The lift-accessed hiking at Fernie Alpine Resort offers a variety of gorgeous trails throughout our local mountain ranges, for various abilities with views that will make you want to whip out your camera at every corner. Hikes ranging from easy (great for the whole family including children) to advanced, for experienced hikers ready for an all-day adventure. All provide great opportunities to see a variety of native flora, wildlife and fossils.
Please Note: All children must be able to walk independently to ride the chairlift. Front child carriers are allowed; however, the child must be able to walk independently.
* Interested in a different hike? Have more than 6 people? Contact us with your ideal itinerary, and we will customize your guided hike!
Difficulty: Moderate – uneven & rugged terrain
Duration: Full Day (5 hours)
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Please book at least 48 hours in advance - limited availability.
Description:
This hike is an ascent of Lizard Bowl. The spectacular vistas of the Elk Valley will be unobscured, and the opportunities to view wildlife will increase as you get higher. On the trip, you will pass two or three areas with numerous alpine wildflowers, and the scree slopes will provide abundant habitat for seldom-seen Pikas and Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels. The fossils are everywhere in the limestone as this was at one time ancient shallow seabeds. The view from the top of the Facelift will fill you with a sense of the magnitude of the mountains. Bring food/snacks, water, camera and wear sturdy footwear.
OLD GROWTH MAGICAL FOREST
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: Half Day (3 hrs)
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Please book at least 48 hours in advance - limited availability.
Description:
This tour traverses the mountain to end up in an Old Growth Forest of Western Red Cedar. The terrain is all relatively downhill terrain and will pass some spectacular views.
MEGASAURUS / BIKE THIEF LOOP
Difficulty: Moderate – Advanced
Duration: Half Day (2.5 - 3 hours)
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Please book at least 48 hours in advance - limited availability.
Description:
From the top of the Elk Chair, the trail begins as an ascent up through the lower Lizard Bowl. The trail traverses the ‘three fingers’ (ski runs) that are visible from town before crossing through Currie Bowl and descending back down to the base area via the “Bike Thief” single-track trail. Bring your buckets to collect wild huckleberries and raspberries!
2025 SPECIALTY GUIDED HIKES
Specialty hikes are offered on certain Sundays throughout the summer.
Please check the date for each hike prior to booking.
Explore and discover more about the mountain and the secrets it has to offer and enjoy the beautiful scenery on one of these special hikes!
Our specialty hikes are fully guided by our experienced, professional staff.
Learn about fossils, wildflowers, birds & wildlife, berries & other delicious plants, and trees!
REGISTRATION
Half Day - $69 + GST per person (includes lift ticket)
Full Day - $199 + GST per person (includes lift ticket)
Mountain Wildflowers: More than just a Pretty Face! Difficulty: Moderate difficulty Duration: Half Day 4 Hours Price (includes guided hike & lift ticket): $69 + GST per person Dates: July 13 Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Open to guests 17 years of age and older
• Minimum of 2 guests needed to run the hike
Description: Take a stroll through our colourful sub-alpine meadows and discover why wildflowers are not only beautiful but also an interesting and important part of the natural landscape & ecosystem.
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2025
Fossils & Geology: A 380 Million Year Old History Lesson Difficulty: Moderate difficulty Duration: Half Day 4 Hours Price (includes guided hike & lift ticket): $69 + GST per person Date: July 20 Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Open to guests 17 years of age and older
• Minimum of 2 guests needed to run the hike
Description: Why are the rocks in the Lizard range upside down? And how does Polar Peak tell the story of a mass extinction event 360 million years ago? Find out the answers to these questions and more as we traverse ancient sea beds, uncovering the remnants of the sea creatures that lived in ancient times.
POLAR PEAK - 2025 DATES TBA
Difficulty: Difficult. Rocky terrain with significant elevation changes. Some scrambling is necessary.
Duration: Full Day - 5-6 hours
Price (includes guided hike & lift ticket): $199 + GST per person
Dates: TBA
Time: 9:45am - 4:00pm
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Open to guests 17 years of age and older
• Minimum of 4 guests needed to run the hike
Description:
At over 2100 meters, Polar Peak provides stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding area. This is your opportunity to experience this incredible hike with Duncan Maisels, an alpine-certified hiking guide (ACMG-certified).
Starting at the Timber Express chair (single ride lift ticket included), you climb up through Lost Boys Pass to the top of Elephant Head. From there, we will hike to Polar Peak along the Timber Bowl and Currie Bowl ridgeline. The trail offers spectacular views of Fernie, the Alberta border, and Lake Koocanusa. Please note that this hike is for adventurous and experienced hikers. The route has a short section with a feeling of exposure, a steep section with a wire cable to hold on to, and it is on uneven & rugged terrain. Hiking footwear is required.
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025
Birds & Wildlife: Creatures of the Forest Difficulty: Moderate difficulty Duration: Half Day 4 Hours Price (includes guided hike & lift ticket): $69+ GST per person Date: July 27 Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Open to guests 17 years of age and older
• Minimum of 6 guests needed to run the hike
Description: People aren't the only animals that call Fernie home. Some, such as deer, can be seen all over town, and some, such as the cougar, are elusive and rarely seen by people. Join our guide as they show you the vibrant array of creatures that can be found here, how to identify tracks and scat, and what to do if you run into a bear.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2025
The Secret History of Trees Difficulty: Moderate difficulty Duration: Half Day 4 Hours Price (includes guided hike & lift ticket): $69+ GST per person Date: August 3 Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Open to guests 17 years of age and older
• Minimum of 6 guests needed to run the hike
Description: TBA
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2025
Berries & Other Useful Plants: The All-Natural Foodie Tour! Difficulty: Moderate difficulty Duration: Half Day 4 Hours Price (includes guided hike & lift ticket): $69+ GST per person Dates: August 10 Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Other details:
• Hike must be pre-booked.
• Open to guests 17 years of age and older
• Minimum of 6 guests needed to run the hike
Description: On this hike, we show you how nature is not only tasty but useful as medicine, material and even for cleaning your dishes! Plus, explore the mystical, 800-year-old Old Growth Grove and discover how it gives away the secret of Fernie’s incredible amounts of powder snow in the winter.