By Robin Laurenson & Carmen Macleod
Fernie is famously known for the 360-degree mountain views which surround this quaint little town — and for the epic powder that welcomes skiers, snowboarders, and winter sports enthusiast every winter. You might wonder — if you are not inclined to doing winter spots, is Fernie still worth the visit? Well, that is what we were there to find out. After spending a weekend exploring this mountain town, we are happy to provide you with a list of our favourite Fernie finds.
1. Mount Fernie Provincial Park
Mount Fernie Provincial Park is located 5 kilometers right outside of Fernie and it is the perfect playground for a winter hike. From the parking lot, you will be greeted by a bridge that goes over a beautiful little semi frozen creek, snow-covered trees, and mountain views. The trail was well maintained with packed snow, making it very easy to follow. This is an easy trail for individuals of all ages. We even saw toddlers on the trail. There are several trails available which include Gorby, Old Goat, Happy Gilmar, Sherwoody and more.
2. Shops
Downtown Fernie has no shortage of locally owned businesses. From flower shops, art cooperatives, fashion and home décor, these cute shops add a lot of flair and uniqueness to the town. Walking down 2nd Ave, the perfectly curated window displays were very creative and inviting. You couldn’t help but stop and wonder what treasures you would find inside. In many of the stores we stopped at, the owners were working at the store and provided warm welcomes and information about all the products and services they had. Many carried unique products that were locally made by artists, and you could tell that supporting the community is very important to them.
3. The Fernie Golf Club
You don’t have to be snowboarder or skier to enjoy outdoor activities in Fernie. Luckily, the Fernie Golf Club Nordic Trails provides the perfect combination of views and easy trails. As soon as you arrive to the parking lot, you are greeted by magnificent mountain views and groomed track set trails. If you don’t have snowshoes or cross-country skis, GearHub Sports rents all the equipment you need. From skis to snowshoes, fat bikes and more, this is your one stop shop for all winter gear in Fernie. After we got outfitted at GearHub with cross country skis, we headed out to the Fernie Golf Club where we spent the morning learning how to ski on the flat trails that were perfectly marked for cross country skiing. Although we had from zero to minimal experience, we had a great time practicing while surrounded by mountains, and the best part was that we had the place practically to ourselves.
4. The Loaf
The Loaf is a town favourite and for good reason. This bakery turned Italian Restaurant has been voted one of Fernie’s best restaurants. With brick interior walls, industrial lightning, live music, and a cozy ambiance, this is the perfect place to end your day after hiking and shopping. They prepare delicious artisan breads and pastries from scratch as a homage to the bakery origins and provide generous portions of spaghetti and wine. We ordered the pesto chicken spaghetti, which was to die for, as well as the daily special — beef stroganoff fettuccini. While we ate and drank, a local singer was playing covers on her guitar, creating a lively atmosphere of fine dining and entertainment.
5. Rooftop Roasters
Without a doubt, Rooftop Roasters is the most popular coffee shop in town. This family-owned business started in 2016 with one 17-year-old head roaster for their beans and a dream. When we set foot in the coffee shop, there was a constant flow of people coming in and out, in addition to serving from their curbside café. We quickly found out what the fuss was about. Not only is the shop outfitted with cool décor and coffee merchandise for the caffeine aficionado, but the artisanal quality of their coffee was outstanding. It was the perfect companion for those cold winter walks downtown.
6. SPA 901
We would be lying if we said that this wasn’t the activity we were most looking forward to. After a jam-packed day of exploring and cross-country skiing, a spa date was the perfect way to unwind. Spa 901 has 5 treatment rooms, 2 aesthetic suites, relaxation lounges and a heated outdoor pool area. Spa 901 is in high demand, so you must make a reservation to secure your spot in the tub. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with our own baskets of slippers, robes, and a key to our lockers. After we changed into our bathing suits, we headed out to the hot tub where, as soon as we stepped in, it washed away any remaining signs of winter.
7. Art Walk
While exploring the historic Downtown area of Fernie it is apparent that art intertwined with the community’s culture. The largest mural is the All Kinds of Beauty Mural located on 7th St and 2nd Ave. It is the perfect backdrop for fun Instagram photos. We also visited Fernie’s Art Co-op, which had an abundance of artwork from over 40 Canadian artists which includes paintings, photographs, pottery, wood carved sculptures, jewellery and much more. This store, which is laid out like a gallery with sections dedicated to the artists, is a treasure chest. Definitely a must-see in Fernie.
