Fernie

Powder capital of the Kootenays — legendary skiing and a mountain town with real soul.

Fernie is one of the most beloved mountain towns in Canada, a place where the skiing is legendary, the summers are spectacular, and the community has a genuine, unpretentious character that keeps people coming back year after year. Nestled in the Elk Valley between dramatic limestone peaks, Fernie Alpine Resort receives some of the deepest, driest powder snow in North America — a result of its unique geography that funnels Pacific moisture into the valley and drops it as snow. The resort offers over 2,500 acres of skiable terrain across five alpine bowls, with runs for every ability level and a mountain village that buzzes with energy throughout the ski season. But Fernie is far more than a ski town. The Elk River, which flows through the valley, is one of the finest fly-fishing rivers in BC, renowned for its wild cutthroat and bull trout. The surrounding mountains offer world-class mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing in summer. Fernie's downtown is a gem — a walkable heritage streetscape with excellent restaurants, craft breweries, independent shops, and a vibrant arts scene. The Fernie Museum tells the story of the coal mining heritage that built this town, and Fernie Brewing Company has become one of the most respected craft breweries in the Kootenays.