Fernie Newbie – Need advice!

[nickdel]

Hi, I am visiting Fernie on the 7th Feb for 2 weeks and we have friends in vancouver whom we would like visit whilst in Canada and I’m looking for some travel advice!

I’ve looked into flights and we can fly from Cranbrook which I believe is about an hour from Fernie however what I cant figure out is how to get to Cranbrook! I realise there is a ski shuttle service however this is very expensive (almost as expensive as the flights) for such a short journey. I also noticed that Greyhound go to there but only at very unusual times (1:30am).

Can anyone offer any advice for how we could get to Cranbrook for a reasonable price i.e. any other buses, taxi etc…?

Also… if I said we thought about driving to Vancouver what would your reaction be? I realise it would be a long drive but is it do-able? Also can you recommend hire companies based in Fernie, I tried to contact Rent-A-Wreck but I didn’t get a response!

Anyhoo, if anyone can offer any advice or even a lift to Cranbrook on the 14 Feb! then it would be most appreciated!

Many thanks

Nick

[djmorris]

If it is hard to get to Cranbrook, you could consider coming through Calgary if it is easier to get a bus that way. Athough it is a much longer drive there are likely many more flights to Vancouver available from Calgary then from Cranbrook, and relatively cheap flights are not uncommon.

Driving to Vancouver is an option, and Highway 3 which is the shortest route from Fernie to the coast is quite slow and twisty – although not by UK standards (I’m guessing that’s where you are from by your spelling…). The scenery is spectacular if you are traveling during the day. If you are traveling at night, be sure to watch for large windshield height mammals (e.g., Deer, Elk) appearing out of the darkness when you least expect them.

The biggest problem with driving at this time of year is the possibility of nasty Winter driving conditions and road closures. If your plans are flexible enough to allow you to wait out any storms this might be a good option. With luck the roads will be clear if you choose to drive, but the potential for poor driving conditions should not be taken lightly, especially if your schedule is tight.

[seasonsgreetings]

Vancouver is about a 12 hour drive, so to include that in a two week visit might be a bit much, although as dj said, it is a beatiful drive. This time of year you can easily get stuck though, or have to drive at 50kmph for hours on end, so you’d need to allow a couple of extra days…

Getting to Cranbrook is an issue that crops up often enough to be noticeable, but not often enough to warrant a new service, unfortunately. I would keep trying rent-a-wreck, they are only open minimal hours during the week and not on weekends, but you should be able to get hold of someone eventually. The office is located at the Best Western (250 423 5500) so you could try ringing them to find out if they know when someone will be there. We don’t have any other rental services in Fernie that I know of. All the other rental companies are based in Cranbrook…

You could try getting in touch with Kootenay Taxi, our local taxi service, who will do transfers to Cranbrook. Don’t know if they would be any cheaper than the shuttle services. 250 423 4408.

Sounds like you already have all the bus options that are available – Greyhound, Rocky Mountain Sky Shuttle, Mountain Perks, Smokey Mountain Charters.

Your only other option is to post a new subject on here saying you are looking for a ride to Cranbrook, with your dates and times, and offer to share gas…There’s people going there every day, so you should be able to get hold of someone…

Good luck!

[nickdel]

Guys, thanks for this, very useful.

Seasons, I like you idea of possibly getting a lift with someone else, is this a common thing? How much does fuel normally cost? I reckon this will still work out cheaper than the shuttle and would be willing to pay for their full costs!

Nick

[djmorris]

Here are a couple of other options, which may or may not work for you:
http://www.ourfernie.com/forums/transpo … elk_valley

http://www.helpful-solutions.com/results-frame.htm

[nickdel]

Dj, this is perfect, thanks a lot!

Nick

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