Family Fun in Fernie
Our timing was perfect. Just as the sun slipped behind the Lizard Range and a band of clouds flared with hot-red glow, we dipped our toes in the hot tub and settled in for a pre-dinner soak. The cold bevvies, the laughter, the lively conversation that covered everything from face-plants to bark tattoos; it was the perfect way to rehash the day, do some sky-gazing, and connect with the kids. Ah yes, family time and Fernie. If you ask me, it’s a match made in heaven.
Our family of eight (four boys, a yippy dog, and a sly cat) have been darting out of dodge (Calgary) and blazing a trail to the mountains (typically once a month) for nearly two decades. And, to be clear, we go all over. Any mountain town, any shack or shanty, any resort or riverside retreat, will do. But we always seem to go back to one particular place a little more often than the rest. Fernie!
Sitting snug in the Elk Valley just two-and-a-half hours southwest of Calgary in the Kootenay Rockies, Fernie is a fun-loving mountain town that just seems to tick all the boxes. It’s not overly big, it’s rarely crowded, the local folk are friendly, the ski hill is close to town (and it’s phenomenal), the trail networks for hiking and mountain biking are world-renowned, and the historic downtown is peppered with cool cafes, restaurants, craft breweries and distilleries, amazing art and architecture, funky stores, bike shops, and so much more.
Also, the outdoor adventure opportunities are easily adapted for families and kids of any age and skill level. So, in other words, expect a ton of variety when it comes to trails, ski runs, and so on. For example, when it comes to mountain biking (Fernie is often regarded as one of the best mountain biking towns in the world), you’ve got everything from double-blacks for the daredevils to easy riverside paths for people who simply want to recreate at a slow and easy pace.
Not surprisingly, whenever we head to Fernie, we typically spend a ton of time up at the Fernie Alpine Resort, which is fast becoming one of the top summer mountain resorts in Canada. (Thanks to some of the lightest and deepest powder on the planet, the winter skiing at the resort has been in the “legendary” class for decades.)
If you venture to the Fernie Alpine Resort this summer you can expect stunning new lift-accessed alpine hiking trails, machine-made mountain biking flow trails for every level, and plenty of fun, food, and festivities in the village area.
Our favourite place to hunker down in the village area is the Lizard Creek Lodge. It’s located right at the base of the Elk Chair and features classic Canadian Rockies timber-framed architecture, an amazing restaurant in the main lodge, underground parking, and, yes, a heavenly hot tub overlooking the mountains where you can relax and unwind (with you and yours!) in style.
- Published in Blog, Fernie, Real Estate, Summer
Fernie Adventures – Play Here, Live Here
At 8:15 AM I opened the flap on my tent, gazed up at a gilded peak shimmering with heaven-sent light, and saw my buddy, Drew – a little black blob on the massive mountain – nearing the unnamed summit. Not gonna lie, it was a little unsettling. He wasn’t exactly a seasoned mountaineer with goat-footed skills. But he was determined. And the night before – as we nursed a dram, or two, by the crackling fire – he confidently announced his intentions for the following morning: “I WILL climb that thar mountain before anyone is out of bed.” Hat’s off. He did it.
Fernie. It certainly has a knack of bringing out the adventurer in all of us.
Surrounded by jagged peaks and nestled along rushing rivers in the Elk Valley – and just 2.5 hours from Calgary! – Fernie is a dreamy destination for outdoor enthusiasts and mountain culture lovers. Hikers, mountain bikers, fishermen, painters, climbers, musicians, photographers, nordic skiers, alpine skiers, and everyone else in between, can find their happy place in Fernie!
In addition to all of those trails, rivers, and scintillating summits (more on my epic Heiko’s Trail
expedition later), Fernie’s historic downtown, which boasts some spectacular turn-of-the-century buildings and architecture, is always a highlight when you visit. The majestic Fernie Courthouse, which was built in 1911, is a chateau-style structure and one of my favourite buildings in the Kootenay Rockies. The Holy Family Catholic Church, City Hall, and the old CP railway station are a few other examples.
Personally, I’d highly recommend downloading the “Iconic Fernie” app on your phone (the app was developed by Tourism Fernie), which will guide you through a cool downtown heritage walking tour, best photography locations, top places to sample local food and drinks, and artistic explorations in and around town. (Thanks, in part, to the Arts Station, a number of galleries, the downtown murals, ongoing performing arts, and so on, Fernie is a haven for artists.)
Due to its close proximity to Calgary, I typically visit Fernie a handful of times each year. Sometimes I’m just passing through (I can never resist pulling into the downtown area to explore, stretch my legs, and grab a coffee and a sandwich!), but most of the time it’s for a weekend of adventure.
While the mountain biking (Fernie boasts eight distinct riding areas and hundreds of trails) is legendary, the two main reasons why I love hanging out in Fernie are the incredible alpine skiing at the Fernie Alpine Resort and the epic hiking.
Although the sight-seeing and lift-accessed mountain biking at the Fernie Alpine Resort are exceptional, in my opinion, the alpine bowl skiing – there are five fabulous bowls at the resort – is some of the best on the planet. Indeed, from the snorkel-deep dumps to the family-friendly cruisers, the skiing at Fernie is
tough to beat.
And, for that matter, so are the hiking opportunities. Numerous trails – from leg-burning ascents to family-friendly riverside strolls – are there for the taking.
For me, one of my all-time favourite hiking experiences took place a number of years ago when my posse of pals took on the tough-as-nails Heiko’s Trail in the Fernie backcountry. (It’s not for the faint of heart! Be prepared. Do your homework!) A 34-km wilderness route complete with caves, thundering waterfalls, and wildflower-filled valleys, it serves up an amazing assortment of “wow” moments. On our two-day adventure, which ended at the iconic Island Lake Lodge, we were all pushed to the limit of our abilities.
Fittingly, we celebrated our achievement with a burger and a beer at Island Lake Lodge. In many ways, we all – especially the guy who tacked on an additional summit! – felt like accomplished adventurers. Fernie will do that to you!
New lots are available at our Timber Landing development. Visit our website for more information or get in touch with our realtor Carol Cohen.
Carol Cohen
Developer’s Representative for Timber Landing Sales
[email protected]
250-278-0678
- Published in Blog, Fernie, Real Estate, Summer, Winter
