Best of Fernie 2017

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 2017

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 2017

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

Photo Credit: Krista Turcasso

Silver: Hiking

Photo Credit: Christine Thompson

Bronze: Water Sports

Photo Credit: Christine Thompson

Best Winter Sport 2017

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

Gold: Skiing/Boarding

Photo Credit: Fernie Alpine Resort

Silver: Nordic Skiing

Bronze: Snowshoeing

Best Bike Trail 2017

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: Lazy Lizard & Swine Flu (TIE)

Lazy Lizard Photo Credit: Mike McPhee, Swine Flu Photo Credit: Krista Turcasso

Silver: Montane

Photo Credit: Vanessa Croome

Bronze: Project 9

Photo Credit: Krista Turcasso

Best Place to Snowbike 2017

Fat Biking has become a popular sport during the winter months in Fernie, with regular snow grooming and trails upon trails to explore. Here are this year’s top three!

Gold: Montane

​Photo Credit: Troy Nixon

Silver: Ridgemont

Photo Credit: Troy Nixon

Bronze: Fernie Alpine Resort

Photo Credit: Fernie Alpine Resort

Best Hiking Trail 2017

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 2017.

Gold: Heiko's Trail

Photo Credit: Kyle Hamilton Photography

Silver: Spineback

Bronze: Mount Fernie

Best Area at Fernie Alpine Resort 2017

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 2017.

Gold: Curry Bowl

Photo Credit: OnTheSnow

Silver: Cedar Bowl

Photo Credit: MoreThanSkiing

Bronze: Snake Ridge

Photo Credit: Fernie Alpine Resort

Best Place to Snowmobile 2017

More and more people are travelling to Fernie with snowmobiles in tow. For those of you into this growing sport, here were your 2017 picks!

Gold: Coal Creek

Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography

Silver: Morrissey

Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography

Bronze: Harvey Pass

Photo Credit: Shantelle Weir

Best Place to Nordic Ski 2017

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

Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography

Silver: Montane

Photo Credit: Jesse Bell

Bronze: Island Lake Lodge

Favourite Indoor Activity 2017

On those rainy summer days or during a cold winter spell, Fernie takes its recreation indoors! Here are 2017's top three.

Gold: Yoga

Silver: Swimming

Bronze: Exercise Classes

Photo Credit: Vitality

Best Method to Maintaining Balance/Cross Training 2017

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

Best Source for Injury Prevention and Rehab 2017

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: Physio

Bronze: Gym

Photo Credit: Evolution Health & Fitness

Best Place to Get Your Sweat On 2017

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: Soar Studios 

Bronze: Essential Yoga Studio

Photo Credit: Tourism Fernie

Best Spa in Town 2017

We are so fortunate to have a plethora of options when it comes to pampering ourselves. Here are 2017's best spas!

Gold: Spa 901

Silver: Three Sisters Day Spa

Bronze: Island Lake Lodge

Best Hair Salon 2017

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 2017!

Gold: Sparrow for Hair

Silver: Lysh

Bronze: No 3

Best Go to Health Product Source 2017

Where do we pick up our vitamins, supplements and natural ingredients or products? Here are your picks for 2017.

Gold: Good Earth

Silver: Save On Foods

Bronze: Ann's Independent Grocer

Best Place to Purchase Summer Gear 2017

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: Straightline

Bronze: Elevation Showcase

Best Place to Purchase Winter Gear 2017

You always need great gear when exploring the backcountry, especially during the cold, wet winter months. Here's Fernie's 2017 picks for the best places to get your winter gear.

Gold: Gear Hub

Silver: Guide's Hut

Bronze: Ski Base

Best Fashion Hot Spot 2017

Fernie has turned into a great shopping destination, with unique stores offering something for everyone. From mountain casual to an evening out, here are 2017's top three fashion hot spots.

Gold: Freyja

Silver: Heaven Boutique

Bronze: No 3

Best Place for Kid's Clothing, Toys and Gifts 2017

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 2017.

Gold: Grow

Silver: Polar Peek

Bronze: Wild Things

Best Accessory Hot Spot 2017

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 2017's top three fashion hot spots.

Gold: Coal Town Goods

Silver: Freyja

Bronze: No3 & The Green Petal (TIE)

Best Casual Wear Locale 2017

Most days in Fernie, you need something comfortable, built for the current weather, that is also fashionable - we call it mountain casual!

Gold: Heaven Boutique

Silver: Elevation

Bronze: Salvation Army

Best Place to Spruce Up Your Home 2017

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: The Green Petal

Silver: Canadian Tire

Photo Credit: Tarjan Group

Bronze: Interior Envy

Best Place to Stock The Fridge 2017

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

Best Place to Stock The Liquor Cabinet 2017

You'll need something to wash all that food down with! Here are 2017's top picks for beer and liquor purchases in Fernie!

Gold: The Liquor Store

Silver: The Tipple

Bronze: Fernie Brewing Company

Best Place to Get Your Goodie Fix 2017

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 2017's top three!

Gold: Happy Cow

Silver: Beanpod

Bronze: Rock Mountain Chocolate Factory

Best Place to Brunch 2017

A good bite to eat to start the day right! Here are Fernie's brunch picks for 2017!

Gold: Blue Toque

Silver: Big Bang Bagels

Bronze: Mugshots

Best Cup of Joe 2017

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 2017.

Gold: The Valley Social

Silver: Freshies

Bronze: Mugshots

Best Burger in Town 2017

A good burger is essential, and we all have our go-to locales. These three received the most votes in 2017!

Gold: The Brickhouse

Silver: The Northern Bar & Stage

Bronze: Fernie Cattle Co.

Best Evening Dining Atmosphere 2017

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 2017's top three.

Gold: Nevados

Silver: Yamagoya

Bronze: Island Lake Lodge

Best Wine List 2017

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 2017.

Gold: Island Lake Lodge

Silver: Nevados

Bronze: Yamagoya

Best Beer Selection 2017

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: Fernie Brewing Company

Silver: The Northern

Bronze: The Curry Bowl

Best Cocktail Menu 2017

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

Gold: Nevados

Silver: Island Lake Lodge

Bronze: Yamagoya

Best Venue for Live Music 2017

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 2017.

Gold: The Northern

Silver: The Arts Station

Bronze: Infinitea

Honorable Mention: Gold Photo Credit: Matt Kuhn Photo

Best Place to Shake Your Booty 2017

It's fun to shake your booty in Fernie, and with each year the booty-shaking opportunities only get better. Check out 2017's top three.

Gold: The Northern

Silver: The Royal

Bronze: The Griz Bar

Best Ethnic Restaurant 2017

For such a small town Fernie has a surprising number and variety of ethnic restaurants. Get out and explore - here are your favourites from 2017.

Gold: Yamagoya

Silver: Himalayan Spice Bistro

Bronze: Nevados

Best Food Truck 2017

With even more culinary options available on the streets in Fernie, this new category covers those delicious street eats. Here's your top three picks for 2017.

Gold: Yama-2-Go

Silver: Chopstick Truck

Bronze: Flippin' Crepes

Best Slice of Pizza 2017

Pizza and burgers - staples in any town. These three establishments are your choice for pizza in 2017.

Gold: Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe

Silver: Fernie Pizza and Pasta

Bronze: Loaf

Best Quick Food Fix 2017

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, 2017's people's choice.

Gold: Big Bang Bagels

Silver: Lunchbox

Bronze: Mugshots

Best Place to Send The Family 2017

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: Lizard Creek Lodge & Best Western (TIE)

Bronze: Stanford Resort

Best Place to Send Friends on a Budget 2017

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 2017.

Gold: Raging Elk Hostel

Silver: Snow Valley Motel 

Bronze: Powder Mountain Lodge 

Best Way to Spend $20 2017

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 at the Northern

Silver: Hot chocolate at Beanpod

Bronze: A movie at the Vogue

Best Place for People Watching 2017

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: At the Valley Social in downtown Fernie

Silver: Griz Bar deck at Fernie Alpine Resort

Bronze: Wednesday Night Concert Series

Best Social Event 2017

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 2017, that you won't want to miss in 2018!

Gold: Wapiti

Silver: Griz Days

Bronze: Wednesday Concert Series

Photo Credit: Adam K MacDonald

Best Sports Event 2017

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: Ghostriders Hockey

Silver: Demo Derby 

Bronze: Fernie Half Marathon 

Photo Credit: Fernie Half Marathon

Best Reason for Living in Fernie 2017

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

Gold: The people

Photo Credit: Adam K. MacDonald

Silver: Access to the outdoors

Bronze: The beautiful four seasons

Best Reason for Visiting Fernie 2017

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: Skiing

Photo Credit: Fernie Alpine Resort

Silver: Biking

Bronze: The People

Best Fernie Saying 2017

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 2017.

Gold: Came for the winter, stayed for the summer

Photo Credit: Krista Turcasso

Silver: Fernie time

Bronze: 20 cm rule

Best First Date 2017

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: Yamagoya

Silver: Bike ride and beers

Photo Credit: Raven Eye Photography

Bronze: Date night at Island Lake Lodge

Photo Credit: Mike McPhee

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