Kimberley, British Columbia
Historic Kimberley, British Columbia, combines the rugged majesty of the Canadian Rockies with the charms of a quaint frontier settlement. Voted Best Small Town in B.C. during a competition organized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 2022, Kimberley is known for its winter activities, but still offers families plenty to do year-round.
Outdoor Activities for All Ages
The largest municipal park in British Columbia, Kimberley Nature Park and the neighboring Horse Barn Valley Interpretive Forest have more than 31 miles of hiking trails, with opportunities to explore old-growth cedar and spot native wildlife. For a stroller-friendly trek, Marysville Falls offers impressive views of a cascading waterfall from an accessible wooden boardwalk.
In colder months, Kimberley transforms into a winter wonderland, with nearby slopes receiving an average of more than 10 feet of snowfall annually. The Kimberley Alpine Resort boasts 80 downhill runs for all skill levels and boasts the longest night-skiing run in North America. For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the Kimberley Nordic Club offers about 21 miles of groomed trails, including accessible tracks designed for Paralympic skiing.
Local History Lessons
Kimberley’s colorful history comes to life at several family friendly attractions. Hop aboard the Underground Mining Railway, a train tour that takes visitors through the scenic Mark Creek Valley and into the Sullivan Mine tunnel. A walking tour of the mine’s interpretive center provides a close-up look at equipment and tools, while a former miner shares stories of the men who worked in this once active lead and zinc mine.
Located about 25 miles east of Kimberley, the Fort Steele Heritage Town recreates life in 1898 with costumed interpreters, live demonstrations of blacksmithing and other trades, and a working general store stocked with old-fashioned candies and handcrafted goods. Kids will enjoy the Clydesdale wagon tours, while a daily schoolhouse “orientation” gives them a taste of what it was like to be in the classroom during the Gold Rush.
While both Fort Steele and the Underground Mining Railway tour close for winter, the Kimberley Heritage Museum is open year-round. Packed with historical artifacts, photographs, maps, and other documents from the town’s past, the museum features seasonally rotating exhibits, sharing Kimberley’s mining history, stories of notable residents, and a taste of daily life in days gone by.
