The Fernie Outdoor Recreation Economy is built around many of the activities now identified as major contributors to British Columbia’s $6.6-billion outdoor recreation sector.

New provincial data shows outdoor recreation contributed $6.6 billion in real GDP to British Columbia’s economy in 2024 and supported approximately 86,000 jobs.

The findings come from B.C.’s new Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, developed by BC Stats with support from the Ministry of Environment and Parks and the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth.

Because outdoor recreation spans many industries, its economic contribution can be difficult to capture in traditional economic statistics. The new account brings that activity together to provide a clearer picture of the outdoor recreation economy as a whole.

Fernie Outdoor Recreation Economy Reflects B.C.’s Strengths

The BC Stats data identifies parks, hiking and backpacking, downhill skiing and snowboarding, cycling, wildlife viewing, camping, golf, fishing, snowmobiling, paddling, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as significant contributors to the provincial outdoor economy.

All are established activities in Fernie and the Elk Valley.

Taken together, these Fernie-aligned outdoor activities generate approximately $8.25 billion in direct output, $3.84 billion in real GDP, 51,000 direct jobs and $687 million in provincial taxes across British Columbia.

That represents approximately 63% of the activity-specific outdoor recreation economy measured by the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, excluding government spending. For Fernie, the significance is substantial.

The community’s economy and identity are closely connected to skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, paddling, golf, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and access to the surrounding mountains and wilderness.

These activities support far more than traditional tourism businesses.

Outdoor recreation drives spending at accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers, ski and bike shops, guiding companies and events. It supports recreation organizations, trail groups and businesses servicing the outdoor sector. It also plays an important role in attracting residents, employees, entrepreneurs and investment to Fernie.

Outdoor Recreation Is Economic Infrastructure

The new BC Stats data strengthens the case for continued investment in the infrastructure that makes outdoor recreation possible.

For Fernie, that includes trails, pathways, parks, recreation facilities, river access, trailheads, winter recreation infrastructure and responsible access to the surrounding backcountry.

It also highlights the importance of stewardship.

Fernie’s outdoor economy ultimately depends on access to healthy landscapes, functioning ecosystems and recreation infrastructure capable of accommodating residents and visitors.

That makes investments in recreation access and stewardship more than lifestyle spending.

For communities such as Fernie, outdoor recreation infrastructure is economic infrastructure.

Editor