Kimberley is located on Highway 95/93 130 km south of Radium and 30 km northwest of the city of Cranbrook, which is the major market center and lies on the east-west #3 TransCanada Crowsnest Route which connects to Osoyoos and Hope in the west and Fort MacLeod, and Medicine Hat to the East.
Kimberley is famous for its Bavarian-themed downtown, and its Platzl pedestrian mall, with Canada’s largest cuckoo clock and wandering minstrels. The city is built on the slopes of Sullivan and North Star mountains, at an elevation of 1,113 metres (3,651 feet), and lays claim to Canada’s second highest city. The city is the site of the Sullivan Mine, the world’s largest underground lead-silver-zinc mine, until it was closed down in 2001.
Kimberley really has three parts: Kimberley proper (the north part), which includes the Platzl shopping & restaurant district and is close the Kimberley Ski & Summer Resort, and Marysville (sometimes called South Kimberley), which is about 6 km south of the Platzl. Marysville is closer to the Cranbrook airport, and can provide visitors more cost-effective accommodation options. Around the ski hill (quite a ways up the hill from the town of Kimberley) are a number of hotels, vacation condos, golf courses and restaurants, so you may never have to get into your car once you arrive. In the summer, you can ride the miniature railway between the town and the ski resort.
Annual Events
Polar Bear Race (Jan 1), Winterfest (2nd week in Feb), Bavarian Iron Legs Quadrathlon (end March), Marysville Daze(June), Bavarian City Family Fund Day (June), Rock’n in the Rockies (June), Kimberley International Old Time Accordion Championships (2nd week July), Julyfest (3rd weekend July), BC Days (August), International Folk Dance Festival (Labour Day eekend), and Oktoberfest (September), Kimberley Country Fair ( end September)
Kimberley Attractions
Bavarian City Mining Railway
Gerry Sorrenson Way, just west of the Platzl
250-427-3666
Take a 20 minute narrated train rides on a narrow gauge mine track, climbing 100 feet to the base of the Kimberley ski resort. There’s also a miniature gold course. Daily 1 pm to 9 pm, July 1 to Labour Day. Admission fee.
Center 64 Theatre
64 Deer Park Avenue, downtown Kimberley
250-427-4919
This theatre company offer summer performances from mid July to late August, runing Tuesday to Saturday. See summer half-hour vaudeville shows at noon in the Platzl.
Cominco Gardens
take Wallinger Drive north, from the Platzl’s east end, up the hill.
These gardens were established by Cominco in 1927, to showcase its Elephant Brand Fertilizer. These floral gardens were gifted to the community in 1987.
Kimberley Heritage Museum
In the Platzl
250-427-7510
Exhibits explore the history of area mining, and also includes pioneer artifacts, sports items, ethnic displays, and rock collections. Open Monday – Saturday 9 am – 4:30 pm in July & August, and Monday – Saturday 1 pm to 4 pm the remainder of the year. Admission by donation.
Kimberley Ski & Summer Resort
Up Gerry Sorrenson Way
250-427-4881 or toll-free 1-800-667-0808
This ski resort has downhill skiing form December through April on three mountainsides. In the summer a summer alpine slide lets you whisk down 1,233 metres (4,045 feet)
Kimberley Nature Park
Take Warren Ave (Hwy 95) south from Platzl, turn right (west)at Higgins St (by the elementary school)
This natural area, to the west of the city, features 100 km of trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.
Marysville Falls
10 minutes drive south of the Platzl
This 100 foot (30m) waterfall where Mark Creek drops down to its junction with the St Mary River, is accessed via a wooden walkway from the highway, on the west side of Marysville.