Major city · Canada
KimberleyKimberley, BC
Give Kimberley 2 nights as a base for skiing, golf and the Platzl; skip it as a day trip from Cranbrook unless you drive.
Kimberley is a small East Kootenay town of about 4,500 people that turned a former lead-zinc mining site into a ski, golf and hiking base. The walkable core is the Bavarian-style Platzl, with the Alpine Resort and Trickle Creek a short drive out. Two nights covers the town and one outdoor day; three if you add St. Mary's Alpine Park.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking and golf; Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov and Apr (mud season, lifts and trails closed)
- Airport
- YXC
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kimberley911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- BC health advice line (24 h, free)811
- Kimberley RCMP (non-emergency)250-427-4811
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kimberley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyKimberley is a low-crime small town; the real risks are winter driving, fast temperature drops in the mountains and unmarked backcountry trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 BC health advice line (24 h, free) · 250-427-4811 Kimberley RCMP (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYXC Canadian Rockies International (Cranbrook) (About 30 min by car; the nearest airport.
- Getting aroundThe Platzl, galleries and restaurants sit within a 10-minute walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3–6 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-rangeC$22–38 (≈ US$16–30)
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfastC$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
- BeerDraught beer, 20 ozC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$120 (≈ US$90) · Mid C$210 (≈ US$160) · High C$380 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YXC Canadian Rockies International (Cranbrook) (About 30 min by car; the nearest airport. Check seasonal routes.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kimberley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
12 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
13 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Platzl, galleries and restaurants sit within a 10-minute walk. For the ski hill, golf course and St. Mary's Lake you need a car or a taxi: there is no local shuttle. BC Transit runs two buses a day Monday–Friday between Kimberley and Cranbrook, about 45 min, exact fare only.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–45 min
Drive Highway 95A, about 30 min; or BC Transit bus, two a day Monday–Friday
Railway museum, farmers market and the nearest big-box shops and hospital.
Fernie
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Drive via Highway 3, about 1 h 30 min
Historic downtown and a bigger ski hill; a full day or a second base.
Invermere and Windermere Lake
cautionDoor to door: 1.75 h
Drive Highway 95/93/95A, about 1 h 45 min
Doable as a long day; better as an overnight in summer.
Radium Hot Springs
overnightDoor to door: 2 h
Drive via Highway 95, about 2 h
Too far for a relaxed return day; pair with Invermere.
Fairmont Hot Springs
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Drive Highway 95/93/95A, about 1 h 30 min
Hot pools and a short lakeside walk; go early in summer.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Platzl and downtown
Walk to restaurants, shops and the mining railway; best for a car-free evening.
Kimberley Alpine Resort / Stemwinder Drive
Ski-in, ski-out lodges and golf; 5–10 min drive from the Platzl.
Highway 95A north
Motels with parking on the Cranbrook side; cheapest beds, need a car.
St. Mary's Lake Road
Riverside campground, mid-May to mid-October; tent and serviced sites.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$110–170 (≈ US$80–130) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$180–280 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
- High
- C$300 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 2 nights × C$160 | C$320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$210 | C$840 |
| Car rental, one day1 × C$70 · check | C$70 |
| Alpine Resort lift ticket, one day2 × C$95 · check | C$190 |
| Trickle Creek green fee2 × C$105 · check | C$210 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$168 |
| Trip total≈ C$462 per person per day, bed included | C$1,848≈ US$1,400 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3–6 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Diner breakfast | C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15) |
| Lunch main | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Dinner main, mid-range | C$22–38 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Draught beer, 20 oz | C$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) |
| BC Transit fare, Kimberley–CranbrookExact change only; two buses a day Monday–Friday. | C$3 (≈ US$3) |
| Underground mining railway, adultLate May to early September; check times. | C$25 (≈ US$19) |
| Campground, tent siteMid-May to mid-October. | C$21–33 (≈ US$16–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- BC Transit runs only two buses a day each way to Cranbrook, Monday–Friday: miss the last one and you are stranded.
- The underground mining railway and Alpine Resort lifts run seasonally: late May to early September for the mine tours, summer weekends for lifts. Check before you build a day around them.
- Winter driving on Highway 95A and the St. Mary's Lake road is icy; carry winter tyres or chains December–March.
- St. Mary's Alpine Provincial Park has no facilities and rough access roads: only for experienced hikers with route-finding skills.
- Cell coverage drops on the backroads toward St. Mary's Lake and the park.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- BC health advice line (24 h, free)
- 811
- Kimberley RCMP (non-emergency)
- 250-427-4811
Pocket card
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KimberleyKimberley, BC
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- BC health advice line811
- Kimberley RCMP non-emergency250-427-4811
Embassy
No consulates in Kimberley. US citizens: consulate general in Vancouver; UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand missions are in Ottawa or Vancouver. Check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BC Transit Kimberley → Cranbrook: C$3 (≈ US$3), about 45 min, two buses a day Monday–Friday (check)
- Taxi across town: about C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
- Cranbrook airport → Kimberley: about C$60–90 (≈ US$45–70) by taxi or shuttle (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Sorry — Sorry
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Two, please — Two, please
Tipping is expected: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kimberley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking and golf; Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov and Apr (mud season, lifts and trails closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares