Island Lake Lodge

The 2027

Island Lake LodgeAnnual Owners’ Retreat

February 4–7, 2027Fernie, British Columbia

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Hosted by Chad Byers, Blake Byers and Ryan Petersen Co-owners, Island Lake Lodge
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Registration Form

February 4–7, 2027 at Island Lake Lodge, Fernie, British Columbia. Questions first? See the FAQ.

Attendance
Can you attend?Required
About you
On the mountain
Ski or snowboard?Required
Ski / snowboard levelRequired

Strong intermediate is the minimum: in control at a steady pace on any terrain, comfortable in variable snow, fit for consecutive full days. Definitions are in the FAQ.

Emergency & health
Optional
Would you be interested in sharing the cost of a private charter and being connected with other interested guests to coordinate?

Your response goes directly to the hosts. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about logistics or travel before responding.

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Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about the trip and the lodge. We’ll follow up by email with more details as we get closer to February.

How do I get to Island Lake Lodge?+

Plan to arrive at the lodge’s lower lot (4330 Mt Fernie Park Rd, Fernie, BC) no later than 5:00pm on Thursday, February 4. The lodge staff will meet you there and take you to the lodge by snowcat, about 30 minutes through the Cedar Valley. On Sunday, the snowcat brings everyone back down to the lower lot around midday for departures.

Nearest airports

Cranbrook, British Columbia (YXC)
About 1 hour from the lodge. Closest airport, but fewer nonstop commercial options; most connections run through Calgary or Vancouver.
Kalispell, Montana (FCA)
About 1 hour 45 minutes from the lodge. Usually the easiest commercial option from the US.
Calgary, Alberta (YYC)
About 3–4 hours from the lodge. The biggest hub, with the most nonstop flights, and a scenic drive south through the Rockies.

Private flights

Private flight options may be available; we’ll send updates as details are finalized, but please plan on commercial flights as a backup. If you’re arranging your own private charter flight, please plan on Cranbrook (YXC): it has customs for arrivals from the US, FBO services, and is about an hour’s drive from the lodge. Let us know if you’re flying private and whether you’d like to be connected with other guests interested in sharing a charter.

Ground transportation

Transportation to and from the lodge isn’t included in the trip cost. We highly recommend Resort Tours, who run private shuttles from Cranbrook, Kalispell and Calgary straight to the Island Lake lower lot and are familiar with the pickup timing. Rental cars are available at all three airports; if you drive, turn north off Highway 3 at the Island Lake sign about 2km west of Fernie and follow the road to the parking lot.

Book a shuttle with Resort Tours

Running late?

The snowcat leaves the lower lot at 5:00pm. The lodge charges per person for early, late or alternative pickups, so please tell us as soon as possible if your plans change or you might miss the 5:00pm departure.

What’s included?+

The trip covers your room, all meals from Thursday dinner through Sunday, guided catskiing or snowboarding, and powder ski or snowboard rentals. Rates are approximately $8,400–$9,525 CAD per person. Taxes, gratuities, spa treatments and travel to and from the lodge are not included.

What level of skier or snowboarder do I need to be?+

Expect a mix of open bowls and gladed tree runs. Conditions vary and won’t always be soft, so you should be a strong intermediate at minimum: able to ski or ride in control at a steady pace on any terrain, comfortable in a range of snow conditions, and fit enough for consecutive full days on the mountain.

You’ll be asked for your level on the registration form. As a rough guide:

Expert
You’ll ski or ride anything, fast, all day. Deep snow, tight trees, steep pitches and small airs are what you’re hoping for.
Advanced
You regularly ski or ride advanced terrain and seek out deeper snow. You don’t need to be the fastest, but you’re fit for full days and comfortable with small drops.
Strong intermediate
You can handle advanced terrain in control at a steady pace, have some experience in powder, and are fit enough for several full days in a row.

Not sure where you land? Reach out and we’ll help you figure it out.

What’s a typical day like?+

The lodge sits at about 4,600 feet and the skiing tops out near 7,000 feet, across bowls, tree runs and rolling slopes on a range of aspects. Groups usually get in around 12 runs and 12,000–15,000 vertical feet a day, depending on ability.

Breakfast is served starting at 7am in the Tamarack Dining Room. You’ll be on the mountain from roughly 9am to 4pm, then après in the Bear Lodge bar, massage appointments for those who booked, and dinner at 7:30pm.

What will the weather be like?+

Early February is typically the most consistent stretch of the season in Fernie. In town, average January temperatures run from about 14°F overnight to 27°F in the afternoon, and February from about 17°F to 33°F. Expect it to be several degrees colder on the mountain, so pack for the teens and low 20s. Mountain weather can change overnight, and the guides are used to delivering a great day in whatever conditions show up.

What do I need to bring?+

Bring your own ski or snowboard boots (the lodge doesn’t supply these), warm layers and outerwear, a helmet, goggles, a small day pack, sunscreen, a bathing suit for the saunas, snow boots and slippers for around the lodge, and a camera if you like.

Powder skis, snowboards and poles are included in the trip and available at the lodge:

Skis

  • Volkl Revolt 114 — big-mountain ski for fast, wide turns
  • DPS Pagoda Lotus 117 — all-round powder ski, quick and responsive
  • Volkl Blaze 106/114 — light, forgiving freeride ski, great in trees
  • Salomon QST Blank 112 — stable, versatile, strong in soft snow
  • Salomon QST Stella 106 (women’s) — light, easy-steering powder ski

Snowboards

  • Jones Hovercraft 2.0 — nimble freeride board
  • Jones Stratos — hybrid all-mountain
  • Jones Mind Expander — playful, directional, floats well
  • Sickstick — do-it-all powder board
  • Super8 — backseat camber built for powder
  • Pillow Talk (women’s) — powder board that rides everything
Meals+

All meals are included, starting with dinner on Thursday night (7:00pm). Please include any allergies or dietary restrictions on your registration form so we can let the lodge know ahead of your stay.

Internet+

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodges.

The spa+

Massage after a day in deep snow is highly recommended. The spa has four treatment rooms and offers 50-minute relaxation and deep-tissue massages each ski day at 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Slots are limited, so book before you arrive.

Book a spa appointment

Or call the lodge at 250-423-3700.

Still have a question? Reply to your invitation email and we’ll help.

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