Market Information
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Fernie
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Population: 4,877 Households: 2,242 |
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ALPINE TRAILS HOUSING STARTS
TRANSROCKIES CHALLENGE
CHAMBER WELCOMES CIRCLE FILM PRODUCTIONS
FERNIE COURT HOUSE
PINNACLE RIDGE HOMES DEVELOPMENT
ROCKYMOUNTAIN VILLAGE - TO OPENJULY 2004
VIEW OF FERNIE SKI HILL
FERNIE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
DOWNTOWN FERNIE WINTER
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FERNIE
Fernie is like no coal mining town you've ever seen - or even imagined. The landscape is anything but grey and desolate, and visitors won't find much in the way of gritty black coal dust either. This is no moon-like wasteland. Try Rocky Mountain playground instead.
Oh, the city started out as a brawny, brawling mining camp about a century ago, not long after prospector William Fernie wooed an Indian princess in order to discover the secret location of the Elk Valley's vast coal deposits.
To this day, some residents believe that Fernie's near-destruction by fire and flood in the early 1900's was the work of a curse laid by the jilted maiden's angry father. And the legend lives on in the form of the Ghostrider's shadow, which glowers down on Fernie from the rocky face of Mt. Hosmer at sunset every evening.
Today, Fernie's economy is diversified with five giant open-pit mines located near the towns of Sparwood and Elkford at the other end of the Elk Valley. A bustling community of about 5,000 residents, with an increased tourist population of 8,000 or more people during our ski season, Fernie now serves as the focal point for business and a burgeoning tourism industry.
As British Columbia's southeastern gateway (through the historic Crowsnest Pass on Highway #3), the community is a key stopping point for both tourist and commercial traffic. On the flip side local residents from Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford think nothing of traveling to Lethbridge or Calgary for a day or a weekend shopping spree. The Elk Valley is still quite limited to selection in all areas of retail.
Fernie is working hard to develop its potential for tourism. The city already boasts a golf course ranked among the best in the province set amid spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery. In July 2002 a new golf course was approved. With a build out of 1,484 units. Construction to tentatively start in 2005.
The Snow Valley ski resort just five minutes from downtown is rapidly expanding as its deep powder and long ski season attracts more and more of the downhill crowd, many of them from Calgary, (a 3 1/2 hour drive to Fernie) and southern Alberta.
The fires that ravaged Fernie in its early years have turned out to be a blessing in disguise: dozens of replacement buildings made of brick and stone remain to reflect the city's heritage. Although the 2nd Avenue shopping district is already a magnet for visitors, a downtown revitalization program is in place to preserve and enhance the area's historic charm.
If Fernie works hard, it also plays hard. The Elk Valley is a hunter and fisherman's paradise. The Arts Station, a restored railway station, is headquarters for a thriving network of visual and performing artists, including an art gallery and popular summer stock theatre program.
The community calendar is filled year-round with activities as varied as two summer music festivals, tubing on the Elk River, rodeo, demolition derby, mountain bike races and a torchlight ski run. Hockey fans pack the Fernie Arena to cheer on the Ghostriders, a member of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League.
Add just about everybody - except perhaps a few mournful skiers - has a ball during Griz Days, a weeklong festival celebrating the end of winter. Fernie's legendary laid-back lifestyle may seem at odds with its growing attraction for outdoor enthusiasts of every kind, but the two manage to blend nicely amid the spectacular scenery of the Elk Valley. Most folks who come here find it awfully darn hard to leave. Maybe it has something to do with pine trees, powder snow and all that fresh air.
FERNIE - The City of Fernie is going through remarkable changes following the recent purchase of the local ski hill. The investment at Fernie Alpine Resort led the change in development in the City itself, which is fast becoming a popular tourist destination. Winter tourism increases our population to approximately 8,000 people.
The majority of Fernie residents either work for: one of the five coal mines in the Elk Valley or for the single forestry company in the region; one of the supporting industries or businesses; the service or tourism industries.
The number of retail businesses has remained steady in recent years, but with the current economic and development boom in Fernie, the added residential areas in town and the ski hill are sure to require more retail services.
The City of Fernie offers a number of leisure activities. There is a new Aquatic Centre with 25-metre tank, wading pool, spacious hot tub, steam room and water slide. The City has tennis courts, a few ball diamonds, a community hall, arena, curling arena, two large parks and a trail system along the city's dykes. Local pubs and the local arts council provide live entertainment all year long, especially in the winter. The surrounding area is also filled with mountain biking trails, great angling waters, camping opportunities, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and more.
Tourism is a growing market in Fernie with the worldwide promotion of Fernie Alpine Resort and the various residential developments here. The Fernie Chamber of Commerce has a lot of information on local tourism, recreational, residential and business opportunities.
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