48 Hours in Fernie: Blog Post

Why Fernie is the reset weekend you need

Fernie is a quiet mountain town in southeastern BC, about three hours from Calgary, and it’s the kind of place where you can finally exhale. We went in fall, when the leaves are crunchy and the larches turn golden, because we wanted to slow down and reconnect.

This is our full 48 hours in Fernie, two nights and three days: drinks and an early night on Saturday, a Sunday of brunch, shops, a fall walk, a spa soak and a night out, then a bike ride and brunch on Monday. Our stay was hosted by Tourism Fernie (#ad), and every opinion here is ours.

Fernie weekend at a glance

Quick facts	Details
Trip length	Two nights, three days
When we went	Fall, for crunchy leaves and golden larches
Getting there	About 3 hours from Calgary on Highway 3
Parking	Lots of street parking, mostly free
Where we stayed	Snow Valley Lodging (hosted)
Pack	A warm fall jacket and a tripod
Gift card	Up to $125 with Fills My Cup, for stays October 13 to November 20

Day 1, Saturday: drinks and an early night

6:00PM: Drinks at The Rumour Mill

We started the weekend with drinks and small bites at The Rumour Mill. The inside is aesthetic but still casual, so you don’t have to get dressed up to have a great date night, and it’s a great spot to hang out with friends too. It’s eclectic, with a mix of vintage chairs, and the feel is just gorgeous. We gave the space a 9 out of 10, though it leans a little pricey, and the baked brie was delightful, also a 9. Adi’s pick was the venison scotch egg, easily a 9.

• Order this: the baked brie and the venison scotch egg.
• Skip it unless you love salt: the salmon pâté. Shabina gave it a 5 out of 10 for being too salty, though Adi liked it.

8:30PM: Check in at Snow Valley Lodging

Then we checked in at Snow Valley Lodging. We just wanted to relax and reconnect, and an early night in was exactly the point of the weekend. Our room was beautifully decorated, and it’s on the top floor with panoramic views of the larches, which was great to wake up to.

Day 2, Sunday: brunch, shops and a fall walk

10:30AM: Brunch at Loaf

Brunch at Loaf is the move. The shakshuka is a 10 out of 10, and Adi loved it just as much. The avocado toast is a 9, and the portions are huge, so come hungry.

• Order this: the shakshuka first, then the avocado toast.
• Skip it unless you have a sweet tooth: the tiramisu French toast. It was fun, but only a 6 out of 10 for us.

12:30PM: Wander Main Street

Fernie’s Main Street feels like a Hallmark movie set: quaint, cute and unmistakably local. It’s cozy and charming, and the brick and stone buildings downtown date back to the early 1900s, which gives Main Street that Hallmark-movie charm. Look up and you’ll spot murals and old painted signs. You’ll see locals walking the streets, and there are bakeries and good food everywhere. Over 15 movies have been filmed in town (Curiocity). We loved browsing the art gallery and the local goods. There are no cookie-cutter souvenir shops here, unlike Banff, where many stores sell the same souvenirs. We didn’t buy anything, but every shop felt local and different. Adi’s favourite part was watching Shabina browse.

• Good to know: there’s lots of street parking, mostly free.

3:00PM: Walk the Elk River Trail

This was the best fall walk of the trip. Crunchy leaves, the river running, and mountain views? Excuse us. It soothed our souls. Adi’s favourite part was the golden larches. The trail is in the Dogwood Park area.

• Pack: a warm fall jacket, and a tripod so you can take your own shots.

4:00PM: Two hours at Spa 901

The most important stop of the weekend is slowing down on purpose. We spent two hours at Spa 901, which was the perfect amount of time. Our loop was the Finnish sauna, then the outdoor whirlpool, back to the sauna, back to the whirlpool, and then the loungers, where we drifted off for a bit and woke up. The whirlpool in the cool mountain air was lovely.

7:00PM: A night at the Vogue Theatre

We ended Sunday at the Vogue Theatre, the cutest, quaintest little retro theatre. It felt like stepping back in time, and it was such a sweet way to finish the night.

Sushi at Yamagoya

We also had sushi at Yamagoya, and the Jumbo Dynamite Roll was the best.

Day 3, Monday: a bike ride and brunch round two

9:00AM: Bike ride around Annex Park

Before leaving, we took a bike ride around Annex Park.

Brunch at White Birch

Then it was brunch round two at White Birch. We ordered the smoked salmon Benny and the truffled mushroom Benny, and we truly couldn’t pick a favourite.

• Order this: the smoked salmon Benny and the truffled mushroom Benny.

Where we stayed and how to get up to $125 back

We stayed at Snow Valley Lodging. And a little secret, because we love you: Fernie’s Fills My Cup offer gives you a gift card when you book.

Book two nights direct with a participating local accommodator and apply at least 72 hours before check-in to get a $75 gift card, or up to $125 if you stay three or more nights. Eligible bookings also get a Fernie Fills My Cup mug (limit two per booking, while supplies last). The offer covers stays from October 13 to November 20, and gift cards are limited.

To claim it, fill out the online form once your booking is confirmed. Your gift card is ready at check-in, and you spend it at a participating Fernie business. Full details are on Tourism Fernie’s Fills My Cup page.

Tips for planning your Fernie weekend

• Getting there: about three hours from Calgary on Highway 3 (the Crowsnest Pass Highway).
• Flying in: the closest airport is Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook, about an hour away (City of Fernie).
• Parking: easy. There’s lots of street parking, mostly free, and we had no parking issues anywhere.
• What to pack: a warm fall jacket, and a tripod for your own photos.
• What to book: your stay, direct with a participating local accommodator, to qualify for the gift card.

Fernie weekend FAQ

How far is Fernie from Calgary?

About three hours by car on Highway 3, which makes it a good weekend trip.

How many days do you need in Fernie?

We did two nights and three days, which gave us time to eat well, walk, soak at the spa and relax.

Is Fernie worth visiting in fall?

Yes. We loved the crunchy leaves, the river and the golden larches on the Elk River Trail, plus a quiet Main Street.

What should I pack for a fall weekend in Fernie?

A warm fall jacket, and a tripod if you want your own photos on the trail.

What is the best brunch in Fernie?

Our pick is Loaf. The shakshuka is a 10 out of 10, and the portions are huge.

Is parking easy in Fernie?

Yes. There’s lots of street parking, mostly free, and we had no issues anywhere.

How do I get a gift card when I book?

Book direct and apply at least 72 hours before check-in through Fernie’s Fills My Cup offer. It’s $75 for two nights, up to $125 for three or more.

Keep wandering

That’s our full 48 hours in Fernie. We couldn’t fit it all into one video, so follow along on Instagram and TikTok for the Reels.

Like it, save it, send it to who you’d wander with. Want our full Fernie itinerary and Google Maps list? Comment FERNIE on our Reel and we’ll send it your way, or find it all on our Fernie hub at fernie.madeforwanderers.com.

Thanks for wandering with us, and keep wandering.