If you’re spending time in Fernie this Winter Season, you should be planning ahead for at least one memorable night out on Downtown Fernie’s vibrant 2nd Avenue. The ingredients for the Perfect Aprés Ski Party? How about: delicious food, fantastic ambience, great friends and fun.
Fernie favourite, the Loaf, can deliver all the goods! Loaf has an excellent local reputation for casual fine-dining with great service. Their range of Italian-inspired menu items and freshly prepared dinner specials are available nightly alongside their award-winning, stone-baked, Italian-style pizzas. Loaf is a great choice for families and groups – they can accommodate large parties, private functions and even arrange live music and entertainment to make your party a memorable one. Just call the Loaf on (250) 423-7702 to discuss your requirements.
See www.loafbakery.ca for details on brunch, $5 Happy Hour, dinner times and menus, including Loaf’s super-easy-to-use online take-out service.
Tyler Werry is on the ‘Road to Korea’! Tyler, born and raised in Fernie is about to start his second year on the Canadian National Ski Team – his goal is to make it into the XXIII Olympic Games being held in Korea in 2018. Help support Tyler on his Road to Korea by attending a fundraiser to help offset his Alpine Canada Team fees on November 1st in Calgary.
More about Tyler Werry;
Tyler grew up skiing in Fernie where he joined the Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST), from a young age he always had a desire to go fast! Making the provincial team in 2008 and moving onto the national team in 2014, Tyler has had two very successful seasons at the NorAm level.
In 2014, he placed 1st in the Super G standings, 2nd in the Alpine Combined standings, and 3rd overall in the NorAm Standings, winning his first Canadian Championship Title in GS that same year.
In 2015, Tyler finished 1st in the Downhill standings, 3rd in the super G standings, and 2nd overall in the NorAm Standings, this past season he also had my first top 30 result on the World Cup circuit, finishing 26th in Wengen’s Alpine Combined!
For more information about the fundraiser contact – [email protected]. We hope to see you there!
Images courtesy of Tyler Werry.
Snow, that’s why! We’re off to a snowy start here at Fernie Alpine Resort, with the snow in fact first falling at the beginning of September right as we were closing down our summer operations! While it made a brief disappearance so far in October, it returned this week and is a great sign for the upcoming ski season.
It started with a brief dusting overnight the weekend
Photo from the Top of Bear Chair – October 26th (morning)
And continued into Tuesday!
Top of Whitepass – October 27th (Credit: Thomas Hopkins)
So get ready to get in line for first chair! Opening date is tentatively scheduled for December 4th, stay tuned to our online events calendar for updates closer to the date.
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 – showing off some of his more graceful skills.
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.
And now introducing some of our junior program members, training to take their certification courses soon;
Mogul & 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 
at 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.
We’re up in the first round in the 4th annual Ski Town Throwdown by Powder Mag! VOTE for Fernie now, voting for the first round only runs until this Thursday Oct 15th at 7pm MST!
VOTE now —-> http://ow.ly/TlFOL!
Fernie is a place of firsts. Years ago pioneering mountain guides like Bruno Engler discovered a powder paradise in the Lizard Range. Then in 1962, on land donated by Galloway Lumber, Fernie Snow Valley Ski Resort was born, a mom and pop ski hill guided by the vision of the legendary skiing couple. Heiko and Linda Socher. In the years that followed the resort underwent an epic transformation from local powder hound’s secret to world class Fernie Alpine Resort, with the addition of new lifts and accessing of five alpine bowls that built on the resort’s already existing appeal for skiers and boarders wanting deep snow and steeps. But as the resort evolved, the developers paid close attention to the visitor experience beyond ski lifts and vertical -they wanted to ensure that a stay on the mountain was memorable, like an immersion in mountain culture. That was the simple but beautiful logic behind the creation of Lizard Creek Lodge, one of the first boutique ski in-ski out lodges in the Canadian Rockies.
Concept Rendering
“Now we are at it again- setting the stage, a Mountain Lifestyle destination deserves a great place to gather! So here is to ‘Gathering More’ – we want you to celebrate ‘Together Time’ in the mountains with us at the new Lizard Creek Lodge at Fernie Alpine Resort as we begin renovation on the great room!
For more images and updates on the renovation visit the Lizard Creek Lodge website.
View the full Press Release online.
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!
The best deals of the winter season have just been released! Book now for winter and save up to 35% on your getaway. Packages available include The Weekender for shorter stays, The Midweek pack for the best deals, the new Ski Weeks packages (booking everything for you from air/car to lodging/lifts) and The Holiday Pack – already taking bookings for Christmas & New Years.
Freebies are included in some packages – view our Early Booking offers, all are available to be booked online. Give us a call at 1-800-258-7669 to book with a friendly vacation specialist over the phone or visit www.skircr.com/vacations to chat live with a specialist (during business hours).
Our tentative weekend opening date for the 2015/2016 season will be Friday, December 4th.
See who else is going and receive updates – join our Facebook event.
Is it your first season skiing/riding at Fernie Alpine Resort? Check out our First Timer’s Guide.
Looking to book a vacation? Early Booking offers are on now, book online or call a reservation specialist at 1-800-258-7669. Live chat is also available on the RCR Vacations website, during business hours.
Photos by Vince Mo.
Words by: Andrew Findlay
Photos by: Robin Siggers & Fernie Alpine Resort
Published: March 15, 2015
Robin Siggers discovered Fernie some three decades ago long before someone conjured up that delicious sounding term Powder Highway. The Vancouver boy never left. It’s a Thursday afternoon, and I’m following Siggers as he drops into Corner Pocket, a spicy little couloir that squeezes into 
wide open Lizard Bowl, one of five bowls at Fernie Alpine Resort. The couloir features a fixed rope allowing people to hand line down the steep, often wind polished entrance that always gets the adrenaline pumping. Siggers goes first. He holds the rope, does a side slipping abseil to where the chute opens up. He releases the rope and after a trio of tight jump turns, exits the couloir then waits for me in the lee of a vertical limestone cliff that trims the bowl. This guy clearly loves skiing. As operations manager he probably bags more days on snow than an airline pilot logs time in the air. He loves skiing so much, that he’s out here today, on his day off, shredding like a 25 year old with a bunch of visiting writers.
For the already initiated, the Powder Highway needs no introduction. For the uninitiated, think of it as the place in British Columbia where you go to realize your skiing dreams, where the terms steep and deep are more than just platitudes on a brochure or website – they’re real, very real. Nature pays special attention to this corner of BC, a province already blessed from a snow sports perspective. As winter weather fronts march east from the Pacific Ocean, they discharge moisture on the rugged Coast Range. By the time these systems hit the Columbia Mountains and western slope of the Rockies, they have recharged with moisture from interior lakes. Snow falls again, this 
time in dreamy, fluffy, feather-light quantities. There are no guarantees; it’s weather after all, but the odds are on your side when you travel the Powder Highway. The ridiculous variety and concentration of world class destination resort, cat, backcountry lodge and heli skiing operations is a testament to the riches. Skiers are smart this way. Like Robin Siggers, they go to where the goods are. You’ve probably heard about the Powder Highway, and it’s now lodged in your brain. It won’t go away, so it’s time to act. Consider Fernie Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort the southern and northern bookends to your Powder Highway road trip. Fernie overlooks the charming town of the same name, tucked into the Lizard Range, a magical piece of geology that puts the lie to the claim that it never really snows in the Canadian Rockies. Here, where the craggy Lizard Range sits perpendicular to the normal north-south axis of the Rockies, intensely local weather systems re-circulate over the mountains often dumping coastal quantities of snow on the resort’s array of wide open bowls, chutes and long meandering tree runs. By the time, you’ve zig zagged your way up Kootenay back roads and Columbia Mountain valleys, legs feeling fit and acclimatized to Powder Highway vertical, you’ll arrive on the western side of the Rocky Mountain Trench at Kicking Horse Resort. This is 
where you’ll get your game on – again. As you ride up the Golden Eagle Express gondola your eyes will scan the bony ridges that cut the Dogtooth Range, and divide the Kicking Horse into four main zones of downhill fun. Top to bottoms at Kicking Horse are legendary. Stack a few of these 1,260 meter vertical back-to-back and you’ll have no problem sitting at the Eagle’s Eye restaurant and tucking into a lunch of Elk Bourguignon or some good old Alberta beef. Or perhaps you’ll make dinner reservations at this peerless mountain-top dining room. You’ll watch the moonrise, and the first stars twinkle over the surrounding peaks. Or perhaps snowflakes falling in the amber glow of the outdoor lights. You’ll dream of the Powder Highway and when you’ll come back. Once experienced, never forgotten. Just ask Robin Siggers.
