Kimberley Alpine Resort

 

Official opening day is December 13, 2024

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Attractions and History

From our humble mining beginnings, the town of Kimberley has transformed into a true four-season destination that continues to salute our roots as we grow. We celebrate our past as a real working town in the attractions and sights that tell our story, highlight the natural beauty of the area, and nod to our history. Sprinkle these attractions throughout any visit, and get ready to fill your vacation with a healthy mix of history, wonder, and fun.

Kimberley’s Underground Mining Railway

Head underground on Kimberley's Underground Mining Railway to discover our town’s origin story, which began with Pat Sullivan’s discovery of lead and zinc in the surrounding hillsides in the late 1800s. The resulting Sullivan Mine operated for nearly 100 years, closing in 2001. It is now home to a fun-for-all, interactive retelling of our mining roots. Hop aboard a 9-ton locomotive to enjoy a 2-hour journey into the Underground Interpretive Centre and through the picturesque Mark Creek Valley.

Wonder what all the muck is about? Ask real-life local miner (turned tour guide), Bill Roberts, about popular mining terms like “bootleg” and “hot muck”, and then see if you can spot these terms around town. And while you are here, be sure to uncover the additional historic attractions like the Orpheum Theatre and the North Star School House, both on the Railway’s grounds.

The Mine Tour runs 3 times daily from Thursday-Monday from June until September. Additional 10am Express Tours can be enjoyed Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays. Mine Tour admission fares help to support the Sullivan Mine and Railway Historical Society.

The Kimberley Heritage Museum

Kimberley Heritage Museum opened in 1980 and houses nearly 12,000 artifacts and 12,000 archival photographs. Experience the history of Kimberley and its people through permanent and seasonal exhibits featuring the Sullivan Mine, Sports, Personalities and more! The Museum is operated by the Kimberley District Heritage Society, a non-profit registered charity.

A small fee is required to enter the Heritage Museum, with all admissions helping to support the Kimberley District Heritage Society. The museum is open year-round.

Note: while the Heritage Museum and Underground Mining Railway mainly focus on town history from the days of the Sullivan Mine onwards, the longstanding indigenous history of the region can be gained by a visit to the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino.

Cominco Gardens

Established in 1927, Cominco Gardens is a 5-hectare property that boasts over 45,000 flowers annually, expansive views of the Mark Creek Valley, and surprising links to our mining history. During its operations, the Sullivan Mine, which was acquired by Cominco/Teck Resources, began producing its own brand of fertilizer from ore by-products. The gardens were designed as a natural way to show off the effectiveness of that fertilizer while creating a space of beauty for residents and visitors to enjoy. In 1987, the gardens were offered as a gift to the community, and remain a visual legacy today. They are now maintained by the city of Kimberley, and are a beloved part of any visitor’s itinerary here. The gardens bloom from spring to fall and are best enjoyed during the peak season from mid-July to mid-September.

The Cominco Gardens can be visited 7 days a week, and are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Marysville Falls & Eco Park

The Marysville Falls are a spectacular natural feat, accessed by an easy, 10-minute walk. Enjoy the stroll down a wooden walkway and along Mark Creek, before reaching the penultimate viewpoint overlooking a 30-meter waterfall. Opposite the trailhead is a community Eco Park dedicated to the west-slope cutthroat trout: a native species that returned to Mark Creek following extensive watershed restoration. Marysville Eco Park includes picnic tables, flower gardens, and a sculpture of a west-slope cutthroat, and is a great place to rest or enjoy a picnic. The stroll to Marysville Falls can be done in any season, but can be icy during the winter months, or slippery in the spring when the cascade is flowing quickly. This walk is suitable for all ages and fitness levels and is beloved by walkers, bird-watchers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Kimberley Bike & Skate Park

The Bob McWhinnie Skate Park and Mountain Bike Skills Park on the corner of Marsden Street and Rotary Drive is a place for all ages to gather and develop their skills on four wheels or two.

The Kimberley Bike Park section of the park has been undergoing a full revitalization since spring of 2024, which has included the creation of a new, paved pumptrack, and a total re-work of the skills park area. Expect to see fresh jumps and fun progressive features, with an anticipated completion date set for summer 2025. As work here is still ongoing, be aware that some features may be closed or restricted throughout the year. Please also note that eclectic bikes like scooters, e-bikes and dirt bikes are not allowed on any of the bike park features. Users are strongly encouraged to wear appropriate protective gear while enjoying their time here, and are asked to follow all listed signage regarding user etiquette and safety.


A big shoutout goes to the Kimberley Trails Society for spearheading the Kimberley Bike Park revitalization project, and for providing such a fun facility for our booming bike community.

Rotary Park & Splash Park

Relax under the leafy shade of a maple tree, zip around the playground, take in a baseball game or two, then cool off in the splash park before reveling in a summer day well-spent. Our beloved Rotary Park is a great place to connect with the community while finding fun for the entire family. Here, you’ll find tennis courts, public washrooms, plenty of green space, a full playground, a seasonal splash park, and a baseball field to gather around. Top all of that off with plenty of benches and picnic tables, plus close proximity to our Civic Centre, Aquatic Centre, and the start of the North Star Rails to Trails path, and you’ve got yourself a pretty good place to hangout.

With over 10,000 artifacts and over 11,000 historical pictures, our Heritage Museum is a must-see for any visitor.

Kimberley Aquatic Center

Make a splash during your trip to Kimberley, and find a little zen along the way. The Kimberley Aquatic Centre is a beloved part of the community, and a great way to spend a winter afternoon or a quiet rainy day. Enjoy the 5-lane, 25-metre lap pool, as well as a leisure pool, a diving board, and a lazy river. Then, be sure to unwind in the hot tub or steam room, or catch some sun on the outdoor deck. Our Aquatic Centre is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all ages. Plus, we hear that the Aquatic Centre offers some great fitness classes and kids camps throughout the year.

Kimberley Civic Centre

The best place in Kimberley to skate, cheer and gather with the community? You bet! Kimberley’s Civic Centre arena is a fun hub for hockey enthusiasts, all ages and abilities of skaters, and indoor walkers alike. Come to cheer on our Junior B hockey team, the Kimberley Dynamiters, then come back to enjoy public skating and drop-in hockey with the local crowd. Public skating here is appropriate for all ages, though children aged 7 and younger must be accompanied on-ice by an adult wearing skates, and children ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult who is either on or off the ice. Drop-in hockey is available during designated times, and is a fun way to get some exercise and play where the ‘Nitros’ play. Looking to keep active off the ice? The Kimberley Civic Centre also has a designated indoor walking track for use during the winter months.

Please note, walking track users must have a key card for entry to the building. Key cards can be purchased at the Kimberley Aquatic Centre for a one-time fee.

Kimberley Riverside Mini Golf

Head to the Kimberley Riverside Campground to enjoy a fun and challenging round of miniature golf with the whole family. As you make your way through this 23,000 square foot course, enjoy water ponds, streams, rock terraced fairways, real sand traps, and beautiful landscaping. The putting course here is wheelchair accessible, appropriate for all ages, and is open daily from early May to late September.

Looking for a more challenging round of golf? Kimberley is home to three championship golf courses wihtin city limits, and another 4 a less-than-30-minute drive away. Each of these courses offer 9 or 18 holes of fun fairways and dramatic mountain views.

Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre

Long before the Sullivan Mine opened in 1909, the land that Kimberley now presides on was populated by the Ktunaxa peoples. While visiting Kimberley, we invite you to dig deeper into this traditional history by checking out the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre. Through exhibits and storytelling, the Interpretive Centre educates visitors about the rich traditions, history, and culture of the Ktunaxa people, while additionally sharing personal anecdotes on the region’s residential school history. A visit here is a truly enriching experience that deepens the understanding of the land and its original inhabitants. The Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre can be found at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, which is a short 20-minute drive away from Kimberley, and a wonderful addition to any Kimberley itinerary.

Kootenay Trout Hatchery

A short day-trip from Kimberley will bring you to the fun, interactive and educational Kootenay Trout Hatchery. The Kootenay Trout Hatchery rears up to 3 million trout each year to enhance recreational fishing opportunities in the region. Enjoy the extensive interpretive area and turtle pond, before embarking on a self-guided tour or practicing your angling skills at the stocked fishing pond on-site. Rods are available for loan and a guide can help to set up your fishing gear.

Fort Steele Heritage Town

Step back in time to 1898 with another great day-trip from Kimberley. Fort Steele Heritage Town provides interactive and fun retellings of the area’s history, while offering up-close views of famed Fisher Peak and the Kootenay River. Even furry family members are welcome here, so bring the whole gang along! While great annual events like the Kootenay Country Fair in September and the Halloween-themed Spooktacular in October are not to be missed, there’s plenty to see and do here any time of year. Don't miss the Wild Horse Theatre, the Famous Bakery, and all of the livestock animals and Clydesdale horses that pepper the Fort Steele fields. After cruising the Heritage Town, 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.

Attraction Providers

During your stay here, take advantage of the heritage experts and historians who add so much heart to Kimberley and have many great stories to tell. Our activity providers love sharing local knowledge and make it easy to discover our unique roots in fun and interactive ways.

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