Cross Country Skiing in Spectacular Fernie
Zone4 Registration become a FNS member and enroll in Kids Programs
Tourism Fernie website
Fernie Snow Report from Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie.com local events
Skierbob.ca all about crosscountry skiing in western Canada
Biathlon Live from Eurovision Sports
CrossCountry BC provincial cross country organization
Nordiq Canada national cross country organization
Biathlon Canada canadian organization
Four locations around Fernie offer some cross-country ski gear to rent. All are open 7 days a week during the season.
Gear Hub Sports
401 1st Avenue, Fernie
Tel: 250-423-5555
Email: rentals@gearhub.ca
From highway 3, take 4th Street into downtown. Store is located on left before the railway crossing. The daily rental rate is $25 per day as of December 2018.
It is recommended to call ahead as it gets busy on weekends.
GearHub Adventure Rentals GearHub has expanded! We are now operating a second, rentals-focused location in Fernie called GearHub Adventure Rentals. This new rental location is operating out of the Fernie Stanford Hotel. This means there is now a place to rent XC ski equipment at the intersection of Hwy 3 and Mount Fernie Park Road, just 2.5 km from the West Fernie bridge.
Open daily from 8am – 11am and 3pm – 8pm
Tel: 250-278-3278
Email: rentals@gearhub.ca
Ski Base
432 2nd Avenue, Fernie
Tel: 250-423-6464
From highway 3, take 4th Street into downtown. Turn left on 2nd Avenue. The store is located on the right next to the medical clinic. Ski Base has several sets of rental skis in adult sizes.
The Quest Outdoor Sports Rentals
Located at the Fernie Alpine Resort
5258 Highline Drive click here for map
Tel: 250-423-9252
Email: fernieskirentals@icloud.com
Go 5 km west of Fernie on highway 3, turn north at the Fernie Alpine Resort sign. Turn right after 1 km on Highline Drive. Keep your left for 350 m until you reach the Snow Creek Lodge where the rental shop is located.
All winter, storms stream off the North Pacific. On the eastern edge of the Canadian Rockies, the storms stall, dropping metre after metre of snow before moving onto the plains. Fernie, BC sits in the middle of the infamous “stall zone”. There’s a 20cm rule in Fernie: when the barometer falls and we receive 20cm (8 inches) of snow or more overnight, the meeting moves to the mountain – maybe Timber Chair or the Boomerang Chair. Locals are more likely to meet their neighbour skiing the face of the Bear than walking down Victoria Avenue. Even Ski Canada Magazine recognizes this, voting and awarding Fernie as the Best Ski town, with the Best Powder and the Best Deck Party. Accolades from a voice of experience.
The National Geographic Society has Fernie in its list of the 2014 World’s Best Ski Towns. Read about it here. And previously Fernie won an award by being named the 2012 Best Ski Resort in North America at the prestigious World Snow Awards. Link to a recent article in the local paper The Free Press.
The National Geographic Society is featuring Fernie and the Fernie Nordic Society on one of its websites www.crownofthecontinent.natgeotourism.com This website explores the Alberta-BC-Montana mountain region and many of its natural attractions. One page is dedicated to the Fernie Nordic Society. Browse the website at the same time.
Founded over 100 years ago, Fernie is the hub of Southeastern BC. Initially coal mines attracted adventurers from around the globe. The Italians, British, Aussies and the French found a home in the Elk River valley holding Fernie. Today Fernie remains remarkably diverse. We still draw international travelers, but today Fernie Alpine Resort is as much of a draw as the coal mines. The common factor becomes an appreciation for the mountains, the activities and the strong attraction to the wide variety of local cultural events. Fernie’s Historic Downtown bustles with shops, galleries, bistros and restaurants.
The Arts Station hosts concerts and performances throughout the year. At night, skiers fill the streets hopping from bistro to bar, burning up the last energy of the day. Fernie truly has something to offer everyone, from adventure to community, come and discover what will keep you coming back to Fernie for more! For more information about Fernie, and to plan your vacation visit Tourism Fernie
• How to find the latest info on the TRAIL CONDITIONS?
• How often are the trails groomed?
• Is the skiing free at the Nordic Centre and Golf Course?
• What is a DAY PASS and where do I need one?
• Do I need a PASS to use the trails?
• How do I register my child in SKI LESSONS FOR KIDS?
• How come my child is on a waiting list for the ski lessons?
• Do you offer SKI LESSONS FOR ADULTS?
• Are our COACHES qualified to teach?
• How to get a MEMBERSHIP?
• Do I get a membership card when I join up?
• Where is my membership card? or my sticker?
• What is the ZONE4 website?
• I am a BEGINNER SKIER. Where should I go skiing?
• I am comfortable on skis. Which trails do you recommend?
• Is the WARMING HUT available for rental?
• Can my organization HELP the Fernie Nordic Society?
• I want to help. Can I VOLUNTEER?
• What is a TRAIL AMBASSADOR?
• Why are DOGS not allowed on the trails at EVNC or the golf course?
• Where may I take my dog to ski?
• Does the club have a RACE TEAM?
• What is the Teck KOOTENAY CUP?
• I would like to participate in a RACE. What do I need to know?
• Can I purchase any FNS MERCHANDISE?
• Do you have any SOCIAL EVENTS planned?
• Is the Fernie Nordic Society a CHARITY?
• Can I get a receipt for the CHILDREN TAX CREDIT?
• Why is crosscountry skiing so inexpensive in Fernie?
• What is the main operating EXPENSE of the club?
• What is the correct size of ski gear for my child?
• Is FNS on SOCIAL MEDIAS?
• Which regions are our members from?
• I cannot find any information on the WEBSITE. What now?
• I have a question. How do I CONTACT the Fernie Nordic Society?
How to find the latest info on the TRAIL CONDITIONS?
The report on trail conditions on the website gets updated regularly during the season. Even better, anyone can subscribe to our emails to get the same report in their mailbox. Look for the signup form on this page. To add to this report, anyone may text 250-430-2719 with the details.
How often are the trails groomed?
The volunteers aim to groom the trails at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre 3 to 5 times a week during the season. This obviously depends on the snow conditions. Grooming is planned ahead of the weekends when more skiers are on the trails. The trails on the golf course are also groomed frequently as the snow cover allows.
Is the skiing free at the Nordic Centre and Golf Course?
If you are a club member, skiing is free. It is inexpensive for non-members. A Day Pass is required if you are not a FNS member. Passes may be obtained from the kiosk at the trail head, from a volunteer at the warming hut or online. See the question below for more details.
What is a DAY PASS and where do I need one?
Non-club members need to purchase a Day Pass to ski on the golf course or at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. Day passes may be obtained from the kiosk at the trail head or online for $10 single and $20 family.
Do I need a PASS to use the trails?
Yes, a valid membership or a day pass is required. Day passes are available at the trail head for $10 single or $20 family. Make sure to sign the book at the same time to be eligible for some insurance coverage. Day passes are also available online.
How do I register my child in SKI LESSONS FOR KIDS?
The easiest way: visit Zone4.ca where the registration to the lessons is made together with gear rental and club membership. Our website shows more options.
How come my child is on a waiting list for the ski lessons?
We accept the children in our SDP lessons program but in keeping the ratio coach-kids reasonable for an effective training program. Please consider joining as a volunteer coach to allow for more kids to participate. The required short training is paid for by the Fernie Nordic Society and it follows the CCBC training standard.
Do you offer SKI LESSONS FOR ADULTS?
The club is planning several sessions of lessons for adults during the season. They will include tips for both classical and skate skiing techniques. Our coaches are NCCP licensed to teach adult skiers. Please use our Contact Us page to let us know what type of lessons you prefer, classic or skate, beginner or more advanced. The dates of the lessons will be announced by email in our club notices. Subscribe to these emails through the signup box on this page.
Are our COACHES qualified to teach?
Of course they are. All our coaches are volunteers and they are required to be competent and qualified. Coaches for the kids lessons are qualified through the CCBC program. Coaches for adults are licensed through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). For more details, see this Coaching Program summary. Our coaches in the kids program also need to have a police background check done before joining our team.
How to get a MEMBERSHIP?
It is done online for adult, family and student memberships. Visit Zone4.ca where a payment by credit card is accepted.
Do I get a membership card when I join up?
You sure do. Our goal is to have your new membership card or renewal stickers ready within 7 days after your registration and payment are completed. The club does not mail the cards to keep costs low. Cards and stickers will be available for pickup at our various events early in the season. The trail ambassadors will have them at the warming hut during the weekends after the ski season starts. Please note that returning members will receive a renewal sticker for their cards.
Where is my membership card? or my sticker?
A few days after your membership info is entered on the Zone4.ca website, either online or by one of our volunteers, your card will be ready for pickup. If you are a returning member, a renewal sticker will be issued for your card. Cards and stickers will be available for pickup at our various events early in the season. The trail ambassadors will have them at the warming hut during the weekends after the ski season starts. Contact us for help.
What is the ZONE4 website?
The Zone4.ca website is a central point for all kinds of sports activities. It is based in Canmore, Alberta. The Fernie Nordic Society, as many other sports clubs, uses this website to handle our membership and race registrations together with their financial transactions. The website is also used to display race results such as the Teck Kootenay Cup races.
I am a BEGINNER SKIER. Where should I go skiing?
The Fernie Nordic Society grooms several kilometres of trails on the Fernie golf course. The main loop around the course is 4 km in length and more side trails are groomed. It is perfect for skiing at your pace without hills and to improve your pace and technique. Check our website for maps and more details.
I am comfortable on skis. Which trails do you recommend?
The 10 km trail system of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre offers a more challenging workout. Skiing may start from the warming hut or from the Fernie Alpine Resort. Maps are posted on kiosks at both trail heads. The trails include a few hills along the way and a bridge over the Lizard Creek. Do not forget to look at the views of the valley as you go. Check our website for maps and more details.
Is the WARMING HUT available for rental?
The hut has been available for rental since the fall of 2016. Its outdoor deck and the interior have been completed during the 2018 season. Check out our website page for details about the surroundings and the insurance requirement.
Can my organization HELP the Fernie Nordic Society?
Indeed. Corporate memberships for a group of up to six people are available. Visit our Membership page to download the registration form. Or register online at Zone4.ca
I want to help. Can I VOLUNTEER?
Great! And it is easy. Our website has a Volunteers page listing several opportunities. A club member may volunteer for a short task such as an event, or take over an activity like organizing an evening activity or handling the membership registration during the season. Contact us today to let us know.
What is a TRAIL AMBASSADOR?
This person is a volunteer who is dedicated to be a presence on the trails and at the warming hut of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre for short periods on weekdays or on weekends. Her/his task is to be on site, or on the trails, to meet other skiers, to give out some information and to answer their questions. The club does not police the trails. This is our friendly way to encourage skiers to show their cards, to become a member or to purchase a day pass. Become a TA by contacting us through this website
Why are DOGS not allowed on the trails at EVNC or the golf course?
Just like walkers, dogs poke holes into the trail surface ruining the grooming and track set in the process. Abandoned dog poop is another reason. There is a dog-friendly trail section on the FAR side of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. This area is accessible from Highline Drive at the Fernie Alpine Resort. Dogs are welcome on other trails such as the Fernie dyke, Montane and the Fernie Alpine Resort.
Where may I take my dog to ski?
See the previous question. Check out these dog-friendly trails: the Fernie dyke, Montane, Island Lake and the Fernie Alpine Resort. Maps and directions are available on this page.
Does the club have a RACE TEAM?
Yes, it does since the 2014-2015 season. The Fernie Nordic Racers is a group of young skiers aged from 9 to 16 who aim to enroll in all races of the Teck Kootenay Cup series during the season. Their training include training on trails, weekly gym training and additional CCBC sponsored training camps. Your child is welcome to join the team. Contact us through this website and coaches Jeff and Naomi will answer your questions.
What is the Teck KOOTENAY CUP?
The Teck Regional Cup series offer affordable, accessible competitive opportunities for developing athletes and are sponsored by Teck throughout B.C. All Regional Cup races offer age-appropriate categories for children 14 years of age and younger, and most offer the full spectrum of categories for skiers of all ages from the CCBC website. The skiers from the Fernie Nordic Society have participated in the Teck Kootenay Cup series of races every year. Our club has won the Cup in the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2017-2018 seasons and again in 2018-2019 in part due to the large participation by young and adult skiers from Fernie.
I would like to participate in a RACE. What do I need to know?
Any club member may participate in the Teck Kootenay Cup races as an adult skier or a young skier. The series includes 5 or 6 races to choose from during the season. The more participants from FNS, the more points the club gets in the standings. Come and join! Check our calendar page for the scheduled races. The club also organizes a local Community Fun Race in Fernie during the season. It is also open to non-club members. All for a fun time. Check our calendar for details.
Can I purchase any FNS MERCHANDISE?
Yes, the Fernie Nordic Society has several items for sale: round patches with FNS logo $10, toques with pompon $20. Contact us through this website for more details.
Do you have any SOCIAL EVENTS planned?
Watch for the Full Moon Skis and Family Skis events during the season. Group activities like ski outings during the week may be set up according to demand. There is also our year end event in the spring. Check our calendar page for the schedule.
Is the Fernie Nordic Society a CHARITY?
No. The club is a non-profit sports club registered under the BC Societies act.
Can I get a receipt for the CHILDREN TAX CREDIT?
Unfortunately, not any longer. This program has been abolished by the federal government starting in the 2017 year. Receipts for your payment are issued through the Zone4.ca website. If you are missing your receipt or require a detailed one, please contact us through this website.
Why is crosscountry skiing so inexpensive in Fernie?
There are two main reasons. First, we have received some considerable financial support from the BC government over the years. And second, the activities of the Fernie Nordic Society are all run by volunteers. The club has only one part time paid employee, the administration assistant to the club president. The Society encourages all volunteers to come forward in order to keep all membership costs low.
What is the main operating EXPENSE of the club?
Grooming of the trails at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre costs about $300 for a single pass. This adds up to our largest operational expense. It is also the item deemed the most important one as reported in our last survey of members and trail users.
What is the correct size of gear for my child?
The proper fitting of the boots, skis and poles is important for your child to enjoy the sport comfortably and safely. It is simple to do and the basic hints may be found online on these pages: fitting boots, sizing classic and skate skis, sizing poles
Is FNS on SOCIAL MEDIAS?
Glad you asked! The Fernie Nordic Society is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. These links can be found at the bottom of this page.
Which regions are our members from?
As expected most club members are from the Elk Valley area (79%) and a large number from Alberta (20%). Figures as of March 2019/
I cannot find any information on the WEBSITE. What now?
The website is updated regularly and it is not perfect. All pages are reachable from the home page. Just drill down from the menu at the top of the page. Another solution is to use the handy Search box at the bottom of this page. Your suggestions are always welcome – leave us a note through the website.
I have a question. How do I CONTACT the Fernie Nordic Society?
For any inquiry, please head for the Contact Us page on the website with confidence.
Click an event to get more details. The Agenda view lists all events.
Alternatively you may add our calendar to your smartphone or PC. See the instructions below the calendar.
You can link our calendar of events to your own calendar app in your phone, tablet or computer. It is complete with all Lessons, Club Events as well as regional races and events. Use the link below to download the file, open it in your favourite app. Don’t miss a thing! Be sure to download it again in January to get the latest update.
Click to download: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/jibej7d3718q28jtemldv5oc4k%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
The Fernie Nordic Society and its volunteers aim to promote crosscountry skiing as a healthy winter activity for all ages. You will support our network of groomed cross country ski trails in Fernie by purchasing a membership for 2019-2020 or a day pass. You can also make a donation. Your membership makes it possible for us to professionally groom and track set the trails all winter season long as well as to provide porta-potties at our trailheads.
• Purchase your membership now. The cost of kids lessons, rentals and trail passes are unchanged from last season.
• Enrollment into the Ski Lessons for Kids as well as Gear Rental can now be done online
• Senior membership for those 65+ passionate skiers
• Corporate memberships may be obtained online
• Enrollment into the Race Team is also done online
The membership options for the 2019-2020 season are as follows
$180 Family (2 adults + 2 children), $19 per additional child)
$80 Adult Individual
$55 Youth
$70 Senior 65+
$275 Corporate (up to 6 members)
$10 Day Pass (or $20 Family)
Note that the early-bird membership pricing applies until November 30 for a discount of about $10 per person from the amounts listed above only when purchased online.
1. – FAST – Online registration and payment at Zone4.ca website – Click here to join now
Other registrations for Kids Lessons and Race Team are also done online.
2. – SLOW – Download the Membership and Waiver forms download form here – and return by mail.
3. – SLOWEST- Pick up a Membership form from any of the kiosks at the Golf Course or the Elk Valley Nordic Centre. And drop off at the warming hut of the Nordic Centre on weekends or in the mail.
Get your membership online and register in our programs at the same time
Please allow about one week before you can pick your membership card or sticker up from volunteers at the Warming Hut during weekends only. The office of the Snow Valley Motel is no longer used for dropoffs. Please note that cards are no longer sent by post. Returning members will receive a red renewal sticker for their existing plastic card.
Click here to contact us through this website and our volunteers will be in touch.
The links at the bottom of this page allows you to download the membership/waiver forms. All members MUST fill out the waiver form. Additional info is required to register in the Race Team – use the specific form. Please ensure that you include the signed waiver and/or Race Team form with your membership form.
Fees for the Day Passes may be left in the locked box at the kiosks at the trail heads, or next to the clubhouse at the Golf Course. Day Passes are for the trails at the Elk Valley Nordic Centre and the Fernie Golf Course only. Day Passes are available from the kiosks at the trail head, online through the Zone4 website or at the warming hut during weekends.
This type of membership is also available for $275 (up to 6 participants). Register online here. Please download the membership form or Contact Us for details.
Our program has been running since 2007 with great popularity. It is aimed at improving the skills of young skiers aged 3 to 16, all within a fun environment. All coaches are volunteers and trained to CrosscountryBC standards. The enrollment into the program is limited by the number of coaches, so enroll early and/or consider becoming a coach. Use option 1 under Membership section above for online registration through Zone4.ca for the surest way to register. See the Kids Lessons page on this site for more details.
The Fernie Nordic Society has a limited number of set of skis, boots and poles available for rent for a small cost to the young skiers enrolled in our SDP program only. A fitting session will be scheduled later in the fall and a skier will take the gear home for the winter. See the details on the membership form.
If a young skier is interested in joining our new racing team Fernie Nordic Racers, see more details on our Race Team page. The racing team fees include the membership fee. Do not forget to fill the Racer Registration Details form available below.
Any questions? Get in touch with a volunteer.Membership Form with Waiver for the 2019-20 season: download form here
Corporate Membership Form for the 2019-20 season: download form here
Racer Registration Details for the 2019-20 season: download form here