Fernie, BC Travel Guide 2021 Winter 2021 | Page 38

Island Lake Lodge
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GORBY BRIDGE
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Sherwoody
Mount Fernie
Mount Fernie Provincial Park
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Fernie Alpine Resort
West Fernie
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James White Park
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North Fernie Bridge
Annex Park P
11th St .
4th St .
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Maiden Lake
Fernie Aquatic Centre
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Castle Mountain

Getting Here

Fernie is situated in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in south-eastern British Columbia . Self-drive touring holidays are highly recommended along the scenic Crowsnest Highway # 3 .
By Air : The nearest major airport is Calgary International - YYC . Daily connector flights from Calgary and Vancouver International Airport – YVR are available to Cranbrook Airport ( Canadian Rockies International – YXC ), located 1.25 hours from Fernie . Visitors can also arrive via Glacier International Airport in Kalispell , Montana or Spokane , Washington and travel to Fernie by rental car .
By Road : Fernie is located on Highway # 3 . The nearest US border crossing is at Roosville , open 24 hours . Rental car agencies & RV rentals are available at or near all airports .
Ski shuttle : Private charter services are available year-round from Calgary , Cranbrook and Kalispell Airports to Fernie . All-day # Ferniestoke Ski Shuttle service between Fernie Alpine Resort , Historic Downtown and local accommodations .
Driving times to Fernie
FROM THE WEST , BC Cranbrook : 1 hr Cranbrook Airport : 1.25 hrs Kelowna : 7.5 hrs Vancouver : 12 hrs
FROM THE SOUTH Roosville US Border Crossing , MT : 30 minutes Kalispell , MT : 2.5 hrs Spokane , WA : 5 hrs Yellowstone , WY : 9 hrs Portland , OR : 11 hrs
FROM THE EAST / NORTH Sparwood , BC : 20 minutes Crowsnest Pass , AB : 45 minutes Calgary Airport , AB : 3.5 hours Banff , AB : 4 hrs Edmonton , AB : 6 hrs Saskatoon , SK : 9 hrs Winnipeg , MB : 15 hrs
With the rise in popularity of electric vehicles , Fernie now offers electric charging options at 7 locations around town , with more coming soon .
Fernie fast facts :
• Established in 1898 , population 5,249
• Town elevation 1,010 metres / 3,314 feet
• 375 km / 233 miles of hiking and biking trails
• Annual winter average of over 9 metres / 30 feet of snow
Town , Trail & River Maps-View online at tourismfernie . com / maps
Birding & Wildlife Viewing in Fernie
Hiking in Fernie
Easy Hikes & Nature Walks
Birds
Mammals
Common Merganser Moose Ruffed Grouse
Rocky Mountain Elk
Great Blue Heron Mule Deer
Osprey White-tailed Deer
Bald Eagle Coyote
Red-tailed Hawk
Red Fox Spotted Sandpiper North American River Otter Great Horned Owl American Pine Marten Northern Pygmy-Owl American Black Bear Rufous Hummingbird Grizzly Bear Calliope Hummingbird Mountain Goat Belted Kingfisher
Bighorn Sheep
Northern Flicker
Grey Wolf Pileated Woodpecker Little Brown Bat Steller ’ s Jay
Snowshoe Hare
Common Raven
Common Pika Violet-green Swallow Beaver Red-breasted Nuthatch Muskrat Pacific Wren
Meadow Vole
American Dipper
Deer Mice Mountain Bluebird Red Squirrel Varied Thrush
Least Chipmunk
Cedar Waxwing Columbian Ground Squirrel
Yellow Warbler
Dusky Shrew
Townsend ’ s Warbler Dark-eyed Junco Fish , Amphibians Western Tanager & Reptiles Red-winged Blackbird
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Common Grackle
Long-toed Salamander Bull Trout Western Toad
Recommended Western Painted Turtle
Books & Apps :
Common Garter Snake
Elk River Map Guide Handbook of the Canadian Rockies by Ben Gadd Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia & Inland Northwest by Lloyd , Antos , Coupe & Parish Backroad Mapbook , Kootenay Rockies BC iBird Pro App : North America
tourismfernie . com | # ferniestoke
5 Island Lake Lodge Open early June - October
• 100 kms of hiking trails from easy walks to full day hikes
• Easy trails include the Old Growth , Lake , Fir & Rail Trails
• ½ Day Guided Interpretive Hikes available
• Dining & on-site lodging options available
islandlakelodge . com | 250-423-3700
Trail Etiquette & Safety :
• Be aware of wildlife , make noise , keep dogs on leash and carry bear spray
• Respect the environment and leave no trace . All garbage must be packed out & deposited in proper receptacles .
• Respect the privilege of accessing trails within private land .
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Old Growth Trail
< To Island Lake Lodge
• Always watch the weather conditions as they can change quickly in mountain environments .
• Bring water and pack snacks for your day to keep up your energy levels .
• Do not go off designated trails
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited
MT . FERNIE PROVINCIAL PARK ROAD
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Fernie Alpine Resort Open late June - early Sept
• 20 + trails ( of which over 10 are of easy difficulty
• Chairlift accessed sightseeing and hiking trails
• Guided & Specialty Hikes available
• On-mountain Interpretive Centre
skifernie . com | 250-423-2435
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LIZARD CREEK
FAIRY CREEK
ELK RIVER
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COKATO ROAD
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Historic Downtown
COAL CREEK
RIVER ROAD
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2nd Ave .
Surrounded by the Canadian Rocky mountains & spectacular views , Fernie has an abundance of easy hiking trails and nature walks for all levels of ability . From magical old-growth forests to unique geological features , Fernie ’ s flora , fauna and geography will fascinate and delight the senses . Explore with family and friends or hire a guide at Island Lake Lodge , Fernie Alpine Resort or Wild Nature Tours . Scenic nature walks and riverside trails offer shady parks , picnic spots and viewpoints for picture-perfect family photos .
For more information on hiking in Fernie :
Fernie Visitor Information Centre 102 Commerce Road | 250-423-6868 Ferniechamber . com
Fernie Trails Alliance Fernietrailsalliance . com
Tourism Fernie Tourismfernie . com / activities / hiking
tourismfernie . com | # ferniestoke
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