Fernie Wilderness Adventures - East Kootenay A

Waist Deep in History : Since 1986

Experience, knowledge and skill are assets in life and in business that money cannot buy. Kim and Deb Serovic, the owners and creators of Fernie Wilderness Adventures, certainly possess these. Kim has lived in the Elk Valley all his life. He has gained knowledge and experience of the area by cat skiing the local mountains and fishing the rivers and streams all around the area. He was also the Elk River’s first licensed angling guide. His apparent love for the area is passed along to the clients he serves. Deb manages her time in the office; this has allowed the company to retain the small family-owned quality that guests and staff appreciate.

Our History

FWA was established in 1986 with their optimistic entrepreneurial spirit  and was the first licensed fishing outfitter in the Elk Valley. FWA started as a modest operation with Kim offering fishing tours on his days off from his  full time job. 1995 turned out to be an eventful year for Kim and Deb as they decided to concentrate all of their energy on FWA and resigned from their other employment. This was also the year that the famous cat skiing operation got its start. It was a modest start with the purchase of a 1960 snowcat that could hold only three guests. In the later part of the year tragedy struck when Kim drove up to see only glowing embers where the lodge and bunkhouses once stood. The community and their loved ones came together and a beautiful, new, rustic cabin was built.

As word traveled of the incredible adventures experienced with FWA, their bookings boomed. To accommodate the new snow cat skiing clients a Bombardier snow cat and two brand new Mckenzie River drift boats were purchased. Additional staff was hired to continue Kim and Deb’s original vision for FWA. To keep up with the expanding competition of fly fishing in 2000, FWA became an “Orvis Endorsed Operation”.

In the last eight years, two more Bombardier snow cats were purchased to serve the growth of clients from the original 50 to over 1,800 snow cat skiers today.  Cat skiing in Fernie for snowboarders and skiers alike to enjoy a guided snow cat skiing experience is a must at least once….for only $550 as we say… you will get a whole new perspective on life.

Read about our commitment to protecting the environment here.