Categories: Travel

One of the ‘coolest towns in North America’ is in BC & it’s the backdrop to some movies

Photo via Tourism Fernie

If you’re looking for a scenic mountain destination to visit in British Columbia that experiences the four seasons every year, you really can’t do much better than Fernie.

While technically a city, Fernie retains its small-town charm and riveting history to this day, allowing visitors to stroll down a century-old downtown, uncover interesting myths and local legends, and participate in time-honoured annual traditions.

Historic town

The only BC city to be completely surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, the historic community was founded in 1898 with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the production of coal in the surrounding Elk Valley.

The people of Fernie overcame a lot in those early years, from mine disasters to fires and floods, and even a town curse. Today, it’s considered one of the ‘coolest’ towns in North America according to Rolling Stone Magazine, captivating travellers coming from all directions.

The city is located 3 hours away from Calgary, 11 hours away from Vancouver, and 2 hours away from Montana, U.S.

Outdoor activities in Fernie

Given its location and history, Fernie has plenty to offer mountain lovers year-round. In the warmer months, visitors can embark on hikes through ancient forests, mountain passes, waterfalls, caves, and scenic cliff walls, or check out one of Fernie’s exciting mountain bike trails.

What’s more, many of the area’s mountain trails are open for snowshoeing as well!

Looking for a scenic lake to check out before summer’s end? Consider stopping by Maiden Lake in-town, which boasts picturesque views of Mount Trinity and Mount Proctor.

The small lake and sandy beach is a popular paddling spot, though swimming is not recommended. Instead, swimming hopefuls should check out the nearby Silver Springs, Surveyors Lake, Tie Lake, or Loon Lake.

Come wintertime, which is basically around the corner, Maiden Lake tends to freeze over, allowing visitors to skate surrounded by mountains for a short period of time every year.

Photo via Tourism Fernie

Home to a historic downtown

At the heart of Fernie is its perfectly preserved historic downtown on 2nd Avenue from 3rd to 9th Street, which can be seen onscreen in films such as the 2018 Liam Neeson film Cold Pursuit, or the 2010 blockbuster Hot Tub Time Machine.

Most of the heritage buildings date back to 1908 and 1909 – a rarity in small-town BC, according to Tourism Fernie.

And since parking is free downtown, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore the town’s vibrant shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and heritage buildings.

So there you have it, small town lovers! If you haven’t visited Fernie yet, it’s time to add it to your cross-country road trip list.