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.

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.

Fernie’s historic downtown features countless dining styles and options in locally owned restaurants, cafés and bars. Sampling local craft beer at Fernie Brewing Company or small batch spirits at Fernie Distillers should definitely be on one’s bucket list when visiting. Add to it locally roasted coffee at Rooftop Coffee Roasters, invigorating kombucha from Fernie Alpine Springs or the oh-so-rich hot chocolate at Beanpod Chocolate, Coffee and Gelato, and you can be sure your après ski excursions will hit the mark.

Ski season at the Fernie Alpine Resort runs from early December until early April. Early March is when Fernie’s biggest winter celebration takes place. Griz Days is a weekend festival of competitions, activities and live entertainment for the whole family, both in-town and onmountain, and the 2023 event will mark the 46th season.

Summer in Fernie is an adventure-fest as well, including fabulous mountain biking, low-valley and alpine hiking, history, arts and music events amidst brilliant summer wildflowers, along with famed fly fishing on the Elk River.

To be sure... Fernie, BC has it all. -JA

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Accommodation

On-mountain and in-town options from hotels and luxurious condos, to chalets, tiny homes, and capsules/PODs

Dining

Countless dining styles & options, local brewery, distillery, coffee and chocolate makers

XC SKIING

• Early December to early April

• 4 unique crosscountry trail systems

Warming hut

• Rentals in town

• Lessons

• Dogs allowed on select trails

Additional Activities

Downhill skiing, cat-skiing, fat biking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, fly fishing, spa and wellness

Attractions

Fernie Alpine Resort – ski-in ski-out with five alpine bowls, 10 lifts and 142 runs for all abilities, cat skiing with Island Lake Catskiing or Fernie Wilderness Adventures, historic downtown Fernie

Getting There

Nearest airports:

• Calgary Int’l Airport (YYC) – 3-hour drive

• Glacier Int’l Airport, Kalispell, MT (FCA) –2-hour drive

• Daily shuttle & charter service available with Tunnel49

Fernie Visitor Information Centre

102 Commerce Road Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 www.tourismfernie.com

Trail Fees

$15, or $25/day for families (Fernie Golf Course, Elk Valley Nordic Centre), Free (Fernie Alpine Resort, Montane)

Room Rates

$$-$$$$