Festival
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Neon, spandex, classic tunes and good times await at Fernie Alpine Resort during Retro Days!
Slash, splash and dance at Fernival, Fernie's epic ski season-ender
Sage McBride, FestivalSeekers correspondent and lead singer of one of Canada's leading stoke folk bands, Shred Kelly, introduces you to the awesome spring vibes at Fernival, in her hometown of Fernie, BC.
Fernie, BC One of Canada’s most beloved ski, music and snow sport culture festivals returns to Fernie Alpine Resort, April 11-12, 2026. For nearly two decades, Fernival has united lovers of skiing and music, becoming synonymous with good times, great hangs, goggle tans, BBQ’s, beer gardens, and dancing in the sun with your friends!
The whole community comes together to celebrate an epic season with a party that can only happen at the base of a mountain, in Fernie BC.
Photo:
Tourism Fernie
View of the main stage for Fernival, as seen from the Griz Bar, with views of the mountain at Fernie behind.
“Fernival closes out the season with a bang,” says Rachel Behan of the incredible Hark Raving Sirens, playing on the Saturday of Fernival.
”It feels like a celebration of winter winding down and the rejuvenating days ahead. Looking into the crowd and seeing shiny, happy faces—playing locally means spotting your besties, your doctor, and your favourite bartender!”
This year, my band Shred Kelly will be playing the main stage on Saturday afternoon, which got me digging into when I first attended Fernival. While reminiscing, I revisited some of the iconic Canadian bands that have graced the festival over the years—54‑40, Wide Mouth Mason, Trooper, Sloan, Elliott Brood.
Shred Kelly (with Sage, second from right) follows in a long line of great Canadian musical acts to headline Fernival.
Then I stumbled across a 2009 Fernival video and "Home For a Rest" by the one and only Spirit of the West was providing the joyful, foot-stompin’ soundtrack to the rowdy beer gardens.
The footage flooded me with memories: longtime friends, dancing and jumping along to that celebratory Canadiana music.
Photo:
courtesy Tourism Fernie
That same summer, we officially started Shred Kelly, and I can’t help but think some of our original inspiration came from that very dance floor back in '09. We can’t wait to bring that same energy back this year!
And Fernival—presented by Corona and Banded Peak—isn’t just about the music. In addition to live music with Liquid Silence on Sunday.
Photo:
Tourism Fernie
Pondskimmer in costume at the Raging Elk Slope Soaker.
It also brings the Raging Elk Slope Soaker which is the ultimate way to end the season! Skimming across a frigid pond in an out-of-this-world costume while the entire town cheers you on. There is no bigger thrill!
Celebrate spring at Fernival
with spring skiing, sunny tunes and apres-ski fun in Fernie, BC
“The event really is a bucket list experience that people want to tick off.” says Lucas Cuillton, coordinator and past participant of the Slope Soaker.
“The preparation is a full team effort and we couldn't do it without our incredible team at Fernie Alpine Resort! The anticipation for the event is so fun!”
Photo:
Dave Heath
Fernie in all its glory, set up for spring.
He shared a few Fernival tips for success:
- Wear costumes! "It's great to see what people come up with every year, and it adds to the whole "pool party" vibe of the event."
- Speed is your friend! "Some people try to skim it, some try and make the biggest splash, it's a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure event, and that's what makes it so entertaining."
And of course…
- Don't miss this weekend! "We've been lucky enough to have the most incredible bands come to play, and who doesn't love live music and beer gardens?"
Between the music, the Slope Soaker, the skiing, and the community, it’s a family friendly weekend you won’t want to miss. I, for one, can’t wait to see generations of ski-loving folks enjoying their 18th Fernival, or their very first.
Soaking in the music, the skiing, and even getting soaked in the Slope Soaker as we celebrate the season’s end! Come join us! Looking forward to seeing you on the mountain or the dance floor!
When you go
Fernival is the last weekend of the ski season, Apr 10-12, 2026. From the end of March through mid-April, the town and ski hill are chock full of bands on stage and all kinds of fun on the slopes, including their March 28-29 Retro Weekend featuring The Ultimate Retro Party presented by Banded Peak Brewing.
Stay in Fernie
It’s your choice to stay on mountain or in town; Tourism Fernie will help you get tucked in here.
Event details
Head to Fernie Alpine Resort's website for the full 411 on Fernival 2026 presented by Corona and Banded Peak Brewing. More spring skiing parties are on the menu at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies resorts, including Retro Weekend at Fernie (to kick off the spring scene) and North Star Day at Kimberley.
Getting to Fernie
Given those in Calgary are three hours away from Fernie, making the trek is an easy escape at the end of the work week, coming back Sunday or Monday feeling fired up for spring.
Let us know what you discover, tag @TourismFernie and @FernieAlpineResort in your social posts so they can engage and share your stoke.
