Fernie Alpine Resort has kicked off its summer operations with lift-accessed hiking and mountain biking being offered seven days a week.

With one of the largest lift-accessed trail networks in Western Canada, Fernie Alpine Resort’s variety of 37 bike trails offers something for every skill level. Two new trails have been added this summer, including “Rumplestumpskin”, a fun, varied blue trail that runs from the top of Timber Chair to the bottom of the mountain, and “Peep Show”, a wide and smooth trail off the Elk Chair.

A Dual Slalom Track is located at the base of the resort on the Mighty Moose slope, featuring two smooth, wide tracks with banked berms and rollers.

Says Marc Ledoux, Bike Park Supervisor at Fernie Alpine Resort, “The new trail Rumplestumpskin is already a hit with riders, and all the tracks throughout the mountain are in great shape. Our new plaza layout is the place to be to enjoy the summer sunshine.”

Other enhancements this season include:

Summer Community Daycare Program: Fernie Alpine Resort is pleased to offer this valuable community service during the summer months, in response to a lack of daycare space available in the local community. The response to date has been very positive.

New Bikes: A new fleet of SCOTT “Gambler” FR20 bikes are available in the rental shop.

Guest Services: The new summer guest services department, now located in the Tamarack Building, provides visitors with resort and community information, summer lift tickets, season’s passes and summer activity bookings. Guest services also serves Starbucks coffee and grab-and-go snacks.

Sports Alpine Retail Cabin: Now open daily, featuring the latest bike and mountain lifestyle clothing, accessories and souvenirs.

New Guided Hike: The Griz Face – This new guided hike is a moderate, 5-hour hike ascending the Lizard Bowl, giving hikers spectacular views of the Elk Valley.

Women’s Mountain Bike Programs: Designed by women, for women! Fernie Alpine Resort offers one and two day weekend camps catering to the beginner and intermediate rider, as well as a weekly Thursday night skills session.

Highlights of the Fernie Summer Events Schedule include:

July 3rd – First Installment of the Thursday Night Race Series, presented by Scott and Kelsey’s.
This fun weekly mountain bike race series is for all ages! Weekly and series prizes. Register by 6:30pm at Guest Services, race starts at 7:00pm.

July 6th – Summer Community Appreciation Day
We will say “thanks” to our local communities for their support! Residents of Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Elko and Jaffray are invited to come out and experience summer at Fernie Alpine Resort. Enjoy a complimentary single ride on the Timber Chair, and a $2 burger at the spectacular Lost Boys Café. For locals who wish to ride all day long, we are offering 50% off full day lift tickets and 25% off rentals (subject to availability). Area residents must show valid ID to qualify for local benefits.

July 26th – Lost Boys Lungbuster Mountain Bike Hill Climb
The ultimate challenge for hardcore climbers! This exciting new race will start at the base area and climb to the top of the Timber Express Chairlift, finishing at Lost Boys Café, 2100 vertical feet up!

August 23rd – 24th – 3rd Annual Fernie Full Throttle Mountain Bike Festival
This festival is an annual favourite. Weekend events and activities will include the Dual Slalom Contest, Super D Enduro Downhill Race, Rossignol Multi-sport Challenge, Reels of Wheels Film Contest, family all-mountain Amazing Chase, live music, kids activities and more! Schedule and details to follow.

For a complete summer events schedule, please visit www.skifernie.com/summer.

The summer season at Fernie Alpine Resort runs daily from 10am – 5pm until September 1st, 2008. Thursdays will offer extended lift hours from 10am-7pm for the Kelsey’s Race Series. Purchase your early bird summer season’s pass for only $189 plus GST, before July 6th. Visit www.skifernie.com/summer; for summer lift rates, activity schedules and more information.

Set in a beautiful mountain paradise, Fernie Alpine Resort offers extensive summer programs for all visitors with a wide range of activities available. Whether it’s mountain biking, scenic hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, river rafting, tennis or interpretive guided walks that you’re after, Fernie Alpine Resort has something for everyone. Plan your summer getaway today!

About Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie Alpine Resort is one of the Top 5 Ski Resorts in North America, and is home to over 29 feet of legendary powder each winter, the “Griz” and more. Fernie Alpine Resort www.skifernie.com skifernie.com is part of the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc. (RCR) family. RCR is the largest private ski resort owner/operator in North America, owning six ski resorts across Canada, including Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Nakiska in Alberta; and Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort in British Columbia. RCR also owns and manages a number of hotels, backcountry lodges and golf courses, including Trickle Creek in Kimberley, and Wintergreen Golf and Country Club in Bragg Creek. RCR aims to provide each and every guest The Ultimate Experience.