Coal Creek Heritage Society
| Type | Trail Association |
|---|---|
| Activities |
|
| Website |
| Geo | |
|---|---|
| Address |
691 1st Avenue
Fernie,
British Columbia
V0B 1M0
Canada
|
| Associated Group |
CCHS Coal Creek Heritage Society - Regional Admin Group
|
0
Organization Overview
The Coal Creek Heritage Society (CCHS) is a volunteer-driven, registered non-profit organization based in Fernie, British Columbia. Established in 2020, the Society was founded to preserve the rich cultural, historical and environmental heritage of the Coal Creek Valley while securing long-term public access to one of Fernie's most important recreation areas. Today, the Society has evolved into one of the region's leading trail stewardship organizations, responsible for managing, maintaining and developing more than 50 kilometres of year-round multi-use trails across the Fernie Ridge (Ridgemont) and Montane trail networks. The organization combines heritage preservation with modern trail management, creating sustainable recreational opportunities while protecting the area's historic landscapes and natural environment.
Mission
The Society's mission is to secure and protect long-term public access to the Coal Creek area's cultural, historical, environmental and recreational resources while promoting sustainable trail development and responsible environmental stewardship. Through partnerships with landowners, volunteers, businesses and the local community, CCHS works to ensure that residents and visitors alike can enjoy Fernie's renowned trail systems for generations to come.
Trail Stewardship
Coal Creek Heritage Society manages and maintains two of Fernie's premier non-motorized trail systems:
Fernie Ridge (Ridgemont) – A large network of mountain bike, hiking and trail running trails featuring everything from beginner-friendly singletrack to advanced technical descents.
Montane Trail Network – A popular multi-use trail system offering mountain biking, hiking, trail running, adaptive recreation and winter grooming, including the Easy Beaver Adaptive Trail and the Montane Hut.
Together these networks provide more than 50 km of signed trails and attract approximately 80,000 trail visits annually, making them among the most heavily used recreation areas in southeastern British Columbia.
Activities Supported
The Society supports recreation throughout the year, including:
- Mountain biking
- Hiking
- Trail running
- Walking
- Adaptive trail access
- Fat biking
- Nordic touring (ungroomed classic track)
- Snowshoeing
- Environmental education
- Heritage interpretation
- Volunteer trail stewardship
Winter grooming has become one of CCHS's signature programs, providing regularly groomed trails for fat biking, Nordic touring and snowshoeing throughout the snow season.
Stewardship & Community
CCHS relies heavily on volunteers and community partnerships. Volunteers assist with trail construction, annual maintenance, bridge repairs, drainage improvements, vegetation management, signage, winter grooming and new trail development. The Society also organizes community trail days, fundraising events and educational initiatives that celebrate both Fernie's outdoor recreation culture and the historic Coal Creek mining community.
Recent projects have included construction of new trailheads and parking areas, installation of kiosks and interpretive signage, flood recovery work on the Easy Beaver Trail, expansion of the winter grooming program, and development of new mountain bike trails and visitor infrastructure.
Heritage Preservation
Beyond trail management, the Society works to preserve and interpret the history of the Coal Creek mining community, one of the settlements that helped establish Fernie during British Columbia's coal mining era. Through restoration projects, public education and community storytelling, CCHS helps ensure that the area's industrial and cultural heritage remains an integral part of the visitor experience while balancing conservation with modern recreation.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are welcomed throughout the year for trail maintenance, grooming operations, special events, fundraising initiatives, environmental restoration projects and heritage activities. Local riders, hikers, businesses and visitors are encouraged to contribute through volunteer work, memberships and donations that directly support trail maintenance and future development.
The Coal Creek Heritage Society (CCHS) is a volunteer-driven, registered non-profit organization based in Fernie, British Columbia. Established in 2020, the Society was founded to preserve the rich cultural, historical and environmental heritage of the Coal Creek Valley while securing long-term public access to one of Fernie's most important recreation areas. Today, the Society has evolved into one of the region's leading trail stewardship organizations, responsible for managing, maintaining and developing more than 50 kilometres of year-round multi-use trails across the Fernie Ridge (Ridgemont) and Montane trail networks. The organization combines heritage preservation with modern trail management, creating sustainable recreational opportunities while protecting the area's historic landscapes and natural environment.
Mission
The Society's mission is to secure and protect long-term public access to the Coal Creek area's cultural, historical, environmental and recreational resources while promoting sustainable trail development and responsible environmental stewardship. Through partnerships with landowners, volunteers, businesses and the local community, CCHS works to ensure that residents and visitors alike can enjoy Fernie's renowned trail systems for generations to come.
Trail Stewardship
Coal Creek Heritage Society manages and maintains two of Fernie's premier non-motorized trail systems:
Fernie Ridge (Ridgemont) – A large network of mountain bike, hiking and trail running trails featuring everything from beginner-friendly singletrack to advanced technical descents.
Montane Trail Network – A popular multi-use trail system offering mountain biking, hiking, trail running, adaptive recreation and winter grooming, including the Easy Beaver Adaptive Trail and the Montane Hut.
Together these networks provide more than 50 km of signed trails and attract approximately 80,000 trail visits annually, making them among the most heavily used recreation areas in southeastern British Columbia.
Activities Supported
The Society supports recreation throughout the year, including:
- Mountain biking
- Hiking
- Trail running
- Walking
- Adaptive trail access
- Fat biking
- Nordic touring (ungroomed classic track)
- Snowshoeing
- Environmental education
- Heritage interpretation
- Volunteer trail stewardship
Winter grooming has become one of CCHS's signature programs, providing regularly groomed trails for fat biking, Nordic touring and snowshoeing throughout the snow season.
Stewardship & Community
CCHS relies heavily on volunteers and community partnerships. Volunteers assist with trail construction, annual maintenance, bridge repairs, drainage improvements, vegetation management, signage, winter grooming and new trail development. The Society also organizes community trail days, fundraising events and educational initiatives that celebrate both Fernie's outdoor recreation culture and the historic Coal Creek mining community.
Recent projects have included construction of new trailheads and parking areas, installation of kiosks and interpretive signage, flood recovery work on the Easy Beaver Trail, expansion of the winter grooming program, and development of new mountain bike trails and visitor infrastructure.
Heritage Preservation
Beyond trail management, the Society works to preserve and interpret the history of the Coal Creek mining community, one of the settlements that helped establish Fernie during British Columbia's coal mining era. Through restoration projects, public education and community storytelling, CCHS helps ensure that the area's industrial and cultural heritage remains an integral part of the visitor experience while balancing conservation with modern recreation.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are welcomed throughout the year for trail maintenance, grooming operations, special events, fundraising initiatives, environmental restoration projects and heritage activities. Local riders, hikers, businesses and visitors are encouraged to contribute through volunteer work, memberships and donations that directly support trail maintenance and future development.
Riding Areas
| name | trails | total descent | highest trail | total distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernie Ridge | 14 | -2,182 ft | 4,606 ft | 20 miles |
| Montane Fernie | 30 | -2,846 ft | 3,908 ft | 17 miles |
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