Best of Fernie 2016

With so many amazing local businesses, activities and events, choosing becomes tougher each year with an increasing amount of tight races in all categories. Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you to everyone who participated. Remember to show your love to organizations and businesses by keeping your support and $ local!

Best Fernie Season 2016

One of the celebrated things about Fernie is its pronounced seasons, each holding a special place in our hearts.

Gold: Summer

Silver: Winter

Bronze: Fall

Honorable Mention: Spring

Best Summer Sport 2016

The number of summer activities is on the rise in this beautiful Valley, drawing numerous people to our community with a substantial increase in summer tourism year after year.

Gold: Biking

Silver: Hiking

Bronze: Water Sports

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography

Best Winter Sport 2016

Pretty standard, year after year although we have seen an increase in interest in nordic skiing and snowshoeing!

Gold: Skiing/Boarding

Silver: Nordic Skiing

Bronze: Snowshoeing

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Fernie Alpine Resort Silver Photo Credit: Island Lake Lodge Bronze Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie & Henry Georgi

Best Bike Trail 2016

Mountain biking has grown exponentially over the last few years, especially with the increase of events taking place in Fernie. Fortunately the Fernie Trails Alliance keeps our network up to speed, maintaining and building all summer long to keep this recreational activity at its best!

Gold: Swine Flu

Silver: Project 9

Bronze: Lazy Lizard

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie Silver Photo Credit: Rad Bike Bronze Photo Credit: Crank Fernie

Best Hiking Trail 2016

Arriving at one of the many peaks surrounding this Valley, and taking in the awesome views is always a summer highlight. Here are your favourites from 2016.

Gold: Heiko's Trail

Silver: Spineback

Bronze: Castle

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Mike McPhee  

Best Area at Fernie Alpine Resort 2016

There are so many great options at the hill, but of course we all have our favourites... some secret! These three received the top votes in 2016.

Gold: Curry Bowl

Silver: Cedar Bowl

Bronze: Snake Ridge

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: OnTheSnow Silver Photo Credit: MoreThanSkiing Bronze Photo Credit: Fernie Alpine Resort

Best Place to Snowmobile 2016

More and more people are travelling to Fernie with snowmobiles in tow. For those of you into this growing sport, here were your 2016 picks!

Gold: Coal Creek

Silver: Harvey Pass

Bronze: Morrissey

Honorable Mention: Gold & Silver Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography

Best Place to Nordic Ski 2016

Thanks to the Fernie Nordic Society, our classic and skate skiing options have grown over the last few years. Here are this year's picks.

Gold: Elk Valley Nordic Centre

Silver: Montane

Bronze: Island Lake

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie Silver Photo Credit: Jesse Bell Bronze Photo Credit: Island Lake Lodge

Favourite Indoor Activity 2016

On those rainy summer days or during a cold winter spell, Fernie takes its recreation indoors! Here are 2016's top three.

Gold: Swimming

Silver: Yoga

Bronze: Skating/Hockey

Best Method to Maintaining Balance/Cross Training 2016

With so much biking, running, golfing, skiing and the like, our bodies sometimes need a little TLC. Here are the top three ways Fernie residents and visitors maintain balance.

Gold: Yoga

Silver: Gym

Bronze: Meditation

Honorable Mention: Silver Photo Credit: Evolution Fitness Fernie Bronze Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie

Best Source for Injury Prevention and Rehab 2016

Once in a while if we're not maintaining balance, we leave ourselves open to injury. Here are the three top ways we keep this at bay or work through any injuries that occur.

Gold: Massage Therapy

Silver: Yoga

Bronze: Chiropractic

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Thunder Meadows Massage Bronze Photo Credit: Advantage Chriopractic

Best Place to Get Your Sweat On 2016

Whether it's raining, snowing or even nice outside, sometimes you just need to sweat it out! Here are the top three in this new category!

Gold: Evolution Health & Fitness

Silver: Essential Yoga

Bronze: Soar Cycle Studio

Honorable Mention: Silver Photo Credit: Essential Yoga Studio Bronze Photo Credit: Soar Cycle Studio

Best Spa in Town 2016

We are so fortunate to have a plethora of options when it comes to pampering ourselves. Here are 2016's best spas!

Gold: Spa 901

Silver: Three Sisters Day Spa

Bronze: Island Lake 

Best Hair Salon 2016

Admit it - you only let that special hair dresser at your specific salon do your hair. We all have our favourites, here are the three that made the cut in 2016!

Gold: Sparrow for Hair

Silver: ET Hair Salon

Bronze: Lysh

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Smalltown Social

Best Go to Health Product Source 2016

Where do we pick up our vitamins, supplements and natural ingredients or products? Here are our picks for 2016.

Gold: Good Earth

Silver: Save On Foods

Bronze: Healing Hollow

Honorable Mention: Silver Photo Credit: Kootenay Biz

Best Place to Purchase Summer Gear 2016

The retail sector in Fernie is nothing short of amazing - you can literally find everything you need right here in this little town! Here are your picks for summer gear.

Gold: Gear Hub

Silver: Ski Base

Bronze: Straight Line

Best Place to Purchase Winter Gear 2016

You always need great gear when exploring the backcountry, especially during the cold, wet winter months. Here's Fernie's 2016 picks for the best places to get your winter gear.

Gold: Ski Base

Silver: Gear Hub

Bronze: Commit

Honorable Mention: Bronze Photo Credit: Yellowpages.ca

Best Fashion Hot Spot 2016

The Fernie has turned into a great shopping destination, with unique stores offering something for everyone. From mountain casual to an evening out, here are 2016's top three fashion hot spots.

Gold: Freyja

Silver: Heaven Boutique

Bronze: No3

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Freyja

Best Place for Kid's Clothing, Toys and Gifts 2016

Yes, you can find everything you need for the kids in your life in Fernie! With a growing little person population, and plenty of little people visitors, the shopping sector has really stepped up. Here are your top picks for 2016.

Gold: Grow

Silver: Polar Peek

Bronze: Wild Things

Best Accessory Hot Spot 2016

There are numerous options when looking for something to add to your outfit, these three had the most votes this year!

Gold: Coal Town Goods

Silver: Giv'er Shirt Works

Bronze: Fernie Arts Co-op/Freyja

Honorable Mention: Bronze Fernie Arts Co-op Photo Credit: Smalltown Social

Best Place to Spruce Up Your Home 2016

With so many renovations and home building projects going on in and around Fernie, it's not surprising that we have some great options!

Gold: Canadian Tire 

Silver: Interior Envy

Bronze: Home Hardware

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Tarjan Group Bronze Photo Credit: Kootenay Biz

Best Place to Stock The Fridge 2016

Whether visiting or living here, you need a good source of energy to keep up with your recreational pursuits. Fortunately, there is a plethora of shopping opportunities available to help keep the fridge stocked!

Gold: Save On Foods

Silver: Ann's Independent Grocer

Bronze: The Good Earth

Honorable Mention: Gold and Silver Photo Credit: Kootenay Biz

Best Place to Stock The Liquor Cabinet 2016

You'll need something to wash all that food down with! Here are 2016's top picks for beer and liquor purchases in Fernie!

Gold: BC Liquor Store

Silver: The Tipple

Bronze: Fernie Mountain Spirits

Honorable Mention: Bronze Photo Credit: Colliers International

Best Place to Get Your Goodie Fix 2016

Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, it's difficult to turn down the amazing goodies offered at a variety of shops, cafes and stores in town. Check out 2016's top three!

Gold: Happy Cow

Silver: Crumbs Cakery & Cafe

Bronze: Beanpod

Best Cup of Joe 2016

Finding a great cup of coffee in Fernie is far from difficult. With numerous locally run coffee shops, each with its own flavour, it's easy to find your favourite. Here are the three that received the top votes in 2016.

Gold: The Valley Social

Silver: Mugshots

Bronze: Freshies

Honorable Mention: Bronze Photo Credit: Smalltown Social

Best Place to Brunch 2016

A good bite to eat to start the day right! Here are Fernie's brunch picks for 2016!

Gold: Blue Toque

Silver: Big Bang Bagels

Bronze: Mugshots

Honorable Mention: Silver Photo Credit: Big Bang Bagels Trip Advisor

Best Burger in Town 2016

A good burger is essential, and we all have our go-to locales. These three received the most votes in 2016!

Gold: Fernie Cattle Co. Burger Lounge

Silver: The Brickhouse

Bronze: The Northern

Best Evening Dining Atmosphere 2016

When it comes to the evening portion of your Fernie experience there is a range of options. Many of the restaurants are known for their ambient nature, an outing in itself. Here are 2016's top three.

Gold: Yamagoya

Silver: Nevados

Bronze: Island Lake

Best Wine List 2016

BC has some of the world's greatest wines, and we are lucky to have Fernie restaurants highlighting many on their wine lists. Here are the three menus that made the cut in 2016.

Gold: Island Lake Lodge

Silver: Yamagoya

Bronze: Cirque

Best Beer Selection 2016

Certain cuisines would just not taste the same without a complementary beer, and there are many restaurants and bars in town that go the extra mile to ensure this perfect match is available... sometimes making it quite a difficult choice!

Gold: The Curry Bowl

Silver: The Northern

Bronze: The Brickhouse

Honorable Mention: Bronze Photo Credit: LWE Builders

Best Cocktail Menu 2016

Enjoying a beverage after a day at work, with friends or apres ski, these restaurants offer a selection of choices.

Gold: Nevados

Silver: Yamagoya

Bronze: Island Lake Lodge

Best Venue for Live Music 2016

With a variety of entertainment opportunities, we thought it only fair to break up the categories this year especially with the growing popularity of jam nights, big bands, trios and singer/songwriters. Here are Fernie's best live music venues in 2016.

Gold: The Northern

Silver: The Arts Station

Bronze: Infinitea

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Matt Kuhn Photo

Best Place to Shake Your Booty 2016

It's fun to shake your booty in Fernie, and with each year the booty-shaking opportunities only get better. Check out 2016's top three.

Gold: The Northern

Silver: The Royal

Bronze: The Fernie

Best Ethnic Restaurant 2016

For such a small town Fernie has a surprising number and variety of ethnic restaurants. Get out and explore - here are your favourites from 2016.

Gold: Yamagoya

Silver: Mountain Tandoor

Bronze: The Curry Bowl

Best Food Truck 2016

With even more culinary option available on the streets on Fernie, this new category covers those delicious street eats. Here's your top three picks for 2016.

Gold: Yama-2-Go

Silver: Chopstick Truck

Bronze: Flippin' Crepes

Best Slice of Pizza 2016

Pizza and burgers - staples in any town. These three establishments are your choice for pizza in 2016.

Gold: Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe

Silver: Fernie Pizza & Pasta

Bronze: Loaf

Honorable Mention: Bronze Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie

Best Quick Food Fix 2016

More often than not you're on the go in Fernie, whether you're on your way to your next adventure or heading to the office. Here are great options when you're short of time, 2016's people's choice.

Gold: Big Bang Bagels

Silver: Lunchbox

Bronze: Crumbs Cakery & Cafe

Best Place to Send The Family 2016

People are going to want to visit you in Fernie - period. Here are great options to send family members or those looking for somewhere cozy to spend the nights.

Gold: Park Place Lodge

Silver: Best Western

Bronze: Red Tree Lodge

Best Place to Send Friends on a Budget 2016

For those visitors on more of a budget, looking for someplace other than your couch, here are three options that received the most votes in 2016.

Gold: Raging Elk Hostel

Silver: Super 8

Bronze: Snow Valley Motel

Best Way to Spend $20 2016

You all had some fabulous ideas on the best way to spend $20 in Fernie. Here are the three that received the most votes.

Gold: Burger and Beer Specials at one of the Fernie pubs

Silver: Coffee and a treat at one of Fernie’s cafes

Bronze: Movie and popcorn at the Vogue Theatre

Best Place for People Watching 2016

Let's face it - people watching is a great way to pass the time... and you all have some interesting locations for viewing purposes. Here are your top three!

Gold: From any window, patio or bench on 2nd Ave

Silver: Griz Bar deck at Fernie Alpine Resort

Bronze: At a Wednesday Night Social in the Summer

The Social Event of 2016 2016

Events of all types are on the rise in Fernie, thanks to the many volunteers and organizations putting the time and effort into putting them on. Here are the hot items of 2016, that you won't want to miss in 2017!

Gold: Wapiti

Silver: Griz Days

Bronze: Hot Dog Day

Best Sport Event of 2016 2016

Not surprisingly Fernie is host to numerous sport events and races, many which have put Fernie on the map for a recreational haven. Here are hot events that took place last year.

Gold: Wam Dam Dirt Jump Jam

Silver: Demo Derby

Bronze: Ghostriders Hockey

Best Reason for Living in Fernie 2016

There are so many reasons for living in Fernie, but these three keep making the cut year after year.

Gold: The community.

Silver: The endless things to do, whether events or outdoor recreation.

Bronze: A great place to raise a family.

Best Reason for Visiting Fernie 2016

Same thing, there are so many reasons to come and visit Fernie and its surrounding area! The list is truly extensive, but here are the top three votes we received this year. You'll just have to come experience it for yourself to discover the rest!

Gold: Because it's beautiful.

Silver: The mountains and outdoor activities.

Bronze: The people.

Best Fernie Saying 2016 2016

There are many "isms" in Fernie that one must truly learn and get on board with... some more than others (seriously, the 20cm rule should be law). Here are your top choices for 2016.

Gold: 20cm rule

Silver: I came for the winter, but stayed for the summer.

Bronze: Don't like the weather? Wait five minutes. 

Best First Date 2016

Love seems to bud in Fernie... maybe it's the amazing trails, or sick powder, or abundance of new faces that arrive each and every year. Regardless, here are some great ideas for that first date on the town!

Gold: Dinner at Yamagoya

Silver: Date night at Island Lake Lodge

Bronze: Bike ride and a drink on a downtown patio

Previous Best of Fernie