Fernie Alpine

Visitors will not find another winter resort with deeper snowfall averages in the Canadian Rockies than the Fernie Alpine ski area. The southeastern British Columbia venue is also known for the consistent powder that skiers and snowboarders love to eat up all day long.

Americans traveling here will use US Route 93 north of Eureka, Montana. Candian Highway 93 provides access to this part of the Lizard Range, with Highway 3 taking drivers to the venue's entrance. Cranbrook's Canadian Rockies International Airport is 1.25 hours away, with Calgary's International Airport 3.5 hours (Americans can fly into Kalispell, Montana, or Spokane, Washington if needed).

Big Dumps in the Lizard Range

The Lizard Range is part of the Canadian Rockies, and these mountains absorb a lot of moisture from the coast as air pushes east. For skiers and snowboarders, that means lots of dumps. The Fernie Alpine ski area is notorious for snow, with average annual snowfall amounts of 444 inches. Those snow levels have the winter venue opening in early December through sometime in April during most years. Mother Nature is generous, but the staff maintains state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment and grooming vehicles to provide the best possible conditions.

Nearly 20 lodging options on or near the Fernie Alpine Ski Resort give guests a wide range of amenities to fit their budgets and tastes. Eight establishments on the slopes provide apres-ski and keep the entire family satiated before, during, or after time on the slopes. A Sports Alpine Boutique offers souvenirs, clothing, or other essentials, and the Mountain Pantry lets visitors stock up on foods and adult beverages. Fernie Alpine provides gear through the Mountain Edge Rental Shop or tune-ups/repairs at the Mountain Edge Repair Center.

Guests wanting something to do in the evenings will find socializing at the Griz Bar a perfect way for everyone in the group to meet up, with several options also located in downtown Fernie. Childcare services allow parents time on the pow alone, with options for the little ones to participate in ski and ride programs. A spa in the Lizard Creek Lodge tops off a guest's alpine experience and allows skiers and riders to pamper themselves off their planks.

Carving the Deep Powder

The Fernie Alpine ski area not only receives lots of snow, but the snow dumped here has that powder consistency that everyone loves to plow through. A base elevation of 3.450 feet combines with a summit of 7,000 feet to create the 3,550-foot vertical that guests love to work down. Combined with the fresh powder, the vertical provides opportunities for skiers or riders to cut fresh tracks and freestyle the terrain.

The Fernie Alpine Ski Resort boasts more than 2,500 acres for ski bums to explore. There are 142 trails, five bowls, and tree skiing or riding available to guests. Unlike some resorts, the terrain at Fernie Alpine divides almost evenly with green/beginner and black diamond/advanced runs covering 30-percent of the mountain each, leaving 40-percent of the trails rating as blue/intermediate.

Ten lifts move guests at Fernie Alpine uphill with a maximum capacity of 14,916 skiers each hour.