Our Hometown Hill: Everything You Need to Know About the Kimberley Alpine Resort
The Kimberley Alpine Resort is known for its consistent snowfall, short lift lines, and abundance of sunny days year-round. Skiers and riders of all abilities can find fun on the 80 trails spread across 1,800 acres of terrain here, while also enjoying good eats, post-ski cheer, and plenty of memorable moments along the way. Revel in the perfect Purcell powder, soak in the jaw-dropping views of the Canadian Rockies, then cruise down another unforgettable run at the Kimberley Alpine Resort.
The Run-Down
From cruisy groomers, to glades and moguls, our hometown hill has it all. Mellow-movers and park-tricksters find their fun on the "frontside" of Northstar Mountain, while those who love steeps and bumps head to the “backside” to lap the Easter and Tamarack chairs and carve down more difficult tracks. We’re known for our perfectly spaced glade runs, expertly crafted corduroy, and plenty of secret stashes in the Black Forest. Plus, legend has it that the Kimberley Alpine Resort has its fair share of sun pits to enjoy on bluebird spring days.
- Top Elevation: 6,500 ft / 1,982 m
- Base Elevation: 4,035 ft / 1,230 m
- Vertical Rise: 2,465 ft / 751 m
- Skiable Acres: 1,800 acres / 729 hectares
- Longest Run: Ridgeway - 3.97 miles / 6.4 km
- Number of Lifts: 5
- Number of Runs: 68 standard runs, plus another 12 in the glades
- Ski Season: Mid-December to Mid-April
- Average Snowfall: 150” - 400cm
- Average Temperature: -5℃ / 23℉
Night Skiing
Did you know that the Kimberley Alpine Resort is home to the longest lit night-skiing run in North America?
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from January to early March, the NorthStar Quad offers eager night riders the chance to cruise under the stars from 5:30-8:30pm. Chase your pals down 2,100 vertical feet of terrain on our beloved Main run, and let the bright lights lead you all the way back to the Plaza. Some bonuses of night skiing here include: low light pollution that allows you to soak in the plentiful stars high above, small crowds and short lift-lines, and lively on-mountain establishments that serve up delicious night-caps when the skiing is done. Night skiing is included in every Full or Half-Day Quad lift pass purchased. Night skiing-specific passes are also available from Guest Services.
Up-Track
While we love a good lift-assisted ski, you’ll find plenty of locals opting to earn their turns throughout the winter months instead. The Kimberley Alpine Resort was one of the first ski mountains in the region to offer a designated ski-touring track for anyone looking to skip the lift line and enjoy some solid cardio to the top of the Mountain. The up-track takes you up the face of the Kimberley Alpine Resort along the Boundary ski run, promises drool-worthy views of the Rocky Mountains, and can be enjoyed during the ski season with an active ski pass or a $5 up-track pass. Our suggestion? Do as the locals do, get yer buns up bright and early, and start your day with a thermos of coffee in the morning sun before cruising down fresh corduroy to the bottom.
- Up-trackers must stick to the Boundary run while travelling both up and down the Mountain
- The up-track zone is open from 6am to 8pm
- Dogs, fat bikes and sleds are not allowed on the designated up-track zone
- There is a designated up-trackers’ parking area on North Star Drive. Up-tracking from the Kimberley Alpine Resort base area is not allowed
Eat & Drink
At the end of the ski day, all runs lead to The Stemwinder. The Stemwinder Bar & Grill is our on-mountain restaurant and bar, which serves up classic pub grub, family-friendly entrees, and delicious drinks. Enjoy a beer, an appy, and some live music there, then check out the other food and drink options nearby. Located next door in the Trickle Creek Lodge, Buckhorn & Main Mountain Eatery is another great option for a warm lunch, a tasty dinner, or some post-ski cheer. Near the top of the Quad chair, you’ll also find the beloved Kootenay Haus. This is the best place to warm up and re-charge for those who choose to pack their own snacks or bagged lunch during a ski day. Looking for more? Our town is jam-packed with great eats and local sips. Grab the free ski shuttle from the base of the hill to enjoy our delectable food and drink scene downtown.
More Kimberley Alpine Resort Fun
Aside from daytime and nighttime skiing, the Kimberley Alpine Resort offers many other fun happenings. Groove to live music every weekend from 3-6pm at the Stemwinder, embark on a Mountain Top S’mores Snowshoe Tour, rent fat-bikes to cruise through our extensive groomed trail networks, then glide along the outdoor Skating Rink next to the Winter Sports School Cabin.
Looking for more? Current college and university students have the added bonus of soaking up the aptly-named College Nights. These nights run 3 Fridays in the 2025 calendar year, and offer students with a valid college or university ID the chance to embark on a night cruise at a cushy price. Also hosted in the evenings throughout the season is the Thursday Night Rec Rut Runners Adult Race Series. This is a challenging and social introduction to running gates for adults 18+, and is a great way to build your skills on skis. Whether you have race experience or not, Rec Rut Runners is all about friends, fun, and ski improvement.
Our suggestion? Plan your ski trip now, add in a few of our festive events, then don’t forget to see what we’re up to the rest of the year. Ski passes can be purchased in-person at the Kimberley Alpine Resort Ticket Window, or online here.