Welcome Home :)

WELCOME HOME YOUR GUIDE TO MOVING TO FERNIE JACQUELINE FIELDHOUSE - 250-423-1194 WWW.SOLDINFERNIE.COM - JACQ@SOLDINFERNIE.COM RE/MAX ELK VALLEY REALTY

HELLO! FERNIE From the soundless cast of the fly-fisher seeking wild cutthroat, to the fearless run of the winter warrior cutting powder atop the summit, to the focused athlete pushing their limit on foot, bike, or whitewater Fernie is home to those who live without limits.

Fernie is a pioneer town, with an unyielding character that was built by the wealth of coal seams hammered into purpose since the Jurassic Age. Fernie is fixed upon the Elk River. From the alpine waters of the Elk Lakes, near the continental divide, the Elk River chatters through the townsites of Elkford, Sparwood, Hosmer, Elko, and Fernie. Swollen by tributaries the abiding Elk tracks its course through the backbone of the Elk Valley joining Kootenay River and profiting Lake Koocanusa.

It is this mountainous venue and the river that feeds the valley that makes this land legendary. In the last years of the 19th century prospectors William Fernie and Colonel James Baker established the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company, then pushed for Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to open the Valley to the world. Fernie was formally established in 1898, and incorporated in 1904 due to its proximity to the mighty coal crop. In the early days hardy miners pitched their temporary lodgings in the future townsite; supply shops sprung up and living began in what would eventually become known as “Old Town”. The town itself holds a unique appeal due to two devastating fires that leveled buildings in 1904 and again in 1908. Undeterred, leaders of the day ordered construction materials to be fire-resistant and thus, out of the ruins, grew a Victorian wonderland of slate, granite, and bricks along broad avenues with dramatic mountain vistas.

Each person who finds their way along the

Elk Valley to Fernie embraces the untamed

It is this uncommon blend of beauty, industry, and recreation

lifestyle of nature, absorbs the cultural

that has attracted unique townsfolk and built an enthusiastic

opportunities at the cherished Arts Station,

tourist following. Fernie is a thriving community of almost 5,000

or simply sits and watches the world go by.

full-time residents; this doubles during ski season. The coal mines that gave Fernie life continue to provide with five open-

What each has in common is: they write

pit mines that pump a third of the world’s steel making coal into

their own lives.

the market. What’s more, a sustained growth in tourism has matured beyond the ski hill to include fishing, mountain biking,

Welcome to Fernie, the adventure is

whitewater boating, camping, and glacier exploration.

yours…

#SOLDINFERNIE

MOVING TO FERNIE WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU GET HERE

SET UP YOUR UTILITIES Before you take possession of your new property (yay!) you'll want to contact BC utility companies to notify them of your possession date and set up an account and service to commence in your name uopn possession. Nothing worse (and believe me, it's happened) than moving in to no heat and find yourself living by candlelight for the first few days.

Rustic but not fun :) If you have bought a condo or townhome your utilities may be included in your strata fee and you can skip this step. Talk to me and I'll let you know if this means you.

You can find contact info for BC utility companies below.

BC UTILITY COMPANIES BC HYDRO (HYDRO) http://www.bchydro.com 1800 BCHYDRO (1800 224 9376)

FORTISBC (GAS) http://www.fortisbc.com 1866 436 7847

TELUS (INTERNET, PHONE, TV) http://www.telus.com 1888 811 2323

SHAW (INTERNET, PHONE, TV) http://www.shaw.ca 1888 472 2222

ROGERS (PHONE) http://rogers.com

CONDO/TOWNHOME/STRATA OWNERS You will need to contact your property manager and provide your contact details.

DON'T FORGET... DO YOU HAVE HOME INSURANCE IN PLACE ??

GETTING SET UP

FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS MOVING FROM OUT OF PROVINCE

BC MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN (MSP) All BC residents (you are a resident if you spend more than 6 months a year in BC) are required to apply for a BC Medical Card to access medical services in BC. Visit or call at: 1-800-663-7100 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drugcoverage/msp/bc-residents

Vehicle Insurance and Driver's license All motor vehicles in BC are required to be registered and insured through ICBC, a provincial government enterprise.

Out-of-province vehicles will need to have an inspection prior to applying for insurance. You will also need to transfer your old driver's license to a BC license within 90 days of moving to BC. For more info visit :www.icbc.com or Westland Insurance 512 2nd Ave 250-423-6851 or Western Financial Group 691B 2nd Ave 250-423-6831

bc services card

Shout out to RJ Schultz for beautifully capturing the Fernie I love.

Check out his imagery Rjschultzphoto and @rjschultz19

A BC Services Card is an all-in-one program that functions as a piece of government issued id, your driver's license and BC Medical Care Card. Apply for one at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/govern ment-id/bc-services-card

Get yourself a post box Fernie does not have door to door postal service. You will need to get your self a post box. Visit the Post Office on 3rd Ave and request to open a box. Did you know you can request for no Junk Mail? Do it!

Like reading?

Permanent residents can apply for a library card by providing proof of residence in Fernie. Our library is a beautiful space to spend time. Check it out.

EFILTHGIN

Northern Bar and Stage -live music venue, best

place to shake your tush The Royal -funky beats and cheap

drinks Infinitea -laid back, excellent

vegetarian food and live

music The Pub -Fernie's true local

hangout The Arts Station -keep an eye out for what's

happening here. Events

such as the Indie Film

Festival, Fall Concert Series The Vogue Theatre -classic movie house.

Watch for special events

FB Groups Fernie Mountain Bike Club Volunteer Fernie Fernie Trails Alliance Fernie Women on Wheels Fernie Bike Shuttles Fernie Ride Share Fernie.eco Fernie Pride Society Elk Valley Garage Sale Fernie Mom's (and dad's)

Buy and Sell Fernie Facebook Gear

Exchange Forums fernie.com ourfernie.com Links The Fernie Fix tourismfernie.com fernie.ca

FFUTS ENILNO

NUF ROODTUO

GNIPPOHS

Buy a Nordic Pass & xc-

ski Fernie Provincial

Park to Fernie Alpine

Resort & enjoy a cocktail

at Cirque or book

raceltte at Birch

Meadows and enjoy a

moonlit xc ski one way

from FAR with friends Bike Lazy Lizard to

Island lake Lodge,

reward yourself with a

beer at the top before

the decent back to town Evening townie ride

along the dyke from

town to James Whyte

Park and enjoy a

riverside picnic and a round of disc golf Hike/snowshoe to Fairy

Creek or Castle Mtn

DOOF

SETIRUOVAF

YM Best Gifts Coal Town Goods Green Petal Best Women's Apparel Freyja Best Snowboard Shop Edge Of The World Ski/Bike Shops Gear Hub Straight Line Guide's Hut Ski Base Hairdressers I Love Lysh - Sarah or Justina Sparrow Hair Pet Store Barkside Books Polar Peak Fernie Heritage Library Kids Stuff Grow

Breakfast Big Bang Bagels -made in-house bagels for

lunch on the go Blue Toque Diner -dine-in and hearty Lunch Lunchbox -healthy++ for eating-in or

grab to go The Brickhouse -try the Crunchy Chicken

Burger Dinner Nevados -South American tapas Yama Goya -for sushi lovers Himalayan Spice -authentic South Asian fare for dine-in or take

away

insider tips & Fernie-isms "EVERYWHERE is within short

walking distance!"

"Volunteer with abandon. It's a

great way to meet people and

become a part of the

community, no matter how

long you decide to stay" "Don't mess with Adam, the parking guy

at the ski hill ... he means business"

"Adam is the only person in town you

don't want to mess with. Bring him a

coffee on cold days"

"Take time to discover all of Fernie's

recycling programs and use them.

Check out the re-use center aka "the free mall" at the dump"

"Be ready to meet

people who will take you

on adventures with

views that take your

breath away."

"Winter must-haves: Yaktrax and rubber boots.

Year round must-haves: plaid."

"Fernie is home to some

beautiful wildlife. Keep your

garbage locked up and only put

garbage out on garbage day,

not the evening before" "Fav day of the year is

volunteering for the annual

Diggler Race. If you're tough

enough...race it!""

"Life slows down in a small

mountain town. It’ll take a bit to

adjust. But it’ll be the best move

you’ll ever make! ESPECIALLY if

you're coming from a large city."

"You're not a number

anymore. People will get to

know your name."

"Ray the plough man drinks white rum"

"No matter what you do for work,

your life will be better than most

people's vacations."

"Don't be suprised if businesses

aren't open until after noon after

a 20cm dump.

It's a real thing: the 20 cm rule"

"I'd pat 'moving-to-Fernie-self'

on the back and say that it's

possibly the best decision I

ever made!"

"Random strangers will say "hello"

when you pass them on the street.

Before long you'll find yourself doing it

too" "You will regret not buying your

potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner at least

a week in advance"

"You can make rubber boots

warmer with insulating

insoles and save some cash

on expensive winter boots."

"Have no expectations, an

adventurous spirit and say "yes"

to all the crazy ideas people will

have... everything can be done" "3 am at 7-11 is most entertaining"

"Upgrade your shred

gear to Goretex if you

have the dollars" "Sure you can by your skis, bike, etc

online for cheaper, but, it's the guy

next door who you're helping pay

his rent and raise his family.

"Learn to love dogs, as in

Fernie you are outnumbered"

"It is considered acceptable

to stop in your vehicle

anywhere, anytime and chat

with a friend. Everyone will

just drive around you."

"Knee high boots, elbow deep mitts and

always keep a shovel in your car."

" I remember responding to a sales

person's greeting with a big city brush

off. And then realizing that it was

totally unnecessary because people

here are too laid back for the hard sell

and I was being an jerk by default"

haha Neil is "the-man" at Fernie Home Building Centre"

"No matter how "on time" you

were before, "Fernie time" will

suck you in and you'll have to

accept being late once in

awhile"

"Buy a snowblower."

"Don't be tempted to go too far down

Cokato Rd in the winter"

"It's okay to blow off your morning meetings if it's

snowed +20cms."

"You can't ever be in a rush at the

grocery store. It's Fernie's social

network. Be prepared for it to

take an hour longer than

expected"

Thank you for business & your trust It was lovely getting to know you and helping you realise your valley real estate dreams!

Jacq