Kimberley is a picturesque community with a European vibe in the heart of BC's mountains.
This four-season mountain destination offers something for every outdoor enthusiast no matter what time of year. In winter and spring, it’s all about the powder-covered slopes and expansive snowy backcountry—sandwiched between East Kootenay’s Purcell Mountains and BC's Rocky Mountain Range, the skiing is world-class. The main pedestrian streets of the downtown core have a flavour of a European alpine village and are often bustling with arts festivals and community celebrations. As the months warm up, the Kootenay and St. Mary rivers reveal plenty of salmon and trout waiting to be caught, and white-capped rapids waiting to be rafted.
While in the continental climate zone, Kimberley is protected from strong arctic fronts by the surrounding mountain ranges. They shelter the town from extreme cold but also create a rain shadow, which ups yearly precipitation—that means that even in the dry months (July and August), there will be rainy days. In December and January, the temperature dips down to -12°C, so if you want milder temperatures for camping, aim for the June-September window.