Where to Stay in Fernie • Local Guide to the Best Accommodation
Since it didn’t start as a ski town, Fernie isn’t laid out like the average Canadian mountain town. That means, as first-time visitors it can be a bit confusing to decide where to stay in Fernie.
I’ve lived in Fernie for nearly 3 years now so I decided to put together this guide to help you decide whether you should stay at the ski hill or in town, as well as showcase the best hotels for each budget and requirements.
So without further ado, let’s get into it.
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Contents
Quick Summary
For a quick overview of Fernie, check out my map above. I’ve highlighted all the different neighbourhoods of Fernie plus listed each of the hotels, motels and apartments that I will talk about throughout the article.
As you will see above, the town of Fernie is about a 15-minute drive away from the Fernie Alpine Resort (the ski hill) and actually contains a number of different neighbourhoods for you to choose from. Unlike other mountain towns where you usually want to stay as close to the chair lifts as possible, the town of Fernie generally has a lot more going on than the resort so don’t rule it out just yet.
Below I’ve given you a quick rundown of each of the different Fernie neighbourhoods with who they are best suited to and the top hotels by budget.
| 💲💲💲Best Luxury: | Lizard Creek Lodge |
| 💲💲Best Mid-range: | Fernie Fox Hotel |
| 💲Best Budget: | Stanford Resort |
| 🛏️Best Hostel: | The Raging Elk |
| 🏡Best Chalet | The Alders Chalet |
1. Best Hotels in Fernie
I’ve broken down the best Fernie accommodation into two sections to show you the top hotels per price range for Downtown Fernie and the Fernie Alpine Resort. I’ll also run you through each one with the pros and cons of staying there.
Fernie Downtown Hotels – Best Place to Stay in Fernie
Unless you want to stay as close to the slopes as possible, Downtown Fernie is usually the better choice when it comes to where to stay in Fernie. This is because the heart and soul of Fernie shine brightest downtown.
As you may have seen on the map above, there are a few neighbourhoods to choose from within the town of Fernie. The town itself is not very big (30 min walk maximum to the center) so it’s not a crucial decision which area you choose here, but it can still make a difference to your trip.
The best area to stay within the town of Fernie is the Historic Downtown, located around 2nd Avenue. This is where you will find all the best outdoor shops, cafes, restaurants, galleries and other activities. However, ironically there are not many hotels in the historic downtown.
Most of Fernie’s hotels are located alongside the highway that passes through town. If you stay anywhere between 4th st and 11th st you will still be within 15 mins walk to the historic downtown but will have much more choice of accommodation.
West Fernie is located just across the West Fernie Bridge and gives you more bang for your buck. If you’re looking to get more facilities for the price, staying here is not much of a compromise as you’re still very close to downtown (~20 walk downtown).
Lastly, the Riverside area is located about halfway between downtown Fernie and the Fernie Alpine Resort. It’s also directly across the road from the Mount Fernie Provincial Park, Elk Valley Nordic Center and the road to Island Lake Lodge. During the summer, this is the perfect location if you want easy access to the area’s best hiking & mountain biking.
Luxury
Park Place Lodge
If you want to stay in a proper hotel with all the facilities while staying as close to the Historic Downtown as possible, Park Place is your best option. Here you’ll find an indoor pool, bar and two restaurants on-site. Make sure to check out the weekly events at the Pub downstairs!
Mid Range
Fernie Fox Hotel
Located in West Fernie, the Fernie Fox offers eco-friendly rooms and suites with a shared outdoor hot tub. The Fernie Stoke Shuttle stops right outside (peak seasons only), taking you to town, the provincial park and the ski hill.
Budget
Red Tree Lodge
Red Tree Lodge is a great choice if you want space and facilities without a hefty price tag. Located just off the highway, you’re within walking distance of downtown but can also enjoy the onsite pool, pet-friendly rooms and free bike rentals.
Hostel
The Raging Elk
This fun hostel is a social hub within Fernie for locals and visitors alike. The attached Kodiak lounge hosts fun weekly events and is the unofficial afterparty location for local hockey games. That being said, it’s not a party hostel, there are great family rooms available with plenty of privacy for budget-conscious groups.
Fernie Alpine Resort Hotels – Best for Families & Hardcore Skiiers
If you’re here for skiing and skiing only (or mountain biking in the summer), you can’t beat staying right at the base of the lifts. The Fernie Alpine Resort is the only place where you will find ski-in, ski-out accommodation and is a great option if you want to spend as much time as possible on the slopes.
That being said, the majority of visitors to Fernie stay in the downtown area, which means the ski hill atmosphere can be quite lacking at night. During the summer, not much is open past 6 pm and in the winter, you’re pretty much limited to two restaurants. That being said, you can always come down to the town for dinner of course.
During the summer, I truly think staying downtown is the better choice, but in the winter, staying on the hill is a great idea for families. It’s going to be much easier to get the little ones dressed and out the door with all their gear if you only need to go a few steps. Wrangling everyone and everything into the car each day for a 15-minute drive simply adds unnecessary stress to your day.
Luxury
Lizard Creek Lodge
Lizard Creek Lodge is THE place to stay if you’re looking for a luxurious mountain getaway in Fernie. Located right at the base of the Elk chairlift with a spa, heated pool, hot tub and fine dining restaurant onsite, you truly have everything you need at this hotel.
Mid Range
Snow Creek Lodge
Located directly under the Elk Chair, Snow Creek Lodge is another great ski-in ski-out option. The apartments offer all the self-catering facilities you could need plus a shared swimming pool and BBQ facilities.
Budget
Slopeside Lodge
For the cheapest rooms on the hill, Slopeside Lodge has an incredible location in the village. Located right in the heart of the resort, Slopeside offers great rooms with private bathrooms, but for other facilities like restaurants, you’ll have to walk a few steps outside.
Holiday Home
Ski-in Chalet
If you’re bringing a big group, renting this luxurious chalet is the best accommodation in Fernie. This modern house has huge glass windows, gorgeous furnishings, a hot tub and 7 bedrooms!
2. Other Hotels in Fernie
For those of you who have other requirements when it comes to choosing a hotel in Fernie, I’ve highlighted a few additional options that are just as good!
2.1 Cornerstone Lodge – Closest Ski-in Ski-out Hotel in Fernie
Location: Fernie Alpine Resort
Price: $
Sleeps: 4 People
While I already talked about a few ski-in ski-out hotels in Fernie, none of them are as close to the lifts as Cornerstone Lodge. From here, you are located directly at the base of the Deer and Elk chairs with a short skate to the Timber chair. Even if you were staying at Lizard Creek Lodge you would have to go up a hill to access ⅔ of these.
The lodge itself stands above Legends Restaurant in the village plaza and offers self-catering apartments with a balcony, fitness center and shared hot tub.
2.2 Stanford Resort – Best Hotel with a Pool
Location: Riverside
Price: $
If you’re looking for a hotel with a pool, you seriously can’t beat the Standford. The first thing you see when you arrive here is the huge waterslide that dominates the pool area. Don’t worry, the pool is big enough for relaxing too and you can’t beat the mountain views you get from in here.
A great choice for families, here you also have an onsite restaurant, games room, fitness room, sauna and hot tub.
2.3 Canada’s Best Value Inn and Suites – Top Motel in Fernie
Location: Highway
Price: $
Located just off Highway 3 near the West Fernie Bridge, here you have plenty of space to park directly outside your fully furnished room.
While you’ll still be within easy walking distance of Downtown Fernie, you will also have access to a kitchenette in your room, a shared pool onsite plus a few great restaurants right next door. Perfect weather you’re just stopping for the night or here to explore the town!
2.4 Best Western Plus – Cheap Hotel in Fernie
Location: Highway
Price: $
This is probably the best hotel for the price in all of Fernie. The modern rooms are huge with plenty of great facilities onsite such as a pool, restaurant and fitness center.
The only downside about this one is that it’s quite far on the East side of town. I only recommend staying here in winter if you have a car as the shuttle doesn’t stop here.
2.5 Snow Valley Lodging – Best Dog-Friendly Hotel in Fernie
Location: Highway
Price: $
While many of Fernie’s hotels offer pet-friendly rooms, Snow Valley Lodging would be my top pick as they offer adorable tiny homes with plenty of space for your furry friend.
In addition to this, they have onsite laundry, a bike wash area and free rentals making it the perfect adventure base.
Note that there is an additional pet fee to be aware of.
2.6 Island Lake Lodge – Incredible Backcountry Hotel in Fernie
Location: Backcountry
Price: $$
For the ultimate getaway in Fernie, Island Lake Lodge offers the most amazing luxury backcountry experience.
Nestled in 7,000 acres of private, untouched wilderness, Island Lake Lodge is a paradise all year round. During the summer you can book rooms by the night with access to an onsite spa, restaurant, hiking and more. During the winter time, Island Lake becomes a cat-skiing mecca and stays must be booked in a package.
3. Holiday Homes & Condos in Fernie
For those of you visiting Fernie with a large group or family, renting a holiday home or condo is a great idea. These larger properties afford you plenty of space, privacy and self-catering facilities for a reasonable price. Below are my top picks for both Downtown Fernie and the Fernie Alpine Resort.
Downtown
- 901
This is actually the closest accommodation to the historical downtown in Fernie and the apartments are gorgeous! My partner’s family stayed here last summer when they came to visit and loved that this converted schoolhouse kept all its charm with tall ceilings, luxury furnishings and a spa/hot pool on site.
- Silver Rock Condos
Located in West Fernie, Silver Rock Condos has all the facilities you could need on-site such as an indoor pool, hot tub and gym, but for a great price. You can choose from a range of 1 to 3-bedroom units here with great views, tones of space and modern interior design.
- Riverside
This is the perfect choice for budget travellers, located in Riverside, halfway between downtown Fernie and the Fernie Alpine Resort. Here you get all the basics, right next to the beautiful Elk River, for a fraction of the cost of other hotels nearby.
- Pinnacle Ridge
Another great option in Riverside, Pinnacle Ridge is a bit bigger, offering two, 3 bedroom holiday homes suitable for up to 6 people each.
Fernie Alpine Resort
- Powder House Chalet
A gorgeous 6-bedroom house that sleeps up to 13 people in comfort. With huge peaked windows, a large hot tub and an outdoor fireplace, this modern chalet is a beautiful getaway for anyone seeking luxury.
- Griz Inn
Griz Inn offers a number of apartments and condos with up to 3 bedrooms. In addition to the privacy of your own facilities, here you can also access a shared indoor and outdoor pool, laundry facilities and storage lockers for a budget-friendly price. What’s more, Griz Inn is accessible on skis.
- Stone Creek Chalets
These beautiful ski-in ski -ut houses feature 2 to 3 stylish rooms that are sure to give you that mountain getaway feeling. Some of the chalets come with their own private hot tub and all of them feature amazing views of the mountains.
- The Alders Chalet
This is probably my favourite holiday home rental in Fernie! This absolutely breathtaking log cabin sleeps up to 12 people and features a cozy open fireplace, open design, plenty of balconies, 5 bathrooms, a games room and of course a huge hot tub.
- Timberline Lodges
For families searching for an affordable condo on the ski hill, these 2 bedroom units are a great choice. Nestled between the trees with a shared pool and hot tub on-site, this will feel like a true home away from home.
- Kodiak Chalet
Last but not least, this modern 4 bedroom home will take your breath away at every corner but the star of the show has to be the private sauna and huge glass windows. Thanks to the secluded location, you can be close to the slopes while feeling like you’re all alone.
Camping in Fernie
Even though Fernie is a huge outdoorsy town, there are only a handful of places you can legally go camping in Fernie. Most of Fernie is governed by local by-laws that prevent sleeping in your car which means you may get moved on if caught sleeping in a van in any of the parking lots or pullouts in town.
NOTE: During the winter, your only option is the Fernie RV resort, however, if you have a self-contained camper, you are allowed to stay overnight in parking lot 4 at the Fernie Alpine Resort (just know that there are no facilities here).
Here’s a list of all the campsites in Fernie that are open in the summer.
Fernie RV Resort
Located right next to the beautiful Elk River with epic mountain views, the Fernie RV Resort has the most facilities when it comes to choosing a campground in Fernie. They have both tent and RV sites with full-service hook-ups plus five heated yurts for rent.
In addition to this, you can enjoy a water fill-up station, sani-dump, wifi, huge private washrooms, a playground and laundry facility. The Fernie RV Resort is the only campground open in winter and offers full-season rates.
Mount Fernie Provincial Park
My favourite place to camp in Fernie is the Mount Fernie Provincial Park. While it may not have as many facilities as the RV resort, you can’t beat the magical setting of an old-growth forest. Each of the sites here costs $30 per night and is surrounded by tall trees so you can enjoy some solitude with a fire ring and picnic table for comfort. You’ll also have access to bathrooms with showers and drinking water taps but no RV hookups.
Campsites at Mount Fernie Provincial Park sell out quite far in advance so you should definitely book online during peak season, but there are a handful of first-come first-serve spots available each day. You cannot call ahead to book these but must turn up in person on the day.
Technically you can use these sites during the winter however there are no facilities and the gate is closed so you must walk in a few meters with all your gear.
Montane Parkway Camping – Opening Summer 2025
There isn’t much info yet about the new campground that is being developed in the Montane area but I’ve heard there will be 50 campsites with plenty of great facilities. The location for this site is perfect for hikers and mountain bikers as it will be directly at the base of the Montane trailhead. The current proposed open date is for Summer 2025 and I will update this post with more details when they become available.
Fernie Alpine Resort – Self-contained campers only
The Fernie Alpine Resort carpark is not officially a campground however they do offer spaces for RV’s and contained campers to stay overnight. This is more of a courtesy than anything and shouldn’t be abused. Please stick to parking in Parking lot 4 and follow leave no trace principles. Note that there are no facilities here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Where to Stay in Fernie
Is it better to stay in town or on the mountain in Fernie?
It’s better to stay in the town of Fernie as there are more facilities such as shops, restaurants and activities. This creates a more vibrant atmosphere all day long.
What are the best hotels in Fernie?
Lizard Creek Lodge and Island Lake Lodge are the two best hotels in Fernie as they offer the most luxurious stay with facilities such as spas, restaurants, pools and hot tubs in two equally special locations.
Which are the cheapest hotels in Fernie, B.C.?
The Raging Elk, Red Tree Lodge and the Stanford Resort are the cheapest hotels in Fernie, B.C.
What are the best hotels in Downtown Fernie?
Park Place Lodge, 901, Fernie Fox Hotel and Snow Valley Lodging are the best hotels in Downtown Fernie with a great location and top-notch facilities.
There you have it, all my best suggestions of where to stay in Fernie whether you’re here to hit the slopes, go mountain biking or visit on a family vacation.
To recap, overall, downtown Fernie is the best place to stay for most people and I recommend Park Place Lodge as a great choice. Alternatively, if you want to stay as close to the ski lifts as possible, you can’t go past the luxurious Lizard Creek Lodge.
For the best prices, make sure to book as far ahead as possible (at least a few months) as the best places sell out rather quickly. And if you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to help. You can also check out all my travel guides for Fernie here.
Happy travels,
Kate
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➜ 3 Ways to Get to Fernie – By Car, Bus & Plane
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Helpful Resources
Hotels.com - Another great place to find a hotel with specific requirements for your trip.
Agoda - Best for booking hotels in Asia. Has options worldwide however in Asia it seems to have the most options of all the booking sites.
Hostelworld - Perfect for backpackers, Hostelworld is my go-to to find dorm rooms and cheap, social accommodation options.
Rental Cars - Another option to compare rental car companies and providers worldwide.
Sixt - Previously “Thrifty” car rentals.
Europcar - Offers car and van hire around the world.
AutoEurope - Best place to find RV’s to rent for your trip.
Paul Camper - Rent campervans directly from their owners at reduced prices.
Viator - Preferred by US providers so sometimes has a bigger range of activities in select locations.
Klook - Most popular in Asia, you will find a bigger range of attractions and tours in the region of Asia on Klook.
Civitatis - Specializing in European Cities. Although it provides tours worldwide, always check here for additional options if visiting Europe.
HeadOut - Best place to find discounted attraction tickets.
Tiqets - Offers a lot of combo tickets. Make sure to visit if you are planning on visiting a few iconic attractions within a city.
Tripaneer - Where to go if you want to book retreats of any kind (yoga, cycling, outdoors etc).
Guru Walks - Book your spot on a free walking tour.
G Adventure - Lets you compare multi day tours around the world to pick the right itinerary for you.
Cruise Critic - Check out the different cruise options for long or short trips world wide.
Cruise Direct - Another option for comparing and booking cruises for your trip.
Helly Hanson - Norwegian based clothing brand which produces durable outdoor clothing, particularly ski gear.
The North Face - High quality clothing for all your outdoor adventure needs.
Decathlon - Has a great range of cheap equipment and clothing for a huge range of sports and outdoor activities.
Sport Chek - Everything you need for general sports and outdoor adventures under one roof (or website).
Kiwi - Best platform for comparing different routes and dates.
Flixbus - Cheapest bus service mostly serving Europe but available in a few other destinations.
Greyhound - US long distance bus transport service.
Busbud - Compare and find all the bus times and providers for your chosen route.
Trainline - Find train times and tickets for long distance travel around the world.
Save a train - Another place to get train tickets and compare services for your destination.
Welcome Pickups - Pre book your airport transfer to your hotel.
Get Transfer - Another option to find airport transfers within your destination city.
Kiwi Taxi - Find and pre-book a taxi service in your location (including airport transfers).
SafetyWing - Best for digital nomads, offers ongoing monthly travel insurance plans.
Bonzah - Rental car insurance. Cheaper plans than those offered by the rental car companies themselves.
2 Comments
Erna Dominey
Hi, I will be driving to and from the ashram in Kootenay Bay in late September-early October with my 92 year old yoga teacher. I understand that Fernie is a good place to break up the trip from Edmonton. Could you please recommend a pleasant place with good breakfast? Not luxury but good. Thanks,
Erna
Kate Fletcher
Hi Erna,
If you are looking for a hotel with breakfast included in the price, the Best Western is a great choice. If you don’t mind paying for your breakfast, there is an amazing breakfast restaurant called White Birch Bistro located inside Red Tree Lodge, which is another great hotel choice.
Hope that helps!