March 2026 Business News

Ascent Visuals 
ascentvisuals.ca 450-750-1590

Ascent Visuals is a visual production studio delivering high-end photo and video content for real estate, brands, and businesses that care about perception, not just exposure. Serving the East Kootenays, the studio specializes in creating visuals that elevate how a property or brand is experienced.

Services include professional photography, cinematic video, aerial imagery, and tailored visual assets designed to support marketing and sales performance. Each project is approached with a strong focus on light, composition, movement, and storytelling—avoiding templated, mass-produced media.

Ascent Visuals works with clients who understand that strong visuals are a strategic advantage. The studio prioritizes quality, consistency, and refinement to help listings stand out, attract the right audience, and support higher-value positioning in competitive markets.

The objective is straightforward: create visual content that increases perceived value and drives real-world results.

Broadwood Tree Services
1621 11 Ave 250-946-8733

Broadwood Tree Services is a small team of professional ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified tree climbing arborists. The company has been serving the Elk Valley and surrounding areas since 2001. They offer danger tree assessments by certified assessors, tree removal, expert pruning, chipping and disposal. 

Broadwood takes pride in offering advice and recommendations for your trees based on experience, education and guidelines set forth by the International Society of Arboriculture. Trees undoubtably add value and other benefits to property; shade, wildlife, beauty, to name a few. However, when a tree has become dangerous or needs pruning, it can become a liability; our job is to let you know the difference.

Broadwood is fully insured and in good standing with WorkSafeBC. Call 250-946-TREE (8733) for a 
free quote.

Claris Media – Web Projects 
361a 1st Ave 

Christine Thompson, Web Project Manager at Claris Media, is now accepting new clients. With over 18 years of experience, Christine is efficient and creative with extensive knowledge of WordPress, SEO, and developing user-friendly sites ensuring your website not only looks great but is easy to find, simple to navigate and effortless to manage.

Christine guides clients through every step, including strategy, design, development, hosting, domains and setup. Additionally, she is well-versed in social media which can be an add-on to the project. Get in touch today to discuss your project – @email.

Edge of the World
421b 2nd Ave 250-423-9292

Looking for something fun to do over spring break? Edge of the World has you covered! The 8th Annual Kids Colouring Contest is back with a brand-new colouring sheet by local artist Rozzy Hibbard. It’s the perfect chance for young creatives to have fun, get artistic, and score some cool prizes along the way.
The contest is free and open to children 12 years old and under. Colouring sheets are available for pickup at Edge of the World. Finished artwork must be dropped off by March 31, 2026.

Winners will be revealed April 1, with prizes awarded in three age groups: 6 and under, 7-9, and 10-12. Every kid who enters will also be included in a bonus prize draw and receive a special discount coupon for kids’ gear.

Explore Edge of the World’s awesome range of kids’ snowboards, skateboards, clothing, shoes, and toys!  edgeoftheworld.ca

Fernie Women’s Centre / The Arts Station
The Arts Station and the Fernie Women’s Resource Centre are proud to partner for activities all week long to celebrate, empower, and raise awareness for women’s equity.

Fernie and the Elk Valley are home to extraordinary women who strengthen our community every day. This International Women’s Day, the celebration starts on March 8 and then carries on all week long. Everyday there will be something on offer including workshops, exhibits  and live performances. With something  for everyone, join them as they honour the women who inspire us all. theartsstation.com/international- womens-day-celebration-2026/

Free Volunteer Tax Clinics
The CRA-sponsored free income tax clinics are back for 2026 and prior tax returns for modest-income individuals and families (40k single, 55k couple + 3k/child). No self-employment, estate windup, or investment income over $1000.

There will be a clinic at the Heritage Library on Saturdays and another at the Seniors Drop-In Centre on Wednesdays throughout March and April. If you qualify, consider contacting the clinic hosts as follows to set up an in-person appointment or use the drop-off service:

Fernie Heritage Library: 250-423-4458 or @email. Fernie Seniors Drop-in Centre: Courtney at 250-423-3312.

One volunteer offers a virtual clinic if unable to attend in person, and they can be reached at @email.

Gather: Kitchen & Table 
652 2nd Ave

Gather: Kitchen & Table has opened up at 652-2nd Ave., bringing to life a store front that has sat empty for several years. The space is now a warm and welcoming shop with a beautiful selection of tablewares and kitchenwares.

Gather was built on the belief that the kitchen is the warm heart of the home - a place where beauty and function meet with intention. Their collection is thoughtfully curated, favouring fewer, better pieces that are made to be used, loved, and kept. 

Follow them on Instagram @gatherfernie or visit them in downtown Fernie. 

Polar Peak Books 
482 2nd Ave 250-423-376
Polar Peak Books is excited to add events and activities for every reader at their new downtown location.

Just in time for International Women’s Day, families can celebrate Paperbag Princess Day March 7, Robert Munsch’s classic tale of strong girls. On March 13, historical fiction fans won’t want to miss a very special book launch with local author Jaima Fixsen, (AKA Audrey Blake), who will introduce her latest page-turner All In her Hands.

Terry Nelson’s Old Growth Forest presentation and fundraiser for Wildsight (March 14) is a great match for those wanting to learn more about our ecosystem in balance. And for families on a school Spring Break, we invite you to be a part of “Camp Penguin,” a reading program designed to spark imagination and curb boredom in young readers. Polar Peak will also be on site at the Fernie Heritage Library in support of their “Booked!,” event (March 5) featuring acclaimed Sci Fi author Deborah Willis.

Polar Peak Books —where books shape lives. For all event listings and details head to their website or follow along on their  IG socials. polarpeakbooks.ca @polarpeakbooks

The Money Blueprint
A new financial education event is coming to Fernie this March. The Money Blueprint is a free, one-hour seminar designed to help individuals and families better understand how money works and how to build a stronger financial future. 

Hosted at Fernie Distillers Thursday, March 5 from 6:30–7:30pm, the seminar covers practical topics such as money basics, protecting what matters most, and strategies for growing wealth over time. Attendees will also learn about collaborative opportunities within the financial services space for those interested in expanding their professional horizons. 

With a focus on clarity, education, and long-term thinking, The Money Blueprint offers a welcoming introduction to financial literacy for the local community. Please contact Robie Labine at @email to learn more.