6 breathtaking views and awesome adventures you won’t believe are less than a days drive from Calgary
If you live in Calgary, you’re actually pretty lucky to! Being able to live in a beautiful urban area surrounded by gorgeous mountains is certainly something to be thankful for. On top of the views, being so close to seemingly endless outdoor adventure and activities are an accolade many cities don’t have to brag about. If you’re looking for outdoor fun while maintaining social distance, here are a few suggested short staycations to consider.
Fernie, B.C
Views from town and the top of the mountain
Our first location is one that is already many Calgarians’ favourite short trip to make, Fernie, B.C. An easy 2.5/3 hour drive from the south end of Calgary along the Cowboy Trail you’ll drive right into Fernie’s town site, where you are literally surrounded by mountains on all sides. Continue through the town to Fernie Alpine Resort and you will not be disappointed. The views of the Lizard Range from the base of Fernie Alpine Resort are breathtaking enough, but by taking a ride on the Elk Chairlift you’ll get a view of the valley of Fernie, B.C that can’t be matched.
Golden, B.C
Hiking & Via Ferrata at Kicking Horse
Continuing on, let’s go to Golden, B.C, home to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and just a 2.5 hour drive from Calgary’s north side. One of the unique aspects of Kicking Horse is the view of 6 National Parks from the peak of the mountain. And guess what, the peak of the mountain is easily within your reach! Kicking Horse has gondola accessed hiking and dining that offer some of the most stunning views you’ll find. And if you’re looking for something a little more to get the adrenaline pumping, the views from Via Ferrata are intense not just due to the views but due to the fact that you’re dangling off the side of a mountain or the suspension bridge (all while harnessed in of course).
Kimberley, B.C
Hiking & Biking
People love to describe Kimberley as a hidden gem in the rockies – and that’s exactly what it is. You’ll need to turn off the main highway to find this town but trust us, it’s worth the time. Not only can you hike up the ski hill at the resort to take in some of the gorgeous views of the town from the top of the mountain, but Kimberley, like the others above have an array of trail networks in and around the towns. One of the places that is a must do while in Kimberley is the short walk to the Marysville waterfalls, it’s another one of those hidden gems you don’t expect to find so easily and is definitely worth the short trek out to it!
Places to stay along the way
Even though you can easily visit any one of these towns and get back to Calgary in a day, staying overnight is always a nice option to have!
✅ Gorgeous slopeside mountain views
✅ Outdoor patios & in hotel restaurants offering take out
✅ Outdoor pools & hot tubs
✅ Close to all activities & adventures
✅ Convenient and safe – all our suites have full kitchens
Both of our feature properties at Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort feature all of the above, making either location a great basecamp for your quick getaway or longer staycation.
See special offers at Lizard Creek Lodge
See special offers at Trickle Creek Lodge
We realize this can be a difficult time to consider travelling, before heading out on your trip check on the Alberta & British Columbia government website for any guidelines or restrictions at your time of travel. To see what safety procedures and routines we have put in place visit our resort or hotel websites.
Fernie Alpine Resort COVID information.
Feature Photo by Powder Matt
Snow, snow, snow = Fun, fun, fun
Here at Fernie Alpine Resort we’ve been getting hammered hard with snow since the beginning of 2018, plus there’s much more on the way! We received nearly 250 cms over just 3 weeks at the end of January (315 cms total in January) and The Weather Network predicts we’ll be getting more over the next few days.
After our deep January we’re at over 25 feet year to date already with over 50 cms in the last week, Polar Peak lift has been buried for a good part of the season! A storm cycle is moving in from the Pacific this week bringing ‘widespread snowfall to the Rockies’, with some parts of British Columbia seeing 30 – 50 cms (skiers & snowboarders rejoice)!
This season is a powder pleaser, which is expected to continue into our spring skiing months. What better time than to book your Spring Ski Vacation now? See our Hot Deals page for offers like 3rd night 50%, 4th night FREE, midweek specials and long stay deals (book before February 28th for these special offers).
Plan your spring vacation around one of our year end events – this year is the 10th Anniversary of Fernival and we’re planning the biggest and best party year! With headliners Sloan on Saturday, April 14th, stopping by as part of their 20th Anniversary tour and fresh off releasing their brand new album on April 6th! The Fernival party continues into Sunday, April 15th with a performance by BC/DC, one of our favourite bands to have at the resort. Also part of our Fernival weekend is the long standing tradition – the Raging Elk PPP (Powder, Pedal, Paddle) event and the Slopesoaker pond skim.
For now, please excuse us as we continue to dig out.
Come out and visit us soon!
- Published in Fernie
The Fernie Fun Tax: Pay and Play
“HOLD TIGHT, FÉLIX! WE’RE COMING TO GET YOU!”
“I’M IN DEEP! BUT I’VE STILL GOT ONE SKI.”
“10-4! WE’RE ON OUR WAY. RESCUE MISSION INITIATED!”
The nine-year-old boys climb up the mountain through hip-deep snow to save Félix. In reality, they’re directly under the Bear Chair, and they climb about five yards, but in their imaginations they’re deeply immersed in a backcountry survival situation.
Sadly, I see mere snippets of the mission on a shoddy helmet-cam recording. I missed their remote, life-and-death adventure entirely. Why? Because I had the brainstorm of not getting a season’s ski pass that year. Here’s my logic: I’m the hockey mom so that sport takes me away from Fernie a few weekends. I work in Alberta so lose other potential ski days there. I decided “it’s not worth it.” Or more precisely, I decided I am not worth it. Everyone else in my family has a season’s pass, even if they don’t make it up to the hill every weekend.
When I saw that video of my favourite nine-year-old boys, rosy cheeked and fired-up on adventure, I wished I’d been there. After two years with no ski pass, I’m declaring project No-Pass a failed experiment.
Because you know what happens when I don’t have a season’s pass? I don’t go skiing. In the morning, I decide I should wait until after lunch and get the half-day rate. Already I’ve missed the best part of the day: fresh powder. By noon, while the rest of my family flies high, energized by fresh air and exercise, I’m hitting the post-lunch lethargy. So I decide maybe I’d better stay home instead: there’s laundry to do, emails to answer. When the family comes in at 4:30 giggling about a day of snow fun, I’m grouchy because I’ve spent the afternoon folding clothes and scanning social media. But I’ve saved money!
That saved money will not be what I remember when my kids have grown and gone.
My husband always tells me: “You’re not supposed to think about getting a season’s ski pass. It’s the Fernie Fun Tax. Like any tax, you pay it and then you forget about it until the next year.” He has paid his Fernie Fun Tax every year since 1995. He has never once regretted it.
He’s right. In two years, I missed many fun days on the hill. Katie’s first ski race. Crazy Helmet Day. Ollie’s first black diamond run. Pink-clad Katie straight-lining full speed into the SLOW sign (I know, ski patrol friends, not funny, totally not, obviously).
This year my experiment draws to a close. When it comes to Ski Fernie, I am all in: season’s pass, priority parking, new gear. When my kids look back on their 2018 ski season, I will be woohooing my way down Red Tree right beside them. I can’t wait.
See you up there, Fernie Friends!
Photos by Powder Matt, Rob Heule & Mark Eleven Photography
YYC Mappy Hour Takes a Field Trip to Fernie
Mappy Hour is a popular gathering for adventurous individuals living in the city looking to get together with like minded individuals to share stories. Started in NYC, Mappy Hour has now expanded with chapters in Denver, Austin, L.A as well as Canada’s only chapter – Calgary! YYC’s April Mappy Hour is being moved to the mountains – book your spot online through the Mappy Hour website (special accommodation rates available) and join us at 5pm on April 8th for a talk by Jon Turk at Fernie Alpine Resort. Jon, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year will be telling us tales from his award winning polar expedition and more!
To register for the event join the Mappy Hour community and register online!
At Fernie Alpine Resort, we realize that a lot of our guests are locals, as well as from the surrounding cities. With our guests travelling from out of town in mind, we’re excited to debut a groundbreaking program in the ski industry – the Sunday late check out. This winter, if staying in Lizard Creek Lodge or Fernie Slopeside Lodge at Fernie Alpine Resort you won’t have to check out until 2pm! Giving you and your family the time needed to get in a couple more runs, finish up that ski school program or just relax a bit before having to jump in your car to head home.
To book a Fernie Alpine Resort winter ski trip, book at the Fernie Alpine Resort booking website, chat online with an agent on the RCR vacations website or give us a call at 1-800-258-7669.
Tyler Werry is on the ‘Road to Korea’! Tyler, born and raised in Fernie is about to start his second year on the Canadian National Ski Team – his goal is to make it into the XXIII Olympic Games being held in Korea in 2018. Help support Tyler on his Road to Korea by attending a fundraiser to help offset his Alpine Canada Team fees on November 1st in Calgary.
More about Tyler Werry;
Tyler grew up skiing in Fernie where he joined the Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST), from a young age he always had a desire to go fast! Making the provincial team in 2008 and moving onto the national team in 2014, Tyler has had two very successful seasons at the NorAm level.
In 2014, he placed 1st in the Super G standings, 2nd in the Alpine Combined standings, and 3rd overall in the NorAm Standings, winning his first Canadian Championship Title in GS that same year.
In 2015, Tyler finished 1st in the Downhill standings, 3rd in the super G standings, and 2nd overall in the NorAm Standings, this past season he also had my first top 30 result on the World Cup circuit, finishing 26th in Wengen’s Alpine Combined!
For more information about the fundraiser contact – teamwerry@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!
Images courtesy of Tyler Werry.
