West Fernie, British Columbia

The Perch sits in West Fernie, in the Elk Valley of southeastern BC, ringed by the peaks of the Lizard Range. From the driveway it's a 7-minute drive to Fernie Alpine Resort and 3 minutes to the historic downtown — closer to the lifts than the downtown hotels, closer to downtown than staying at the resort. First chair in the morning, shops and restaurants the same afternoon.

Winter

• Fernie Alpine Resort

  Five alpine bowls and the deep, reliable powder Fernie is famous for. Skiing and riding for every level, from long groomers to steep tree runs.

• Nordic and snowshoe trails

  Groomed cross-country trails and snowshoe routes wind through the valley — a quieter way to earn your après.

• Winter in town

  Cozy restaurants, coffee shops and the local brewery keep evenings easy after a day on the hill.

Summer

• Mountain biking

  Fernie's singletrack network is one of BC's best, with everything from mellow valley loops to lift-accessed downhill at the resort.

• Hiking

  Trails for every ambition, from the short walk to Fairy Creek Falls to full-day alpine ridge lines with Elk Valley views.

• Elk River

  Blue-ribbon fly fishing for westslope cutthroat trout, plus rafting and floating in the summer heat.

Around town

Downtown Fernie’s brick storefronts date to the town’s rebuild after the 1908 fire, and today they house independent shops, galleries, restaurants and a local brewery. It’s a real, year-round mountain town — not a purpose-built resort village.

Getting to Fernie

Fernie is on Highway 3 in the Elk Valley, about 3.5 hours’ drive from Calgary and its international airport (YYC). The nearest airport is Canadian Rockies International in Cranbrook (YXC), about 1 hour 15 minutes away; Glacier Park International in Kalispell, Montana (FCA) is roughly 2 hours. Winter drivers should carry proper snow tires — it’s the Rockies, and the powder that makes Fernie famous falls on the highway too.