Mountain bikes on a tailgate in front of Fernie Brewing Co.
more news to come on the 2024 season + OFFICIAL launch date!
Group of bikers at summit of Project 9 trail in Fernie BC.
what is trail to ale™?
FIND OUT ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
FBC’s Trail to Ale™ Challenge is a popular and fun, mountain and beer-filled Fernie adventure. And, while a tough day on the trails awaits, the views, glory and cold beer is worth every stroke or step.
The Challenge consists of bagging three peaks, on bike or foot in any order, within a 24hr period. Open to bikers, runners or hikers, you have to get to the top of Hyperventilation, Project 9 and Swine Flu, within the 24hr time limit.
Of course you have to ‘prove it’ with timestamped selfies, so be sure to snap a shot when you start, then at the 3 Trail to Ale™ on-trail signs, as well as at the Brewery upon finishing. Once the 5 pieces of photographic evidence has been shared with the Tasting Room team, you will be rewarded with a cold beer and a brand new #TrailToAleFernie2024 sticker. The purchase of (more) salty nuts, is optional.
THE ROUTE
The 3 peaks may be completed in any order, and you may start wherever and whenever you wish. However, you must finish at Fernie Brewing Co., within a 24hr period – and have all 5 timestamped pictures ready to show the Tasting Room crew. Expect your total bike, run or hike to be around 40km and 1,200m ascent, depending on what route you take.
Five men looking out from viewpoint with mountain bikes in the foreground.
know before you go
OUR RULES
- There’s no charge to take part, but we ask all participants to purchase a 2024 Fernie Trails Pass, from the Fernie Trails Alliance – for the safety of both the participant and landowners – via the link below.
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The peaks can be accomplished in any order, but challengers must bike or run the whole way, from start to finish – if hiking, you are allowed to drive to the trail heads.
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Your photos need to be timestamped – this includes the 3 (or 4) peaks + start + finish – include all Challengers, and all the Trail to Ale™ signs.
- Once you’ve finished at the Brewery, show your time stamped photos to our Tasting Room team, and you will be rewarded with a beer and a #TrailToAleFernie2024 sticker!
DON’T FORGET THE SHIRT!
Trail to Ale™ Merch available in our store, or online.
A perfect addition to your FREE beer + 2024 sticker.
PLAY SMART. PLAY SAFE.
Fernie Brewing Co. assumes no liability for individuals participating in the Trail to Ale™ Challenge. Before you go, please have a read of the below, and ensure this challenge is the challenge for you…
Please ensure this is within your capabilities. Participate at your own risk.
Be aware of early season hazards, as well as trees down at any time of the season.
We highly recommend you do this with a friend, but if you’re going solo, always let a friend know where you’re going and when you’re expected to be back
Fernie is in wildlife country – be animal smart and know what to do if you encounter animals. For more information on how to stay safe, head to Wildsafe BC.
We’ve had a number of (very capable) teens participate in this challenge – if this is in their wheelhouse, they are more than welcome – and shall be rewarded with a cold non-alcoholic beverage!
Know where to go! Download Trailforks so you have a map and can check the status/condition of all trails before you go. Please respect the trails.
Fernie was awesome.
On faisait le trail to Ale Challenge qui consiste à faire trois sommets en 24h, une bonne façon de découvrir quelques trails de mtn bike et d’avoir une bière gratuite!
Première journée:
– Hyperventilation (3.8km, 469m d’ascension) : définitivement on a eu chaud. Le loop était d’environ une douzaine de km au final, avec beaucoup de switch back trop tight, mais des belles vues sur la ville et les montagnes. La descente était relativement technique au début avec beaucoup de racine!
– Swine flue (6.5km, 209m d’ascension), la montée n’était pas si technique, mais assez raide! J’ai fait pas mal de marche, heureusement la descente était super.
Deuxième journée
– Project 9 (5.5km, 280m d’ascension), encore une fois, c’était assez abrupte comme montée. La descente était assez technique au début aussi avec beaucoup de racine, mais après quelques minutes la trail était plus smooth.
We got lucky cause Nicholas was running the lone wolf race at the same place so we were able to cheer him up a little bit. I’m so impressed this human.
We finished that with a good burger and a beer 🤙🏼
Trail to Ale Fernie 🍻: There’re a handful of things I will do for a free beer… pedalling all day around Fernie is for sure one of them!!!
Always feels like a home away from home visiting Fernie folks and the bike-mindedness is RAD! The ladies and dudes shred!!! Never had more fun riding wicked single-track trails blind and getting lost to enjoy a free earned Ale ferniebrewingco All the love!!
#kootrocks #mtblife #bikemindedpeople #yourvibeattractsyourtribe #ferniestoke #trailtoalefernie #project9 #hyperextension #swineflu
This is my favorite photo from Fernie’s Trail to Ale. Taken on our third high point: Swine Flu. I’m sitting down…tired legs!
43 km 1400m climbing makes for a big day. Our route had it all…beautiful trails, road running and even some unplanned bushwhacking!
The cool thing about this adventure is you can mountain bike, hike or run. Jacquie and I ran, and Jason biked. We earned a free beer and sticker at the end.
ferniebrewingco
#trailtoalefernie
#ferniestoke
