Fernie Alpine Resort

Five big bowls above a real Rockies mountain town.

Fernie spreads across five big alpine bowls with plenty of glades and chutes, and storms average about 29 feet of snow a year. Below it, the old coal-mining town of Fernie has good pubs, breweries and a lively après scene. It suits confident intermediates and experts, plus families staying slopeside.

The mountain

Vertical drop

3,550 ft

Summit

7,000 ft

Skiable terrain

2,500 acres

Trails

145

Lifts

10

Average snowfall

354″ a year

Longest run

3.1 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 13%
• Intermediate 30%
• Advanced 57%

What’s here besides skiing

• Cat skiing
• Cross-country
• Snowshoeing
• Fat biking
• Spa
• Nightlife
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 23–24 (annual)Usually

  Ski & Photos with Santa

  Santa and an elf cruise the groomers and stop for photos. Holiday outfits encouraged.

• New Year’sDec 31, 7–9 pm (annual)Usually

  NYE Fireworks & Family Activities

  Free crafts, games and live music in the day lodge, then fireworks over the Mighty Moose run. Best viewing is at the bottom of the run.

• Opening dayEarly December (projected Dec 5)Usually

  Opening Day

  First chairs of the season.

• MusicClosing weekend (annual)Usually

  Fernival

  Two-day closing-weekend party and concert at the base.

Where to stay

• ski-in/ski-outLizard Creek Lodge

  Upscale lodge on the slopes with an outdoor pool and hot tubs, Cirque restaurant and the Névé Spa.

  Slopeside
• slopesideFernie Slopeside Lodge

  Affordable rooms at the base, steps from the lift.

  Slopeside
• lodgeIsland Lake Lodge

  Remote cat-skiing lodge in its own valley outside town, booked as multi-day packages.

  15 min drive
• hotelPark Place Lodge

  Locally owned hotel in town with friendly service, studio suites and its own restaurant.

  10 min drive
• hostelRaging Elk Adventure Lodging

  Downtown budget lodging with shared rooms, private and family rooms, and new pod beds.

  10 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Island Lake Lodge cat-skiing · 15 min drive

  More than 7,000 acres of private bowls, valleys and old-growth glades. Day trips and multi-day stays.

• Elk Valley Nordic Centre · 10 min drive

  Groomed classic and skate trails at Mt. Fernie Provincial Park, run by the local Nordic society.

• Névé Spa · Slopeside

  Slopeside spa at Lizard Creek Lodge.

• Fernie Brewing Co. · 10 min drive

  Tasting room and store pouring up to 12 of its own beers, from core styles to limited releases.

• Fernie Museum · 10 min drive

  Local history and an art gallery downtown.

Après and nightlife

• Griz Bar

  The on-hill classic: pub food, the Kokanee deck, live music weekend afternoons 3–6 pm and Saturday nights.

• The Northern Bar & Stage

  Downtown bar and live-music venue, the late-night stop in town.

• Fernie Brewing Co.

  Sample local beer in the tasting room on the way back into town.

Getting there

• Canadian Rockies International (Cranbrook) (YXC) · about 1 hr 15 min drive
• Calgary · about 3.5 hr
• Spokane · about 4.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps