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Tag: Winter

The Women of Fernie Ski Patrol

Tuesday, 22 September 2020 by Matt Cote

If you grew up skiing on tall, imposing mountains where sliding the upper reaches was your childhood dream, there was likely no more a mystical a character to you than the ski patroller. Effortlessly moving through the wildest terrain, rescuing anyone who gets in over their head, and safely bringing down avalanches, the ski patroller is the apex beast of the mountain hierarchy. The job is one of prestige, skill, and authority. It also used to exclusively be the dominion of men, but times have changed. At Fernie Alpine Resort, those stalwart soldiers of the slopes are increasingly women, and they’re some of the strongest and most talented patrollers in the history of the mountain.

 

We rounded up four of the ladies keeping Fernie Alpine Resort safe this winter so you can know just a few of the folks who’ve got your back out there. Don’t forget to tip your toque.

Megan Kelly

Megan’s going into her 14th season at Fernie. These days she’s the assistant ski patrol director, but she started at the bottom of the ranks right out of university. Originally from Ottawa, when she was 20 she gave up nursing school and instead entered the Mountain Adventure Skills Training program at College of the Rockies (which has a campus in Fernie), and then graduated through Thompson Rivers University.

“Something like 15 ski patrollers in the last 13 years have come from that program,” she says. “It’s a big feeder for us.”

She was drawn to patrolling by the outdoor environment and the ongoing challenge of it. She loves long ski tours and the dynamic of the backcountry, and those are elements of her work now. She says one of the tricks of being on patrol is managing the seasonality of it, but Megan did so for years by working as a hiking guide in the summer. Other patrollers pair the job with a trade like being a carpenter or electrician, but Megan works year round at the resort now.

“I worked my way up for 10 years,” she says, “through the levels. We have level one, level two, level three, level four, and I kind of got stalled out at level four. Above that, you go into forecasting or management, and I knew I wanted to go the management way. So in about year 10, our patrol director at the time stepped down and I interviewed for assistant director, and got the job.”

One of the other benefits of being a level-four patroller is she can have an avalanche rescue dog now, too. Hers is named Mogul and is a central part of the team. To keep things balanced off slope, Megan also teaches dance classes and volunteers for Search and Rescue. But the number one thing she wants people to know about the job is it’s more than that, it’s actually a life.

 

Justine Cowitz

At 25, Justine is one of the younger patrollers on the team. But she’s a veteran on skis, having earned her chops racing right underneath FIS level throughout her youth. Because Fernie hires patrollers through ski tryouts, she was top of the recruits list with her standout technical abilities on snow.

“I always knew that I wanted to be on patrol,” she remembers, having grown up in nearby Calgary. “But for a good period of time I put it out of my brain. When I was a kid on the lift there was some old guy that took me up the chair because I couldn’t put the bar down. I said, ‘Being a patroller would be so cool one day, you get to throw dynamite and ski fresh snow.’ He said, ‘Yeah, if you want a career flipping signs it’s for you, but it’s an old boys club and you’ll never throw an explosive.’ And I truly believed that for a very long time.”

That is, until she tried out, made it, and then was absorbed into a community of mentors who gladly helped her get all the certifications. The attitude at Fernie is to hire the right attitude; the rest of the skills can be taught, and Justine’s picked up hers in a hurry.

“I have definitely thrown a lot of explosives,” she says laughing.

It’s not something she thought her degree in biology and statistics would ever lead to, but now her dream job’s got her thinking more about becoming an avalanche forecaster.

Connie Henderson

Connie was born in Scotland, grew up in New Zealand, where she skied on Mount Ruapehu until she was 12, then her family moved to Vernon, B.C.

“As soon as I was done high school I moved back to New Zealand for a season,” she says, “then Fernie.”

She was 18 at the time. She spent a season teaching skiing, but found it wasn’t for her. So she tried out for patrol, too. With a background in racing and freestyle, her skiing turned heads right away. It’s not surprising given she’d also just finished 9th in North America for her category in the qualifier competitions for the Freeride World Tour (FWT).

Landing a patrol job seemed like just as big a challenge, but she nailed it.

“I always put the patrol at Fernie as idols,” she explains. “It always seemed like a dream job to make avalanches happen and get to ski fresh snow and help people enjoy the mountain.”

After just one season, she’s still blown away at the support she’s found since she made the cut. “Everyone wants you to succeed,” she says excited.

And while she wants to continue competing in FWT qualifier events, she also wants to keep learning on the job, and the two skill sets seem to go really well together.

“I’d say managing emotions and your tiredness is the biggest thing I learned on patrol,” she says. “There were times when I was really tired and had to be able to keep that under control and work through it. Obviously all the avalanche stuff and the science and the shot placement and route finding, too. After that, I found I was able to look at lines differently. A big thing with the FWT is you have to pick your line from the bottom. Now I can find contours or different lines that I wouldn’t have thought of.”

Olivia Johnson

Also originally from Calgary, 28-year-old Olivia started out in nursing school, too, but managed to finish her degree in Montreal before the mountains stole her away from the city.

“I honestly thought when I graduated university I’d move back to Calgary, become a nurse, live the city life weekend-warrior type of thing,” she remembers. “But I have these five crazy uncles on my mom’s side that were volunteer patrollers at Sunshine and Norquay in the ’70s and ’80s. They had the craziest stories ever when I was a kid and it sounded like a hilarious thing to do for a season. I graduated from university, went travelling and did a winter season in Wanaka, New Zealand, and really wanted to come back do a ski-bum year. One season turned into four, and ongoing.”

Along the way she also found her way onto the patrol team, where she says she immediately found her people and her place in the world.

“Most of us could not hold down a nine-to-five office job even if our lives depended on it. We’re all too high energy,” she jokes.

Like Megan, she also works year-round at Fernie, spending her summers in the bike park. Her training as a nurse has helped her adapt to some of the more demanding rigours of the job, but being outside and working with likeminded people is what compels her to stay. She’s also become enthralled with the dynamics of avalanches.

“Now that I’ve been here long enough, I’ve started to do a lot of the Canadian Avalanche Association courses. I’ve fallen in love with the snow science side of the job. It’s pretty cool making avalanches. Watching everyone ski powder all day because you’ve made the resort safe is a pretty awesome feeling. I work with a bunch yahoos, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Everyone I work with is so fun and super welcoming. I feel like I could trust any one of them with my life, which is what you actually have to do.”

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Community Appreciation Day

Wednesday, 11 December 2019 by Karen Pepper

On Sunday, January 12, 2020, Fernie Alpine Resort will say ‘Thank You’ to local communities by offering a FREE day of skiing and riding to the residents of the Elk Valley – Fernie, Elko, Elkford, Grasmere, Jaffray and Sparwood as part of the annual Community Appreciation Day.

Please note that Photo ID and proof of local residency (driver’s license, pay stub, utility bill, etc.) are required to receive the lift ticket. Tickets are only valid on January 12 and snow checks will not be issued on complimentary tickets.

Complimentary tickets are available to Elk Valley Residents only. Cranbrook and area residents are welcome to enjoy Community Appreciation Day at Kimberley Alpine Resort on January 12, 2020.

A fundraising BBQ will also be held on Community Day, with all proceeds going towards a local charity, Fernie Friends for Friends. Community members can pick up a voucher that is valid for a discounted BBQ item in the daylodge.

In addition, Fernie Alpine Resort is inviting Elk Valley Residents that are brand new to the sport of skiing or snowboarding to enjoy a complimentary Telus Learn to Ski or Snowboard beginner group lesson on January 12 as part of the Community Day festivities. There will be ten adult and ten child spots available for a complimentary beginner group lesson, complete with lift tickets and rentals. Advance registration is required and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration for the Telus Learn to Ski/Snowboard lessons can be booked at Guest Services Snow School Desk or by calling 250-423-2406.

PLUS!   Sports Alpine has a special sale for you on Community Day.  On January 12th only – 25% off on outerwear and mid-layers! 

The Jeep Summit Squad will be on the mountain this weekend as well – so be sure to stop by their Jeep tent in the plaza for some goodies!

A HUGE THANKS GOES OUT TO OUR BBQ SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPPORT!
– Ace Bakery
– KRAFT
– Campbell’s
– Cardinal Foods

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FIERCE FEMALES FIND FERNIE IN THE EARLY SEASON

Tuesday, 17 September 2019 by Abby Cooper

Undoubtedly a little bias, we think that heading to Fernie Alpine Resort during any time of the year is a good idea, there’s just so much to do year-round! BUT, there are a few particular reasons why you should plan your girls road trip to Fernie in the early ski season. With the long anticipation of winter, early season turns are the perfect excuse to get the gang together to welcome the change of pace and to kick off your season. With the crisp fall mornings here and winter thoughts creeping in, here’s why you should get your girl’s trip on the calendar for this upcoming December.

EARLY SEASON SNOW, IT’S ALL YOURS!

While the base accumulates rapidly, the falling snow provides untouched powder ripe for the shredding! By booking your trip earlier in the season, you’ll get in on the blank canvas that coats Fernie Alpine Resort and get it all to yourselves! Visit mid-week early season, and the resort will feel like a private mountain experience, zero lift lines and impeccable snow for your girls trip!

 

 

EARLY SEASON DEALS

The saying “the early bird gets the worm” couldn’t be more true when you book your girls getaway for the start of the season in Fernie. Purchase multi-day lift tickets a week in advance for substantial savings or book lift tickets and accommodations at the same time for a killer deal. Keep eyes on skifernie.com for additional early season specials that will seal the deal!

 

 

BEAT THE HOLIDAY RUSH

Holidays are all about spending time with family, taking it slow and basking in each other’s company. A girls shred trip is much more about the shredding. When you hit the slopes earlier in the season, you’ll get your fix of serious shred days so that you’re content to hang back and do the family program around the holidays without a case of the antsy pants, which your family will be grateful for.

 

 

GET YOUR SKI/SNOWBOARD LEGS BACK EARLY

You’ll surely stay ahead of the curve when you sneak in a ski trip in the early season. You’ll work on your stamina and be able to handle big days without getting jello legs. You’ll Thank Yourself for starting your season early and see the progression in your skiing and riding ability.

When it comes down to it, any woman’s week or weekend at Fernie Alpine Resort makes for a fun trip packed with insightful conversations, silly shenanigans and memorable moments. We hope your annual (or soon to be annual) girls road trip to Fernie Alpine Resort is filled with powder, small lift lines and great deals! Enjoy finding your much-anticipated mountain bliss with your lady crew this upcoming December.

Words & Photos by Abby Cooper

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A Guide to Thrive in Winter

Tuesday, 21 August 2018 by Dave Belyea

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.

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Jeep Jr. Freeski Recap

Wednesday, 07 February 2018 by Fernie Alpine Resort

The future of Canadian freeskiing was in Fernie this past weekend in an action-packed competition sponsored by Jeep, Rossignol and Smith Optics. One hundred competitors from Western Canada and the United States descended on Fernie Alpine Resort for the two day Jeep Jr. Freeski event.

At the competitors meeting on Saturday morning, spirits were high as kids aged 7-18 fidgeted in their seats, eager to hit the slopes for inspection. With their bright red bibs over their snowsuits or attached to their hips, the 100 competitors hiked up to the venue, Big Bang, a Fernie favourite run with a steep pitch, snow-covered trees and several natural features scattered about. Kids and coaches took their inspection run, picked their lines and then… we were off!

We started with the 7-11 Girls who absolutely wowed the judges with their style. Even more impressive was seeing the winners on day two take their spots on the podium and realizing just how young and tiny some of these little rippers are. No matter how small though, the 7-11 Girls were some of the fiercest skiers on the mountain!

We followed it up with the 7-11 Boys who showed speed and control coming down the steep pitch on Big Bang.  Next was the 12-14 Girls, who showed no signs whatsoever of intimidation as they charged the mountain and started showing off some tricks over the features!

The 12-14 Boys were no exception to the excellent skiing we saw on the weekend, showing us that they’re the ones to keep an eye on as they grow and mature into expert skiers!

The air at the start gate was practically sizzling with electric energy as the 15-18 Girls prepared to make the drop. Between the hugs, high-fives, fist-bumps and pep-talks the vibe was one of excitement and support! As each competitor dropped down onto the run, cheers and shouts echoed around the valley. The 15-18 Girls absolutely killed it, throwing some big air and skiing some crystal clean lines.

Then, the big boys came out to play. The 15-18 Boys were no joke when it comes to awesome tricks and big air! They hit every feature they could manage, throwing 360s, spread eagles and all manner of grabs and twists and turns!

DAY ONE VIDEO

After a full day of skiing, a weary but still energized by adrenaline group of competitors met up in the Daylodge to learn their fates. Head judge Jeff Holden stressed the fact that they’d seen some phenomenal skiing all day but that the cuts had been made. Fifty percent plus one of the competitors would be coming back to battle it out for the finals….

It was a slightly more anxious group of skiers who gathered in the Daylodge the next morning. The temperature had dropped overnight, meaning that nice soft snow they’d enjoyed on Big Bang the day before had transformed into something a little more solid. The judges took a couple test runs down the venue and decided that although the snowpack was hard, it was edgeable and the competition could safely go forward!  After hearing this news, the energy started to turn from anxious to amped. The finals were a go!

Once again we started off with the 7-11 Girls and although they all did their utmost best as the first ones down the slope, it was Annika Cooper from Kimberley who impressed the judges the most with a score of 60.30! In second place was Anjah Morgan-Smith from Lake Louise and in third, Fernie’s own Ivy Wright.

Now that the girls had broken up the hard snow and ice a bit, the 7-11 Boys came racing down! And what a competition this category was! In the end, it was Issac Hulme from Fernie who snagged the top spot with a score of 60.30. Joseph Lesage-Reid from Kimberley was hot on his heels in second place and not far behind him was Elek Wenzlawe, another Fernie local in third place.  

The 12-14 Girls category saw a bit of drama as competitor Ava Lund from Lake Louise took a tumble and had Patrol help her down. We hope you’re feeling better Ava and we want you to know that your first run was truly impressive!! As Ava was getting the help she needed on course, some snowy weather started rolling in, meaning visibility for the last few categories was a little bit sketchy. No matter, the 12-14 Girls powered through it like the powerhouses they are and after a tough battle, Eden Amundsen from Fernie came away victorious with a score of 57.63! Kiara Bertsch from Lake Louise took second place and less than a point behind was Andorra Wright from Fernie.

With the snow thickening, the 12-14 Boys took to the start gates. With shouts of encouragement and jubilation ringing from the top, Ashton Chilton from Lake Louise impressed everyone with his 65.73 point run! Second place went to Mason Scott from Whitewater and third to Justin Darnborough from Red Mountain.

The judges paused to consider the visibility issues and considered switching to a split judge set-up but decided to push forward. They had confidence in the 15-18 Girls and they were right! Despite the conditions, the girls wowed with their style and confidence and Jade Regehr from Lake Louise ended up taking the top spot. Neve Richards from Fernie was hot on her heels though and third place went to Ella Engelhard from Missoula.

Finally was the 15-18 Boys. Everyone was expecting big things after watching them ski yesterday and the crowd gathered at the bottom of Big Bang were not disappointed. With a stunning score of 66.27 points, Fernie’s own Levi Wright took the top spot! He was joined on the podium by two more Fernie boys, Roy McPherson in second place and Tyler Stack in third.

DAY TWO VIDEO

As the winners collected their prizes, they flashed big smiles at a room full of cheering parents, coaches and friends! The next stop for these young freeskiers is Kicking Horse this weekend and Kimberley Alpine Resort on February 24&25!

For a list of day one results, click here: https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Day-1-Results.pdf

For a list of final results, click here: https://skifernie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Final-Results-1.pdf

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Snow, snow, snow = Fun, fun, fun

Tuesday, 06 February 2018 by Cali Sammel

Here at Fernie Alpine Resort we’ve been getting hammered hard with snow since the beginning of 2018, plus there’s much more on the way!  We received nearly 250 cms over just 3 weeks at the end of January (315 cms total in January) and The Weather Network predicts we’ll be getting more over the next few days.

After our deep January we’re at over 25 feet year to date already with over 50 cms in the last week, Polar Peak lift has been buried for a good part of the season!  A storm cycle is moving in from the Pacific this week bringing ‘widespread snowfall to the Rockies’, with some parts of British Columbia seeing 30 – 50 cms (skiers & snowboarders rejoice)!

This season is a powder pleaser, which is expected to continue into our spring skiing months.  What better time than to book your Spring Ski Vacation now?  See our Hot Deals page for offers like 3rd night 50%, 4th night FREE, midweek specials and long stay deals (book before February 28th for these special offers).

Plan your spring vacation around one of our year end events – this year is the 10th Anniversary of Fernival and we’re planning the biggest and best party year! With headliners Sloan on Saturday, April 14th, stopping by as part of their 20th Anniversary tour and fresh off releasing their brand new album on April 6th!  The Fernival party continues into Sunday, April 15th with a performance by BC/DC, one of our favourite bands to have at the resort.  Also part of our Fernival weekend is the long standing tradition – the Raging Elk PPP (Powder, Pedal, Paddle) event and the Slopesoaker pond skim.

For now, please excuse us as we continue to dig out.
Come out and visit us soon!

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‘Tis the season!

Tuesday, 12 December 2017 by Fernie Alpine Resort

Fernie is a winter wonderland in more ways than one this holiday season! Sure, there’s the legendary annual snowfall and seemingly unlimited terrain but there are also many cheer-filled events coming to the resort just in time for the holidays.

There’s nothing quite like an old-school scenic sleigh ride to make you feel jolly. With friendly horses and a comfy sleigh that winds through the majestic forests surrounding Fernie Alpine Resort, this is a sure-fire way to get you into the Christmas spirit. From December 21 to January 5, sleigh rides will be running daily between 12 and 7 p.m. for $15 a person. If a private evening sleigh ride is more your speed, then group bookings can be made at Guest Services for groups of up to 11 people. This blissful and relaxing outdoor activity is a great way to kickoff the holidays.

And the fun most certainly doesn’t stop there. Saint Nick himself will be making a special visit to Fernie Alpine Resort for two days on December 23 and 24. He heard how great the skiing is and couldn’t resist a last minute stopover in Fernie before his big night. You can hit the slopes with Santa between 10 a.m. and noon and then head into the daylodge to tell the man in the jolly red suit your wishlist as you pose for a photo. He’ll be in the daylodge until 2 p.m. so you can be sure to snag a photo either the traditional way or in our new Santa photo booth! Elves will be on hand to email the pictures free of charge.

This holiday season is jam-packed with particularly fun activities for the little ones (aged 6-12). The Griz Kidz Holiday Program will keep the kids busy and give the parents some time to get the Christmas shopping done!  The activities cost $5 per child but you can book any five Griz Kidz activities for only $20. One of those could be the Crafty Kidz nights on

 December 22 and January 1 where parents can drop the little rippers off for some supervised craft time. Another could be building gingerbread houses on December 27 or even the mini carnival on the 29th. If you’ve got an aspiring snowboarder in the family, you don’t want to miss the Burton Riglet Snowboard Demo on Boxing Day. With a costume party on January 2, cooking night on January 3 and a games night on the 5th, your little tyke will have plenty to keep them occupied over the school break. All Griz Kids holiday events run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and registration can be done through Guest Services.

Another way to keep the kids busy this holiday season is with the Kids Christmas Ski & Board Camp. For only $269, kids from ages 6-12 and of all riding abilities will get three full days of on-mountain instruction from our expert instructors. The camp runs from December 26-29 and will focus on skill development, guided discovery of the mountain and of course, fun! Contact the Winter Sports School to sign up today.

For starry fun for all ages, hit up the Mighty Moose for a moonlit ski on December 23 and 24 as well as from December 26 to January 6 between 4-9 p.m. Bring the whole family out for some evening turns on the Mighty Moose and remember, your day pass is valid for night skiing as well! Otherwise, tickets can be purchased for $19.95 plus tax for adults and free for everyone under 17 years old. This is a great way to get all that you can out of your day pass and is especially great if you’re just not ready to stop riding at 4 o’clock!

Finally, one the most exciting nights of the year is celebrated across the globe and Fernie is no exception! New Years Eve is a chance to start-over, make some changes, or just continue living the great life that you do. Either way, we want to celebrate another year of awesomeness with you! Bring the whole family down to our New Years Eve party to enjoy a number of free and fun activities. Everything kicks off at 7 p.m. with arts and crafts, a photo booth and more in the plaza area. The night culminates with a dazzling display of fireworks over the Mighty Moose at 9 p.m. If you parents out there aren’t quite ready to end your night off so early, drop the kiddies off at the Griz Kidz New Years Eve party, but remember to sign up first.

Little Griz Kidz will have a pizza party, dancing, games, snacks, fireworks, and a movie (with popcorn, of course) just for them on New Years Eve at the Griz Kidz New Years Eve Party. This particular party is a paid event and requires pre-registration at Guest Services so make sure to book your spot! Kids 6 and up are invited to this fully supervised event, with two different options. Drop the kids off early (6 p.m.) or attend the family party together and then drop them off a little later (9:30 p.m.). The professional staff will keep your children safe and happy until 12:30 a.m. so you can ring in the New Year in style!

So, like we said, there are tons of events to help you get in the Christmas spirit at Fernie Alpine Resort this year. We hope to see you on the slopes!

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Welcome Back Fernie!

Thursday, 07 December 2017 by Fernie Alpine Resort

Welcome back Fernie!

Another year of unbelievable powder and excellent riding is off to a flying start. Opening day saw people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities hit the slopes at Fernie Alpine Resort and it was nothing but smiles, some new and some familiar in the line-ups on Deer and Elk chairs Saturday morning before the line drop.

Excitement was in the air as campers yawned and crawled out of their tents and early birds met them in the maze. Even the Griz made an appearance and managed to grab the second Elk chair of the season, after stirring up some buzz in the crowd of course. As the minutes, and then the seconds ticked towards nine o’clock, voices swelled in a giant countdown. Five… Four… Three… Two… ONE!

After first chair, the smiles got even bigger as skiers and boarders discovered a snowy powder paradise in Cedar Bowl. With five lifts and approximately 35 runs open on opening day, everyone was happy with the conditions and chomping at the bit to explore the rest of the mountain.

Lucky for them, we can announce that the Timber Bowl Express, White Pass chair, and Moose slope will be opening on Saturday! Get ready to head over to see what the new side has to offer in terms of early season snow or learn some turns on our beginner slopes. After less than a week, we can now boast 65 open runs and that number is sure to sky-rocket on Saturday.

And that’s not the only new and exciting thing coming up this week. Fernie Alpine Resort has a new destination for delicious dining and it’s opening Friday, December 8th at 11 a.m!

Legends Mountain Eatery is new to the resort this year and we couldn’t be more excited to explore their scrumptious menu of daring and dazzling food. Located in the plaza, this mountain eatery is both convenient and comforting. Make sure to stop in and give it a try, that is if you can tear yourself away from the mountain long enough to grab a bite to eat!

Although you’ll certainly see many familiar faces among the staff at Fernie Alpine Resort this season, we also want to welcome hundreds of new staff members to our team! These are the people that work hard to make sure you have the best possible time skiing, riding, and relaxing in Fernie so show them some love.

With good vibes and even better snow, we couldn’t have asked for a better kick off to the 2017/2018 winter season. We hope to see you on the slopes!

Photos by: Steve Reed and Fernie Alpine Resort

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The Fernie Fun Tax: Pay and Play

Tuesday, 10 October 2017 by Angie Abdou

“HOLD TIGHT, FÉLIX! WE’RE COMING TO GET YOU!”

“I’M IN DEEP! BUT I’VE STILL GOT ONE SKI.”

“10-4! WE’RE ON OUR WAY. RESCUE MISSION INITIATED!”

The nine-year-old boys climb up the mountain through hip-deep snow to save Félix. In reality, they’re directly under the Bear Chair, and they climb about five yards, but in their imaginations they’re deeply immersed in a backcountry survival situation.

Sadly, I see mere snippets of the mission on a shoddy helmet-cam recording. I missed their remote, life-and-death adventure entirely. Why? Because I had the brainstorm of not getting a season’s ski pass that year. Here’s my logic: I’m the hockey mom so that sport takes me away from Fernie a few weekends. I work in Alberta so lose other potential ski days there. I decided “it’s not worth it.” Or more precisely, I decided I am not worth it. Everyone else in my family has a season’s pass, even if they don’t make it up to the hill every weekend.

When I saw that video of my favourite nine-year-old boys, rosy cheeked and fired-up on adventure, I wished I’d been there. After two years with no ski pass, I’m declaring project No-Pass a failed experiment.

Because you know what happens when I don’t have a season’s pass? I don’t go skiing. In the morning, I decide I should wait until after lunch and get the half-day rate. Already I’ve missed the best part of the day: fresh powder. By noon, while the rest of my family flies high, energized by fresh air and exercise, I’m hitting the post-lunch lethargy. So I decide maybe I’d better stay home instead: there’s laundry to do, emails to answer. When the family comes in at 4:30 giggling about a day of snow fun, I’m grouchy because I’ve spent the afternoon folding clothes and scanning social media. But I’ve saved money!

That saved money will not be what I remember when my kids have grown and gone.

My husband always tells me: “You’re not supposed to think about getting a season’s ski pass. It’s the Fernie Fun Tax. Like any tax, you pay it and then you forget about it until the next year.” He has paid his Fernie Fun Tax every year since 1995. He has never once regretted it.

He’s right. In two years, I missed many fun days on the hill. Katie’s first ski race. Crazy Helmet Day. Ollie’s first black diamond run. Pink-clad Katie straight-lining full speed into the SLOW sign (I know, ski patrol friends, not funny, totally not, obviously).

This year my experiment draws to a close. When it comes to Ski Fernie, I am all in: season’s pass, priority parking, new gear. When my kids look back on their 2018 ski season, I will be woohooing my way down Red Tree right beside them. I can’t wait.

See you up there, Fernie Friends!

Photos by Powder Matt, Rob Heule & Mark Eleven Photography

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FERNIE ALPINE RESORT CELEBRATES 3 MOUNTAIN HOSTS: 25 years of service for GLENN, LYALL & WALLY!

Wednesday, 03 May 2017 by Karen Pepper

Fernie Alpine Resort was proud to honour 3 of our dedicated Mountain Hosts with long-term service awards this past winter.  Glenn Sedgwick, Lyall Mahan and Wally Pfeifer have been 3 of the friendly faces that have been welcoming and assisting our guests for the past 25 years.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and congratulations to Glenn, Lyall and Wally!

Meet our amazing volunteers, who are out there in all weather conditions helping visitors to enjoy their mountain experience to its fullest!

GLENN SEDGWICK
“We moved to Fernie in 1989 as a result of a 3 year loan assignment from the Calgary Imperial Oil office to Byron Creek Collieries. Like so many others we loved Fernie so much we decided to stay here and raise our boys. Skiing and the outdoors was a great attraction for us, so in 1991 I joined the Volunteer Ski Patrol (CSPS) at the Fernie ski hill, then known as Fernie Snow Valley. Things have changed a lot since those early days. The ski hill consisted of only the Lizard and Cedar Bowls. The pro-patrol was small, about 6 people and the CSPS were responsible for the majority of the first aid work on the weekends. The Bear T-bar and Facelift serviced the upper mountain. The only way out of Cedar bowl was Cedar trail. During this period I also coached minor hockey and baseball. My wife Jeanette was enjoying the Fernie Host program, so in early 2000’s I joined too. I enjoyed touring and helping guests and proudly showing off our great mountain. I still love being a host, meeting and greeting people and enjoying the comradery of the host crew and it provides a break from my normal day job. It is great to get out of the house, enjoy the fresh air and get a little exercise. Maybe once retirement kicks in, I will be able to spend more time on this great mountain. “

LYALL MAHAN
“I originally came from the Saskatchewan flatland (Melfort), served 10 years with the Canadian Air Force, and then moved to Hinton, Alberta. While living in Hinton I was introduced to skiing at Marmot Basin. We moved to Fernie in 1981 but I didn’t take skiing seriously until I retired from Shell’s Line Creek mine. Retirement was cut short when Heiko Socher recruited me to do maintenance at the Griz Inn Hotel. This ski environment jump started my enthusiasm for skiing. Volunteering as a ski ambassador while at the hotel and with the Mountain Host program has been a rewarding experience as I enjoy promoting our ski hill to guests from around the world. “

Host - 25 years - Wally

WALLY PFEIFER
“I moved to the quaint little town of Fernie in May 1979. Before moving to Fernie, I merely skied a couple times, skiing behind a ski-doo on cross-country skis.
I seriously started to downhill ski when the three daughters were fairly young (ages 7 to 9 years old) when they joined the Nancy Greene Program which was in the mid-80’s. Around about the same time, I also joined the Mine Rescue at Westar Mining where I worked. In 1990, I joined the Canadian Ski Patrol Program. In that first weekend of Ski Patrol, I administered more first-aid than I had done in five years on the Mine Rescue Program at the mine. I continued with the Patrol Program until 1997 which credited me with 7 years of volunteering with them.
The following winter I joined the ski-host pro-gram & presently am still a ski-host. My 25 years of volunteering seemed to have gone by way too fast. The glory years of ski-hosting was when we inter-acted with the guest by giving them 4 hours of touring the mountain; 2 hours in the morning on the old side of the mountain and 2 hours on the new side of the mountain in the afternoon. You knew when you did a good job when you seen all the smiles on the guest’s faces. Many of the toured guests came back year after year, became friends and some even retired and moved here. And, now some of them are the ski-hosts.
I will continue with the ski-host program well into the future. Now, I am the Duty Host for our Thursday Group. Come and say Hi. Thanks!”

 

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