Fernie

Fernie is primarily a winter destination, serving skiers at the Fernie Alpine Resort ski area, though mountain biking is a popular summer attraction. As one of the largest towns between Cranbrook and Calgary, Fernie has a wider selection of motels and restaurants than other centers along this route. Rather unexpectedly in these mountain landscapes, downtown Fernie exudes a Victorian charm. When a fire devastated the town center in 1908, city forefathers proclaimed that all new buildings had to be built from fireproof materials. Consequently, 100 years later, the main street has several restored brick and stone buildings including the 1911 courthouse, and the former CPR station, now a museum.