Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
10th Ave. S., 250/426-3415, 9am-5:30pm Mon.-Sat.) is loaded with local reading material,
including some interesting books on the Gold-Rush era.
Cranbrook Regional Hospital is off 2nd Street on 24th Avenue North (250/426-5281).
The post office is downtown (corner of 10th Ave. and 1st St. S.).
Getting There
Although Cranbrook does has a small airport with scheduled flights from Vancouver with
Air Canada, most visitors arrive by road. Cranbrook is in the far southeast corner of the
province, closer to Calgary (390 km/244 miles) via Highway 3 and Highway 2 than Van-
couver (840 km/522 miles); allow at least nine hours from Vancouver as Highway 3 is a
winding mountain road for much of the route across the bottom of the province.
FERNIE AND VICINITY
Fernie (pop. 5,200) nestles in the Elk Valley 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Cranbrook
on Highway 3. Town center is a couple of blocks south of the highway, holding the usual
array of historic buildings and small-town shops. The main attraction is winter, when one
of British Columbia's great little alpine resorts comes alive nearby.
About 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of town is 259-hectare (850-acre) Mount Fernie
Provincial Park, where hiking trails lead along a picturesque creek and to a waterfall.
Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie Alpine Resort (14 kilometers/8.7 miles south of Fernie, 250/423-4655,
www.skifernie.com ) is another of British Columbia's legendary winter resorts, boasting
massive annual snowfalls, challenging skiing and riding, and uncrowded slopes. The
1,000-hectare (2,500-acre) lift-serviced area lies under a massive ridge that catches an in-
credible nine meters (30 feet) of snow each year, filling a wide open bowl with enough of
the white fluffy stuff to please all powderhounds. Lift tickets cost adult $82, senior $68,
child $34, under six ski free.
In July and August, one chairlift operates, opening up hiking and mountain biking ter-
rain. Hikers pay $22 per ride or $32 for a day pass. Use the lift to take the hard work out
of mountain biking for $44 for a full day. Bikes can be rented at the base village for $50-80
per day.
Accommodations and Camping
Best of the bunch for budget-conscious travelers is M Powder Mountain Lodge (892
Hwy. 3, 250/423-4492, www.powdermountainlodge.com , $85-125 s or d). This renovated
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