All you must know about Fernie Alpine Ski Resort

MOUNTAIN STATS:

Vertical Rise: 1082 meters

Base Elevation: 1068 meters

Summit Elevation: 2149 meters

Lifts: 10

2 High-Speed Quads

2 Quads, 3 Triples

3 Surface Lifts

1 t-bar

1 platter/poma

1 magic carpet

Runs: 142 named runs, 5 alpine bowls, and tree skiing

Terrain: 1,013 hectares

30% Beginner

40% Intermediate

30% Advanced & Expert

Longest Run: 5kms (3 miles) Falling Star

Rail Park: Lower mountain under Deer Chair

Skier Cross Course: Lower mountain by rail park

WINTER SEASON STATS:

Season: December – April

Average Snowfall: up to 39 feet

Hours of Operation: Daily 9:00am – 4:00pm MST

Average Winter Temperature: -5 C / 23F

Fernie Alpine Resort that boasts with its high annual snowfall is a perfect destination for some winter sports and exploration. This ski resort is at Lizard Range, near the town of Fernie, British Columbia, in Canada. It is reportedly having the highest received snowfall among other resorts in the Canadian Rockies.  

The resort provides excellent skiing and snowboarding terrain and provides a mountain bike park, guided hikes, treetop aerial park, and zip line during the summer season.

With its big snowfalls and extensive terrain, from easy green runs to double blacks, the ski is just too fantastic not to be enjoyed with family and friends!

HOW TO GET TO FERNIE SKI RESORT

Fernie is situated on Highway 3 and travels east to west from Alberta. From Fernie’s town, the resort is just 5km away and with local ski shuttles that operate day and evening.

Driving by Car

Highway 3 is the easiest and safest among other highways to the Rocky Mountains. However, it always helps to check some updates about driving conditions, especially at the height of the winter season between November to March.

Driving times from the following points to Fernie:

  • Cranbrook, BC – 1 hour
  • Kimberley, BC – 1.3 hours
  • Whitefish/Kalispell, Montana – 2 hrs
  • Calgary, Alberta – 3 hrs

By air

Calgary, AB International Airport (YYC) at Calgary, Alberta, approximately 300km from Fernie (3.5-hour drive). There are daily flights from Calgary Airport to Fernie’s closest airport, Cranbrook Cranbrook, BC / Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC).

There are airport shuttles with scheduled departure throughout the winter. There are available car rental agencies and charter bus services.

Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, is an excellent option in the United States for US travelers. It is only a two-hour drive to Fernie. The drive is direct and easy because there is no need for mountain passes. Make sure you have your passport when crossing the USA / Canada Border at Roosville – open 24hrs a day, every day. There are cars for rent and shuttles services from the airport.

By bus/airport shuttle providers

There are available shuttles from YYC Calgary Airport (schedule), YXC Cranbrook Airport (seasonal) & year-round private charter service, including Mountain High Shuttle & Charters, The Fernie Shuttle, and Resort Tours.

WHAT THE RESORT OFFERS 

The resort has more than 2,500 acres of skiable terrains with a vertical drop of 1,082 meters, 142 name runs, 5 alpine bowls, and tree skiing. 10 total lifts are servicing at the different skiing areas in the resort.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Great outdoor adventures at Fernie Ski Resort include:

  • Ski and Snowboard Fernie Alpine Resort
  • Cross country ski groomed valley trails or explore trails maintained by Fernie Alpine Resort or Island Lake Lodge.
  • Snowshoe
  • Snowmobile
  • Ghostrider Hockey
  • Film screenings and festivals

OUTDOOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES

  • Guided Hiking – Old Growth Magical Forest, or Griz Face
  • Resort Hiking Trails – Cedar Trail, Boom Trail, Gorbie Loop, Summer Road, and Skeleton Flats
  • Mountain Biking- Biking trails include Honey Bee, Top Gun, Timber Chair
  • Resorts of the Canadian Rockies owns Fernie Alpine Resort and ski areas including Kimberley Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Resort, Nakiska, Mont Sainte-Anne, and Stoneham.

SHORT HISTORY

The resort was initially called “Fernie Snow Valley” but got its new name as Fernie Ski resort when sold in 1997 to RCR (Resort of the Canadian Rockies). However, RCR with Charlie Locke’s ownership and management experienced financial trouble, and after a period in bankruptcy protection, it was bailed out by Alberta billionaire N. Murray Edwards.

Fernie Alpine Resort was transformed into the fictional Kodiak Valley Ski Resort, ca. 1986, during spring 2009. This was for exterior location shots of the Hollywood film Hot Tub Time Machine released in March 2010.

Fernie, in summer, is a paradise for relaxation, exploration, and action. Visitors can enjoy the mountain view under the sunshine via a chairlift that allows people to have a quick, easy way to get up the mountain.