A History of Tourism in Fernie

Fernie has not always been the premiere ski resort of Canada. It's hard to believe that there was once a time when the mainstays of the economy of Fernie, British Columbia weren't hotels, accommodation, skiing and tourism. In its earliest days, Fernie was a mining boomtown. Coal was discovered in the Crowsnest region of British Columbia by miners, and in 1897 William Fernie reported a discovery of a major vein that gave birth to the community that now bears his name - Fernie, BC.

Almost a decade later, the town was nearly destroyed by fire. When the residents of the city decided to rebuild their community, they decided on stone and brick buildings. Many of those buildings are still standing in the Victorian style shops and homes that exist in the downtown district. A gentle stroll through downtown or a visit to one of several interesting Historical Society exhibits provides ample opportunity to imagine the events that unfolded here.

In the 1920s Fernie became the centre of the "Whiskey Gap", exporting cheap (and illegal) liquor to the United States, during Prohibition. The age of the great Rum-runners like Emilio Picariello had been born. Today, while enjoying your Fernie ski property, you can still visit some of the old warehouses where Picariello ran his notorious operations, such as the old dairy on 1st Ave.

Shortly after the Second World War, organized skiing at Fernie began in earnest. Tourists realized that Fernie ski resorts have some of the world's best skiing conditions. Fernie began to dominate the market.

Today, ski west with vacation rentals from Fernie Lodging Company.