Fernie Resort Guide

Insider tips from our team

The Skiing

The Polar Peak lift installed for 2011/12 means Fernie now boasts the most ski runs in the Canadian Rockies. The lift has added onto the already incredible vertical at Fernie Alpine Resort, giving the ski resort a whopping 3,550 vertical feet of legendary snow fun. Combine this with over 2,500 acres of terrain over 5 Alpine Bowls and the deepest snow in the Rockies and you have a ski destination not to miss!

High up, Currie, Timber, Siberia, Lizard and Cedar Bowls have wide-open skiing above the tree line. Beneath them, the pistes tumble down amongst the trees towards the village, providing plenty of variety for all levels of skier. For those looking for some famous Canadian powder, Fernie is a good bet.

The on-mountain village is not big, but there are a handful of restaurants and a bar or two, with more to try in town. There is a regular shuttle service which runs between the town and the village during the day and into the night, although a rental car is recommended.

Childcare Facilities

Free families & kids après ski activity nights:

  • Wednesdays - Crafty Kids - Free craft night for kids ages 6-12 - 6-8pm @ Slopeside Coffee Shop.
  • Fridays - Movie Mania - Free family movie night for all, with free popcorn! 6-8pm @ Slopeside Coffee Shop
  • Saturdays - Cowboy Camp Sleigh Rides - Enjoy an evening sleigh ride for all the family, followed by storytelling of Fernie Legends around the campfire (complete with hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows) 7-8pm. Departs from the Griz Inn.

Telus 'Resort Kids' Childcare - located at the Cornerstone Lodge main floor. Open 8:30 - 4:30 daily. Ages 19 months to 6 years (infant care please call for information).

Kids Adventure Camps - All ski and snowboard ability levels ages 5 to 12. Includes daily lessons, Nastar Race (weather permitting), video and après ski. 3 full days start Sun, Thurs (10:00-4:00). 3 Day (mornings) start Sun, Thurs (10:00-12:30). (supervised lunch additional). Class ratio 1:10t

Facilities & Services

Shuttle Service - Regular shuttle service between the town of Fernie and the Ski Resort if offered both during the day and through the evening. Visit Guest Services for schedule and pricing.

Supermarket - The Mountain Pantry is located on-mountain, providing a selection of grocery and liquor selections. In the town of Fernie, the major supermarkets of Overwaitea and Extra Foods can be found.

Banks - Variety of banks located in the town of Fernie. In resort, there are ATM machines throughout the village.

Dining

  • Griz Bar - Fernie's number 1 place for Après ski since 1962. Relax on the Kokanee Deck with a cold beer and a freshly grilled prime rib burger from the BBQ. Live music on the Griz Bar stage every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 6pm and Saturday evenings from 9pm to 12am.
  • Lizard Creek Lodge Fine Dining - open daily.
  • Corner Pocket Restaurant - Located at Griz Inn Seasonal.
  • Kelsey's Bar and Grill - pasta, seafood, pizza and more.
  • Slopeside Coffee & Deli - delicious deli menu and of course our fabulous line-up of hot speciality coffees! Open daily from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Big, Bang Bagels - located in Snow Creek Lodge. Open daily from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm.

Nightlife

  • Griz Bar & Kelsey’s Bar & Grill - for on-mountain evening enjoyment, the nearby town of Fernie offers a wide variety of pubs & bars, offering DJ and live entertainment regularly.

Other

The following are activities & facilities that are located in the town of Fernie (located only 5km from the base of the ski resort):

The Arts Station - The Arts Station is the centre for arts in Fernie, hosting concerts, art exhibitions, workshops, community events and more.

The Vogue Theatre - New releases are shown nightly in the Twin Cinemas, with Foreign Films and Film Festivals hosted from time to time.

Fernie Aquatic Centre - Featuring a 6 lane - 25 metre pool with a one metre diving board and Tarzan swing, a 15 metre leisure pool ranging from 0 depth to 1 metre with spray fountains, hot tub, steam room, and of course the ever popular 150 foot waterslide with its own run off lane.

Fernie Memorial Arena - Try out public skating times, shinny hockey, or watch a Ghostrider Hockey game!

Fernie Community Centre - The Community Centre hosts a variety of events & activities, including evening drop-in sports like badminton, floor hockey and indoor soccer.

Evolution Health & Fitness - Fernie’s local all-encompassing health & fitness facility. Features include strength & cardio equipment, group fitness classes, injury prevention & rehabilitation kinesiologist, smoothie bar, tanning facilities, and child’s playroom.

Fernie Brewing Company - Enjoy and learn about locally brewed Fernie Beer at a brewery tour!

Essential Yoga - Offers a variety of yoga classes with drop-in’s available.

Activities

Kids Night Out - Fun activities and crafts for children, ages 6 - 12, Wednesday and Saturday from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Dinner and activities supervised by our top resort staff. Ask us for more information.

Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides - Family fun in a sleigh pulled by Belgian and Percheron draft horses. Rides last 25 minutes. Available at 6 / 7 / 8:00pm.  Min 8 - max 12 adults. Private bookings are available by request.

Mountain Heritage Snowshoe or Cross Country Ski Tours - Take a 3-hour tour for the ultimate in historical and ecological info in the Elk Valley with a knowledgeable guide. Contact Guest Services for the weekly schedule. Minimum 2 guests required.

Snowmobiling - Exciting half, full, or evening adventures with qualified guides.

Snowshoe Safaris and Stargazing Snowshoe Fondue - Enjoy daytime treks and evening fondue fun.

Dogsled Tours - Discover the thrill of dog power in the beautiful BC Rockies. Tours include professional guides, necessary equipment and a snack or light lunch. Trailhead in Sparwood.

Cross Country Skiing - Enjoy the wide variety of trails that are available both at the base of the ski resort and through the town & community of Fernie. Trail guides & information are available at Guest Services.

Weekly events

Resort Hosts - Come and discover the mountain! Fernie Alpine Resort Ski & Snowboard Hosts provide complimentary tours of the mountain. Tours depart at 9:30am & 1:00pm daily from the Mountain Host meeting place situated near the Deer Chair.

Steep & Deep Camps - Join our local coaches for a 2 day adventure to explore Fernie's bottomless powder and steep terrain while improving your all mountain skiing and snowboarding. Clinics for the adventurous advanced-intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders.

Mountain Guides Program - The ultimate private guide service for your day on our slopes. Explore and exploit the best terrain this mountain can throw at you! Min 2 people.

First Tracks Program - Experience the life of a rock star, Fernie style! Log some serious vertical on your own private playground.

Maps

Resort Map

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Trail map

Resort Map route map

Resort Stats

Season
November to April
Nearest airport
Cranbrook / Calgary
Transfer time
1 hour / 3 hours 30 minutes
Transport
Car hire or transfer
Elevation
7000 ft / 2134 m
Vertical drop
3,550 ft
Avg snowfall
30 ft / 9.1m
Ski area
2,504 acres
Ski lifts
10
Runs
142
Grade
30% advanced 40% intermediates 30% beginners
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