Strike apres-ski gold at Kimberley's North Star Day
Kimberley, BC From retro fashion shows to ski ballet to alpine skiing history tours on the mountain at Kimberley Alpine Resort, few events inspire the kind of fervor that North Star Day does. Take local Michelle Gray, who has a tickle trunk that fills a 45-foot sea can just for such occasions.
"Dressing up in our retro gear on North Star day puts a smile on your face," she says. "Our collection of onesies see a ton of use.”
Guaranteed it'll put a smile on your face, too. “North Star Day is a reset,” explains Gray. “After the weekend, I always go back to work the next week, totally engaged and ready to go again.”
As a business owner, raising kids with a hubby who owns his own business as well, Gray explains how events like North Star Day are so important to gather together, have some fun and connect.
"There is always good music, a great vibe. And everyone is in a happy zone, participating in all their eclectic fashion gear,” she says.
A highlight for Gray is the dog fashion. “Our dog Mambo has won it a few times.
Once we showed up with our friend's dog and trained them to do synchronized tricks.”
Given Gray met her hubby on the slopes at Kimberley Alpine Resort, the ski resort is a huge part of their love story.
One of the more unique experiences during the festival is the skiing history tours.
“On our North Star Day tour you’ll be shown where the little town was up here, and we take people in to check out “the Bear Cave”—only about a 20-foot mine but the kids love it,” explains Brian Fergus aka "Fergie", captain of the Kimberley Alpine Resort’s Mountain Host program.
The ski-able history tours are free, along with all the events, including a banked salmon and moguls competition, best-dressed dog, kids activities and ski ballet!
Expect lots of prizes for big hair, best retro dress, google tans and more!
As Fergie explains, the retro theme for North Star Day complements the “festival of history” this event is known for.
“Just down the road from Kimberley is the historical attraction, Fort Steele, the site of the region's first gold rush,” explains Fergie.
Head to North Star Day
for an alpine blast to the past with apres-ski, retro fun at Kimberley
“Once the ore was removed from there, prospectors consulted with the Ktunaxa (local First Nation) about other locations," he continues.
"They suggested checking out North Star Mountain and said they’ve seen shiny rocks up there."
"Over the next 20 years, over a million tons of ore was pulled off this mountain!” explains Fergie. As the mining continued, people started to settle in Kimberley, and these settlers brought their taste for adventure with them.
“This ski resort was built by the people of Kimberley,” explains Fergie, "the whole vibe and the history of this place is because of the people of Kimberley.”
That's a vibe that you can still feel today, when you attend North Star Day at Kimberley Alpine Resort.
When you go
North Star Day happens Saturday, March 28. If you can't make it this specific day, consider this your invite to visit Kimberley anytime before it closes for the ski season on April 5.
Getting to Kimberley
Driving times and directions:
4.5h from Calgary to Kimberley via Crowsnest Hwy to Hwy 22
Under four hours from Spokane, WA via US-95
Bike the NorthStar Rails to Trails path, a 28 km paved trail that winds its way along the St Mary’s River from Kimberley to Cranbrook.
“Its a gorgeous bike ride, and that time of year, end of March, it would be easy to make it a multi-sport weekend—some skiing time on the hill, and a bike ride with scenery that’s out of this world,” explains Fergie.
Tourism Kimberley can get you tucked in on where to stay here. Stay on-mountain at Kimberley or book in town to stay at the Larix Hotel, for its outdoor barrel sauna and its complimentary shuttle service to and from the Canadian Rockies International Airport (less than 20 mins away).
More event details from Kimberley Alpine Resort will be shared via its event page for North Star Day here.
Let us know what you find in your social media posts please tag @kimberleyalpineresort and @tourismkimberley.