Summer Day Trips from Fernie, British Columbia

Explore with the Local Experts

May, June the snow melts, gushing and flooding into the river valleys below. It is the perfect time to experience the exhilaration of rafting the wild whitewater rapids of the Elk & Bull Rivers. Warm-up after your whitewater adventure in a natural hotspring and enjoy the rejuvenating feeling as you soak in the mineral rich waters.

Spring, summer or fall, explore inspiring mountain landscapes with an accredited mountain or nature guide. Wander through rare lush interior rainforest to mountain meadows blanketed with wild flowers. Looking for more action? Whether your thrill lies in a blistering downhill mountain bike ride; a single track ride on challenging mountain trails or touring scenic mountain roadways, we have something for you…SEE THE WEST YOUR WAY!

Waterton Lakes National Park &
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A.

Heading east from Fernie into Alberta and the Crowsnest Pass, there are a variety of exciting things to do and extraordinary landscapes to see. Cycling or hiking, your guide will take you on a journey to remember. When visiting UNESCO designated Waterton Lakes International Park, take a peaceful canoe ride on prehistoric Cameron Lake or a self guided walk on the banks of the magnificent and unusual Red Rock Canyon. Hop aboard for a cruise to the U.S.A. and back, on the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies. If that’s not enough, you can view splendid Rocky Mountain landscapes from ‘all sides’, when you travel over the Continental Divide on one of the most scenic drives in North America – The Going-to-the-Sun Road. Check it out!

Horse Play & Special Events:

See the Wild West come to life as cowboys ride bucking broncos and fearsome bulls. Roping, reining, cutting and more are all part of the “greatest outdoor show on earth”. Come be a part of the action at the world famous Calgary Stampede.
Experience the excitement of the International show jumping events at Spruce Meadows. Remember to breathe as horse and rider awe you with athletic feats of grace and speed.

Mount up and ride a sure-footed cowpony amongst the wild geraniums of the rolling Rocky Mountain foothills or explore rugged mountain trails. When the sun sets, join the fun and kick up your heels like a young colt at the Great Canadian Barn Dance.

Golf Anyone?:

Come to Canada’s ‘mountain playground’ and have a ball! Challenge your skills on a variety of professionally designed courses. Enjoy the splendid scenery as you play. Shimmering rivers, crystalline lakes and statuesque mountains are all part of the magnificent backdrop. After a round of golf, you might want to experience more of the regions treasures and adventures…hotsprings, local artisans, heritage sites…the choice is yours.

Wild West Heritage & Culture:

SOUTHEAST BRITISH COLUMBIA

Take a walk through time with the Fernie & District Historical Society. Your guide will bring to life the heritage of this quaint and friendly century old coal town. Get a glimpse of pioneer life on the western frontier when you visit the fort named for Sam Steele. Learn what happened to this turn-of-the-century boomtown. Find out more about the area when you visit the beautifully restored railcars of bygone eras at the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel. The museum in Creston houses some very unique local artifacts like a rare sturgeon-nosed canoe and antique talking mannequins. Stop by the Ktunaxa-Kinbasket Interpretive Centre for an informative insight into the First Nations people of this region.

Spend the day at the RAMSAR designated Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, watching the abundant wildlife species that live or pass through this thriving sanctuary. Listen to the chorus of calls from some of the 250 species of birds and ducks. Take a guided canoe tour or amble along the boardwalk. See myriad varieties of wetland flora…and some of them are tasty. Do you know the difference between a bulrush and a cattail? Which one would you eat?

SOUTHWEST ALBERTA

Placed among the world’s most recognized heritage site attractions like Stonehenge, the Galapagos Islands and the Egyptian Pyramids; Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump has been a culturally significant place for over 5,000 years! Come see this outstanding and powerful UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Kootenai Brown Museum is named after the first European pioneer to settle here. Kootenai Brown established Waterton Lakes Park and was the park’s first Superintendent. See authentically restored and furnished 1890’s buildings and displays featuring more than 12,000 artifacts. Visit the first western outpost of the scarlet coated North-West Mounted Police. Do you know the name of the fort that began construction in the fall of 1874 at this outpost?

A little ways from the fort and on up the road a bit, hop on a horse-drawn wagon and meet the cowboys, outlaws and other famous people of the times that contributed to the colourful history of the Bar U Ranch.

Elected as the “best indoor attraction in Canada”, the Remington Carriage Centre houses the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in North America. It is truly a spectacular collection and should not be missed.

Coal mining is also a prominent part of the heritage here in the south Canadian Rocky Mountains. Visit the Frank Slide Interpretive, the Bellevue Mine and the Coleman Museum. Get a fascinating glimpse into what life was like here at the turn of the last century. Learn about the mountain that fell on the town of Frank, very early one April morning…and the rum runners during prohibition…

Nelson and Area:

Go west. Sit back and enjoy the scenery on your way to Nelson. Watch as the thick knit cedar forests of the Elk Valley give way to red barked Ponderosa Pines and bunchgrass meadows in the Rocky Mountain Trench. Past the fruited orchards and rows of garden fresh vegetables of the Creston Valley and along the undulating road of Kootenay Lake’s east shore, you’ll arrive at a glistening landmark. Stop here to learn about this eye-catching piece of architecture. Just before arriving at the ferry landing, make a visit to the various artisans of Crawford Bay. Glass blowing, copper, enamel, rod iron, wood, wool and a variety of other raw materials are handcrafted to create beautiful works of art.

After a relaxing ferry ride across the turquoise expanse of Kootenay Lake, you might want to spelunk the dark recesses of the Cody Caves with an expert guide or lounge in the hotsprings that flow out of the horseshoe shaped cave at Ainsworth, with a stunning view of the lake. Maybe the picturesque town of Nelson attracts your attention. Learn about the heritage and early 20th century architecture as you walk about town with a local guide. Later, go for a stroll along the lakeside and soak up the mountain ambience or stop in at a local cafe for a sumptuous meal. Your choices are vast because there is so much to see when you SEE THE WEST YOUR WAY!

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