TOURISM FERNIE'S NEW WEBSITE | | |
Tourism Fernie launched a new consumer-facing website at the end of April, replacing a platform that successfully served our organization and audiences for the past 10 years. The new site delivers a modern, mobile-first experience designed to better meet the needs of today’s travelers while reflecting a refreshed look and feel for the Tourism Fernie brand. Read more...
Have you used the new website yet? Let us know how you liked it!
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What is the Value of Tourism?
Kootenay Rockies Tourism recently released this video to help articulate the value of tourism in the region and within communities.
Tourism generates $150 million annually towards Fernie's economy and supports local jobs and small businesses.
| | | TOURISM CONFERENCES & MEETINGS | |
Social West Marketing Conference
At the end of May, Tourism Fernie attended the SocialWest Conference in Calgary, one of Western Canada's leading digital marketing events. The 2-day conference brought together close to 800 industry experts and attendees to share insights on emerging trends, evolving social media platforms, content strategy, AI, and consumer behaviour.
| | | Attending events like SocialWest helps ensure Tourism Fernie stays informed on the latest marketing innovations and best practices to effectively promote Fernie. | | | |
ORC-BC Conference
Tourism Fernie, with its AmbassadorWild Program, attended the ORC-BC Conference (Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia) in Kamloops from May 20–22. The conference brings together recreation leaders, land managers, government agencies, Indigenous partners, non-profit organizations, and outdoor industry professionals to discuss the future of outdoor recreation, stewardship, and visitor management across British Columbia.
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We were honored to be invited as guest speakers to present the AmbassadorWild (AWILD) program and share our approach to engaging visitors in stewardship and responsible recreation. The presentation was very well received, generating meaningful discussions and interest from organizations facing similar visitor management challenges.
The conference was an excellent opportunity to connect with professionals and organizations doing important work in outdoor recreation and conservation. We learned from inspiring presentations, innovative projects, and valuable discussions on stewardship and visitor use management. Overall, it was a highly informative and rewarding event that helped strengthen relationships and create opportunities for future collaboration.
| | Australia Snow Expos and Travel Agent Events 2026 | | Tourism Fernie had a very busy time on the road in Australia, connecting with tour operators, travel agents, media and consumers. In partnership with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc., Christine attended the Melbourne & Sydney Snow Expos (12K+ attendees) within the Canada Pavilion, conducted trainings with 80+ agents and supported tour operator events (300+ clients), along with landing an interview spot with Travel Radio Australia! | | MEDIA COVERAGE FOR FERNIE | | Men's Journal: This 700-Mile Ski Road Trip Might Be the Best Powder Chase in the World | |  | |
SheBuysTravel.com:
Five FUNtastic Family-Friendly Canadian Ski Resorts for Spring Skiing
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Homoculture.com:
Best Things to Do in Fernie in Winter for Gay Travelers
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WorldAtlas.com:
The Rockies 7 Most Underrated Towns to Visit
| | | 2025 - 2026 WINTER VISITOR SURVEY | | |
The Tourism Fernie Winter Visitor Survey was conducted online from December 2025 - March 2026.
While we received a smaller sample size than usual due to lower visitor numbers as a result of the snow conditions, the responses still reveal useful data.
Based on the survey results, Fernie received a Net Promoter Score of 85, an increase of over 14% on our summer score! About the Net Promoter Score
The wordcloud above reflects the answers received for Q14: Any highlights, must do's, or businesses or people you would like to praise or recommend? The bigger the font, the more mentions that business or attraction received. Congratulations to Big Bang Bagels, for receiving the most mentions, with Rooftop Coffee Roasters right behind them!
Other highlights include:
- 34% First time visitors; 66% return visitors, with 7% who had only visited in the summer before.
- 98% said their visit had met their expectations, or somewhat met their expectations, with the main detractor being the snow quality
- Over 95% staying at least 1 night, with 62% staying 2-6 nights
- Over 90% travelling with family and/or friends
For the full survey results, please see the attached pdf at the link below.
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The Summer Visitor Survey is about to launch - your help is needed!
While we received a smaller sample size than usual due to lower visitor numbers as a result of the snow conditions, the responses still reveal useful data.
To reach visitors, we rely on our members to display tent cards and posters, and share the survey in newsletters and other customer-facing correspondence. If you can help spread the word, please email rebecca@tourismfernie.com.
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NEW! Official Visitor Guide 2026 - 2027
The new Tourism Fernie Official Visitor Guide for 2026-2027 is off to the printer, and you can read it online now! Printed guides will be in hand shortly, and will be distributed around town and to Visitor Centres as soon as they arrive.
The new guide features a refreshed look and is packed with information for all seasons, beautiful imagery, and member listings for activities, food & beverage, shopping and accommodations.
Feel free to share this guide with your guests, embedd or link it on your website.
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NEW! Fernie & Elk Valley Cultural Guide Spring-Summer 2026
The Spring-Summer 2026 Fernie & Elk Valley Cultural Guide is now available and is packed with features on Paleo Trail BC, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi'it, Charne Baird's Elk Valley Alphabet Adventures Book, Fernie's Historic Cemeteries & Churches, Stitched by Marissa Alain, Non-alcoholic beverages, plus events, activities and attractions!
Planning is underway for Fall 2026 - Winter 2027. To enquire about ad spots or submit story ideas or fall-winter events, please contact: rebecca@tourismfernie.com.
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Tourism Fernie produces a wide selection of brochures, flatsheets, flyers, calendars, maps, and activity guides.
Brochures & Guides are regularly stocked around town. Need a resupply? Email: rebecca@tourismfernie.com.
We encourage you to embed or link these on your websites or include in your newsletters. Email brona@tourismfernie.com if you need assistance.
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Our current & updated range of brochures and guides includes:
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2 New chairlifts coming to Fernie Alpine Resort!
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies announced the purchase of 4 new chairlifts on May 11, 2026.
Fernie Alpine Resort will see the installation of two new lifts in the summer of 2027. The Elk Express high speed detachable four passenger char will replace the current Elk Quad chair, which will be retired. The Cedar Bowl Express, a new high-speed detachable four passenger chairlift, will traverse a new route, connecting guests from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the top of the Bear Chair area, replacing the current 3-lift system.
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Coal Creek Heritage Trail Suspension Bridge -
Now Open!
The Fernie Trails Alliance, Coal Creek Heritage Society and Tourism Fernie are excited to invite the community to celebrate the official opening ceremonies.
Join us Saturday June 13th!
Guests are invited to ride out to the bridge for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11am.
Celebrations will take place at the Fernie Aquatic Centre grounds from 12-3pm, including free BBQ, a Cemetery Tour at 1pm and Old Fashioned Games from 1-3pm.
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Fernie Mountain House named as one of the top 8 Vacations Rentals of 2026 on VRBO
Fernie Mountain House is a spacious, modern take on the ski-in, ski-out experience with elevator access, games room, gourmet kitchen, outdoor firepit, and ski-in ski-out access.
Located at Fernie Alpine Resort with 360º mountain views, the property features 7 well appointed bedrooms and bathrooms.
VRBO recognized Fernie Mountain House as one of their top 8 rentals in Canada for 2026!
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Thank you for joining us!
Over 50 members and local tourism industry professionals joined us at The Fernie Taphouse for a Tourism Social event on May 27. We were delighted to welcome Amber Papou, CEO of TIABC, who was in town hosting a roundtable event. Door prizes from Happy Cow Ice Cream, Bar Burrito and The Fernie Taphouse were handed out.
| | Welcome to our newest members! | | |
Membership with Tourism Fernie is only $200/year! Membership helps support tourism in Fernie, includes a variety of opportunities to market your tourism product, provides voting rights at the AGM and additional support throughout the year.
To discuss your membership or to join, please contact christine@tourismfernie.com
Updates or new events, photos, or specials to add? Contact: rebecca@tourismfernie.com
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We welcome business updates from you that we can share in future e-newsletters. We also send a monthly e-newsletter to visitors promoting Fernie - if you don't already receive that email and would like to be added to the mailing list, please email info@tourismfernie.com.
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Destination BC - New Iconic Brand Toolkits for Industry
Destination BC has compiled a guide for tourism industry partners to help showcase how the new Iconic destination brands can be used within your own marketing.
Details include usage within websites, business listings, social media and more. These guidelines and resources can be found within the Destination BC Content Hub.
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WE'RE HIRING: Social Media
Content Creator & Coordinator
Tourism Fernie is on the lookout for the next passionate content creator!
Kate Wienburg's 1-year contract with Tourism is coming to an end, and we would like to thank her for the amazing work and great energy. She's not leaving Fernie, so make sure to say Hi when you see her out and about in the community.
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Perez McKenzie Immigration Consultations
Offer ongoing! For anyone that has foreign staff on their team and is interested in learning more about how to support your employee through different work permits or permanent resident pathways – this is for you!
Click the link for information regarding the Immigration Consultation session with Perez McKenzie and how to book a session. Tourism Fernie will cover the cost of an initial consultation at a value of $250.
| | | | | Industry Events & Consumer Shows | | June 15 I City of Fernie - Council Cafe | Fernie Senior's Centre | | | June 17 I Fernie Chamber BBB | Fernie Trails Alliance | | | July 15 I Fernie Chamber BBB | Tow-All Rentals | | | September 13 I The Wedding Show | Calgary | | | September 16 I Fernie Chamber BBB | Coal Creek Camping & RV | | | September 17 - 18 I KORE Outdoors Summit | Kimberley | | | October 16 - 17 I Powersports Show (Snowmobile) | Edmonton | | | October 23 - 25 I Ski & Snowboard Show | Toronto | | | October 27 - 28 I KRT AGM | Fernie | | | November 3 - 6 I Indigenous Tourism AGM | Vancouver | | | November 6 - 7 I Sask Snow Show | Saskatoon | | | November 8 I Bridal Expo | Calgary | | | November 17 - 19 I TIAC Tourism Congress | New Brunswick | | |
TOURISM FERNIE STAFF DIRECTORY
Have a question or update? Let us know!
From left to right:
Corien Sieders, Destination Management & Development Manager | corien@tourismfernie.com
Kate Wienburg, Social Media Content Creator & Co-ordinator | Kate@tourismfernie.com
Christine Grimble, Media/Travel Trade & Projects Manager | christine@tourismfernie.com
Rebecca Hall, Admin & Marketing Co-ordinator | rebecca@tourismfernie.com
Jikke Gyorki, Executive Officer | jikke@tourismfernie.com
Broňa Kekenakova, Marketing Manager | brona@tourismfernie.com
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We gratefully acknowledge that we do our business on the homelands of the
Ktunaxa Nation, Qukin ʔAmakʔis, and we honor and respect their ancestors of the past.
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The Official Corporate E-Newsletter for Tourism Fernie Society. Supporting the tourism sector through marketing and destination management initiatives.
Phone: 1-250-423-2037
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