Powder Matt answered questions regarding the new Polar Peak lift in a live chat session. Basic questions on the lift specifics were well answered, there was lift location confusion from the inaccurate map on their website, and loads of questions regarding terrain access and safety that could not be answered. Here are some of the direct quotes from Powder Matt’s live chat:

Polar Peak lift is planned to be operational in the early part of the 2011/12 ski season – it will be a fixed grip triple chair with ride time of around 5 min. Accessing 20 new runs- one incredible intermediate ski run called Polar Circus! Cant wait to share the amazing views – from Montana to further up the Canadian Rockies into Kananaskis

Right now we are going to monitor (Lizard Headwall) access and plan to review if going to allow any public access in the future. We are looking at this from a safety and snow control situation first. Once we have monitored further then we can make decision at a later date. Lizard Headwall terrain will be monitored for safety and snow control and will be under review so depends on the outcome of this review.

we are reviewing access gates program

This significant investment is for our members/guests to enjoy skiing- so YES- Open to the Public. We can’t wait to share the incredible views, terrain and Fernie friendship with you

20 new runs- huge mix of diverse terrain in the black diamond and double black diamond range and then one intermediate run that will be a show stopper – can’t be the big bowl style skiing with incredible mountain views

Lift is new to Polar Peak. We did the right thing from an environment perspective and are using the Steel Towers from the Gold Chair. But in general it is a Doppelmayr Triple Chair with mostly new gear. reused the lift towers and any other parts from the Gold Chair and the rest of the lift was purchased from Dopplemayr – one of the best lift companies in the world! We also have the best installation crew in the business working with our team. We re-used the steel and as many parts we could but the lion share is a new Dopplemayr lift of which they are in the process of delivering all of the parts/equipment.

we are going to try our best to have the lift open by 9:30am and then will close at 4pm

(The lift will go) right smack dab on the summit! not much space up there but we are fitting in the top terminal and patrol hut

we are going to do our best to groom Polar Circus- the new intermediate run off the top

a very important benefit from this new lift installation is it will allow access to the Lizard Headwall and Currie Headwall for patrol to do snow control work

Currie Headwall at this time is being reviewed as a gated skiing and or riding area and plan has not been approved yet by our Ski Patrol team – plan is 7 proposed new ski runs

There is no higher priority for us but can’t set an opening date at this stage. The current timeline has it opening for Christmas.

We are adding additional fire-power for our snow control team- a dedicated new avy gun for snow control around the new Polar Peak lift

our goal is to release the Opening/Closing dates for Fernie before the end of the Fall Season Pass Sale on October 15th.

For detailed pictures CLICK HERE