The resort town of Kimberley
is located in the southeast corner of British
Columbia, Canada, nestled
between the Purcell and B.C. Rockies.
Once known only as a simple mining town, Kimberley has transformed itself into
a thriving community with a steady tourist stream. Its proximity to lakes and
rivers makes for some of the best fishing, canoeing and rafting in the area.
Due to the mountainous terrain, there is a wealth of challenging golf courses
and hiking trails, as well as world-class skiing at Kimberley Alpine Resort.
Known for its European flair and Bavarian theme, Kimberley was named the Bavarian
City of the Rockies in the early 1970s. Its picturesque peaked-roofed and wood-paneled
buildings, along with the downtown Platzl with its cobblestone paths, cuckoo
clock and mural-painted buildings and fire hydrants, gives the city a European
flair. Enjoy steins of German beer at the local pubs,
schnitzel at one of the many restaurants
and listen to the music of the Kimberley
International Old-Time Accordion Championships. Its small population
of approximately 7,000 people in the city limits, makes for an lively, yet leisurely
mountain town, which attracts visitors from all four corners of the globe.
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Sullivan
Mine - Early 20th Century
Photo Courtesy of D. Moortgat |
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HISTORY AND ECONOMY
In 1891, the area now known as Kimberley was catapulted into the mining industry
with the discovery of the mineral galena. This important find was made at the
small North Star Mine, now the site of the Kimberley Alpine Resort. Galena,
or lead sulfide, is a natural semi-conductor that was once used in crystal radios.
More recently, it has been used in a multitude of electronic equipment, ranging
from television sets to telephones, to GPS systems and medical equipment. Soon
after the discovery of galena, a number of other minerals, such as pyrite, quartz
and mcgillite, were discovered west of the of the North Star Mine, and construction
of a new, larger mine at this location was underway. It was termed the Sullivan
Mine, named after Pat Sullivan, one of the founders of the vast mineral deposit,
who was killed shortly thereafter in a mining accident.
Due to the discovery and quick growth of the Sullivan Mine, a small settlement
called Mark Creek Crossing grew rapidly in the area. In 1896, the settlement
was renamed Kimberley, after the diamond mines of Kimberley, South Africa. It
was thought that the extensive mineral deposits in Mark Creek Crossing would
yield as many riches as its overseas predecessor. In 1909, the Consolidated
Mining and Smelting Company (COMINCO) acquired the Sullivan Mine and operated
it until its ultimate exhaustion and closure in 2001, after a successful 92
years of operation.
Kimberley's mining industry provided employment and considerable economic contributions
to the province. Although the area mines have now closed, the town of Kimberley
continues to flourish, bringing more and more inhabitants to the area. Because
of its rapid growth, Kimberley was incorporated as a city in 1968.
Since the closure of the mines in 2001, tourism has become the economic staple
of the city. With the multitude of summer and winter activities, more visitors
are coming to Kimberley each year. Its proximity to the United States makes
it an increasingly attractive destination for tourists across the border. Future
expansions to sites such as the Cranbrook Airport and the Sullivan Mine Interpretive
Centre, as well as development of a new paralympic athletic training centre,
show commitments by city, provincial and national governments to support Kimberley's
economic growth.
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Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-12°C
(10°F) |
-3°C
(27°F) |
4
mm |
| Feb |
-8°C
(18°F) |
1°C
(34°F) |
4
mm |
| Mar
|
-3°C
(27°F) |
7°C
(45°F) |
7
mm |
| Apr |
0°C
(32°F) |
13°C
(55°F) |
22
mm |
| May
|
4°C
(39°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
43
mm |
| Jun
|
8°C
(46°F) |
22°C
(72°F) |
51
mm |
| Jul |
11°C
(52°F) |
26°C
(79°F) |
32
mm |
|
Aug |
10°C
(50°F) |
25°C
(77°F) |
34
mm |
|
Sep |
5°C
(41°F) |
19°C
(66°F) |
31
mm |
|
Oct |
0°C
(32°F) |
12°C
(54°F) |
15
mm |
|
Nov |
-4°C
(25°F) |
2°C
(36°F) |
15
mm |
|
Dec |
-10°C
(14°F) |
-2°C
(28°F) |
7
mm |
|
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Average
Daily Temperatures and Climate Data for Kimberley |
CLIMATE
Kimberley's location between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains allows for sunny
days in which to enjoy its many lakes, streams and wooded areas, and offers
an abundance of snowfall for its many winter activities. Kimberley is known
for its abundance of year-round sunshine, getting an average of 2,151 hours
of sun annually. Its average rainfall is approximately 317 mm (12.5 in) and
its annual snowfall averages at 342 cm (135 in). As a result, the winters are
mild and the summers are warm and pleasant: a perfect weather combination for
a resort town with several outdoor activities in which to partake.
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Kimberley to... |
Distance
(km) |
Distance
(mi) |
| Calgary |
470
km |
253
mi |
| Saskatoon |
999
km |
620
mi |
| Vancouver |
903
km |
561
mi |
| Banff |
227
km |
172 mi |
| Cranbrook
|
28
km |
17
mi |
| Cranbook
Airport |
20
km |
12
mi |
| Spokane |
339
km |
211
mi |
|
U.S. Border |
115
km |
70
mi |
|
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Kimberley
Distance Table
|
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TRANSPORTATION AND LOCATION
Kimberley is located in the East Kootenay Mountain Range of British Columbia,
amidst the majestic Rocky Mountains. It has the distinction of one of the highest
cities in Canada at an elevation of 1,100 m (3,665 ft) above sea-level. The
city of Cranbrook is the nearest large centre with a population of approximately
20,000 people, and home to the Cranbrook
Regional Airport, which serves Kimberley and the surrounding area. The
airport is served by Air
Canada and Pacific
Coastal Airlines, who offer daily flights to Kamloops,
Vancouver and Calgary,
and Horizon Air, who have charter and helicopter services.
Highway 95A, a major highway that connects with Highway 95, passes directly
through Kimberley. It is a short distance north on Highway 95 to Golden
and the Trans
Canada Highway.
Greyhound
Canada offers motorcoach travel to and from Kimberley to a number of
destinations around Canada. In Kimberley, taxis
and public
transit are available which serve Kimberley and the surrounding area.
ATTRACTIONS
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Kimberley Cuckoo
Clock
Photo Courtesy of D. Moortgat |
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The Platzl and Cuckoo Clock
The
Platzl and Cuckoo
Clock showcases the Bavarian theme of Kimberley, adding to its appeal
and serving as the core of the city. The two are located in the town square
and are surrounded by unique shops, restaurants and accommodations,
adding to the European feel of the town. The Platzl is a colourful pedestrian
walking area which comes alive in the summer months, hosting festivals,
parades and live entertainment. The cuckoo clock is known as one of the world's
largest free-standing clocks with Happy Hans, the city's mascot, popping out
every hour.
Cominco Gardens
Cominco
Gardens is a 5 hectare (12 acre) park boasting over 48,000 types of
flowers, trees and shrubs. The gardens were established in 1927 by Cominco,
the company that owned all the area mines, to showcase a new brand of fertilizer
they produced. The park, now well-established and mature, is a must-see attraction
in Kimberley. Other features of the park include a wishing well, gazebo, prairie
garden and rose garden.
The Bavarian City Mining Railway and Sullivan Mine
The
Bavarian City Mining Railway is a 12 km (7.5 mi) train ride, which ventures
through the Mark Creek Valley on a narrow gauge mine track. The ride takes approximately
20 minutes and climbs the mountain terrain where the old mining cars once travelled.
The tour is chock-full of stories and facts of the mine and area. Enjoy views
of the old entrance to the Sullivan Mine, tour the Sullivan
Mine Interpretive Centre, the Cominco
Power House, a restored miner's residence, as well as a view of the
surrounding mountains and wooded areas.
Wasa Lake Provincial Park
Perfect for a quick jaunt or day trip, Wasa
Lake Provincial Park is located just 38 km (24 mi) northeast of Kimberley.
This 144-hectare (356-acre) park was established in 1955 and boasts superior
camping facilities, hiking trails and fishing holes. Wasa Lake is a popular
swimming lake known for having the warmest waters in East Kootenay. The sandy
beach and boat launch make for a multitude of activities, including waterskiing,
sunbathing and fishing.
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Marysville
Falls
Photo Courtesy of D. Moortgat |
Marysville Falls
The town of Marysville, known as a suburb of Kimberley, is located ten
minutes south of the downtown Platzl. There are a variety of sights here, including
a colourful downtown with many unique shops and restaurants. However, the main
attraction in Marysville is the Marysville
Falls located at the north end of town. The wooden walking bridge leads
to a cascade that measures 30.5 m (100 ft) over eroded rocks worn smooth from
years of plunging water.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Golfing
Golfing
is a popular pastime in the Canadian Rockies, and golf courses in the Kimberley
area do not disappoint the golf enthusiast. Trickle
Creek Golf Resort has been named as one of the top 10 courses in Canada,
and provides magnificent views and challenging greens keeping golf aficionados
coming back year after year. Kimberley
Golf Club is one of the most established golf courses in the B.C. Rockies,
formed in the year 1924. Winding around the St. Mary's River with Ponderosa
Pines hugging its fairways, the course is renowned for its scenic views. Bootleg
Gap Golf Course is the newest golf course in the Kimberley area, opening
its 27 holes in 2002. This challenging course is a Les Ferber design and provides
something for everyone: a mix of wide-open driving holes and narrow-cut, tree-lined
fairways.
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White
Water Rafting |
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White Water Rafting
White
Water Rafting is a sport enjoyed by many in the Kimberley area. Tour
operators, such as Canadian
Rockies River Expeditions, offer half-day and full-day river excursions,
from gentle floats to challenging rapids. Because of the vast number of rivers
and streams in the Kimberley area, tour operators are not limited to certain
rivers, and decide where they will tour depending on river levels and flow.
Hiking and Mountain Biking
Hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts are never left without several options
in the Kimberley area. The
Kimberley Nature Park is an 800 hectare (1,800 acre) park which boasts
several kilometres of multi-use trails, crossing in and out of the forested
hillsides. The Kimberley Alpine Resort is another great summer hiking destination.
Take the North Star Quad up the hill and choose from over seven hiking and biking
trails of varying length and difficulty. Other hiking sites near Kimberley include
the Top
of the World Provincial Park and Wasa Provincial Park.
Tours
The multitude of summer activities also includes helicopter
sightseeing tours, offering bird's-eye views of the majestic Purcell
and Rocky Mountains, and alpine lakes, rivers, canyons and lush forests. Other
tours include horseback riding, golfing,
birdwatching and wildlife watching.
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Kimberley
Alpine Resort
Photo Courtesy of D. Moortgat |
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Skiing
The
Kimberley Alpine Resort is a full-service ski resort located on Northstar
Mountain in the Purcell Mountain Range. It is located a mere 4 km (2.5
mi) from Kimberley's downtown core, providing a dramatic backdrop to this mountain
town. The mountain boasts a top elevation of 1,982 m (6,500 ft) and 729 hectares
(1,800 acres) of skiable terrain. There are eight lifts, including the North
Star Express, a high-speed quad. The resort offers ski and snowboard lessons
and full rentals
for adults and children. Not only does the Kimberley Alpine Resort operate daily
between the months of November and April (depending on weather conditions),
they offer night skiing and summer trips up the North Star Express to the top
of the mountain. There are several accommodation
selections on the hill, some of which offer ski-in, ski-out options. Other features
of the hill include a daycare
and several restaurants,
some of which operate year round.
In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding at Kimberley Alpine Resort,
cross-country skiing is a popular winter activity. The Kimberley
Nordic Centre offers children and adult cross-country skiing classes,
and clubs such as the Kimberley Nordic Racers and the BC Rabbits encourage interest
in the sport. The Nordic Centre is responsible for creating and upkeeping the
kilometres of double and single track trails of varying degrees of difficulty
and length. In addition to these groomed tracks, people enjoy cross-country
skiing in several other locations throughout the area. Most parks and golf courses
lend themselves during the winter, with people carving their own tracks and
paths.
For the adventurer, the mountain range around the town of Kimberley allows
for many backcountry skiing excursions. The Purcell Mountains in particular
are well-known for their pristine, fresh tracks. However, it is advisable to
hire a guide and research the back country extensively before setting out. Avalanches
are common and every skier must be highly prepared and trained for any emergency
situation that may arise.
Snowshoeing and Snowmobiling
Other ways to traverse snowy surfaces include snowshoeing and snowmobiling,
both of which are popular in the Kimberley area. Visit the Kimberley Alpine
Resort for the Summit Descent Guided Tour, which involves taking the North Star
Express quad up the ski hill on the last run of the day and snowshoeing down.
The tour includes all equipment, head lamp and snack. Powder
Hound's Tours offers snowmobiling tours of various lengths and difficulties,
including their popular Wilderness Run, which is three hours long and involves
touring some of the best back country in the Kimberley area.
