Why would a nearly-thirty-year-old – who has never skied and has a layering system for mild UK spring conditions – want to relocate 5,000 miles overseas to minus 20 temperatures in Canada?

I moved to Fernie after months of persuasive tactics from my boyfriend who is working as a ski instructor for the season.

My partner – who is irritatingly great at everything he puts his mind to – has skied most years since he was a teenager while I have only ever made a snowman.

So, with the comfort of my expertise in mind, we both left our long term jobs and jumped in right at the deep end.

Myself, facing icy conditions and double ejections while my boyfriend ponders for hours – sometimes days – over which touring bindings he wants to buy next.

All of the above are equally as painful as another to experience as a novice. And, so is putting on your new ski boots for the first time.

With my discounted helmet, skis and goggles in tow, I headed out for my first lesson on opening weekend at Fernie Alpine Resort, slowly tackling the beginners slope, The Mighty Moose, on my bottom.

What a humbling experience, I thought. It’s not often in life, especially at 29 years old, you’re just as good, if not more wobbly, than a one-year-old at something.

It really hit home then how much there is to learn and it can’t all be learned overnight, despite wanting to, which is hard for someone who identifies often as a ‘Know It All’.

Now, six weeks on and bruises aside, the experience of learning to ski at a Resorts of the Canadian Rockies’ hill is more fun than I could have imagined.

Progressing onto blue slopes, slowly but surely, and sharing my highs and lows with the lift ops staff who have watched me move on from a button lift has been so encouraging.

There is a very friendly cheerleader atmosphere on the hill, which I rarely experience elsewhere, with staff, skiers and boarders alike wanting the best for each other.

I overheard one skier say the other day he had the “best time of his life” after the 40cm dump on January 6.

It begs the question: who wouldn’t want to be around people living their best lives?

It’s clear the audacity I had travelling to Canada and thinking it was all going to be easy is rather funny.

My advice to anyone who hasn’t skied would be to put your ego and frustrations aside and keep getting up, despite the conditions.

Though, to some onlookers, putting my frustrations aside might have looked like throwing my poles in the air and laying on the ground. A talent I do exclusively share with one year olds.

If toddlers and people in their later lives can ski, then so can I, and so can you. It’s never too late to try.

Two things are for certain, though; legend – or the ‘lifty’s’ have it – that snow is always on its way, even if it’s not.

And, taking lessons from a loved one – despite being together for a decade – is never, ever advised.

—-

Information about the Fernie Winter Sports School.

I moved here (basically) sight unseen. Having visited here once before (and when I had pneumonia), I didn’t have much to go off of. Yet, I was drawn to Fernie in a way that is difficult to describe. I’ve lived all over the world, but something about Fernie feels just right. 

I love how the town’s energy and community follow the seasons. The anticipation of winter and spring skiing, the dog days of summer, and the cooling and calming sense of Fall. There’s always an adventure to be had—or not. Unlike other mountain towns, I enjoy that Fernie doesn’t have a pretentious vibe that’s out to shame anyone who’s not pursuing a FKT (fastest-known time). If you want to get after it, there are folks for that. If you don’t, there are folks for that, too! Fernie even has its own “Leisure Athletes” club. Pretty darn special, if you ask me.   

The first time my parents visited, my Dad took a photo of the Lizard Range and shared it on social media. Instantly, his friends worldwide commented, “Wow!” and “Your daughter is so lucky to live there!” 

Claire enjoying the Fernie powder!

They’re not wrong. We are all lucky to live here. But is it luck? What makes Fernie special is that it’s an intentional place you want to spend your time. What Fernie lacks in major shopping or stuffy social events makes this place incredible. You don’t come here for the Aspen glamour or the Whistler glitz. Traveling here isn’t exceptionally easy, and it’s not frustratingly difficult. It’s just right, nestled in the mountains and hidden from all too many.

As the famous Jerry Garcia once said, “We would all like to be able to live an uncluttered life, a simple life, a good life.”

Not only because I’m a huge Dead Head, but I think Jerry was onto something. When I have visitors, the realization that Fernie’s life is what Jerry was thinking of hits my brain like the glint of brilliant snow crystals on a splitting blue powder day. When you go on vacation, the complicated plans most destinations require melt away here. It’s as simple as getting up in the morning, grabbing a bagel from Big Bang, and heading to the ski hill. You’re in line for the chairlift, and it’s smiles. It’s friendly. It’s passionate skiers and snowboarders lined up to have a good ol’ time. There’s a ‘frothing’ that emanates excitement, but it’s an encouraging and happy energy.

I like that living in this town means it’s small enough that you recognize people but big enough that you don’t know everyone. The most contentious argument you might engage with is “Old Side” or “New Side” (the two sides to Fernie Alpine Resort), but regardless of which you prefer, the skiing will be fabulous, and the views are endless. 

One of my favorite memories from skiing Fernie is following a couple of long-time locals down through Red Tree and into some snakey tree run when my friend yelled back, “It’s like Star Wars! You have to make the ‘pew-pew’ noises as you ski through!” Skiing is about having fun, and I loved that that moment was pure, unadulterated fun. 

On the adulterated fun side of things, this town loves to have a great time. For me, Griz Bar is one of those special places where walking in feels like a warm hug. You love to have that feeling of being enveloped in deep winter, and Griz Bar, in peak winter, is one of the best places on earth. Worries melt away, and there are loud cheers, hockey on the TV, and new friends being made between tables exchanging shot-skis. Staring up at the wall of fame photos, you are transported to an effortless time of good vibes and a pure love of sliding on snow. I probably shouldn’t write this, but honestly, it’s one of the best bars in the world. 

The character of this town is dynamic and should be celebrated. Whatever you seek, you shall find in Fernie. 

Claire Smallwood

#FernieStoke Local Ski Shuttle

Enjoy lift-accessed mountain biking, hiking & sightseeing all summer long!

The Elk Chair will be open daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm (with extended hours from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm on Thursdays).

Our summer operations run from June 25th to September 5th

Lizard Lane is freshly built and ready to go. A favourite addition to our trail network that’s been a staple over the past few summers.

Upper Top Gun had a berm and jump rebuild by hand last fall. There are plans to rebuild the middle section this summer.

My dad, Andrew Brown, worked at Fernie Alpine Resort for over 25 years, so growing up, we skied together a lot, along with my Mom, Christa, and brother, Sam. Now, our days together on skis are few and far between. We try to get one day on the slopes together, and this year that day was when I started seeing the busy days with new eyes.

When my dad and I go skiing, our goal is always to ride each lift, mostly so he can check out all the bull wheels, sheaves and grips, but it is a good way to spend the day skiing. As we rode the Mighty Moose (yes, we even rode the Moose), I payed attention to all the kids surrounding us, having their best day. I also noticed the adults and couples teaching each other how to ski; maybe not having the best day ever, but they were out there utilizing the lifts and growing from their efforts.

Mark Shannon Photo

I started to appreciate the chair lifts being full in front of us. These lifts are spinning whether there are people on them or not, so they might as well be loaded up, taking us all to the goods. The energy in the lift lines is always exciting. You see all sorts of people in the lift lines, don’t you? The jib kids that ski 9-4 every day, it doesn’t matter the weather. Then the old-timers who also ski every day but maybe for just a run or two. The guys from Saskatchewan in their hockey jerseys and gear from the 80s, or the city folk with their shiny new gear that only gets used a few times a year. But we are all here for the same thing; to buy the ticket and take the ride.

We did ski every lift on our family ski day (except the Magic Carpet), and we will do it again next year. I wasn’t even a year old in my first season pass photo. I didn’t ski that year, but my dad got free season passes for the family, so they took the photo and kept them for fun. The story goes that I kept tipping over in my seat, so it took a few tries to get the photo right, but that means I’ve had 30 season passes at Fernie Alpine Resort. I hope to be one of those ‘old timers’ in another 30 years, riding the lifts and skiing, even if it is for just one run a day.

So I raise my glass, cheers. To Fernie!

Fernie Alpine Resort is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Western Canada. With the elite terrain and large snowfall comes huge responsibilities for ski patrollers. Besides getting to ski powder while the rest of us wait with nervous anticipation for the lifts to open or the rope to drop—they are carrying the mental (and physical!) weight of keeping the mountain safe for everyone and often dealing with multiple incidents on top of heavy snowfall and tricky avalanche conditions. It requires an incredible amount of teamwork, compassion, strength, and mental fortitude.

But how do you succeed as a professional ski patroller, and what challenges are there for women in these roles? Data shows that only 23% of pro patrollers are women today.

I sat down with a few Fernie Alpine Resort legends to learn more about how mentorship has factored into the success of past, present, and future female professional ski patrollers.

Sue Boyd is a local Fernie legend. She started her career as a professional ski patroller in Blackcomb back in 1985, where she was one of six women on the roster. When Sue was hired at Fernie Snow Valley in 1990, she was the only female professional ski patroller until 1996. (Sue notes that she was not the first female professional ski patroller—there was another woman there in the early 80s). One of the claims to fame that Sue does have: she was the first female Ski Patrol Leader at Fernie Alpine Resort from 2002 to 2005.

Sue has a long list of achievements that go well beyond her role as a Patrol Leader in Fernie. She was a Canadian Freestyle Ski Team member and competed in moguls, aerials, and ski ballet at the World Cup Level. As a CARDA dog handler, she has trained and certified three avalanche rescue dogs throughout her career. She’s taught Non-stop ski patrol training courses and AST courses. She worked at Island Lake Lodge for eight years as a tail guide and snow safety and explosives trainer. And if that isn’t cool enough, she also has led backcountry horse trips in the mountains around Canada.

Sue credits her success in her career on snow to being a good listener, someone who pays close attention and asks meaningful questions. She also says having something in common with the person you are learning from helps.

When I asked Sue if she’s ever had the chance to mentor someone else, she highlighted that her success and experiences in the mountains mirror many life lessons we tend to learn over time. Meaning? It’s all about just getting along with folks. “I didn’t think of it as ‘I’m the mentor, you’re the mentee,’ it just happened. If someone wanted to learn from me, and I felt accepted as being able to teach them, and we got on well, I would share my knowledge and experience. Personalities are a big part of it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. There has to be mutual respect at both ends.”

I asked Fernie Alpine Resort’s current ski patrol director, Tyler Steen, about Sue: “Sue was definitely a mentor to me. [She] has a level of professionalism that no one can mimic.” I asked for specifics with regard to how he defines professionalism in the ski patrol sense, and Tyler said, “Sue treated everyone the same way: She always looked at the uniform and not the person in the uniform. Even when she wasn’t actively mentoring, it would be visual. Sue always acted with the skill, talent and confidence everyone admired. I took every opportunity to observe and learn as she performed the job efficiently and effectively. She was a true professional ski patroller that we were lucky to have.”

This underscores the fact that there needs to be mutual respect for a mentor-mentee relationship to blossom. Tyler added, “this idea of a formal mentorship program for ski patrollers isn’t as straightforward as you would think. You can’t pair a Level 4 patroller with a Level 1 [patroller] just because it makes sense on paper. The person who’s learning needs to be willing to accept the knowledge being shared.”

Zooming forward from Sue’s reign on FAR patrol, I also had the chance to catch up with Olivia Johnson, a Senior First Aid Officer on professional ski patrol with Fernie.

Olivia, affectionately known as “OJ”, has been on Fernie’s professional patrol squad for six seasons. “When I first started on patrol, there was still a ‘macho culture’ among the women on patrol. I wanted to do everything I could to break down that thinking. I always felt like I had to prove that I was better than the other women I worked with, or that I was a better skier, or better at this, or better at that. Thankfully there has been a big culture shift in the last six years. I work with some fantastic women who don’t need to compete with other women because of their gender. I also work with some fantastic men that fully understand that women are just as capable (if not more capable) than them and let us feel heard. The barriers are breaking down, and it feels great.”

Tyler says this inclusive attitude is something he and the Assistant Patrol Director, Megan Kelly, actively cultivate. “We have created a mentorship culture that encourages people to actively seek out that mentorship from whoever and wherever they can get that from. If we’re doing it right, anyone can participate. Our main job is to give the individual the opportunity to succeed, and it’s up to them to take advantage of it.”

Sue might have been the first female lead patroller at Fernie Alpine Resort, but it’s clear that the team invests in gender diversity through its “hands-off’ mentorship approach that encourages the ‘whole’ person to show up for the job and be willing to work hard on a team with a positive attitude and curiosity for learning. It’s exciting for Fernie to have more women in leadership positions and cultivate an atmosphere that elevates that as a norm and not an exception.

This weekend Fernie Ski Patrol will be hosting a recruitment day for interested future patrollers to learn more about what the job entails and what it’s like to work on mountain safety, first aid, and avalanche safety as a professional ski patroller. Tyler Steen says there are already nine women signed up, and of the 44 current professional ski patrollers at Fernie Alpine Resort, 14 identify as female.

With this in mind, being a good, professional ski patroller is not about being the raddest skier on the mountain. Some of the challenges we face today with regard to inclusion in this career can be solved by limiting our biases and being open and willing to learn, ask questions, and treat each other with respect and as equals.

SheJumps Get the Girls Out! is a national campaign to unite women as they support, challenge, mentor, and inspire each other in the outdoor sports world. 

Due to COVID precautions, our 2022 event will follow a hybrid model using a virtual scavenger hunt through the Goosechase app and a few on-hill games at Fernie! This gives participants the flexibility to engage with the SheJumps community at the level at which they are comfortable.

Beginning on Friday, March 4, 2022, participants can begin playing the Get the Girls Out! event using the Goosechase app on their phone. Registration for the event is free, and you’re connecting with people from around the world and also your local community. Win points by completing the missions. Then, meet up with SheJumps co-founder and executive director, Claire Smallwood, on Sunday at the Elk Base to participate in some on-hill challenges at Fernie Alpine Resort. The virtual game is live until Sunday, March 6, 2022, at 7 p.m. MST. 

• 

  Andrea Byrne and Oliva Johnson – SheJumps Ambassadors. Photo: Emma Polit

  Golden Girafficorn Hunt – find the golden ‘girafficorns’ on the mountain and bring it back to the booth to be entered to win a prize!

• Photo challenges – Snag a picture with your shred buddies and upload it to social media tagging @shejumps and @ferniealpineresort, we’ll choose a winner at the end of the day! 

Can’t make it to the ski hill? No worries! Using a mobile app, participants complete outdoor-themed missions to earn points and receive prizes from SheJumps partners. The Goosechase challenges feature 150 activities to complete and earn points. From nature breakdancing to drawing SheJumps’ signature Girafficorn to outdoor safety and preparation challenges, Get The Girls Out! gives women and girls an accessible way to enjoy time outside.

Get the Girls Out! and International Women’s Day reminds us that we can build a world where difference is valued and celebrated, and a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Getting outside is an easy and fun way to celebrate the power of community and the importance of outdoor play.  

Read more about the event at Fernie Alpine Resort here.

Questions? Contact SheJumps info@shejumps.org

Photo: Jason Hummel

I heard those exact words from two different friends last weekend. One of those friends was with me on our first tour of Outer Siberia just outside the Resort boundary, then the next day, we had the same conditions but inside the ski hill ropes. To be honest, I would have to agree with them. The past two days have been some of the best skiing I’ve had in years. And to think that just over a week ago there was grass, not only in our front lawns but at the base of the ski hill as well!

Caleb Brown at Fernie Alpine Resort. Photo by Steve Reed

There is nothing better than having days like this at the start of the season, with each day bringing new terrain as the base builds, hiding the stumps and dangers below. If you are lucky enough, you might just stumble upon a rope dropping for the first time of the season with over the waist, untouched snow below. Anyone who experienced this recently knows what I am talking about, and I know there will be more of that in the next few days.

Well, here we are!

We’ve made it to another ski season during a pandemic, and while some regulations will stay the same as last season, we are also dealing with a few new ones. Here are some guidelines to help make your first day out in the mountains as smooth as possible for you and your family.

Request your Season Pass or Direct to Lift Card in advance

If you have purchased a season pass, you should have received an email requesting your upload your QR code/proof of immunization online. Please upload your information and request your pass be sent to you as soon as possible. Ensuring your pass gets into our printing queue as soon as possible allows you the best chance of receiving your pass ahead of your first visit. If you have not received your email requesting proof of immunization, please feel free to reach out to our guest services team to request one by emailing information@skircr.com. If you have requested your pass but have not received it before your first day, you will need to visit the resort Guest Services building to receive a day ticket and show proof of immunization. If you are having problems with our system accepting your Proof of Immunization, please refer to our FAQ’s to find out why.

Mind our Know Before you Go updates

While many of our guidelines have stayed the same, a key update this season is the requirement to be fully vaccinated to access our resort lifts and facilities. Please refer to the information above on how to provide this ahead of your visit.

Bring your QR Code on your first few visits.

To ensure we have a record of your information, we encourage you to have your QR Code and government-issued photo id with you on your first few trips. If you purchase day tickets, you will need to show proof of immunization when picking up your lift tickets each time you visit.

Limit your baggage and prepare for a few lineups

We will not be allowing bags to be stored unattended in our daylodge or common areas. Please ensure you’re leaving any unnecessary baggage in your car or your pre-purchased locker. While requiring proof of immunization should help alleviate some lineups at our lifts and facilities, please note that some people may still choose to stay distanced from others; we ask you to respect the wishes of those around you.

Be kind

As always, we ask you to be kind to our fellow guests and also our staff. Please realize our front-line staff are working hard to ensure you enjoy your experience and share your passion for the mountains. Let’s all work together to make our mountain experience an enjoyable one.

Let’s be realistic, they said no. They are eight and six years of age, and pretty much immediately say no to anything we suggest! But somehow, I managed to entice them (somehow meaning the promise of a slushie upon completion) and off we went.

Armed with snacks, drinks, caps and sunscreen, we were well-prepared for the experience ahead. Even with the hot temperatures, the lift ride was comfortable and very entertaining. Examining the terrain below, remembering the names of the runs we skied just months prior, and noticing how many of the bike trails are the tree trails we enjoy so much in winter. Discussing whether they would be keen to try them on a bike one day. Watching the DH bikers head down at full speed, feeling both fully impressed and a tad anxious. “That looks scary!” although I catch a bit of curiosity in their eyes.

As we reach the top, the girls chat about the hike – Daisy Lane. The name is everything and they’re ready to explore. Exiting the lift, we follow the signs and easily find our way. It’s nearing the end of the day, so it’s like we have the mountain to ourselves. We can hear the bees buzzing and the birds chirping as we begin our descent under the Bear chair. After awhile, the girls recognize that unique feeling in their quads… the jiggly ‘walking down steep terrain’ feeling. I tell them, “it’s just making your legs stronger!” and they take it in stride.

We connect a few trails and get some relief from the sunshine, and the conversation jumps from there’s Fernie to how much longer to which flavour of slush we should get. As the base comes into view, we decide on a detour to hit the kids’ aerial park – perfectly situated in the shade of the beautiful cedar trees. They so wish they could go onto the ‘real’ aerial park, but know they need to grow a bit before they’re allowed, “it’s something to look forward to!” We look up to the platforms and ladders floating in the sky.

At long last, we reach the car. Our legs are covered in dust, we have a sweaty glow, and a cold and sweet slush has never tasted better. Next time, we’re keen on one of the hikes at the top of the Elk Chair. They’ve got their eyes set on taking the lift down… and another slush, of course.

For details on all hiking opportunities at Fernie Alpine Resort, visit their site which also includes a map!