DESTINATION BC/DAVE HEATH
FERNIE, B.C. The massive peaks of the Canadian Rockies snag clouds across southeastern British Columbia, unloading steady blankets of snow over the tracks and trails of Fernie, BC. A classic ski town with a cool local vibe.
TOURISM FERNIE/VINCE MO
32 BEST NORDIC SKI GREAT ESCAPES 2022/2023
Part of the renowned Powder Highway, and only 6.4km (4 miles) from historic Downtown Fernie, is Fernie Alpine Resort — a world-class skiing destination with an annual average snowfall of 30 feet. This ski-in ski-out resort features five alpine
bowls, 10 lifts and 142 runs for all abilities. In addition, Fernie Alpine Resort is part of Fernie’s four distinct areas that offer incredible cross-country skiing opportunities on over 45km of groomed, track-set trails. The Elk Valley Nordic Centre features 10km of groomed trails and a warming hut in beautiful, sheltered forest surroundings; Fernie Alpine Resort XC offers 14km of groomed and track-set cross-country trails for beginner, intermediate and advanced classic and skate skiers. The Montane area is just minutes from downtown Fernie with 10km of beautiful trails that are dog-friendly, while Fernie Golf Club has 12km of groomed trails ideal for beginners. The 5km Scandia Loop, on the resort’s multi-use trail system, is quite popular with the locals, while treks such as the 3km Double Creek Loop are open only for snowshoers. Others, like Hobbit’s Trail multi-use routes, are frequented by fat bikes and snowshoe stompers. The Fernie Nordic Society offers lessons, and XC skiing rentals and lessons are available at Fernie Alpine Resort on the daily groomed Silk and Manchuria multi-use trail system. Equipment rentals are also available in town from GearHub Sports. The spectacular views from Fernie Alpine Resort encompass the area’s deep powder, accessible on most winter days. Among the 2,500 skiable acres, there’s plenty of variety for all levels of sliders, including beginners who favour the lower mountain. Fernie’s five bowls, Currie, Timber, Siberia, Cedar and Lizard, offer gentler terrain in the open bowls and challenging steeps off the ridgelines. Fernie Alpine Resort also offers complimentary twohour daily mountain tours, with Winter Sports School pros who glide around many of the 142 named ski runs, while novices can arrange a lower-mountain tour. Fernie offers a diverse range of both on-mountain and in-town accommodations to suit different budgets, ranging from hotels and luxurious condos, to chalets, tiny homes, and capsules/PODs as well.
