[czar from afar]

Damn, Username makes me laugh.

U. I have a question for you. I have heard from a few different sources that Fernie is close to achieving some alpine expansion. Some have said the hill to the south (to add some blue terrain), others have said Fish Bowl (in a four-way deal with Tembec, B.C. Parks and Recreation and Island Lake). A writer above gets me thinking about this when he talks about the backside of the mountain.

An RCR rep has told me that there is no expansion in sight, since the mountain is not yet delivering the revenue to justify infrastructure expansion.

You seem uniquely qualified to shed some light on this topic.

[czar from afar]

I hear many people champion Elko because, though it is very close to Fernie, there is a major difference in the climate – summers are noticeably earlier and longer, with lots of great outdoor options at hand.

[czar from afar]

Hello,

Usually, you will just show up and try what is available. There is plenty of stock on hand, so you shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a number of great skiis to test slide.

I hope you have a fun trip.

[czar from afar]

Elsie,

There are aspects of Quantum Physics that remain a little fuzzy to me. I would be grateful for any analogies that might assist.

BTW I agree. RCR gets that hill open because Fernie has a comparatively short ski season, and they would have an increasingly difficult time selling passes if they kept the hill closed longer then absolutely necessary. There is no reason to soak the paying customers in the process by charging full rates for partial service.

I bequeath one bushel of rotten apples to RCR.

[czar from afar]

I am interested in purchasing the screenplay rights to this chat string.

[czar from afar]

Whoever wrote that should be congratulated. This is a great crash-course for the incoming throngs. Good job.

[czar from afar]

Thanks Username,

You sure know your hill.

BTW, I spoke with an RCR rep at the Toronto ski show on the weekend. It doesn’t look like there will be any territory expansions anytime soon. Lift upgrades are possible, though not imminent. Right now, both are seen as appropriate for the volume level.

I see that this will be good news for some.

Let it snow…

[czar from afar]

Thanks, username.

What were the snow-making upgrades?

[czar from afar]

Thanks GB,

I guess I was hoping for big news, like 24-hour snow-making on Skydive or a slide-ride down the face of Polar Peak

I like haul-back as well, but it sure complicates trips into Cedar – three lifts to get back onto Snake Ridge. Some of the best runs are over there.

My dream: expansion into Fish Bowl, with a lift that runs right up the spine of the ridge between Fish and Cedar. That would open up the top of both bowls to true bowl skiing. Haul-back would remain in place to drag your tired legs out after a morning of 3-4 screaming runs – one of the few potentially exceptional peak-to-valley runs at Fernie.

The lift sure would ruin my favourite summer hike, though.

Any other “dream” improvements out there?

[czar from afar]

Username: I assume, of course, that you are crazy.

[czar from afar]

Fernie!

Wave goodbye to the Whistler crud and afternoon cement. Fernie snow is light, and stays that way all day.

Kiss off the crowds. After big dumps, you can find fresh tracks for days.

Keep your cash. You can live well in Fernie for a fraction of the cost that you are used to.

And why Fernie over Nelson and Revelstoke? Baby, you will be stepping into one of North America’s 20 best dream towns.

Enjoy.

[czar from afar]

Hi Dawn,

She works at Riverside Mountain Lodge. Their toll-free number is 1-877-423-5600. Hope this helps you.

[czar from afar]

I know of her. She works at the Riverside Mountain Lodge (http://www.riversidemountainlodge.com)

[czar from afar]

Sorry to hear about the injury.

Things to do for the injuried and infirm:

1) The aquatic centre is surprisingly top rate. It is new and it has every imaginable amenity.

2) Fernie itself is a great walking (limping?) town. It is not really a ski resort village, but a real life Western coal mining town with a great main street.

Some things from the Fernie Guide (http://www.fernie.com/fernieguide/indoor.html) include:

3) The Vogue Theatre:
The Vogue Theatre: Escape for the evening. Get a bag of popcorn and settle in for some great entertainment. Tuesday specials, new releases and foreign films. Downtown, 321-2nd Ave, 423-7111

4) Ghostriders Hockey:
Ghostriders Hockey: Head down to the Fernie Memorial Arena for the fastest and toughest hockey around; the Ghostriders are the only Canadian team in their NAHL league.

5) Fernie Brewing Company:
The Fernie Brewing Company, Fernie¬¨??s own microbrewery, offers a fascinating tour ¬¨?± a must-do for anyone interested in the art of beermaking. To book your group, call 423-7797.

6) There are also a few spas in town.

7) You will find some terrific restaurants here. I love the Curry Bowl, but there are lots more to try.

Finally, there are some professional wildlife and landscape photographers in town. You may want to see about signing up for lessons. You won’t easily find a better location.

9) If you are here March 18-21, the free skiing competition is worth watching, particularly on the last day. It might be a bit difficult to get up the mountain, but I bet that there is a way.

I hope this helps and I wish you both lots of fun.

[czar from afar]

See you in 24 days. Don’t use up the snow.

[Author]

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