Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Fernie Alpine Resort just added on an extra bonus weekend of skiing before moving into their summer mountain biking program.

Fernie closes down its daily operations for the season April 14, but then plans to re-open the following weekend April 18-19 for the first Fernival-a two-day snow fest with an added weekend of skiing and snowboarding. The celebration with the theme "SN-O-BAMA" features live music from Spirit of the West and on-snow events.

Other spring events leading up to Fernival include the popular local Powder Pedal Paddle Relay and the Great Easter Egg Hunt-both scheduled for April 12.

The resort runs its lifts in winter for skiers and snowboarders, but in summer it turns in to a mountain biking Mecca. Rent a mountain bike and ride one of its 42 trails. Grab a map before you go to hit the right trails-some rated easy, others zinging off the steeps. Throw the bike on the Timber Bowl Express to get to the top.

Hikers also hop the chair for access to a trail that trips along the top of the craggy Lizard Range to Polar Peak. In places, the rough trail demands grabbing sharp limestone, following orange markers when the path disappears into solid rock, and navigating a steep cliff with a cable handhold.

Sightseers also ride the lift to access the Lost Boys Café, where lunching on the deck provides spectacular views of the town below.