I visited Fernie Alpine Resort as part of a ski-drive tour of the Powder Highway in Canada. Accommodation: Lizard Creek, in resort.
Fernie Alpine Resort receives an average of 9m of legendary powder snow each season and offers more than 2500 acres of skiable terrain. There is skiing for all from a superb beginner area to a wide range of Black Diamond and Double Diamond runs.
Fernie Stats, pros & cons
Fernie stats
- Top: 2134m
- Base: 1052m
- Drop: 1082m
- Area: 10.1km2
- Number of runs: 142
- Green: 30%
- Blue: 40%
- Black Diamond/ Double Diamond: 30%
- Longest run: 5km (Falling Star)
- 10 uplifts:
- Snow making: Yes
- Average annual snowfall: Up to 9m
Pros of Fernie
- Feels like Kicking Horse but more of a range for all skiers
- 70% for beginners and intermediates
- 30% for advanced skiers
- Good system of free guided skiing each morning and afternoon (look out for the ski hosts at the base areas)
- More snow than is ever forecast (holds storms longer)
- Fernie town has great cafes, ski shops etc..
- Huge alpine bowls and uncrowded trails
- Drink ice-cold vodka at the Ice Bar Experience
- Fernie base area offers a wide variety of food outlets
- More activities to try including snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and curling
- Guided “Uptracking Tours” (climb up a mountain on skis or a snowboard.
Cons of Fernie
- The lift system can feel a bit confusing
- The large snowfall can be a double-edged sword because there can be days of storms and cloud
- It’s a long drive to reach Fernie on the Powder Highway.
What we discovered at Fernie
- Fernie will always be in our memories because it is where we were wed on march 5, 2018.
For steeps and terrain, we felt it was second this only to Kicking Horse - Lots of chutes and steep faces to enjoy
- Larger beginner terrain than Kicking Horse
- Lots of tree runs for less favourable weather conditions
- Super snow record
- There is a lot of snowfall and this can cause poor vis at times
- Touring options to additional bowls either side of the resort
- Lifts did feel slightly frustrating at the base because they are spread out and you can do a bit of hiking depending on where you stay and want to go
- Join a ski host tour to find your bearings
- A great nearby town to visit
- Accommodation was nice with a stylish bar and restaurant, plus the ice bar
- Plenty to do and ski for three days or more.