×
×
SNOW CONDITIONS »
cm
cm
OVERNIGHT
48 HOURS
cm
cm
24 HOURS
7 DAY
WEATHER »
UPPER MOUNTAIN
° C
° C
HIGH
LOW
LOWER MOUNTAIN
° C
° C
HIGH
LOW
RUNS »
     
/
81
GROOMED
     
/
145
OPEN
LIFT STATUS »
/
10
OPEN
ELK QUAD CHAIR:
TIMBER EXPRESS:
BUY LIFT TICKETS
WEATHER FORECAST »
SAT
HIGH 18 °C
LOW 11 °C
SUN
HIGH 22 °C
LOW 15 °C
MON
HIGH 24 °C
LOW 13 °C

×
MOUNTAIN CAMS »
CEDAR BOWL
LIZARD BOWL
WHITE PASS
CHAIR
BEARS DEN
LIZARD RUN
×
CM
in the last 24 hours
×
Notification Alert
1 (800) 258-7669
  
  
BLOG | JOBS | HOURS | CONTACT US
SAFETY & RISK AWARENESS
WEB CAMS
LIZARD RUN
 
 

Fernie Alpine Resort

  • PLAN & PURCHASE
    • Close
    • GETTING HERE
      By Road
      By Air
      Tour Operators
      Transportation
      International Travelers
      Hours of Operation
      PURCHASE
      Day Tickets
      Summer Season Passes
      Summer Adventure School
      Bike Rentals
      Mountain Biking Lessons
      Sightseeing
      Guided Hiking Tours
      Kids Summer Activities
      LODGING
      All Lodging
      Hot Deals & Packages
      Package Booking Code
      Resort Map
      Last Minute Deals Signup
      GROUPS
      Weddings
      Large Groups
      Corporate
      School
      WINTER
      SUMMER
      WINTER
      SUMMER
    • Close
  • DISCOVER
    • Close
    • DISCOVER FERNIE
      Real Estate
      Resort Maps
      History & Griz Legend
      THE VILLAGE
      Restaurants
      Shopping / Base Area Services
      BIKE PARK
      Explore the Bike Park
      Bike Trails
      Lessons & Camps
      Rentals
      HIKING/SIGHTSEEING
      Hiking Trails & Map
      Trail Report
      Sightseeing
      Guided & Specialty Hikes
      KIDS
      Kids Summer Activities
      Interpretive Centre
      Forest Playground
      WINTER
      SUMMER
      WINTER
      SUMMER
    • Close
  • THE MOUNTAIN
    • Close
    • CAMERAS & MAPS
      Mountain Cams
      Photo Gallery
      Trail Map
      Resort Map
      TERRAIN REPORT
      Trail Report
      Mountain Cams
      Hiking Trails
      PURCHASE
      Hot Deals & Packages
      Tickets & Passes
      Summer Season Passes
      Mountain Bike Rentals
      Mountain Bike Lessons
      WINTER
      SUMMER
      WINTER
      SUMMER
    • Close
  • EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
    • Close
    • EVENTS
      All Events
      Family Activities
      Food
      Competitions & Races
      Event Results
      MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES
      Mountain Biking
      Guided Hiking Tours
      Sightseeing
      Kids Summer Activities
      Nature Bob's Interpretive Centre
      Forest Playground
      OTHER ACTIVITIES
      Rafting
      Fly Fishing
      Golfing / Tennis
      Special Activity Packages
      WINTER
      SUMMER
      WINTER
      SUMMER
    • Close

Fernie’s Furry Hero’s

Fernie’s Furry Hero’s
by Cali Burk / Tuesday, 20 October 2015 / Published in Blog, Fernie, Winter

Dogs have been man’s best friend since they were domesticated some 40,000 years ago.  Since then their role in society has been shaped by their loyalty and ability to work closely with their human owners.  Dogs have been used in avalanche rescue situations since at least the early 1900’s.  With their heightened sense of smell, tracking abilities and agility outdoing all human efforts they are some of the greatest rescue assistants.
Meet our avalanche rescue dogs who live and train with lucky members of our ski patrol team.  They are a vital asset when there is an emergency situation on the mountain and have helped out on more than a few occasions.

Tarn - Avalanche Dog

Tarn – showing off some of his more graceful skills.

Steve & Tarn

Steve & Tarn riding the lift to their patrol shack

Tarn
(ski patrol assistant – Forest)
Like many avalanche dogs, Tarn started training to be able to find people in an avalanche situation at just 8 weeks old.  Now 6 years old (turning 7 in January 2016) him and his human assistant Forest are daily companions.  They ride the lift together in the morning, (occasionally mixing it up with a snowmobile instead) and ski down to the base at the end of the day.  On a usual day at work for Tarn, there’s time for a little bit of play at the patrol shack at the top of the mountain although he’s always ready for a rescue mission if need be.  Watch our Youtube video to learn more about the ski patrol program at Fernie and to see Tarn working and playing around on the mountain.

Neko
(ski patrol assistant – Steve)
Another one of our veteran avalanche rescue dogs, Neko – now 5 years old, has taken part in several rescues.  Working closely with his human assistant Steve, they have over 35 years of combined search & rescue and ski patrol experience.

Neko is an extremely friendly and personable dog, here he is (below) teaching us about his job during our Avalanche Awareness Days, held annually each January (and getting in a photo bomb while he’s at it).  This season’s event is scheduled for January 16th, 2016, check out our online events calendar for more information closer to the event date.

Neko 10682415_10155072985795367_3721218975607792903_o

And now introducing some of our junior program members, training to take their certification courses soon;

Megan Kelly's Avi dog mogul - going for certification in JanuaryMogul  & Tabor                 
Mogul is a one and a half year old German shepherd (left) he’s in training to become an avalanche rescue dog and has his exam this January on Whistler.  His human assistant, Megan Kelly, has been a ski patroller for nine years at Fernie.  When not training, Mogul loves playing with his favourite toy a ball on a rope. You can see him and Megan from Wednesday’s to Friday’s Sean and 8 week old taber, training to hopefully be our new avalanche dogat the top of the mountain practicing his obedience and having lots of fun!  Tabor and his human assistant Sean (right) are training for his exam, coming up soon.  This will be Tabor’s first winter season at Fernie Alpine Resort – welcome to the team Tabor!  Tabor fun fact – him and Neko are half brothers!  

Find out more about our Avalanche dog & ski patrol program at on our Ski Patrol page.

Did you know? 
Cats also assist our team at Fernie, watch this super serious and definitely informative video here.

Words by Cali Sammel with contributions by Steve Morrison, Jeni Pearson & Megan Kelly.
Photos by Fernie Alpine Resort Ski Patrol & Vinnie Mo.
Feature photo by Dave Watts.

Tagged under: Blog, Fernie, Fun Stuff, Winter

About Cali Burk

Cali lives in the city and loves to spend time in the mountains! She is a self proclaimed Twitter addict and one time Zach Braff favourited her tweet.

Other related posts

Fernie Timber Landing – Redefining Après-Ski
Tiny Turns, Big Confidence: A Parent’s Guide to the Griz Kids Centre
Fernie Alpine Resort Celebrates Community with Ski Day Food Bank Fundraiser 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Vacations

PARTNERS
SIGNUP FOR THE LATEST NEWS & RESORT SPECIALS
From Fernie Alpine Resort
SIGN UP

 

CONTACT US
Reservations: 1 (800) 258 7669
[email protected]

5339 Ski Hill Road
Fernie, BC V0B 1M6
Canada
ABOUT RCR

About RCR
Media Inquiries
Job Postings
Donations
Partners
INFORMATION

Contact Us
Help Center
Experience Survey
Hours
Winter Member Benefits
Utility Services
Community Services Assessment (Rent Charge)
Summit Fund
HOW TO ORDER

Online Store
By Phone
Installment Plan
LEGAL

Terms & Conditions
Waivers & Release Agreements
RCR is inclusive. Harassment and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.
ABOUT FERNIE REAL ESTATE SAFETY PRESS RELEASES JOBS CONTACT US
TOP