By Ryland Nelson
RCR has yet to release their annual “What’s New” Press release yet. But we have pieced together a few things.
Glading! The Brush crew has been hard at work all summer. Some of the places they have focused on are; Morning Glory, Gilmar Trail, Easter Bowl, Cedar Ridge, Snake Ridge, Kangaroo, and what looks like some new glades off the summer road down to the Timber lift line.
Snowmaking improvements! It appears they are working on improving the waterlines in various places on the mountain.
Increased Day Ticket Rates. While they did not increase season pass prices this year (a first in over 10 years!) They did continue their usual increase in day ticket pricing. Up $3 from the previous year Fernie day tickets are, for the first time ever, over $100 incl tax.
What to expect for snow conditions
While snow can come to Fernie pretty much any month of the year, it is generally accepted that only snow that falls after Halloween is here to stay for the winter.
It has been a rather warm autumn so far and we haven’t had much more than a few mountain top dustings in terms of pre-season snow this year. Bring on the snow that will stay!
What to expect for this years snow season.
Their are all sorts of long term forecasts trying to predict what this winter could look like, most of them conflicting it would seem.
One thing that they are all in agreement on is that we are headed into an El Nino pattern for this winter, and most likely a “very strong” one. But what does that mean for Fernie? Lets look back at the last time we experienced a very strong El Nino here in Fernie. The 1997-1998 season.
For this we go back to the Craig’s Report Archives.
October 16, 1997 – It’s been a warm Autumn (just like this year!)
Nov 8, 1997 – Still no snow!
Dec 17, 1997 – The opening day has already been delayed. After a few lacklustre snowfalls what is left is all but washed away in a rainstorm.
Dec 18, 1997 – Flurries hit the Fernie Factor and bring the first good dump of snow for the season!. Ski Hill set to open on the 20th!
Dec 20, 1997 – Opening Day brings another dump of snow. Mountain is still very bushy!
Dec 28, 1997 – Finally a bit more snow. But not quite enough to help out the Christmas crowds. (We still have the Bear T-Bar!)
Jan 1, 1998 – Rained out. Marginal turns to pathetic.
Jan 5, 1998 – Powder Revival!
Jan 13, 1998 – Good snow has continued through a deep freeze, but it is starting to warm up.
Feb 20, 1998 – Not much snow and continued warm temps. When it does freeze it gets treacherous on the old Bear T-bar line
Feb 25, 1998 – A bit more snow to freshen things up. But still pretty bushy out there! Ski Hill releases plans for installing Timber and White pass chairs. 1960’s A-frame day lodge infrastructure to anchor the multi million dollar investment and create the world’s longest traversing high speed quad. (Timber)
March 3, 1998 – Some more snow! Getting less bushy… Finally.
March 10, 1998 – Magic March. Snow keeps on coming!
March 12, 1998 – HOT. 11ºC…
March 27, 1998 – Spring Powder Returns!
April 9th, 1998 – Spring Skiing… Not much snow at the base!
April 18th, 1998 – Powder Pedal Pedal. Heiko Participates with Linda. Combined team of five ages is over 300yrs!
Photos: Jay’s Report – March 21, 2008
