Hot spring camping near Kimberley with campfires

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.

• If flying in from out of province, entering the Kootenays from Calgary is the most straightforward route. Take the TransCanada west to Golden, Highway 95 south to Skookumchuck, and finally Highway 95A south. It's about a 4.5-hour drive from Calgary, but over 10 hours from Vancouver.
• The nearest airport, Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC), is 16km away in Cranbrook, and has flights to Kelowna, Vancouver, and Calgary.
• Kimberley is a bustling resort town, so you should be able to get all your basic supplies here. It is remote though, so if you need specialist gear, bring it with you.