Follow Nikolaj’s journey through his ski season in Fernie – from legendary nights out in town to epic days on the slopes. A story about how this charming ski resort became his second home.

More than just a destination: How Fernie became my home away from home

Charming, down-to-earth, and friendly – that’s how I’d describe Fernie as a town, completely separate from the skiing. And that’s exactly what makes Fernie such a special place to me: the town has a young, laid-back vibe where everyone feels like a local. The guys driving the shuttle bus are the same ones you’ll be riding the slopes with later.

I started my time in Fernie knowing only two people from a previous season in Whistler. But it didn’t take long before I felt completely at home in this small, charming town in the Canadian Rockies.

Fernie is the kind of place where a Friday night either ends in one of the great local bars – or around a campfire with a good group and a guitar.

I’m on the left in the picture, with all my friends from Fernie.

The social life on and off the slopes

When I was shredding deep powder and needed a break on the mountain, my favorite spot was always Bear’s Den. It’s the perfect little place to grab an affordable lunch; most of the time, it was a hot dog and hot chocolate – the combo I fueled up with before heading back to the slopes.

Fernie Town also has a lot to offer if you’ve had enough of the powder on the mountain. The good times don’t stop there. There are plenty of great pubs where you can enjoy a few beers with your riding buddies. One personal favorite from my crew was the Kodiak Lounge, right next to the “Raging Elk Hostel.” This cozy, fun, and affordable bar always offers excellent service from the friendliest bartenders. In addition to the cheap beers and fantastic atmosphere, the Kodiak also hosts some of the best events in town. Whether it’s Monday Jam Night, pool competitions, Thursday Karaoke, or Ladies’ Wine Night – the Kodiak always guarantees a good time.

Another highlight when doing a ski season in Fernie is Hot Dog Day, perhaps the most epic day of the season in Fernie. It’s a huge costume party where everyone on the mountain shows up in their best 70s and 80s ski outfits, creating a nostalgic vibe that takes you back in time. It feels like being in the scenes of the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. Since the movie was filmed in Fernie, it’s an absolute must-watch before you head out.

(Fun fact: If you ride the ELK Quad chairlift, keep an eye out for the hot tub, which adds even more excitement to the experience.)

The Legend of the Griz

Well, you can’t mention a ski season in Fernie without diving into the incredible champagne powder generously provided by the Griz in the Lizard Range. Fernie isn’t your typical ski resort where you anxiously wait for good powder days and keep an eye on the snowfall – the Griz makes sure you’re never disappointed.

The legend of the Griz tells of a half-man, half-grizzly bear who roams the Fernie Alpine Resort. Armed with his powder cannon, he ensures that there’s always an epic amount of snow for you and all the other powder junkies spending a ski season in Fernie.

Powder skiing in Fernie

Fernie and Beyond: Discovering More

The Fernie Alpine Resort offers a lot of great and challenging slopes, perfect for skiers and snowboarders looking for challenges and wanting to improve their skills. That’s exactly why Fernie was a golden opportunity for me. In my second season, I was motivated to conquer some Double Black Diamonds and take my skiing to the next level.

Fernie is a large ski resort, but it doesn’t have the sheer size of Whistler, St. Anton, or the massive ski areas. And you know what? That’s a fantastic thing. It gives you the chance to discover your favorite spots and make the most of those magical days when the snow just keeps falling from the sky. But when the wanderlust hit, we’d load up the cars and drive to places like Kicking Horse, Kimberley, Revelstoke, Panorama, or Castle Mountain.

It’s a golden opportunity to visit other Snowminders and have them show you their local mountains.

Lunch with a view in Kicking Horse

Off the Slopes

On a rest day in Fernie, there are plenty of fun activities to dive into. My friends and I often played disc golf, rented fat bikes, and rode up to the Montana Hut, which offers fantastic views of the town and the breathtaking surrounding mountains. On one unforgettable occasion, I found myself in a pick-up hockey game on a frozen lake. Without a doubt, it was the most Canadian experience ever. They invited me, assuming I could play, and we quickly realized the huge difference between an average Danish hockey player and a Canadian. But in the end, it didn’t matter. Everyone was more than happy to let me join, and to my surprise, I even managed to score a goal – a moment I’ll always remember as one of my greatest sporting achievements.

However, if you’re more of a hockey spectator like me, don’t worry! There’s always the opportunity to catch a game and cheer on the local hockey heroes, the Fernie Ghostriders.

My entire experience in Fernie was incredible. Since leaving this charming town in the Canadian Rockies, it’s held a special place in my heart. I came originally for the skiing, and it not only met my expectations but exceeded them. Fernie turned out to be so much more than just a ski destination. So, if you’re thinking about becoming a ski instructor in Canada, I highly recommend Fernie as your go-to ski resort.

Take the opportunity to do like Nikolaj and experience a ski season in Fernie. Become a Level 1 ski or snowboard instructor in Canada!