7 posts tagged “fernie”
A few pictures from my last night in Fernie. "The Pub" may be an unoriginal name for, well, a pub, but when it is 15 below outside, most people tend to favour the closest drinking establishment - this place was 100m from the Hostel in Fernie.
Been a few weeks since I added anything, so decided to do a whole heap at once.
WHITESWAN HOTSPRINGS TRIP
Hostel organised for a group to go to the Whitesprings hotsprings - which are in a provincial park about 1.5 hours from Fernie, and close to absolutely nowhere. Hair raising drive in not improved by icy road, cliffs and logging trucks going the other way. Logging trucks in a forest park - seemed odd to me too! Picture didn't come out too well as the springs were so much hotter than the creek next door that all you could see was steam. The mission was to lie in the creek as long as possible then jump in the hotsprings. An Aussie named Craig proved he was either tougher or more stupid than everyone else by lasting 7 seconds...
CODE SWAP DAY
With the season pass everyone received a number of vouchers, one of which was for a high performance rental. A group of us decided to swap codes last friday for the day. It was interesting to see who picked it up quickly and who did not. Obviously those of us that had done it before had an advantage, and I was pleased to see I could still ski after a 9 year hiatus. In general, the Brits seemed to take longer to pick it up than the Aussies, Kiwis and Europeans...
HAPPENINGS SINCE
Eventually I got sick of riding my Salomon which kept delaminating, so I purchased a new snowboard. The last 3 days were a bit odd - always takes me time to get used to new gear. Yesterday it all came together and had a really good day. Unfortunately the last run of the day I was going through the terrain park, cleared a massive jump and came down clean in the landing zone before catching an edge and completely wasting myself. Smashed my back and am now walking like I am 80 and also whiplashed my head into the snow for good measure (thank god for helmets). Taking a day off today to try loosen my back up - going to go sit in the hot tub at the pool for a bit.
Pretty interesting that they doll out big jars of anti-inflammatories and strong painkillers at the drug store with no script if you just say you've got some sore muscles! Also interesting to note that physio is not that big here, whereas chiropracters seem to be relatively more popular...
Included a picture of the old gothic courthouse in Fernie as I thought it was one of the only pretty buildings in town - as Fernie has been burnt down about 3 times (was rumored to have been cursed until about 1950).
Certainly the snow conditions have been cursed this year, with rain last night, and more forecast on the way. Think I will head up to Banff around the end of the week unless we get some more snow.
For the last 11 years, Fernie has had an annual 'cardboard derby'. Entrants are allowed to construct any sort of craft using duct tape, cardboard and string. Whole heap of photos of amusing entries including:
- Boat with a barefoot water-skier (mad man)
- F1 racing car that self destructed
- Mobile bar
Some guys from the hostel put together a tank. It was perhaps the most amusing run as it was the heaviest and fastest craft. Unfortunately it had little or no steering and no brakes, meaning that when it hit the corner of the course, it kept on trucking - straight into the crowd! The tank managed to collect 3-4 snowboards and 1 spectator before coming to a halt 50metres down the hill. Very amusing to say the least!
One of the things I wanted to do in Canada was to go to an ice hockey match. Now, with the NHL players on strike, it wasn't looking good - until someone suggested we go to a provincial match. The game we saw was the Fernie Ghostriders vs Kimberley, the next town over. The players are all 20 and under - apparently once you are too old for this league, you either go pro, or find some other sport. I found this quite odd - that there is no 'club league' to speak of.
Although the Ghostriders got smashed 6-3 (and then lost their next game 5-1) they are still in the play-offs as all the teams bar one progress to the 'post season'.
Viewing ice hockey is very much like Adam Sandler movies - i.e. Waterboy and the golf one whose name I can't currently remember. The crowd delights in heckling opposition players (individually), usually with all the wit of "no. 22 you're a loser", or various insults levied at the player's relatives!
Even more disturbing was the brownie troop singing O Canada poorly at the start, and the ice dancing 10 year old girls at half time...
Anyway, here are a few photos from the night, but it was really difficult to get anything good as the game moves so fast and digital cameras tend to be a bit slow.
Right when I was starting to get annoyed about the lack of snow, it started dumping. 50cm fell over the last 48 hours, with more forecast for this weekend. Really has been the saviour of the season I feel, and has meant that the snowboarding has just been epic over the last few days.
On saturday, it was snowing so hard that I didn't dare take my camera out on the field. I was sure that the snow / moisture would make it freak out. However, was able to take a couple yesterday.
In an odd turn of fate, I was about to do a run and asked some guy at the top what the time was. After telling me it was about 11am the guy suggested that he was from the Calgary Sun newspaper, and did I mind if he took a few shots of me on the next run? Not sure whether he got the shots published, but maybe that was part of my 15 mins of fame!
Been riding with a mentally deficient Aussie named Craig who seems to like hurling himself at trees, and a dutchman named Thony who looks like Jesus!
OK been up the hill @ Fernie. It appears that their tag line is more reminisent of a Tui beer billboard...
Considering going up to Lake Louise near Banff to try find some snow...problem being that I've already paid for accommodation here...
Started snowing today, but as these shots show, it will take a crap load to save Fernie's season.
Well, just arrived in Fernie - it's a lot worse here than I thought. I just heard that only about a quarter of the mountain is open. So much for staying here for the next few months! Guy at the hostel said that a lot of people have left town to go searching for the snow. However, the lady in this coffee shop said snow is forecast in the next 3-4 days...
My pass works at Lake Louise, Kimberley and Nakiska - so I think I will give it a week here, then flag it if there has not been significant snowfall. My board has delam'ed again, so I am getting it fixed which will take a few days - so will just have to sit tight in the meantime.
