What the Brush!
The annual Brushing Program for the Fernie Ski Resort is having a very successful summer. The cooler weather and lower Fire Danger ratings have allowed the crew to keep working through the dog days of summer without restrictions due to Fire Danger. The crew this summer has also been doubled to allow us to catch up a little on the past couple seasons where High Fire Danger has shut us down or limited our progress. The crews have been hard at work in many areas across the mountain.
New line down the North Boundry – Steep & Deep!
There has been a new line cut down Snake Ridge as well as cleaning a new line down the North Boundary for those that are looking for the Steep and Deep that Fernie is famous for.
Additionally, we have been working on core areas on the Lizard Side that focusses on terrain that is open at 9 am on most big snow days. The Sunny Side has had a new haircut that extends down onto the China Wall and old Griz Lift line that will provide some early deep turns on those Pow Days.
Boomerang and Boom Ridge has received another mow and will be prime for early season riding providing steep turns right out of the gate.
New Side lovers will also see some changes to the lines in the Alpha Centauries and Currie Chutes areas as well as the lower elevations of the Big Three as we cleaned up the exits from those thigh-burning runs. In addition, core areas around the Timber Bowl, Surprise, Black Cloud have all been touched.
Our Summer Mower Cat was rebuilt from a repurposed Snowcat this Spring and will be out in anger this fall to mow many of our main runs including all our beginner terrain on the lower mountain and runs where all the rocks and obstacles have been removed such as Bear, North Ridge, Kodiak, and many others.
It is a giant mountain, and we have excellent growing conditions. People ask why don’t you just cut it all? Sounds like a good idea but when you are standing at the bottom of Cedar Ridge looking up at acres of 12 foot high Alder, you start to feel pretty small. When you dive into Cedar Ridge early season and have that perfect line top to bottom down the King Fir don’t forget to think about that person that has spent their summer on the end of a saw making that possible.
We are looking forward to an awesome season.
The red highlights the areas that the Brush Program have cleared so far this summer.
Challenge accepted!
There are many things in this world that we take for granted. The way that we move and our freedom to walk, run, ski and bike are undoubtedly some of them.
It’s not so hard.
Want to go skiing? Go.
Want to climb a mountain? Go.
Want to go downhill mountain biking? Go.
I have a question, what if you had no legs? Would the ‘go’ be as easy?
This past Saturday was International Ride MTB Day, and we had the honour of having Mack Adams, a shredder from the Elk Valley, spend the day with us here at Fernie Alpine Resort. Mack is an upbeat guy who is always keen for a chat and, ALWAYS keen to send it on the mountain with his friends.
You wouldn’t guess it to look at him, but Mack is a double amputee who lost both of his legs at ten months old due to a congenital birth defect. He hasn’t let that stop him.
At the age of 12, Mack learnt how to bike, using outriggers (adult training wheels), with the help of Mark Hall, owner of GearHub. He then tried his hand at dirt jumping but found that his true biking passion lay with downhill mountain biking.
So, once again, with the help of Mark from GearHub who loaned him a Rocky Mountain Maiden, on Saturday Mack was back up at our bike park, in the pouring rain, getting his laps in. At one point I asked him if he was doing ok. He answered, “Yeah, but my ankles are starting to hurt.” His friends told me that these kinds of jokes had been flying around all day. His stoke was high, he was having fun, and watching him do his thing was inspiring! What a great way to spend International Ride MTB Day.
Mack has a dream of riding every trail that we have in one weekend, and Fernie Alpine Resort is working with Mack to help him make it happen. He is also a keen basketballer, volleyballer and loves to play his guitar – basically, nothing will stop him once he has set his mind to it.
What a legend.
Adult Mountain Bike Camps/Lessons
Downhill mountain biking in Fernie is exhilarating, and often breathtaking.
The downhill trails here at Fernie Alpine Resort are in prime condition and riding beautifully.
Come and check out what it’s all about, and advance your skills, in one of our mountain bike camps or lessons!
NEW! ADULT CO-ED DOWNHILL CAMPS
Are you comfortable on green & blue trails but want to develop your downhill riding skills? Join us for our new adult co-ed intermediate weekend camps – focusing on progression to more technical descents, roots, rocks, drops, jumps & obstacles. With small group sizes, our certified professional coaches will help take your riding to the next level. Camp includes 10 hrs of coaching over two days, lunch, lift tickets, and bike maintenance session. Ages 18+.
Dates: July 13 & 14 / August 10 & 11 Time: 10am – 4pm. Price: 2 day camp $229 / 1 day camp $139
WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMPS
MTB designed by women for women! These camps are catered to various levels of riding ability and are led by qualified female instructors. Camps include skill sessions, bike maintenance, lift tickets, instructional trail rides and lunch.
Dates: July 13 & 14, 2019 / August 10 & 11, 2019
Time: 10am – 4pm
Price: 2 day camp $229 / 1 day camp $139
MOUNTAIN BIKE PRIVATE LESSONS
For the beginner or hardcore rider — have a lesson tailor-made to suit your skills! Rates are based on 3 people per lesson — price includes instruction only. Lift ticket is required. Participants receive a 20% discount on bike rentals for the day of their private lesson.
DISCOVER MOUNTAIN BIKING
Discover the thrill of Downhill Mountain biking under the expert guidance of one of our bike coaches. Learn the basics and gain confidence! Minimum 3 people per lesson and a maximum of 10 people per lesson. The clinic includes a 3-hour coaching session, 3-hour bike rental and 3-hour lift pass. Rates based per person. For ages 8+.
Days & Times: Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am-1pm
PEAK TO PARK TO PINT BIKE TOUR
Join us for a fun afternoon of biking! Starting from the top of the chairlift at Fernie Alpine Resort, cruising downhill to Mt Fernie Provincial Park and then pedalling through town to enjoy a refreshing sampling of East Kootenay beers! Includes guiding, lift ticket, and post-ride sampler drinks. Guests then have the option to take our complimentary shuttle back to the resort. Minimum 2 participants. Ages 19+.
Fridays & Saturdays
1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Trail Crew Update #2
Tail crew primarily spent this week on the Lizard Lane.
-On Monday, we finished all the machine work and began hand shaping.
-Tuesday & Wednesday were spent dialling in the shapes of features and hand packing.
-After Wednesday night’s rain, we spent Thursday repacking Duff Dynasty, Monorail, Case Closed and began packing on Mr. Berms.
-From Tuesday to Thursday we’ve had a machine in the Aggravated Assault Extension tree island. More info to come on this project over the next week!
Modern problems (no rain) require modern solutions (tapping into the snowmaking to water our shapes)
The final shape of the first feature, we’ve dubbed this one “Swayze”.
Packed and shaped! With more dirt this year everything has gotten a little bigger on the Lizard Lane.
A revamped Monorail gets a second run through.
The last 2 corners on Case Closed about to get some shovel love.
See you on the trails!
Trail Crew 🚵
2019 Trail Update #1
We have lots of exciting work going on at Fernie Alpine Resort this summer!
This year Trail Crew were able to start their work earlier than ever, and it has been very productive.
Our progress so far has included:
- A full rebuild of Monorail and lower Duff Dynasty
- We’ve finished all the machine work and shaping on upper Mr. Berms tree island (carrying on from where we left off last year)
- New squirrel catcher berms on upper Will Power
- The Lizard Lane is underway!
We’ll be doing weekly updates with a few teaser photos.
Machine work beginning on Lizard Lane
More dirt!!!! It’s going to be bigger and better this year!
New entrance to lower Duff Dynasty
Admiring one of the new corners on lower Duff Dynasty
See you on the trails,
Trail Crew
Summer Camps at FAR
Summer is just around the corner, and we’re excited to have three amazing outdoor adventure camps to keep your kids entertained and having fun all day long!
Experienced camp counsellors & bike coaches are ready to fill your child’s day with action-packed adventures and exciting new knowledge that they just can’t wait to share with you!
FireSmart at FAR
On Saturday, 54 community volunteers came out to prune, thin, rake, chop, drag and dump twigs, logs and debris from the high-risk areas of the Thunder Ridge and Highline Drive, neighbourhoods at Fernie Alpine Resort.
What an incredible turnout for FireSmart Day!
Here at FAR we take wildfire safety very seriously. We have been actively working with our local fire department and the local community to take the necessary FireSmart precautions. Becoming FireSmart takes time and coordination with your neighbours, and we are lucky to have wonderful homeowners who take the responsibility seriously and have worked hard to lessen the risk surrounding their homes.
A team of FAR employees collected the piles of debris.
FireSmart is living with & managing
for wildfire on our landscape.
The Fernie Fire Department, who is a driving force and impetus for the FireSmart program in Fernie provided the volunteers with leadership, moral support and tools for the working bee.
It’s incredible to see what a community can do when they come together. The transformation is remarkable!
Thank you to our awesome RCR crew, Robin, Andy, Tyler, Tyler, Paul & Ugo who hauled endless piles of debris to the RCR burn pile.
Thanks also to the sponsors, and those who provided donations to the volunteers, Jason Andreola (Royal LePage), Sandra Goode (ReMax), Fernie Tim Hortons, The Chopstick Truck, FireSmart Canada and The Co-operators.
Timberline Condos will be holding their Work Bee on Saturday, May 25th, so if you are able to help/support, please email us at socialmedia@t.skifernie.com, and we can pass onto the right people.
A huge thank you to the volunteers from Thunder Ridge and Highline Drive. Your hard work is truly appreciated!
If you would like to learn more about wildfire preparedness, you can refer to the FireSmart Canada website which has a wealth of information www.firesmartcanada.ca.
Please, don’t forget to continue to be FireSmart throughout the spring and summer!
- Published in Blog
Emily Brydon Youth Foundation – Legacy Campaign
This March 2,
In the 2018/19 winter season, the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation for the first time received more applicants than its budget allowed. It was a very eye-opening and
We are happy to announce that as of today, we have commitments totalling $500,000 towards the $1 Million
“I am inspired and humbled by the generosity of people and the trust they have in the foundation to ensure youth in the Elk Valley are provided equal opportunity to experience and chase their
The event created excitement and awareness of the campaign and its fresh brand, and what it could mean for the communities of the Elk Valley. Emily, along with the board members at EBYF are ready to grow and evolved to the next level. “Let’s enable new fundraising channels to meet the forever growing demand,” she added.
“The EBYF provides an essential platform to improve the lives and opportunity of youth in the Elk Valley. We are proud supporters!” Jay Zammit, Donor
“All of us at the EBYF are humbled by the generosity of the Fernie community. We are 50% of the way to our goal as we launch the Legacy Campaign. With the support of the Fernie community, we are confident we can meet and exceed our $1 million
“We are very proud to support this great Foundation! The kids in Fernie will now have a vibrant, consistent funding source to help achieve their dreams! Emily’s commitment to Fernie, kids, sports, excellence and community make the EBYF an exciting reality in funding these endeavours. Thanks to Emily and Rosemary for doing so much for Fernie and its kids.”
Andy Cohen, Fernie Alpine Resort
For more information on the campaign or to donate, please visit theEmily Brydon Youth Foundation website.
- Published in Fernie
SheJumps presents Wild Skills Jr Ski Patrol
When Claire Smallwood moved to Fernie last year, she brought with her a passion and drive to initiate opportunities for women and girls in the Elk Valley. In the USA, Claire co-founded SheJumps a non-profit
“What inspires me about my work with SheJumps is the chance to create opportunities for women and children who would normally have none, and to plant the idea that it is possible to live an adventurous and inspiring lifestyle, no matter who you are or where you come from.”
Claire Smallwood, co-founder of SheJumps
On 25th March, Claire teamed up with Fernie Alpine Resort to bring the girls of Fernie the ‘SheJumps presents Wild Skills Jr. Ski Patrol’ event and it was a huge success! 4 professional patrollers, 6 passionate volunteers, and 32 incredibly stoked girls (8-17 years old).
Young girls learnt about mountain safety & First Aid while working with the strong women on Fernie ski patrol. Throughout the day girls were taught a range of outdoor skills that are utilized by ski patrollers to keep them safe on the mountain.
This was the first Jr. Ski Patrol event in Canada. It was exciting to see young girls excited about mountain safety and expose them to positive female role models in the local Fernie community. One participant said, “Today was the best day of my life.” Well, hard to top that!
We are very lucky to have Claire here in Fernie and look forward to working with her to provide ALL women and girls with the spark that will lead to a lifetime of outdoor learning and empowerment.
- Published in Fernie
Mountain Hosts of FAR
They are the first people you see when arriving at the base area of Fernie Alpine Resort. With a smile on their face, and a bright and cheery hello, a Mountain Host is never too far away to hand out advice on what to do, where to ski, where to go for the best nachos in town – anything, they’ve got you.
There are 39 Mountain Hosts currently volunteering at FAR. Often referred to as a ‘dream job’ you will see them all over the mountain just waiting to help out a guest in need. On a busy day, there will be up to 10 Hosts, covering the base area and both sides of the upper mountain. Their role can range from helping to change signboards, assisting people with directions, or providing help down the mountain.
Check out this awesome video on Fernie Alpine Resort Mountain Hosts!
We are very fortunate to have many long-serving Mountain Hosts, 3 have been volunteering for more than 25 years and received a Lifetime Pass here at Fernie. Charlotte is actually in her 31st year of Hosting which is just incredible!
Some fun facts
– The average years of Hosting is 12
– This year we have five 1st year Hosts
– The average age is 68
– The youngest is 49
– The oldest is 84
– We have 17 that are over 70
– 3 Host couples come from the East every year
This year for the Griz Days Parade, our Mountain Hosts, in uniform, acted as parade marshals which earned them lots of thanks from grateful parents along the route. Always going above and beyond for their community, it was a wonderful sight to see them walking alongside all of the parade floats.
The Mountain Hosts aren’t all work and no play! They have a social committee & have about 3 parties a season. They even hand out awards at their end of year party- one particular award goes to the person with the funniest “screw up”. The basic rule being that you cannot be injured in doing the “screw up” as we don’t want to encourage people to strive too hard for this notoriety. It’s always a good laugh!
In March this year, we had the sad passing of Roy McLean, a much-loved host of 15 years. In tribute 18 Hosts, and may other friends and family, participated in “Roy’s Run” down Falling Star to commemorate him on his favourite run. This is to become an annual event.
It is a rewarding job providing local knowledge and meeting people from all over the world. The frequent guest reply of “You are living my dream!” is a nice reminder of how fortunate we are to be here in Fernie.
The Mountain Hosts are a great addition to Fernie Alpine Resort. These volunteers give up their time to make sure that our guests always have a friendly face close by if they ever have a question or need a helping hand, and we are very lucky to have them!
- Published in Fernie
