Fernie Alpine Resort will receive two new high-speed chairlifts in 2027, marking one of the most significant lift upgrades at the resort in years and a major improvement for both winter and summer visitors.
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies has announced the purchase of four new lifts for its B.C. resorts, with two of them planned for Fernie Alpine Resort. The new lifts are part of a broader RCR investment that also includes projects at Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Construction at Fernie is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, with both new Fernie lifts expected to open for the 2027/28 winter season.
The first major upgrade will be the Elk Express, a new high-speed detachable four-passenger chairlift that will replace the existing Elk Quad Chair. The new lift is expected to reduce the ride time to mid-mountain by nearly 50%, creating faster and smoother access for skiers, riders, hikers and summer guests. The Elk Chair is also a key part of Fernie Alpine Resort’s summer operation, supporting lift-accessed sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking.
The second new lift will be the Cedar Bowl Express, a high-speed detachable four-passenger chairlift that will move skiers and riders from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the top of the Bear Chair area. This is a major change for anyone who skis Cedar Bowl and Snake Ridge, as the new lift will replace the current three-lift return with a single lift ride back toward the top of Cedar Bowl. The Cedar Bowl Express will replace the Haul Back T-Bar, which is currently part of Fernie Alpine Resort’s lift system.
For Fernie skiers and riders, the Cedar Bowl Express may be the most exciting part of the announcement. Cedar Bowl has long offered some of the resort’s classic terrain, but the return from the bottom has required extra time and multiple lift connections. A direct high-speed lift from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the Bear Chair area should make laps in Cedar Bowl and access around Snake Ridge much more efficient.
Fernie Alpine Resort currently lists more than 2,500 acres of terrain, 145 named runs, five alpine bowls and 10 lifts. The addition of the Elk Express and Cedar Bowl Express will not only modernize aging infrastructure, but also improve flow across a mountain known for big terrain, long laps and deep snow.
The upgrades are scheduled to be ready for the 2027/28 winter season. For Fernie, the announcement is welcome news and a major step forward for one of the community’s most important tourism anchors.
