Fernie Dunbar Summer Series Canada Cup / BC Cup Downhill Mountain Bike Race
Fernie Alpine Resort is proud to partner with SE Racing, Cycling Canada, and Cycling BC to host the Fernie Legendary Summer Canada Cup / BC Cup Downhill Race! Competitors can expect a newly designed fun, technical racecourse complete with the infamous “steeps”. This Canada Cup / BC Cup DH race is part of the Dunbar Summer Series.
NEW THIS YEAR – We are excited to work with KASA (Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association) to offer an adaptive bike category in this year’s race.
Online registration is now closed. Registration is available in-person – cash only – at the Daylodge in the Plaza on Friday between 5-7 pm, and Saturday, 9-1 am.
To keep informed on all the Dunbar Summer Series Races, visit their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/dunbarsummerseries.
Schedule:
A printable version of the schedule is available: Click here.
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.
Lift Tickets:
Competitor 2 Day (Saturday & Sunday) Race Lift Ticket for the event will be $61.95+gst (Ages 18+) and $45.95+gst (Ages 13-17).
Competitors will pay and pick up their lift tickets at race check-in.
Friday & Monday – Competitors receive a 20% discount on their lift ticket. To get the discount Friday, competitors must be pre-registered by Thursday. Competitors, please head into Guest Services and let them know you are with the race. They will confirm with our registration list, and you will receive the discount.
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 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, so competitors 15yrs and younger should receive 2 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 “Canadian Section” steeps. The course then connects with the fast and loamy “Bicycle Thief” trail through the woods. The trail then exits onto a wallride feature before a high-speed section to the Rockstar Tree Island and the final finish ramp.
Adaptive Riders will re-route from the start and race down the access road to connect with Bicycle Thief.
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.
Accommodation:
Hotels
All competitors receive a 20% discount on accommodation at Lizard Creek Lodge for the event weekend. To book a room, please call the hotel directly at 1-877-228-1948 and state the following booking code: “BC21”
Note: The discount is subject to room availability and is only valid for phone bookings direct with the hotel (discount not available for online bookings).
Lizard Creek Lodge
The 4.5 star “mountain chic” Lizard Creek Lodge is the perfect mountainside accommodation at Fernie Alpine Resort. Distinguished by its convenient location on Highline Drive, the hotel is located just steps from the Elk Chairlift. The outdoor pool and hot tubs overlook the mountains, and the main lodge is home to Cirque Restaurant. Each luxurious suite has differing configurations – studios, one, two, and three-bedroom suites, and all offer full kitchens – www.lizardcreek.com.
Competitors can also receive a 10% discount through RCR Central Reservations via the link below:
https://www.inntopia.travel/Ecomm/Package/Package/817293/en-US/?packageid=60005&promocode=dunbar-far
Basic Overnight Camping/Parking:
****PARKING LOT CAMPING IS NOW FULL*****************
COVID Safety
Please be aware of the current safety procedures at the resort. You can find out about them on our “Know Before You Go” section of our webpage: https://skifernie.com/covid-19/summer/.
For the safety of your fellow racers, resort guests and our staff, please do not visit and compete if any of the following apply:
- If you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing),
- Live in a household with someone with COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19 or who is self-isolating due to possible exposure to COVID-19.
- If you have travelled outside of Canada in the past 2 weeks or been in contact with anyone who has travelled outside of Canada in the past 2 weeks
For current data on British Columbia Covid Numbers, please visit the BCCDC – http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data.
For the BC Government links to COVID 19, visit – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/response.
Bare Are Map & Services
FOOD & BEVERAGE OPTIONS:
Little Griz Take Out Window in the Plaza
– Breakfast Sandwiches, Coffee, To Go Burgers, Poutine, Chips, Snacks, Ice Cream and Cold Non-Alcoholic Drinks.Legend’s Mountain Eatery Restaurant in the Plaza
– Lunch & Dinner options including burgers, salads, poutines and appetizers, kids menu and legendary drinks, with a creative and fun menu for the little rippers.
– View menu here – https://skifernie.com/discover-fernie/restaurants/legends/menu/Mountain Pantry Grocery & Liquor Store – Located at the Y-Intersection coming up to the resort.
-The place to go for basic grocery items, grab and go snacks and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beveragesLost Boys Cafe – Located at the top of the Timber Chair
– Serving hot dogs, sandiches, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks with the best view in Fernie!Food & Beverage Hours of Operation for Race Weekend:
FRIDAY
Little Griz Take Out Window – 9:30am – 4pm
Legends 11am – 5pm
Mountain Pantry 9am – 6pm
Lost Boys – ClosedSATURDAY
Little Griz 8:00am – 8pm
Legends 11am – 5pm
Mountain Pantry 9am – 6pm
Lost Boys – 11am -4pmSUNDAY
Little Griz 8:00am – 4pm
Legends 11am – 5pm
Mountain Pantry 9am – 6pm
Lost Boys – 11am -4pmOTHER BASE AREA SERVICES:
Guest Services (Lift tickets, rentals & Lessons) – 9:30am – 5:00pm Daily
Sports Alpine Retail Store – 9:30am – 5:30pm Daily
Rentals & Repairs – 9:30am – 5:30pm Friday Thorugh Sunday
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Calling all volunteers!
Volunteers are needed as course marshals for the event. Volunteers are needed both Saturday and Sunday. All volunteers get up close to the action, lunch, event swag and are entered into our Volunteer prize draws for awesome bike prizing from our sponsors. For more information or to sign up, please email [email protected].
DIY Arts and Craft Packs
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
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
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!
Griz Days at Fernie Alpine Resort
What does it take to crown an Extreme Griz? Come find out on March 4 when competitors flex their manly – or womanly – mountain muscle. This legendary event kicks off at 11 a.m. with a hearty pancake eating competition at Station Square in Fernie.
From 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Fernie Alpine Resort, competitors will prove their skills with entertaining mountain games at the base of the resort. While events like axe throwing will have competitors throwing a double sided axe at a wooden target, it’s about more than 
strength and skill. Extreme Griz King and Queen prospects will also be judged based on their ensemble, so the more mountain-esque their appearance, the better!
The Extreme Griz is crowned at Fernie’s Station Square at 4:30 p.m., and participants are invited to walk Fernie’s history 2nd Avenue amidst the Griz Days Parade celebrations at 5:30 p.m.
Everyone 19+ is invited to enter the Extreme Griz competition. The event is $10 to enter and sign up is required as spaces are limited. Contestants should be available on the evening of Friday, March 3, for an hour around 8:30 p.m. and need to be available on Saturday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To register for the Extreme Griz competition click here.
The final event of Griz Days is the Dummy Downhill where decorated “dummies” will dash downhill to delightful destruction on March 5th at Fernie Alpine Resort. A “dummy” for this event is a built structure on skis, it can be anything from a wooden rocket ship to the 45th President of the USA, the sky and your imagination are the limit. That said, we do have some rules to keep the competition fair, fun and safe so be sure to read the rules before you build!
The annual event is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society where participants build their very own “dummy” and send them sliding down the slope beside the Timber Chair and off of a large jump. The air time is almost as good as the carnage factor when these dummies land.
This is a highlight event of the year and is an ideal event for the whole family to participate in or watch. The area is easily accessible by foot and does not require a lift pass. The first “dummy” will be sent at 1 p.m. but be sure to come early to ensure a good viewing spot!
To register for the Dummy Downhill take the jump here.
Blog: Bryn Catton, Pictures: Jordan Johnson
Fernie’s Jeep Junior Freeski 2017 Results
The 2016/17 Jeep Junior Freeski at Fernie Alpine Resort came to an exciting close on Feb. 12 with each category carving creative lines down big bang. This year welcomed back the 7-11 category and we almost forgot how fast some of the young guns are!
Full list of results can be found here: IFSA results
The top three in each category are as follows:
7 – 11 Female
- Alanna Meadus from Kicking Horse with a final score of 59.3
- Anjah Morgan-Smith from Lake Louise
- Kiara Bertsch
7 – 11 Male
- Shaw Miles from Fernie with a final score of 61.03
- Patryk Bendkowski from Cranbrook
- Gabe Palermo from Kimberley
12 – 14 Female
- Claire McPherson from Fernie with a final score of 60.80
- Paige Engelman from Fernie
- Katie Hanik
12 – 14 Male
- Nate Hebert from Fernie with a final score of 64.47
- Dale Vasey from Fernie
- Joe Rood from Fernie
15 – 18 Female
- Micah Morris from Fernie with a final score of 63.97
- Jade Regejr from Lake Louise
- Saga Ahlstrand from Fernie
15 – 18 Male
- Ben Woodward from Whitewater with a final score of 65.83
- Liam Morgan from Fernie
- Jesse Thurston from Whitewater
