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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    SLC
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    fernie v whitefish

    Wanting to head north to ski from March 12-15 and have narrowed options down to Fernie and Whitefish. Have never skied either, so would love some feedback on both resorts and towns

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
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    Big Cottonwood Country
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    999
    I will guarantee that the Whitefish folk take a defensive stand because their resort used to be called "BIG MOUNTAIN" and really folks it ain't that big.

    FERNIE!!! is it!!!!!! and do not think about this again. Whitefish is a great town but I have had numerous encounters where Big Mountain riders took offense because I called them out on their vertical drop. CHILL boys (and girls)

    Fernie is in Canada and that makes the trip even more worthwhile - Canadians are just on another level and the environment around them is as well. Fernie is great for ski bummin' and the mountains around the town are Ill-e-O sick - Make sure you have Passport and secondary ID (drivers license), and that your car is clean (inside) before you go. The bigger the boarder crossing the better and be cool, honest, and have an agenda. Mounties (canadian police authority) will inquire about how long you will be staying in Canada, Where, How much money you have, and especially when you are leaving their Primo country. Be nice and Serious head to Fernie - you wont be sorry

    Flame away people - HA!

    And btw - Tech Talk JONG!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    Do both, they are less then two hours apart! I grew up with Big Mountain as my home hill and skied Fernie every now and again. I live in BC now and ski Fernie more often then I the Big.

    Each has it's pluses and minuses for sure, but Fernie has better terrain though less predictable temps. Whitefish is a little more mellow, but more stable temps. Though both tend to get decent snow if either is getting any. Both towns are rad and deserve a night out in each....

    Do both.
    Flying the Bluehouse colors in Western Canada! Let me know if you want some rad skis!!

    "He is god of snow; the one called Ullr. Son of Sif, step son of Thor. He is so fierce a bowman and ski-runner that none may contend! He is quite beautiful to look upon and has all the characteristics of a warrior. It is wise to invoke the name of Ullr in duels!"

    -The Gylfaginning

  4. #4
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    Jan 2007
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    in a van down by the river
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    Beer is cheaper in the US.
    I don't work and I don't save, desperate women pay my way.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Hell Track
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    The two are actually fairly similar, even though they're laid out quite differently. They get similar snow, and they're both full of little stashes that reward someone who takes the time to poke around a bit. Fernie probably has more runs with extended vert, whereas Whitefish has a bit more varied terrain and lots of mini-golf type lines. Fernie has some pretty awesome mountains surrounding it, although you're not going to go wrong with either location for scenery. Both places have some fairly easy access to sidecountry. Lift lines are similar in both places.

    In terms of the town, WF gets the nod every day of the week. Fernie's downtown is surprisingly dead - it's much more built up along the highway, which isn't really conducive to bar-hopping. WF is cheaper for an American; the exchange rate sucks for the US right now, and everything costs more in Canuckistan.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
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    Big Cottonwood Country
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    999
    I will agree with Gripen if you have the agenda. Do both because the towns are great and the skiing didn't suck at Big Mountain.

    My trip included - Bridger Bowl, Big Sky, Big Mountain, Fernie, Whitewater, Red Mountain, Blackcomb/Whistler, and various Backcountry experiences in between. All the towns were great and the experience was amazing - Most have great breweries and all have a great vibe.

    I was able to score quality couch real estate in each town - Have a blast!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Big Skyyyyy
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    Holy shit Fernie. There is no question. Whitefish has cheaper beer, but the mountain doesn't hold a candle to Fernie.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    Big Sky/Moonlight Basin
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    14,366
    Whitefish is installing a cool, new "Powder Beacon" in their downtown area. A strobe light atop this massive pole will go off anytime they have over 6 inches of fresh.

    http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/29615626/detail.html

    Downtown Fernie has no such powder beacon.

    That should help in your decision.
    "Zee damn fat skis are ruining zee piste !" -Oscar Schevlin

    "Hike up your skirt and grow a dick you fucking crybaby" -what Bunion said to Harry at the top of The Headwaters

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
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    Pemberton
    Posts
    23
    Fernie = BC Bud. But either way, go to Revelstoke and Rogers Pass. Kickinghorse too.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    in ewe
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    If I'm driving into Canada, I'm driving past Fernie and headed up toward kicking horse/Reve/Rogers Pass or heading over to Red/Whitewater. For the life of me I can't understand the obsession with Fernie, it has a really low base elevation so it rains halfway up the hill every pineapple express, there are steep pitches but they're usually icey moguls, and the sidecountry doesn't hold a candle to what Kicking Horse and even Red has to offer.
    Don't get me wrong I've had some great runs at Fernie I used to ride there 10-15 days a year, but for my money I'd drive a little farther into BC.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
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    gone fishing
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    Quote Originally Posted by Harry View Post
    W

    Downtown Fernie has no such powder beacon.
    Well,
    There you have it

  12. #12
    i agree with the idea of being flexible. the drive between those two locations couldn't be much more simple and the crossing is less intense than the one between red mountain and spokane. it's about a two hour drive depending on conditions, or maybe longer if you decide to stop and enjoy the local color at some random bar along the route.

    if the weather agrees, you should certainly make it an objective to hit fernie. another poster is totally correct about the low base elevation of fernie being a major reason for suck. if the weather gods aren't helping out, then whitefish would be a more reliable choice. fernie always struck me as more of a dramatic layout/terrain situation, but there are lots of exciting options around whitefish mountain resort as well... you've just got to know where to find them because things aren't quite as right in front of you as they are at fernie. whitefish sort of spreads out around lower-lying terrain while fernie is below more impressive-looking peaks. also, another consideration, by that time of the year things around the whitefish sidecountry should be primed and ready to enjoy if you can find somebody to show you around the goods out in the canyon or whatnot.

    really, you should be able to hit both without much trouble. whitefish is a much more fun town, imo. but then again, fernie has a tim hortons which is a hudge plus in my estimation. i haven't been back to montana since the medical marijuana thing happened, but i'd imagine that the whole bc bud thing as a primary reason to visit fernie instead of whitefish has been negated. lots of people in both places seemed to be pretty open and free about the devil weed.
    “Money has never been my god — never.” - The Chief

  13. #13
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    Oct 2006
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    Quote Originally Posted by nicolaib211v View Post
    , but the mountain doesn't hold a candle to Fernie.
    Just like Fernie doesn't hold a candle to the rest of the BC interior?
    Flying the Bluehouse colors in Western Canada! Let me know if you want some rad skis!!

    "He is god of snow; the one called Ullr. Son of Sif, step son of Thor. He is so fierce a bowman and ski-runner that none may contend! He is quite beautiful to look upon and has all the characteristics of a warrior. It is wise to invoke the name of Ullr in duels!"

    -The Gylfaginning

  14. #14
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    Jan 2010
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gripen View Post
    Just like Fernie doesn't hold a candle to the rest of the BC interior?
    What I have to say will probably help you make your decision.

    -They get lots of snow there.
    -I met an older dude once who prefers whitefish over fernie.
    -I say fernie rocks for hidden stashes but ive never been to whitefish.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by theshredder View Post
    What I have to say will probably help you make your decision.

    -They get lots of snow there.
    -I met an older dude once who prefers whitefish over fernie.
    -I say fernie rocks for hidden stashes but ive never been to whitefish.
    Haha... I wasn't disputing Fernie v Whitefish. Just saying there are better places then Fernie in the interior of BC. Like danimal said, keep going north.
    Flying the Bluehouse colors in Western Canada! Let me know if you want some rad skis!!

    "He is god of snow; the one called Ullr. Son of Sif, step son of Thor. He is so fierce a bowman and ski-runner that none may contend! He is quite beautiful to look upon and has all the characteristics of a warrior. It is wise to invoke the name of Ullr in duels!"

    -The Gylfaginning

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gripen View Post
    Haha... I wasn't disputing Fernie v Whitefish. Just saying there are better places then Fernie in the interior of BC. Like danimal said, keep going north.
    Naw dude Fernie rocks. Big trees + lots of snow = powder stashes. Not that KH sucks or anything.. I just like Fernie. (Soft spot. That's partly where I learned. That place and fortress (which no longer exists)...)
    Last edited by theshredder; 11-08-2011 at 11:36 PM.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
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    Between a rock and a soft place. Aberdare and The Brecon Beacons, Wales
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    Ski both as others have recommended.

    I prefer Whitefish.

    And take a trip to Castle Mtn just down the road in Alberta. You won't be disappointed.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Sparwood BC
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    255
    My wife and I live in Sparwood 30 minutes East of Fernie and ski full time all winter. Two key ingredients are FOG at Whitefish and the new Polar Peak chair at Fernie http://www.skifernie.com/news-and-in...lift-2011.aspx
    Last year bowl closures were a big problem at Fernie because too much snow. The new chair will hopefully solve the AC problem so things open sooner.
    Best way to express the difference is we go to Whitefish for the shopping and Fernie for the skiing. If you have wheels, as already mentioned you must go to Castle midweek. It is 2 hours East of Fernie through the Crowsnest Pass on the other side of the Continental Divide. Totally different than Fernie with huge steep lines, lighter powder and deserted midweek. Here are some pics from someone going to Castle for the first time. Go to the bottom of the page.
    http://www.parkersspace.com/news.php#story30
    They also have cheap cat skiing. Our March 11 trip last season
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-QASwg-ZtU
    If you are an expert skier Fernie (and Castle) wins, if you are an expert shopper and have infrared vision Whitefish wins.
    Last edited by Sparwood Dave; 11-09-2011 at 02:00 PM.

  19. #19
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    Apr 2006
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    Bravo Delta.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gripen View Post
    Do both, they are less then two hours apart!
    ...
    Each has it's pluses and minuses for sure, but Fernie has better terrain though less predictable temps. Whitefish is a little more mellow, but more stable temps. Though both tend to get decent snow if either is getting any. Both towns are rad and deserve a night out in each....

    Do both.

    Quote Originally Posted by Gripen View Post
    Haha... I wasn't disputing Fernie v Whitefish. Just saying there are better places then Fernie in the interior of BC. Like danimal said, keep going north.

    This....
    Quote Originally Posted by Socialist View Post
    They have socalized healthcare up in canada. The whole country is 100% full of pot smoking pro-athlete alcoholics.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    290
    Never been to Fernie, but WF is sweet (when you can see), mountain and town are laid back good vibe.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Big Skyyyyy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gripen View Post
    Just like Fernie doesn't hold a candle to the rest of the BC interior?
    Well that's pretty fair, but he was asking to compare Fernie to Whitefish. I agree though, keep moving up and in!

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    177
    um, 3 days? Bud I am sorry to say you won't even have a chance to see what is there. And go for Fernie, its just way better.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    PNW
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    49
    Neither. I would keep driving north to Revelstoke if I's was you's.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
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    362
    I third the motion to check out Castle (if you aren't going to make the journey to the interior). They get some silly pow and the lift lines mid-week are pretty much non-existent unless it's a huge day, but even then it's not bad.

    I've had some good days at Fernie, both on-hill and exploring the side-country, but if it rains, it suuuuuucks.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Whitefish
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    As its been said you should just do both. Beware that the Cougar population is staggering in Whitefish and can be dangerous!

    BC Bud is soooo 90's. Medical marijuana hit Montana and there is no shortage of unbelievable bud that can hold its own with any bud anywhere, anytime.

    The drive to Fernie is easy and both places are pretty fun. Take Gripen's advice on the difference between the two as I'm pretty sure he's the only one posting in this thread that has/does ski both places consistently.

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