Winter Day Trips from Fernie, British Columbia

Explore with the Local Experts

Dogsledding
[This activity is weather dependant]

Dodsledding is a traditional form of transportation that has come south from the more northern climes of the globe…because it’s so much fun! Journeys West will pick you up at your hotel and take you on this unforgettable experience. Picturesque mountain scenery surrounds you while enjoying a relaxing ride in the sled. For the more adventurous, you might want to discover the excitement of ‘mushing’ your own dog team. If you’re lucky, you might spot elk, deer or a moose. When the ride is over, you’re invited to warm-up with the local hospitality of your hosts.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10

INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation to trailhead, dogsledding for 1 hour. (More hours at addt’l cost), snack & refreshments, return transportation to hotel.

SUGGESTED GEAR:
· Warm, waterproof winter boots (like ‘Sorels’)
· Warm head gear - hat/hood or toque (secure, so it won’t ‘blow away’)
· Warm, durable winter mitts or gloves [water resistant]
· Long underwear [and ‘layered’ clothing]
· Winter coat and pants [wind/water repellant]
· Sunglasses or goggles can be helpful in some conditions

Lussier Hot Springs

Travel Rocky Mountain valleys and back-roads with Journeys West on your way to this natural wonder. On the banks of the icy-cold White Swan River, a steamy spring surfaces from the superheated bowels of the earth. Listen to the rushing current of the river while enveloped in the warming, mineral-rich hotspring. Take time to absorb the healthful and restful benefits. Return to Fernie feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 12

INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation to hotspring, refreshments & snack, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner, {Visit to other hotsprings in region}

SUGGESTED GEAR:
· Bathing suit
· Large towel
· Warm footwear (preferably ‘easy-off – easy-on’)
· Warm winter clothing (including hat & gloves/mitts)
· Water bottle

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Journeys West transports you to a powerful place with a history that dates back over 6,000 years! Just north-east of Fernie, on the windswept limestone foothills, sits a 7 tiered building that cleverly mimics the ancient buffalo jump, outside it’s walls. Designated by UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organizations) as a world heritage site, this historic location is more ancient than the towering pyramids of Egypt and England’s mysterious Stonehenge. Here you will see the largest and best preserved Buffalo Jumps in North America. Before the Europeans arrived in this region, there were over 60,000,000 buffalo roaming freely on these plains! Learn why buffalo jump and gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Blackfoot Nations.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 12

INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation & admission to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, guided tour, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
· Comfortable walking shoes

Frank Slide

With Journeys West you will discover the fascinating stories around the catastrophic 1903 rockslide that impacted the small mining town of Frank and the Crowsnest Pass communities in Alberta. Learn about the tragedy and triumph of the people who came to live and work here. See the award-winning presentation, “In the Mountain’s Shadows”. Outside explore the rugged and rocky moonscape-like surroundings. This site will certainly make you aware of the resilience of people and nature.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 12

INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation & admission to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, feature movie – ‘In the Mountain’s Shadows’, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner, step-on ‘heritage’ guide.

SUGGESTED GEAR:
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Warm winter clothing (hat, mitts/gloves, boots)

Trains Deluxe

Journeys West brings you to an outstanding exhibition of trains from the “Golden Age of Railway Travel”. A guided tour will take you through a variety of authentic and beautifully restored rail cars that exemplify the eras in which they were built.
See 3 cars of the “Soo-Spokane Trains Deluxe”, a beautiful example of ‘Edwardian Art Nouveau elegance’ from the early 1900’s. Marvel at the extremely rare and opulently decorated cars. The 7 car set of the “Trans-Canada Limited” is a classic 1920’s “Jazz Era Art Deco” train. In it’s time this group of cars provided all the comforts of a ‘deluxe- hotel-on-wheels’. A privileged group of travelers rode the “Business and Royal Cars” that were designed for statesmen, business leaders and other special travelers. In these cars you will see some of the best refinements in travel design for the time. Railway companies created spectacular stations and grand hotels to service their passengers. The detailed architecture of the recently restored Royal Alexandra Hall (from the Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg, MB) is a brilliant example.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10

INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation & admission to Cranbrook/Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, 1.5 hr. guided tour, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner, step-on ‘heritage’ guide.

SUGGESTED GEAR:
· Comfortable walking shoes

Dogsledding & Hot Springs:

Dodsledding is a traditional form of transportation that has come south from the more northern climes of the globe…because it’s so much fun! Journeys West will pick you up at your hotel and take you on this unforgettable experience. Picturesque mountain scenery surrounds you while enjoying a relaxing ride in the sled. For the more adventurous, you might want to discover the excitement of ‘mushing’ your own dog team. If you’re lucky, you might spot elk, deer or a moose. When the ride is over, you’re invited to warm-up with the local hospitality of your hosts. After you’ve refueled, travel Rocky Mountain valleys and back-roads with Journeys West on your way to this natural wonder. On the banks of the icy-cold White Swan River, a steamy spring surfaces from the superheated bowels of the earth. Listen to the rushing current of the river while enveloped in the warming, mineral-rich hotspring. Take time to absorb the healthful and restful benefits. Return to Fernie feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after an adventurous day.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation to trailhead, dogsledding for 1 hour (more hours at addt’l cost), snack & refreshments, transportation to hotspring, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
FOR DOGSLEDDING
• Warm, waterproof winter boots (like ‘Sorrels’)
• Warm head gear - hat/hood or toque (secure, so it won’t ‘blow away’)
• Warm, durable winter mitts or gloves [water resistant]
• Long underwear [and ‘layered’ clothing]
• Winter coat and pants [wind/water repellant]
• Sunglasses or goggles can be helpful in some conditions

FOR HOTSPRINGS
• Bathing suit
• Large towel
• Warm footwear (preferably ‘easy-off – easy-on’)
• Warm winter clothing (including hat & gloves/mitts)
• Water bottle

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump & Snow Shoe:

Journeys West transports you to a powerful place with a history that dates back over 6,000 years! Just north-east of Fernie, on the windswept limestone foothills, sits a 7 tiered building that cleverly mimics the ancient buffalo jump, outside it’s walls. Designated by UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organizations) as a world heritage site, this historic location is more ancient than the towering pyramids of Egypt and England’s mysterious Stonehenge. Here you will see the largest and best preserved Buffalo Jump in North America. Before the Europeans arrived in this region, there were over 60,000,000 buffalo roaming freely on these plains! Learn why buffalo jump and gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Blackfoot Nations. As the shadows lengthen, and daylight fades to evening, you will be back in Fernie. Now it’s time to put on a pair of snowshoes. Without this clever invention, traveling in deep snow would have been impossible for anyone who lived here before the time of mechanized vehicles! Amidst giant cedars and open meadows, discover nature's nightworld in the Rockies. As you travel across billions of snowy crystals, your guide will help identify the heavenly constellations and the various footprints of the shy nocturnal animals that scamper off into the blackness of night. The end of this trail brings you to a cozy chalet on the mountain for a decadent chocolate fondue and beverages to wrap up this incredible day!

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 12
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation & admission to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, guided tour, transportation to trailhead for snowshoe tour, guided snowshoe nature walk, snowshoes, headlamps, chocolate fondue, hot/cold beverages, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
FOR HSIBJ
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm winter clothing (hat, mitts/gloves, boots)

FOR SNOWSHOEING
• Warm winter clothing (hat, mitts/gloves)
• Sturdy, low-heeled, warm & comfortable boot (like a Sorrel or Mukluk)
• Layered clothing – long underwear
• [if you have your own headlamp or snowshoes, bring them along]

A Snowshoe, No Shoe Adventure:

This tour begins with a full day of snowshoe adventure. Journeys West will pick you up at your accomodation in Fernie and take you to meet your guide. Ride a snowcat into the wild backcountry surrounding Island Lake Lodge. Strap on your snowshoes and explore rare old growth cedar forests with your expert guide. See spectacular mountain scenery as you pad your way beneath the imposing rocky peaks of the Lizard Range. Enjoy a gourmet lunch fireside in a beautiful rustic log lodge. When Cobalt shadows are cast, the snowcat will bring you down the mountain and your journey to a warm & soothing place begins. Sit back, take a load off ... Kick off your shoes on the banks of the ice-cold White Swan River where a steamy spring surfaces from the superheated bowels of the earth. Time to unwind from the rigorous day. Return to Fernie relaxed and rejuvenated.

**Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 12
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation includes snowcat ride to Island Lake Lodge, Snowshoeing activities, lunch, soak in Hot Springs & return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:

FOR SNOWSHOEING
• Warm winter clothing (hat, mitts/gloves)
• Sturdy, low-heeled, warm & comfortable boot (like a Sorrel or Mukluk)
• Layered clothing – long underwear
• [if you have your own headlamp or snowshoes, bring them along]
• Warm winter clothing (hat, gloves / mitts, boots)

FOR HOTSPRINGS
• Bathing suit
• Large towel
• Warm footwear (preferably ‘easy-off – easy-on’)
• Warm winter clothing (including hat & gloves/mitts)
• Water bottle

Dogsledding & other things Canadian:

Greet the day with an invigorating dogsled ride. Journeys West will take you from your hotel in Fernie to a more rural location to meet your dog team. Picturesque mountain scenes surround you. Sit back and enjoy a seat in the sled or discover the unforgettable experience of mushing your own team. When the ride is over, you're invited to warm-up with some local hospitality.

Continuing your exciting day at play in the outdoors, you'll be taught how to protect yourself from the elements by building an igloo or a quinzee. Later, reward yourself with a sweet Canadian treat. Learn to make Maple Syrup Taffy. When the afternoon shadows grow long, you will arrive back at your hotel.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation to dogsledding (includes 1 hour. More hours at addt'l cost), afternoon programming building igloos & all the treats, return transportation to hotel

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
FOR DOGSLEDDING
• Warm, waterproof winter boots (like ‘Sorrels’)
• Warm head gear - hat/hood or toque (secure, so it won’t ‘blow away’)
• Warm, durable winter mitts or gloves [water resistant]
• Long underwear [and ‘layered’ clothing]
• Winter coat and pants [wind/water repellant]
• Sunglasses or goggles can be helpful in some conditions

FOR THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
• Layered clothing (thermal layer/long underwear with breathable and moisture-wicking properties, wind/water resistant outer layer – jacket & pants, other warm comfortable inner layers – according to the weather)
• Hat, mitts/gloves (a couple pairs)
• Water Bottle
• Day pack
• Sunglasses or goggles {If it’s sunny, sunscreen is suggested}

Cross Country Ski & Hot Springs: [ADULTS ONLY]

“Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, stride and glide along track-set trails and explore remote places in the Southern Canadian Rockies.” Perhaps you’ll tour an alpine basin, maybe visit Deadman’s Pass, but wherever you end up you’ll enjoy a delightful day learning about local winter ecology and history. When you reach the end of the trail, Journeys West will take the sore and ‘bone-weary’ through Rocky Mountain valleys and back-roads enroute to this natural wonder. On the banks of the icy-cold White Swan River, a steamy spring surfaces from the superheated bowels of the earth. Listen to the rushing current of the river while enveloped in the warming, mineral-rich hotspring. Take time to absorb the healthful and restful benefits. Return to Fernie feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for another adventurous day…night?

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: MODERATE TO ADVANCED
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation to trailhead, full day of X-Country skiing with heritage interpreter, lunch, hot beverages & homemade snacks, transportation to hotsprings, return transportation to hotel

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: *X-Country skis, boots, poles; dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
FOR X-COUNTRY SKIING

• X-Country ski equipment (*can be rented locally)
• Layered clothing (thermal layer/long underwear with breathable and moisture-wicking properties, wind/water resistant outer layer – jacket & pants, other warm comfortable inner layers – according to the weather)
• Hat, mitts/gloves (a couple pairs)
• Water Bottle
• Day pack
• Sunglasses or ski goggles {If it’s sunny, sunscreen is suggested}

FOR THE HOTSPRINGS

• Bathing suit
• Large towel
• Warm footwear (preferably ‘easy-off – easy-on’)
• Warm winter clothing (including hat & gloves/mitts)
• Water bottle

Skiing 9AM – 4PM

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump & Frank Slide:

Journeys West transports you to a powerful place with a history that dates back over 6,000 years! Just north-east of Fernie, on the windswept limestone foothills, sits a 7 tiered building that cleverly mimics the ancient buffalo jump, outside it’s walls. Designated by UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organizations) as a world heritage site, this historic location is more ancient than the towering pyramids of Egypt and England’s mysterious Stonehenge. Here you will see the largest and best preserved Buffalo Jump in North America. Before the Europeans arrived in this region, there were over 60,000,000 buffalo roaming freely on these plains! Learn why buffalo jump and gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Blackfoot Nations. Just a short distance away, you will discover the fascinating stories around the catastrophic 1903 rockslide that impacted the small mining town of Frank and the Crowsnest Pass community in Alberta. Learn about the tragedy and triumph of the people who came to live and work here. See the award-winning presentation, “In the Mountain’s Shadows”. Outside explore the rugged and rocky moonscape-like surroundings. This site will certainly make you aware of the resilience of people and nature.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation & admission to HSIBJ, guided tour of the site, transportation & admission to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, feature movie – ‘In the Mountain’s Shadows’, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner, step-on ‘heritage’ guide.

SUGGESTED GEAR:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm winter clothing (hat, gloves/mitts, boots)

Fernie & Frank: A Guided Heritage Tour

Discover the fascinating stories around the catastrophic 1903 rockslide that impacted the small mining town of Frank and the Crowsnest Pass communities in Alberta. Learn about the tragedy and triumph of the people who came to live and work here. See the award-winning presentation, “In the Mountain’s Shadows”. Outside explore the rugged and rocky moonscape-like surroundings. This site will certainly make you aware of the resilience of people and nature…Coal, curses, floods, fires and legends; see Fernie from a whole new perspective. Take a walk with an expert heritage interpreter. They will provide you with some interesting narrative about the rich heritage of this picturesque community. Absorb the friendly, small-town atmosphere while learning about the historic architecture that contributes to this special place called Fernie.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, step-on Heritage Guide (to provide a more in depth & comprehensive look at the heritage in this region) transportation & admission to the Frank Slide Interpretive Center, feature movie – ‘In the Mountain’s Shadows’, transportation during Fernie tour, guided heritage walk in Fernie, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm winter clothing (hat, gloves/mitts, boots)

Trains Deluxe: A Guided Railway Heritage Tour

Journeys West brings you to an outstanding exhibition of trains from the “Golden Age of Railway Travel”. A guided tour will take you through a variety of authentic and beautifully restored rail cars that exemplify the eras in which they were built.
See 3 cars of the “Soo-Spokane Trains Deluxe”, a beautiful example of ‘Edwardian Art Nouveau elegance’ from the early 1900’s. Marvel at the extremely rare and opulently decorated cars. The 7 car set of the “Trans-Canada Limited” is a classic 1920’s “Jazz Era Art Deco” train. In it’s time this group of cars provided all the comforts of a ‘deluxe- hotel-on-wheels’. A privileged group of travelers rode the “Business and Royal Cars” that were designed for statesmen, business leaders and other special travelers. In these cars you will see some of the best refinements in travel design for the time. Railway companies created spectacular stations and grand hotels to service their travelers. The detailed architecture of the recently restored Royal Alexandra Hall (from the Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg, MB) is a brilliant example. It was the railways that connected communities across this vast country, long before cars and highways. The coal mining town of Fernie depended on the railways to transport the black riches extracted from the local mines and to bring in the necessities required to keep the town growing and vibrant. In fact it was the railway that saved many people from perishing in the fires of the early 1900’s. See Fernie from a whole new perspective. Your guide will provide you with some interesting narrative about the rich heritage of this picturesque community and other towns on the way. Absorb the friendly, small-town atmosphere while learning about the history that contributed to this special area of British Columbia.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 10
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, step-on Heritage guide (to provide a more in-depth look at the history of the railways in this region) transportation & admission to Cranbrook/Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, guided tour, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm winter clothing (hat, gloves/mitts, boots)

Please Note: This tour is suggested for adults as the tour will take a full day

(8:30 am - 5:00pm)

Kootenai Brown Historical Park /Museum & Remington Carriage Centre:

Take a quick trip back in time on the Canadian frontier. See authentically restored and furnished buildings made by the pioneers to this area in the late 1800’s. During your guided tour of this fascinating museum, the lives of the people attached to these remaining pieces of history will be revealed. No doubt, something in the 12,000 artifacts on display here will surely ignite your imagination! A little further down the road, you will have the chance to see the kinds of transportation that was used by these pioneers and others of their time, before the advent of the automobile. Acknowledged as one of the finest and largest collections of horse-drawn vehicles in North America, the Remington Carriage Centre is home to an outstanding display of over 250 carriages, wagons and sleighs! A guided tour will highlight the history and stories connected to the unique vehicles here.

*Min. # of participants: 4 Max. # of participants: 12
INCLUDES: Pick-up at hotel in Fernie, tour escort, transportation & admission to the Kootenai Brown Historical Park & Museum and the Remington Carriage Centre, guided tours at both sites, return transportation to hotel.

AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST: Lunch/dinner

SUGGESTED GEAR:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm winter clothing (hat, gloves/mitts, boots – some of the displays are outdoors)

OTHER AVAILABLE TOURS: **{SPECIAL CONDITIONS APPLY}**