BOOK Your PRIVATE BACKCOUNTRY Mountain & Ski GUIDE
FOR TRIPS IN FERNIE BC
You're coming to ski and ride in the Fernie BC area, and want to get into the Backcountry without messing about in the search for the right terrain, the best snow, and avalanche conditions you are comfortable with. Let us help connect you with a Cloud Nine Mountain Guide that fits you and your group best. We'll work to understand your goals for the trip - from chasing snow quality and big terrain to technical skills work and learning objectives, or site safety and risk management consulting - and dial in a day that's right on point.
Step 1 is to reach out to our Program Managers to kick some tires. After your booking is confirmed, a Program Manager will then be attached to your booking and available 5 days a week from the time you book until your trip dates, for you to check in on any aspect of your trip, at your leisure.
Pricing is based on the experience level of the Guide you choose to book. Select from 3 tiers, of whom the most experienced have between 20-30 years professional Guiding experience locally, and choose from locally based Golden Guides with current local knowledge of conditions. A base rate for your day is billed for the first group member with an additional $85.00 added on per group member after the first.
We'll connect you with your ACMG/IFMGA Certified, Cloud Nine Mountain or Ski Guide 7 Days in advance of your trip to finalize the finer points of your logistics, itinerary, and expected conditions; and then you're off and away.
Dates are often limited so book early.
experienced Local Mountain & SKI guides
CHOOSE FROM 3 TIERS OF OUR CLOUD NINE MOUNTAIN GUIDES WHO BEST FITS YOUR VIBE
PRE-TRIP PLANNING AND SUPPORT
FROM FIRST CALL TO YOUR TRIP - OUR PROGRAM MANAGERS WORK WITH YOU FRONT TO BACK
QUALITY RENTAL EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
BOOK YOUR TOURING GEAR WITH US FOR YOUR TRIP
Book your ADVENTURE Here:
MEET THE C9G COLLECTIVE:
LOGISTICS
Guide : Guest Ratios
Guide to Guest Ratios on our Private Ski & Splitboarding Programs are limited to 1 Guide : 8 Guests at a maximum. However, this number may be reduced to 1:6 or even 1:4 depending on the remoteness and complexity of the terrain accessed on your itinerary, as well as the experience and certification of your guide.
Travel to Fernie
Our suggestions for your most efficient way to access the program venue from a variety of locations and international ports of entry:
-
Calgary (YYC) to Fernie:
-
Those Guests travelling from or arriving by air at Calgary International Airport: Your most efficient route to join us for a program start in Fernie will be driving through straight from YYC to Fernie area, BC. A rental car may be required, with a roughly 3 hour drive down to Fernie town, though public transfers and other transportation options are also available to you.
Find a travel plan here
-
-
Edmonton (YEG) to Fernie:
-
Those Guests travelling from or arriving by air at Edmonton International Airport: This would take approximately a 6hr drive from Edmonton down the AB-2 S. A rental car or personal transportation will be required.
Find a travel plan here
-
-
Travelling from British Columbia:
-
For our Guests travelling and arriving from locations in British Columbia: Please use the following map link to aid in your planning and arrival in Fernie.
Our Meeting Point in Fernie
-
Transfers from Calgary international Airport:
Transfers are available departing Calgary International, arriving in Fort Macleod, and then a transfer from Fort Macleod to Fernie. We'd suggest Red Arrow for those requiring transfers from Calgary.
Early ARRIVALS - ACCOMMODATION & TRIP PREP
-
ACCOMMODATION IN FERNIE BC:
-
GEAR PURCHASES PRE-TRIP:
For those looking to purchase gear and equipment prior to your course, we would suggest the following local Bow Valley retailers:
- Vertical Addiction
- Located in Canmore, Vertical Addiction offers a complete selection of technical climbing, mountaineering and ski equipment along with a broad selection of technical clothing.
- Located in Canmore, Vertical Addiction offers a complete selection of technical climbing, mountaineering and ski equipment along with a broad selection of technical clothing.
- SkiUphill
- Located in Canmore, SkiUphill is a collective of experience driven individuals each with their own history, knowledge and stories of getting out there and getting after it. They offer expertise in backcountry skiing, trail running, climbing and any combination of those activities all while offering the best selection of curated equipment.
- Located in Canmore, SkiUphill is a collective of experience driven individuals each with their own history, knowledge and stories of getting out there and getting after it. They offer expertise in backcountry skiing, trail running, climbing and any combination of those activities all while offering the best selection of curated equipment.
- Monods Sports
- Located in Banff, Monods is one of the longest operating outdoor equipment and clothing retailers in the Bow Valley. Monods has a large selection of technical clothing and equipment offerings.
- Located in Banff, Monods is one of the longest operating outdoor equipment and clothing retailers in the Bow Valley. Monods has a large selection of technical clothing and equipment offerings.
- Ortovox
- Our Partners at Ortovox are known for their high-quality technical outerwear and are a supporting partner of C9G and our ski guiding programs.
- Our Partners at Ortovox are known for their high-quality technical outerwear and are a supporting partner of C9G and our ski guiding programs.
- Black Diamond Equipment
- Black Diamond Equipment has been providing skiers and alpinists with technical equipment since 1989, and is a supporting partner of C9G and our guided ski programs.
- Vertical Addiction
YOUR MOUNTAIN GUIDE'S TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION COSTS
In addition to your Backcountry Ski Touring Fee, an additional fee of $250 will be applied to your order. These amounts are paid in full and directly to our Guiding Staff to cover the longer transportation routes required to arrive at Fernie BC. In circumstances where you are able to provide your Guide with Transportation from our hub in Canmore, and where no other factors prohibit this option, this fee will be waived.
Mountain Meal Program
Complete or partial Meal Programs are available as additional add-ons to all our Private Guiding Programs.
Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please contact our Program Managers at the office for more information on Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Paleo diets or any allergy restrictions for your trip, as well as a complete pricing quote.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Gear & Equipment Required will be based on your finalized Private Program Itinerary. Please find the following as a baseline for your reference.
You will require one of the following travel equipment kits to join us on your Private Program. Items can be provided additionally to your booking at your request:
- Alpine Touring Skis
- Splitboard
- Snowshoes
In addition, you will require the following:
- Climbing Skins - trimmed to fit your specific equipment
- Ski Poles
- Daypack - IMPORTANT: You will require at minimum a 30L backpack.
- Sunglasses (for the uptrack)
- Ski Goggles (for the decent)
- Lunch
- Water
- Thermos with a Hot Drink
- Sun Screen
- Small Blister Kit or Personal 1st Aid Kit
- Small Repair Kit (optional)
Avalanche Rescue (Companion Rescue) Equipment - Available on Request:
If you have your own beacon, probe, and shovel, you're welcome to use your own, providing it is in good repair and your avalanche beacon is a modern unit.
- Avalanche Beacon (3 antennae unit, must have been purchased new in past 4 years)
- Avalanche Probe
- Avalanche Shovel (metal blades only)
ESSENTIAL CLOTHING
This essential clothing list is provided firstly to help support a better quality experience for you while on trip.
- Base Layers - Either wool or synthetic, or a polypro base layer are the best options. DO NOT wear cotton base layers.
- Mid Layers - Wool, synthetic or polypro is are best
- Softshell Jacket or Gore-Tex Jacket
- Softshell Pants or Gore-Tex Pants
- Insulated Jacket - Large Parka style jackets are very important for the moments we are stopped during the field day. Down Parka's or Synthetic Down Parka's are a very important addition to your clothing systems for the course.
- Socks - Wool blend, no cotton
TRIP CANCELLATION & INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
The best method to protect your investment with us should unforeseen arise, requiring you cancel your booking, is to purchase a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance Policy.
Lifestyle Insurance has covered many of Cloud Nine Guests on trips all over the world, and we have first-hand experience seeing these policies activated by our Guests.
Safeguard your trip costs and investment with us. Request a Quote from Lifestyle Financial.
Is this coverage required?
- For Canadian Residents, coverage is suggested but not required to register.
- For Non-Canadian Citizens, coverage is suggested but not required. It is strongly suggested that your policy includes Emergency Medical Coverage, unless you carry an alternative policy which will respond in the event of medical emergency.
WAIVER - Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement
Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision.
Booking TErms & Conditions
Before you book your course, please review our Booking Terms & Conditions. We do not accept bookings without your voluntary acceptance of these terms. Please read carefully as these terms outline specific policies and guidance for both our staff and clients with respect to refunds, cancellations, rescheduling, credit forward, refund exemptions etc.
Book a free consultation
Book a phone call or video call with either of our Program Managers or with our Director of Operations.
This is an excellent preliminary step towards booking a trip with us. It allows us to better understand your requirements and needs for your desired objective.