Details

How to get there

Fernie, B.C., is in the Elk Valley in the East Kootenay Rockies. Situated on Highway 3, just west of Crowsnest Pass, it’s a three-hour (290-km) drive from Calgary International Airport. Alternatively, it’s an hour (96.3-km) drive east from Cranbrook’s airport, yxc, which offers daily connections to Vancouver and Calgary.

Where to stay

Lizard Creek Lodge ( lizardcreek.com) at the base of Fernie Alpine Resort’s Elk Chair offers rooms and apartment-style suites with easy access to the downhill trails. Blackstone Bed and Breakfast ( blackstonebandb. com) has a modern style and its own spa. The Mount Fernie Provincial Park campground ( env.gov.bc.ca) is just a short pedal from the centre of Fernie. With the exception of Fernie Alpine Resort, all trails are within biking distance of town.

Where to eat

Big Bang Bagel ( bigbangbagels. com) is the place to start your day with breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Head to Fernie Brewing Co.’s ( ferniebrewing.com) patio for a refreshing craft beer after a warm summer ride. The brewery’s Trail to Ale Challenge rewards any rider, runner or hiker able to get to the top of three local climbs within 24 hours. The prize? A medal and a well-deserved cold beer. Nevados ( nevados.ca) and The Loaf ( theloaf.ca) both offer dinner menus that will fuel the next day’s adventures.

Where to shop

Fernie boasts three bike shops: Straight Line ( straightlinefernie.com), The Guide’s Hut ( theguideshut.ca) and Gearhub ( gearhub.ca), all within the downtown core. For trail status and routes, check with the Fernie Trails Alliance ( fernietrailsalliance.com).