Virgin Power Appreciation Society

Fernie, BC, Canada

What can you say about Fernie? This place rocks. Now that they've opened up a chair to take up to the left hand side (Timber Bowl High Speed Quad) there's even more terrain that's easily accessible. One of the recent problems with Fernie is its ever increasing popularity. The crowds get bigger and bigger, and I'm not sure that there is the lift system to handle it just yet.

You pretty much have to come down to base (unless you ride the Boomerang Chair all day), which leaves only 2 real chairs to take you up the mountains... these can create bottlenecks.

Still the place is worth it. When it dumps there's some mighty fine riding just about anywhere (as you'd expect). After a drought though - and believe me, I've been there in a drought - you have to search hard.

Siberia Ridge is ok for a while, but it doesn't take very long for all the snow to go, and some massive massive moguls start appearing. Currie Chutes can be good, if you can stay high enough. Then you've got to head out to the far side of Cedar Bowl, but some of the stuff there can be very scary if you're unaware.

Basically, like most places, the longer it goes without fresh, the further out you have to go. There are some reasonably easy semi secret spots to get to - but I wanna go back to Fernie, so I'm not telling everyone. :)