KIMBERLEY - British Columbia,Canada
Facts About
Did you Know?
Kimberley's mascot is "Happy Hans"
Kimberly, British Columbia
Is known as one of Canada's highest cities coming in at 1,120 meters. Kimberley is also known as being one of the classic mining towns of the Rocky Mountain region and was officially named after one of the famous South African diamond mines. Incorporated as a city in 1968 and not long after in the early part of the 1970s became widely known as the Barvarian city of the Rocky Mountains.
You can find the great town of Kimberly located on Highway 95A,20 miles(32 km) northwest of Cranbrook in the Rocky Mountains----population is 7,147.
Even though it wasn't the right time of year for me to do any skiing, you catch a glimpse of North Star Mountain which attracts skiers from around the world. Kimberley has a small-town flair and an overall Old Bavaria charm throughout the downtown shopping area.
The Platzl in Kimberley has a beautiful collection of barbarian style buildings that keep everyone busy. Within the Platzl, this downtown center is the main focal point for visitors. As I found that during the summer you will hear a lot a European music that is played or broadcast through speakers from the main bandstand on the Platzl. This is all tied together with a wandering minstrel accordionist.
I found that there were many different restaurants and small cafes and specialty stores around the Platzl area in town. Many look like they were transported here directly from Germany. The delightful old country styled buildings and the food ... order up some wiener schnitzel. Yum Yum! There are also a variety of other things to do from theatre, ofcourse shopping and restaurants, and the nearby campgrounds to hitting one of the vast amount of hiking trails for the outdoor enthusiast.
Something I cannot not miss in my review of Kimberly is something that you have to see in the Platzl, and that is ...
Canada's largest freestanding and still operating and keeping good time mind you is the cuckoo clock.!
And while you are there you have to check out Kimberly's mascot Happy Hans which he has a great time greeting visitors and locals in the Platzl with his Bavarian yodel.
Activities & Excusions
If your looking for the summer type of adventures you can choose from horseback riding, rafting and even world-class flyfishing and Mountain biking is also a very popular choice in this beautiful mountain area. In the winter time of the season you will get the finest world-class downhill and cross-country skiing you also have the choice of horse drawn sleigh rides or even some Igloo adventures.
Kimberley Heritage Museum
The Kimberley Heritage Museum is focused mainly on the local history, it carries the Sullivan mine exhibit and also has the museum's current feature exhibit.
The Cominco Gardens
This area is a canopy of trees which you can stroll under and enjoy all the colorful flowers and garden walkways, it was established in 1927.
I found this a very relaxing and beautiful way to spend a few hours and it is not that far from the downtown area, it is home to tens of 
thousands of different colorful blooms that are many great photo opportunities for anyone who loves colors and flowers.
This is also a great area and very popular for weddings or graduations and other special occasions that might be going on.
Kimberley underground mining railroad---(the O'Sullivan mine) 
Something I found very fun and educational in Kimberley was the Kimberley underground mining railroad. This is a great activity for the whole family to enjoy. You start off climbing into a miniature train that carries you along authentic train tracks up to the mine.
The trip is 4.5 km long that goes through switchbacks and over a 200 foot trestle bridge. The train also rides through the mountain but stops in the middle for a great orientation of how the work was done within the mine. The tour guides that I had both times that I went actually worked in the mind when it was fully functional. They have a wide knowledge of how the equipment works and what daily life and work routines were like within the mine.
It is one of the largest underground mines that's within Canada. It has over 300 miles of underground tunnels along with 40 miles of underground roadways. The Sullivan mine covers the span of 100 years of Kimberly's history. Back at the main station, you will also be able to walk through the North Star School House which is a 1901 original mining school house which some people say is haunted. It also has a typical minors residents from the 1920s
The powerhouse was added to the tour the second time I'd gone and was very interesting on how much power was generated through this power station. It is a very huge building with equipment displays, photographs and a small mine tunnel model.
Looking at the mine model of where all the tunnels are, it is very impressive and hard to imagine that beneath you and all around you it's all these tunnels and roadways that are deep inside the earth.
Also a bonus is that the mining railroad tour also connects the downtown with the old Sullivan mine and Kimberley Alpine resort.
GOLF: Kimberley
I got to see some of the golf courses but I did not play on them as time didn't allow, but it would have been beautiful with the surrounding trees and Rocky Mountains with that great fresh mountain air.
Here is some information on the golf courses for you to check out. Kimberley offers three golf courses nestled between the Rocky and Purcell Mountain ranges:
Kimberley Golf Club winds through towering ponderosa pines high above the St. Mary’s River, offering manicured fairways, flawless greens, and stunning mountain views from tee to green (18 holes, par 71, 5,540 to 6,251 yards).
Trickle Creek Golf Resort is a thrilling course to play, as it weaves through the rugged alpine environment, crossing creeks and diving with the slopes of North Star Mountain (18 holes, 5,082 to 6,896 yards).
Bootleg Gap Golf Course is a 27-hole public golf facility located off Highway 95A in South Kimberley (18-hole championship par 72, and 9-hole par 34). Neighbouring courses in Cranbrook include Cranbrook Golf Club and St. Eugene Mission Golf Resort. Golf Vacations in the BC Rockies .
SKIING: Kimberley - Kimberley Alpine Resort
If you're looking for a really fun place for skiing or any other winter recreation within the BC Rockies then you will find that the Kimberley Alpine resort has it all.
Whether you're looking for moguls, tree skiing, a half-pipe to do some fun snowboard tricks or if your fetish is for some fresh powder then you will find it. The bonus of all this is from the center of town to the Hill is located only 4km—(2.5 miles).
The railway stops at the bottom of the château where the Hill is again I was off-season as I was there in the warmer time but I will be excited to go back and do some boarding.
Entertainment
Festivals and Theatre
Kimberley has festivals throughout the summer season with music, art and theatre. In the early part of July every year you will find one of the biggest accordion festivals known as the Kimberley's International Old Time Accordion Championships. This time I missed this festivity by about 2 1/2 weeks, but if you are planning on attending and want to watch this competition don't forget to bring your lederhosen.
Kimberly has another great fun long-running event they call JulyFest. This great festival is an all around family fun fair event with its own Bavarian parade with an all around great KidsFest that is held in the main downtown area in the Platzl, along with these activities the Canadian Bocce Championships is also held.
Restaurants & Food
Food in Kimberley BC. I tried a couple places for the time that I was in Kimberley.
The Old Bauernhaus Restaurant: One other place I tried and was very impressed by was the Old 
Bauernhaus restaurant.
This restaurant is very unique in it was used as a servant quarters over 350 years ago in Bavaria Germany. It was dismantled and brought the Kimberley in 1989 it was then put back together and now operates as a restaurant offering wonderfully tasting dinners for the whole family or just that quaint little two of you.
Here I had the schnitzel with the Spaetzel and haven't tasted anything like it since. The service was great and the atmosphere was light and fun. I would recommend this as a must stop for an evening dinner if not just for the great food but to take in the whole atmosphere of this 350-year-old Bavaria building.
Phone: 1 250 427-5133
Address: 280 Norton Ave | Kimberley, BC | V1A 1X9
Gasthaus Am Platzl: The Gasthaus which is located right in the Platzl. To my benefit it is open all year around with very little exceptions they say. Reservations are accepted and are usually also recommended as they do get very busy.
The interior gives you the look and feel like you're in a German Gasthaus, but the core is very European with a lot of woodwork. Seating is very comfortable and the service is great.
They are known for their high quality seafood which consists of salmon, sole, King crab legs, tiger prawns and you can't forget the lobster tails which I have to say were very mouth watering. One of their continuing main traditions is their primerib, keeping in with the European tradition they have their Schnitzel, sausages,Spaetzel and sauerkraut. I did try the Spaetzel and sauerkraut on a different night and the taste was enough to leave the world behind and pretend that you are in Germany on a great holiday in Europe.
Phone: 1 250 427-4851
Address: 240 Spokane Street | Kimberley, BC
Chef Bernard's Platzl Inn: One of the other places I tried was chef Bernards inn in the Platz and I have to say the interior was very interesting with all the knickknacks that are all over the walls - it does keep you entertained until your food comes. While I was there they had live music on the patio, but since they were so close it was hard to talk over top of the accordion music because it's such a small tight area. I was told by friends that Chef Bernards was a world famous restaurant with great food and that I have to try it. I ordered the schnitzel which I found was more like a frozen dinner that was thrown into the microwave and then served. All in all it's somewhere quick to go but don't expect really good food, it's something that you can put in your stomach to stop it from growling.
Phone: 1 250 427-4820
Address: 170 Spokane St., Kimberley, British Columbia V1A 2E4, Canada
Accommodations
Kimberley Inn and Suites:
The Kimberley Inn is a very well situated hotel that stands right at the corner of the only set of lights for an intersection in the town of Kimberley BC. I found this a very clean and centrally located accommodation's.
It is only a small walking distance to the Platzl, and also within minutes of this location you have top class world-class golf courses and several more that are a short drive also.
This hotel is situated with a tavern on the bottom level and parking in the rear it has an assortment of 43 decorated guest rooms all having appointed working desks complimentary coffee and hot chocolate. The rooms are also air-conditioned and pet friendly it also gives you free wireless Internet and local phone calls, if you do not carry your laptop with you it has a complementary Internet kiosk down in the lobby. It is very well located at wallinger Avenue(Highway 95a) and meets with Ross Street in downtown Kimberley. I would highly recommend this place for a well priced clean and located accommodations.
Phone: toll free: 1-800-661-7559 or tel: 1-250-427-2266
Address: 300 Wallinger Avenue, Kimberley, British Columbia V1A 1Z4
Nearby Bests
Marysville waterfalls:
A beautiful area to drive to from Kimberley is down to the nearby Marysville waterfalls. You must bring your camera as I did because you won't want to miss some of the beautiful scenery from the 100 foot falls and with all the beautiful nature that will surround you. You have to keep your eyes open and look for the signs.
How to get there you'll find it at the North and of the Main Street in Marysville and you will find a wooden walkway leading to the falls themselves you will see that the Eco Park will be on the opposite side of the walkway. This is a great place where you can sit relax and take a few pictures while admiring some of the cutthroat sculptures that local artists (Tony and Twila Austin) have created.
St. Mary's Alpine Provincial Park
St. Mary's Alpine Provincial Park is a beautiful rugged alpine area, it is situated on just this south of Kimberly on a 45 km rough gravel road. This is mainly for experienced and properly equipped hikers, but they will be reported with the outstanding and beautiful scenery along with the alpine lakes, ice fields and waterfalls.
Some Lake Fun ( Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing)
Wasa Lake is said to be one of the best recreational lakes that are in the east to these, and also as a bonus one of the warmest in the province. This was a great experience and the water was great, I highly recommend this area if you want to get out into the mountains and enjoy a great day. This is said to be a really big hit with families because of the beautiful sandy beaches and warm water that are perfect for a day swim or even canoeing or kayaking. All I did was swim I didn't have a canoe or kayak, but the walk on the beach was great. You will find an abundance of other lakes that are in this area such as Lazy Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Norbury Lake, St. Mary's Lake and many more. Because of the terrain being so varied within the B.C. Rockies you will discover that British Columbia hosts every outdoor recreation known to man.