Fernie Alpine Resort
| Fernie Alpine Resort | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Nearest city | Fernie |
| Coordinates | 49°27′45″N 115°05′13″W / 49.46250°N 115.08694°WCoordinates: 49°27′45″N 115°05′13″W / 49.46250°N 115.08694°W |
| Vertical | 1,082 m (3,550 ft) |
| Top elevation | 2,149 m (7,051 ft) |
| Base elevation | 1,068 m (3,504 ft) |
| Skiable area | 2,500 acres (10.1 km2) |
| Runs | 142 |
| Longest run | 5 km |
| Lift system |
7 chairlifts 3 surface lifts |
| Website | Ski Fernie |
Fernie Alpine Resort is a ski resort, located on Lizard Range, near the town of Fernie, British Columbia in Canada. It is known particularly for its high annual snowfall, reportedly the highest of any resort in the Canadian Rockies, and for its powder skiing. The resort also operates a mountain bike park, guided hikes, treetop aerial park, and zip line in the summer months.
The resort has 10 lifts servicing 142 named runs plus 5 alpine bowls and tree skiing with a vertical drop of 1,082 meters (3,550 ft). The resort has over 10.1 square kilometres (2,500 acres) of skiable terrain. The average annual snowfall is 875 centimetres (28.71 ft).
Fernie Alpine Resort is owned by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies which also owns ski areas, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Nakiska, Mont Sainte-Anne, and Stoneham.
History
Fernie Alpine Resort was originally called "Fernie Snow Valley"[1] before being sold in 1997 to RCR (Resort of the Canadian Rockies). RCR saw some financial trouble under owner Charlie Locke, and after a period in bankruptcy protection, was bailed out by Alberta billionaire N. Murray Edwards.
During spring 2009, Fernie Alpine Resort was temporarily transformed into the fictional Kodiak Valley ski resort, circa 1986, for exterior location shots for the Hollywood film Hot Tub Time Machine. The film was released in March 2010.
Bowls
Fernie Alpine Resort has five Legendary Bowls along the Lizard Range. Siberia Bowl, Cedar Bowl, Timber Bowl, Currie Bowl, and the Lizard bowl. Fernie is known for its amazing powder and as such it is rated one of the top 5 resorts in Canada.
Lifts
Fernie Alpine Resort has a total of 10 ski lifts.
In the base area, the Mini Moose is a Magic Carpet lift for younger beginner skiers and snowboarders. This is adjacent to the Mighty Moose, a button drag lift.
The "Old Side" is accessed either by the 3-person Deer Chair, or the four person, Elk Chair. The Great Bear Chairs is a high speed Quad taking people to the Cedar Ridge. The 3-person "Boomerang Chair" and Haulback T-Bar, both inside Cedar Bowl brings the total of 5 ski lifts in the Old Side.
On the "New Side" of the mountain there are three chairs, and is accessed by the Timber Express Chair, a high speed quad. The White Pass chair rides up to the Currie Ridge. The Polar Peak chair in Currie Bowl is the newest lift (opened in the 2011–2012 ski season), and is a triple.
Summer operations
Fernie Alpine Resort opens for the summer season normally through the months of July and August. After the snowpack has melted away, the unveiled terrain is ideal for Downhill Mountain Biking, and guided hikes. The Elk Quad Lift accesses a variety of green, blue grade to some black trails and is a good entry point for progression for beginner and intermediate riders. The Timber Lift (Open Weekends) takes riders to more advanced trails, with some mandatory drops. The resort also has a free 8 km cross country mountain biking trail.
Other activities on offer include an Aerial Park. A network of 15 treetop platforms interlinked by 25 obstacles including three zip-lines, and a leap of faith jump.
Running over the Mighty Moose is the Rippin' Zippin' Zipline, where participants can harness themselves and zip down at high speeds from top to bottom.
References
- ↑ Bethel, Greig (8 March 2001). "Powder Trip". SEE Magazine (379).