Where is Fernie Canada?
The town of Fernie is in the Elk Valley area of the East Kootenay region of the southeast corner of BC Canada, about 60km from the Alberta and US borders. Fernie is located on highway 3, a 3.5 hour drive southwest of Calgary International airport.
Fernie Ski Resort is about 5km (3 miles) south of town. The ski resort is located in the Lizard Range of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Fernie Canada is part of the
Powder Highway, although we like to call it the Powderhounds’ Highway!
Flights to Fernie
There are numerous gateway airports for Fernie Alpine Resort. The closest airport, Cranbrook (Canadian Rockies International airport – 1:15 hours away) has direct flights with Delta from Salt Lake City, as well as regional flights from Vancouver and Calgary. There are also a few direct flights a week from Edmonton Alberta.
Calgary International Airport is 3.5 hours away, whilst the Glacier International Airport in Kalispell Montana is only 2 hours away. Spokane Airport in Washington is another option (4 hours away), particularly if you’re visiting Red Mountain or any of the cat skiing near Nelson. Use one of our recommended
flight search engines to compare flights into any of these airports.
Obviously the cost of flights is a major factor in deciding which airport to fly into, but you should also consider the costs of car rental. Depending on the currency exchange, renting a car in the US is generally more expensive than in Canada.
Shuttles from Calgary Airport to Fernie Canada
Mountain High Shuttle offers a shuttle service between Calgary airport and Fernie, 5 days a week. Drop offs are made at various hotels and motels in the area. Alternatively this Fernie shuttle company also offers private transfers.
Transport from Cranbrook Airport to Fernie
Kootenay Taxi provides door to door transfers from Cranbrook Airport to Fernie.
Transport from the Kalispell Airport to Fernie
Your best bet is to drive, or if you’re coming to Fernie to go cat skiing with Island Lake, they can organise a van for you.
Driving to Fernie
If you are only visiting Fernie Alpine Resort and don’t plan to do too much exploring, you’ll manage without a car. However if you’re staying in town or want to travel around, having your own wheels will be advantageous.
Car rental is available at the Calgary, Cranbrook, Kalispell and Spokane airports. To find a good deal, use one of our recommended
car rental search engines that trawl various car rental companies to get the best price.
The drive from any of the airports is pretty easy on wide well maintained highways that have no major mountain passes. Note that there are many routes in BC where you’ll require a car with snow tires or chains.
Getting Between Downtown Fernie and the Resort
There are inexpensive shuttles that operate between Fernie Alpine Resort and the town. Stops include the Stanford Hotel, historic downtown (College of the Rockies), Park Place Lodge, Raging Elk Hostel, Park N Ride (hockey arena), Best Western Hotel on Highway 3, Red Tree Lodge, Canada’s Best Value Inn, and Fernie Fox Hotel.
Evening shuttles between Fernie Alpine Resort and downtown Fernie include these above-mentioned hotels as well as resort stops at Snow Creek Lodge, Lizard Creek Lodge, and the Mountain Pantry Grocery Store.
If you want door to door on-demand service, hail or call a Kootenay taxi (250-423-4408).
Lots of people hitchhike between town and the resort. An “official hitchhiking spot” has been designated just past the West Fernie Bridge heading towards the ski hill.
Getting Around Fernie Alpine Resort
The ski resort is compact so it’s very easy to get around on foot.
Car parking is located at the base of the resort (and at various accommodations) within easy walking distance of the slopes, and best of all it’s free.
Getting Around Fernie
The main part of town (ie Fernie historic downtown) is between the railway line and 4th Avenue, and between 3rd Street and 9th Street (2nd Avenue is the main street). This part of town is easily navigated on foot, and lots of tourist maps of the town are available at accommodations and other key spots around the resort and town.
Other Ski Resorts Nearby
Ski resorts nearby include:
Cat Skiing near Fernie
The Fernie area is blessed with a couple of cat ski operations.
Fernie Wilderness Adventures is based about 20 minutes from Fernie. FWA are the day cat skiing specialists.
Island Lake Lodge is located 15km from the town of Fernie. Island Lake Catskiing provide indulgent and luxurious multi-day cat ski packages that include accommodation at the Island Lake Lodge.
Not far away (136km to the southeast) is Castle Mountain and the adjacent
Powder Stagecoach cat skiing which is ideal for first time cat skiers and boarders.