Outdoor: A Fernie repair covers all of the bases from climbing to historical past

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For 5 hours we climbed up an unrelenting pitch, picked our method via the rainforest, explored an enormous cave, hiked beside waterfalls and strode beneath towering partitions of craggy rock. Then, lastly, completely exhausted, we camped close to treeline on a wind-blasted ridge, made a hearth, smoked cigars, and informed tales. Within the morning, we labored our method as much as an alpine saddle with an otherworldly view, trekked via a few distant, wildflower-filled valleys, and, lastly, descended via a thigh-burning boulder area to the comfy, fire-warmed confines of Island Lake Lodge. For sure, the epic Heiko’s Path close to Fernie is a sure-fire technique to get your Fernie repair! 

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However, know this: if you’re in Fernie – simply one of the adventurous mountain cities in North America – there are numerous extra methods you could get that “repair.”   

Positioned three hours southwest of Calgary within the B.C. Kootenay Rockies, Fernie boasts nearly every part an outside lover can dream of. No matter outside gear you’ve acquired stashed in your storage – bikes, climbing poles, fishing rods, golf golf equipment, skis, you title it – you may put it to good use right here.

Definitely, for me, the outstanding climbing within the space is all the time high of thoughts. And whereas Heiko’s Path – it’s an intense and intensely difficult 28-km wilderness route that requires loads of planning, together with shuttles on tough logging roads – may properly be thought of the ace within the space, there are numerous different trails to trek. A number of different wonderful (and far simpler) selections embrace the Fairy Creek Waterfall Path, Citadel Mountain Path, and the Montane Path. Do some analysis (I like asking locals and utilizing the All Trails app) and discover the proper hike in your time allotment and health stage. 

Pretty much as good because the climbing is in Fernie, the mountain biking is, arguably, even higher. In actual fact, in a province that’s wealthy with mountain biking locations, Fernie is unquestionably upper-tier. There are eight totally different areas to journey (the complete city is surrounded by trails) and trails vary from death-wish double-blacks to easy-green movement jobs the place all of the little grommets (otherwise you if you happen to’re a newbie) can hone their abilities. 

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The number of terrain can also be spectacular. Loads of rooty and rocky old-school, single-track is interspersed with machine-built, new-school trails with loads of berms and picket options generously thrown in. There may be additionally a gnarly assortment of lift-accessed downhill trails on the Fernie Alpine Resort. 

Whereas I’m nonetheless discovering loads of new rides each time I am going for my Fernie “repair,” which is usually twice a 12 months (as soon as in summer season, as soon as in winter), just a few of my favorite trails embrace Swine Flu (a Fernie traditional with an enormous climb and a super-fast descent via the timber), Lazy Lizard (enjoyable descent from Island Lake Lodge), and House Unicorn (a brief bermy blast within the fashionable Ridgemont space). The super-fun bike park in downtown Fernie could be the place to start out. There are additionally a number of bike outlets on the town the place acquiring priceless native path data may make (as an alternative of break) your day. 

In the event you’re on the lookout for one thing extra mellow, don’t fear, Fernie additionally has you lined. Bisecting the city is the Elk River, which is likely one of the finest fly-fishing streams in North America. Not surprisingly, you’ll discover various fly outlets and guiding providers right here. Large and belligerent bull trout and Westslope cutthroat are two of the sought-after species within the river. (And, in my view, the close by St. Mary’s River is equally pretty much as good.) 

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In the event you’d slightly catch birdies, the Fernie Golf Membership provides a strong parkland course that’s simply one of many nicest programs to stroll (golf carts are overrated) within the Kootenay Rockies.  

And if you happen to actually need mellow, the heritage strolling tour downtown options a number of the most spectacular turn-of-the-century structure within the province. A number of of the highlights embrace the superb chateau-style courthouse, the outdated metropolis corridor and the Fernie CPR Station, which is at present used as a performing and positive arts centre. 

Whereas fall is a beautiful time to go to Fernie (it’s quiet and the colors within the Elk Valley are phenomenal), winter will be magical. Due to pillow-soft powder, the snowboarding at Fernie Alpine Resort is famous (the resort options a number of the finest alpine bowl snowboarding in North America). Maybe the very best half? The slopes are simply 5 minutes from city. 

Nevertheless, pretty much as good because the snowboarding is on the resort, a number of the backcountry choices – like cat-skiing at Island Lake Lodge – are bucket-list-worthy adventures. Personally, I depend my Island Lake Lodge cat-skiing tour in January 2020 as the most effective snowboarding experiences of my life. For 3 nights, we woke as much as 20-plus centimetres of recent pow. I discovered what dwelling within the “white room” was all about. (FYI: Exterior journal defines the white room as “a descent via deep powder wherein face pictures grow to be so frequent {that a} skier can grow to be so disoriented as if standing in an all-white room with no defining edges.”) 

And, sure, that is additionally an excellent technique to get your Fernie “repair.” 

Andrew Penner is a contract author and photographer primarily based in Calgary. Comply with him on Instagram @andrewpennerphotography

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