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Fernie, British Columbia is a winter lover’s paradise, well-known for its epic dumps of fluffy powder. Individuals from world wide are drawn right here for its glorious downhill snowboarding and snowboarding however what many don’t notice is that this attractive mountain city, situated within the Elk Valley, can also be a unbelievable vacation spot for anybody who enjoys cross-country snowboarding or snowshoeing. 4 distinctive areas beckon each traditional and skate skiers and a minimal of three areas close to Fernie are perfect for many who love snowshoeing.
On this weblog, I’ve described the place to go cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing in Fernie, the prices if any concerned, and what the expertise is like. You’ll discover all trails are inside 10 minutes of downtown Fernie, so metropolis dwellers will discover entry is ridiculously simple. There are a number of locations to lease gear, so all you want to do is get right here. And that’s described too.
For extra inspiration, take a look at my Instagram reels – one on snowshoeing in Fernie and the opposite showcasing cross-country snowboarding in Fernie.
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What it is best to know earlier than you cross-country ski or snowshoe in Fernie
The mountains don’t endure fools. It’s as much as you to take private accountability and discover ways to be protected earlier than you head out on any cross-country snowboarding or snowshoeing journey in Fernie. Preparation is vital, particularly as climate modifications shortly within the mountains. What might begin off as a heat, sunny day might find yourself as a blizzard with restricted visibility and falling temperatures.
Be good and do the next:
- Inform somebody the place you’re going and your anticipated time again. That is vital for everybody, whether or not you’re going solo or with a gaggle.
- Verify the climate forecast earlier than you head out.
- Not one of the trails described take you into avalanche nation however when you get off path, you want to know what you’re doing. Take a look at the Avalanche Canada web site earlier than you go for his or her newest forecasts.
- Decide up a map of the winter trails on the Fernie Customer Centre. There may be additionally the choice to obtain the TrailForks App in your telephone. Seek for Fernie and your telephone will present your location.
- Comply with the rules for staying protected on outside adventures recommended by Journey Sensible.
The place to go cross-country snowboarding in Fernie
In the event you’re into cross-country snowboarding, you would possibly really feel a bit jealous of the native inhabitants. From wherever on the town, it’s not more than a 10-minute drive to entry a cross-country ski path. There are 4 distinctive areas for cross-country snowboarding – the Fernie Golf Membership, the Elk Valley Nordic Centre, the Montane Trails, and Fernie Alpine Resort. Throughout the 4 areas, there are greater than 45 km of groomed trails to discover.
Fernie Golf Course – Fernie Dyke Combo
Location: From the Crowsnest Go Freeway (Freeway 3), flip south on fifteenth Avenue. Flip left on sixth Avenue and proper on Fairway Drive. Comply with it for 750 metres to succeed in the parking space.
Value: Search for the kiosk close to the clubhouse. Deposit money within the locked field. Charges are $15 per particular person for a every day move or $25 for a household. You may as well ship an e-transfer to [email protected] In the event you’re planning to ski greater than a few times think about shopping for a seasons move on-line. It’s additionally good for the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. Parking is free.
Canine: They aren’t allowed on any of the golf course trails however they’re on the Fernie Dyke.
Expertise: Head to the Fernie Golf Course when you’re after a fast exercise otherwise you’re a newbie skier. Take a look on the path map beside the clubhouse after which take off and discover 8 km of groomed trails. None are troublesome as there’s virtually no elevation change. There’s a variety of selection on the path – together with stunning sections by the timber, some neighbourhood snowboarding, and a reasonably part close to the Elk River.
There may be additionally the choice to ski a bit of the 4-km lengthy, dog-friendly Fernie Dyke path. That’s what John and I did – and found a premier view alongside the Elk River. (See the highest photograph of me in purple.)
Cross-country snowboarding the Montane Trails in Fernie
Location: Take 4th Avenue to Pine Avenue and switch proper to go previous the Fernie Aquatic Centre. Flip left on Coal Creek Highway and drive by a neighbourhood. Proceed a brief distance previous the big barn (in your proper) and switch proper into a big car parking zone.
Value: Free however donations are welcomed by the Coal Creek Heritage Society. They supply grooming and upkeep.
Canine: Not permitted on the Nordic trails.
Expertise: The cross-country ski trails begin on the info sales space throughout the river from the car parking zone. There are roughly 10 km of trails which are groomed for Nordic snowboarding solely. They’re referred to as Montane Inexperienced. You are able to do a brief loop of about 5 km from the kiosk or an extended loop that features the Montane Hut, nevertheless it requires extra elevation achieve. On a transparent day, this can be a notably pretty vacation spot because the views are terrific up and down the Elk Valley. There are picnic tables, benches, and a fireplace pit to get pleasure from a break earlier than the enjoyable, quick descent.
Elk Valley Nordic Centre
Location: Comply with the Crowsnest Go Freeway to Mount Fernie Park Highway, signed for Island Lake Lodge. Head west for 750 m and switch left to succeed in the car parking zone. There are a few porta-pottys right here.
Value: It’s $15 money per particular person or $25 for a household. You’ll be able to put it within the lockbox on the trailhead or give it to a volunteer on the warming hut if it’s over a weekend. You may as well ship an e-transfer to [email protected] In the event you’re planning to ski greater than a few times think about shopping for a seasons move on-line. It’s additionally good for the Fernie Golf Membership. Parking is free.
Canine: Not permitted.
Expertise: Take pleasure in 10 km of professionally designed and groomed trails that weave by the forest, providing views of the Lizard Vary. There are many loops to ski, together with the skilled Lizard Creek – Galloway Loop that takes you to Fernie Alpine Resort. It’s a enjoyable one for the superior skier as there are some lengthy rolling downhills – and a few steep sections that may check your conditioning.
When you want to heat up, cease by the wood-heated warming on the trailhead. On weekends and over holidays, ambassadors are round to reply questions and even promote you a hat when you’ve forgotten one. There are path maps inside so you possibly can plan your route. It’s an awesome place to eat lunch and meet folks.
Cross-country snowboarding at Fernie Alpine Resort
Location: The ski resort is about 7 km from downtown Fernie. To get there take the Crowsnest Go Freeway west to succeed in Fernie Ski Hill Highway. There’s good signage so the turnoff is simple to seek out. Keep on it till you attain Parking Lot 4, mainly on the finish of the street.
Value: Free
Canine: Permitted on a leash.
Expertise: From Parking Lot 4 on the southwest aspect of Fernie Alpine Resort, there are a number of loops to cross-country ski together with the 3-km Double Creek Loop proper out of the car parking zone, the three.8-km Silk Path – Manchuria loop and the hillier, 4.5-km lengthy Scandia Loop. All trails are groomed and track-set for each skate and traditional snowboarding however they have to be shared with winter walkers, fats tire bikers, and snowshoers. The paths are open to the general public from December by April, situations allowing.
On Sundays you possibly can join a guided 2-hour cross-country ski by an attractive forest crammed with magnificent timber. Contact Fernie Alpine Resort for extra info.
The place to go snowshoeing in Fernie
There are three important areas for snowshoeing in Fernie – the Montane trails, the paths in Mount Fernie Provincial Park, and the multi-use trails at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Montane Trails
Location: From downtown Fernie take 4th Avenue to Pine Avenue and switch proper to go previous the Fernie Aquatic Centre. (You could have to attend for a practice to get throughout the tracks.) Flip left on Coal Creek Highway and drive by a neighbourhood. Proceed a brief distance previous the big barn (in your proper) and switch proper into a big car parking zone.
Value: Free however donations are welcomed by the Coal Creek Heritage Society. They supply grooming and upkeep.
Canine: Permitted
Expertise: The snowshoeing expertise on the Montane trails is first-rate. I extremely advocate the 11-km Montane Blue loop. It takes you as much as Montane Hut the place you possibly can heat up on chilly days or sit exterior and revel in grand views of the Elk Valley on heat days. On the return you move near houses within the Montane neighbourhood when you stick with the Montane Blue Path.
However there are different choices when you favor to not see indicators of civilization. These with vitality to burn can proceed from the hut up Roots and Hyperventilation to the Hyperventilation Viewpoint. Ideally you need a clear day so you possibly can benefit from the view.
You may as well descend on Montane Blue to Uprooted and proceed to the trailhead. The underside line is there are quite a few choices – and greater than I’ve described right here – when you wish to discover. Remember to have a path map with you or take an image of the one on the kiosk. There may be a number of signage, however I nonetheless discovered a few of it complicated.
Mt. Fernie Provincial Park
Location: Comply with the Crowsnest Go Freeway (#3) to Mount Fernie Park Highway, signed for Island Lake Lodge. Head west for 1.1 km and switch proper into the Mount Fernie Provincial Campground. That is the trailhead for Dem Bones, Range Path, Hedonism, Brokeback and the Lazy Lizard Connector.
There may be additionally an choice to drive one other 800 m to park by the Gorby Bridge. From right here you possibly can entry a community of trails in Mount Fernie Provincial Park.
Value: Free
Canine: Permitted on leash.
Expertise: On a mid-December journey to Fernie, I had the immense pleasure of snowshoeing up Range Path and down Hedonism, a loop of about 5 km, ranging from the car parking zone on the Mount Fernie Provincial Campground. The snow was phenomenal – dry, fluffy, and plentiful. Though we didn’t get any views, the forest itself is a magnificence with some really gorgeous old-growth timber in a mature forest.
There are a number of extra loops you are able to do from the campground together with the 4.5 km Range Path – Dem Bones loop and the 5.5 km Hedonism and Brokeback Loop. As soon as the snow is packed down, pay attention to fats bikers as that is their playground too.
There are extra trails accessed on the Gorby Bridge trailhead, simply 800 metres down the street from the campground. One I notably like due to the huge timber is the out and again on the Sherwoody and Woody trails mixture.
Fernie Alpine Resort
Location: The ski resort is about 7 km from downtown Fernie. To get there take the Crowsnest Go Freeway west to succeed in Fernie Ski Hill Highway. There’s good signage so the turnoff is simple to seek out. Keep on it till you attain Parking Lot 4, mainly on the finish of the street.
Value: Free
Canine: Allowed on a leash.
Expertise: We didn’t have a lot time to snowshoe at Fernie Alpine Resort however what little I noticed was stunning, particularly the forest of mature cedar timber. Anticipate some elevation achieve, even on the Double Creek Loop closest to the car parking zone. You’ll be able to proceed for one more 8.3 km when you’re up for together with all of the loops.
There may be an choice to join a 2-hour, 3-hour, 4-hour, or night guided snowshoe tour. Tools leases are supplied. Relying on the tour you’re taking, you possibly can get pleasure from a mixture of groomed and single-track trails, some with very good views of the Lizard Vary.
The place to lease snowshoes and cross-country skis in Fernie
It’s simple to lease any sports activities gear you want – whether or not it’s cross-country skis, boots, poles or snowshoes from Gear Hub, situated at 1441 seventh Avenue.
In the event you head to Fernie Alpine Resort, you’ll discover the Rental Store within the base space plaza. You’ll be able to lease each skate and traditional skis in addition to snowshoes.
When is the most effective time in winter to go to Fernie?
Fernie Alpine Resort is open from December till mid-April, so that ought to offer you a good suggestion of when to go to Fernie. The quantity of snow Fernie receives varies from yr to yr, however it’s identified for its epic dumps. I visited the week earlier than Christmas 2022 and the snow ranges had been already at mid-January ranges so be ready for yearly variations.
If you’d like constantly nice snow for cross-county snowboarding and snowshoeing my advice can be to go to from mid-December to late March.
Methods to get to Fernie
In the event you don’t have a automobile, you possibly can both lease one (you should definitely ask for snow tires) but when wintry driving isn’t your factor, then e-book one of many shuttles providers listed beneath.
From Calgary depend on a 3 – 3.5-hour drive relying on climate situations. If it’s not windy I like to recommend taking Freeway 22, the Cowboy Freeway not less than in a single path. In the event you’re coming from Cranbrook enable an hour. In the event you’re beginning in Kimberley plan on a 90-minute drive.
Kalispell, Montana – which has an airport – is a couple of 2 hour and 10 minute drive away. Anybody coming into Canada will want a passport.
For these of you flying into Calgary, there’s the choice of the Airport Shuttle Specific to Fernie. It’s an awesome selection when you’re touring with a gaggle.
One other good one for a gaggle is the door to door service supplied by AMPM Limo. The driving force will meet you within the airport terminal.
Tunnel 49 affords every day, scheduled service between the Calgary Airport & Fernie along with airport transfers from three different cities – Kalispell, Montana, Cranbrook, BC, and Pincher Creek, Alberta.
Resort Excursions affords a shuttle from Cranbrook to Fernie.
Location map of snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails in Fernie
You may as well obtain the 2022- 2023 Fernie winter path map.
- Click on on the three dots within the high proper hand nook to e-mail a duplicate of the map to your self or a good friend.
The place to remain in Fernie
On the Crowsnest Go Freeway there’s a number of selection together with Park Place Lodge – a sensible choice for households as a result of it’s acquired a big indoor pool.
Wish to attempt to the tiny dwelling expertise on the town? Take a look at the lovable lodging supplied by Snow Valley Lodging.
If you wish to keep up on the ski resort, maybe as a result of a few of your get together plan to ski or snowboard, take a look at the Griz Inn, a sensible choice if you would like ski in – ski out lodging. Lizard Creek Lodge is barely nicer with an enormous fire within the eating room space.
Eating places to attempt in Fernie
Love Mexican meals? How about tequila and mezcal? In the event you do, take a look at my high restaurant choose – Nevados on Major Avenue. The restaurant has an lively vibe and intensely flavourful tacos.
Chilango, open since Could 2022, is one other selection for genuine Mexican delicacies. The restaurant is situated on the Crowsnest Freeway on the nook of thirteenth Avenue. Remember to order the scrumptious guacamole, and maybe share a plate of tacos or enchiladas along with your accomplice.
Want an Italian repair and even fondue on sure nights of the week? Head to The Loaf on Major Avenue for giant plates of selfmade pasta together with a number of pizza choices.
I by no means made it to Bramasole Restaurant & Wine Bar however when you want a glass of wine and a charcuterie plate earlier than a bigger meal, this is able to be an awesome selection. Head to Himalayan Spice Bistro when you’re after well-priced south Asian flavoured meals.
I really like Massive Bang Bagels and at all times take a bag of bagels again to Calgary with me. In the event you love nice espresso, take a look at two on Major Avenue – Rooftop Roasters and Freshies – one of many few locations that’s open by 7:30 AM. They each provide scrumptious made on the premises pastries too.
Extra issues to do in Fernie, BC in winter
Over many visits to Fernie in winter, I’ve acquired some nice concepts on extra issues to do within the space.
Wish to spend time within the Golden – Invermere – Kimberley hall?
***A giant thanks to Tourism Fernie for internet hosting my keep. As at all times, ideas and opinions are mine alone.***
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