Welcome to Fernie Nature Tours

Fernie Nature Tours is driven by the passion of Lee-Anne Walker who has been an interpreter in the local area since 1983. This nature-based tourism company takes you off the beaten path into scenic areas to connect with the Rocky Mountain environment.

Ingredients Promised: breathtaking scenery, wildlife, relaxing pace, entertaining stories, laughter, tasty treats, fascinating facts, safety and new friendships.

Winter Programs 2007/2008 (November - April)

Snowshoe Safaris – Explore one of the snowiest places on earth. Discover the fascinating winter survival strategies of wildlife in the Rocky Mountains. Snowshoe across powder meadows glistening like diamonds. Silence is broken only by the soft thud as snow falls from cedar boughs. Enjoy a hot drink and homemade baking along a sparkling mountain creek before returning with rosy cheeks, fond memories and a new appreciation of winter ecology.

Tour 1: FAR Out History – Discover the unique history of Fernie on this enjoyable, relaxing snowshoe through a lovely forest with gorgeous views.
When: Weekday afternoons 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 
Price: Adult $40 Child 6-12 $20  *Family $100.  Includes transportation from Fernie, guided interpretive program, snowshoes, poles, hot drink, homemade snack. 

Tour 2: Provincial Park Paradise – Snowshoe in solitude through Fernie’s winter wilderness discovering the secrets and stories in snow. 
When: Weekday mornings 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Price: Adult $60.  Child 5-12 $30.  *Family $150.  Includes van pick-up and transportation from your accommodation in Fernie, guided interpretive program, snowshoes, hot drink, and homemade snack. 

Tour 3: Island Lake Old Growth Classic – An all day snowshoe adventure exploring the rare old growth forest up Cedar Valley and the spectacular wilderness of Island Lake.  Price includes snowcat ride to Island Lake and gourmet lunch by the fireside. 
When:Tuesday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Price: Adult $140.  Includes van pick-up from your accommodation, snowcat ride to Island Lake Lodge, gourmet lunch indoors at the Lodge, guided interpretive tour, snowshoes, hot drinks, and homemade snacks.  

Stargazing Snowshoe Fondue – Guided by sparkling stars, moon beams and headlamps, discover the nature of night followed by a decadent chocolate fondue beside a crackling fire.

When: Tuesday evenings 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Price: $65 Adult, Child 6-12 $32 *Family $162  Includes pick up and drop off from accommodation in Fernie, snowshoes, headlamp, chocolate fondue, hot/cold beverages.  

Raclette on Racquets? - Skip the old-fashioned tennis racquet beavertails for modern, lightweight mountain snowshoes as we wind our way through a tranquil winter wonderland.  Your reward at the end is a unique Swiss grilled fondue served the traditional way at Birch Meadows Lodge. 
When:  Friday afternoons 2-5 p.m. or Tuesday evenings 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Price:  Adult  $89 Child $69 (not recommended for under 10)  Includes van transportation from and back to your accommodation, snowshoe rental, enroute snack/drink, interpretive guide and raclette meal.   

Being Canadian Eh! – An afternoon of all things Canadian – winter, snow, igloo or snow quinzee, maple syrup,  beaver, mountains and moose!  
When: Available on request 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 
Price: Adult $60 Child 6-12 $30.  *Family $150.  Includes van pick-up and transportation from accommodation in Fernie, guided interpretive program, snowshoes, hot drinks, and snacks. 

Watchable Winter Wildlife – Go to where the wildlife are in winter and learn about their unique winter adaptations and our local community conservation strategies. 

When: Available on request 8:00-12:00 p.m. (Half Day), 8:00-4:00 (Full Day)

Price: $90 Half day; $150 Full day. Includes transportation, guided interpretive tour, snowshoes, home baked snack/lunch, hot beverages, guide books, use of binoculars and spotting scope.

Slide and Glide Ski Tours – Cross country ski safely off the beaten path into scenic forests and mountain basins up Boivin Creek near Elkford  or Allison Creek/Chinook Lake in Alberta. 
When: Available on request.  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Price: Adult $125.00 - $150.00 (depending on location chosen). Not suitable for children.  The tour includes transportation, guided interpretive tour, gourmet lunch, hot beverages, and homemade snacks.  XC ski rental not included in the price. 

Heritage Tours – Take a break from skiing for the day to discover the colourful natural and cultural heritage of the area through narrative, visits to historic sites, driving along back roads and wildlife viewing with a local historian and professional naturalist. 

When: Available on request.  8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
Price: Adult $155.  Includes van transportation, informative and entertaining narrative, gourmet lunch, home-baked snacks, beverages, entrance fees to attractions, use of spotting scope, binoculars, guide books, historic photos, and snowshoes if required.   Minimum 2 - maximum 6 people. 20% Discount for group 5 or more.

*Family is defined as two adults heading the family plus immediate children under 13.  Youth 13-17 receive a 25% discount off Adult prices.
**Minimum numbers vary between 2-4 participants for programs to run.

Snowshoe Weekend for Women - Girls just want to have fun, relax, get some exercise, pamper your body and soul, make new and strengthen old friendships. 
When:  January 25-27 & March 14-16
Price:  $349 Includes: snowshoe rentals, transportation if required, interpretive guide, Friday fondue, snowcat ride to Island Lake Lodge, Saturday lunch, Sunday brunch, Sunday afternoon raclette. 

Friday Evening:  Welcome.  Stargazing Snowshoe Fondue

Saturday:  All day Island Lake Old Growth Classic snowshoe adventure.  Gourmet lunch by the fireside.  Go shopping on Fernie’s quaint main street or pamper yourselves with a massage or spa evening.  Dinner on your own at one of Fernie’s fine restaurants – sushi or curry anyone?

Sunday:  11 a.m. meet for brunch at Lizard Creek Lodge.  Work off those calories as we snowshoe through a tranquil winter wonderland to a quaint mountain lodge for a unique Swiss grilled fondue served the traditional way.   Tour raps up and you will be on your way home, relaxed and refreshed by 4 p.m.  

Recommended accommodation:  Best Western Fernie Mountain Lodge 423-5500; Lizard Creek Lodge 423-2057; Park Place Lodge 423-6871; Fernie Lodging Company 423-6878; Super 8 Motel 423-6788. 

NOTE:  *Family is defined as two adults heading the family plus immediate children 12 and under.  Youth 13-17 receive a 25% discount off Adult prices.  Prices DO NOT include GST.