 mi) of multi-use trails for walking, snowshoeing and fatbiking. Snowshoe rentals are available here and cost around $30 per day.
Nordic Skiing
The Kimberley Nordic Centre maintains a network of classic and skate skiing trails that mix easy rolling terrain and punchy uphill sections. Nordic rental packages range from $30-40 for 3 hours and a trail pass costs $18 per day or $10 for the night ski.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Spirit Rock Climbing Centre is Kimberley’s fully stocked climbing gym only 5 minutes away from the ski resort. Bring your own gear, rent or put the kids in lessons for a fun indoor experience.
Aprés and Village Entertainment
The ski village comes alive in the evening as visitors walk the village stroll to explore shops, bars and restaurants. Things like the Kid’s Rule program, ice skating, live music and aprés deals tend to keep everyone entertained well into the evening.
Photo Credit: RCR | Emilie Lavoie
Ready to Visit?
Kimberley Resort balances beginner friendly slopes, progressive terrain and small-town authentic charm. From the gentle cruisers and adventurous glades to the ski resort’s snowshoe trails, night skiing and relaxing aprés scene, you’ll stay well entertained.
Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes for the first time or enjoy some sunny days in the mountains, Kimberley Alpine Resort delivers a well-rounded winter experience fit for adventurers and those who enjoy a slower paced vacation to recharge in the Purcell Rockies.
Originally from Northern Ontario, Anthony now calls Whistler, Canada, home. As an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for science and tourism writing, he chases excitement and communicates his experiences through his written work. Anthony holds CASI 2 and CSIA 1 certifications. He has over eight years of teaching and coaching experience as a snowsports instructor and 20+ seasons of skiing and snowboarding under his belt. He also proudly holds a B.Sc in Nanoscience and Engineering from the University of Guelph and gets impressively excited about anything science-related.
When away from the office, Anthony celebrates his freedom by being immersed in mountain culture, playing instruments and travelling internationally. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking and mountain biking take up his free time, often complemented by sailing and the occasional backpacking adventure.