I know a not-so-secret spot that checked every box on my summer wish list—and didn’t blow the budget doing it. If you’ve never visited Fernie Alpine Resort in summer, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Sure, it’s famous for powder days and ski runs, but come summer, this Rockies retreat trades snow for sunshine, skis for bikes, and après-ski for patio beers under a bluebird sky.
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Fernie Alpine Resort in Summer
Fernie Alpine Resort delivers the ultimate, scenic summer getaway you’ll have almost to yourself. With lift-assist hiking and biking trails laced with wildflowers, it provides just enough thrill to balance out all that chill you’ll be doing poolside or in the spa. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or just chasing the sun, Fernie’s summer vibe has it all. Here’s what to expect for a fantastic summer break at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Lift Assist Hiking
Sure, you can hike up the mountain using your own power, but when there’s already a chairlift whisking bikers to the summit, why not join them? With at least half a dozen trails departing from both the Elk Chairlift and Timber Chair (open Saturdays and Sundays), hikers are spoiled for choice. You’ll also be spoiled with stunning views of the Elk Valley, and thanks to recent rain, the slopes are studded with a kaleidoscope of colourful wildflowers.
We happened upon a weekend when the resort was offering a guided hike, so off we went with Guide Gary to explore the Polar Peak Ridge area. Our themed hike was all about the wildlife on the mountain, but because I only seem to care about mountain goats, we were able to customize our trek to include identifying plants and berries (my request).
According to Gary, “It’s been a crazy awesome year for berries,” so we feasted upon patches of wild huckleberries and strawberries. Thanks to Gary’s guidance and his powerful set of binoculars, we did indeed see a cluster of mountain goats! I also learned the difference between deer and goat scat, so that was another win.
If you do go hiking on your own, the trails are well signed, but you should still bring all the regular stuff: bear spray, water, etc. And be sure to budget time for a beer at the end of your hike at the Lost Boys Cafe (which closes at 3:30 pm).
Tip: There’s plenty more guided hikes being offered until the end of summer. If you fancy learning more about the secret history of trees or want to identify berries and other plants, sign up for a guided hike here.
Mountain Biking
Most folks flock to Fernie Alpine Resort in summer for its legendary bike park. And honestly? It lives up to the hype. A sprawling network of trails snakes down the mountain, offering everything from gentle beginner runs to heart-stopping double blacks that’ll make your palms sweat just thinking about them.
What I love most is the diversity. I watched tiny kids who couldn’t have been older than five fearlessly bombing down trails while seasoned pros carved perfect lines nearby. It’s like the mountain welcomes everyone, no matter their skill level or age.
Weekend warriors get the full experience with both the Timber and Elk chairlifts spinning, while the Elk lift keeps the fun going seven days a week during summer. If you’re bunking at Lizard Creek Lodge, you’ve hit the jackpot. The Elk lift is right outside the back entrance, which means more time riding and less time schlepping gear around.
Where to Get Bike Rentals
Neither The Huz nor I own downhill bikes (shocking, I know), so we headed straight to the Fernie Alpine Resort Rental and Repair Shop. They’ve got you covered with a full fleet of dual-suspension downhill bikes ranging from extra small 20-inch wheels for fearless little riders to extra large frames for us vertically gifted folks.
Our advice? Go for the full package like we did—bike, elbow and knee pads, full-face helmet, and lift ticket all bundled together. You can even add upper body armour as we did. Just bring your own gloves or buy a pair there. The Huz went rogue and taped his hands instead, which worked surprisingly well.
The staff really impressed us, taking time to adjust the bike shocks perfectly for our weight, plus going back and forth with sizes after we kept changing our mind. It’s those little touches that make all the difference when you’re hurtling down a mountain.
For Families
Beyond the biking and hiking thrills (plus that fabulous outdoor pool we’ll gush about later), Fernie Alpine Resort knows how to keep the little ones entertained. Their Kids Mountain Adventure Camps welcome ages 6-12 for 2, 3, or 5-day programs, while budding bike enthusiasts can join free ride camps set up for ages 8-12 and 13-16. All are led by professional coaches who actually know what they’re doing. (Unlike some dads I know.)
For families who prefer to explore at their own pace, don’t miss the Elk Grove forest playground hidden in the trees at the top of the Elk Chair. It’s included with your summer lift ticket and feels like discovering a secret treehouse kingdom.
Névé Spa
If you’re more “spa day” than “summit day,” kinda person, you’re going to fall head over heels for the on-site Névé Spa. Just walking past it is an aromatherapy experience. It’s like wandering into a heavenly scented Aveda wonderland that makes you want to move in permanently.
I went for their signature facial, which was super luxurious. I nearly dozed off mid-treatment, which is saying something since I’m usually terrible at relaxing. The experience kicks off with a 30-minute massage (you pick what body parts need the TLC) before diving into an hour-long facial using Aveda products that work as hard as they smell divine.
After a deep cleanse, exfoliation, and plenty of facial massage with rich oils and Vitamin C serum, comes the pièce de résistance: not one, but two masks. Here’s where things get really good…while the masks work their magic, your esthetician massages your arms, shoulders, neck, and scalp. When I tell you I floated out of there and straight into the pool, I’m not exaggerating.
My esthetician (and spa manager) Bailey told me it’s called being “massage drunk.” If that’s the case, I was absolutely hammered!
But honestly? The best part might be the thick salted caramel chocolates offered before and after your treatment. I don’t think anything says “perfect spa day” quite like premium chocolate bookends.
Lizard Creek Lodge
After all that spa bliss, you’ll need somewhere equally dreamy to rest your massage-drunk head—enter Lizard Creek Lodge.
Our one-bedroom suite was everything a mountain retreat should be: spacious with a kitchenette, deep soaking tub, fireplace, balcony, and couches so comfy we practically had to pry ourselves off them. My favourite part happened each morning when The Huz would lean over from his side of the bed and crack open our patio door.
There’s something so divine about waking up to fresh mountain air and sunshine streaming across a bed piled high with pillows and the puffiest duvet imaginable. The silence was incredible—the kind of peaceful quiet where only the wind rushing through the trees breaks the spell.
Here’s where I admit I totally failed at doing my homework: I had no clue there was a massive heated outdoor pool! Picture this gorgeous oasis surrounded by flower baskets, padded loungers, and stunning slope views. After our afternoon hike or bike ride, we’d make a beeline for the pool and hot tub before dinner.
Another pleasant surprise? The legitimately impressive gym, kitted out with current equipment and weights that actually motivated me to work out before breakfast. (I know! Even I don’t know who I am anymore.)
But the biggest “why didn’t I know this?” moment came when I discovered rooms in the lodge include access to in-house laundry service. It was all spelled out in the info packet they give you at check-in that I never read. How nice would it be to return home without having to do a pile of smelly laundry? I’ll never know (unless I visit again!).
Where to Eat
The chandeliers at Cirque immediately telegraph that this isn’t your typical mountain lodge dining room. Located on-site at Lizard Creek Lodge, the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance of swish meets relaxed. You can absolutely roll up in jeans and a button-down without feeling underdressed. If you’re a champagne lover like me, you’ll spend a good five minutes admiring the floor-to-ceiling wine rack studded with those telltale orange necks of Veuve Clicquot.
In a misguided attempt at being healthy, I kicked things off with what I convinced myself was a medicinal cocktail. Their Secret Stash packed ginger, fresh lemon, mint tea, lemongrass, and strawberry bitters—oh, and gin. Lots of it. Health goals achieved.
Then we dove into one of the best restaurant meals we’ve had in ages. The Huz, who religiously orders Caesar salad everywhere we go, went nuts for this version. “You gotta tell everyone that’s a great Caesar salad,” he declared more than once. He wasn’t wrong. With a soft egg, perfectly balanced parmesan (not over-parmed, if you know what I mean), house-made croutons that had clearly seen a frying pan versus a box, and thick, smoky chunks of bacon, we would’ve happily made this our main meal. But that would’ve been a shame because our mains—an incredibly tender AAA CAB tenderloin and linguine with shrimp, were equally impressive.
We barely made a dent in either dish, but that just meant fantastic leftovers. As much as I loved the pasta hot and fresh, I might have enjoyed it even more the next day, cold from the fridge with those plump and juicy shrimp.
Then we tucked into an immensely tender and flavourful AAA CAB tenderloin and the linguine with shrimp. We didn’t even come close to finishing, but that’s OK because they made for great leftovers. As much as I adored the pasta hot and fresh, I think I loved scarfing it back a bit more the next day. It felt pretty decadent.
From lift-assisted hikes through wildflowers to poolside lounging with those stunning Rockies views, we had the kind of getaway that makes you wonder why you ever thought mountains were just for winter. If you haven’t already visited Fernie Alpine Resort in summer, consider this your official nudge to trade your beach plans for some high-altitude relaxation. Your future self will thank you.
