A Guide to Thrive in Winter
Let’s get straight to the point; winter tends to overstay its welcome. With major snowstorms lasting into April earlier this year, Mother Nature definitely took longer than expected to bestow warmer temperatures upon us Canadians.
Living in this wonderful, snowy nation, there are some crucial lessons to learn in order to thrive in the ‘Great White North’. Most importantly, is realizing the importance of making the best of your environment and conditions (especially the long winter months we so often endure).
Our initial instincts are to stay warm and cozy during blizzard-stricken months, huddled indoors with blankets, warm drinks, a crackling fire and taking in an unhealthy amount of Netflix, while silently praying that our neighbour or significant other will shovel the walkway. Winters have such great potential though, why surrender such glorious opportunities to see the remarkable beauty Canada boasts in its backyard?
Exploring the outdoors throughout all four of our Canadian seasons is a revitalizing experience for us, which should be taken advantage of to refresh our frame of mind. It’s a chance to discover new adventures just a snowball’s throw away. We’re all familiar with making the most of warm temperatures during the summer months with patio season and backyard lounging in full swing. The winter landscape can be just as inspiring too, when given the chance.
If you need more convincing, here are a few of Canada’s premiere winter activity destinations:
Fernie, British Columbia
The shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs along 2nd Avenue in Fernie are some of the Canadian Rockies’ hidden gems, with surrounding mountain peaks looming over the glow of its downtown streets.
Located just down the road, Fernie Alpine Resort is home to some of Canada’s most legendary powder, with an average snowfall of 30ft. From epic downhill skiing to leisurely snowshoe and groomed cross-country skiing trails, the resort has activities for the whole family. It also offers plenty of weekly programs to get you outside and even yoga classes to help you find your winter Zen. Their on-mountain accommodations along with a local shuttle to town make for a perfect introduction to Canada’s winter activities.
Fernie Alpine Resort – Bowls of Glory
Kimberley, British Columbia
If you’re looking for a classic mountain town, you’ve found it. The town of Kimberley embodies the Canadian spirit with humble, welcoming locals and a relentless passion for nature. Kimberley is home to craft beers, great local dining, the oldest building in Canada and a variety of activities to enjoy outside.
With stunning scenery of the Kootenay mountains, Kimberley Alpine Resort is just minutes from town and offers great facilities and terrain for people of all skiing and snowboarding ability levels – from first-timers to seasoned slope shredders. Looking to stay on level ground? Try the area’s expansive snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing network or check out fat biking, one of North America’s favourite new activities (mountain bikes with wider tires for better grip in snow conditions).
The drive on the way to Kimberley Alpine Resort
Golden, British Columbia
One of the most famed locations along the Powder Highway, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and the town of Golden are conveniently located along the TransCanada Highway and ready to provide you a mountain experience like no other. Drop into Whitetooth Brewing Co. for locally crafted beers, or the Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre for an up-close learning session with these amazing animals.
Delving deeper into nature, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers Canada’s highest dining experience, the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant at 7,700ft. Once you’re fueled up, hit the slopes of the Catamount Chair to learn the basics on your skis or snowboard, or bring your little ones to the tube park and natural ice rink at the base of the resort. Advanced skiers head to the top via the gondola for wide ranging bowls, ridges and chutes. If staying grounded is your preference, Golden is primed with world-class snowmobiling, along with plenty of rentals and tours available.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s kick ass terrain & views
Life’s too short – and winters are too long – to miss out on a lifetime of adventure. Let winter activities revitalize your soul and help you look forward to the inevitable snowfalls each year. Meet Mother Nature halfway on this one and discover how rewarding Canada’s winter climates can truly be.
Community Summit Fund
The Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) is forever grateful for the passion of their employees, guests and especially the home towns where the resorts are located. In each town there are people who have supported the resorts for many years and in an effort to give back to these communities, the Community Summit Fund was born. 2007 marked the first year of the Summit Fund program, with an initial five-year commitment, RCR donated over $150,000 to over 100 community organizations. After the first five years, RCR decided to officially renew the Summit Fund indefinitely and continue to donate to organizations, schools and charities each and every month.
At Fernie Alpine Resort, our Community Summit Fund has helped transform the local Fernie community by supporting sustainable local projects that help create positive opportunities and outcomes for its citizens, especially youth.
In the last six months, we have donated just over $11,000 to 22 different local organizations and projects including:
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Fernie Chamber of Commerce – support of 2018 Griz Days
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Fernie Mountain Film Festival
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Freeski Competition support for local athlete, Andrea Byrne
Local athlete, Andrea Byrne – Freeski Competition support
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Fernie & District Arts Council – support of the Out of the Box: Dumpster Project
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Fernie Secondary School -support the ski/snowboard team to attend 2018 provincials, teaching classes on outdoor trapping traditions, new school fitness room equipment, annual scholarship program
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Emily Brydon Youth Foundation
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Fernie Alpine Ski Team – support of FAST Film Festival 2018
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Isabella Dickens Elementary School – support annual spring tea fundraiser
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Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club – support club to attend swim meet
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Elk Valley Society for Community Living
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Canadian Adaptive Network – support Fernie Disability Awareness Night
A commemorative display celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Fernie Golf Club.
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Fernie Golf Club – support 100th anniversary commemorative display
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The Ghostriders Adventure Camp
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Wapiti Music Festival Society
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City of Fernie – support for Canada Day celebrations
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Fernie Heritage Cemetary and Restoration Society
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Fernie Tennis Community Association – support of East Kootenay Open 2018
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East Kootenay Foundation for Health – support for 2018 Starlite Ball Fundraiser
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Friends of the Fernie Heritage Library
The Community Summit Fund isn’t just about cash donations, but it’s also about being involved in the community ourselves. Our very own Robin Siggers is a great example of an employee giving back to the community. Robin is involved directly with the Fernie Ski Touring & Trails Club. He also volunteers his time working on the Fernie Dirt Jump Park – using the RCR loader, he moves dirt and shapes the jumps. On top of that, he’s a regular contributor to the Fernie Trails Associations crew – working nights maintaining the trails.
For more information on the Fernie Alpine Community Summit Fund and how to apply for a grant, please visit: https://skifernie.com/summit-fund/.
Supporting the Fernie & District Arts Council’s Out of the Box: Dumpster Project
Fernie Secondary School recipient of the Fernie Summit Fund Scholarship program, Elizabeth Pater
Support of the Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club to attend competitions.
We’re looking at you Fall! Upcoming fall fun at Fernie.
You already know you love Fernie Alpine Resort in the winter and summer months, now it’s time to acquaint yourself with fall in the mountains! Choose your adventure from our new programs – whether you’re into delicious food, learning about health and wellness or mindfulness retreats and meeting new like minded people, you’ll find it in Fernie.
Foodie Fernie
Saturday, September 15th – Scenic Dinner at Lost Boys Cafe.
It’s a fact – food tastes better when you’re high..up on the top of a mountain! Join us for our first ever scenic dinner at Lost Boys Cafe, located at the top of the Timber chairlift.
September 21st to 23rd – Lobsterfest & adventure weekend!
Come for the lobster – stay for the non stop fun. Lizard Creek Lodge is hosting the lobsterfests to trump all lobsterfests, the rate for your weekend includes your accommodations, delicious lobster themed meals (5 in total) as well as a guided nature hike (did you know Fernie used to be an ancient sea bed?)
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Health & Wellness
September 28th to 30th – Women’s Trail Running Weekend.
Our second annual trail running workshop will be led once again my Magi Scallion, an avid trail runner based out of Golden, B.C. The registration fee for you weekend includes accommodations, massage, yoga class, trail running basics and food & beverage!
October 23rd to 28th – You & Your Body Wellness Retreat. 
Treat yourself, you deserve it! Your retreat package features 10 group classes focused on mind and body wellness, guided nature walks, healthy and mountain inspired meals, a self care welcome kit and your accommodations – all in a gorgeous mountain setting, the best spot to learn about your body & mind health.
November 2nd to 4th – Fall Yoga Retreat.
Recharge your mind, body & soul in the serenity of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, join Yogi Gordana Gigovic as she leads you through this invigorating all inclusive weekend. Book now, the rate includes you accommodations, nature walk, yoga lessons and all meals.
**Book before August 15th to take advantage of our Early Bird Rate!**
Plus don’t forget about everything that’s coming up before fall, including our new Throwdown Thursdays, trail running series, The Griz Kidz Summer Carnival and our brand new Perseid Meteor Shower viewing & Mountaintop camping event.
Booking links and more information on all above can be found on our online events calendar.
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What to do & Where to Drink on your Powder Highway Summer Road Trip
Craft Breweries, quaint mountain towns, stunning rocky mountain views – those are the new experiences many people seek when planning at road trip. Road trips really are the best of all travelling worlds – without the major cost/headache of flying somewhere, staying semi close to your homebase while getting out and seeing the world at the same time. If you’re still looking to plan a fun, easy to manage getaway this summer or fall – here’s an itinerary all laid out for you. Less planning – more fun! It doesn’t get much better than that!
If you’re coming from Calgary in the south of the city or surrounding area, start at Fernie Alpine Resort – it’s an easy 2.5 hour drive when there’s no snow on the ground and it is home to perhaps the best known craft brewery scene of all our suggested locations. If you’re heading out from Calgary in the north or surrounding area, Kicking Horse might be the place for you to start your trip and do this whole circuit in reverse.
Fernie, B.C. – where the beer is local, but your server might be an import
Fernie is one of Canada’s great ski towns, not only has it been named ‘the coolest little town in North America’ by Rolling Stone Magazine, it’s also been named ‘the greatest Canadian outdoor town’ by Get Out There Magazine, in part because it truly is a year round outdoor destination with so much to do in the summer as well as the winter.
What to try – for a non boozy activity, try the Aerial Park at Fernie Alpine Resort. It’s a super fun afternoon where even adults find a challenge in the tree top obstacle course (perhaps do this one before the brewery tour, you might not want to have a hang over when 30 feet up in the trees)!
Where to drink – The Fernie Brewing Company is not just well known in Fernie, it’s well known in Calgary and branching out into many other major cities as well. But Fernie, of course, is the breweries home. The Fernie Brewing Co. building is located just as you drive into town (from the Sparwood/Calgary direction), they have a tasting room where you can try a flight of 4 beers for just $5 – which they donate to charity! Want to give back and drink at the same time? Fernie Brewing Co. is for you! Another fun initiative from the Fernie Brewing Co. is the Trail to Ale challenge, which is pretty much exactly what the name suggests, get more information on the Trail to Ale challenge on their website.
Photo | Fernie Brewing Company
Kimberley, B.C – a place to get away from traffic, full calendars and all things marked ‘urgent’
Kimberley is a town where you feel relaxed, like really relaxed. If you’re from the city when was the last time you can say you felt completely relaxed? 
Maybe it was on a nature walk, or in your backyard or maybe it’s only when you actually get out of the city. If you’re asking the questions where can I relax and forget about all my worries while on vacation – Kimberley is your answer.
What to try – swimming in gorgeous St. Mary’s lake, it’s super fun & super free! There’s not only swimming at St. Mary’s Lake you can also canoe, kayak, stand up paddle board, fish or just float! If you’re looking to rent some water sports equipment check out local company Kootenay Rafting for options. St Mary’s is home to some of the most gorgeous views in the region, Instagram worthy pictures for sure (and everyone needs to document their best vacations on Instagram). For even more options of what to try in Kimberley, check out my blog from last summer – ‘12 (plus) reasons to visit Kimberley this August’.
Where to drink – Overtime Beerworks in Kimberley may be the youngest of all the breweries on our list, starting in 2016 – don’t let that deter you though, their beers are brewed with the sophistication of a much older brewery and they’re quickly making a name for themselves further than just in Kimberley and are available in a variety of cities and towns in British Columbia and Alberta. All their beers are brewed in small batches, making each of them slightly different with the unique flare of each individual batch – try local favourites like the ‘Mountain Standard’ Golden Ale or the ‘Right About Now’ IPA.
Photo | Overtime Beerworks
Golden, B.C – the friendly mountain town
Golden is another one of those ultimate outdoor adventure towns on our list, with a TON to choose from in regards to outdoor activities. Golden and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort are frequently named in magazines with annotations such as ‘extreme’, ‘challenging’ and ‘adventurous’ and while it is 
all of those things, it’s also a place to chill out and enjoy adventures everyone can try. For example…
What to try – the Via Ferrata at Kicking horse Mountain Resort is an amazing experience not to be missed while in Golden. While it admittingly does look pretty hardcore, it’s actually a mountain climbing trek even novices can accomplish and feel comfortable while doing so. Via Ferrata courses are a series of iron rungs and handles mounted across the mountain face that novices and expert climbers can do, all the while strapped into to a safety harness – an added bonus of the Kicking Horse course is the suspension bridge you need to cross to get to the Via Ferrata course, it’s an experience in itself! In fact, if the Via Ferrata is still a little too hardcore for you – the Suspension Bridge can be done on its own without having to continue onto the full course. The sense of wonder and accomplishment you’ll feel after achieving the Via Ferrata course or just crossing the Suspension Bridge is enough to make anyone want a beer!
Where to drink – The Whitetooth Brewing Company is the place to go in Golden, not only do they offer their own unique and delicious beers (that goes without saying), their outdoor patio is one of the best in Golden with an epic view of the surrounding mountains. There are quite a few beers to choose from that fall into three categories – ‘West Coast Inspired’, Belgian Inspired’ and ‘High Gravity’ – no matter what type of beer you enjoy you’re sure to find one that suits your taste buds here. The Brewery doesn’t have a huge capacity and is usually busy – they open at 2pm so make sure you go early and you might just get to sit here, I can’t think of very many better seats than that!
Photo | Whitetooth Brewing Company
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FAR Trail Crew Update #2
It’s the final countdown…
We’re coming into the homestretch for opening day 2018. In less than 24 hours our doors will be ready to blast open for another Legendary summer of bike park operations, lift accessed hiking/camping and treetop adventures in our Aerial Park. Our to-do lists are long and with a severe storm watch in effect for today we’ve got to get back out there to get things in order for you before the rain falls, but here’s a quick update to wet your taste buds.
In our last crew report we told you about all the great work done on our Elk side trails this spring. Shout out to AERE Films who shot some amazing footage showcasing some of the tune-ups on Top Gun, Duff Dynasty and Deer Trail. You can check out the short video posted on our social media channels here. The dappled light kept much of our work shrouded in shadowy secret during the vid but there were quite a few hoots and hollers heard while they were filming – you’ll just have to come out and inspect those corners for yourself this weekend! We’ll have all Elk side trails open for you with the exception of Alternate Flight Pattern, Holo Bike and Kodiak Karnage. We’re working on a new section of bermy / jumpy trail on the Lower Lizard ski run to bring Elk side riders into the base. This is still a work in progress so, in the meantime, all riders will need to ride a short section of road to return to the plaza and the lifts. Please respect your fellow riders and other users sharing this road – SLOW DOWN.
With snow finally melting off our alpine zones, our crews have spent the last seven days focusing on our Timber side biking and hiking trails. Last Saturday, we hosted our first ever volunteer trail day work party. A solid crew of seven came out to kick off a rejuvenation project on Rumplestumpkin. The work continued all week as we repaired cribbing, rebuilt corners and took care of some other messy sections that needed love. There is still a lot of work to do here over the season but we’re pretty stoked on the great start and look forward to getting this trail back in primo shape for all you dark side riders. Current Timber side trail status – Upper TNT will remain closed for the weekend, however we will be offering Bike Thief, Bin Logdin, Lower TNT and Neverland in addition to the 4km alpine to valley bottom Rumplestumpskin. Hikers can access outstanding alpine views on the Siberia Ridge, Lost Boys Lookout, White Pass, Pika Pass and Milky Way Trails. Note – some of the hiking trails still have snow such as Pika Pass, but the trail crew has marked the trail and it will be a very “cool” hiking experience.
A few friendly reminders as we unleash summer on you. Many of our trails have changed and early season conditions exist across our mountain. Take it easy. Do a few slow inspection laps to scope out the changes, gauge your speed accordingly and get reacquainted. If this storm produces tonight, there could be blowdown and slippery conditions out there tomorrow. Watch for workers out on the trails and please stop to give us your feedback or voice any concerns you may have. For on-mountain emergencies please feel free to program the Patrol Emergency Number (250-423-2426) into your cell phones. Can’t wait to see everyone out there!
Nicole & The FAR Trail Crew
Photos by Nicole Matei & Nik Dunn
Volunteer trail day work party
Hiking Lost Boys Pass
Rumplestumpkin trail work
Pika Pass open for hiking
FAR Trail Crew Update
Rise and shine it’s almost bike park time! With barely a moment to wipe winter’s sleep out of our eyes, the Bike Crew commenced our clean-up earlier this month. The FAR trails emerged from their snowy slumber with only a few ‘nightmares’ to be soothed away before we swing open the doors on opening day on June 23rd, 2018.
Last fall’s dramatic wind event left a clever game of forest pick up sticks best suited for woodland giants. We have to give a huge shout out to the FAR Saw Crew for their extraordinary talents helping to clear the challenging forest floor tangles and treetop snags. Once these hazards were removed, our forest gnomes headed to work in the dirt and to repair damages to wood features. Top Gun, Deer Trail, Duff Dynasty, and Bin Logdin have since had machine touch-ups throughout. Will Power, Monorail, Mr. Berms, and Ben’s Big Rig are next up on the list.
The majority of our summer mountain signage has been deployed with a major upgrade this year to the new Ride Smart trail marking program. This new system differentiates freeride vs technical trails and helps to identify trail progression, ensuring riders have an enjoyable and safe experience on the mountain. Not to mention, we also have a brand-new hiking trail map and guide brochure this summer.
As of today, this is what we’ll be able to offer for opening weekend: all Elk side trails, all multi-use trails, Rumplestumpskin from the top, all lower Timber trails, and the bike skills park. For the hiking crowd, again all multi-use trails, Megasaurus, Siberia Ridge Loop, and Lost Boys Look Out. All other hiking trails are currently snowbound and will remain closed for safety.
What else is on the plate for summer 2018? We’ve decommissioned Canada Cup, Cripple Creek, and Hornet from our Bike park trail portfolio to make room for some exciting new projects. We would like to ask all riders to respect these closures so that we can focus on moving forward instead of repeatedly heading ‘back’ to enforce signage and fencing during the season. The BC Cup / Canada Cup is returning to Fernie, July 21-22nd with the intention of having the full upper BC Cup course open for public consumption the remainder of the summer. In addition to our legendary Thursday Night Race Series presented by SCOTT, we have partnered with the North Face to offer an all new Running Race series on Thursdays as well.
See you out there,
Nicole & The FAR Trail Crew
Photos by Nicole Matei
Dirty Dancer Banked Slalom Recap
Who could have known that the first ever Dirty Dancer Banked Slalom event would be as successful as it was? Every snowboarder in town of course!
This event was special for many reasons but perhaps the biggest reason was that it really brought the snowboarding community of Fernie together in a fun, passionate and meaningful way. Between the local board shops sponsoring the event, locals of all ages hand digging the course for a week before the actual race and the high energy and support for riders of all ages and genders on race day, we couldn’t have asked for a better inaugural event day!
The event was fully sold out at 100 riders (with another 40+ on the waitlist) divided into various categories. Boarders got two timed runs down the banked slalom course which took place in the Dancer gully in Lizard Bowl at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Race day kicked off with the wee rippers of Fernie! We had 4 boys and 2 girl groms who absolutely slayed the course, all while looking adorably small compared to the giant berms they were riding!
Then we moved into the Open category. Since Banked Slalom events have their roots in the very beginning of snowboard culture when boarders were banned from most ski resorts, it’s important to celebrate riders of all skill levels. The open category was meant for riders who are just trying out racing and are out to have some fun and test their skills! First we saw the open women’s category, follow up by the open men’s.
Next up were the big boys and girls… the Men’s and Women’s Pro category. These racers really knew what they were doing, most of them clocking the course in under a minute! Due to huuuuge interest from the snowboarding men of Fernie, we split the Men’s Pro into three categories based on age, 19-29 went first, then the 30-39 year olds and finally the Master’s Division for those seasoned veterans of 40+!
Throughout the day, spectators either cheered from the sidelines of the course or enjoyed the view (along with a beer and burger) from the Bear’s Den where the DJ and announcer were stationed, making the energy high and infectious!
All in all we could not have asked for a better event and want to send a massive thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. That includes Commit Snow & Skate, Edge of the World, Boardstiff Snow Skate & Surf, everyone who helped dig and shape the course, all the volunteers on the day of who made things run smoothly, the timers, the forerunners, and everyone who signed up or came to watch! We can’t wait to make this event a Fernie staple and to keep celebrating the awesome community of snowboarders in the Elk Valley. You guys rule!
Interested in seeing event results? Click here: https://3atdoe9h52s12e9hqcxdp3ah-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Dirty-Dancer-Results.pdf
Want to see some photos from the event? Click here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/FernieAlpineResort/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10160258524730367
New Snow + Extended Hours = More Ski Time
Well winter just won’t stop this year will it? In light of Mother Nature’s snow-generosity, we’ve decided to extend our spring ski dates and hours to include all next week – meaning we’ll be open straight through to Sunday April 15th! Most services will be running, with terrain dependent on conditions. For the latest info be sure to visit our Snow Report page or RCR App daily.
Don’t miss our on our epic closing weekend on April 14th & 15th – with our annual Powder, Pedal, Paddle Relay race and featuring a live outdoor concert by Sloan with special guest openers the Velveteins on Saturday. Followed by our Slopesoaker on Sunday and BC/DC for another great season send off!
More information can be found on our Facebook page or online events calendar.
Hours & Services for April 9th – 15th;
Lifts
Open Daily 9am – 4pm
Elk Chair
Deer Chair
Bear Chair
Boomerang Chair
Haul Back T-Bar
Mighty Moose
Terrain
Lower Mountain, Lizard Bowl and Cedar Bowl (Based on conditions)
Ticket Pricing
Adult; $79.95 – full day, $63.95 – half day
Senior: $63.95 – full day, $50.95 – half day
Youth: $59.95 – full day, $47.95 – half day
Child: $31.95 – full day, $25.95 – half day
Double Discount Days for Loyalty Cards in effect!
Winter Sports School
Late Season Private Lessons – $99 for 2 hour private for 1 person, (additional person is $24.75)
Beginner Half Day Level 1 Telus Learn to Ski /Ride (offering in mornings only). First time skiers & riders only.
Resort Childcare Centre
Open daily from 9am – 4pm
Sports Alpine Retail Shop
Open daily from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Sports Alpine Rental & Repair Shop
Open daily from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Slopeside Coffee & Deli
Open daily 8am – 2:30pm
Daylodge
April 9-13 – Closed
April 14 & 15 – 11:30am – 4:00pm
Griz Bar
April 9-13 – Open 12pm – 6pm
April 14 – Open 11am – 8pm
April 15 – Open 11am – 6pm
Cirque Restaurant & Ice Bar (located in Lizard Creek Lodge)
April 9-13 – Breakfast (8am – 10:30am) / Dinner (5-9pm – bar opens at 4pm)
April 14 – Open 8am – 10pm
April 15 – Open 8am – 9pm
Legends Mountain Eatery
April 9-13 – 11:30am – 5pm
April 14 – Open 10am – 10pm
April 15 – Open 11am – 6pm
Bear’s Den
April 9-15 – Closed
Mountain Pantry Grocery & Liquor Store
April 9-12 – Open 8am – 6pm
April 13 & 14 – Open 8am – 9pm
April 15 – Open 8am – 6pm
Lost Boys Café
Closed (Timber Side closed)
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Spring has Sprung at Fernie Alpine Resort
Spring has officially sprung here at Fernie Alpine Resort and although we loooooove the big snowy dumps of winter, we have to admit that sunshiny days and slushy spring snow are feeling pretty good right now. And not only that but we have every single weekend from here until the end of the season jam packed with incredibly fun spring events! Everyone here at Fernie Alpine Resort is bursting at the seams with excitement over all these end of year celebrations so we want to give you scoop on everything that’s going down!
First up we have Kokanee Retro Day on Saturday, March 24th! This event sees the whole hill transformed into a real life Hot Tub Time Machine, with people rocking their tight and bright ‘80s gear all over the hill, beer gardens, a bumpin’ DJ in the plaza and a special promotion put on by our title sponsor, Kokanee! It’s a great chance to dust off those old snowsuits and celebrate a day of spandex, hairspray and headbands! The party continues in the Griz Bar after the beer gardens where DJ Rocswell will be spinning your favourite retro tunes.
The fun doesn’t stop there, but certainly becomes a bit more kid friendly for the next weekend! We have the Griz Kidz Winter Carnival on March 31 and the Easter Eggstravaganza on April 1st! The carnival will be tons of fun for the little ones with face painting, balloon animals, games, activities, crafts and more! The festivities will take place in the plaza from 11am to 3pm. To celebrate Easter at Fernie Alpine Resort, the Easter Bunny is visiting to set up a fun scavenger hunt! All you have to do is follow the clues to find the hidden basket of eggs and a tasty treat!
Snowboarders, the next weekend is for you! Get back to your snowboarding roots with the Dirty Dancer Banked Slalom, a throwback to the ‘80s where boarders were the outlaws of the wild west, banned from most ski resorts and forced to fight for the right to shred! Well, times have changed and we want you to celebrate by entering this awesome event for all ages. It’s running on April 7th and is sponsored entirely by local Fernie boardshops, making this a totally awesome grassroots event that we couldn’t be happier about!
The awesomeness continues right into closing weekend with Fernival and the Raging Elk Powder Pedal Paddle race! Since 1984 teams and individuals have been competing in this epic ski, bike, paddle and run race in Fernie and this year is no exception! After the race we’ll have a party in the plaza with a BBQ and free concert by the band Sloan. This all goes down on April 14th but the fun certainly doesn’t stop there. Day two of Fernival and our final day of the season is also going to be a blast with our annual Slope Soaker event and more killer music by favourites BC/DC on April 15th. Strap on your skis or snowboard and a funky costume to see if you can make it across the pond and win excellent prizes and lifelong bragging rights for the Slope Soaker.
As you can see, these last few weekends at Fernie Alpine Resort are going to be unspeakably epic so make sure to come celebrate with us! If one of these events catches your fancy, you can find more details and registration links here: https://skifernie.com/events-activities/events-calendar/
Raging Elk Dummy Downhill Recap
The appeal of the Dummy Downhill lies in its ability to bring joyous delight in the form of creativity, flight and carnage to everyone watching! This year’s event saw 13 dummies (forms mounted on skis) compete against one another in an epic day of fun on Sunday, March 4th.
The dummies ranged from popular book characters like Captain Underpants, to recycling projects like The Giant Tin Foil Ball to news items like Elon Musk’s flying car. All 13 entrants brought something to the table and delighted the gathered crowd as they were launched off a massive jump, only to land or smash or glide into the empty parking lot below.
Not all the dummies made it to the jump but the explosion of bits and pieces on the hill had fans cheering nonetheless! One crowd favourite was the Giant Tin Foil Ball that upon impact exploded into hundreds of tiny tin foil balls.
Judges were particularly impressed with the creativity behind the I Lava You dummy, a prehistoric volcano mounted on skis, complete with lava foaming out of the top. Another crowd favourite was Zippy the Zombie, a rather life-like fellow who chased anyone not wearing a Griz Pin down the hill, before teetering precariously on top of the jump and continuing his rampage in the parking lot.
We saw appearances from a bikini-clad George of the Jungle, an incredible paper mache likeness of Captain Underpants, a surly Sasquatch requesting everyone just leave him alone and a group of rowdy rafting stuffed animals.
In the end, it was “Falcon Awesome”, the aircraft built to mimic Elon Musk’s orbiting Tesla that took the overall prize. It may have been the smooth flight trajectory, the wake of smoke it left behind or the satisfying crash at the end that won it the title of “Best Overall Dummy” but either way, the crowd and the judges loved it.
At the end of the day, we were happy to announce that with the help of everyone involved in the event we were able to raise $670 for the Canadian Cancer Society. The Raging Elk Dummy Downhill has been successful as a fundraiser in the past and we were pleased and grateful for the amount raised this year!
A huge thank you to everyone who came out for the event, built their dummies, and donated their time to such a worthwhile cause. Time to start planning those dummies for next year now…
RESULTS:
Best Overall (Distance, Creativity, Etc.) – Falcon Awesome
Best Creativity – I Lava You
Fun Disintegration – George
Best Ski Down/Best Trick – Zippy the Zombie
Most Style and Effort – Stop Following Me
Best Construction – Captain Underpants
Smoothest Flight – Big Air Machine
Hard Luck (3 way tie) – Forecasters Friday, Giant Tinfoil Ball, Tie Flyer
Best Name/Best Stunt – Wild & Rowdy River Rafters
Fundraising Award (raised $230) – Kentucky Fried Chicken Master
Longest Journey – Chester
