Dog Days of Summer and a Blue Moon in Fernie BC

Well, we are managing to cling to summer here in Fernie! The forecast for the next 14 days is nothing but sunshine and blue skies! Sure the evenings are cooler, but the weather during the day is so fantastic for hiking, biking and golfing! I’m sure there are trails you’ve yet to try and perhaps you’ve not hit the links yet…..now’s the time! Don’t delay!

Last night as I wandered home from the final Wednesday Night Summer Social I was absolutely blown away by the sunset! It looked like the entire western skyline was on fire! It literally took my breath away and I found myself speechless which, for those of you that know me, is extremely rare. I marvel at the raw beauty of this special place we call home…the mountains, the trees and the eerie yet magical shadows cast by the full moons. Speaking of which, tomorrow night is a Blue Moon! You’re familiar with the old phrase “…once in a Blue Moon…”? This is where it comes from…it will be the second full moon in a month! And the next one won’t happen until 2015 so I think we all need to sleep outside tomorrow night on top of a mountain! Well, that’s what I would love to do….how amazing would that be? I’m sure I could reach out and touch the moon! Okay perhaps that’s a little ambitious, but I hope you all have a chance to experience the extra-special energies and messages Blue Moons are fabled to give us!

Come to Fernie this weekend and let us share our mountain life with you! We have some great last minute lodging specials and there are some fun events going on throughout the valley including the Demolition Derby, the last weekend of summer operations at Fernie Alpine Resort and the final Sunday Mountain Market. Head up to Island Lake Lodge for a hike and lunch on the Bear Lodge deck (lunch not available on Saturday due to a wedding) or hit their Date Night on Monday night and dine on the best food I’ve ever been lucky enough to savour. This night has become so popular it’s best to make a reservation.

So yes, as much as I love these dog days of summer, I can’t help but start to dream of the morning light dancing across my window panes with webs of snow drifting gently across them….oh champagne powder…soon….very soon. Book your winter Fernie, BC getaway now and take advantage of our great early bird specials!

Let us make your Fernie dreams come true.
1.800.667.9911

Rollin' on the River in Fernie BC

Well, with all this nice warm weather we’ve been having, I have been somewhat remiss in my postings…my bad….but seriously I would much rather be out hiking, biking, golfing or floating the river in all this glorious sunshine than glued to my computer writing about why you should come to visit!  Speaking of floating the river, I finally managed to do my first river float of the summer on Monday afternoon after work with my sister and brother-in-law. Now, as I have mentioned, doing anything with my sister is always an adventure and this was no exception. She offered me one of their flotation devices to use….little did I know it was the Low Rider when I accepted. Granted it has a beverage holder, but I will tell you it is aptly named as your derriere sits very low in the water! As I looked over to see what Sue and Eric were floating on, there they were…..riding on lovely proper river floating tubes with very high clearance…..of course they were! Now aside from the fact that the river is um…er….extremely refreshing, it has also become quite shallow in places and I found myself on a number of occasions, high centered on some very pointy rocks while the other 2 sailed merrily onwards. So take it from someone who is still thawing out and nursing a few unsightly bruises….don’t float the river in a Low Rider!! Riding on the proper apparatus, the river is a blast with some really fun rapids so enjoy it while summer is still here!

Something else really fun to attend are the Sunday Mountain Markets  Every Sunday through until Labour Day from 10am – 2pm at Rotary Park you can check out farmer's just picked fruit, organic veggies, herbs and flowers; herbalist's hand-crafted soaps and fragrances; baker's tasty pies, bagels, cupcakes and sourdough bread; as well as local artisan's latest creations. The Wednesday Night Socials downtown at Station Square are my favorite with live music, delicious food and a beverage garden but sadly the last one is August 29.

So…have you tried the Aerial Playground and Rippin’ Zipline at Fernie Alpine Resort? No?? Well get on it! This is hugely fun for all ages! Why not make a day of it? Book your time in the Aerial Playground, then hop on the Timber Chair for a scenic ride up the mountain. If it’s a weekend or holiday, you can stop in at Lost Boys Café for lunch for their Ride & Dine Special. There are some great hiking trails once you’re up there as well….Polar Peak is one of my favorite hikes reaching an elevation of 7010 feet and a view of the Elk Valley that is simply breathtaking.

There’s only one more long weekend this summer and we want you to enjoy Fernie so we are offering the deal of a lifetime! The Timbers is available and the special rates are so amazing I can barely contain myself! Gather your friends or family…up to 17 of you can stay in this executive mountain-style log home. Give us a call to book your September Long Weekend getaway! Great last minute specials available NOW!

Speaking of specials, check out our Early Winter Booking deals and Long Stay Specials. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to settle into one of our cozy cabins, condos, chalets or resort homes.

Let us make your Fernie dreams come true.
1.800.667.9911

Fernie BC…The Best Place For a Bucket List!

Well, one Bucket List item less…I finally hiked Mountain Lakes Trail (Heiko’s Trail)! Yup….sure did! What an amazing experience! They say pictures say a thousand words but honestly no picture can paint that scenery. It took us 8 hours, with a couple of stops for snacks and lunch, but all in all…a great workout! We didn’t have any bear encounters (whew) but did see a few mountain goats, some picas, a deer and a Clark’s Nutcracker soared above us as we gobbled down our lunch. With not a cloud in the sky, the seven of us, including my sister Sue whom we’ve nicknamed Miss Adventure (and that is another story for another time!), trekked our way to our destination - the Bear Lodge deck at Island Lake where we were treated to probably one of the most refreshing, coldest beers ever served! What a fantastic way to end a stellar day spent with good friends and family. Just as an aside, I would call Island Lake to ensure they’re open to the public the day you’re hiking as they are host to weddings throughout the summer, mainly on Saturdays, and it would be a shame for you not to experience that great deck at the Bear Lodge!

So…what’s on your Bucket List? Floating the Elk River? White water rafting? Mountain biking Project 9 or Swine Flu? Hiking the Three Sisters? Zip lining? Skiing double black diamond runs? (had to throw winter in there) Oh….the possibilities are endless! This is such a diverse and grand playground we have here that I’m not sure if there are enough years for me to fulfill my list.

Then of course there are all the events coming up, especially this weekend. The 2012 Highline 100 is on Saturday August 11th. It’s a fun bicycle ride, not a race, where you have your choice of doing either 100 miles (160km) or 100km road ride. The reason for this ride is to carefully grow it into a meaningful fund raiser for the Elk Valley Hospital Foundation and the Fernie Alpine Ski Team. The Wapiti Music Festival kicks off Friday August 10th and continues on Saturday August 11th. The focus is fresh Canadian Indie music, full of energy and fun for all ages. Sunday August 12th is BibBity BobBity Boo – Fernie’s Children’s Festival at Rotary Park. This is serious fun and you won’t want to miss this! Check out our Events Calendar for more excitement later in the month. Come visit Fernie for the whole weekend! Call us and mention any of the above events and get 10% off a 2 night stay or 15% off a 3 night stay. We also have long stay special on all our accommodations including our lodges, condos, log cabins and resort homes so pick up the phone and talk to one of our reservation specialists (that includes me) and find out more information!!

Whether your Bucket List is an adrenalin activity, an event or a romantic getaway with that someone special, Fernie BC is the best place in the world to start!

Fernie – the place where dreams come true!
1.800.667.9911