^
  • Brown dried trees and vegetation line one side of the Elk River bank and tall conifer pines trees are clustered on the other side with the backdrop of the snow capped Rocky Mountains far in the distance. The Elk River in Fernie, BC on a winter day with brown and dried vegetation, barren trees and sturdy pine trees at the river's banks and snowy Rocky Mountains in the distance.

Image by Hans Braxmeier

While you may still be lamenting the end of ski season, there’s no need stay in for the next several months. There’s still plenty to get out and enjoy in Fernie. With the fair weather months comes the opportunity to really enjoy the rugged landscape of the area, and what better way to do that than on a mountain bike?

The kick-off to Fernie mountain biking season happens on May 25 with the Spring Bike Blitz and Mud Muncher Kids Race. Put on by the Fernie Mountain Bike Club, the events are a great way to get out and meet other outdoor enthusiasts and get pumped for the biking season.

To take part in the events, participants must be members of the Fernie Mountain Biking Club. You can purchase a membership online and the annual fee is only $25 for individuals and $50 for families. Getting a FMBC pass gets you access not just to these fun events, but also to a wide range of other mountain biking activities throughout the year.

The weekend is a busy one, with a full roster of activities. The Bike & Gear Swap takes place from 10am to 2pm on May 25 (drop off of items can be done between 7pm and 10pm on Fri., May 24 or on Sat. morning before the swap between 9am and 10am at Elk’s Hall).

The BBQ Social gets started at 11:30am and runs until 2pm. The Kid’s Mud Muncher Challenge goes down at 1pm. Then at 3pm, it’s time for the Fernie Mountain Bike Club AGM. The whole weekend wraps up with the Stove Pipe MTB Movie Night at 7pm.

If you’re going to be in the area and need accomodation in Fernie, there’s no better place to stay than the Fernie Stanford Resort. With breathtaking alpine views, spacious rooms, condos and townhouses, an award winning restaurant, and a wide host of other amenities, you never want to go home.