I visited Kimberley Alpine Resort as part of a ski-drive tour of the Powder Highway in Canada. Accommodation: Trickle Creek Lodge, in resort.
Kimberley Alpine Resort boasts of sunny days and reliable snow conditions. The snow is light, fluffy, “Purcell” powder. The resort is located close to the Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC), serviced by Air Canada & Pacific Coastal Airlines.
Kimberley stats, pros & cons
Kimberley stats
- Top: 1981m
- Base: 1230m
- Drop: 751m
- Area: 7.29km2
- Number of runs: 80
- Green: 20%
- Blue: 42%
- Black Diamond/Double Diamond: 38%
- Longest run: 6.4km (Ridgeway)
- 8 uplifts
- Snow making: Yes
- Average annual snowfall: 3.9m
Pros of Kimberley
- The resort states that it’s just 30 minutes from “plane to lift”
- Good ski host programme for free resort tours
- Fabulous views
- Great range of slopes for all abilities
- Lots of lifts and efficient system
- A local’s favourite run is called Geneva in the black forest, a long “black” leg burner with very interesting and variable terrain.
- Tamarack chair, which few people use, has slightly shorter runs at 1300ft of vertical
- Small town charm of Kimberley
- Wide-open groomed runs, powder stashes and adventurous steeps
- Snowshoe Fondue Experience
- Other activities, such as fat biking.
Cons of Kimberley
- Less to keep more advanced skiers entertained
- Some of the in-resort businesses shut early (they seemed to assume families would all depart early).
What we discovered at Kimberley
- Town was quaint although a little tired compared to some of the other places we visited
- Nice in-town restaurants
- Quiet family resort
- Good for beginner and intermediate skiers
- Still, lots of bumps to play on for more advanced skiers
- Good fun and a great place to practise bump skiing
- Hotel was being refurbished when we were there, which it needed
- The ski guide/host system is a good way to see the resort and meet new people
- A nice place to chill out, especially as the views are stunning.