Kimberley is a city of about 4,500 people (2016) in British Columbia.
Understand
Kimberley was named in 1896 after the Kimberley mine in South Africa. From 1917 to 2001, it was the home to the world's largest lead-zinc mine, the Sullivan Mine. Now it is mainly a tourist destination.
The city has the "largest freestanding cuckoo clock in Canada".
Get in
Kimberley sits along Highway 95A between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains.
The nearest airport is in Cranbrook.
Get around
By public transit
- BC Transit (Kimberley Transit System), +1 250-427-7400. Two buses a day M-F (45 min) between Kimberley and Cranbrook. $3 (no change provided) 2020-05-11
See
- Platzl, at the end of Spokane St. The Bavarian-themed pedestrian street at the centre of town. Take in the atmosphere or view the large cuckoo clock where the town mascot, Happy Hans, pops out every hour.
- Cominco Gardens (Kimberley Gardens), 290 Rossland Blvd (off of 4th St, near the hospital), +1 250 427-5160. Gardens with almost 50,000 flowers and a nice hilltop view. By donation
- Kimberley's Underground Mining Railway, 111 Gerry Sorenson Way. Late May to early September only: mining tours 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM. Resort Express Sa Su and holiday M 10AM. Features a 750-foot-long (230 m) underground mining interpretive centre complete with operational 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railway equipment. Ride the rails through the Mark Creek valley as you listen to the history of Kimberley and the Sullivan Mine. Experience life as a miner at the Underground Interpretive Centre. The mining show demonstrates working mine equipment. Spectacular scenery and the occasional wild life en route to the Kimberley Alpine Resort. After a brief stop at the Resort Station you can learn more about Kimberley as you continue back to the Downtown Station. Mining tours: children up to 3 years free, children 4-12 $10, teens 13-18 $15, adults $25. Resort Express: child 3 & under free, child 4-12 $10, teens & adults $15, family (2 adults, 2 children) $40 2018-05-22
- Kimberley Arts at Centre 64, 64 Deer Park Ave, +1 250-427-4919. Gallery open Tu-Sa 1PM-5PM. Fine art exhibitions, live performances, workshops year-round, art gallery, theatre, dance studio, fibre arts room and ceramics studio. 2018-05-22
Do
- Kimberley Alpine Resort, at the end of Gerry Sorenson Way, +1 250 427-4881 (general line), +1 250 427-1333 (snow report). Mid-sized ski resort with three chairs and a T-bar and 750 meters of vertical (2,465 feet). Lifts are also open on weekends in the summer for hiking and sightseeing. $21 (summer)
- Trickle Creek Golf Course, 500 Stemwinder Dr, +1 250 427-5171 (general line), +1 250 427-3389 (tee times). One of the best "mountain" golf courses in BC. $90-120
- St. Mary's Alpine Provincial Park, Dewar Creek Road. 9,146 ha. Numerous lakes and tarns are tucked against rugged granite cliffs and surrounded by tundra and lingering snowfields. Seven creeks drain the lakes, resulting in numerous waterfalls and cataracts, some as much as 150 m in height. Experienced hikers, willing to expend considerable effort in bushwhacking and route finding should visit this protected area where few if any people will be encountered. Backcountry camping is allowed in the park. When toilets are not available, bury human waste at least 15 cm in soil and 30 m from water. To ensure drinking water is safe, it must be boiled for at least 5 minutes. Practice "no trace" camping ethics. 2018-05-22
- Mountain bike "around the mountain". This is a 20-km open access mountain bike trail. Recreational pursuits include world-class skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, biking, hiking and golfing on championship golf courses.
Buy
- Old Crow Emporium, 275 Spokane St, +1 250 417-9982. Sun&Mon 12-4pm Tuesday-Sat 10am-5pm. Antiques and consignment booths 2019-08-05
Eat
- The Old Bauernhaus Restaurant, 280 Norton Ave, +1 250-427-5133. Th-M 5PM-9PM. German food. 2018-05-22
- Nina's Hillside Garden, 440 Spokane St (behind the Shell Station), +1 250-427-4681. Tu-Sa 11AM-3:30PM. Beautiful gardens, homemade soups and sandwiches. 2018-05-22
- Our Place, 290 Spokane St, +1 250-427-3739. Daily 8AM-2PM. Breakfast and lunch diner. Gluten-free choices. 2018-05-22
Drink
- Pedal & Tap, 215 Spokane St, +1 250-427-3325. Su-Tu 4PM-9PM, W-Sa 4PM-10PM. Extensive beer, wine and drink menu. All of their wines are BC VQA and vineyard direct. Good menu, including vegan selections. 2018-05-22
Sleep
- Kimberley Riverside Campground (Happy Hans Riverside Resort), just off of St. Mary's Lake Rd, +1 250 427-2929. Serviced and tenting sites with convenience store, laundry, showers and pool. On the river with nice mountain views. Open from mid-May to mid-October. $21-26 (tent), $27-$33 (serviced)
- North Star Motel, 8826 BC-95A. Free Wi-Fi, free parking, air conditioning, hot tub, non-smoking rooms, family rooms. From $90 2018-05-22
- Trickle Creek Lodge (formerly the Marriott Trickle Creek Residence Inn), 500 Stemwinder Dr, +1 250 427-5175. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Rooms range from studios to three bedroom suites and come with kitchens and fireplaces. It's close enough to the slopes for ski-in, ski-out in the winter. $190 - $335 in peak season