LOCALS GEAR PICKS
Enjoying Fernie to its fullest
 Ask Ralph Simpson what he likes about skiing in Fernie and there’s no hesitation.
“Better snow, and better trees than anywhere else,” says Simpson, owner and operator of Ski Base, a leading source for all that is required to ski Fernie.
Simpson would know. A bona-fide “local”, he has lived in Fernie for the past 20 years, and he has worked at the Ski Base for almost that long. Basically, this guy has seen every kind of condition that mother nature wields here, and he knows pretty much every nook and cranny at the resort.
We thought he was the perfect choice for advice on what kind of gear snowriders want to make sure they’re ready to hit the hill when they are coming to Fernie.
The Fernie checklist...
First, lets start with the “legendary powder”. What exactly does that mean for someone traveling here to experience it?
“Well, first you are going to want to go with a slightly wider set of skis – a minimum of 75mm,” explains Simpson. “They won’t need to change the length much, but they may want to look at a softer flex than what they’re used to.” Basically, fatter is better when it comes to skis for Fernie.
Simpson also notes that a common occurrence with skiers coming from the UK and Eastern locations is that they tend to ride in stiffer boots, and they can go with a more flexible boot to ski here. Because of the generally soft snow conditions, a softer boot will enable better balance.
“I also recommend that people invest in a really good set of footbeds for their boots,” says Simpson. “It’s all about balance.”
Fernie’s often abundant powder also means that a good portion of the time, you’ll be skiing and riding in flat light and occasionally experiencing some serious precipitation, causing your goggles to steam.
“People will want to bring extra goggles with them so they can switch back and forth over the course of the day,” says Simpson. “ For lens tint, you want an amber or persimmon colour or a good blue iridium lens that blocks light coming in without darkening your view.”
|
