Short Skis & Big Slopes – A Family Ski Vacation at Fernie Alpine Resort

by skifernie / Tuesday, 15 October 2024 / Published in Blog, Fernie, Winter

In our family, the word Fernie is synonymous with fun. We have been going to this amazing little town nestled in the SE corner of British Columbia long before we had kids. Aside from world class skiing, you can snowshoe, fly-fish, camp, golf, bike, hike, run, paddle, float, spa, shop, and dine just to name a few options. Needless to say, we’re pretty fond of the place and every trip there is a one-of-a-kind adventure.

For us, winter means skiing, and of all the hills we could choose from, we always gravitate to Fernie Alpine Resort. It has a massive amount of terrain suitable to every level & age of skier from the magic carpet & night skiing up to the black diamond runs oﬀ Polar Peak. The greens more your speed? There’s a fantastic crew of instructors is also ready to help you get the most out of your time. Having so many options from your front door makes for the perfect Canadian family winter vacation destination. I’ve been skiing here for 40 years, and I still discover unknown powder stashes.

Gearing up for a family trip to Fernie includes road snacks, ski gear, snow jackets, pants, boots, mitts, etc. Now that we are packing for five including three kids 7 & under, we have developed a pretty good system to ensure that everybody brings what they need to have the best time in the mountains. Taking a peek at the forecast is the first order of business to make sure we bring the thick coats and extra layers for the cold days, and light gloves and sunscreen for the warm spring afternoons. Although adults can tough it out with cold wet mitts, when it comes to kids the key to winter happiness is making sure they stay warm and dry. Hitting up the outdoor fire pit for a mid-day hot chocolate break never hurts either.

Our kids are still pretty new to the slopes, but no stranger to playing outside for hours on end in the snow. Our go-to have been Kombi mitts for years and have found them to be the best option for our busy family. The added bonus is knowing that it’s a family-owned company who knows a thing or two about Canadian winters. Top oﬀ your gear bag with an assortment of synthetic fleece & merino wool layers and a windproof shell to give you plenty of options, and keep you outside to take full advantage of what this place has to oﬀer.

The big pow trips of December to early March give way to long sunny runs in late March and April. A spring ski trip out to Fernie is the best combination of cruiser days, patio afternoons, and super chill evenings. We lucked out with four bluebird days in this Kootenay gem and had the best of both worlds staying right on the hill at the fully equipped ski-in ski-out Lizard Creek Lodge. Being slope side is a huge advantage when getting out with kids by taking parking and gear shuttling out of the equation. After a day full of turns, ducking into one of the multiple outdoor hot tubs and heated pool is a must both for us and the kids.

Although it’s hard to pin down what makes Fernie a perfect winter getaway, there’s just something to this little town in the Elk Valley that brings us back time and time again. It’s a short drive from Calgary through the rolling eastern slopes of the rockies, and has every amenity you could hope for while still being small enough to check out on foot. Cruise the historic main street, shop the boutique stores, fuel up at the restaurants and definitely swing by Fernie Brewing to see what they have on tap to top up your growler. Fernie simply has something for everyone.

You know you are somewhere special that you start planning your return trip the very moment you leave. Fernie, we’ll be seeing you again soon.

Words & Photos by Mark Eleven Photography

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