Kimberley Alpine Resort is one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies. It ticks off all the boxes for a family ski trip, including varied terrain, special kid’s trails, ski and snowboard programs, slope-side accommodation, restaurants and all the amenities you might need in the townsite – just a five-minute drive down the hill.  

This article will provide a helpful guide for planning a family ski trip to Kimberley Alpine Resort. It includes information about the mountain, terrain, lessons, accommodations, dining, and nearby activities. We’ll also share our review of the hill, which is catered to parents travelling and skiing with young children.

The Indigenous name for Kimberley, BC is Kukamaʔnam, which means “Animal Trail Coming Down to You” in the local Ktunaxa language. It is on the traditional unceded territory of the Ktunaxa (‘k-too-nah-ha’) people, who have lived here for over 10,000 years. You can learn more about the region and the Ktunaxa Nation at the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre.

A guide to a family ski trip at Kimberley Alpine Resort

The Mountain

Snow

Kimberley Alpine Resort is on the Powder Highway. This region in BC’s interior is famous for its annual snowfall, world-class ski resorts, and hopping mountain towns. You can expect an excellent base pack and early and late-season coverage. According to their website, the mountain gets about 13 feet of snow annually. Check out the latest snow report at Kimberley Alpine Resort!

Annual Average Snowfall: 400 cm / 157.5 in

Terrain

Like most ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies, Kimberley offers varied terrain and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Of its 68 runs (not including the 12 in the glades), 20% are beginner, 42% intermediate and 38% advanced. For families with intermediate-level skiers, there is a lot of fun terrain here.

Our favourite runs include the Kid’s Trail, which is like a mini bobsled shoot in the trees, and Dean’s Glades, a beginner-friendly introduction to glade skiing. We also found some groomed Black Diamonds off the Black Forest traverse, which made for good practice for first-time black runners. The diverse terrain is also well-spread out, and the five lifts can handle crowds without too much time waiting in line.

Northstar Mountain

Accessible via the North Star Express Speed Quad, Northstar Mountain offers mostly groomed, cruisy blue and green runs with a few shorter blacks in the trees. Here, you’ll also find the Minute Maid Kid’s Trails. This winding trail through the trees is a little like a bobsled track, coaxing kids into turns while they count all the mascots along the way. Kids love this area, and adults are advised to ski on the parallel green run to keep it safe for them. Don’t worry; you can still see your kids on the track from this run for the entire duration.

Tamarack Ridge

This smaller area of the resort offers mostly black diamond runs and is for expert skiers. You can get to it from the top of the North Star Express lift and spend some time enjoying these runs via the Tamarack Double Chair. The Tamarack Run, on this ridge, is a good starter black run for intermediate skiers.

Vimy Ridge

Take the Vimy Ridge green trail from the top of the North Star Express to access the variety of shorter blues and blacks in this area. You can also grab the Easter Triple Chair to get over to the Black Forest runs.

Black Forest

The Black Forest can be accessed via the Easter Triple Chair or by taking the Vimy Ridge traverse from the North Star Express quad. While this area is primarily lined with black diamond runs, there are a few popular and fun blues to check out with your family. A personal favourite is Dean’s Glade, which offers introductory glade skiing. Just when your quads start to burn, you’ll pop out on Dean’s Left, a cruisy groomed blue that takes you down to the bottom of the forest.

Owl Learning Area

Located right at the base of the resort is the Owl Learning Area. You’ll find the Owlette Magic Carpet and Owl T-Bar, providing fun bunny-hill slopes for beginner skiers and young children. The T-bar is also open for night skiing.

Lift Tickets

Lift tickets for Kimberley Alpine Resorts are priced slightly lower than other RCR resorts like Fernie or Kicking Horse. In addition, lift tickets also include night skiing, which gives you a little more bang for your buck. If you’re on a family ski trip with wee ones and beginners, you can save by purchasing lift tickets for just the T-bar or magic carpet lifts.

RCR Resorts prices their tickets using an ‘on demand’ algorithm. Here are the average one-day lift ticket prices for 2025:

• Adult: $127
• Senior (65+): $100.50
• Youth (13-17): $94.50
• Child (6-12): $51.50
• Under 6: FREE

Ways to save on lift tickets at Kimberley Alpine Resort

Afternoon Tickets: Half-day tickets can be purchased at Guest Services at 12:15 pm for lift access at 12:30 pm.

Owl T-Bar Only Tickets: If you’re a beginner or taking a little one up for the first time, you can save with the Owl T-Bar ticket. In winter 2025, an adult and child ticket is $32.95, an adult ticket is $25.95, and children and youth tickets are $18.95.

Magic Carpet Tickets: Learn on the Magic Carpet Hill for free! Lift tickets are always complimentary.

Night Skiing: The main run on Northstar Mountain is also lit for night skiing! Night Skiing tickets are included with your regular day lift ticket and are available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm and during the Christmas holidays. Learn more about night skiing at Kimberley Alpine Resort.

RBC Avion Visa Cardholders: If you have an RBC Avion Visa, one of the perks is the Friday Friend Pass. Buy one lift pass for a Friday and get a second one free. You can get your Friday Friend Pass here.

Discount Programs: Kimberley Alpine Resort also participates in discount programs, including the Military Epic Pass and RCR Rockies Card.

Ski and Snowboarding Lessons

Ski and snowboarding lessons will help people of all ages and abilities enhance their skills and experience on the hill! Kimberley Alpine Resort offers a range of instructional programs through its snow school, which is led by certified and trained instructors.

Kid’s Snowboard and Ski Lessons

Kimberley Alpine Resort offers private and group lessons, ranging from one or two hours to a half-day or full-day program. For locals, your kids can participate in a multi-week program, including specialty programs like Kimberley Mountain Special Forces and Kimberley Free Ride Teams. Learn more about winter sports school for kids.

Adult Snowboard and Ski Lessons

Snow school offerings are similar for adult skiers and snowboarders. Beginners can take advantage of the Telus Learn to Ski/Snowboard Lessons, which offer half- and full-day programs that include the lesson, lift tickets, and rentals. They also have adult private and group lessons for all abilities, as well as family private lessons!

Locals can join the Kimberley community in a multi-week program including Ladies Beginner and Advanced Ski & Board Skills Camps, Men’s “Bumps and Brews” Mountain Skills Camps and Locals 2-hour Private Lesson Packs. Learn more about the winter sports school for adults.

Guided Mountain Tours

Kimberley Alpine Resort also offers half and full-day guided mountain tours. Note that these tours are for skiers and riders with ability levels 4-6, not beginners. The First Tracks Guided Tour gives you access to untouched groomed runs or untouched powder before the lifts open to the public.

Learn more about Winter Sports School Lessons and Programs. https://skikimberley.com/purchase/winter-sports-school/

Child Care

If you’re looking for child care for your wee ones while you hit the slopes, Small Batch Kids offers care for kids under 5. They are a licensed, year-round childcare facility, but they also provide drop-in care on holidays and weekends for resort visitors. Care is available for kids 18 months + and includes healthy meals and snacks.  

Space is limited, so you must register your child for care in advance. Learn more on their website at https://smallbatchkids.com/.

Accommodation

Kimberly Alpine Resort offers a range of ski-in/ski-out accommodations on-site and in the nearby townsite. You can choose from hotel-style rooms steps from the main chair lift, private condos, chalets, cabin rentals, Air BnBs and more.

While staying on the mountain is always more expensive than a place in town, Kimberley’s accommodation rates are slightly lower than its other rocky mountain resort counterparts. Private rentals are available, which provide more options.

Alternatively, you can find budget-friendly accommodation in the townsite, the communities of Marysville and Blarchmont, or the City of Cranbrook, which is only a 30-minute drive away.

Kimberley Alpine Resort On-Site Accommodation

Trickle Creek Lodge: 80 hotel units at the base of the resort, including studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom condo-style suites.

Mountain Spirit Resort Kimberley: Ski-in/ski-out condo-style accommodation that offers one, two and three-bedroom suites. Guests can enjoy the shared heated pool and hot tub.

Northstar Mountain Village Resort: Located right on the slopes, larger groups will enjoy these 3-bedroom condos that have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Each suite has a private deck and hot tub, and summer visitors will enjoy the outdoor pool.

Polaris Lodge: 12 ski-in, ski-out suites located in the centre of the Kimberley Alpine Resort Village, steps away from the lift.

Sullivan Stone Lodge: Perfect for large families, these spacious three-bedroom condos feature a private hot tub, BBQ, and fast ski-in/ski-out access to the main quad lift.

Timberstone Lodge: These newer slope-side condos, which also have private hot tubs, are located right above the Owl T-Bar. You can just ski down and hop on the lift!

Find more accommodation at Kimberley Alpine Resort.

Kimberley Alpine Resort On-Site Vacation Rentals

Because there are so many private homes in the Upper and Lower Villages at Kimberley Alpine Resort, there are many options for vacation rentals from owners. In winter 2025, the team at Northern Explorers stayed in a comfortable condo in the Upper Village that was rented on Air BnB. We stayed right after New Year’s Day and paid roughly $400 CAD for three nights. For ski-in/out accommodation at a Canadian Rockies Ski Resort, that’s a steal of a deal!

You’ll find many options to meet your needs; most have snowy trails leading right to the door! If you want to stay closer to the restaurants and shops at the base of the hill, consider finding something in the Lower Village. There are also trails leading down to the base from accommodation options on the lower portion of the Upper Village.

Off-Site Accommodation near Kimberley, BC

There are a few places to stay in and near the townsite, with views of the ski hill they’re so close. For example, The Larix Hotel in town offers affordable accommodation within a short drive of the resort. You’ll also find highly-rated Bed and Breakfasts, including the Alpenglow Bed and Breakfast.

If you don’t mind the 30-minute drive, you’ll find a score of accommodation options in Cranbrook – with options to suit every budget. The city offers the typical hotel and motel chains, guest houses, vacation rental suites, boutique downtown hotels and budget inns. Find accommodation in Cranbrook.  

Food and Drink

There are three restaurants available at Kimberley Alpine Resort.

The Stemwinder Bar & Grill: This fan favourite is located right in the resort village plaza and offers a casual atmosphere for lunch, dinner, and apres-ski. It features long tables for big groups and cozier seating around the perimeter for small ones. It has a hearty pub-style menu and plenty of local craft beer on tap. You can enjoy live music and entertainment on holidays and during special events.

Buckhorn & Main Mountain Eatery: For something a little quieter, the Buckhorn & Main Mountain Eatery offers a full menu of delicious entrees, including rotisserie chicken, ribs, handhelds, salads and a full kid’s menu. The dining room is cozy and great for a cocktail or cold beer after a day on the slopes.

Slopeside Coffee & Deli: Located near Guest Services, this quick grab-and-go, cafeteria-style spot is excellent for breakfast and lunch. The family-friendly menu offers hotdogs, pizza, soups, sandwiches, snacks and plenty of hot drinks.

Experience and feedback from a skier and parent

We loved our visit to Kimberley Alpine Resort. They mean it when they say they are a family-friendly resort. There was plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain, and the mountain was easy to navigate with kids. Though we visited during the Christmas holidays, there was enough terrain to spread skiers and riders out and wait times at the lifts were reasonable.

What I liked:

Affordable on-site accommodation. Ski-in/ski-out accommodation was reasonably priced and made for a convenient and fun family holiday.

Reasonably-priced lift tickets. At the time of writing, Kimberley Alpine Resort was about 25-30% less expensive compared to other major ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies.

Friendly staff. From guest services to the lifts and restaurants, I found the staff at Kimberley Alpine Resort to be fun, friendly, and accommodating. It made a positive difference in our experience.

Fast-acting, organized ski patrol. During our stay, my 8-year-old son took a turn into the trees and popped out on another run. When I was unable to locate him, I contacted ski patrol. They put his description out to every staff member on the hill and did a swift sweep to find him. He was found and kept safe within 5-10 minutes of my call. Their fast action and organized, calm response to a missing child put me at ease and ensured my son’s safety. Thank you, Kimberley Ski Patrol!

Things to consider:

While my overall experience at Kimberley Alpine Resort was top-notch, there are some things to consider.

Book accommodation early. We lucked out on a last-minute Air BnB booking, but you’ll have more options if you book in advance. Depending on when you book, you could save a little, too.

Congestion at the base. All runs towards the base eventually lead to one run over a land bridge past the Upper Village. This area can get congested and scraped out on a busy day. It’s manageable, but it’s something to be mindful of!

Less advanced terrain. Kimberley offers a lot of beginner and intermediate terrain, but some might find fewer challenging black and double black runs.  

Small terrain park. Compared to other resorts, the terrain park is small and lacks features for advanced freestyle skiers and riders.

Limited food and services. Besides the three restaurants mentioned, there isn’t anywhere else to get food or supplies. Be sure to come stocked with everything you need for an enjoyable stay on the mountain.

Start planning your ski trip at https://skikimberley.com/.