 Fernie, a city of 5000, is located in the
Elk Valley in the southeast corner of British Columbia in the Canadian
Rocky Mountains. The local region is the East Kootenays. Fernie is on
Highway #3 (Crowsnest Pass Highway) 97 km (60 mi.) east of Cranbrook,
50 km west of the Alberta/BC border . It is about 160 kilometers (100
miles) south of Banff, Alberta and about 300 road kilometers (180 miles)
from Calgary Alberta. Scheduled
bus routes access the town. Latitude & Longitude for GPS: 49° 53'
00" N
- 119° 29' 00" W
Fernie offers a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment venues and
year round accommodations. The Elk Valley offers a choice of bed
and breakfasts, vacation rental condos and chalets, hotels and motels,
mountain lodges, and RV parks and camping facilities. Bikes, boats, skis,
and boards are all available for rent.
The easiest way for most Americans to reach the area is to fly in to Glacier
Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell Montana. Kalispell
is a 2.5 hour drive on Highway 93 north to Fernie.
Air Canada Jazz and Pacific Coastal Airlines fly into the Cranbrook
airport (YXC), 97 km west of Fernie from Calgary Alberta and Vancouver,
BC. Connections from world wide destinations can be made through either
city.
In winter, Fernie Alpine Resort draws skiers and boarders for some of
the most lustrous powder snow in North America, averaging 8.8 m (29 ft)
a year.
During the last weekend of February, join Fernie as the town gets together
to celebrate Griz Days. Enjoy a pancake breakfast, sign up a team for
the Original Canadian Street Hockey Tournament, and then head up to the
Fernie Alpine resort to watch the torchlight parade and firework show.
In summer, mountain bikers abound as well as golfers, anglers,
hikers and rafters.
The East Kootenays - one of British Columbia's best kept secrets - are
often described as Shangri-la and one of the most fantastic areas on earth. The
region has majestic mountain ranges, picturesque lakes, lush valleys, natural
hot springs and charming historic communities boasting a wealth of heritage
buildings.
This area of BC Rockies are ideal for the outdoor recreationalist. Hikers
can take gentle strolls along abandoned rail beds or rugged excursions.
Some of the best fishing in BC can be done in the pristine lakes and rivers
in the area. The Elk River, Bow River, Crowsnest River, Saint Mary's River,
and Oldman River have all been touted in serious fly-fishing circles. Catch
large Brown, Bull, Westslope Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout with consistent
dry-fly action and incredible hatches.
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