Getting to Fernie

By Air

The closest airport to Fernie is Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) in Cranbrook, BC, located just an hour away. Daily flights go between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Canadian Rockies International Airport on Air Canada. There are also daily flights to and from Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Airlines.

Most of our clients fly into Kalispell Airport and rent a car. This seems to be the most cost effective option as well as the most convenient when adding in the cost of a rental vehicle as well.

By Car

Fernie is located on Highway #3 in the southeastern corner of British Columbia, approximately three hours south-west of Calgary International Airport and one hour east of Cranbrook Airport.

Fernie is 15 miles south of Sparwood and 26 miles from the Alberta/British Columbia border. On Highway 3 to the south is the small sawmill town of Elko (20 miles).

Approximate Driving Times

  • Cranbrook, BC - 1 hour
  • Kimberley, BC - 1.25 hours
  • Whitefish/Kalispell, Montana – 1.75 hours
  • Spokane, Washington – 4.5 hours
  • Calgary, Alberta - 3 hours
  • Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta - 4 hours
  • Edmonton, Alberta - 6 hours
  • Seattle, Washington - 8 hours

About Fernie

Although Fernie’s is a short history, it is one plagued by natural and human disasters. Mining accidents ravaged the region from Fernie to the eastern entrance of the Crowsnest Pass in the early days of mining, claiming numerous lives. Fire reduced Fernie’s primarily wooden commercial district to smoldering rubble in April 1904. In August 1908 a second fire engulfed the entire city. The townsfolk literally ran for their lives and in less than 90 minutes the town was reduced to ashes. The residents were undeterred and by 1910 Fernie was rebuilt: this time in brick and stone. The population soared to 6,000 and Fernie flourished into a thriving city, guided by the unwavering resolve and determination of its residents. These fires, more than any other, shaped the physical appearance of Fernie to this day as is seen in the brick and stone buildings that beautify downtown Fernie.

In 1963 the ski hill opened in Fernie and helped shape the town of today. Thanks to the popularity of the ski hill summer visitors have great options for lodging as well as restaurants. In 1999 Fernie was noted in Fly Fisherman magazine as one of the best dry fly rivers in the world. Jeff Mironuck began Home Waters Guide Service that same year and has been guiding anglers ever since.

We realize fishing trips are not just about the fishing and when you base a trip out of Fernie you can count on great accommodations and a nice selection of restaurants to choose from. This combined with world class dry fly fishing and great guides will make your trip a huge success.