Kimberley: A Touch of Bavaria in Southern BC

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.

	Sullivan Mine - Early 20th Century Photo Courtesy of D. Moortgat

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.

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.

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

	Kimberley Cuckoo Clock Photo Courtesy of D. Moortgat

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.

	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.

	White Water Rafting

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.

	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.