The Ultimate Travel Guide to the Rocky Mountains: Town of Fernie, British Columbia

I fell in love with Fernie almost immediately. The community is so friendly and the overall vibe is adventurous and outdoorsy. It was refreshing to see kids alone walking with friends or on their bikes with no parents in sight. Those are the things I used to do as a kid but it feels like all of that had been lost from what I have seen the last decade. Fernie has that small town charm with some absolutely amazing locally owned shops – I wanted to buy everything in sight! The shops offer many eco-conscious choices and artisan made items locally made (made by residents of Fernie or within Western Canada). Continue reading to discover the ultimate travel guide to the Rocky Mountains in the Town of Fernie.

I visited Fernie during the second week of October since it was so close to Elkford, BC which is where my boyfriend was working at the time. I took the opportunity to experience Fernie by myself and before any snow had fallen. By my last day, I was so sad to be leaving Fernie and wish I could have stayed a whole lot longer. The Town of Fernie is a place I would love to live in one day and is one place where I could actually see myself starting a family.

about the town of fernie

With a year-round population of about 5,200, the town of Fernie in British Columbia has that small-town mountain charm you’ve been looking for. Located in the East Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Fernie is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and is a short distance to Calgary, Alberta the nearest large city. While Fernie is most well known for its Alpine Ski Resort for skiing and snowboarders to revel in, there are lots of things to do that keep you busy no matter what season you visit.

weather in fernie

Fernie experiences all 4 seasons while the colder temperatures happen between November and April making winter the longest season. Temperatures throughout the year range from the lowest of -20 degrees celsius (17 F) in the winter months to highs of 30 degrees Celsius (82 F) in the summer months. I visited Fernie in early October which is right between when the leafy trees have their peak fall colours and as the larches begin to change. You can read more about Fernie’s weather and seasons on Fernie’s tourism website.

what to do in fernie

Whether you love a challenging outdoor activity or spending your day downtown shopping, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy in the town of Fernie. I arrived in Fernie on a Sunday afternoon and planned for a hike the same afternoon. As I made my way through the road in Mount Fernie Provincial Park to my planned trailhead, the road had other plans for me as I was stopped from gates blocking vehicles from going any further. To hike the trail I was planning, meant an additional 12km (one way) from my parked car to the trailhead – meaning the entire hike would have been 35km+. With not enough time to complete such a long trail, I ended up exploring the area hiking three different trails.

for the outdoor enthusiast

Hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking, and snowboarding are just a few of the activities you can enjoy while visiting the town of Fernie. Mount Fernie Provincial Park is bursting with trails you can access throughout the year so you can enjoy activities like cross country skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking in the winter months; while hiking and mountain biking during the rest of the year.

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Depending on the time of year you are visiting Fernie, make sure to do your research and find out if the trail you are planning on completing is closed. When I visited Fernie in early October, a section of the road that leads to the Island Lake Lodge was closed – closed roads can cause a longer hike than anticipated. If you will be hiking, make sure to pack The 15 Essential Items You Need For Hiking so you’re prepared for your adventure.

for the shopaholic

While the downtown in Fernie is admittedly small, it is packed full of great shops from plants, clothing, gifts, and outdoor gear – the downtown really has it all. I find most downtowns in smaller towns there often isn’t much to offer or spend your time going through but Fernie was the complete opposite. There are a few outdoor gear stores where you can find pre-loved items, new gear, or even rent if you didn’t bring the equipment you’ll need. With so many options and literally all store associate’s so friendly, you’ll love walking through each shop.

where to stay in fernie

If you are a price-conscious traveller or looking for all the amenities, Fernie offers many accommodation options. I really wanted a place with a fridge and microwave so I could bring lunches from home to save money. I ended up booking through Airbnb in a hotel style suite that had a shared hot tub available for use – perfect for the ski season. During the ski season, you can find prices starting from $130 CAD a night to upwards of $300+ on Airbnb. And hotel nightly stays range from $100-$575+. If you look at the star ratings on any of the hotels, I find star ratings on hotels to be low, I recommend reading past guest reviews as these are more true to what your stay will be like.

the best restaurants in fernie

During my stay, I ate at two different restaurants in town for dinner and spent lots of time at cafes in town. We went to The Loaf in town the first night, for dinner and beer from Fernie Brewing. We enjoyed the Bruschetta for an appetizer and for mains I had the Barbabietola Arrosto Insalata while Danny had the Loafer’s Burger. All of the food was amazing and there was no food wasted it was so delicious. During my second night, we ate at Sushi Wood and ordered several different items from the menu to taste. It wasn’t my favourite sushi, but if you are craving sushi while in Fernie I have read great reviews about Yamagoya Sushi just down the street from Sushi Wood.

I arrived in Fernie on a Sunday and left Tuesday after I finished work at 4 PM. I worked two of the days in Fernie which meant I spent most of my days in cafes working. Rooftop Coffee Roasters was on the top of my list of cafes to visit and ordered an iced latte. Due to COVID-19, they had indoor dining restrictions so I spent a couple of hours on their outside patio. Thank goodness the weather was bearable even in October allowing me to work outside for a couple of hours. With some audio issues and having two meetings, I likely looked a little crazy to the patrons at Mugshots. The latte and muffin I had at Mugshots was delicious though and helped calm me down. My last cafe stop before heading home on Tuesday was Freshies Cafe. Freshies Cafe is very simple, however, it was nice having a quiet space to work and enjoy a delicious scone!

getting to and around fernie

travelling to Fernie

The nearest airport to Fernie is a 1-hour drive, located in Cranbrook, BC – called the Canadian Rockies International Airport. Otherwise, it’s a 3.5-hour drive from Calgary, a 4-hour drive from Banff, and an 11-hour drive from Vancouver.

Nearest Airport: Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook, BC

Closest City: Calgary, Alberta (3.5-hour drive)

Travelling around Fernie

I recommend driving your own vehicle to Fernie or renting a car during your stay. While Fernie has a 24-hour taxi service, fares from the town to the Alpine Ski Resort are around $25. You will find free parking all around the Town of Fernie. During the wintertime, watch for signage as some parking spaces may be restricted for snow clearing.