What type of holiday are you looking for? Are you traveling with family or friends? When would you like to visit? Let us make some recommendations!
Outdoor experiences of a fun, friendly and wild nature!
Discover the natural beauty, serenity, and stories of the southern Canadian Rockies. Join local naturalists on a guided experience to explore a unique and diverse ecosystem. Our guides possess vast local knowledge and experience guiding all ages and ability levels bringing you the opportunity to watch, listen and learn about the special flora, fauna, landscape and heritage of the area. Join us for bird watching, wildflower wonders, guided hiking, wildlife viewing, or a winter snowshoe safari.
Wild Nature Tours is a non-profit venture, all proceeds will support local conservation projects.
Fernie Wildlife & Birding Brochure/Map - PDF
Fernie Hiking & Biking Trail Map - PDF
Choose from an event below, or contact us about other hikes and tours. Bookings are essential and can be done ONLINE, by calling 250-423-3322, or by email elkvalley@wildsight.ca.
May 30: Fungus Among Us
Discover forest fungus and learn which ones are tasty, which ones are deadly, and which ones are essential to forest health.
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Price: $20 for Wildsight members/$30 for non-members - includes membership
June 20: Ancient Ammonite Adventure
Led by naturalist Lee-Anne Walker this is your chance to discover the ancient geological history of the Elk Valley and visit one of the best-preserved ammonite fossils.
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Price: $20 for Wildsight members/$30 for non-members - includes membership
July 25: Forage in the Forest
Take a hike in the park with Lee-Anne Walker and use your senses to forage in the forest for food, medicinal plants, and inspiration for technology.
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Price: $20 for Wildsight members/$30 for non-members - includes membership
August 22: Cool Critter in our Clean Water
Wear your rubber boots! Rub rocks and collect critters in nets! Use keys and magnify boxes to classify insects and learn cool facts about these indicators of high water quality.
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Price: $20 for Wildsight members/$30 for non-members - includes membership
September 29: Watershed Tour
Discover Fernie's amazing water source, how water is used in our community and what happens when we are done with it. Increase your knowledge and awareness of our local watersheds and water-related issues in our community in this great afternoon walk spent with Lee-Anne Walker, naturalist and director of the Elk River Alliance.
Time: 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Price: $20 for Wildsight members/$30 for non-members - includes membership
WINTER PROGRAMS:
Revenues generated from Wild Nature Tours supports local environmental education opportunities for students. Contact us if you have questions or like a different type of tour, we can tailor other snowshoe adventures to your request
Discover the unique history of Fernie on a relaxing snowshoe through a beautiful forest with gorgeous views. Soft, quiet steps float through powder as you unravel the secrets and stories of wildlife in the snow at the Fernie Alpine Resort. 2-hour heritage tour includes an interpretive guided tour, snowshoes and poles hot drinks, home-baked snacks, local naturalist stories discovering winter wildlife
Availability: Available for booking anytime with a minimum of 1-day notice
Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for most ages and abilities
Price: $50pp / Family Rate $130, includes 2 adults and all immediate children aged 17 and under
Min. # of guests: 2
Meeting location: Departs from Fernie Alpine Resort Guest Services.
Enjoy a gentle snowshoe hike through the provincial park at the base of Mount Fernie. Learn about forest ecology and human uses of plants from a knowledgeable guide in a mature Interior Cedar Hemlock forest. 3-hour winter ecology tour includes an interpretive guided tour, snowshoes and poles, hot drinks, home-baked snacks, local naturalist stories discovering winter wildlife
Availability: Available for booking anytime with a minimum of 1-day notice
Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for most ages and abilities
Price: $70pp / Family Rate $180, includes 2 adults and all immediate children aged 17 and under
Min. # of guests: 2
Meeting location: Wildsight office, 891 2nd Avenue, Fernie, BC
Spend a day snowshoeing in the spectacular Cedar Valley Old Growth Reserve at Island Lake Lodge discovering why grizzly bears choose this spot to slumber.
Inclusions: Snowcat ride to Island Lake Lodge, gourmet lunch indoors at the Lodge, 4-hour guided interpretive tour, snowshoes, hot drinks, and homemade snacks.
Availability: Available weekly, dates vary depending on Island Lake Catskiing Schedule - please call for details. Tour typically departs at 9am.
Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for most ages and abilities
Price: From $140pp
Min. # of guests: 4
Meeting location: Island Lake Lodge parking lot, end of Mt Fernie Provincial Park Rd. Transportation can be arranged if necessary.
About Wildsight:
Wild Nature Tours is a program of the Elk Valley, Golden, and Invermere Branches of Wildsight. Wildsight works to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable human communities in Canada's Southern Rocky Mountain eco-region.
Wild Nature Tours guests contribute to Wildsight, our local conservation group working locally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities. In 2014, Wildsight got 5336 kids outside connecting to nature through education in the wild programs; operates the Fernie Eco garden; books fruit harvest equipment keeping wildlife safe; sponsors the annual Earth Day festival and Think Tank Cinemas. Wildsight also works in furthering a north-south wildlife management area in the Flathead and Elk Valleys to ensure connectivity corridors for wide-ranging carnivores.
