Mowat Cup 2024 BC Junior A Championship

Day 1: Explore

Finding fall family fun here is easy. Whether you’re looking to get amongst the autumn foliage on our many biking and hiking trails, or are excited to try new activities in our Platzl or surrounding areas, we’ve got something that each member of the family will love.

• Start your first day here with Micky Mouse pancakes and Belgian waffles at Our Place Restaurant. This family-friendly breakfast joint has a full kids menu to appease the pickiest of eaters, as well as plenty of breakfast classics for those with bigger appetites. After breakfast, get ready to ride on a guided horseback tour in the beautiful front country surrounding Kimberley. GOT Adventures offers 1-3 hour guided horseback tours that are appropriate for anyone aged 7 and up, while Windover Ranch offers pony rides for children 7 and under. No matter which outfit you go with, expect friendly and knowledgeable guides, gentle horses, and fantastic autumn views with every gallop.

• If horses aren’t for you, stick close to home for a little downtown adventure-seeking. Spirit Rock Climbing Centre is the perfect place to reach new heights as a family. This climbing gym is equipped with bouldering walls, moon boards, and plenty of auto-belays. Lessons can be booked for new-timers, and gear can be rented at the front desk. While downtown, be sure to check out the puzzles, games and gifts at Treehouse Toy Co., and stock up plenty of sweet treats at La Lune de Chocolat Candy Shoppe.

• Tonight, nosh on fresh and delicious pizzas or pasta from Stonefire Pizzeria. With a kids-specific menu and lots of space to accommodate bigger groups, this is the perfect place to celebrate the start of your fall stay here. For families looking to relax at home during their first night here, opt instead for takeout pizzas from Grubstake Pizza or Kimbo Slice.

Day 2: Cruise

Start your second day here with muffins, hot chocolate, and big-as-your-head cinnamon buns from the Snowdrift Cafe. Then, set your sights on two wheels and get ready for a whole lotta fun by heading out to our town’s many paved paths or trail networks. Bike rentals can be secured through Bootleg Bike Co. and Black Dog Cycle & Ski in the Platzl, and trail maps can be obtained from the Kimberley Visitor Centre in the main Platzl parking area.

• For strollers, striders, training wheels, or adaptive riders, opt for the paved surface and easy grade of the North Star Rails to Trails. This 26 km path connects Kimberley to neighbouring Cranbrook and offers impressive views of the St. Mary River, the Canadian Rockies, and many colourful deciduous and coniferous trees along the way. Pick a small stretch of trail to ride, or cruise through the entire 26 km before retracing your route back home or hitching a ride on the Kimberley-Cranbrook Transit Bus.
  
  Tip: looking for some mid-day sustenance? Stop by The Shed in our downtown Platzl for kid-friendly options like mac and cheese, wings and tater tots. Don’t worry parents, there are plenty of grown-up dishes and BC beers on the menu here too.

• If your crew is looking to get off the paved paths and onto some of our nature trails, head to the hills and enjoy some time at one of our many trail networks in town. The Kimberley Nordic Club is a great place to start. This area features plenty of double and single-track trails, as well as paths appropriate for adaptive bikes. We suggest starting with the Happy Hans trail for an easy and quick flow ride, or set your sights on the Magic Line trail for more challenging climbs and descents.

• Finish off your day with burritos, enchiladas and loaded nachos at Burrito Grill. The menu here is totally customizable, so you can make a meal that is best suited for your particular tastes. Hint: save room for dessert. We hear their cakes and cupcakes are delicious!

Day 3: Discover

Today, venture a little further out of town to discover some of the area’s culture and history. Be sure to grab a breakfast sandwich and hot beverage from the Koffee Kan or Timber Hitch on your way, and fill your pockets with to-go options from Stoke Market for when the midday hunger hits.

• First, head south out of town to Fort Steele Heritage Town. This historic site provides interactive and fun retellings of the area’s history, while offering up-close views of famed Fisher Peak and the Kootenay River. Even the furry family members are welcome here, so bring along the whole gang! While great annual events like the Kootenay Country Fair in September or the Halloween-themed Spooktacular in October are not to be missed, there’s plenty to see and do here any day of the week. After cruising the Fort Steele property, be sure to stop off along the shores of the Wildhorse River. Legend has it that lucky gold-panners can still find nuggets in the waters there.

• After getting your fill of old-timey history at Fort Steele, sneak in a little more learning with a stop at the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino. Operated by the Ktunaxa Nation Council, this interpretive centre dives into the rich heritage, mythology and culture of the Ktunaxa. This stop is great for any family interested in the earlier history of the region.

• On your last night here, celebrate a trip done well with dinner and dessert at Buckhorn & Main Mountain Eatery. From your table, be sure to eye up the slopes of the Kimberley Alpine Resort. This Mountain is the perfect place for a family-friendly ski trip, as it offers plenty of cruisy and groomed runs, and lots of room for progression. If you’re lucky, kids, maybe your next visit here will feature some fun turns on fresh powder.

Looking for more? While three days is a great start here, be warned that our fall fun is just beginning. Tack on a few extra days to enjoy family-friendly hikes through our colourful larch trees, warm autumn days at our surrounding lakes and rivers, or a lively annual event in the heart of town. For those already planning a return visit, set your sights on summer or winter to discover why any time is a great time to visit here.