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FERNIE, B.C.
Go for a climb or a cruise
Choose your terrain and have a blast in Fernie
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER


HIT THE POW: Fernie's abundant powder makes it a perfect place to practise your powder riding skills.
—photo by Pam McSkimming
Rugged snow-capped peaks, wide panoramic views and deep virgin snow—this is what sledding around Fernie is all about. Situated in the heart of the majestic Elk Valley, Fernie is the perfect place to fine-tune your alpine riding skills.

Family-friendly zones
While Fernie is definitely popular among extreme sledders, it holds some beautiful places at lower elevations where beginners can safely challenge their sledding abilities or enjoy an afternoon ride. Families might want to check out Minnesota Flats and the Coal Creek Trail.

Fernie is a unique place for sledding, because snowmobilers can go from mild to wild riding on almost any trail.

"Most of the lower trails are suitable for the family," said Andy Buchan, vice-president of the Fernie Snowmobile Association. "These trails do lead into the backcountry, where the riding can increase in difficulty."

Getting there: Minnesota Flats and the Coal Creek Trail are accessible from the Coal Creek Staging Area located past the Fernie Aquatic Centre and beyond the transfer station.

Places of unparalleled powder
Morrissey, 29 Mile, Hollow Creek, Hartley Lake and Ram Creek are some of the favourite areas for advanced to intermediate riders. In these spots, sledders can discover miles of ungroomed routes, ideal hillclimbing opportunities and large, powder-filled play areas; some of these places reach elevations of 7,000 feet.

Getting there: Morrissey and Ram Creek are accessible via the Morrissey Road turnoff approximately 16 kilometres south of Fernie. To reach Hartley Lake, turn off Highway 3 onto East Dicken Road, then follow Hartley Lake Road until you reach the end of the plowed section where the staging area is located.

Embracing the season
Each year, members of the Fernie Snowmobile Association, formed in 1990, devote many hours to keeping the trails in top condition and promoting snowmobile safety.

"The Fernie Snowmobile Association has an active grooming program in place," said Buchan. "We usually groom before the weekend and have people at the trailheads collecting to recover the cost of grooming."

The city of Fernie is a full-service community that provides guests with wonderful winter events and activities. Sledders may be interested in attending the snowmobile drags that take place during Fernie's Griz Days—a weekend-long celebration held in March.

A number of resorts and guiding companies in Fernie provide snowmobile tours for day trips or multi-day packages, which is a great way for visitors to see the best of what the region has to offer.