Each year, SKI Magazine releases its Top 30 Resorts in the West, a glossy popularity contest where Western resorts are ranked by readers who, apparently, think “vertical” refers to the elevator in their slope-side spa.

And this year? Fernie Alpine Resort didn’t make the list. Not even close.

Who reads SKI Magazine, you ask? According to their own media kit, more than half of their readers live in the Eastern U.S., earn over $100,000 a year, and—based on the preferences—likely believe that a “pow day” means their Peloton has a software update.

These readers are invited to rate resorts on 18 criteria—everything from snow quality and grooming (which, fair enough) to après-ski options, valet parking, and whether the mountain village offers a truffle-infused craft cocktail called “The Black Diamond.”

Yes, Fernie was excluded from this important list of irrelevant resorts. Probably because we don’t have Wi-Fi-enabled chairlifts, ski-in yoga retreats, or a valet to carry your skis to the bar.

Instead, we have snow. Real snow. And lots of it.
And terrain that makes you question your life choices.
And locals who ski harder before breakfast than most do all season.

So, thank you, SKI Magazine, for confirming what we already knew: Fernie isn’t for your readers.

It’s for the rest of us—the ones who love storms, who don’t care what’s trending on TikTok, and who think a “Resort Guide” should start with “how’s the snow?” not “how’s the cappuccino?”

Long live Fernie Alpine Resort—the mountain too real, too raw, and too epic to make the list.
And special thanks to Murray and the crew for keeping it that way.