Steve Omischl of Kelowna, B.C., may not get many freestyle ski victories that come this easily. The defending World Cup overall men’s aerials champion started off the 2007-08 season with a bang by distancing himself from a field that included the 2006 Olympic champion.

“I couldn’t have done a better first jump and I had a very good second jump,” remarked the 29-year-old, who won the overall title last season and in 2004.

He took the lead in the Freestyle FIS World Cup Friday by nailing his opening jump, a quadruple-twisting triple somersault, performed with a double twist on the first revolution.

“The weather was perfect. I just felt very relaxed,” added Omischl, who won before a sparse crowd that consisted mainly of about 300 children brought in for the event.

“I hate to say it, but it was kind of easy. I’m just extremely happy,” concluded the native of North Bay, Ont., whose goal is to lead this season’s overall World Cup standings from start to finish.

Omischl’s winning score of 247.55 came at Changchun Lianhuashan Ski Resort where the only other Canadian competing was Warren Shouldice of Calgary. Shouldice scored 216.85 for seventh place. Anton Kushnir of Belarus was second in 237.33 and Olympic champion Xiaopeng Han third in 236.11.

Two of the sports superstars went 1-2 in the women’s aerials final. Australian Jacqui Cooper, the defending World Cup women’s overall aerials champion, took the win with 196.62 points after starting with 110.30 points for a triple-twisting triple flip. Her teammate, Lydia Lassila, was second in 190.34 and Xinxin Guo of China took third in 186.70.

Other Canadian aerialists remained in Canada training for North America’s season-opening World Cup, scheduled for January 18-20 in Lake Placid.

Greg Athans, Jean-Luc Brassard, Dave Pym, and Mélanie Turgeon have been selected for induction into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame.

Greg Athans (To be inducted posthumously) one of Canada’s earliest pioneers in Freestyle skiing had an outstanding number of victories in competition between his debut year in 1976, and his retirement in 1982. In 1976, he astonished the freestyle skiing world by winning the mogul, ballet and combined titles on the Professional Freestyle Alliance circuit. In 1978, he repeated this effort by winning both moguls and ballet titles and, again, in 1980 winning the moguls title and the coveted World Cup Grand Prix Award for the Best All-Around Competitor.

Jean-Luc Brassard, of Montreal, QC won an unprecedented number of World Cup medals in Freestyle skiing, including a gold medal in the moguls event, at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. The four-time Olympian also won 2 gold medals in the 1993 and 1997 World Championships. Jean-Luc continues to be involved in sport, as a television commentator, a representative of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and as a mentor to young athletes, particularly in Quebec.

Dave Pym, of Vancouver BC, has spent the better part of his 40 year involvement in ski racing as a volunteer at all levels, from local clubs to the Olympic Winter Games. He has worked tirelessly to support the education of officials, homologation of Canadian race courses, and advancing the Canadian position within Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) and other international alpine skiing organizations. He became Managing Director of the Canadian SnowSports Association in 2002.

Mélanie Turgeon, of Laval, QC, dominated the 1994 Junior World Championships winning medals in all five alpine events (Giant Slalom, Super G, Slalom, Downhill, Combined) including two golds. A member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team from 1992 to 2005, she was Canadian National Champion in four alpine events (Giant Slalom, Super G, Slalom, Downhill), and had eight World Cup podium finishes. In 2003 Mélanie won the downhill at the FIS World Ski Championships and was named Alpine Canada’s Female Athlete of the Year.

The Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, part of the Canadian Ski Museum, honours persons who have made distinguished and substantial contributions to the growth and development of the sport of snow skiing and snowboarding in Canada. The four new inductees will join 144 other competitors, officials, coaches, trainers, instructors, and builders of the ski sport and industry who have been so honoured.

The Canadian Ski Museum will formally induct the new members at a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet on Thursday, 17 April 2008, at the Chateau Cartier in Gatineau, Quebec.

Winter has arrived and with it Fernie’s newest dining experience, the Red Tree Lodge. The restaurant opened its doors Sunday, December 16, 2007 and diners were there to tempt their taste buds on the international fare.

NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard, a family operated British company specializing in ski/snowboard instructor and improvement programs in Fernie purchased the Cedar Lodge in May 2007. Since then the hotel and restaurant has undergone an extensive refurbishment. The new restaurant is now complete and is serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

“It’s exciting to be able to offer a new dining location in Fernie and we’ve had a fantastic response to our new restaurant both by locals and visitors alike. The restaurant walls are decorated with inspiring artwork by numerous local artists, our menu and live cooking stations are proving a real hit and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, just how we hoped it would be,” said Rupert Taylor, Managing Director of NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard.

The chefs have created a menu of International Fare with Fernie Flair. Guests will experience dishes from around the globe served in a relaxed, friendly Fernie atmosphere. Emphasis has been placed on serving nutritious and healthy meals that are tasty and fresh with a selection that is sure to meet every guest’s needs. Dining options range from Continental Breakfasts and a Live Egg Station at breakfast to a Steak Sandwich and vegetarian options on the lunch menu. For dinner feast on our Sirloin Steak or enjoy a Breast of Chicken served with a Thai Green Curry and Vegetable sauce. Daily specials will also be available to diners as well as a Saturday night Pasta Bar and Sunday night Prime Rib Dinner. Kids will have their own fun menu featuring Spaghetti & Snowballs, Caesar Salad and Dirt Cake for dessert.

“With the experience of our restaurant General Manager who has been personal chef to stars such as Bono, Keith Richards and Elton John we are confident our menu offers absolutely first class food while ensuring the prices are affordable. So whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner there’s something delicious for everyone,” added Taylor.

The Restaurant is open year round for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from 7:30 am to 11:00 pm. For the winter season, the hotel bedrooms will be the home of NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard’s clientele, but come April 8th the hotel staff will be welcoming guests to stay at the lodge right through the summer and fall.

Fernie’s own Emily Brydon skied to the best performance of her career, finishing the Ladies World Cup Super G in St. Moritz, SUI in second place, just 0.04 seconds from victory.The 27-year-old Brydon finished in a time of one minute 15.10 seconds, finishing in second for the first time in her career. Sweden’s Anja Paerson won for the second day in a row, finishing in 1:15.06 with Austrian Renate Goetschl third.

“Today was a great day for me because the start of the season was a little bumpy and it’s very reassuring when you get a result like this,” said Brydon, a three-time Pontiac GMC Canadian Super G champion (2005, 2004, 1998). “It goes to show everyone has a chance of the podium, it doesn’t matter what you did yesterday or last week.”

This was not the first time Brydon had been on the podium in St. Moritz. She earned the first podium of her career, a bronze in the Downhill, exactly seven years ago today.

“St.Moritz is also the place where I earned my first ever podium so there has always been a soft spot in my heart for it,” said Brydon, the Coupe Nor-Am Cup overall Super G champion in 1998.

This performance gives Brydon five World Cup podiums for her career, moving her into a tie with Geneviève Simard (Val-Morin, QC) and Allison Forsyth (Nanaimo, BC) for most World Cup podiums among active Canadian Ladies. The five podiums put each of them in a tie for eighth on the all-time list among female ski racers in Canadian history.

Britt Janyk tied for tenth, finishing in 1:15.57 while Kelly VanderBeek (Kitchener, ON) ended up 32nd while Emilie Desforges (Montréal, QC) was 33rd.

“Our team is on fire! How can you not be inspired? With Britt’s and Kelly results to date, I knew that my time was coming. We have a great team and this is only the beginning,” said Brydon.

Snowboarders around the world got an early Christmas gift today when Taos Ski Valley announced that they will begin allowing riders to romp across their steep chutes beginning in March 2008.

While some serious skiers may decry the end of an era at the legendary New Mexico ski area, pretty much every snow traveling family will now get to place Taos back on the to-do list for winter. And, the growing legion of snowboarders in the town of Taos now get to ride at their home hill.

Here’s the e-mail the resort sent out:

After much contemplation Taos Ski Valley has decided to open our slopes to snowboarding beginning March 19, 2008. It is in the adventurous spirit of Ernie and Rhoda Blake we welcome the challenges and anticipate the opportunities that this decision implies. While there are many reasons why we have chosen this season to make such a significant change to our company’s policy the foremost factor is we feel simply that it is time.

For several seasons the debate has been more directed as to “when” rather than “if” snowboarding would be permitted at Taos Ski Valley. It has been the opinion of the Blake Family and TSV’s management that the timing was critical. Let us emphasize that this decision is the result of careful planning and consideration. We recognize many challenges that will result from this decision but feel ultimately it will benefit Taos Ski Valley, Inc., its employees and the community at large.

It is the goal of the Blake family and current management to continue the legacy of Taos Ski Valley. Equally to take care of you, our devoted staff and loyal friends, who for so long have helped us take care of our Mountain and the Taos Ski Valley legacy. We ask you to join us as Taos Ski Valley, Inc. transitions into the future with its spirit and ideals firmly rooted in the past.

Cordially,

Alejandro, Adriana and Mickey

The Canadian freestyle ski team is without superstar Jenn Heil, but the team still had sensational results to start the World Cup season Thursday. Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau of Drummondville, Que.,followed up a leading score in the qualification round with a convincing win, as team-mates Alex Bilodeau of Rosem�re, Que., and KristiRichards of Summerland, B.C., each collected bronze medals.

The veteran Rousseau, who had struggled on the World Cup circuit the last two seasons, turned his career around with the help of a World Championship moguls win last year. “It’s unbelievable,” said Rousseau, 28. “I’ve been trying to win the Tignes World Cup for 11 years!” “In the past, I’ve been better at the end of the season than at the beginning, so this is a big change.”

The third World Cup triumph of his career also betters his previous best of fifth on the Tignes course several times. “This shows the world championship win wasn’t a fluke, but it was deserved,” he said. “It was not a dream. It’s confirmation of the situation.”  The win also has Rousseau thinking about the overall World Cup moguls� title after placing third in 2000 and 2001 and second in 2003.

Thursday, on the hill where the World Cup season traditionally kicks off, Rousseau�s winning score was 25.04. Tapio Luusua of Finland scored 24.41 to Bilodeau’s 24.05. Bilodeau had trouble landing his second jump, an off-axis 1080, but had a strong day otherwise.  “P.A. nailed it and he was the best skier today. Today I was skiing well, but not as fast as I was the past two days,” said Bilodeau, 20.  “But I’m really happy with that podium, to start the season, and we’ll build from there.”

Finalist Vincent Marquis of Quebec City finished 11th, while other Canadian men�s results were Maxime Gingras of St-Hippolyte, Que., in 15th and Warren Tanner of Grimsby, Ont., in 21st.

Heil, who has won the last four overall World Cup women’s moguls titles, has not joined the team yet, while coming back from injury. Richards’ bronze medal wasn’t a big surprise, though, after beating Heil and others for the 2007 World Championship moguls’ crown. But this was by far Richards’ best start ever to a freestyle ski season. “I have a history of not competing well in the first contest of the year,” said the 26-year-old. “I’m definitely very excited about breaking that cycle. I usually crashed.” Richards’ third-place score was 23.43. Margarita Marbler of Austria scored 24.24 for the win, while silver medallist Aiko Uemura of Japan scored 23.51.

Other Canadian finalists were Stephanie St-Pierre of Ste-Foy, Que., in sixth and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe of Montreal in 10th. Also, Sylvia Kerfoot of Vancouver placed 15th, Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City 16th, Nathalie Bazin of Quebec City 19th and Jackie Brown of Cambridge, Ont., 22nd.

Fernie Alpine Resort will play host to the Kinky Rail Jam on Saturday, December 15. Open to both skiers and snowboarders, the Kinky Rail Jam will be set in a jam format so that each rider has a number of feature options. Competitors will have a chance to win their share of a cash purse, Helly Hansen and Scott gear, as well as prizes from Fresh Sports and MGT Snowboard Camps.

The event will be judged by a panel of industry representatives. Overall talent and skill will help the judges choose their champions. The public and media are invited to attend the event for photograph opportunities and to cheer on their favorite skiers and riders. Entry fees are $20 + GST and registration is available online at www.skircr.com/compete or from 9am - 10am in the Daylodge at Fernie Alpine Resort on the day of the event.

Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to register early.  All competitors must provide a $20 bib deposit, and helmets are mandatory in order to compete. Competitors under the age of 18 must have one of their parents, a legal guardian or certified card-carrying coach accompany them in person to registration.

The Kinky Rail Jam Awards Ceremony will follow the event at 3:30pm in the Daylodge at Fernie Alpine Resort. The top overall male and female athlete from the RCR Rail Jam Series (competes in all four events) will win a Helly Hansen sponsorship for the 2008/09 season.

The Heavy Metal Rail Jam was the first event of the RCR series and was held at Lake Louise Mountain Resort on Saturday, December 2 with 100 competitors. The third event in the RCR Rail Jam Series is the Street Cred Rail Jam, taking place at Nakiska Ski Area on Saturday, January 12, 2008.

Canada’s top mogul skiers are in Tignes, France for the start of the FIS Freestyle World Cup season. Leading the Canadian team this week are current World Champions Kristi Richards of Summerland, BC and Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau from Drummondville, QC.

The team has been training in Tignes for the past few days and are anxious to get the season underway on Thursday, December 13.

“It’s great to get the competitive season started,” said Richards. “We’ve all put in a lot of great training this summer and fall, now we get to put it all to work.”

Kristi Richards & Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau

After Christmas, the team will compete in Lake Placid, New York before returning to Canada for the Canada Post Freestyle Grand Prix at Ski Mont Gabriel, QC January 26 & 27.

When the skiing is better than anticipated, smiles abound!  I reported a few soft turns and yes, they were there. Not everywhere but definitely in White Pass and Currie Bowl. Overall the skiing was highly enjoyable and the new staff were peppy and fun.

The high pressure delivered awesome views of all the avalanche slides from last weeks rain. The snowpack is great - bring on the real powder! Here a few shots from todays adventure:

The Fernie and District Historical Society announces that their 2008 Fernie Historical Calendar is now available. 2008 marks the Centennial of the Great Fernie Fire of August 01, 1908.

In less than ninety minutes Fernie was reduced to smouldering ashes. The reconstruction after the fire has shaped the physical appearance of Fernie to this day. The calendar not only includes photos from the fire, but also historic scenes and events throughout our community.

Revenue generated from sales will support the ongoing operation of their Museum and the acquisition of a permanent Museum Building.

Publication of this calendar has been sponsored in part by many of the generous businesses in Fernie. The Historical Society thanks those businesses for their support.

Copies of the calendar are available at the Fernie Museum and the following Fernie retailers:

Ghostrider Trading
Carosella Artworks
Polar Peek Books & Treasures