Banff vs Fernie
Banff vs Fernie compared side by side: 160 km vs 142 km of slopes, 26 vs 10 lifts, top elevation 2,730 m vs 2,134 m. See which resort suits you.
| Statistic |
 Banff
Canada
|
Fernie
Canada
|
|---|---|---|
| Total slopes | 160 km ▲ | 142 km |
| Easy (blue) slopes | 40 km | 42 km ▲ |
| Intermediate (red) slopes | 80 km ▲ | 58 km |
| Expert (black) slopes | 40 km | 42 km ▲ |
| Share of easy slopes | 25% | 30% ▲ |
| Ski lifts | 26 ▲ | 10 |
| Snow parks | 3 | – |
| Base elevation | 1,635 m ▲ | 1,068 m |
| Top elevation | 2,730 m ▲ | 2,134 m |
| Vertical drop | 1,095 m ▲ | 1,066 m |
| Season | November – May | December – April |
| Ski area | SkiBig3 | Fernie Alpine Resort |
| Known for | Scenic views · Snow-sure · Traditional charm | Traditional charm · Off-piste · Scenic views |
The verdict
- Banff is the bigger ski area with 160 km of slopes versus 142 km (a similar size).
- Banff goes higher: its top station is at 2,730 m compared with 2,134 m, which usually means more reliable snow late in the season.
- For beginners, Fernie has the friendlier terrain mix with 30% easy slopes (42 km).
- Expert skiers get more black runs in Fernie: 42 km of expert slopes.
- Banff has the larger lift network with 26 lifts.
Banff vs Fernie: quick answers
Banff is bigger with 160 km of marked slopes, compared with 142 km.
Banff has the higher top station at 2,730 m versus 2,134 m.
Fernie is the friendlier choice for beginners: 30% of its slopes are easy blue runs (42 km), versus 25% in Banff.