Adult Activities

Events planned for 2024-2025 season

flying viking

The 8th Annual Great Fernie Pumpkin Hunt

pumpkin challenge 2021

The Fernie Nordic Society is excited to be hosting one of our community’s favourite events of the year! This popular event is open to the general public and is aimed at children up to 9 year old and their family. A great family event happening at the Nordic Centre.

What to expect?

When: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Where: Elk Valley Nordic Centre next to Mt Fernie Provincial park south of Fernie
Cost: $10 per pumpkin. Get your tickets now from The Guide’s Hut on 2nd Ave in Fernie (cash only)
Choose one of 2 Time Slots: 11am – 12pm or 12:30pm – 1:30pm

  • Fun searching for your favourite pumpkin!
  • Hot chocolate (bring own mug)
  • Marshmallow roasting
  • Crepes by donation
  • Emily Park Photography & more!

Parking: Ample parking available nearby in the park parking lot.

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11th Annual Community Fun Event

Several participants in a previous event

The Community Fun Event is returning on Saturday February 22, 2025 on the trails of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. The event is open to everyone, club members and non-members alike.

Read all the details HERE

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6th Annual Fernie Flying Viking Challenge

How about a fun challenge for yourself and your friends? Ski on the 25 km circuit of trails from the warming hut of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre and the trails of the Fernie Alpine Resort. There is a prize for best costume! A short ride on the chairlift is included in the fun. Do the loop twice to complete the event. Or a partner and you may ski the circuit together once, adding up to 50 km.
There are categories for Mini-Vikings too! Ski as fast or as slow as you want, by yourself or with a friend, on either a 1.3 km, 3.4 km or 7.5 km course. Add some fun with a costume..

Where: Elk Valley Nordic Centre

When: Sunday, March 23, 2025

Read More: our main event page is https://www.fernienordic.com/vikingchallenge

Registration Page: https://zone4.ca/register.asp?id=37992

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More events to come:

Several of our group events should return this season:

  • Full Moon Skis at the golf course or at the Nordic Centre
  • Griz Days event
  • Community Fun Races
  • Fernie Flying Viking Challenge
  • Illuminated warming hut area on Saturday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Nordic Centre

Check our calendar HERE. Make sure that you are on our email list so you do not miss anything.

P.S. the club is still looking for an energetic person to take the lead on some of these events. Give us a shout! It will be much rewarding.

Ski Training Sessions for Adults

skier tarah

We have just updated this page for the 2024-2025 winter season.

Instructors Emily, Susan and Tarah will be offering adult classic and skate lessons for beginners and intermediate skiers through private or semi-private lessons. Tarah is a Level 3 CANSI instructor and will also be offering advanced lessons.

Most lessons will take place at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre, located a few minutes drive from downtown Fernie. Meet at the staging area outside the warming hut. Some lessons will take place at the Fernie Golf Course.  At this location, meet at the FNS kiosk just outside of the Clubhouse. Your instructor will confirm the location and meeting place.  Your instructor will confirm the cost and the duration of the lesson.

Preparedness

  • Payment for your lesson must be made BEFORE your lesson starts.
  • Please come prepared for all types of weather (cold, wet, snowy, windy, sunny, etc) as your comfort is your responsibility and we may not have access to the hut to warm up cold toes. Lessons may be rescheduled in the event of extreme weather.
  • Please make sure you have the right equipment properly sized for your weight/ability. We do not have rentals. Contact Tarah for questions about equipment and rentals BEFORE your lesson.
  • Please ensure that you have a day pass or club membership at the time of your lesson. Day passes are available online HERE.

Please contact us to book a session

Any questions? Get in touch with us!

Make your online payment

Once your lesson has been confirmed, you will be requested to make an online payment:

Option 1: send an e-transfer to info@fernienordic.com

Option 2: pay by credit card using the Payment button below

Frequently Asked Questions

Coach Qualifications
We currently have three instructors who are CANSI certified.

Scheduling of lessons
Each instructor will be available at different times during the winter season. Contact us with your day/time preferences and your nordic ski goals. We will get you in touch with an instructor.

Lesson Types
Private lessons are offered by each instructor. It is also fun and more economical to learn in a group, so if you have some friends with similar nordic skills and goals, you may choose a semi-private or a group lesson.

The lessons may be for absolute beginners in the classic ski or skate ski technique. Or intermediate/advanced skiers may just be looking to improve their technique and performance.

  • Beginner 1 : first time on skis
  • Beginner 2 : feel confident on various terrain types – no previous lessons
  • Intermediate : have had a lesson or have 2 + years of experience skiing
  • Advanced : very confident on skis, looking to improve performance or technique

Lessons
If you have a special request, please let your instructor know when you get in touch with us. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver prior to the lessons.

Payments
Once you have confirmed a time and the number of participants with your instructor, please make the payment in advance of the class to confirm your session. Payment details can be found elsewhere on this page.

What to Wear?
Dress in layers so that you can adjust your clothing accordingly. A hat and neck warmer are very helpful for maintaining your body warmth.  Nordic specific gloves or mittens help with grip and are more user friendly with ski pole straps.

Gear fit is Important
If you have questions about your gear, discuss with the local outdoor stores that sell Nordic gear or a specialty Nordic shop.  Fit really does matter! 

Equipment Rentals
We do not offer or arrange any rentals of ski equipment. A few local shops have cross country ski gear available for rent. They are located either in downtown Fernie or at the Fernie Alpine Resort. More details on this page.

Gift Certificates
Thinking of offering a present to a friend? We offer gift certificates for ski lessons. Just let us know the details when you contact us. Certificates may be picked up locally or mailed out.

Cold Temperatures
Fernie gets cold and windy from time to time. Sometimes conditions are not suitable for learning. Instructors or participants may need to reschedule a lesson in extreme conditions.

Your Instructors

tarah leggottemily de freitascoach susan
Tarah Leggott
CANSI Level 3		Emily DeFreitas
CANSI Level 1		Susan Smith
CANSI Level 1
Tarah Leggott is a CANSI Level 3 instructor that is passionate about cross country skiing as a lifelong, family-oriented sport that can be pursued competitively or as recreation in our beautiful, little corner of BC.Emily has been cross country skiing for over 20 years. She grew up as a competitive racer for Foothills Nordic in Calgary. She has coached in adult and youth programs in both Calgary and Whistler. “I’m looking forward to connecting with the Fernie ski community and helping you reach your nordic goals!”Susan is passionate about nordic skiing and she looks forward to helping you and your family to become more efficient and dynamic on your skis.
She combines her knowledge of body mechanics and CANSI training to target your individual needs.