Rudy has already given you all the rental places on the hill, and I agree that will be your best option to get going on your first day if time is an issue. Top Shelf were recently (within the last 3 years anyway, I forget exactly when it was) voted the best bootfitters in Canada by Ski?? magazine, and Quest rentals at Lizard Creek are the nicest bunch of people you’re ever likely to come across.
Just wanted to mention that unlike Europe, you don’t need to generally need to book, you just show up, they kit you out in 10 minutes and off you go – the lifts are about 23 seconds away, and there’s generally no queue. Also, if you are used to Europe, Fernie doesn’t open until 9am, so plenty of time to get organised if you are flying in from the UK the day before – chances are the jetlag will have you up at 5am anyway! Bear in mind though that Feb 16th weekend is school holidays across 4 provinces and will be nuts that weekend, if that’s when you are coming.
Enjoy, you’ll have a blast!
