2016 Singletrack 6 - Santa Cruz Stage 2: Fernie route

*Elevation data may be highly variable by device or mapping platform, as different software may use various data sources and calculation methods. Our total elevation gain for the stage is a middle estimate based on readings from multiple devices.

Moving to the west side of the valley, Stage 2 highlights mostly classic, and some new singletrack in and around Fernie Alpine Resort, Island Lake Lodge and Mount Fernie Provincial Park. While some trails had been used for the TransRockies Challenge as recently as 2013, the overall layout is new for Singletrack 6 and focuses on the best mix of trails. Fernie riding is characteristically steep, so expect some lung and leg busting climbs followed by fast, sustained descents. Stage 2 will both challenge and delight most riders.

The stage starts in the plaza at Fernie Alpine Resort and climbs access roads up the face of the ski hill for the first 4 km, climbing 200 m. Then riders drop into the Lizard Creek valley via ‘Snakebite’ trail before starting to climb once again, fording Lizard Creek. A moderate but bumpy climb up the old ‘rail trail’ and a short steep pitch will bring you up to the new ‘Lazy Lizard’ trail. Built and maintained by Island Lake Lodge, Lazy Lizard is a new multi-directional trail that promises big smiles as riders cruise down the valley en route to the third major climb.

Perhaps the biggest climb of the day, riders will head up the slopes of Mount Fernie to the ‘Project 9’ trail; a namesake of Fernie Brewing Company’s Project 9 Pilsner. The grade steepens as the trail reaches the summit, challenging riders to keep the pedals turning. From the top of the Project 9 trail, riders will enter the timed descent portion of the day, dropping over 200 meters in 2.5 km. This is a classic sustained Fernie descent full of berms and small drops, with multiple line choices.

Moving to the west side of the valley, Stage 2 highlights mostly classic, and some new singletrack in and around Fernie Alpine Resort, Island Lake Lodge and Mount Fernie Provincial Park. While some trails had been used for the TransRockies Challenge as recently as 2013, the overall layout is new for Singletrack 6 and focuses on the best mix of trails. Fernie riding is characteristically steep, so expect some lung and leg busting climbs followed by fast, sustained descents. Stage 2 will both challenge and delight most riders.

The stage starts in the plaza at Fernie Alpine Resort and climbs access roads up the face of the ski hill for the first 4 km, climbing 200 m. Then riders drop into the Lizard Creek valley via 'Snakebite' trail before starting to climb once again, fording Lizard Creek. A moderate but bumpy climb up the old 'rail trail' and a short steep pitch will bring you up to the new 'Lazy Lizard' trail. Built and maintained by Island Lake Lodge, Lazy Lizard is a new multi-directional trail that promises big smiles as riders cruise down the valley en route to the third major climb.

Perhaps the biggest climb of the day, riders will head up the slopes of Mount Fernie to the 'Project 9' trail; a namesake of Fernie Brewing Company's Project 9 Pilsner. The grade steepens as the trail reaches the summit, challenging riders to keep the pedals turning. From the top of the Project 9 trail, riders will enter the timed descent portion of the day, dropping over 200 meters in 2.5 km. This is a classic sustained Fernie descent full of berms and small drops, with multiple line choices.

From the bottom of P9, riders will hang a sharp left back onto “Lazy Lizard” and a brand new section of trail leading to the next climb, up the ‘Stove’ trail. Moderate climbing on singletrack will again ascend over 200 meters, and then descends on ‘Dem Bones’ to once again cross Lizard Creek, this time via a bridge. From there, riders will start the final climb back through the old growth forest towards the ski area. A final descent on Fernie Alpine Resort singletrack will bring riders back to the finish line in the plaza.