Fernie is an ideal place. Maybe you will meet a local yocal and settle down and live here for a long time!! It has not been a long time for me- 4years- but it is great and I did meet a great guy! It is very friendly. I have found it is neat because, if you go out, as in nightlife all genders are SUPER friendly. If you want some personal pics of the area, I could let you see some scenery. Not just nightlife, but actual life, as in every day stuff. It is close nit in way, you have your locals, but I think basically everyone is welcome. At least that’s how I felt. I do have family roots here as well (My mom was born in Natal) I started out “seasonal” not as a skier, but in the forest industry and ended up moving away one winter to find work and came back as it is a great place to live. I am now fulltime in the area and love it.(and hey, I may even have a super deal on a SUV for you! as I am selling) Anyhow PM me if you want. Cheers!
oh and get on the looking for a place to rent NOW. If you do look now you may secure something!
