The official “bike chain cutting” ceremony held this morning (July 17, 2003) at the Timber Express Chair launched bikers and hikers into new terrain at Fernie Alpine Resort. Area Manager, Ted Funston held the honor of “cutting the chain” while anxious bikers, hikers and sightseers waited to board the chair.

Funston said, “We are excited to open the Timber terrain – it opens a whole new world to hikers, bikers and sightseers. The Timber Express Quad Chairlift goes twice the distance in half the time (compared to the Elk Chair).

All levels of hiking trails, including an interpretive loop are easily accessed from the Timber Top. We offer a new challenging trail for bikers down Siberia Bowl and a really fun intermediate level bikers connector trail from Timber over to our established trail system in the Lizard Bowl area.

Fernie Alpine Resort is working really hard towards having the best lift accessed Mountain Bike Park in the Canadian Rockies.”

Hikers and sightseers can now access more trails and scenic views. The Timber Chair offers breathtaking views of Fernie and the Elk Valley and gives visitors a taste of an alpine environment. Hikers can access a variety of hiking trails from the top or simply enjoy an exhilarating ride down the Timber Chair.

The Timber Express Chair provides mountain bikers with an additional 1,132 feet of vertical as well as two downhill trails that lead riders back to the base of the Timber. A connector trail from the top of the Timber to the Lizard side of the mountain allows riders access to the trail network based around the Elk Chair. The biggest lure of the chair for many riders is the speed, which ultimately leads to more downhill thrills.

Lift operation will be open seven days a week:
Mon – Elk Chair – 10am – 5pm
Tues – Elk Chair – 10am – 5pm
Wed – Elk Chair – 10am – 5pm
Thurs – Timber Chair – 10am -7pm
Fri – Timber Chair – 10am – 7pm
Sat – Timber Chair – 10am – 7pm
Sun – Elk Chair – 10am – 5pm

For more information call 1-250-423-4655.