I spend my days in the mountains creating and sharing my favourite place in the world in the hope that it will inspire others to visit and love Fernie Alpine Resort and the wonderful town of Fernie as much as I do.
Summer of ’22
Friday, 24 June 2022
Tomorrow is the day, we open for summer 2022!
Enjoy lift-accessed mountain biking, hiking & sightseeing all summer long!
The Elk Chair will be open daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm (with extended hours from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm on Thursdays).
Our summer operations run from June 25th to September 5th
After a slow snowmelt, we’ve been busy getting the trails ready for another great summer of fun.
What have we been up to? Here’s a quick rundown.
Lizard Lane is freshly built and ready to go. A favourite addition to our trail network that’s been a staple over the past few summers.
We are excited to have been able to add some much needed dirt and machine work to Mr. Berms. The intention is to reduce brake bumps, cap the rocks and enlarge the berms on the Elk Run.
Ben’s Big Rig is back for 2022 as a green run to access Deer Trail or to ride all the way down to Bear load with access to Lower Duff Dynasty. Ben’s Big Rig received dirt and machine work to build up berms and remove brake bumps. This work is still being finished off so may not be ready for opening day, but will be soon after.
The popular family-friendly hiking trail, Daisy Lane will be rerouted at the top to avoid Ben’s Big Rig.
The exits to biking trails Top Gun, Aggravated Assault and Deer Trail received a machine top-up.
Upper Top Gun had a berm and jump rebuild by hand last fall. There are plans to rebuild the middle section this summer.
Bin Logdin had a berm and jump rebuild last fall.
All other trails have been raked and most green and blue trails have had drainage, ruts and berms touched up by hand.
Rubber Ducky, and most lower Timber side trails (except Bin Logdin), will be closed for opening day due to ongoing work. We are hoping to get these trails open asap.
Verboten may be closed until next week as there are 5 big trees down. We are working with our saw crew to have them removed.
All other multi-use trails are clear, signed and open.
Looking for more opening weekend info? Check out the following links:
See you on the mountain!
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Get the Girls Out! International Women’s Day at Fernie Alpine Resort
Thursday, 03 March 2022
This weekend Fernie Alpine Resort is celebrating International Women’s Day with SheJumps! You can play the online Get the Girls Out! game all weekend (Friday – Sunday) and meet up for in-person activities on Sunday, March 6 at the Elk Base.
SheJumps Get the Girls Out! is a national campaign to unite women as they support, challenge, mentor, and inspire each other in the outdoor sports world.
Due to COVID precautions, our 2022 event will follow a hybrid model using a virtual scavenger hunt through the Goosechase app and a few on-hill games at Fernie! This gives participants the flexibility to engage with the SheJumps community at the level at which they are comfortable.
Beginning on Friday, March 4, 2022, participants can begin playing the Get the Girls Out! event using the Goosechase app on their phone. Registration for the event is free, and you’re connecting with people from around the world and also your local community. Win points by completing the missions. Then, meet up with SheJumps co-founder and executive director, Claire Smallwood, on Sunday at the Elk Base to participate in some on-hill challenges at Fernie Alpine Resort. The virtual game is live until Sunday, March 6, 2022, at 7 p.m. MST.
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Andrea Byrne and Oliva Johnson – SheJumps Ambassadors. Photo: Emma Polit
Golden Girafficorn Hunt – find the golden ‘girafficorns’ on the mountain and bring it back to the booth to be entered to win a prize!
- Photo challenges – Snag a picture with your shred buddies and upload it to social media tagging @shejumps and @ferniealpineresort, we’ll choose a winner at the end of the day!
Can’t make it to the ski hill? No worries! Using a mobile app, participants complete outdoor-themed missions to earn points and receive prizes from SheJumps partners. The Goosechase challenges feature 150 activities to complete and earn points. From nature breakdancing to drawing SheJumps’ signature Girafficorn to outdoor safety and preparation challenges, Get The Girls Out! gives women and girls an accessible way to enjoy time outside.
Get the Girls Out! and International Women’s Day reminds us that we can build a world where difference is valued and celebrated, and a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Getting outside is an easy and fun way to celebrate the power of community and the importance of outdoor play.
Read more about the event at Fernie Alpine Resort here.
Questions? Contact SheJumps [email protected]
Photo: Jason Hummel
#FernieStoke Ski Shuttle
Wednesday, 22 December 2021
January 25th UPDATE – Evening Shuttle Service is currently unavailable due to staffing shortages. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working on bringing the evening service back as soon as possible.
Get the schedule here:
#FernieStoke Ski Shuttle Schedule 2021-22
The shuttle will run on the hour every day from morning till later in the evening. Stops include downtown and many hotel locations in town, along the highway to the resort and at the resort.
COVID Shuttle Protocols:
- Riders must be fully vaccinated
- Masks or minimum 2-layer face coverings are mandatory for all passengers.
- Increased bus cleaning.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Clean your hands frequently. Please carry your own hand sanitizer if possible.
- Keep any backpacks/bags on your lap (Note: There are no areas at the Fernie Alpine Resort to store bags this season if you bring one expect to ski with it)
- All skis & snowboards are to be carried in racks on the outside of the shuttle.
Fares:
$4 cash only each way (exact change)
Kids 5 & under ride free with paying adult/caregiver
$35 for a 10 Ride Booklet (buy at Fernie Alpine Resort Guest Services)
$299 for a Shuttle Season Pass (buy at Fernie Alpine Resort Guest Services)
Individual bus fare is paid in cash on the bus with exact change only, no change is provided, or with a voucher from a 10 Ride Shuttle Booklet. Seats are first-come-first-served, no pre-booking of seats is available.
Details and schedule are subject to change without notice.
Fernie Alpine Resort’s Multi-Use Trail System
Friday, 25 June 2021
Important Update – June 25, 2021
Fernie Alpine Resort is excited to announce that, as of June 26, 2021, guests will once again have access to our complete multiuse trail system, which includes all trails outside our winter/summer operational boundaries.
All users will now be required to have a valid FAR Multi-Use Trails Access Pass ($5 including gst) and completed a waiver to be allowed access. The waiver needs to be done in person, so please come into our Guest Services office to complete it, and receive your Pass.
The Passes will not be valid for use on the lifts and do not allow the holder access to our Bike Park in the summer, or our ski area in the winter, at any time.
The Pass will allow access to the following trails –
Trails to the South – Silk, Manchuria, Scandia, Double Creek, Double Creek Extension.
Trails to the North – Hobbit, View, Black Forest, Megahurtz, Upper Old Goat, New Goat, Upper Gorby, Upper Verboten, Snakebite)
For more details on the location of trails, please refer to the maps below.
The Pass and waiver will be valid for the calendar year, expiring on December 31, and will cover all non-motorised use of the trails 12 months of the year. Motorised use is prohibited.
Passes are available for purchase at Fernie Alpine Resort’s Guest Services counter for $5. If you purchase a day ticket or multi-day ticket, the multiuse trail system is included for the date shown on your ticket.
If you require more information, please call us on 250-423-2435.
See you on the trails!
FAR Team
Pride Month in Fernie
Monday, 07 June 2021
It’s Pride Month, and here in Fernie, we love to celebrate LGBTQIA2S+! 🌈
Fernie has come a long way with its support of Pride. In 2016, the Fernie Pride Society was established, and it didn’t take long for the community to show their support. From the painting of rainbow crosswalks across town, the monthly Ears for Peers event, to the week-long Elk Valley Pride Festival held every year in September (best week ever!), it is inspiring to see people of all ages, genders, and sexualities coming together in support of each other.
This month, the Fernie Pride Society has a full schedule of online events:
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Photo by Vince Mo
June 7th, at 10 am, is Drag Story and Craft Time with the one and only, Freida Whales. Head to the Fernie Pride or Fernie Heritage Library Facebook page to participate.
- On June 14th, the magical rainbow crosswalks will be repainted onto the corner of 3rd Ave and 5th St (next to the Post Office/Library). This year, they are keeping the painting party small, but please reach out to Fernie Pride on their Facebook page if you would like to volunteer your time. These crosswalks have become a wonderful addition to Fernie’s downtown. Make sure you stop by to check them out.
- On the 3rd Thursday of every month is Ears for Peers (via Zoom). Ears for Peers is a safe peer-to-peer place for conversation, support, gathering and more. This month it is on June 17, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The zoom link will be posted on their Facebook page leading up to the event.
- Later in June, Fernie Pride will be hosting (via Zoom) their popular Rainbow Connections event. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more information coming soon!
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Photo via Fernie Pride Society
Continue celebrating pride through art by downloading this fantastic Day of Pink colouring page featuring Fernie Pride’s President, Kevin Allen. You can find it here. It is a part of Day of Pink’s latest colouring book that can be found here. This colouring book shares the stories of trans and queer folks who are creating safer spaces, celebrating our community, and advancing human rights. Learn about our past, present, and future while enjoying the art of colouring.
New events are continuously being added, so please show your support and follow the Fernie Pride Society on Facebook to join in on the fun.
Photo by Vinco Mo
If you are looking to support Fernie Pride Society’s initiatives, please donate to their membership drive, which is happening all month long. When you purchase a membership (only $20 for 3 years), you are supporting an essential local organization and helping them secure support and funding for some great programming and initiatives, which will continue to benefit the community. Get your membership here.
Pride month is when we celebrate diversity and LGBTQIA2S+ communities, acknowledge their history, the hardships they have endured, and the progress made. Fernie is a community full of strong Allies who really help make a difference. Let’s all fly the rainbow flag and show that EVERYONE is welcome in Fernie.
Thank You for a Great Winter!
Monday, 12 April 2021
Hello Everyone!
And with that, our winter season has come to an end.
The 2020-21 winter was a unique one, to say the least. We are so happy that we had the opportunity to open and that you, our valued guests, were offered 123 days of skiing and riding.
Thank you for your patience and understanding this season. Thank you for following all of our safety protocols and respecting our staff and each other.
We all worked hard to get to the end of the season, and it was the combined efforts of our community, our staff and our guests that successfully got us here. We are grateful and hope that all of this translated to a great winter season for you and your family.
We are getting geared up for our Early Bird Winter Pass Sale for 21/22 – keep an eye on our website and social media for details!
Stay safe. Enjoy our wonderful outdoors, and we hope to see you on the mountain soon!
Andy Cohen & the Fernie Alpine Resort Team
Announcing our Winter 20/21 Bonus Week!
Wednesday, 17 March 2021
We have an exciting announcement regarding our season here at Fernie Alpine Resort.
In celebration of our passholders, your patience, understanding and commitment to us, and our Fernie community, who rallied together when the chips were down, we are moving our closing date to April 11th, 2021 (weather/conditions permitting).
This winter has been one like no other. Our community was one of the fastest to recover from a COVID-19 cluster, from 97 to zero cases in a few short weeks. The hard work and perseverance of our community was commendable.
Thank you for saving our community and our ski season. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
We hope to see you enjoying the wonderful spring skiing!
Thanks all,
Andy Cohen and the Fernie Alpine Resort Team
OPENING DAY – DECEMBER 10TH!
Monday, 30 November 2020
FERNIE ALPINE RESORT ANNOUNCES OPENING FOR WINTER SEASON 2020/21!
Fernie Alpine Resort will open for skiing & snowboarding on December 10th, 2020 at 9 am.
Our team has worked tirelessly to prepare our operations for your arrival, and we are looking forward to kicking off the 2020/21 skiing and riding season. While we all share the joy for sliding on snow, this season will look different. We have put in place a comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plan developed in collaboration with the Canada West Ski Area Association.
This set of rigorous procedures and operating plans is to help ensure our guests, staff and community have a safe winter in Fernie. Our plans have been reviewed by Interior Health, the Elk Valley Hospital and they lead the way in North America for Best Practices for Winter Operations 2020/21.
We understand that many of us in our community feel the uncertainty of this pandemic. We recognize that opening the resort will make some of us anxious and stressed. That is why it is everyone’s responsibility to follow the guidelines that we have put in place, as we all want a long season, and a safe skiing and riding experience.
Due to our safety protocols surrounding the COVID Virus and looking to create a safe environment for our guests, this season we will be closely monitoring lift capacity and ticket sales to help ensure that we can manage daily the number of people at Fernie Alpine Resort. Day lift tickets will be available at our resort ticket windows daily. On high demand days, only a certain number of day tickets will be sold – so one should use the opportunity to pre-purchase your lift tickets online to guarantee you get the ski day’s you want on those days. We do anticipate some periods of higher demand, so to avoid disappointment, it is recommended that you pre-purchase your lift tickets online and in advance as some dates may sell out.
Skiing and snowboarding provide a much-needed outlet in winter, providing mind and body benefit, and we are looking forward to sharing our wide-open spaces with each of you.
To adapt our operations for this winter, we have made many changes, including the following:
1. Masks are required to be worn throughout the entire resort, inside all buildings, in lift lines, while riding lifts, in shuttle buses, parking lots and our Plaza.
2. Reservations are required to dine in any of our indoor restaurants.
3. We have eliminated all outdoor shelters and gathering places, like the fireplace at Bear’s Den, Slopeside Café Patio, Yurts, etc.
4. Our lift loading procedures will ensure physical distancing.
5. We have eliminated touch points in systems and transactions.
6. We have eliminated bag storage in all buildings.
7. Seasonal lockers will be for ski/snowboard storage only, no boots or clothing.
8. Our teams are required to be fully outfitted in masks with filters, shields where needed, and Plexiglas barriers to protect all.
9. Dining spaces will be separated by Plexiglas where needed.
10. Washrooms will have reduced capacity to ensure no crowding.
11. Childcare will not be offered.
This season will look very different. By following these procedures and with your patience and respect, we will have a snowy, fun ski & snowboard season.
Please take the time to read the Know Before You Go section on our website for more information and any updates – https://skifernie.com/covid-19/winter/.
Please keep in mind that early season conditions do exist on the mountain. Take your time and continue to pray for snow.
Thank you!
- Published in Blog, Fernie, Press Releases, Winter
Culvert City
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
If you follow us on any of our social media platforms, then you will see all that our Resort has to offer through the summer and winter months. What you don’t always see is all of the work that goes in behind the scenes to make it happen.
We have a lot of Crews – Trail Crew, Bike Trail Crew, Lift Ops Crew, Lift Maintenance Crew, Saw Crew, Brush Crew, Shop Crew, Patrol Crew – who all work together through the summer and fall to make it all come together.
This summer, our Trail Crew, who are the Swiss Army Knife of employees (they can do anything that’s needed on the mountain), have replaced the old wooden culverts with sparkly (👈 my word, not theirs 😉) new ones.
This culvert at the bottom of Lower Bear at the Boomerang Chair was installed in 1984.
HISTORY LESSON – Back in the ’80s, to make a culvert the Trail Crew used their only machine, the skidder. They would find a couple of the huge old Larch trees (24″-36″ diameter) that were lying around in the forest and lay those along either side of the creek.
They would then place timber – mostly from Cedar trees (12″-16″ diameter) – across the Larch to cover the creek. They had a gin pole rigged on the back of the skidder so that they could pick the trees up and back them into place.
Along with a peavy, and some brute force, they could build a bridge over the creeks that would then be buried with dirt. Most of these culverts lasted about 30 years before the top logs began to fail.
That brings us to this past summer; it was noticed that the culvert near the Boom Chair was starting to fail, so our team went in, dug the whole section up, and replaced it with a new one. No trees were harmed in the making of this culvert.
One of the biggest changes happening at the resort is going down in lower Currie Bowl. This past spring, May 31st to be exact, we had very heavy rainfall that followed some very hot weather, and a consequential mudslide in Currie Bowl. As the debris flowed down, it damaged and plugged multiple culverts. Our Trail Crew, along with assistance from Fiorentino Bros and Ground Tech Engineering were able to get in there to repair the culverts.
Turning adversity into improvements, the spring mudslide remediation enabled us to improve the exit from Currie Bowl and widen the Gilmar trail.
From 👈 to 👉 with wonderful assistance from Fiorentino Bros and Ground Tech Engineering.
As we move closer to winter, we will continue to bring you updates from around the resort, and the work that goes in before we can open our doors lifts.
Elope to the Mountains
Friday, 09 October 2020
Have you always dreamt of getting married in the mountains with breathtaking views all around you?
The world may have changed, but the magical mountain views at Fernie Alpine Resort have stayed the same!
We know that it’s an uncertain time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have your dream mountain wedding – it just has to happen on a smaller scale. Our team has worked hard this year adapting to the changes and developing protocols that are in line with the government orders to ensure that you, your guests and our staff stay safe while you and your partner celebrate the beginning of your new life together.
Your happily ever after starts here…
A highlight for us this year is the newly developed Elopement Package that caters to the small and intimate weddings. We understand the appeal of small, intimate weddings with only your closest family and friends in attendance. Rest assured that you can still have all that our magical mountain settings have to offer. We have loved seeing the creative ways that our wedding couples have brought together their intimate ceremony and have the mountain wedding that they have always dreamed of.
Our Wedding Guide provides you with information on all of the available options. Whether your wedding is intimate or extravagant, rustic or elegant, there’s a magical mountain setting to create the wedding of your dreams.
Our Catering Guide provides you with all the options available for your food and beverage needs. Have your heart set on something that’s not in here? We can get you working with our catering team to customize a menu.
We look forward to talking to you about all the options that we have available and finding what works best for you!
Our weddings are now booking into summer, 2022 with but do still have limited availability for next summer so please visit our wedding page, and contact Stacey Charest, our wedding coordinator, for more information.
Stacey Charest
Weddings & Groups Coordinator
Phone: (250) 430-7163
E-Mail: [email protected]
