Fernie Trip

When did we go….

• May 24 – May 26, 2019

 

Why did we go…

• our friends, Al and Cindy, were getting married on the ski hill at Fernie, and we were fortunate enough to be invited to this wonderful event

 

How did we get there…

• drove 3.5 hours from Calgary
• the drive from the turnoff at Ft. MacLeod towards and into the foothills and mountains was very scenic
• the ski hill is right off the highway, so very easy to access

 

Where did we stay…

• Lizard Creek Lodge which is right beside the main village area on the Fernie ski hill
• we had a lower level one bedroom, full kitchenette unit in the main building looking onto the ski hill
• the facility had a spacious workout facility, outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as an ice bar on the main level
• the wedding reception and dinner were held at the lodge which was a very nice and intimate setting

 

 

Where did we eat…

• Loaf in town for lunch one day and breakfast the next day (good chow and excellent service)
• wedding reception dinner was right at the hotel and was very nice

 

What did we do…

• attended the opening wedding reception at Rusty’s Edge which was on the ski hill 100 yards from the lodge we were staying at
• toured around the historic town of Fernie
• visited our friend’s places on Tie Lake (30 minutes west of Fernie) and the bride and grooms place nearby on Rosen Lake (both are very serene settings)

 

Interesting facts:

• Fernie is located in the SE tip of BC, just across the Alberta border
• named after prospector William Fernie who established the coal industry in the late 1800s
• city of 5000 residents but multiplies with all the outdoor enthusiasts that visit the area year-round

 

What did we not do that is on the agenda for next time:

• visit Island Lake Lodge and the surrounding trails (we started up the road, and it had a seasonal closure)
• Fernie Brewing Company to taste the local hops
• Fernie Distillery
• hike to Fairy Creek Falls
• visit the Frank Slide Interpretive Center

 

Final thoughts:

• we had an interesting time with our winter to summer tire change the day before our departure as all four of our wheels became loose to the point of almost falling off
• one of the sons of the groom went out for a jog on the ski hill the morning after the wedding and had a scary encounter with three young black bears (one of them jostled with him before he was thankfully able to elude it and make his way back to the lodge)
• Fernie is one of those mountain gem areas that Western Canada is famous for and we highly recommend checking it out in both summer and winter