The decision to shift away from a golf resort to a mountain community has been a big hit with buyers as Parastone Developments today announced its first stage of 20 home sites at Montane, Fernie sold out within three months.

Montane is a new master planned residential and recreational community located a few minutes walk from the city’s historic downtown. Originally designed as a golf resort, which never came to fruition, by its previous owner, the Montane lands remained undeveloped for 10 years as development leapfrogged over the parcel.

In a mountain ski town that attracts active outdoor enthusiasts, Montane is now following a community-oriented approach and expanding popular natural amenities, including an already existing trail network.

“We wanted to tap into local pursuits, which in Fernie is skiing and mountain biking,” says Simon Howse, general manager of Parastone Developments and investor in Montane “Canadians are playing less golf than they used to and there are several world class golf courses in the area, already. The speed at which Stage One sold out is evidence there is a strong demand for mountain living with the amenities of a city.”

The approach is working well in a town that, according to Tourism Fernie, doubles in population from 4,415 in the winter months due to the seasonal staff and visitors that come for the multitude of activities available. Fernie Alpine Resort is a skier’s and snowboarder’s dream featuring more than 2,504 acres of varied terrain and five alpine bowls – the most in North America.

“Winter in Fernie is a magical and wonderful time. With its authentic small town and
the big mountain adventures it’s the perfect place to start creating family memories,” says Matt Mosteller, senior vice president, marketing, sales and resort experience of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, operator of Fernie Alpine Resort, “The ski resort currently has some of deepest total snowfall
in North America and people are really drawn to the consistent snow, the immense variety of
terrain and largest vertical in the Canadian Rockies.”

The ski resort and the increase in visitors have a big impact on the Fernie economy and its real estate market. The strength of Fernie’s real estate market is reflected in home sales, which saw a substantial increase in the past year. Home sales recorded through the MLS System of the Kootenay Real Estate Board numbered 127 units in December 2014, up 16.5 per cent compared to December 2013.

Howse continues, “Another thing that makes Fernie unique is its history and character. We’re keeping the ‘Old Barn’ to function as a community gathering place and extending the popular existing trail network. Strong demand from buyers, locals and Albertans alike, indicate there is support for our Fernie First approach.”

Appealing to an active community, Montane residents will have direct access to Fernie’s downtown via pedestrian walking trails and bike paths, within 100 meters of every home. Parastone is now planning the release of the second stage of home sites and will be announcing more details in February.

According to Statistics Canada, there are 1.5 million golfers in Canada and an estimated 2,400 golf courses. This corresponds to one course for every 625 players or 14,500 Canadians, which is among the highest number per capita in the world. The decline in Canada’s golf industry is further affirmed by a study by the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) that found that the number of rounds played on the average Canadian course has dropped 10 per cent over the past five years. The declining interest is attributed to the time commitment required and the increase in cost of equipment and course prices.

Rolling Stone magazine dubbed Fernie the “Coolest Town in North America” and Outside magazine ranked it among its “Top 20 Dream Towns.”

Lead image: Interested parties study plans for Fernie’s new sustainable community in Fernie. Photo by Wendy Howse

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