Fernie
Fernie · British Columbia · Canada
1,067m
Vertical Drop
142
Runs
10
Lifts
1,011 ha
Skiable Area
900 cm
Avg Snowfall
Dec 2026 – Apr 2027
Season
About
Five alpine bowls and 142 trails across 2,500 acres in the Lizard Range of southeast BC. Fernie is known for huge annual snowfall (around 9m), excellent tree skiing, and a refreshingly laid-back vibe. The historic town of Fernie sits 5 km from the resort with heritage 1900s architecture, a strong ski-bum culture, and one of the best small-town brewery scenes in the Canadian Rockies. Owned by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR).
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
2,134m
Base
1,067m
Vertical Drop
1,067m
Lift Breakdown
0
Gondolas
7
Chairlifts
3
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
600–900
Main Employers
- Fernie Alpine Resort (RCR)
- Lizard Creek Lodge
- Snow Creek Lodge
- Cornerstone Lodge
- Fernie Snow Sports School
- Fernie town hospitality (lodges, brewpubs, restaurants)
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- International workers typically arrive on Working Holiday Visas (IEC). Canada has IEC agreements with Australia, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Japan, and many other countries. Some specialised roles (instructors, senior chefs) sponsored on LMIA-backed work permits. Fernie has a well-established Aussie and Kiwi staff pipeline.
- Recruitment Timeline
- Fernie begins hiring in August–September for the December opening. Most lift, F&B, and housekeeping roles fill by October–November. Instructor positions require CSIA/CASI certification. Apply through the Fernie Alpine Resort and RCR careers pages.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- CAD $300–$450 (Fernie is relatively affordable)
- Public Transport
- BC Transit Fernie service runs a town-to-resort shuttle in winter. The resort base is 5 km from town — many staff carpool or use the shuttle. Calgary International Airport is 3 hrs east via Highway 3. The town itself is walkable with a compact main street.
Staff Perks
- Free season pass at Fernie
- Reciprocal benefits at RCR sister resorts (Kicking Horse, Nakiska, Stoneham, Mont-Sainte-Anne)
- Staff meals at some employers
- Pro deals on gear
- Strong staff social calendar
- Free first-aid and avalanche awareness training
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- Iconic Fernie après. The Griz Bar at the base of the resort is a long-time favourite. In town, the Fernie Brewing Co taproom, Pub Bar & Grill, Loaf Bakery, and Last Chance Saloon. The Rusty Edge and the historic Royal Hotel for live music. Town's compact size means everyone runs into each other — the seasonal worker community is one of the tightest in BC.
- Healthcare
- Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie (5 min from resort). Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary (3 hrs) for major trauma. Helicopter retrieval available. On-mountain ski patrol clinic during operations.
- Shops & Services
- Fernie town has Save-On-Foods and Overwaitea supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, multiple gear shops (Edge of the World, Straight Line), restaurants, cafés, and the famous Polar Peek Books. Calgary (3 hrs) or Cranbrook (1 hr) for major shopping.
- International Community
- Large — exceptionally strong Australian, British, and Irish staff presence. Fernie's Aussie/Kiwi seasonal worker community is legendary; the resort and town actively cater to it. Smaller scale than Whistler but more concentrated and social. English is the working language.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Fernie →Season
Dec 2026 – Apr 2027
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -13°C to -3°C
- Snow Reliability
- high
- Snowmaking
- 30% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 900 cm/yr
Location
49.4600°N, -115.0800°W
Nearest town: Fernie