The Skiers' Guide to Fernie Alpine

Fernie Alpine Resort, located in the heart of British Columbia's Rockies, is renowned for its legendary powder and expansive terrain. Situated just 5 minutes from the authentic mining town of Fernie, this ski resort offers visitors a rare blend of world-class skiing with small-town Canadian charm.

The resort spans across five alpine bowls on Lizard Mountain, providing skiers and snowboarders with 142 marked runs between the elevations of 1051.86m and 2133.9m. With 7 chairlifts and 3 drag lifts serving this expansive terrain, there's plenty of mountain to explore without the crowds you might find at more commercial resorts.

Our Snomad community rates Fernie exceptionally highly, giving it 4.43/5 for overall experience. The resort particularly excels in powder zones (4.68/5), off-piste terrain (4.64/5), and tree runs (4.54/5), making it a paradise for powder hounds and adventurous skiers.

Fernie's terrain is a playground that truly comes alive when the snow falls. The five bowls offer distinctly different skiing experiences, with multiple options for intermediates (4.57/5), advanced skiers (4.44/5), and experts (4.36/5).

One Snomad community member liked that "there's something for everyone at Fernie. What I like best is that skier/boarders of all levels can enjoy the hill together as the terrain is varied across all 5 bowls." While the resort does cater to all abilities, it particularly shines for those seeking more challenging terrain.

Zach, an expert skier, explains: "Fernie is a hill for people who want to ride complex terrain and deep pow. There is terrain for all abilities to challenge themselves, and excellent slack-country access."

The off-piste and tree skiing options are truly exceptional, earning 4.54/5 for tree runs. A user who is an advanced snowboarder said: "So much snow this place is steep and deep with amazing open tree runs. One of British Columbia's quieter resorts, but still next level."

The resort's mogul fields (3.59/5) and terrain parks (2.81/5) are less impressive, with many users noting the limited park features. As Adam, an expert skier, puts it: "You don't go to Fernie Alpine to show off your fit or your G turns. You go for that legendary powder."

Fernie scores 3.94/5 for eating out, with options both on the mountain and in town. On-mountain dining is described by users as somewhat limited and pricey, though the quality is generally good.

"On hill dining is limited but Cirque at Lizard Creek Lodge is on point," notes Rick, an expert skier. Several users mention that venturing into the town of Fernie offers a better selection of restaurants and cafes.

Jenna, an advanced skier, shares: "The town is picturesque with some great coffee shops and places to eat." This sentiment is echoed by many, with Cathleen adding that "the town of Fernie offers so much and it's great to stroll up and down the main drag."

The contrast between on-mountain dining and town options is something to consider when planning meals during your ski holiday. While you might find basics and a few gems at the resort itself, the five-minute drive to town opens up a much broader culinary experience.

The après-ski scene in Fernie scores 4.00/5 in our ratings, reflecting its laid-back Canadian vibe rather than the raucous party atmosphere found in some European resorts.

Hannah, an intermediate snowboarder, notes: "Always great snow and powder! Getting more and more busy over the years, but what resort isn't? The vibe is great overall, including nightlife and après!"

The town of Fernie itself offers more vibrant nightlife options than the mountain base. Liam, an expert snowboarder, enthuses: "The town of Fernie is electric for a night out. Sick ski hill too."

For those looking for a more relaxed end to their ski day, the resort area provides comfortable options. As Rob, an advanced skier, points out: "The après ski was great. The town is 5 mins from resort."

Our reviewers mention that the authentic, friendly atmosphere extends to the après scene, making it welcoming for all types of visitors, from families to hardcore ski bums.

Fernie earns an impressive 4.41/5 for family friendliness, with many aspects of the resort catering well to family groups.

William, an advanced skier, praises the resort as "Family friendly, great village and super services. The snow is usually pretty amazing and the temperatures are very good." The ski school quality (4.21/5) is also highly rated, giving parents confidence that their children will be in good hands.

Taryn, an advanced skier from Canada, shares a detailed perspective: "The ski school is fantastic for young kids, teaching them the foundational skills necessary. The lessons for both older kids and adults is fantastic, super friendly and knowledgeable instructors that help to improve your abilities."

Some users note that parts of the mountain can be challenging for absolute beginners. As Vicky, an advanced skier, warns: "Great off-piste. Tricky for beginners and some big cat tracks for the snowboarders to watch out for." However, there are dedicated learning areas and plenty of intermediate terrain for progressing families.

The quiet slopes (4.23/5) are a significant benefit for families, with Sean noting that his "Family loved the quiet powder runs."

Accommodation in Fernie receives 4.13/5 in our ratings, with options both at the resort base and in the town itself.

Ski-in/ski-out accommodation is available at the mountain base, which many users appreciate. Taryn mentions: "There are plenty of ski in/out accommodations that my family normally stays in, and they've all been pretty good but our favourite is Lizard Creek Lodge."

Staying in town is also a popular option, with the short five-minute drive to the slopes not presenting much of an inconvenience. Jenna notes: "I've always stayed in town and the drive to the hill is manageable and parking hasn't been an issue when I've gone."

The range of accommodation types suits different budgets and preferences. Some of the user reviews reference the excellent value found in town compared to slope-side options. Ian, an intermediate snowboarder, explains: "It has the most varied terrain and spectacular scenery of any of the Canadian resorts and a wholly authentic town which is very different from a purpose made ski resort."

The majority of users think that whether you choose to stay on the mountain for convenience or in town for variety, both options provide a good base for exploring everything Fernie has to offer.

Fernie Alpine Resort operates under Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), which has implemented various sustainability initiatives across its properties. The resort has focused on reducing energy consumption through more efficient snowmaking equipment and lighting upgrades.

Wildlife conservation is a priority, with dedicated habitat protection zones and educational programs about local ecosystems. The resort has also implemented waste reduction strategies, including recycling programs and efforts to minimize single-use plastics.

Public transport options between the town and resort help reduce the carbon footprint of visitors, while the compact nature of the resort minimizes the environmental impact of infrastructure development.

While Fernie may not be at the forefront of environmental innovation in the ski industry, its efforts reflect a growing commitment to balancing outdoor recreation with environmental responsibility in the beautiful Canadian Rockies.