Here are a few pics from the resort. The snow guns remain idle, the chairs and t’s are hung, new trails have been cleared and the Bears Den is in repair.

Hopefully the stars and planets will soon align and the Griz will speak.

Fresh fruit and vegies, Beckies cup cakes and the many arts and craft vendors make the market a must visit in Fernie. The market is held at Rotery Park on Hwy 3 beside the Park Place Lodge every Sunday from 10am to 2pm.

I must clarify than when it snows my obsession returns, spring powder is the best! Last Tuesdays cycle of 22cms of dense pow everything one could hope for. Everything was open and ripped from bowl to bowl.
Powder days and adventure do exist outside the world of resort skiing. On a sunny day last week I ventured to Fernie’s towering four-season playground, the Three Sisters, for the fun of it.

Following is Al’s photo essay of one deep cave and a fun day.

It has been stellar and the snow pack is above average for the first time in years: Snow Pillow Data. Locals however are calling this sunny period a drought, the first drought of the season.

The long-range weather forecast does look promising with snow forecast for a two week period. Winters not over yet–wax your powder skis for the coming cycle!

The snow professionals might have a different perspective on the years snowpack. Several deaths in the BC backcountry and near death incidents in the Elk Valley have everyone sitting on edge. A deep weak layer from early season persists and the potential for big consequences is out there. For more information on the backcountry conditions visit the CAA

At Fernie Alpine Resort operations are in full swing. It looks like the token facelift will be running any day and the saddles were open yesterday. The ski school is busy and the hot dogs are flying.

If your considering coming to Fernie now is the time to book!

This holiday season it happened again and I’m certain that the result is that a few of you will be changing your lives forever. Over 200cm’s fell in a three week period beginning the week prior to Christmas and it hasn’t stopped snowing as I write this. Holly powder!! The best day was possibly the 44cm of champaign overnight!

This year Susan I have the extra pleasure of skiing with my 4 year old, Nathan, and my 2 year old daughter, Chloe, seen in the following picture.

When Fernie is on there is no better skiing in the world. To ensure that you’ll catch one of those periods of “in your face and over your head powder” your best option is to spend a season or move here permanently.

I looking forward to many more cycles of great snow this winter. Happy New Year and hope to catch one of these great snow cycles!

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!”

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:

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:

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!

The skiing at the Resort was nice up high and crappy on the lower half. We do need two more 30cm dumps to make the skiing like it should be and the forecast looks promising.  Opening day is quickly approaching.

My kids are full time players - they loved the first snow of the year in their playground.

The base was solid at 6000ft however we need snow, NOW, not next month, NOW! In the alpine the snow was wind scoured however the trees offered nice soft turns. May it snow!

As I’m posting this update Winter blew in - next weekend hopefully we’ll be using a very different set of tools - skies, poles, etc..

Cross your fingers!

Sunday provided another adventure and great riding as we discovered the work Mitch and the young lads have been making on the Stupid Traverse. The Stupid Traverse is as the name implies however the new route looks promising. The Stupid Traverse connects with Stumpy Trail however we retreated for a 700 meter downhill. See our route in red almost connecting with Stumpy on the left.

For those of you looking for Winter - don’t put your bikes away!

And here I am months later rediscovering the beauty of Autumn and anticipating the first Winter storms.

A call from the top of Currie confirmed the quality of the snow. When I ventured out the sun was making brief appearances and the snow was most enjoyable.

The forecast looks promising for the powder cycle to continue throughout the week.

Get out and enjoy the mid-winter conditions!