Activities in Fernie

Cat Skiing

If you want to see a different side of the mountain try the exciting option of Cat Skiing, a great way to get off piste and in to the back country with minimal effort. Fernie’s cat skiing is mostly on lightly wooded slopes known as ‘glades’ in North America, with the tree cover thickening in to belts every so often with chutes through the gaps so you’ll need to be either an advanced or good intermediate ability skier. Exactly how much skiing you can expect to do will depend on the ability of the group you’re in and snow and weather conditions when you hit the slopes but usually 8 to 10 runs are possible, clocking up 10 to 12 thousand feet of vertical during the day. There are three cats available, each of which can hold up to a dozen people.

First Tracks

First tracks are a very special experience – get access to the mountain before everybody else and get to leave first tracks through the snow. To take part you need to sign up for first tracks the afternoon before you want to try it – ideally the day before a big snow storm is forecast, but make sure you do so promptly before the available places all go.

Ice Fishing

You can try the millennia old experience of ice fishing at Fernie. You’ll fish for brook, cutthroat or rainbow trout through holes in the ice which are cut for you by ice fishing tour guides, who’ll also get you to the fishing holes by four wheel drive vehicle or snowmobile. Trips last all day and along with the fishing you’ll receive hot drinks and at lunchtime there’ll be a hot meal cooked camping-style on site.

Kids Night Out

Twice a week (Wednesday as well as Saturday) your kids can enjoy Kids Night Out when they have loads of fun in the Childcare Centre while you can enjoy a meal, shopping or another activity knowing they’re safe and having a great evening.

Activities include:

  • Sledging
  • Playing football on the snow
  • Arts and crafts
  • Storytelling evenings
  • Movie and music nights
  • Games
Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is great fun and a magical experience walking over pristine powder while the guides explain how the local animals in the Rocky Mountains have evolved to surprise the extreme winter conditions. You’ll be provided with a warm beverage and home-cooked baking during your hike and return feeling enriched by your experience as well as having a better understanding of winter ecology.

Stargazing Snowshoe Fondue

Snowshoeing is a wonderful experience (so long as the weather is good!) in the daytime, but on a pristine starry night it is even more special, with the winter wonderland floodlit by moonlight as you snowshoe over open meadowland. Guides will help you identify the natural fauna of the Canadian Rockies at night and the feeling will be dreamlike as you travel across the light crisp snow, identifying the constellations above and the tracks of wildlife that have walked across the land before you. The evening comes to a scrumptious end with a gorgeous chocolate fondue.

Torchlight Descent and BBQ

A wonderful evening begins with a barbecue at a site at mid-mountain after which guides take you holding torches down the Elk Run.