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Tucked away in a narrow valley in the rugged Rocky Mountains, the town of Fernie has a unique and colourful history.

Coal mining

The town was born when a prospector noticed black and shiny stones in a necklace worn by an Indian Chief’s daughter — it was coal. The chief agreed to reveal the source of these stones if the prospector agreed to marry his daughter. When the prospector reneged on his wedding proposal the angered chief put a curse of fire, flood and famine on the valley, but this didn’t stop Fernie from prospering. From coal, and through the 1920s it added to its wealth by smuggling whiskey into prohibition America.

Fernie, CanadaThe curse was finally lifted in 1964 and today it is an atmospheric town rich in history, with abandoned mines, museums and heritage sites letting visitors step back in time to the beautiful Elk Valley’s past.

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who's been there
Audley Travel Specialist Hollie

Start planning your tailor-made trip to Fernie by contacting one of our Canada specialists

Suggested itinerary featuring Fernie

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Fernie, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Fernie

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Fernie

    Our expert guides to exploring Fernie

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Fernie, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Fernie at its best.

    • Self-driving in western Canada
      Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Self-driving in western Canada

      Canada specialists Kerry and Annie share their tried-and-tested self-drive routes in western Canada. You might want to follow a lesser-known loop through the Canadian Rockies, detouring to the Okanagan wine region. Or, take in British Columbia’s coastline and Vancouver Island.

      9 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Fernie

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Fernie. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.