Fernie snow conditions are finally finding their stride. After a slow start across the Western region, this week’s snowfall has given the Lizard Range a much-needed refresh, improving skiing conditions on the hill and building a more respectable early-season base as we look toward Christmas.
The recent numbers say it all: 8 cm in the last 24 hours, 23 cm over 48 hours, and 72 cm this past week. Fernie Alpine Resort is now sitting on a 97 cm base and 278 cm of total snowfall this season.
Skiing has improved noticeably over the past few days. The new snow has softened upper-mountain conditions, filled in thin spots, and given skiers more confidence on the steeper terrain. The bowls are skiing better, especially in leeward areas where wind has helped deposit the fresh snow.
However, the rapid loading has also produced natural avalanche activity. Avalanches up to size 3 were observed in three of the mountain’s alpine bowls, along with a size 2 avalanche on Polar Peak today. These events highlight the sensitivity of the deeper layers in the snowpack and the ongoing caution required both inbounds and beyond the resort.
Above: Average snow pillow data shows the snowpack tracking right around seasonal norms.
It’s still early season — expect variable coverage lower down and the usual hazards lurking under the surface. But the mountain feels more “December” than it did a week ago, and every new centimetre is making a difference.
The snowpack is building steadily, and the cooling trend is helping. Freezing levels dropped to the valley bottom Thursday night, allowing new snow to fall light and dry rather than wet and heavy. Still, persistent weak layers deeper in the pack — leftovers from November’s long dry spell — are reacting to the additional load, triggering the recent avalanches seen in the alpine.
Backcountry users and sidecountry travellers should exercise extra caution, as recent natural activity is a clear indicator of instability on steep, wind-loaded features.
A series of small but steady systems will continue to move across the region between Friday and Monday, with flurries turning to periods of snow — 5 to 10 cm possible on Friday and more throughout the weekend.
This isn’t a big “Fernie dump,” but it’s exactly the kind of incremental snowfall that sets the mountain up for the holidays.
And the good news? The longer-range forecast looks encouraging. Models are showing a colder, more active pattern settling in next week — the type of setup that often brings several rounds of accumulating snow to Fernie.
Christmas in Fernie is looking more promising by the day. The skiing is improving, the snowpack is strengthening, and more snow is on the way.
If you’re planning Christmas turns, Fernie is trending in the right direction!
