2023 Canadian National Downhill Championships
Get ready for a gravity-filled, energetic weekend of downhill racing. Fernie Alpine Resort is proud to partner with SE Racing, Cycling Canada, and Cycling BC to welcome back the Fernie Dunbar Summer Series Canadian Nationals DH Championships. Fernie is the first of 4 stops on the Dunbar Summer Race series – the best downhill mountain bike series in Western Canada!
To keep informed on all the Dunbar Summer Series Races, visit their Facebook page here.
Watch the Course Preview video here!
Registration:
Registration for the event is now SOLD OUT.
Schedule:
PLEASE NOTE: Schedule is subject to change
Thursday, July 13th
Early Ticket Pickup
3:oopm – 7:00 pm: Guest Services is open for racers to pick up their lift tickets for Friday through Sunday.
Friday, July 14th
Timber Chair is open for racers, unofficial course inspection, and plate pickup.
8:30 am-8:00 pm: Ticket Windows open in the main plaza for racers to pick up their lift tickets for Friday through Sunday.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Timber Chair Open. DH Course will be marked and open to pre-registered racers. No course marshals. No public access to the Timber Chair (Elk chair is open from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm for friends/family of racers to access the Fernie Alpine Resort Bike Park).
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Course closed for UCI Inspection
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm: Lift Access for course walks. Waivers & lift tickets are required. *DO NOT COURSE WALK before 4:00 pm*
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Plate Pickup @ Griz Daylodge in the plaza
6:30 pm: Official Cycling Canada Riders & Team Managers Meeting @ Plaza
Saturday, July 15th
Official Practice, seeding runs for the elite categories and plate pickup.
8:30 am: Ticket Windows open for racer lift ticket pickup
9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Plate Pickup @ Griz Daylodge in the plaza. Jr Ex & Elite can plate pickup only.
9:30 am: Timber Chair Open for registered racers only
10:00 am – 12:40 pm: Open Practice (all categories)
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm: Volunteer Break & Plates 1-150 Queue for upload only
1:05 pm-2:00 pm: Plate 1-150 Practice Only
2:00 pm – 3:40 pm: Plates 200+ practice only
3:50 pm – 5:00 pm: Jr Ex & Elite Seeding Runs (course closed after last timed run). The last Upload is at 4:30 pm
7:30 pm: Racers Meeting @ Plaza. Seeding podium, swag toss, games and more!
Sunday, July 16th
Race Day!
8:00 am: Ticket Window open for racer lift ticket pickup
8:00 am – 9:00 am: Last Chance Plate Pickup
9:30 am: Timber Chair Open for registered racers only
10:00 am – 11:25 am: Plates 200+ Practice Only
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Plates 1-150 Practice Only
12:20 pm-12:45 pm: Volunteer Break
12:50 pm: Pre-Runners
1:15 pm: Race Start
4:30 pm: Last Upload (Re-Run Only)
**Awards and podiums to follow shortly after final racer.
NOTE: The Timber Chair is open to racers only. The Elk Chairlift is open all weekend from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm for lift-accessed biking, hiking and sightseeing for racers, family and friends.
Tech Guide
Please find a copy of the Tech Guide here: https://cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DH-MTB-Canadian-Championships-Tech-Guide-Final-V.2-.pdf
Accommodation:
Hotels
Several hotel options exist at the resort and in town for the event. Our central reservations team can help you find the best accommodation for your needs – packages are available. Call 1-800-258-7669 or visit https://skircr.com/vacations/summer-vacation-packages/
**Please book your accommodations early. Due to a large contractor staying in town for the summer, hotel availability is significantly less than in previous years.
Registered competitors get a discount on accommodation booked through Central Reservations – if racers did not receive their booking code, please email [email protected].
Camping
There are several options for camping for the event. Fernie has several campsites in town and close by. You can reserve spots in the following campgrounds for those looking for traditional campsites. Please book your camping early, as local campgrounds do sell out.
The Fernie RV Resort and Mt Fernie Provincial Park campgrounds are a short drive and located within 7km of the resort and venue.
Fernie RV Resort (full serviced sites and amenities including internet and laundry)
https://tourismfernie.com/accommodations/camping-rv/fernie-rv-resort
Mt Fernie Provincial Park (un-serviced sites but has washrooms, shower facilities and proper campsites with picnic tables and firepits)
https://tourismfernie.com/accommodations/camping-rv/mt-fernie-provincial-park
Camping is also just outside of town at both Mountain Shadows Camping in Sparwood (approx 25min drive to the resort) and Kikomun Provincial Park near Lake Koocanusa (approx 30min drive from the resort)
Mountain Shadows Campground (serviced sites)
https://www.mountainshadows.ca/
Kikomun Creek Provincial Park – 3 separate camping areas (mostly un-serviced sites with a limited number of sites with electrical hookups. Shower and washroom facilities available on site)
https://tourismfernie.com/accommodations/camping-rv/kikomun-creek
On-Site Camping
Basic parking lot camping will be available at the resort for the event. Campers must be self-contained as no services are available other than basic washrooms/porta-potties (no shower facilities, water, or power will be available). For those seeking more services, please see the campground options above.
Cost: $25+gst per night
Due to the availability of parking on-site, parking lot camping spaces are limited, and reservations are required.
Reservations will open on Monday, May 29th, at noon Mountain Time Zone (11 am Pacific Time Zone). Limited number available
**ONSITE CAMPING UPDATE – RESERVATIONS ARE NOW SOLD OUT***
Lift Tickets:
Racers will receive discounted lift tickets for July 14, 15 and 16. To receive the discount, racers must be pre-registered for the event and pay for and pick up their tickets in person during the times below.
Competitors can get their tickets for the weekend at the following locations. Racers can pick up tickets for all 3 days on Thursday afternoon and Friday.
NEW THIS YEAR – EARLY PICKUP Thursday, July 13th:
Lift Tickets will be available at Guest Services from 3 pm – 7 pm.
(beat the rush on Friday morning and pick up your tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday early)
REGULAR TICKET PICKUP: Friday, July 14th through Sunday, July 16th
Please go to the designated Lift Ticket Window outside Guest Services for the following times:
Friday, July 14th – 8:30 am- 8 pm
Saturday, July 15th – 8:30 am – 3 pm
Sunday, July 16th – 8 am – 10 am
All racers must complete an RCR Bike Park Waiver online before purchasing their ticket. Please do this online ahead of time via the following link – https://passes.skircr.com/waiverNSSummer/signupFull.aspx?w=bike
Once the waiver is complete, you will get a confirmation page with a unique ID code. Save a screenshot of the confirmation page or save the confirmation email to show the guest services/ticket window staff member that the waiver has been completed. Please have this ready ahead of time to speed up the ticket purchasing and pickup process.
*Racers 15yrs of age and younger must have their parent or legal guardian fill out the waiver for them. Please ensure the waiver is in the Racer’s Name (not the parental name).
Lift Ticket Prices, including discount:
Adults (18yrs+)
3 Day Ticket (valid July 14-16): $118.71+gst
2 Day Ticket (valid July 15&16): $65.95+gst
1 Day Ticket (valid July 16): $26.48+gst
Youth (13yrs-17yrs)
3 Day Ticket (valid July 14-16): $95.31+gst
2 Day Ticket (valid July 15&16): $52.95+gst
1 Day Ticket (valid July 16): $26.48+gst
Discounts are available for registered competitors only.
Family & support crew can purchase lift tickets at the same time (or online ahead of time). Details on lift ticket pricing for non-racers can be found here: https://skifernie.com/purchase/summer-lift-tickets/
Season Pass Holders
Summer Season Pass Holders who are registered racers for the event. Your Summer Bike Season Pass is valid for the weekend (you do not have to purchase a separate racer ticket). However, all season pass racers MUST have the following race identification on their bikes in order to be allowed on the Timber Chairlift (if you do not have the accreditation, you will not be allowed up).
For those riding on Friday, July 14th – please come into Guest Services to pick up an accreditation pass for the day (this is free). For those riding Saturday and Sunday – your bike plate will identify you as part of the event (so please pick up your plate before heading to the Timber Chair).
Course Map:
See the course maps below.
Marshal Locations:
Volunteers:
We’re super grateful to our volunteers who help with Marshalling the races. Thank you to everyone that reached out – we have all our volunteers for the weekend!
THANK YOU
Thank you to SE Racing and Dunbar Cycles for supporting this event.
‘We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia for funding through the BC Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Grant’.
Fernie Dunbar Summer Series Canada Cup/BC Cup Downhill Mountain Bike Race 2022
JULY 16 SEEDING RUN RESULTS – https://zone4.ca/race/2022-07-16/c46bb552/results/
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Get ready for a gravity-filled, energetic weekend of downhill racing. Fernie Alpine Resort is proud to partner with SE Racing, Cycling Canada, and Cycling BC to welcome back the Fernie Dunbar Summer Series Canada Cup / BC Cup Downhill Race. Fernie is the first of 3 stops on the Dunbar Summer Race series – the best downhill mountain bike series in Western Canada!
Races can expect a fun, technical course, and after being the debut location for the first-ever adaptive mountain bike category last summer, we are stoked to work with SE Racing and KASA (Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association) to offer an adaptive bike category once again for this year’s race.
To keep informed on all the Dunbar Summer Series Races, visit their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/dunbarsummerseries.
Registration:
Registration for the event is now open at ccnbikes.com – Click the button below to register:
Schedule:
Friday – Timber Chair is open for racers, unofficial course inspection, and plate pickup.
Saturday – Practice, seeding runs for the elite categories, and plate pickup.
Sunday – Race Day!
NOTE: The Timber Chair is open to racers only. The Elk Chairlift is open 10:30 am – 4:30 pm all weekend for lift-accessed biking, hiking and sightseeing for racers, family and friends.
For the Full Schedule: Click Here
Lift Tickets:
Competitor 2 Day (Saturday & Sunday) Race Lift Ticket for the event will be $63.95+gst (Ages 18+) and $51.95+gst (Ages 13-17).
Friday & Monday – Competitors receive a 20% discount on their lift ticket. To get the discount on Friday, competitors must be pre-registered by Thursday.
Competitors, please head to the designated race lift ticket window in the main plaza to pick up your lift tickets. Racers can pick up tickets for all 3 days on Friday if they wish.
Ticket Windows will be open at
Friday – 9:30am
Saturday – 8:30am
Sunday- 8:30am
All racers must complete a RCR Bike Ticket Waiver online before purchasing their ticket. This can be done online ahead of time via the following link – https://passes.skircr.com/waiverNSSummer/signupFull.aspx?w=bike
Save a screen shot of the bar code or keep the email confirmation on your phone to show the ticket window that the waiver has been completed.
NOTE: Season Pass Holders will have to pick up a lift ticket from the ticket window or Guest Services. Your pass will not scan at the Timber Chair. The lift ticket identifies you as part of the race and will get you on Timber. There is no charge for the lift ticket.
Waiver:
All competitors must fill out RCR Event Waiver(s) prior to the event. Any competitor 16 years of age and older (as of Day 1 of competition) must fill out an EVENT WAIVER. You can fill the Event Waiver out yourself. Any competitor 15 years of age and younger (as of Day 1 of the competition) must fill out both the EVENT WAIVER and PARENTAL CONSENT WAIVER. Your parent or legal guardian must complete these waivers. You will receive an email with a copy of the completed waiver to confirm you have finished the process (you will receive one email per waiver). Competitors 15yrs and younger will receive two emails – one email with a copy of the Event Waiver and one with the copy of the Parental Consent Waiver). Click on the online waiver button below to fill out the waiver.
Course:
The top half of the course starts with the infamous technical and loose “Canadian Section” steeps through the woods. The course then connects with the fast and loamy “Bicycle Thief” trail through the trees and then exits to a high-speed straights section before heading into the Rockstar Tree Island for a few final turns before the final finish ramp.
Adaptive Riders will re-route from the start and race down the access road to connect with Bicycle Thief and the bottom half of the course.
Racers can access the top of the course by riding down the access road from the top of the Timber Chair – follow the signs. Please note: Access road is gravel, and there are loose sections, so please ride with care when heading to the start area.
This course is open to racers only for the weekend. Public, friends and family can access trails off the Elk Chairlift all weekend.
Base Area Map:
Accommodation:
Hotels
There are several hotel options both at the resort and in town for the event. Our central reservations team can help you find the best accommodation for your needs – packages are available. Call 1-800-258-7669 or visit https://skircr.com/vacations/summer-vacation-packages/
**Please book your accommodations early. Due to a large contractor staying in town for the summer, hotel availability is significantly less than previous years.
Camping
There are several options for camping for the event. Fernie has a number of campsites in town and close by. You can reserve spots in the following campgrounds for those looking for traditional campsites. Please book your camping early as local campgrounds do sell out.
Both the Fernie RV Resort and Mt Fernie Provincial Park campgrounds are a short drive and located within 7km from the resort and venue.
Fernie RV Resort (full serviced sites and amenities including internet and laundry)
https://tourismfernie.com/accommodations/camping-rv/fernie-rv-resort
Mt Fernie Provincial Park (un-serviced sites but has washrooms, shower facilities and proper campsites with picnic tables and firepits)
https://tourismfernie.com/accommodations/camping-rv/mt-fernie-provincial-park
Camping is also just outside of town at both Mountain Shadows Camping in Sparwood (approx 25min drive to the resort) and Kikomun Provincial Park near Lake Koocanusa (approx 30min drive from the resort)
Mountain Shadows Campground (serviced sites)
https://www.mountainshadows.ca/
Kikomun Creek Provincial Park – 3 separate camping areas (mostly un-serviced sites with a limited number of sites with electrical hookups. Shower and washroom facilities available on site)
https://tourismfernie.com/accommodations/camping-rv/kikomun-creek
On-Site Camping
Basic parking lot camping will be available up at the resort for the event. Campers must be self-contained as there are no services available other than basic washrooms/porta-potties (no shower facilities, water, or power will be available). For those seeking more services please see the campground options above.
Due to the demand for camping, reservations are strongly recommended this year to guarantee a spot as limited space is available. The cost is $25/night. To reserve a spot please fill out the Canada/BC Cup Camping Request Form via the link below. Once the camping request forms are received, a Guest Services agent will call you to take payment and finalize your reservation.
Onsite Camping Request Form – ON SITE RESERVED CAMPING IS NOW FULL
We will have LIMITED overflow spots available on a first-come, first-filled basis starting Wednesday, July 13th. To check into the overflow spots you must call our daytime security between 12pm-12am when you arrive on site. Contact Number is on the sign as you enter Parking Lot #2. Our security staff will confirm if we have space and direct you where to go. Please have a backup plan if the overflow is full. Overflow spots cannot be reserved.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Calling all volunteers!
Volunteers are needed as course marshals for the event on both Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers can volunteer for one day or both days.
In return for helping out, all volunteers get up close to the action, get lunch on the day they volunteer, event swag and are entered into our Volunteer prize draws for awesome bike prizing from our sponsors. Plus all volunteers will get a summer lift ticket that they can use for themselves or a family member/friend anytime over the Summer 2022 season.
To sign up please fill out our volunteer form here – https://form.jotform.com/221744936560258
If you have any questions please email [email protected].
THANK YOU
Thank you to SE Racing and Dunbar Cycles for supporting the event once again this year.
‘We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia for funding through the BC Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Grant’
Get the Girls Out! International Women’s Day at Fernie Alpine Resort
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
Mountain Pop-up Tour with Shred Kelly 2022
Live music is back, and we are thrilled to have the Mountain Pop-up Tour coming to town on March 26.
Shred Kelly, Megan Nash Music, and Max Thomson will hit the stage between 2 pm and 5 pm.
This is a free, all-ages show. Proof of vaccination is required for ages 12+
Beer Garden, dancing and live music – let’s go!
Thanks to Corona for their support in bringing fun times to Fernie.
Huge shout out to The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR), On The Road Management and Productions, FestivalSeekers and PB Pro audio & lighting for getting live music back into our lives.
Megan Nash Music
DIY Arts and Craft Packs 2020
This year we are unable to host our usual holiday craft afternoons. So instead, we are giving out FREE arts and craft packages for guests to take and complete from the comfort of their own home!
Let your imagination run wild and get creative with our winter-themed craft packages. Pick up your package from your hotel reception or guest services. Limited to 1 package per child. Craft packs will be available from December 19 – January 2, 2020
Want to know what else is going on over the holidays? Click Here for the complete schedule!
Chinese Mountain Film Festival 2019
Come and check out this year’s Chinese Mountain Film Festival hosted by Diudiu Bus in Slopeside Cafe. We will be showing three short films (description and trailers below) and Slopeside Cafe will be open for apres snacks and beverages. Films starting at 5:00 pm
This is a FREE event, no tickets required.
FILMS ON SHOW:
Altay Wild Snow ( 28 minutes) by LiShuang and Rongqin Su (Asu) – Trailer
The little town of Hemu in Xinjiang is “the birthplace of the world’s ski history.” Four men on a journey to enjoy skiing in powder snow start off in Beijing and fly four hours before arriving in Urumqi. From there, they drive 1,000km north to reach Hemu. Top skier Maliqin is electrifying as he flies down Mt. Makit, and the traditional fur ski-making scene is awe-inspiring.
**2018 Banff Mountain Film Festival finalist**
**2018 Kendall Mountain Film Festival finalist**
Yat-Sen Peak ( 24 minutes) by Rongqin Su (Asu) – Trailer
At 6886 meters, Yan-sen Peak is the second-highest peak in the rugged and remote Minya Konka area. Remote and besieged by hurricane-force winds, the mountain had previously only been summited once, providing a unique challenge for a group carrying its noodles and skis on their backs until 2000m. After an entire week spent reaching the mountain’s main glacier, the group of Chinese mountain pioneers mounts the first summit attempt on skis.
**2019 Guangdong International Mountain Film Festival finalist**
Pilgrimage ( 8 minutes) by Rongqin Su (Asu)
A documentary on the Buddhist pilgrimage around Mount Kailash
**2015 winner of the Gold Rhino award for Best Outdoor Film in China**
Crafts day – Winter themed
Let your imagination run wild and get creative with our winter-themed craft session. A drop-in afternoon of arts and crafts, staff will be there to facilitate.
2:30-4:00 pm.
Located at Slopeside Cafe.
No cost or bookings required.
What to do & Where to Drink on your Powder Highway Summer Road Trip
Craft Breweries, quaint mountain towns, stunning rocky mountain views – those are the new experiences many people seek when planning at road trip. Road trips really are the best of all travelling worlds – without the major cost/headache of flying somewhere, staying semi close to your homebase while getting out and seeing the world at the same time. If you’re still looking to plan a fun, easy to manage getaway this summer or fall – here’s an itinerary all laid out for you. Less planning – more fun! It doesn’t get much better than that!
If you’re coming from Calgary in the south of the city or surrounding area, start at Fernie Alpine Resort – it’s an easy 2.5 hour drive when there’s no snow on the ground and it is home to perhaps the best known craft brewery scene of all our suggested locations. If you’re heading out from Calgary in the north or surrounding area, Kicking Horse might be the place for you to start your trip and do this whole circuit in reverse.
Fernie, B.C. – where the beer is local, but your server might be an import
Fernie is one of Canada’s great ski towns, not only has it been named ‘the coolest little town in North America’ by Rolling Stone Magazine, it’s also been named ‘the greatest Canadian outdoor town’ by Get Out There Magazine, in part because it truly is a year round outdoor destination with so much to do in the summer as well as the winter.
What to try – for a non boozy activity, try the Aerial Park at Fernie Alpine Resort. It’s a super fun afternoon where even adults find a challenge in the tree top obstacle course (perhaps do this one before the brewery tour, you might not want to have a hang over when 30 feet up in the trees)!
Where to drink – The Fernie Brewing Company is not just well known in Fernie, it’s well known in Calgary and branching out into many other major cities as well. But Fernie, of course, is the breweries home. The Fernie Brewing Co. building is located just as you drive into town (from the Sparwood/Calgary direction), they have a tasting room where you can try a flight of 4 beers for just $5 – which they donate to charity! Want to give back and drink at the same time? Fernie Brewing Co. is for you! Another fun initiative from the Fernie Brewing Co. is the Trail to Ale challenge, which is pretty much exactly what the name suggests, get more information on the Trail to Ale challenge on their website.
Photo | Fernie Brewing Company
Kimberley, B.C – a place to get away from traffic, full calendars and all things marked ‘urgent’
Kimberley is a town where you feel relaxed, like really relaxed. If you’re from the city when was the last time you can say you felt completely relaxed? 
Maybe it was on a nature walk, or in your backyard or maybe it’s only when you actually get out of the city. If you’re asking the questions where can I relax and forget about all my worries while on vacation – Kimberley is your answer.
What to try – swimming in gorgeous St. Mary’s lake, it’s super fun & super free! There’s not only swimming at St. Mary’s Lake you can also canoe, kayak, stand up paddle board, fish or just float! If you’re looking to rent some water sports equipment check out local company Kootenay Rafting for options. St Mary’s is home to some of the most gorgeous views in the region, Instagram worthy pictures for sure (and everyone needs to document their best vacations on Instagram). For even more options of what to try in Kimberley, check out my blog from last summer – ‘12 (plus) reasons to visit Kimberley this August’.
Where to drink – Overtime Beerworks in Kimberley may be the youngest of all the breweries on our list, starting in 2016 – don’t let that deter you though, their beers are brewed with the sophistication of a much older brewery and they’re quickly making a name for themselves further than just in Kimberley and are available in a variety of cities and towns in British Columbia and Alberta. All their beers are brewed in small batches, making each of them slightly different with the unique flare of each individual batch – try local favourites like the ‘Mountain Standard’ Golden Ale or the ‘Right About Now’ IPA.
Photo | Overtime Beerworks
Golden, B.C – the friendly mountain town
Golden is another one of those ultimate outdoor adventure towns on our list, with a TON to choose from in regards to outdoor activities. Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort are frequently named in magazines with annotations such as ‘extreme’, ‘challenging’ and ‘adventurous’ and while it is 
all of those things, it’s also a place to chill out and enjoy adventures everyone can try. For example…
What to try – the Via Ferrata at Kicking horse Mountain Resort is an amazing experience not to be missed while in Golden. While it admittingly does look pretty hardcore, it’s actually a mountain climbing trek even novices can accomplish and feel comfortable while doing so. Via Ferrata courses are a series of iron rungs and handles mounted across the mountain face that novices and expert climbers can do, all the while strapped into to a safety harness – an added bonus of the Kicking Horse course is the suspension bridge you need to cross to get to the Via Ferrata course, it’s an experience in itself! In fact, if the Via Ferrata is still a little too hardcore for you – the Suspension Bridge can be done on its own without having to continue onto the full course. The sense of wonder and accomplishment you’ll feel after achieving the Via Ferrata course or just crossing the Suspension Bridge is enough to make anyone want a beer!
Where to drink – The Whitetooth Brewing Company is the place to go in Golden, not only do they offer their own unique and delicious beers (that goes without saying), their outdoor patio is one of the best in Golden with an epic view of the surrounding mountains. There are quite a few beers to choose from that fall into three categories – ‘West Coast Inspired’, Belgian Inspired’ and ‘High Gravity’ – no matter what type of beer you enjoy you’re sure to find one that suits your taste buds here. The Brewery doesn’t have a huge capacity and is usually busy – they open at 2pm so make sure you go early and you might just get to sit here, I can’t think of very many better seats than that!
Photo | Whitetooth Brewing Company
- Published in Blog
Why My Preferred Ride in Fernie is a Bike Ride
I didn’t discover mountain biking until my mid-twenties. While Fernie’s epic trail network, both in town and at Fernie Alpine Resort had yet to be developed in my youth, mountain biking has become such an integral part of Fernie it’s difficult to remember it any other way.
After graduating, the lure to come home was strong. I spent every possible moment in Fernie and noticed a big change during the summer months. Bikes… they were everywhere. I decided to take a friend up on an offer to go for a ride. That friend was Emily Brydon, and she decided Verboten was great way to start (a Black Diamond at the top of Red Tree Road just off the ski hill.) A group of us rode from Timberline Village, and I was mesmerized as we crossed bowls I had only seen on skis. This feeling quickly shifted to fear and defeat as we made our way down the technical trail.
A few years later, I moved home and decided to park my car and buy a mountain bike. It was 2006, and while I still had a tremendous amount of fear, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. I fell in with a fantastic group of women who supported and pushed me and were integral to me falling in love with the sport. In August of that summer, I watched in awe as rider after rider crossed the finish line of the TransRockies and thought… I’m going to do this one day. And I did.
While I love the accomplishment of finishing a race, I get the same feeling nearly every day riding in Fernie. Trail development and enhancement has meant new entry level and flow trails are available, along with more challenging and technical rides and everything in between. I love this about mountain biking. It allows everyone to test themselves whatever age, level or style of rider, and in turn can expose them to a side of themselves they may have long forgotten or didn’t know existed. The same goes for Fernie – it never saw itself as a summer destination, but mountain biking has sure shown us something different.
I bike a lot, from the first trails to show themselves in the spring, to the last trails to be covered in the fall. Typically during the week I stick to trails in town for the ease of a quick early morning or evening ride just out the door. A favourite loop is Hyperventilation to Hyper Extension, and slipping into Ridgemont to finish on Oh Dear if there’s time. But on any given Sunday I can be found in Mount Fernie Provincial Park, heading to Fernie Alpine Resort via Old Goat and Mega Hurtz or the newly revitalized Ben Emmett. From there, I catch a lift and laugh and giggle all the way down beautifully manicured trails like Duff Dynasty, Top Gun and Eville. And on the way home, I always climb my way to Verboten for the final descent, and remember how times have changed. For the better.
Closing Weekend 2017 at Fernie Alpine Resort
The snow may be melting, but Fernie Alpine Resort is just starting to warm up for our closing weekend! April 15th and 16th will bring the 2016/2017 season to a close the only way the Resort knows how: with a party! Events and activities for everyone, with the Raging Elk Powder, Pedal, Paddle Relay race and the Coca-Cola Slope Soaker to the live music entertainment both days, Fernie has something for you.
Since 1984, The Raging Elk Powder, Pedal, Paddle Relay Race has been a wonderful way to end the winter and test your endurance on your own or with a team. A four and a half kilometre spring ski or snowboard kicks the event off and brings participants to the bike transition. 
Once on the bike, contestants ride the six kilometre route from the Resort into Fernie to paddle their way back to the toward the ski hill along the awesome – and ice cold – Elk River. Don’t worry, the fun is not over yet!
From the the river racers either hand off their “baton” or transition into the run. 
It may only be two kilometres, but it’s no slouch, after more than 16.5 kilometres runners will begin the ascent up ski hill road and to the finish at the base of the resort. Some awesome prizes await contestants; there not just for winners either! Contestants are encouraged to dress up, in the past the race has seen costume clad teams compete as the “minions” from Despicable Me, super heroes (superpowers may or may not be necessary) and even a BLT sandwich!
If you don’t feel like competing but want to be a part of the event, we always need volunteers to help with marshalling and transition stations, contact [email protected] for more volunteer information. On course cheering squads are also highly encouraged!
Saturday doesn’t end with the PPP! Day 1 of the 9th annual Fernival Festival in the Resort’s plaza kicks off with a live show from the high energy classic rockers the Backroad Traveler Band. 
This Calgary based band will be playing some beloved classic rock covers for the crowd. After a quick stage flip, DJ Skratch Bastid will be keeping the party going in the Plaza with his world renowned skills. The day will wrap up with an epic performance by Wide Mouth Mason who will play hits from their 20-year career. The Emily Brydon Youth Foundation will be on site to collect donations through various activities during the day.
In case you didn’t get enough live music on Saturday, for the first time in Fernival history a second day will be added to the lineup, bringing Fernie favourites BC/DC to the Plaza stage.
Sunday will also have the ski bum tradition – The Slope Soaker. Participate or come watch contestants do their best to make their way across a large pool at the base of the Mighty Moose Run. 
Costumes, and splashes are guaranteed for viewers and a portion of event proceeds go to Fernie Search and Rescue, who will be on site to pull waterlogged contestants from the icy cold pool.
Many of the closing weekend’s events have limited participation, so be sure to sign up with Fernie Alpine Resort’s Guest Services to reserve a spot for you and your team.
For more information on the closing weekend’s festivities check out Fernie Alpine Resort or https://www.facebook.com/FernieAlpineResort/
Words: Bryn Catton Photos: Jordan Johnson, Robin Siggers, Tourism Fernie
