Fabulous Fernie.

THE FIRST STOP ON THE CANADIAN TOUR FOR OUR THREE PALS WAS FERNIE, NESTLED IN THE EAST KOOTENAY REGION OF SOUTH-EASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Nestling in the heart of the Elk Valley, Fernie is the only city in Canada that is fully encircled by the Rockies. Step out of your hotel room and the scale of the surrounding landscape is almost overwhelming. From the 2,210m Mount Fernie and the Three Sisters to the north, to Fernie Ridge in the east and then to Morrissey Ridge and the Lizard Range in the south, you can almost taste the adventures that await you. I’ve spent a lot of time in the Alps and the Dolomites, but the sheer scale of the Rockies has to be seen to be believed. With its mix of cedar, spruce, balsam and fir trees, ancient rainforest and exposed rocky peaks, I was giddy with excitement at the prospect of what the riding had to offer.

Let’s ride!

Ready to ride, we took a short spin along to Gearhub Sports (home to some genuinely classic old Rocky Mountain bikes on the walls) to meet our guide, Alina of local guiding company Ridetheory. We all immediately warmed to her; her natural enthusiasm and desire to show us some of the signature trails in Fernie really shone through.

Our plan was simple – over the two days available, we would ride the three trails that make up the Fernie Brewing Company’s ‘Trail to Ale’ Challenge. Ridden within 24 hours, you can ride, run or walk the route, and if you complete the 40-odd km challenge (with over the best part of 1,400m of ascent) with selfies taken at the start, finish and three summit signs, you earn yourself a free drink and sticker. It’s the perfect excuse for an adventure and to sample three very distinct trails.