Every year in Fernie, visitors and locals alike praise the Griz with a huge winter festival, and this year from February 27th to March 1st, the town is even more excited to coax Griz to come out and play. This year’s Griz Days Winter Festival will feature a host of fun events that will delight everyone big and small.

Griz Days celebrates the legendary man called the Griz. According to Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano, the legend goes way back. “Griz was born in a bear cave, and the people of the area could hear a commotion, but they were too afraid to go up and see. Finally, a young boy emerged, wearing a bear coat and hat — he had won over a bear. The legend began. He grew to be a man with shoulders six feet wide and carried a musket. He would shoot the musket into the sky, bringing the world-class snow to the mountains for people to enjoy.”

Park Place Lodge Griz Days

The Pub – Street Hockey Tournament – Beer Gardens & BBQ

Two of our favorite Griz Days events are the Pub Bar & Grill’s Classic Canadian Street Hockey Tournament held on Saturday and the Fernie Alpine Resort Dummy Downhill held on Sunday. Both events are a popular affair with spectators so even if you don’t plan to participate, you can still come out and cheer on the participants.

For more information on all of the Griz Days happenings, visit the Tourism Fernie website or the Griz Days Facebook page.

If you are still thinking about planning a visit to Fernie on Griz Days weekend, check out the great Spring Vacation Specials we are currently featuring.