ICONIC TRIPS
rOCKY MOUNTAIN TRENCH:
rAILS, tRAILS, & aLES
FERNIE, CRANBROOK, & GOLDEN, BC
4-5 DAYS / 426KM
The CPR Railway forged a route through the rugged Rocky Mountains bringing goods and visitors to the untamed BC wilderness. These historic resource extraction towns have successfully built upon rugged logging and mining roots to now welcome visitors at some of BC’s most iconic snowmobile destinations.
Start your journey on the famous Powder Highway in Fernie. Visit BC’s sunniest riding destination, Cranbrook. Complete your journey where alpine vista’s reign supreme in Golden. Cheers across the table to celebrate an incredible day of riding at a craft brewery for a truly authentic Rocky Mountain après-experience.
STOP 1: FERNIE, BC
TRAVEL TIME: 3 HOURS / 300KM FROM CALGARY, AB OR 8.5 HOURS / 830KM FROM SASKATOON, SK
We begin our journey on the eastern arm of the famed Powder Highway; in what Rolling Stone Magazine dubbed the ‘Coolest Town in North America’. Welcome to Fernie BC. A town of legendary proportions where 29 feet of annual snowfall is the norm, Rocky Mountain views surround in every direction, and outdoor adventure opportunities reign supreme.
Fernie has always been a work hard, play hard community. After the discovery of abundant coal seams in the valley and subsequent arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1898 small neighbourhoods like Coal Creek, Morrissey, and Corbin flourished beside the tracks. To this day, about half of the Fernie’s residents are employed at the mines and enjoy world-class skiing, mountain biking, fishing, and other adventures on their days off.
Arrive into town via Highway 3, just 3 hours from Calgary or 8.5 hours from Saskatoon. Check into the Fernie Fox Hotel. It has a well-earned reputation among the sledding crowd as having the best parking, hot tub, BBQ, and location right next to food and fuel. Unpack and take a stroll through the shops in historic downtown before heading over for sushi at Yamagoya - voted Fernie’s best restaurant year after year.
Start your day by checking out the latest updates from the Avalanche Canada South Rockies Field Team, while waiting for your freshly made Big Bang Bagel, a favorite with the local Fernie Alpine Resort Ski Patrol Team. Continue to the Coal Creek Staging Area just minutes from downtown. If it’s closed for logging, head 20 minutes South of town to the Morrissey Staging Area access point. Local guide services, clinics, and avalanche training are available from Elk Valley Snow Shepherds and rentals from Ghostrider Motorsports. Fernie is one of the fastest growing sled destinations in British Columbia. With its close proximity to Alberta and the prairie provinces, impeccable grooming, vast terrain, and recent investments into infrastructure it is easy to see why. The Fernie Snowmobile Association manages an incredible 160 km of trails around Fernie. Gently rolling meadows for families, some of BC’s best technical treeline riding, and quick access to a plethora of sub-alpine bowls, Fernie’s got it all including a reputation for some seriously deep #ferniefactor powder days.
For a little apres, catch the #FernieStoke local shuttle from your accommodation. The Park Place Pub is a great relaxed atmosphere for dinner, snow pants and helmet hair welcome. Order the FSA Executive Board members unanimous favorite - the Pollo Penne Pasta with extra chorizo. Or visit the Fernie Brewing Company’s tasting room for a sampler flight of beers. Every month the proceeds are donated to a local charity.
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Sledder Resources For This Trip
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STOP 2: CRANBROOK, BC
TRAVEL TIME: 1 HOUR / 96 KM
Rise and shine early - we’re following the old route of the Great Northern Railway, now known as the Crowsnest Highway (Hwy 3) to the sunniest community in British Columbia! You will soon be travelling through the ‘Morrissey Weather Tunnel’ and descending out of the craggy limestone Lizard Range into the geological thrust fault line known as the Rocky Mountain Trench towards Cranbrook.
As you roll into the bustling hub of Cranbrook, grab a blended espresso, fresh baking, and a BBQ Bacon and Meatloaf sandwich for today’s packed lunch from Hot Shots Cafe. Continue west through town another 10 minutes to reach your riding destination; the formal sawmill and placer mining town of Lumberton.
This is the ancient Purcell Mountain Range, home of the famed granite spires of the Bugaboos and Jumbo Glacier to the North. Here, in the southern tip, peaks are rounded with forested shoulders making for some excellent riding terrain. The Cranbrook Snowmobile Club maintains over 50km of award winning groomed trails and a warming shelter which permits overnight stays for members. Riding is dominated by small lake, cutblock and treelines of various challenge. More experienced riders will find stunning vistas and playzone in the neighbouring Perry Creek.
If the weather is bad or you need a down day, be sure to visit the Cranbrook History Center for a journey through time on a rail car tour. See what life was like for the rail crew in 1927 or experience what was once considered the most luxurious and fastest way across Canada in the interwar period.
When you have had your fill, return to Cranbrook and check in to the Heritage Inn or take advantage of your BCSF membership discount and stay at the Prestige Hotel where you can even spend the night in an old railcar. Stop at the Fire Hall Kitchen and Tap, a unique gastro pub in, you guessed it, Crabrook’s old Fire Hall #1. Or disappear for the evening at the Heid Out Restaurant for some Masala or the J2 Bison burger and a pint of award winning Fischer Peak beer, brewed right in the basement.
STOP 3: GOLDEN, BC
TRAVEL TIME: 2.5 HOURS / 250KM
Our trip finale is one of BC’s most coveted snowmobiling destinations. Perched at the confluence of the glacier fed Kicking Horse and mighty Columbia river, the town of Golden, BC is a hard-edged economic and recreation hub. The community became a prominent stop on the CPR mainline with the local forests supplying timber for railway ties, trestles, and snow tunnel construction to feed the Westward expansion through Rogers Pass. When the railway was complete, logging continued and the CPR recognized they could attract travellers to stay, explore, and discover the incredible scenery. Swiss guides were hired to usher tourists up peaks, and completed many incredible first ascents while pioneering the mountain safety industry in Canada. The sense of discovery and adventure still dominate Golden today with the addition of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and some of the world’s leading heli skiing and mountaineering operations calling this town home.
Our adventure continues an additional half hour drive North of Golden in the marquee Quartz Creek riding area. Sled Golden provides ample parking and routine trail grooming reaching three alpine bowls neighbouring the famous Rogers Pass snowbelt. There are some steep climbs and treelines in Quartz but also wide valley’s suitable for more timid riders. At 8,500ft the freezing level is generally high and predictable here meaning an early start to the riding season and great conditions into the spring. Mountain Motorsports, Golden Snowmobile Rentals, Rocky Mountain Riders, and Banner Recreation can assist with guides, avalanche education, and rentals. Stay Wild Backcountry Adventures also offers co-ed and women’s specific snowmobile and avalanche safety training programs.
After a day exploring Quartz Creek, return to town and check in to the Prestige Inn, conveniently located on the highway, or the Holiday Inn Express who has great grab and go continental breakfast options. Talk a walk over the Kicking Horse Pedestrian bridge on your way to Reposados for tacos and tequila.
Toast the end of a great trip and some epic sled moments at the White Tooth Brewing Co tasting room with their Blower Pow India Pale Ale, or the Tomorrow We Ride Hefeweizen.
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With it’s giant snow-covered peaks and deep plentiful snowfalls, the Kootenay Rockies region is one of the world’s leading destinations for outdoor winter adventure. The area is home to four National Parks and many leading ski resorts and heli skiing operations. Authentic mountain towns are rich in history and well equipped to welcome visitors. Opportunities abound year round; enjoy over 25 championship golf courses, fly fishing on freestone rivers and pristine lakes, or simply soaking the day away in one of the many natural mineral hot springs. More Info.
