Kimberley Alpine Resort is gearing up for another powder-filled season

There are lots of new and exciting things for skiers and riders to look forward to at Kimberley Alpine Resort this season

1 of 3Kimberley Alpine Resort is situated right in the heart of the Purcell Mountains. — Jenn Dykstra photo

2 of 3Lots of events, new and old, are planned for the upcoming season, including the popular New Year's Eve fireworks event. — Chris Elder photo

3 of 3Kimberley Alpine Resort is famous for its incredible tree skiing. — Mike Reece photo

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On December 14, 2012, Kimberley Alpine Resort (KAR), is expected to open for another amazing season of skiing and riding. The resort, located in Kimberley, B.C., in the heart of the Purcell Mountains, is a mecca for skiing and riding—people from all over the world flock to the resort to experience its deep powder year after year. This year, big plans are in the works for KAR to make it better than ever.

Matt Mosteller, vice-president of marketing for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR)—the company that owns KAR—said the forecast is looking great. An average winter is currently being predicted by both AccuWeather and Environment Canada—and an average winter in Kimberley is always something to look forward to.

"One of the things we've done this year is more cleanup in the gladed area on the hill," said Mosteller. "People that come to Kimberley are stoked to continue enjoying the tree skiing and riding here. Kimberley has the largest gladed ski terrain in Canada, and that's something we're very proud of."

Being more kid-friendly

Also new this year is a new and improved Minute Maid Kids Centre. Kimberley Alpine Resort has always been a family-focused resort and the kids this year will be able to enjoy the new Adventure Trail Program. It will feature cool information on the environment and natural history along ski trails through the woods that will be specifically designated for kids.

"We've always had kids ripping in and out of the woods here," said Mosteller, "but we're creating some areas where parents can help teach their kids to ski or ski with them while they're learning on trails with clear signage, so they know the trail is just for them. The kids centre here is one of the safest learning centres there is."

Getting up to speed

Also new this year, Mosteller said, are enhancements to a mobile site for Kimberley Alpine Resort that will provide up-to-the-minute information for skiers and riders. It will feature weather reports, a web cam, event info and the latest news items and photos from the resort.

"More and more skiers and riders are carrying their phones and other mobile devices with them," said Mosteller, "so this way, they can access this sort of information for their own skiing and riding enjoyment."

Mosteller said one of the focuses that KAR is really working on this year is getting more major events at the resort. The new state-of-the-art Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre is just one reason why the resort is a good venue for events both large and small.

Drawing crowds

"Kimberley is such a great place for events, first of all, because of the people," said Mosteller. "There is such a great group of people committed to the sport of alpine and alpine ski racing. We've got this legacy of knowledge, care and commitment that makes these events possible. Also, the Dreadnaught run is so unique and is a multi-discipline run. It has a great combination of terrain and can be fully enclosed for racing events."

Mosteller added that KAR is trying to bid on and win a major world cup event every year for Kimberley in para-alpine and alpine racing. This year, he said, the resort will have up to NorAm-level events, if not higher, which really brings the best of the Canadian and the United States teams to Kimberley—plus many other national teams will come in or out for training.

There is also a new stop in the RCR Junior Freeski Series. KAR will now be added to the circuit, which will be visiting Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Nakiska Ski Area as well this season.

There appears to be lots on the menu for Kimberley Alpine Resort and for the many locals and tourists who enjoy it year after year.

"We're looking forward to Mother Nature, and all the signs are pointing to a really great winter," said Mosteller.