Fernie has a reputation as a serious mountain bike destination. But "serious" doesn't have to mean adults-only. With some planning, you can put together a trip that works for the whole family, including the kid who still needs a snack every 45 minutes and the one who wants to hit every feature twice.
Here's what we did, what worked, and what we'd do differently.
Quick Notes
- Best ages for Fernie singletrack: 6 and up, on a 20" bike or larger
- Youngest rider we'd recommend for trails near the Aquatic Centre (Ridgemont): 6+; younger kids are better on the Town Loop or Skills Park
- Town Loop distance: 8–14km, flat, mostly asphalt and packed gravel
- Skills Park: Free, located at the Fernie Aquatic Centre — good warm-up for any age
- RV Resort cost: ~$125/night for full hookups (pricey, but the location is convenient)
- Pack: Sunscreen, extra snacks, and a change of clothes if your kids are anywhere near water
- River access: Elk River near the RV Resort is shallow and calm — budget time for it on hot days
Where We Stayed: Fernie RV Resort
The Fernie RV Resort isn't going to win any awards for atmosphere. It's functional — clean, well-run, and not especially scenic. But for a family road trip, the location makes sense.
- Distance to town: 10–15 minutes by bike on flat roads, which means even the youngest riders can manage it
- Elk River access: Right next door. The river runs shallow and calm here during summer months — kids can wade, splash, and throw rocks for longer than you'd expect
- On-site extras: A basic pump track, a solid playground, and enough open space for soccer and frisbee between rides
One note: this is one of the pricier private RV resorts in the region. Expect to pay around $125/night for full hookups. If budget is tight, that's worth factoring in early.
A Day by the River: The Fernie Town Loop
One of our best days in Fernie had nothing to do with singletrack. We rode the Fernie Town Loop — a green trail that follows the Elk River from the RV Resort all the way to James White Park on the far side of town.
For families with young kids, this trail is hard to beat.
- Distance: 8–14km out and back, flat the whole way
- Surface: Mostly asphalt and packed gravel — nothing technical, nothing that'll stress out a beginner
- Stop points: Plenty of natural breaks for snacks, rock-throwing, and general meandering
- Destination: James White Park, where you can watch floaties and paddleboarders drift by the Elk River for as long as anyone will tolerate
We brought lunch and turned it into a full morning. Even our youngest stayed engaged the whole way — the river keeps things interesting when the riding doesn't.
If you've got kids under 6 or anyone still building confidence on a bike, this is your day-one trail. Save the singletrack for when legs are fresh and everyone's had time to settle into Fernie.
Trails Near the Aquatic Centre (Ridgemont): What to Expect
The Fernie Aquatic Centre doubles as the starting point for the Fernie Skills Park and a cluster of beginner-to-intermediate trails as part of the Ridgemont riding area that look great on paper for family riding. We spent a morning here and came away with some useful notes.
Start at the Skills Park
The practice loop at the Skills Park is free and low-pressure. We spent a few laps here while sorting out gear and warming up legs. It's a good way to ease into the day — especially if your kids are still shaking off a long drive.
Cemetery Bypass to Lower Kiddy Up
From the Skills Park, we rode Cemetery Bypass through to Lower Kiddy Up. Our youngest — just turned 4, on a 16" bike — was on the TowWhee for this stretch.
It worked, but with caveats. The trail is narrow enough that towing a 16" bike gets awkward in tighter sections. It's not dangerous, just fiddly — expect to slow down and work for it in spots.
Kiddy Down and Space Unicorn
From Lower Kiddy Up, we split up. Klaus took our youngest down Kiddy Down while I took our eldest on Space Unicorn.
Kiddy Down is manageable but on the narrow side for a 4-year-old on a 16" bike. It's not a disaster — just not the smoothest experience. Space Unicorn worked well for the older kid and is worth recommending for confident young riders.
TrailRippers Take: Who This Section Is For
After riding it with a 4-year-old, we'd put the lower Ridgemont trails near the Aquatic Centre at 6 and up, on a 20" bike or larger. Kids younger than that, or still on 16" bikes, will have a better time on the Town Loop or lapping the Skills Park. The singletrack here isn't technical by adult standards, but the trail width makes towing and manoeuvring harder than the trail ratings suggest.
That's not a knock on Fernie — it's just the way it is. Come back next season when your youngest is ready, and these trails will click into place.
Putting the Trip Together
Fernie works for families, but it rewards a bit of patience. Don't try to cram singletrack into every day — especially with younger kids who need recovery time and river time in roughly equal measure.
- Day 1: Settle in, lap the Skills Park, let the kids burn energy at the playground or river
- Day 2: Ride the Town Loop, pack lunch, finish at James White Park
- Day 3: Head to the Ridgemont trails if your kids are 6+ on 20" bikes; otherwise, repeat the Town Loop or explore more of town by bike
Fernie has more advanced trails for when your crew grows into them. This trip is about building the memory that makes them want to come back.