Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia, is searching for a featured local artist to capture the ski area’s identity for the upcoming Winter 2026–27 season. If you live in the area and have an eye for visuals, you have an opportunity to leave your mark on the mountain.
Tucked into the rugged Lizard Range of the Canadian Rockies, Fernie is legendary for its 29 feet (884 cm) of average annual snowfall and five spectacularly steep bowls. Its laid-back mountain town vibe rejects a shiny veneer in favor of authenticity. It is a world-class destination that manages to feel like a hidden local secret, attracting skiers and riders who live for deep snow and dramatic terrain.
For a visual artist, Fernie offers a dreamlike scene that is easy to picture: riding untouched, waist-deep champagne powder for hours. My day at Fernie a few years ago easily ranks as one of the best I’ve ever had on a snowboard — top 10, for sure. It is a special mountain, and this is an amazing opportunity for a local artist to capture its magic.
Applications must be submitted online before the deadline on September 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. This program gives an Elk Valley creator the chance to interpret one of B.C.’s most distinctive ski communities for a global audience. Locals repping their home turf and visitors looking for a core souvenir will be carrying a genuine piece of Fernie’s creative spirit with them.
Trending on SnowBrains
.sb-trending-widget {
background: #f8f8f8;
border-top: 2px solid #e0e0e0;
border-left: 4px solid #ea2e49;
border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;
margin: 28px 0;
padding: 14px 14px 6px;
width: 100%;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-trending-header {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
padding-bottom: 10px;
border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
}
.sb-trending-icon {
font-size: 18px;
line-height: 1;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-label {
font-size: 15px;
font-weight: 700;
color: #1a1a1a;
line-height: 1.3;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.04em;
}
.sb-trending-list {
list-style: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
.sb-trending-item {
border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e8e8;
padding: 9px 0;
border-radius: 3px;
transition: background 0.1s;
}
.sb-trending-item:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
padding-bottom: 4px;
}
.sb-trending-item:active {
background: #fef0f2;
}
.sb-trending-link {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 10px;
text-decoration: none;
color: inherit;
padding: 2px 4px;
}
.sb-trending-thumb {
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-thumb img {
display: block;
width: 80px;
height: 64px;
object-fit: cover;
border-radius: 3px;
}
.sb-trending-text {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
flex: 1;
min-width: 0;
}
.sb-trending-num {
font-size: 22px;
font-weight: 700;
color: #ea2e49;
line-height: 1;
min-width: 22px;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-right {
flex: 1;
min-width: 0;
}
.sb-trending-title {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: 500;
color: #1a1a1a;
line-height: 1.45;
text-align: left;
transition: color 0.15s;
display: inline;
}
.sb-trending-arrow {
font-size: 14px;
color: #ea2e49;
font-weight: 700;
white-space: nowrap;
display: inline;
}
.sb-trending-link:hover .sb-trending-title {
color: #ea2e49;
}
.sb-trending-link:active .sb-trending-title {
color: #ea2e49;
}
Submission Requirements
Fernie wants to know who you are and what you plan to create. Submissions must include your contact details, a short bio, and a statement explaining your interest in the program. From there, you just need to share links to your past work alongside a quick pitch or rough sketch of your design concept.
The final selected artwork must meet a few technical requirements. The design must follow a strict three-color limit for apparel screen-printing, be delivered as a vector file once chosen, and clearly depict Fernie Alpine Resort rather than a general regional landscape. The opportunity is only open to residents of the Elk Valley (Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Elko, Jaffray, or Grasmere). Applicants under 19 can submit with parental or guardian consent.
The Perks
- CAD 750 (USD 540) artist honorarium
- Dedicated gallery wall inside the Slopeside Café all winter
- Custom artist profile on the official Fernie website
- Social media promotion across the resort’s marketing channels
- Two free limited-edition t-shirts featuring your final design
The Timeline
- September 15, 2026: Submissions close
- September 23, 2026: Winner selected
- October 13, 2026: Final vector artwork deadline
- Opening Day: Merchandise launch at the resort
Ready to drop your concept? Head over to the official Fernie Alpine Resort Application Page to submit your entry. For more details on the program background, check out the Fernie Featured Artist Blog.