Fernie
Fernie is a powder skiing playground blessed with bucket-loads of light powder. The quirky town provides lots of evening entertainment and a taste of interior British Columbia
Over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain
Up to 11.2m of snow in a season
Suitable for all abilities
Big mountain skiing
Small vibrant town
Big Mountain Skiing
This resort is part of what is known as the ‘powder highway’, and is arguably one of the best resorts in North America for skiing powder. The resort’s five Alpine bowls, chutes and long tree runs guarantee some truly epic steep and deep skiing. This hidden gem in the Rockies is a favourite amongst those seeking to shred the fresh tracks! There is more expert terrain than the size of most ski areas, and the resort has 142 named runs (30% of which are geared towards advanced skiers). It is a great destination if you want somewhere that isn’t too busy – expect fewer skiers in the week and will be less busy than Banff.
Fernie is slightly off the beaten track for all the CMH lodges, but well worth a detour and pairs well with other resorts such as Red Mountain and White Water Resort.
Quirky Historic Mountain Town
It is a great town to stay in if you’re looking for fun, and where you can share your day on the mountain with other like-minded skiers, with lots of great places to eat and drink after a big day on the mountain. The main town is around an 8-minute drive from Fernie Alpine Resort, but there is a shuttle that runs to and from the town, which can pick you up from different areas within the town. There is also a range of accommodations available from hotels to condos and we love strolling down the high street, checking out the local independent shops and eateries.
WHERE TO STAY
The Historic 901
Based in the town of Fernie, this accommodation used to be an old school which has now been restored into luxury, large self-service apartments with a modern mountain feel. Amenities include gourmet kitchens and fireplaces and a hot tub in the common area. It is also only a short 10–minute drive to the ski hill and a quick walk to downtown Fernie.
Lizard Creek Lodge
If you want to be close to the action, this lodge has great ski-in/ski-out access to the Elk Quad chair and offers comfortable affordable accommodation with a fireplace, kitchenette and balcony in every room. There is also a heated outdoor pool and hot tub on-site, not to mention the best après in Fernie – the Ice Bar.
Best Western Mountain Lodge
If you prefer a hotel option, then you could stay at the Best Western Mountain Lodge which is situated in town. Hotel amenities include an indoor swimming pool, both indoor and outdoor hot tubs and a fitness centre. It is just a short bus ride away from the slopes.
ACTIVITIES
Private Ski Lessons
If you want to improve your skills prior to your heli-skiing trip, book a private ski or boarding lesson to get you ready for your trip. Reach out to the team for more details.
Free Mountain Tours
If you’re new to Fernie you can join the Winter Sport School Pros for a complimentary 2-hour orientation of the mountain. These operate daily at 11:00am from the base of Deer Chair.
Ski Touring
Backcountry skiing in B.C is famous, and Fernie couldn’t be a better spot to explore the mountains and work for those incredible powder turns. Reach out to the team for more details.
Cat Skiing
Want to get the most out of your skiing trip to Canada, and experience true backcountry skiing – then have a go at Cat Skiing. There are some great cat skiing operations locally to Fernie that we can help you explore.
spa
Founded in 1978, we are the largest heli ski specialists in the UK – every year we organise more heli skiing trips than anybody else in the UK put together.
bar
Founded in 1978, we are the largest heli ski specialists in the UK – every year we organise more heli skiing trips than anybody else in the UK put together.
cinema
Founded in 1978, we are the largest heli ski specialists in the UK – every year we organise more heli skiing trips than anybody else in the UK put together.
sledding
Founded in 1978, we are the largest heli ski specialists in the UK – every year we organise more heli skiing trips than anybody else in the UK put together.
How do I get there?
Fernie is just over a 3-hour drive from Calgary Airport, which has direct flights from London Heathrow with Air Canada and WestJet. The easiest way to get to the resort is by hire car or private transfer which the team can help organise for you. There are also regular shuttle buses which run daily from Calgary Airport at 13:00.