So it was bound to happen sooner or later. I mean, really, I need to explain Fernie, NonStop, the Ski Resort thing and all. It should probably go into the “About” section, but it’s not, so sue me.
Fernie, British Columbia. It’s about an hour north of where Idaho and Montana meet. Thank you Google…
Is that not somewhere that you’d like to spend a winter?! You know, if you’re the sort of person that likes snow and things?! And even if you’re not, I’m sure there’s somewhere with a great view, a fireplace, a big couch, and a good book that’s got your name written all over it, a la…
+ you + good book = Good Life.
C’mon now. If you tell me that you don’t want to be there, I’m just not going to believe you.
Fernie is a pretty small town. Just over 5000 people year round, but I’m sure it at least doubles during the winter. It’s actually relatively unknown to much of the “real” world, but it has a sort of mystical (or mythical, or both) quality to it. A fairy tale type of skiers world where the lift lines are non-existent and the powder is as deep as you like it. No, honestly, Fernie got THIRTY-SEVEN FEET of snow last year.
Are you kidding me?!
For all of those in Sioux Falls who just can’t quite wrap their heads around that, you know the observation tower at Falls Park? Well, 37 feet is just shy of the green porch thing on top. So next time you’re standing on top of that, just imagine snow all the way up to your feet. That’s a LOT of snow.
The mountain itself isn’t the biggest one that ever spurred out of the rockies, but it will be far and away the biggest thing I’ve ever skied on. I’m not going to compare it to Great Bear, because that will be just sad, but compared to Terry Peak in the Black Hills it has about 2 and a half times the vertical rise (1,100 ft vs. 2,800 ft) and over 5 times the amount of skiable acres (450 vs 2,500). But the average snowfall is what really gets you. Terry peak has 150 inches on average and Fernie has 29 feet on average. Did I mention how much they got last year?!
Fernie Trail Map
I’m not actually going to be a ski instructor this winter. Apparently you need credentials to do that sort of thing, so I’m going to ski instructor school. It’s a completely bad ass school where the classes are on the mountain and you actually ski every single day. Different companies put on programs to get your licences and things. The company I’m going through is called NonStop Adventure and one of their sub-company things that they have is called NonStop Ski
NonStop Ski is based out of London and it’s a bit difficult to actually get somone on the phone. Not because they are a shady company, but because they’re in London and I’m in South-friggin-Dakota. I ended up calling them once (just once) and after at least a dozen tries the lady on the other line just laughed at me when my reply to (*British Accent*) ”Nonstop, this is Tori, how can I help you?” was “Holy shit! It worked!”
They all really seem like a great group of people. I have a feeling I’m going to be the only American there, but that’s just fine.
Anyway, the course I’m taking is 11 weeks long from January 21st to April 8th, 2009, and I’ve slowly been massing the ski gear needed to undertake 11 weeks on the mountain. I’ve got 3 pairs of skis, a pair of (crappy) boots, poles, gloves, ski pack, shell ski jacket, shell ski pants and enough base layers and insulating layers to keep a small army warm.
I am, in every aspect, ready to go.
