A laid-back resort with few crowds, Kimberley Alpine Resort is now one of the most accessible ski hills in the Canadian Rockies. The expansion of the Canadian Rockies International Airport, located 20 minutes away from the resort, has certainly added fuel to one of the hottest real-estate markets of any ski resort in Canada. You'll find ski-in, ski-out accommodations to fit any style and with plenty of restaurants and amenities at the resort, the only reason to leave is to visit the old mining town of Kimberley, just downhill from the resort. Kimberley's thoroughly authentic feel has inspired the tag "The Bavarian City of the Rockies," complete with a pedestrian-only European-style shopping area called the Platzl. The local population of 7,000 is an especially friendly group and will make you feel right at home.

Traditionally known for long fall lines on perfectly groomed runs, intermediates will love the front side of the mountain. The backside harbors more adventurous terrain, including plenty of bumps, gullies, and stashes of fluffy Purcell powder. In the last few years Kimberley has been focusing on ramping up its glades. During the summer of 2007, brush crews cleared out 15 trails in the Easter Bowl—an expert's area with steep, un-groomed terrain—and six trails on the front side. All this work has made for a tree skiing dream, with comfortable 20-foot spacing between trees on many of their offerings. Powderhounds be sure to seek out Twist, a steep, out-of-the-way trail off the backside of the mountain that harbors powder stashes days after big storms.

Of course, as with any resort in the Canadian Rockies, there's more to do than just

A laid-back resort with few crowds, Kimberley Alpine Resort is now one of the most accessible ski hills in the Canadian Rockies. The expansion of the Canadian Rockies International Airport, located 20 minutes away from the resort, has certainly added fuel to one of the hottest real-estate markets of any ski resort in Canada. You'll find ski-in, ski-out accommodations to fit any style and with plenty of restaurants and amenities at the resort, the only reason to leave is to visit the old mining town of Kimberley, just downhill from the resort. Kimberley's thoroughly authentic feel has inspired the tag "The Bavarian City of the Rockies," complete with a pedestrian-only European-style shopping area called the Platzl. The local population of 7,000 is an especially friendly group and will make you feel right at home.

Traditionally known for long fall lines on perfectly groomed runs, intermediates will love the front side of the mountain. The backside harbors more adventurous terrain, including plenty of bumps, gullies, and stashes of fluffy Purcell powder. In the last few years Kimberley has been focusing on ramping up its glades. During the summer of 2007, brush crews cleared out 15 trails in the Easter Bowl—an expert's area with steep, un-groomed terrain—and six trails on the front side. All this work has made for a tree skiing dream, with comfortable 20-foot spacing between trees on many of their offerings. Powderhounds be sure to seek out Twist, a steep, out-of-the-way trail off the backside of the mountain that harbors powder stashes days after big storms.

Of course, as with any resort in the Canadian Rockies, there's more to do than just ski. The Kootenay Fondue Tour, a 30-minute mountaintop snowshoe expedition, capped off with a serving of chocolate fondue, always pleases. Snowmobiling, dog-sledding, ice fishing, hockey, helicopter tours, cross-country skiing, and overnight stays in igloos are just a few of the other extracurricular options at Kimberley.