Outdoors
Backcountry Safety Know Before You Go
Anyone visiting Fernie during the winter will be drawn to the amazing backcountry, whether on skis/snowboards, snowshoes or a snowmobile. While the experience can be one of the highlights of your visit, once you set foot outside controlled areas (essentially Fernie Alpine Resort), you expose yourself to substantial avalanche risk. Fernie’s legendary deep powder and steep mountains can be fatal if not approached with respect.
Winter Wander Snowshoe Tours with Wild Nature Tours
Discover the unique natural history and seasonal scenic beauty of the Elk Valley on an educational snowshoe tour through a beautiful forest with gorgeous views, an invigorating winter hike to one of their favourite local spots or a family-friendly excursion on some of the local trails.
Winter Biking: The New Kid on the Winter Activity Scene
Winter biking is the ‘new’ kid on the winter activity scene. This sport is trending more than ever because it is so enjoyable and such an easy way to explore our winter wonderland. Winter biking provides a glorious way to slow down a little and see the beauty of a snowy landscape. Whether you put studded tires on your mountain bike or ride a Fat Bike, winter biking is fun. That is, if the conditions are right. Fernie offers a wide assortment of winter trails that are groomed regularly.
Kirby McDonald
My daughters are enamoured with horses and have been since they were wee. Last summer, they had weekly classes at Love it or Leave it Ranch and the love only grew. Not only did these lessons teach them how to ride horses, they also learned how to properly take care of them, move around them, and feel at ease with them. I was amazed at the progression.
Love the Elk River? Help Keep it Clean! ERA Invites Valley Residents to Annual Elk River Shoreline Clean Up
This summer, locals and tourists basked in the refreshing waters of the Elk River. Unfortunately, where there are people, trash is soon to follow. The Elk River Alliance is asking the Elk Valley community to come together and help ensure a clean river for generations to come.
Tennis, Anyone?
It is no surprise tennis dates back to the 12th Century and continues to be a popular sport. Running around a court chasing a yellow ball and trying to hit it back over the net is not only engaging, it’s good for you and is also sociable with no limits on age at either end.
Maddox Johnson and Layla Rella
This winter, our daughter joined the Fernie Freestyle club and we were so impressed with her coach, Coach Brian. Like myself at that age (for real!) she shied away from competition and never considered herself an athlete. From day one, Brian referred to them all as athletes. After an entire winter of hearing this positive reinforcement, we saw such a wonderful shift in her.
Kids’ Guide to Summer 2022
Whether here for a visit, for the season or year-round, kids in Fernie have it pretty good in the summer months. I can’t get over the options available to them – from bike camps to horse riding, gymnastics to river exploration, drama to reading clubs… it can be almost overwhelming to decide!
Highlights of the MAST Program
The BC Rocky Mountains are your classroom in the Mountain Adventure Skills Training (MAST) program in Fernie, BC. With nine months of training this program is the gateway to landing your ultimate outdoor dream job as students earn 13 certifications in the outdoor industry. After talking with some of the 2021-2022 MAST students about their experiences with hiking, rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing, canoeing, and whitewater rafting it is obvious that the MAST program is an adventurists dream.
Creating Lifelong Passion for Riding Bikes
Getting kids to fall in love with riding bikes is easy. Let them be kids. Let them have fun!
Run, Hike, Bike Repeat
Not surprisingly, the value of recreation has become even more pronounced these last couple of years. Alongside the freedom and enjoyment it provides, the physical and mental health benefits have helped many to navigate challenging times.
Riding for Mental Health
Studies show that spending time in nature can improve our mental health and sharpen our cognition. It came to no surprise then that when a local avid biker decided to bike from sunrise to sunset for Summer Solstice in 2020, as the pandemic was in its infancy and we were faced with so many unknowns, he approached the Elk Valley Suicide Task force to partner and raise much needed funds and awareness through what would be called the Solstice Ride for Mental Health.
Valley Vitals Fernie: Tips #2 Direct Seeding vs Starting Indoors
Well this Spring has been an excellent example of the resiliency required to grow food in the Elk Valley. It kind of reminds Ashley Lortscher of a Katy Perry song? So she’s back with more beta for cold climate gardening!
Large-Scale Projects Support Ecosystem Health
Forests, wetlands and riparian areas are among the habitats that will benefit from several projects that are focusing on ensuring healthy, diverse and functioning ecosystems in the Columbia Basin.
“The Trust heard from people living in the Basin that ecosystem enhancement is important to maintain and improve native biodiversity in the wide variety of ecosystems that make up the region,” said Johnny Strilaeff, President and Chief Executive Officer, Columbia Basin Trust. “The efforts seen in these projects reflect those values as they involve hands-on work at a large scale, across entire landscapes, to create lasting effects.”
Youth Engage in Climate Events
Life in the Basin is ingrained with nature, whether this involves camping, kayaking or simply waking to the sounds of birdsong. It’s no wonder that Basin youth are inspired to protect their local landscapes by getting involved with climate action.