Thunder Meadows

• Thunder Meadows Availability
• Island Lake Access
• Policy & Procedure
• Thunder Meadows Access

Fernie’s Thunder Meadows hut is somewhat legendary and a crown jewel of the Lizard Rage in its own right. In fact, bringing the idea of the hut to reality is what prompted the formation of the Elk Valley Ski Touring Association, now the Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club.

In Spring of ’78 Ian Stokie, Barry Hulbert and Whitey ski toured Polaris Bowl between Fernie Snow Valley Ski Area and Island Lake. It was on that trip that they recognized the potential for a ski touring hut. The bowl was named Thunder Meadows based on their hearing a thunderous roar caused by wind in the towering headwall. When wind moves through narrow gaps or tunnels, it can cause vibrations and produce low-frequency sounds, often described as a “rumbling” or “thunderous” noise. Nobody has discovered the source and people continue to hear the thunder!

Ian Stokie / Thunder Meadows 12/24

That following summer Ian and a dozen or so locals constructed Thunder Meadows’ first hut, which burnt down in 1980. The second temporary hut was built in 1980 and then decommissioned when the newer structure was built. A secondary but equally important motive for constructing the newer hut was was to provide shelter for those who required it in case of sudden extreme weather changes.

Avid recreational use by a large number of locals and visitors solidified into a plan in the early 1990s to create the current cabin. This action enhanced and secured Thunder Meadows and area for ski touring, nestled between Fernie Alpine Resort an Island Lake Lodge. We collaborate and work with both parties to ensure the Lizard Range remains a safe and healthy region for skiing touring and all mountain users forever.

Ian’s passion for Thunder Meadows continues to this day. In the past two decades, Ian, friends and club members have upgraded the services to include solar power and a compost toilet, and in ’23 & ’24 they built an exterior woodshed, and refurbished the main cabin’s interior and exterior. The cabin remains user maintained and is the Crown Jewel of Fernie’s Lizard Range!

The Elk Valley Ski Touring Association successfully lobbied the provincial government for a Special Use Permit for the Thunder Meadows area. Essentially, this permit granted special usage privileges to the group, and in 1993 EVSTA volunteers built the hut. The impetus for applying for the permit, in addition to the construction of the hut, was the recognition on the part of the association that commercial ski operations in the area would gradually expand into traditional public recreation areas.