Fat Biking in Fernie
One of the fastest growing winter activities, fat biking is a great way to explore Fernie’ s extensive trail system. Multi-use trails offer both groomed and ungroomed biking for all abilities. If you can mountain bike, you’ ll pick up fat biking in no time.
This brochure highlights five main fat biking areas. Additional ungroomed options, like Phat Bastard and Swine Flu, are also available. Many trails around Fernie cross private land— please respect access and follow all signage.
Winter Trail Map
MT. FERNIE PARK ROAD
GORBY BRIDGE
Download TrailForks App to explore Fernie area. Trailforks uses your smart phone’ s GPS to show you where you are on the trails.
P
4
Lizard Range
4
P
P
Three Sisters
Mount Fernie
Mount Fernie Provincial Park
LIZARD CREEK
3
5
Fernie Alpine Resort
FAIRY CREEK
West Fernie
James White Park
3
P
P
North Fernie Bridge
Annex Park P
11th St.
4th St.
P
P
COKATO ROAD
5 Fernie Valley Pathway
P
5
5
2
P
Historic Downtown
P
Maiden Lake
2nd Ave.
3
COAL CREEK
Montane Trails
ELK RIVER
COAL CREEK ROAD
RIVER ROAD
1
Closed to motorized traffic.
Distance: 5.3km One-way | Elevation Gain: 195m
Fernie Ridge
Castle Mountain
Fernie Visitor Centre
For anyone new to fat biking, it’ s best to explore on easy trails first. The Fernie Valley Pathway is great for this purpose and is easy to access from multiple streets in town.
The 5.3km Pathway is is calculated from between the Fernie Visitor Centre and Mt Fernie Park Road. It is flat most of the way and a very scenic ride. The section in town, along the river and Annex Park is snow groomed for all users including Nordic skiing, whereas the sections from each bridge over the Elk River to either the Visitor Centre or Mt Fernie Park Road is cleared to pavement regularly.
Riders can also ride the Pathway to access James White Park or Maiden Lake area in town. The Pathway also connects riders into the Montane and Fernie Ridge riding areas. View the Winter Trail Map( find at local shops, hotels or the Visitor Centre), or use the Trailforks App to help you navigate local trails.
Trail Etiquette & Safety:
• Tell someone where you’ re going and when you expect to be back.
• Be respectful of other trail users and their enjoyment of the trail.
• Respect the environment and leave no trace. All garbage must be packed out and deposited in proper receptacles.
• Dogs are allowed on these designated winter trails when under control. Please pick up and pack out waste or move it well off the trail.
• Be aware of wildlife and make noise. Keep dogs on leash where required.
• Check the weather forecast before you go, plan and dress accordingly. Bring water and pack snacks for energy.
• Think Before You Sink- Soft or freshly groomed trails may need time to harden to avoid causing deep tire ruts. Either wait to ride or try lowering your tire pressure( PSI) to avoid making ruts. 5 PSI is the magic # to enjoy all conditions.
• Stay on designated trails and respect the signage.
• Support the grooming effort by donating to both trail groups that groom most of these trails- Coal Creek Heritage Society( Montane & Fernie Ridge) and Fernie Trails Alliance.
For additional information on fat biking:
• Stop by one of the local bike shops
• Visit the Fernie Visitor Centre
• Join the local fat biking community on Facebook at Facebook. com / groups / FernieFatbike /
NEW: Grooming Updates
Download the free Nordic Pulse App and search for Fernie. All areas that are machine groomed track their grooming on this App. For details or questions contact the above mentioned trail organizations.
Fat Bike Rentals
Don’ t have a fat bike? Don’ t despair, you can easily rent one in town at Straight Line Bicycles or Gearhub Sports, or on the mountain at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Fernie Visitor Info & Centre 102 Commerce Road / Open 9am-5pm Mon- Sat PH: 778-519-0748 / TourismFernie. com
Fat Biking in Fernie
Trails and Guided Tours
TourismFernie. com | # ferniestoke