5 Things to Do with Your Downtime in Fernie
The Pub at the Park Place Hotel
Fernie holds a special place in the hearts of all of us here at TransRockies Race Series. It was the first host community we visited nearly twenty years ago for our inaugural TransRockies Challenge and the only community to have hosted all 13 of the Challenges. Since we updated the race and rebranded it Singletrack 6 in 2014, we’ve continued to return because of the great riding, endless hospitality and good fun!
We’re excited to be back in Fernie in 2021 with a new route! So it’s only fitting that we begin this, our first in a series of posts about things to do in your downtime in our host communities, with this extraordinary town.
Between now and the time the gun goes off to start ST6 2021, we’ll be looking at some options for riders to spend their downtime in each of this year’s three host communities: Fernie, Kimberley and Rossland. Our focus will be on recovery and connection—two things we think are important to concentrate on once you’re finished on the bike. We hope that these suggestions will help you stay strong and connected with friends, both old and new. And, most importantly, contribute to making your time with us the adventure of a lifetime!
Now, let’s find some things to do in Fernie…
The Brick House Bar & Grill
#1 - Check out one of Fernie’s many eateries
If you’re like most riders, the first thing you’ll want to do after a long ride is eat! A Singletrack 6 stage takes a lot of calories to complete, so it’s important to replace them as soon as possible. Once you’re off the bike, a quick recovery snack or drink is essential. But then it’s time to find some real food. Luckily, Fernie has a lot of restaurants with fun and friendly atmospheres, where you’ll be able to find meals to fit most riders’ tastes. So why not grab a few friends and give one of these suggestions a try?
The Brick House Bar & Grill
Fans of great pub food and a funky historic atmosphere will love the Brick House Bar & Grill located in Fernie’s historic downtown. The Brick House menu is healthy Mediterranean-infused pub food and most items are organic. And, as the name suggests, it’s housed in one of Fernie’s unique brick heritage buildings and has a street-side patio.
Location: 401 - 2nd Avenue (downtown)
Phone: 250-423-0009
The Bridge Bistro
The Bridge Bistro
The Bridge Bistro offers home cooked European influenced food in a comfortable and casual setting with Fernie’s best riverside patio.
It’s conveniently located on the banks of the beautiful Elk River and overlooks the towering peaks of the Lizard Range. Great food and an amazing setting, what more could you ask for?
Location: 301 - Highway #3 (beside the West Fernie Bridge)
Phone: 250-423-3002
The Pub Bar & Grill
Conveniently located at the ST6 registration office in the Park Place Lodge, The Pub Bar & Grill serves up classic pub food and features a solid tap list of local craft beer. The boutique hotel is one of our featured accommodations, so if you take your recovery seriously, this could be your best option!
Location: 742 Highway #3 (inside the Park Place Lodge)
Phone: 250-423-6871
Yamagoya Sushi
Yamagoya Sushi
If you’re in the mood for Sushi, you can’t go wrong with Yamagoya. Their food is Authentic Japanese & Asian Fusion Cuisine. And year after year, they’ve been voted one of Fernie’s Best Dining Atmospheres and Favourite Ethnic Restaurant. Things can get busy at Yamagoya, so it’s best to get there early!
Location: 741 - 7th Avenue
Phone: 250-430-0090
The Elk River
#2 - Relax on a float down the Elk River
Have some time between meals? A river float is a relaxing and refreshing way to spend your afternoon. Take in 360-degree mountain views as you make your way right through town on the scenic Elk River. The bridge section is a FLOAT with Class 1 whitewater and is a great activity to do with friends and family. SUPs, inflatable kayaks and rafts rentals are available at GearHub Sports, which also happens to be Fernie’s award winning bike shop. So if you’re in need of service or supplies, this is your one-stop-shop!
For details on recommended start/finish locations, river etiquette and safety tips, visit the Fernie.com website.
Gearhub Sports
GearHub
Location: 401 - 1st Avenue
Phone: 250-423-5555
#3 - Plan a quiet picnic beside the Elk River
Would you rather be beside the river than on it? Grab some friends and head to Fernie’s Annex Park for a riverside picnic. It’s a great place to rest, eat, recover and make plans for the next day’s stage. The park features a large natural open area and shaded picnic facilities beside the river. If you have kids along for the ride, check out the park’s duck pond for a little added amusement.
Fernie’s Annex Park
If you’re on foot, you can access the park by heading north on virtually any street north of 11th or 12th avenue. If you’re be arriving by car, click on the ‘Location’ link below for Google Map directions to the parking lot.
#4 - Soak in a hot tub
Spending some time soaking in a hot tub after a long stage is good for your soul and your sore muscles. It’s a great place to catch up on the day’s stage with fellow riders, while the warm water accelerates your recovery.
The Fernie Aquatic Centre
The Fernie Aquatic Centre has a large 25-person hot tub and the facility is available for public use. There is a small fee attached, but that also gives you access to the Centre’s steam room and pools. Visit their website for the most up to date pricing and hours.
Location: 250 Pine Avenue
Phone: 250-423-4466
#5 - Find out what Fernie was like before mountain biking!
A visit to the Fernie Museum is a great way to relax, recover and get a sense of what Fernie was like before it became known as a ski and mountain bike town.
When you look deeper, you will find a rich and dramatic history. It was a diverse and resourceful lot that toughed it out to build a life in Fernie. Their hardships and achievements created powerful bonds of community that have held fast for over a century.
Fernie Museum
Their core exhibit explores the many events that have helped shape Fernie, including the legend of a curse, fires that destroyed the town and mining disasters that took fathers and sons.
Location: 491 - 2nd Avenue (downtown)
Phone: 250-423-7016
The end is only the beginning
As you can see, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your downtime in Fernie. From a bite to eat—and maybe some shopping—with friends to a relaxing river float, exploring our host communities is a great way to keep the adventure alive, even after the day’s racing has come to an end. Because the finish line only marks the beginning of what is waiting for you in our Singletrack 6 host communities in 2021!
We want to hear from you!
What’s your favourite way to spend your post-stage downtime?
Let us know in the comments section below
Photos: Tourism Fernie, John Gibson Pictures