Mountain bikes on a tailgate in front of Fernie Brewing Co.
it’s officially the end of the 2023 season! cheers to the many Trail to ale’ers who crushed p9, hypervent and Swine flu and the super-keeners who thought that wasn’t hard enough and bagged s’bomb too.
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 #TrailToAleFernie2023 sticker. The purchase of (more) salty nuts, is optional.
Not challenging enough? To celebrate our 20th anniversary in true Fernie fashion, we’re adding a bonus peak to the Trail to Ale™ Challenge for the 2023 season: S*Bomb. If you choose to add this into your day, you’ll be entered into a draw for a grand end-of-season prize.
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.
CELEBRATING FBC’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY
T2A BONUS PEAK
For the folks who think Trail to Ale™ isn’t hard enough, we’ve got a challenge for you. To celebrate our 20th anniversary in true Fernie fashion, we’re adding a bonus peak to the Trail to Ale™ Challenge for the 2023 season: S*Bomb.
Anyone who successfully bags S*Bomb within the same 24-hour period as Hyperventilation, Project 9, and Swine Flu and can prove it will be entered into a draw for a grand end-of-season prize.
And, don’t worry, the cold beer and #TrailtoAleFernie2023 sticker is still yours at the end. Along with a little extra kudos.
Head’s up! We don’t suggest taking Stupid Traverse or Stumpy, instead take S*Bomb down, before heading on over to P9.
A person holding a Trail to Ale 2023 sticker with a mountain view in the background.
know before you go
OUR RULES
- There’s no charge to take part, but we ask all participants to purchase a 2023 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 #TrailToAleFernie2023 sticker!
DON’T FORGET THE SHIRT!
Trail to Ale™ Merch available in our store, or online.
A perfect addition to your FREE beer + 2023 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.
Things look a little different in winter, there often much tougher. Took on Fernie Favourite Bike Challenge yesterday on the Fatbike. FBC Trail to Ale. Officials ended for the year & there was no free beer at the end of my journey. I’m still pleased with my effort, a stunning day in the mountains. Only p9 climb put up a struggle, the snowpack kept collapsing under wheel & foot, only solution was bike carrying, fatty is heavy, luckily on the DH the snow was firm and sporty in the trees. Tired I reached the top of hyper expectations of a brutal decent, instead reward with the best run of the day, down a 10” tire track that flowed down the mountain.
#ferniefatbike #ferniestoke #fatbike #rockymountainbikes #winterbiking #elkvalley #trailtoalefernie
