5 Reasons To Work At Fernie Alpine Resort
Have you ever gone on a ski or snowboard trip and looked around at the staff that you meet throughout your day and secretly say to yourself “I wish I could do that”. If you have ever debated spending a season working in the mountains, there is no better time to quit your day job, pack up your skis or snowboards, book a job fair interview and head on over to Fernie Alpine Resort.
If you still need a bit more convincing, here are 5 tempting reasons to help you make up your mind.
1) This could be your office
While your other friends are sitting in their cubicles staring at computer screens, you will be breathing in the fresh, mountain air.
2) New BFF’s
You will meet people during your time at Fernie Alpine Resort who will become life-long friends. Even though you came from different walks of life and different parts of the world, you are all here for the same reason. Thanks to that instant bond of the “love of mountains and snow” you will quickly become friends. You will work, eat, ski and party with these people for the next 5 months, and the good times you share will create friendships that will last long after your paths depart. Plus, after a season in Fernie you will friends and couches to crash on all over the world.
3) Staff Parties
As a staff member you will get to attend the infamous staff parties (so legendary that non-staff always try to sneak in) but you’ll have a front row ticket! Dinner, dancing, prizes, Griz Bar table sli…oops can’t reveal too many of the staff party secrets, you’ll have to experience it yourself.
4) Legendary Powder
Free skiing and snowboarding is what it’s all about. There is nothing better than the feeling of skiing or riding down the mountain through Fernie’s legendary powder…it’s the stuff dreams are made of and you are right here to experience it for yourself!
5) Live Your Dreams
Working at Fernie Alpine Resort is an experience that you will never forget. Do you want to keep your comfortable life or would you rather follow a passion and see where it takes you? Hunter S Thompson got it right when he said “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’ ”
So what’s stopping you?
Image this. Standing on the edge of a massive alpine bowl, peering down at the absolutely epic vastness of it and nearly drooling at the pristinely perfect powder it laden with below you. Now imagine not 1, not 2, not even 3 of these bowls but five huge alpine bowls (all in one spot), and you’ve got Fernie Alpine Resort.
Fernie Alpine Resort, located in Fernie, B.C., is one of those places people would refer to as a hidden gem. The masses haven’t yet discovered it, and as a result, it is a large ski resort with a massive amount of terrain known for its uncrowded slopes (and, of course, for up to 37 feet of powder a season). Most people who have been lucky enough to discover Fernie, or even luckier yet, to live in Fernie, have a strong opinion of their favourite terrain to ride at the resort and why.
Here are some tips on where to check out (but you didn’t hear this from us):
Currie Bowl
No, not the food. The more extreme rider loves Currie Bowl. Drop into Currie for some of the best steeps on the mountain.
“I love Currie Bowl for many different reasons. The famed Currie rope drop, the whole Concussion zone and Alpha Centauri just to name a few. But the main reason is it accesses the Big 3. For me, there is no better situation at FAR than being the first track down Skydive on a pow day. Top to bottoming that beast is the best feeling in the world. You definitely deserve some Griz Bar pints after picking off all 3!”
– Kieran Summers, Owner Giv’Er Shirtworks
Timber
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a rider who doesn’t love White Pass or Surprize. Timber is laden with challenging terrain coming in through the trees but also has some slightly easier and wide open spots, like Shaky Acres. This bowl accommodates almost any skier/rider (plus, you get to show off your skills for all those on the chairlift as you pass below), and everyone likes a show-off, right?
“Timber is sick because of the trees that catch the pow pow. You can access the trees from either the Timber Chair or the Whitepass Chair. If you hit Whitepass and drop skiers right (lookers left), you can grab that pow hidden in the trees rapid fire over and over again, and it gets boring fast…….NOT.”
– Mark Kowalchuk, co-owner of Artschool Skateboards & Clayman Ltd.
Siberia
Siberia Bowl is known for its long and vast runs, where you might not see another rider for days. If you’re looking for untouched, hidden powder, Siberia Bowl is the place to check out.
“A lot of people think that as soon as you get off the chair, you should instantly go right instead of heading straight – they would be wrong.”
– Lynch from X92.9 Calgary’s Best Rock Alternative
Lizard
Arguably, the favourite bowl at Fernie Alpine Resort, Lizard, is great for the thrill seeker. Home to the locals’ favourite area, Easter Bowl, Lizard is also the location of the Headwall, where pro athletes gather each season in an epic race and compete for great prizes in the Monster Enemy Lines event.
“The Lizard Bowl is like falling for the girl in the hot miniskirt and realizing she’s as kind as the girl next door”
– Tyler, Fernie Ski Patrol
Cedar
Cedar Bowl is a local favourite with lots of natural rollers and fall lines, providing amazing vistas and views. Snake Ridge stays freshest the longest, and you can get in some great long laps.
“Haul Back, Boom, Repeat!”
-Paul Whitham, Sales at RCR
With over 2500 acres of skiable terrain, many of which are in the bowls, possibly the only problem you’ll run into while riding at Fernie Alpine Resort is not having enough time to ride it all. But that’s okay; it just gives you another excuse to come back!
