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History
(Text provided by the Fernie Alpine Resort)
Coal was discovered in the Crowsnest area of Southeastern British Columbia more than 100 years ago by prospectors looking for gold. In 1897, William Fernie reported a major discovery which led to the formation of the Crows Nest Pass Coal Company. The mining community which emerged in 1897 was named Fernie, in honour of the miner whose efforts helped to establish the new industry.
An extremely interesting legend concerning Fernie follows:
William Fernie, founder of the city, met a tribe of Indians during one of his prospecting trips. He noticed one of the Indian chieftain's daughters was wearing a necklace of shining black stones. Knowing that these stones were coal, William Fernie asked as to their source. The Indian Chief agreed to show Fernie where these had been found, upon condition that the prospector would marry the Indian maid. After learning the location of the coal deposits, William Fernie refused to marry the Princess. The Indian Chief was angered by this and he laid a curse upon the valley stating that it would meet with fire, flood, and famine.
As a reminder of the curse, the Ghost of Mount Hosmer can be seen each sunny summer evening on a rock face high above the city. The "ghost" is a spectacular shadow in the form of a rider on horseback.
The first fire which occurred in 1904 destroyed a large portion of the wooden business section of the city. The largest disaster, however, came on August 1, 1908, when a forest fire practically destroyed the city. Soon, Fernie was rebuilt. In 1916, disaster struck when the Elk River overflowed its banks and flooded sections of West Fernie. The near famine conditions of the Great depression made Fernie people believe the curse would never end.
On August 15, 1964, members of the Kootenai Tribes, headed by Chief Ambrose Gravelle, also known as Chief Red Eagle, assembled in Fernie for the ceremonial lifting of the Fernie Curse. Mayor James White made amends with the Chief by smoking the "Pipe of Peace" with Chief Red Eagle.
Location
Fernie is located on Highway 3 in the extreme southeastern corner of British Columbia, 31 kilometres (15 miles) south of Sparwood and 42 kilometres (26 miles) from the Alberta/British Columbia border.
Places to See
- Mount Fernie Provincial ParK
Located on the edge of town, Mount Fernie Provincial Park is a small park with a big personality - a camper and nature lover's delight, with dozens of forested hiking trails. The mountains surrounding Fernie are all equally accessible from town, an interwoven trail network connecting the micro urban environment to the rocky reaches of the high alpine peaks. The Cedar Valley, Fairy Creek Falls, and Mt. Proctor are only minutes from town, and Mt. Fernie, Mt. Bizzaro, Mt. Hosmer, Mt. Trinity, and the Three Sisters also provide a gateway to outstanding scenery and wildlife viewing. Black bear, deer and elk are abundant in these parts, so if they drop by for a visit, take proper precautions and be on your best behaviour.
- Fernie Golf and Country Club
The recently reconfigured Fernie Golf & Country Club is one of the BC Rockies' finest golf facilities. Founded in 1918, it has a challenging par 70 course celebrated for its mature tree-lined fairways, strategically placed water hazards and panoramic mountain views.
- Elk River
Flowing right through Fernie, the Elk River provides many recreational opportunities on a hot summer day, from an inner tube float downstream to an invigorating whitewater raft trip in the Elk Canyon. The City of Fernie offers a public boat launch located downstream of the 4th Avenue extension to provide river-access for larger non-motorized watercraft.
Things to Do
- Skiing and Snowboarding
While traditional winter activities like snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, curling, pond skating, and shinny hockey are still enjoyed by locals, more adrenaline driving sports such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling are now attracting visitors from all around the globe. The recently expanded Fernie Alpine Resort is rapidly gaining status as the hidden powder capital of BC. Well known to skiers and boarders from British Columbia and beyond, the ski area is located just 5 km west of Fernie and the massive bowls are tantalisingly visible from Main St. Fifty groomed runs and countless other secret chutes and gullies cover a total of 2,400 vertical feet (730 m) with suitable terrain for novices, intermediates, and experts alike. And if your favourite run is "tracked out"? The dense Alpine forest provides unbeatable snow-stashed tree-runs.
- Snowmobiling
Feel like firing up one of these high powered snow machine and blasting through untracked snow? Snowmobiling territory is accessible up Coal Creek Road, giving motor sport enthusiasants the super fun thrill of speed and powder and the ability to venture far into the fabled Fernie backcountry.
- Fishing
The Elk River and its more than 30 tributaries are home to bountiful wild populations of West Slope cutthroat trout, whitefish and some of the largest bull trout found anywhere, making Fernie an angler's paradise. A classic dry-fly river, the Elk is accessible along most of its length and the lakes in the surrounding area are equally amenable to anglers. If you're looking for fishing with a difference, try a three-day floating trip down the river or heli-fishing in neighbouring alpine lakes.
- Hiking
With an incredible array of scenic hiking trails through ancient old-growth cedar forests, alpine meadows and high mountain peaks, Fernie is hiking heaven.
- Mountain Biking
Mountain biking, a major draw to summertime Fernie, caters to everyone, from newcomers experiencing their first-time high to hard-core muddy madmen engaged in extreme adrenaline-pumped competition. Fernie offers hundreds of miles of varied riding terrain, from the pastoral beauty of the valley's farms and ranches to the old townsite on the Coal Creek Heritage Trail, to lift-accessed exploration of Fernie Alpine Resort's extensive trail system. The celebrated TransRockies Challenge also passes through town.
Events
- Powder 8's
The Powder 8's are a Fernie tradition, drawing competitors from throughout BC and Alberta. The event features pairs of skiers cascading down the hill, forming '8's' in the powder as they go. Powder 8 teams are judged in a several categories, including synchronization, symmetry, and style and technique. Every February.
- Griz Days
Celebrate the overwhelming amounts of snow The Griz (the town's legendary mascot) blesses upon Fernie each year during this weekend event which includes a parade, a family carnival, sporting events and competitions, and parties galore. Takes place every March.
- Fernie Freeskiing Competition
The annual Freeskiing Competition at Fernie Alpine Resort showcases some of the world's best freeskiers as they challenge Fernie's famous terrain in one of the most exciting ski events in Western Canada. Takes place every March.
- Powder Pedal Paddle
The legendary PPP pits teams and solo competitors against each other as they ski, bike, boat, and run to the finish line in a fun 18-kilometre relay race. While there is an element of unspoken competition in the air, most teams focus more on a theme than their result. Thus Fernie is graced with the unlikely presence of Viking invaders, 80's hair bands, Scottish highlanders, and even the occasional toga party. Great spectating can be had at each transition point: the north side of the West Fernie bridge, the put-in just adjacent to the ski hill, and the base of the ski hill for the finish. Every April.
- Transrockies Challenge
Fernie is the start of the TransRockies Challenge, one of the toughest mountain bike races in the world. Hundreds of riders will cover more than 600-kilometres of wilderness trails. Every August.
- Cedar Valley Old Growth Challenge
Hosted by Island Lake Lodge, this wilderness triathlon tests competitors' abilities with a 10.5-kilometre hike, an 8-kilometre bike ride, and a 3.5-kilometre run through the majestic Cedar Valley. Every September.
- Show and Shine
The Kootenay Cruiser Show ‘n Shine is a car lover's dream, with automobiles from every era on display in a beautiful outdoor setting. Come enjoy the ambiance and bring your whole family to this annual summer event. Every September.
- Taste of Fernie
Taste of Fernie proudly showcases Fernie's local culture, with delectable dishes from ten local restaurants, art and wares at the Artisan's Market, an eclectic line-up of local talent on the Arts Station deck, a wine-paring workshop, and a beer garden. Every September.
Contact Information
Fernie.com
Savage Marketing
542 b Victoria Avenue
Fernie, British Columbia
V0B 1M0
E-mail: info@fernie.com
Website: www.fernie.com
City of Fernie
The Corporation of the City of Fernie City Hall
501-3rd Avenue, Box 190
Fernie, British Columbia
V0B 1M0
Phone: 250-423-6817
Fax: 423-3034
Email: cityhall@fernie.ca
Website: www.fernie.ca
Fernie Alpine Resort
5339 Fernie Ski Hill Rd.
Fernie, British Columbia
V0B 1M6
Office: 250-423-4655
Fax: 250-423-6644
Vacation Info: 1-877-333-2339
E-mail: info@skifernie.com
Website: www.skifernie.com
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