Articles about Fernie and Fernie Alpine Resort
How to do a Pow Day Proper. The Raddest Way to the Ultimate Fernie Experience.
When you cross the Elk River and wind your way into the town of Fernie you’ll automatically feel like you’ve entered a winter wonderland. The quaint streets are lined with lights that illuminate the taller-than-your-car snow banks, signalling the first hint that this place is a powder junkies dream destination. The town its self is loaded with a unique history, scenic views, things to do, places to see and experiences to be had. If you’re driven by skiing educed face shots, then the first thing on your Fernie hit list should most definitely be Fernie Alpine Resort.
With a snowfall average of 11 meters per a season you can expect quite a few powder days in this town! The absolute best way to do a pow-day proper in Fernie? One word, early. While Fernie Alpine Resort is known to hold the snow stashes for days after a storm, there is nothing like having first pick of what you want to lay a fresh line into! With over 2500 acres of skiable terrain you’ll be able to get freshies a few laps in a row if you don’t hit snooze! The best mornings start with early ups and a lift line coffee snagged at Slopeside Café on route to the lift of your choosing! It’s an experience that everyone should part take in at least once, if not adapt to your regular ski vacation regimen! When the wide open bowls and runs have been checked off the list head into the Fernie’s legendary tree skiing for even more untouched powder! When your legs are starting to feel the burn from lapping 1080m vertical long runs coated in powder it’s time to call it a day on the slopes, but not a finished day. The ultimate Fernie experience encompasses another activity before après begins!
Fat tire bikes are an awesome way to see the sights in town, explore the groomed cross-country trails or rip up the snowy single track. New to fat biking? No problem, Fernie Alpine Resort has rental bikes, groomed trails and guided programs. Maximize your day by hitting the resort early and hard, then snag a bite at Lost Boys Café or at The Griz Bar before heading one a Discover Fat Biking clinic at 1:30pm. Enjoy two hours with a guide who will show you the ropes of fat biking on groomed trails and maybe even some wilder single track if you dare! Evening Ride and Dine packages are also offered on Thursdays that include headlamps, dinner at the scrumptious Cirque Restaurant and an evening adventure that won’t be forgotten! Regardless of whether you fat bike in the afternoon or evening one thing is certain, and that is that you should follow it up by heading to the Stoli Ice Bar!
The Stoli Ice Bar is an experience unlike any other. The sub zero ice room feels like an ice castle and is almost cozy feeling when you’re snuggled up in a Helly Hansen parka! Open from 11am-10pm daily the Ice Bar is waiting for you to sample some of the most sought after vodka’s from around the world! Each experience is yours for the making as you choose from a variety of vodka options and sip from a ice glass. There’s nothing more rewarding and most definitely refreshing than ending your day with a salute to the mountains with an ice glass cheers in warm company. What happens after the Stoli Ice Bar is up to you, might we recommend a nightcap next to the Cirque Restaurant’s fire place to warm up? We look forward to seeing your memories being made, be sure to share them with us on social media by hashtagging #LoveFernie to give us all a case of the FOMO (fear of missing out)!
![Stoli Ice Bar at Fernie Alpine Resort](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/31415277170_2e60090a92_z.jpg)
Stoli Ice Bar at Fernie Alpine Resort
How often should you wax?
Your skis that is.
Kay, retail and rental manager here at Fernie Alpine Resort gives us some advice: It’s recommended you wax your skis every 5 or 6 times out. The reason being the base of your ski is very porous (similar to your skin) with lotion (wax) you’ll have a better running surface. This will allow for increased glide over all snow conditions, less leg fatigue and increased speed. The layer of water that is created by the friction between your skis and the snow will wick away from the base of your skis and not get absorbed into the base thus allowing for better glide (even when you’re skiing powder).
Remember the base of your skis is just like your skin, when it’s dry you take care of this by putting on lotion. Hot waxing is the lotion for your skis!
Our Professional tech’s at the ski resorts will be able to take care of this for all of our guests, find them in the Repair area located in the Rental Shop in the base area at Fernie Alpine Resort. Just print off a coupon from the Member Benefits website and redeem it at the resort.
Don’t forget – if you’re a season passholder use this member benefit to get a free tune up – ‘Buy 2 Get 1 Free – buy 3 full tune ups for the price of 2, includes edge base and side, stone grind, Ptex and hot wax’. Just show your season pass to take advantage of this benefit!
Find out more about why to wax your skis and what a tune up entails on our YouTube channel (plus find out what the fancy machine behind Harry is used for too).
Fernival, Fernie’s Favourite Festival
Fernie (located in British Columbia, Canada) is getting more and more well known for a lot of exciting things, including (but certainly not limited to);
Averaging more than 30 feet of snow every single season (that Fernie factor pow),
![Burrrlapz](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Riding-Fernie-Nov-17-by-The-Burrrlapz.jpg)
and this was just the pre season!
Having an awesome (and totally gorgeous) ski town – once named Coolest Town in North America by Rolling Stone Magazine,
![30015710421_1f755bc7c0_k](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/30015710421_1f755bc7c0_k.jpg)
The Town of Fernie, BC
Having even more awesome locals to chat with at local bars during après ski and last but certainly not least throwing one epic year end FREE outdoor festival year after year (the biggest concert in the Rockies)!
![Platinum Blonde](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/29971881160_a3339af68f_k.jpg)
Fernival 2016
The people of Fernie have an interesting affinity for the 80’s. This is not an uncommon sight to see (photo right), and one which begs the question, why do people in 80’s wear always pose in a lunge?
Whatever the reason for the 80’s lunge is, Fernival has catered to this ongoing love affair in many of our previous 8 festivals with acts including Trooper, Spirit of the West and Platinum Blonde!
This year, the 9th annual festival is getting a fun little shake up turning the one day event into two – starting with a classic rock cover band, The Backroad Traveler Band to get the fill of our favourite classics in, moving to Skratch Bastid, the nationally popular DJ to entertain us before the final act – Wide Mouth Mason! Do it all again the next day with the high energy AC/DC cover band aptly named BC/DC. Did we mention it’s all free?
![8168030099_db45e39413_k](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/8168030099_db45e39413_k-1024x681.jpg)
FREE FERNIVAL FUN!
Fernival takes place in the plaza at Fernie Alpine Resort, surrounded by an alpine village offering a variety of hotel, condo and ski in/ski out accommodations to fit the smallest and largest of groups. Meaning after a day of this type of partying….
![4622030183_b01fe97da7_b](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/4622030183_b01fe97da7_b.jpg)
Shotski – a Fernie Tradition
you barely have to stumble more than a snowballs throw away to get to your home for the weekend. And if riding is all you’re after – Fernie is known for its heavy snowfall along with a mild climate, making it one of the best places to spring ski! With the balmy temps you can forgo wearing that ski jacket and head out in a bunnyhug (hoodie for those who might not know our western Canadian slang) or sometimes even a t-shirt at the end of the season here! Don’t forget to top it all off with the SlopeSoaker event on Sunday afternoon and watch brave/crazy participants attempt to cross our pond in wacky outfits for the ultimate ski bum event title.
So be one of these people this April!
And attend Fernival in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada!
Fernival is on April 15th & 16th, 2017.
Photos by: Burrrlapz, Henry Georgi, Cali Sammel and Robin Siggers
Griz on Tour & New Ms. Griz Webcam
Everyone who is familiar with Fernie knows the legend of the Griz, and anyone who checks the snow report knows that we have our own Griz standing faithfully next to our snow stick on the Mountain Cams section of our website.
What you may have missed however, is that over the summer months our little Griz took a vacation from his post! His adventures were documented over the course of the summer on the griz_on_tour instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/griz_on_tour/).
After wrapping up his job at the hill for the winter and getting his affairs in order, Griz started his adventure on June 28th with a post of him in a field with his beloved resort in the background.
His posts continued on a regular basis where he was observed behind a steering wheel, going on hikes, wishing everyone a good morning, making friends, and enjoying a nice cup of Tim’s coffee.
Griz’s adventures took him all around the Elk Valley; to campgrounds, recreation sites, from mountain meadows to peaks and everywhere in-between. He took a dip in a river or two to cool off, visited the Skookumchuck duck pond, and even found his way to Calgary’s Mountain Equipment Co-Op!
Throughout his tour, Griz encouraged people to adventure every day, explore their surroundings, respect the environment, be bear aware and most of all to appreciate the beauty of our mountains.
Fernie Alpine Resort was happy to welcome the Griz back to his post when the snow started to fly, where he faithfully reports the snowfall each night via his live webcam (skifernie.com/conditions/mountain-cam/).
Joining Griz this season on the mountain will be his sweetheart Ms. Griz! She’ll be working out of Currie Bowl and will be hard at work with Mr. Griz reporting snowfall via her own live webcam at the bottom of Polar Peak Chair.
Photos of Griz on Tour:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
That’s right, the holidays are here! And at Fernie Alpine Resort we’ve packed our schedule full of fun holiday events and activities for you and your family to take advantage of during your visit. For more information on any of the below events and to see what else is happening at the resort over the holidays, visit our online events calendar or stay up to date from our Facebook page.
December 17th – January 1st
Holiday Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides– departing every half hour from noon until 7pm daily!
Griz Kidz holiday activity nights – everything from craft nights to movie nights and more throughout the holiday season! (Pre register at Guest Services)
December 22 – Christmas Craft Night
December 27 – Gingerbread House Decorating
December 28 – Games Night
December 29 – Movie Night
January 2 – Winter Craft night
January 3 – Games Night
December 23 & 24
Ski & Photos with Santa! Santa will be on the slopes from 10am – 12pm and taking FREE photos in the Santa photo booth from 12 – 2pm.
December 25th
Christmas Dinner Buffet at Cirque Restaurant in Lizard Creek Lodge (reservations are recommended)
December 26 – 31
Holiday Night Skiing on the Mighty Moose lift & slope from 4 to 9pm.
December 31st
Family New Year’s Eve Party – celebrate the New Year with the whole family in the plaza from 6 – 9pm with FREE family activities and fireworks!
New Year’s Eve dinner & dance at Cirque Restaurant in Lizard Creek Lodge – ring in the new year in style with a 4 course dinner and dance party! Book now – space is limited!
New Year’s Eve party in the Griz Bar – the hottest New Year’s party in town is at the Griz Bar every year. Tickets are on sale and sell out FAST!
Don’t forget to release that Holiday Stress at the NEW Névé Spa located in Lizard Creek Lodge. Névé offers mountain side spa treatments ranging from massage to a full range of esthetics services. Get more information about Névé and book your spot from the Lizard Creek Lodge website.
Burrrlapz, The Movie – Premiere on November 19th
Burrrlapz refers to a group of die hard skiers from Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. They live, eat and sleep skiing and are granted us the opportunity to have a glimpse into their daily mountain adventures through their first full length ski movie. Get your tickets at Commit Snow & Skate on Fernie’s main street (2nd ave.) and check out the world premiere of the Burrrlapz movie at the Vogue theatre in Fernie, B.C on November 19th. Don’t forget about the after party at The Northern Bar & Stage featuring local Fernie band The Runs.
Follow The Burrrlapz on Facebook and Vimeo.
A Brief Yet Thorough Guide to Riding That Fernie Factor Powder
A typical powder day in Fernie, BC
All winter long, you methodically check in with Ron Lakeman of Fernie Alpine Resort’s Alpine Weather Report (he’s the man, and he’s honest), and it’s looking extremely good for the next couple of days. The storm is on its way, and it has the potential to be big. Like, Champagne Tuesday big.
After work, you head on home and prepare your things.
“Hmmm, if I get to the hill by 8am, I can grab first chair and ski hard for a couple of hours and make it back to my desk before noon.”
Perfect. You have a nice dinner, periodically checking the forecast and weather outside, and decide to head to bed at a reasonable hour to ensure you’re at your best in the morning… but the falling snow glowing in the street lights just outside your window has you too excited, and by 6am you’re checking the Griz Plot Mountain Cam on Skifernie.com… and that’s all it takes. The 10-15 is easily 30cm+, and the stoke is way up. The coffee is on, you call in your Big Bang Bagel to pick up en route, and get ready to go.
The early bird not only gets the worm, but also the parking space. You know exactly where you’re headed, and meet a few like-minded and familiar people as you buckle your boots and take the short downhill traverse to your lift of choice. Having grown up in this valley, the Old Side is where you’re headed as you’ve been skiing it since you were three and know well how and where it holds snow on any given powder day.
The ride up the Bear Chair is silent with anticipation, not a line can be seen in the pristine runs below, and your mind is busy with plans on how to execute the next two hours of heaven. Cedar is only open from the ridge, so you decide to ski PS I Love You to Boom… and it’s definitely the right choice. The crystal flakes kiss your face, and your own laughter and breath reach your ears. Then it’s Cedar Ridge, and Linda’s Run, and….. Cedar is open! You arrive just in time and help to put in the traverse to Steep and Deep…. When you get fresh tracks on this pitch, you know you’ve played the morning well and that it couldn’t get much better. You have just enough time for a couple of more laps on Snake, and then happily make your way across the mountain. Perfection.
There is really no better start to the day, and it looks like tomorrow will be much the same… you’ve checked in with Ron, just to be sure.
Gear up for Winter (check your gear first)
Checking your Ski Equipment now is very important for many reasons, here are the 3 top reasons;
FAQ: I get asked all the time ‘Why should I check my Ski Equipment, as I’m not a great skier and spend lots of time on the beginner slopes with kids…”
My Answer: I always say try these- once you try new skis you are on cloud nine. Technology advancements, ski shape, size are some of the many reasons the new skis really do make a difference. You owe it to yourself as it will enhance your skiing skills, make skiing easier and give you more control on the slopes.
FAQ: I have a pair of skis in the garage- is it okay to use them?
My Answer: The key here is check the bindings- visit your local ski shop or most ski resorts have tune up shops in the rental areas as well. If you live in Calgary visit your local ski shop like the new Sporting Life store located in Southcentre mall to have a pro look at the bindings to make sure they still are in good shape and meet current binding standards.
FAQ: Do I really need to check the condition of the bases and edges of my skis?
My Answer: Now I don’t get my skis tuned all that regularly as I ski mostly in soft, powder snow. But if you are visiting ski resorts that have hard snow or icy conditions regularly then you should definitely get your skis tuned more often.
Have anymore questions? Feel free to ask me through my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook page!
Twitter, Instagram & Facebook – @PowderMatt
10 Images to Make You Lust for Powder Days Now
Ski towns are generally run on a couple of simple rules;
There are no friends on a powder day
and
The 20cm rule (cms may vary by town)
To put it another way, ski towns are run by snow. And lots of it. Those epic powder days that ski bums dream of. Those drool worthy runs where you feel as if you’re literally floating through the snow. Those moments longed for with snow hitting you all the way up to your face. YES! Your face. We don’t let opportunities like those pass us by in a ski town, hence why when Fernie Alpine Resort or Kicking Horse Mountain Resort receive 20cms or more of snow in a short period of time, it’s not uncommon to see ‘gone riding’ signs posted on closed shop doors and why there isn’t even time to give your friends a call before heading up to the resort – every man for themselves! After all, that’s why we choose to live here – why haven’t you?
Here are some of our best envy inducing recent powder moment. What are yours? Tell us about it in the comments.
Are you kidding me?
![fernie-r-siggers](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Fernie-R-Siggers.jpg)
Fernie Alpine Resort
Sigh…
![brad-lorriman3](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/brad.Lorriman3.jpg)
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
All the pow
![cascade-robin-siggers](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Cascade-Robin-Siggers.jpg)
Fernie Alpine Resort
I can’t even..
![blong-khmr](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/BLong-KHMR.jpg)
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
To die for
![fernie-r-siggers](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Fernie-R-Siggers.jpg)
Fernie Alpine Resort
This is too much
![abbydell-few-turns-in-crystal-bowl-with-photographer-abby-cooper-skier-emile-lavoie](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/abbydell©-Few-turns-in-Crystal-bowl-with-Photographer-Abby-Cooper.-Skier-Emile-Lavoie.jpg)
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
It’s not even fair
![brad-lorriman-khmr](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Brad-Lorriman-KHMR.jpg)
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Can I get a snorkel over here?
![snake-ridge-fernie-alpine-resort-jan-5th-2010-photo-credit-robin-siggers](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Snake-Ridge-Fernie-Alpine-Resort-Jan-5th-2010.-Photo-Credit-Robin-Siggers.jpg)
Fernie Alpine Resort
Want! Need!
![khmr-powder-matt](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/KHMR-Powder-Matt.jpg)
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
That’s it. I’m done.
![currie-powder-robin](https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Currie-Powder-Robin.jpg)
Fernie Alpine Resort
Wake me when it’s winter.
Photos by Brad Lorriman, Robin Siggers, Powder Matt and Abbydell Photography
- Published in Blog
RCR Rockies Cards on Sale
Unparalleled Savings! 1st, 4th & 7th ski day FREE & up to $40 (double discount period) savings every time you ski! Plus go Direct to Lift – just by linking your credit card.
- 3 FREE days The 3 Free Days can be redeemed at any RCR Western Resort.
- Cardholders receive their 1st, 4th and 7th ski days FREE and daily discounts every other day.
- Children 6-12 to get their very own RCR Kids’ Club Card FREE of charge. ($5 discount on full-day Child lift tickets at any RCR resort)
- Your Direct to Lift card can be linked to any major credit card at any of our resorts or at the Calgary office.
For more information visit the RCR Webstore. On sale until December 31, 2016.
- Published in Blog