[R199R, Kimberley Alpine Resort] near Cranbrook in British Columbia plans to commence its daily operations for the winter season this week. The resort has not only spruced up its amenities in preparation for skiers and riders, but Delta's new air service direct from Salt Lake City can plop skiers onto Kimberley's slopes faster than most other western Canada resorts.

Kimberley is now one of those resorts that requires minimal drive time after flying in to its nearby airport. The resort sits only 20 minutes from the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook, the closest of the inland British Columbia resorts. Those flying on the new Delta Airlines direct air service from Salt Lake City on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays arrive in time to hit the slopes that day for a few turns.

Kimberley spruced up some of its guest amenities just in time for the resort's opening. The Slopeside Café enlarged its seating area, and lockers moved into their own building adjacent to the Sports Alpine Cabin. The rental shop also redesigned its flow to speed up the rental process.

The resort beefed up their snowmaking and grooming equipment to improve their slopes. Their arsenal of snowmaking compressors increased, plus two new snowcats joined the fleet to lay down the corduroy.

Skiers and snowboarders can hit Kimberley's slopes daily starting this Friday, Dec. 19, but night skiing will not begin until Dec. 26. Night skiing takes place on the Northstar Express Quad every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, plus nightly during the Christmas holidays.