Fernie Alpine Resort recently announced numerous improvements and investments for the 2003/04 winter ski season. Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, Fernie Alpine Resort’s parent company, is investing almost 3.5 million dollars into the area this fall to advance the world class skiing, snowboarding and mountain recreation at this international destination resort.

Guests arriving at the resort will first be greeted by an upgrade to the intersection of Highway 3 with Ski Hill Road, the 1.5 km access road to the base of the resort. The one million dollar project will provide additional turning lanes for access to and from the mountain, which will enhance the safety at the intersection. The better road access will be complimented with various improvements to the resort ranging from directional signage to stairways and landscaping features to enhance and ease the visitor’s arrival to the village plaza.

Fernie Alpine Resort’s programs have continued to grow and with that an expanded Guest Services center will be in place for the upcoming season. The lobby will be expanded in order to better assist clients with Winter Sports School and general mountain information and activity booking services. The ticket office will also expand with more windows to service our guests more efficiently.

The Mountain Edge Retail Shop is taking on a new look as it moves to a brand new 1600 square foot log building in the village core. The retail shop will still be the one-stop-shop for skiers and riders needing ski or snowboard equipment, apparel and accessories. The food and beverage services will feature an expansion of the popular Mean Bean Coffee Shop to include deli products and services. This expansion will include a move of the Mean Bean coffee shop to a more central location at the village plaza, will provide patrons with more seating and product choice still featuring Starbucks Coffee.

Fernie Alpine Resort’s infrastructure will see major improvements for the season. Snowmaking, fresh water and sewer services will be extended up the mountain to the top of the Elk Quad Chair. This will ensure early openings for the resort and better facilities at mid-mountain. In order to introduce the snowmaking, Fernie Alpine Resort’s storage ponds have been improved to increase water volumes and an additional water pump and well in the Elk River aquifer have been put in place as a back up to the existing system. Significant upgrades to the electrical system will be in place to ensure reliability of the system providing power to the resort and village. Snow removal and sanding at the resort base area will improve with the acquisition of new equipment including graders, loaders and sand trucks.

“Nature only created one place as special as Fernie,” says Matt Mosteller, Director of Business Development for Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc. He adds, “we are working hard compliment mother nature’s successes by continuing to improve the guest experience at this international resort.”