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About

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club was incorporated in 1991. The stated purpose of the society is:

“Maintain responsible, backcountry access and winter recreation on Fernie area Crown lands and private lands. Maintain and manage backcountry winter mountaineering recreational cabins. Work with outdoor recreation groups, government, private land owners and tourist businesses to enhance and maintain Fernie’s outdoor recreation.”

The association began over three decades ago as the Elk Valley Ski Touring Association (EVSTA), a loosely knit group of ski touring enthusiasts eager to protect and promote public access to recreation in the Fernie area. It has evolved to become a strong advocacy group for public recreation in the region.

The group’s first major success was securing a Special Use Permit in 1991 for the purpose of building a permanent shelter in the Thunder Meadows area located between Fernie Alpine Resort and Island Lake Resort Group. That Special Use Permit provided the group with particular access privileges on the crown land located there, and continues to this day to give the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club tenure in the Thunder Meadows area.

In 2011 a second cabin was build at Tunnel Creek, a day use addition was added in 2015, and in 2022 the original cabin was upgraded to match the day use area.

In 2021 the FT&STC added a new warming hut was added to Harvey Pass. This is a day use cabin only and the terrain is shared with snowmobiles.

Members of the FT&STC have over the course of the past several years contributed significantly to trail development and maintenance in the region.

The FT&STC created the Fernie Trails Alliance, an organization dedicated to the management of summer hiking and biking trails.

FT&STC Annual General Meeting

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club is holding its Annual General Meeting at 7PM on Thursday, March 14 2024 at the Fernie Seniors Centre (562 3 Ave, Fernie). Members and non-members are welcome to attend. 2023 will be reviewed and direction moving forward with respect to the cabins, new projects, summer plans, work parties, […]

Club Hut Booking Policy 2024

Recognizing the valuable volunteer efforts required to operate and maintain the backcountry hut system, the Club offer early access to hut bookings for volunteers. Here’s an overview of our booking policy: Volunteer Access: • Active Volunteers who contribute their time and skills to the club have early booking privileges. • Volunteers must maintain a current […]

2023 Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Bursary Recipients

The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club (FTSTC) have finalized the 2023 Avalanche Bursary program with awards going to an unprecedented all female group of seven recipients with bursaries totaling $2250. Ian Stokie, FTSTC President, commented, “Were happy that our bursary program is going towards people who are pursuing a career in avalanche safety and […]

Tunnel Creek Hut Renovations

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club Tunnel Creek Hut renovations are looking great thanks to outstanding volunteer efforts and generous support from our sponsors. The plan to replace the old Tunnel Creek bunk house with a new permanent structure that matches the newer day use facility are ready for this season. This renovation on […]

2022 Annual General Meeting

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club is holding its Annual General Meeting at 7PM on Tuesday, March 15 2022 at the Fernie Seniors Centre. The Fernie Seniors Centre is located at: 562 3 Ave, Downtown Fernie. Members and non-members are welcome to attend. 2021 will be reviewed and direction moving forward with respect to […]

Harvey Pass Hut is Completed

We’re extremely pleased to announce that the Harvey Pass Hut, warming and emergency shelter, has been completed and is open to the public. This time we hope it’s fire proof! This is the 6th cabin at Harvey Pass and yes, the previous five were destroyed by fire. The last cabin burnt in 2017 when a […]

2021 Virtual AGM – RESCHEDULED

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club will be holding it’s 2021 Annual General Meeting on Zoom. The AGM will be held on Thursday March 18th @ 7pm. All members and public are welcome to attend. Topic: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club 2021 Annual General Meeting Time: Mar 25, 2021 07:00 PM Edmonton Join […]

FT&STC Annual General Meeting

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club Annual General Meeting is being held on March 7th at 7PM. The meeting is being held at the Fernie Hotel meeting room (691 1st Avenue) in the basement across from the washrooms. The club has had a busy year and we look forward to recapping with everyone, new […]

Fernie Trails Winter & Summer 2019

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club is pleased to announce the new Fernie Trails Winter & Summer 2019 membership. This membership includes Montane 4-season access, winter grooming, cabin access, summer trails and a FTA trail supporter pass. The “Fernie Trails Winter & Summer 2019” membership is available here for Winter & Summer 2019 $40/individuals […]

2016 AGM

The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club is hosting its 2016 Annual General Meeting. Members and new members are welcome to attend. The agenda will be posted here soon. Date: Thursday, February 23, @ 7 PM Place: Silver Rock Condominiums, 1500 McDonald Ave, Fernie, BC V0B 1M1

Fernie Brewing Donates

The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club (FT&STC) is very pleased to announce that Fernie Brewing Co. (FBC) donated $3671.64 to our club. Lets give a big thanks to FBC! This February 16th to March 31st, FBC featured the FT&STC in their “Cheers to Charity” fundraising program. The funds will help with ongoing trail and […]

Gilmar receives George S. Majic Spiritus Award

Pat Gilmar was presented the George S. Majic Spiritus Award! Pat was honored for his tireless efforts building trails in Fernie. Pat one of Fernie’s pioneer trail builders who always believed that “if you build it, they will come”. He has been an active director of the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club for decades. […]

Fernie Trails Alliance AGM

The FTA AGM will review the year, select new board members and discuss what’s planned for the coming year. The FTA needs fresh directors and input from trail users, be sure to attend.

FT&STC AGM minutes

February 12, 7 pm @ Freshies Introduced Directors Ian Stokie, Pat Gilmar, Rob Lanthier, Doug Koran, Jack McKay, Fred Frehner, Ben Stokie (Not Present), Dave Mcbeath, Rick Emmerson, Sean Staplin, Read minutes from last years meeting. Thunder Meadows Firewood flown in, new cookstove with 20lb propane tanks, other small upgrades and ongoing maintaince. Tunnel Creek […]

Annual General Meeting Announcement

The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Thursday Feb 12th, 7 P.M. at Freshies, 632 2nd Ave. Some of the agenda items to be discussed include: – Our Club has been asked to sponsor an application to save the Harvey Pass hut. We will be discussing the […]

FT&STC inducted to Fernie’s Ski Wall of Fame

The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club is officially on Fernie’s Ski Wall of Fame! The Fernie Skiing Heritage society awarded the founders at the Class of 2014 Induction. Here is the citation from the gala event: The growth and success of a mountain living community is the many ski experiences that are to be […]