Canada's City Between The Purcell And Rocky Mountains Offers Resorts And Year-Round Fun

The winter cold brings the ski industry to life until the first warm days of spring ignite a colorful bloom of wildflowers across the countryside. Long summer days mean waterways draw visitors for rafting adventures and the fish are biting. By the time fall comes around, Kimberley, British Columbia, is blanketed in bright fall colors. It's no wonder this town bordered by the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Purcell Mountains has become a tourist destination perfect for any month of the year.

Founded as a mining town in 1892, Kimberley continued its transition toward tourism after the Sullivan Mine closed in 2001. After the mine closed, the town celebrated its history and invited tourists to explore the mountainous region around it. Today this one-stoplight town not only has mine tours, museums, and a downtown full of shops and restaurants, but also has a calendar full of festivals, events, and activities throughout the year. There's more than enough here to rival Canada's best destinations to snap beautiful pictures.

Resorts are plentiful in Kimberley, as are campsites, hotels, and mountain chalets. Canadian Rockies International Airport is just a 20-minute drive from the center of Kimberley, making it accessible for those flying to the region. For those driving from the United States, Kimberley is just an hour or so north of the border.

As the snow falls every winter, Kimberley is transformed into a full ski resort town with access to downhill slopes and cross-country trails. The Kimberley Alpine Resort offers 80 named runs and glades. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are popular in the 1,800-acre resort, and it offers lessons and rentals for those just beginning.

Those with more experience enjoy steeper trails on North Star Mountain. There's even an opportunity to ski the slopes at night. The resort offers nighttime skiing on select evenings during the winter season. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities are available as well. Cross-country skiers are also drawn to the city's Kimberley Nordic Club. This area is known for its commitment to cross-country skiing and has nearly 20 miles of well-maintained trails through the countryside. The Nordic club is especially popular for its nighttime skiing. A nearly two-mile trail is illuminated for those wanting to experience the powder after dark.

When the weather warms and the ski trails close, the golf courses open in Kimberley. Within 20 minutes of Kimberley, there are seven different courses that offer different experiences. Experienced golfers can enjoy Bootleg Gap, an 18-hole championship course, or the Wildstone Golf Course, which claims to be on every golfer's bucket list. Family-friendly courses like the one at St. Eugene Resort cater to golfers of all skill levels. Of course, every course offers sweeping views of the nearby Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges.

Golfing opportunities certainly continue through the summer months in Kimberley. But as the temperatures continue to climb, visitors and locals alike take to the mountain trails and waterways around the city. Biking and rafting are especially popular during the season.

For those looking to see Kimberley from "above the clouds," numerous mountainous hiking and biking trails provide ample opportunities for incredible, sweeping views. That's thanks to Kimberley being the home to the largest municipal park in British Columbia. Kimberley Nature Park rivals some of Canada's most beautiful national parks for outdoor adventures and offers a mix of old roads and single-track trails for walkers and mountain bikers. While beautiful, the area is remote and full of wildlife. The Kimberley Nature Park Society recommends carrying bear spray when exploring the park.

When the leaves begin to change color in the fall, hikers flock to those same trails, taking in the change of season. The trails are typically less crowded during this time of year, giving those who hike or bike them some welcome serenity. After a quiet trip into the wilderness, return to Kimberley for the city's popular Oktoberfest festivities. For another British Columbia outdoor getaway, consider Squamish, Canada's outdoor recreation capital.