Kimberley, British Columbia Activities At a Glance

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Kimberley, BRITISH COLUMBIA – With its mountainous terrain and proximity to many rivers and lakes, Kimberley, British Columbia is known for some of the best skiing, hiking, white water rafting, fishing, and canoeing in the Canadian Rockies. With its Bavarian charm, just the town alone is enough to draw tourists from around the world. Though Kimberley is smaller than some of the resort towns in the region, with a population of only 7,000, it is warm and welcoming and offers the vacation traveler a plethora of year-round activities.

Attractions

The Platzl and the Cuckoo Clock
Walking in downtown Kimberley is akin to walking a neighborhood street in one of Europe’s Bavarian towns. The colorful pedestrian street called the Platzl is a wonderful place to people-watch in the summer where entertainment, festivals, and parades abound. The Cuckoo Clock is also right in the heart of the city and is known as one of the world’s largest free-standing clocks. Watch “Happy Hans” come out on the hour!

Cominco Gardens
This beautiful park includes a gazebo, a wishing well, and lush gardens that feature over 48,000 species of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Established in 1927 by Cominco, the owner of all the mines in the area, the gardens are ideal for a relaxing stroll or picnic.

The Bavarian City Mining Railway

Take a train ride to absorb local history and beautiful scenery.

The Bavarian City Mining Railway comprises 12 miles that wind through the Mill Creek Valley on a narrow mining track. Rising into mountain terrain where old mining cars once ventured, the ride takes approximately 20 minutes and allows visitors to learn about the rich history of the area. With views of Sullivan Mines’ old entrance and the Cominco Power House, as well as the magnificent mountain vistas, this ride is a must for anyone visiting Kimberley, British Columbia.

Wasa Lake Provincial Park
Located 24 northeast of Kimberley, this 356 acre park was created in 1955. Popular for the warmest waters in East Kootenay, the sandy beach and boating area allow for a myriad of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, waterskiing, and fishing. The park also is also known for its beautiful trails, ample campsites, and its fishing holes.

Marysville Falls
In a suburb of Kimberley you will find Marysville, lying 10 minutes south of the Platzl. Here you will find the famous Marysville Falls, located in the north side of town. The falls drop to 100 feet over smooth rocks that have been weathered by the consistent beating of water. Take the wooden walking bridge to enjoy the majesty of the site. The town of Marysville is also a high point, with its range of unique shops, restaurants, and bars.

Summer Activities in Kimberley, British Columbia

Golfing
Kimberley, British Columbia boasts several excellent clubs such as the Kimberley Golf Club, established in 1924 and considered one of the Canadian Rockies’ most famous golf courses. Situated by the St. Mary’s River and bordered by the Ponderosa Pines, the course is resplendent with breathtaking vistas. The Trickle Creek Golf Resort is known for being one of the top 10 courses in Canada, providing the golfer with exquisite views and world-class greens. The newest golf course in Kimberley is the Bootleg Gap Golf Course, which opened in 2002. The course was designed by Les Ferber and includes an ample mix of open driving holes and narrow cut, tree-lined fairways.

White Water Rafting
Both half and full day expeditions are offered in Kimberley, British Columbia, with excursions that run the gamut from tranquil floats to wild rapids. With a wide choice of streams and rivers, tour operators will choose where they will conduct the rides depending on water level and flow. Check the white water rafting tour agencies in the area to book one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have in the Canadian Rockies.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

Strap on your hiking boots for some excellent climbs in the British Columbia Rockies.

With the 1,800 acre Kimberley Nature Park offering multi-use trails that track across the peaks and valleys, the Kimberley Alpine Resort is where you can choose from a multitude of hiking and biking trails of different levels of difficulty. Hike or bike to the Top of the World Provincial Park and the Wasa Provincial Park to feel the exhilaration of what it means to be in big nature.

Tours
There are a number of interesting tours that are offered in Kimberley, British Columbia. Take a helicopter tour to view the Purcell and Rocky Mountains from on high along with the vast web of rivers, lakes, forests, and canyons that make up the terrain around the region. Other options include horseback riding as well as bird watching and wildlife watching safaris.

Winter Activities in Kimberley, British Columbia

Skiing
Located on Northstar Mountain in the Purcell Mountain Range, the Kimberley Alpine Resort is one of the most majestic locales in the Canadian Rockies. With a top elevation of 6,500 feet, the mountain offers skiers 1,800 acres of terrain. The resort offers eight lifts, ski and snowboarding lessons, nighttime skiing, and equipment rentals. The Kimberley Alpine Resort is open between November and April and offers trips up the North Star Express to the top of the mountain during the summer months. With several accommodations to pick from, daycare and restaurants are also available on the hill, several of which are open year-round.

If cross-country skiing is your passion, take a class at the Kimberley Nordic Center, which offers expert instruction for both adults and children. Here you will find a multitude of double and single tracks that accommodate both the beginner and advanced cross-country skier. Other locations are available as well for the skier who prefers creating his or her own track.

Snowshoeing and Snowmobiling
Travel the area by snowshoe or snowmobile and discover the beauty of Kimberley’s wilderness. With tours of varying lengths and difficulty, head over to Powder Hound’s Tours where you can participate in the Wilderness Run, a three-hour snowmobile ride that puts you right in the middle of Kimberley’s back country. Visit the Kimberley Alpine Resort to join the Summit Descent Guided Tour where you will take the North Star Express quad up the mountain and then to snowshoe down the hill after the last ski run of the day. Tours include all equipment and snacks.

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