The association began over three decades ago as the Elk Valley Ski Touring Association (EVSTA), a loosely knit group of ski touring enthusiasts eager to protect and promote public access to recreation in the Fernie area. It has evolved to become a strong advocacy group for public recreation in the region.

Today the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club works to actively promote ski touring in the area. Ski touring in the area around Fernie is somewhat unique, in that Fernie itself has a set of special conditions that create an often ideal snowpack. Although low in elevation compared to other ranges, Fernie is situated within an area in the Rockies where moist air systems from the Pacific and colder air masses from the Rockies meet, combining to produce great powder snow in high quantities throughout the winter.

Last year alone, Fernie saw over 11 metres of the white stuff land in its stunning alpine bowls.

Touring in Fernie is focused on the area between Fernie Alpine Resort and Island Lake Resort, along the Lizard Range, through a large swath of crown land, as well as the Tunnel Creek area south of Fernie Alpine Resort. In 1993, the Trails & Ski Touring Club (then known as the EVSTA) obtained a Special Use Permit from the province to build a hut in Thunder Meadows, and this acts as a kind of epicenter for touring. In and around Thunder Meadows, touring takes place northward from FAR’s present boundary in Fish Bowl, Lizard Lake (Liverwurst Bowl), and Big Steep Mother Bowl. Ski runs named by members include The Treed Slope, Orca Bowl, Big Steep, Cabin Bowl, Thirst Quencher, Goat Pass, and Three Bears.

http://www.fernietrailsalliance.com/contact

SAFETY

Safety is essential to ski touring. Without the proper equipment and knowledge, skiers in the backcountry endanger the lives of others as well as their own. Each winter there are numerous stories in the news of backcountry enthusiasts who trek unprepared and cost lives, time, and money as a result. Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club encourages its members and others enjoying the backcountry to prepare for every eventuality.