There's a whole lot going on in the mountain bike scene in Fernie. At Fernie Alpine Resort, high speed chairlifts make it easy to get to the top of the mountain, and for those who prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, there are over 50 mostly XC (cross-country) trails listed on the Fernie Mountain Bike Club's website. There may not be many strictly DH (downhill) trails here - but the locals sure look fit.
Fernie Mountain Bike Trails
A valley location like this means a huge variety of terrain, and trails to suit all skill levels. Across the tracks by the aquatic centre, Ridgemont is the hub for dozens of singletrack trails such as the blue-rated "Kid's Stuff", the green-rated "Coal Creek Heritage Trail", and the black-rated "Hessian". Fernie's vast and growing network of trails, which is spread over a wide area of private and public lands, is volunteer maintained. In practice, this means that some are in great shape, while others are, well, sketchy. Be sure to check in with one of the local bike shops for a trail map and up-to-date information.
Fernie Alpine Resort
Thursday through Sunday from the end of June through Labour Day, Fernie Alpine Resort opens up to service its acclaimed mountain bike park. For the cost of a lift ticket, riders can access a whole range of trails, including cross-country, downhill, singletrack and dual slalom. Bike camps and skills clinics, some specifically for kids, are also available.
Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures
For more than a decade, this Fernie based company has been creating and delivering mountain bike adventures. Although Sacred Rides now operates all over the world, all of their BC packages start and end at their small lodge in downtown Fernie. The company, which has been rated the world's number one mountain bike tour company by National Geographic, also offers weekend and week-long skills camps. For more details on mountain biking in and around Fernie, head to the Visitor Centre, on the highway just north of town.