White Pass gets an upgrade at Fernie Alpine Resort for the 2026/27 winter season, with a major investment in new chair carriers, modern lift technology and improved operating facilities. The upgrades are designed to deliver a safer, more reliable and more comfortable experience for skiers and snowboarders.

White Pass is one of Fernie’s most important lifts, providing access to some of the resort’s most popular alpine terrain. From powder laps to the anticipation of the Currie Bowl rope drop, the chairlift is central to the Fernie skiing experience.

The modernization is part of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies’ ongoing investment in Fernie Alpine Resort, with significant additional lift improvements already planned for 2027.

New Technology to Improve Lift Reliability

A major component of the White Pass project is the installation of advanced electrical and lift control systems.

The new technology will improve operational efficiency, enhance safety monitoring and help reduce lift downtime throughout the winter.

Reliability is particularly important on White Pass, where mechanical interruptions can affect access to some of the mountain’s most sought-after terrain.

New Chairs and Improved Comfort

The most visible improvement for guests will be the replacement of the existing White Pass chair carriers with brand-new chairs featuring improved seating and enhanced padding.

The new carriers are designed to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride, particularly welcome during cold winter mornings and long powder days.

Fernie Alpine Resort has also constructed new lift operator huts, providing improved workspaces, better ergonomics and enhanced weather protection for employees responsible for operating the lift safely.

More Major Lift Investments Coming in 2027

The White Pass modernization is just the beginning of a significant period of lift infrastructure improvements at Fernie Alpine Resort.

Resorts of the Canadian Rockies has announced two new high-speed detachable quad chairlifts scheduled for construction in 2027.

The Elk Express will replace the existing Elk Quad Chair, reducing travel time to mid-mountain by nearly 50%. The upgrade will also improve the resort’s summer mountain biking, hiking and sightseeing operations.

The Cedar Bowl Express will transform access to one of Fernie’s signature alpine bowls, carrying skiers and snowboarders directly from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the top of the Bear Chair area. The new lift will replace the existing three-lift return journey with a single ride.

Both lifts are scheduled to open for the 2027/28 winter season.

WhitePass chairs

Old White Pass Chairs Find New Homes in Record Time

While the new chairs promise greater comfort, the retired White Pass chairs have plenty of sentimental value for generations of Fernie skiers and snowboarders.

Fernie Alpine Resort offered a limited number of the original chairs for $250 each, giving mountain enthusiasts an opportunity to own a piece of Fernie skiing history.

Each chair included the seat, safety bar and hanger, with the safety bar and hanger detached for collection.

Better still, all proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Emily Brydon Foundation, turning a piece of mountain nostalgia into support for a community cause.

The response was immediate. Every available White Pass chair sold within just a few hours of going on sale on November 9.

The old chairs may have made their final trip up White Pass, but their next chapter is just beginning in homes, yards and ski cabins.

Source: FAR