FERNIE
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
Fernie Alpine Resort, CANADA has an excellent snow record of deep dry powder, steep challenging terrain and a friendly small village.
Fernie Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The terrain at Fernie Alpine Resort consists of five linked bowls, fast chutes, moguls, natural gullies, treed terrain, long groomed trails and beginner areas. The lift system is well laid out and efficient.
Advanced Skiing and Snowboarding
The advanced should head to the long ridge running between the Currie and Lizard Bowl; it has some really steep chutes leading down into both open powder deep bowls.
After a snowfall the Steep and Deep run and K.C. Chutes in the Cedar Bowl are awesome, the powder is deep and the runs almost vertical!
For great tree skiing and snowboarding go to the Bootleg Glades area in the Currie Bowl and the Big Bang in the Siberia Bowl.
For a big mogul challenge hit the double black diamond Siberia Ridge run and Quite Right located on the left hand side of the White Pass Chairlift.
The Fernie Winter Sports School has ‘steep and deep camps’ which are two day ski and snowboard lessons on the steepest trails and deepest powder areas at Fernie.
Courtesy: Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.
Intermediate Skiing and Snowboarding
Intermediates can happily cover the entire resort on corduroy groomed trails, every lift at Fernie accesses an intermediate trail.
Falling Star is the longest trail at Fernie, it is 3 miles (5 kilometres) in length. It’s a great run that starts at the top of the White Pass Chairlift running along the ridge line of Timber and Siberia Bowls before following the resort boundary line all the way back down to the base area.
The Currie Bowl, accessed from the top of the White Pass Chairlift is a deep wide bowl with linked groomed intermediate trails scattered throughout it. The Gilmar trail, running centrally through the bowl is a good place to try some off piste skiing and snowboarding as it is not too steep.
Great Bear Express Chairlift leads up into the Lizard Bowl where there are more winding linking trails. The short Face Lift will enable you to access the Cruiser trail running the length of the Cedar Bowl before ending up at the Boomerang Chairlift.
Beginner Skiing and Snowboarding
Fernie's lower slopes on front of the village are perfect for beginners, while the higher the altitude the more challenging the terrain becomes.
First timers learn on the gentle wide terrain serviced by the Mighty Moose Chairlift before taking the Deer Chairlift to access more beginner ‘go slow’ wide groomed trails.
Once confidence grows catch the Elk Chairlift to access the Elk trail, it is long and wide.
The Great Bear Express Chairlift will transport you up to the Lizard Bowl where the long winding Lizard Traverse trail makes its way back down to the base area.
The Fernie Winter Sports School has half day and full day lessons for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Fernie Terrain Park
The Telus Terrain Park is located across the tops of the Timber and Siberia Bowls accessed via the Falling Star trail. It has jumps, rails, tables and kickers of varying sizes and ability level.
First Tracks Skiing and Snowboarding at Fernie
Fernie offers group first track skiing and snowboarding tours at 8am for groups no larger than five people. The cost is $169 per group.
Free Mountain Tours at Fernie
Fernie ski and snowboard hosts have free mountain tours departing from the base of the Deer Chairlift at 9.30am and 1pm every day throughout the winter season.
Other Activities at Fernie
Other activities at Fernie include horse drawn sleigh rides, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, scenic helicopter tours, snow shoeing, ice fishing and dog sled rides.
Shopping at Fernie
There are not a lot of shops in the Fernie Alpine Resort Village. The Sports Alpine Ski and Sports Boutique have all the latest ski and snowboard equipment, clothing and accessories.
The Slopeside Coffee and Deli shop has gourmet take way produce and meals and the Mountain Pantry and Liquor Store will cater for all your grocery and liquor items.
The main bulk of shops are in the town of Fernie with ski and snowboard shops, souvenir and gift shops, clothing boutiques and grocery markets.
Fernie Restaurants
Fernie has fine dining restaurants, Italian Restaurants, coffee shops, and family friendly bistros.
For fine dining gourmet cuisine and an extensive wine list go to the Lizard Creek Lodge.
Kelsey’s Bar and Grill is family friendly serving delicious steaks, seafood and pizzas in a lively atmosphere.
Gabriella’s Little Italy is always busy so make a reservation before you go; they serve hearty bowls of different varieties of home made pasta.
There is a free evening shuttle bus operating between Fernie Alpine Resort and the town of Fernie where there are more dining options in a wide variety of restaurants.
Rip’n Richard’s Eatery has a large menu featuring seafood, New York steaks and pastas. Mojo Risin’ serves steaks, burgers and wings in a fun filled atmosphere while Max Restaurant in the Park Place Lodge is more suited to those wanting a relaxed quiet evening with good food and service.
Fernie Nightlife
The main nightspot in Fernie is the Griz Bar, the outside deck is packed every afternoon for cocktail happy hour and after the sun sets live bands perform. The bar serves pub meals and tapas.
Every Sunday night throughout the season from 6pm to 7pm Fernie has a ‘welcome night’. The Slopeside Coffee shop has complementary drinks and snacks while informing new visitors about the activities and services Fernie has to offer them.
The town of Fernie also has a lively nightlife; the Brickhouse Bar, located downtown has live bands and DJs playing frequently as does the Royal Hotel. The Fernie Hotel Pub has pool tables, great music and a big dance floor.
New for 2007/2008 at Fernie
Currie Bowl and the lower areas of Lizard Bowl were blasted over the summer months to improve cat track access and further open the terrain for powder skiing and snowboarding.
Additional snowmaking equipment has been installed in Timber Bowl to ensure good coverage late into the winter season. Signage has also been increased throughout the entire resort to help skiers and snowboarders find the perfect powder run!
Cranbrook Airport, soon be renamed the Canadian Rockies International Airport, has had its runway extended and terminal expanded to accommodate larger domestic and international planes.
More About Fernie
Your Fernie Ski & Snowboard Resort Reviews
Justin Hussina , Canada , DEC 2007 I just wanted to say how much my friends and family loved our experience at Fernie. The snow was spectacular, the hill has something for everyone, the lineups were nil. It's no Whistler as per the size of mountain, but to be honest it puts Sunshine to shame. If you want big snow and the local feel then swing down to Fernie, BC. Next time around i'm definitely going to try the Cat Skiing and stay at the Timberline lodges as they have a great facility there, i think Juniper were the newest ones.
Sheri Clark , Canada , May 2006 What a marvelous resort. I have a young family who just have most wonderful time at Frenie. From the ski in ski out accommodation to the extremely professional ski school to the deep powder endless trails and choice of bowls for us parents to enjoy! I would recommend booking your vacation through the Fernie website, they always have very economical and practical deals.
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Statistics |
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Elevation |
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Average
Snowfall |
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348
inches |
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Lifts |
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10 |
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Trails
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Terrain
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Halfpipe |
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no |
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Terrain
Park |
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1 |
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Resort
Website |
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