Locals Report

I came to Fernie in 92 to ski at Island Lake Lodge and 16 years later not much has changed. Awesome terrain, great views and big powder days are what the lodge is all about!

Sunrise at the Lodge is always breathtaking as the first rays of light hit the towering peaks displaying the days playground for the first glimpse.

Following a safety talk and brief training by the guides we are loaded into a new Pisten Bully complete with new seats and tunes! After all these years they have Serious radio or a hook up for your own i-tunes.

Butterflies abound as we gather for our first run on Mt. Baldy. The smiles say everything about the snow conditions.

Today the ratio of boarders to skiers has boarders toping the count. Boarders appear get the bottom quickly however they have their moments as well. Guide to the rescue “big fella”!

After a big day of fresh and untracked we gather again on Baldy for our final decent, this time on the “Beer Run” and yes the name is as implies - to the lodge for hot soup and a drink.

As Warren always said, “If you don’t do it this year you’ll be one year older when you do!”

The Mogul Smoker party has been a Fernie tradition since 1976. Started by Barry Hulbert and Ian Stokie, they initially created a drink, the Mogul Smoker, and a reason to party. Two ounces of rum and Kahlua toped with coffee and hot chocolate - it proved to provide a great buzz. After a couple of annual Mogul Smoker parties they observed a direct correlation with the occurrence of large snow dumps.

Obviously Fernie’s mountain man legend, the Griz, was pleased with the Mogul Smoker party and was rewarding Snow Valley with abundant snow. For more info on the Griz visit: fernie.com

Barry and Ian soon make the Mogul Smoker an annual late Autumn event and great snow persisted for many years making Fernie a great powder town. Years later the party was canceled for no good reason and everyone noticed a decline in the snowfall. Fernie experienced a three year snow draught–it was awful. Some blamed the lack of snow on new ownership however locals knew the reason.

Fortunately for powder enthusiasts a new generation of skiers and snowboarders reinstated the party and in a new yet 70-ish fashion. Hallucinogenic - with lights, lasers, costumes, video, music, stimulating themes, props and action everywhere.

And the Griz is happy - powder immediately blanketed the mountains making the skiing great!

My thanks goes out to the organizers who created a world-class party! The following pictures are from this years awesome party:

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 upper Currie Bowl. Overall the skiing was highly enjoyable and the new staff were peppy and fun.

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

Two days of rain this Monday and Tuesday have taken the Powder out of the legend’s opening. Saturday’s opening will be less than anticipated by the powder addicted locals and visitors however the snow pack is looking good.

The snow pack is solid and well positioned for the coming snow. The rocks are covered with good coverage and a solid base. There might be a couple of powder turns up high followed by crust and the groomed runs should be outstanding as usual.

Naturually we all want face shots on opening day - that was last weekend when 50cm’s plus fell on Sunday.

It will return and hopefully SOON!

Just when I was forgetting why… it snowed. And it snowed. Nice light -13 snow - in my face and all around fluff. Unfortunately ain is forecast for Monday which leaves opening weekend as an unknown. Until the precip cycle completes itself stay tuned. Here are a couple of quick shots from a weekend adventure.