A group of investors including freeski superstars Seth Morrison and Tanner Hall has acquired cat-skiing and boarding company Retallack Resort and Alpine Adventures Ltd. The new Retallack now will be based in Nelson, British Columbia.

The investors – all of whom are expert skiers, snowboarders or other adventure sports enthusiasts – are already working hard on improvements to Retallack’s winter operations, as well as a major overhaul of the company’s summer business.

Retallack Managing Director, Chris McNamara, said that the new owners were thrilled to have acquired some of the best terrain in the backcountry skiing and boarding industry, and excited about their plans to realize the company’s full potential.

“Retallack is now 100 per cent owned by skiers, snowboarders and other adventure sports enthusiasts – that means our decisions are made by riders, for riders,” he said.

“Our first priority is to build on Retallack’s reputation for outstanding terrain by providing exceptional service to both new and existing customers.”

The new owners would take care to ensure that the revamp of Retallack’s operations was in keeping with the company’s status as the greenest backcountry skiing and boarding destination in Canada, Mr McNamara stressed.

Retallack Director Sales and Marketing, Phil Pinfold, said that the company was honored to welcome Morrison and Hall on board as investors.

“Seth Morrison and Tanner Hall are two of the greatest freeskiers the world has ever seen – the fact that they are willing to invest in Retallack is a testament to the legendary quality of our terrain and snow,” he said.

In addition to Morrison and Hall, Retallack’s new ownership also includes a strong local contingent.

The new owner’s have committed to a multi-year improvement plan. Immediate plans include a revamped guiding program, new staff accommodation, and the purchase of two new biodiesel-powered snowcats for the 2007/08 winter season. Further details will be announced with the launch of company’s new website next month.

Retallack is situated on the banks of the Kaslo River deep in the heart of the Selkirk Mountain Range, approximately one hour’s drive from Nelson. Located 3,000 feet (1,000 metres) above sea level and surrounded by majestic peaks reaching as high as 10,000 feet (3,000 metres), the lodge holds a three-and-a-half star rating from the Canada Select Accommodations Rating Programme, which reserves its three- and four-star ratings for “above average” and “exceptional” accommodation respectively.

Desk surfing skiers will be happy (or maybe just supremely distracted) to learn of a new webcam being broadcast on www.goldenalpineholidays.com, which will make it easier to know alpine conditions in the northern Selkirks of British Columbia.

The camera is located at Sentry Mountain Lodge at a height of 2105 meters (6920 feet). Sentry Lodge is featured in the webcam frame, as is Midship Peak, which rises to 2340 meters above sea level.

Sentry Lodge is one of four lodges operated by Golden Alpine Holidays Inc. in the Esplanade range of the Northern Selkirks, in British Columbia, Canada. GAH offers lodge rental and guided and catered trips for skiers and hikers throughout the year. The company is run from a head office in the town of Golden. The Esplanade range has an average annual snowfall of 8+ meters (26+ feet). It is an incredible place to ski tour.

Starting October at The Arts StationWow your kid this fall with Creative Classes to spark their creativity.

This fall the Arts Station introduces a host of programs for young artists. (And adults, too) Puppet making, writing and book making, pottery, painting and music. The Arts Station is the center for your fall project.

Mixed Media Classes. Mix it up, learn & have fun… Paint, clay, and lots more. And discover exciting results. Monday thru’ Friday & Saturday too!

Young Authors. Tell your story and make your own book. Saturdays.

Art Fridays. On every “Off” Friday, the Arts Station gathers artists, dance instructors and musicians to provide a special half-day off for the kids. Space is limited so book-in now.

And for the holidays. Work in clay to make Halloween Masks to scare the best and Christmas Ornaments just in time for decorating for your tree.

Not just for Kids, Family Gallery on the last Saturday of the month, drop-by and take a tour of the current exhibit, then delve into a related art project.

Adult Pottery Workshops on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings.

Drumming Circles (young and old) make the beat together. Thursday Evenings.

Classes start in October, So register NOW!

For more details and a complete fall listing of all the Arts Station will be offering members and non-members, please contact Oz at 250-423-4842, info@theartsstation or visit the web site at www.theartsstation.com

Five months into construction of Whistler Blackcomb’s Peak to Peak Gondola and the record breaking lift has begun to emerge from the ground. Construction in the spring and summer focused on excavation, site preparation, and concrete form work.

In recent weeks the more visually spectacular elements of the construction process, such as tower erection, have begun. With elements such as Tower Three on Blackcomb Mountain and the drive and return terminals materializing, the magnitude and awesomeness of the project is all the more apparent.

“We’re in a really exciting place construction-wise right now,” says Rick Temple, Whistler Blackcomb Peak to Peak project manager. “The whole team has been working hard the past few months and in the next few weeks we’ll have a lot to show for these efforts. For a lot of people, it’s difficult to grasp just how big this project is. With the towers beginning to take shape, it hits you; this is going to be one amazing gondola system and a phenomenal experience for all of our guests.”

On Whistler Mountain, the drive terminal’s staging and scaffolding are complete. The next step involves pouring concrete for the upper platform which will support the machinery in the terminal. On Blackcomb Mountain, preparations for the return terminal’s foundation are taking place. The concrete for the main mast footings and columns are also ready to be poured.

“The biggest challenge as we approach winter is getting all of the concrete poured at the terminals before the snow starts to fly,” says Temple. “Delivery of steel needed for tower head installation is also on a tight schedule but otherwise construction is on track and we’re feeling confident about getting done what we need to before the winter.”

Fernie Alpine Resort has been named one of the Top 5 Best Ski Resorts In North America. Fernie Alpine Resort took the Number 5 spot in Skiing Magazine’s “Top 25 Resorts in North America”. The Resort was one of only two Canadian resorts in the Top 10. The magazine compiled the results after readers submitted their favourite resort picks based on quality of snow, terrain, affordability and nightlife.

Fernie Alpine Resort has gained a reputation for its powder, but is now becoming famous for so much more. With a fun and friendly ski town atmosphere, great dining, adventure activities, a mountain village and a number of new real estate developments, Fernie caters to a variety of skiers and riders from around the globe.

Says Matt Mosteller, Senior Director of Business Development for the Resort, “We’re thrilled that Fernie Alpine Resort continues to join the ranks of some of the top resorts in North America. With over 29 feet of powder each season, 111 runs, 5 alpine bowls, a cool ski town atmosphere and the never-ending events and festivals, it’s no wonder Fernie continues to be one of the best places to visit and ski in Canada.”

The Resort has also received a number of other accolades in the past year, including:

- One of the Top 6 Powder Destinations on the Planet (Fall Line Skiing Magazine, 2007)
- ‘Best Powder’ (Ski Canada Magazine, 2007)
- ‘Best New On-Mountain Restaurant’ – Lost Boys Café (Ski Canada Magazine, 2007)
- ‘Best Thank You to the Locals’ (Ski Canada Magazine, 2007)
- ‘Best Places to Powder Your Nose’ - Fernie’s White Room Sessions (Ski Canada Magazine, 2007)
- Ranked 8th out of the Top 25 Resorts in North America (Skiing Magazine, 2006)
- ‘Best Deck Party in Canada’, ‘Best Ski Town’, ‘Best Powder’ (Ski Canada Magazine, 2006)

Fernie Alpine Resort is gearing up for the 2007/2008 winter season with a number of resort enhancements, including snowmaking improvements, additional heated washroom facilities at the new mountaintop Lost Boys Café, improved cat track and terrain access, added tree skiing and more. Fernie Alpine Resort is scheduled to open December 8, 2007.

Heiko’s new Fernie Mtn trail is looking really good. It is now up and over Fernie Mtn and down into the alpine on the other side of the mountain. Here is a shot of Heiko pointing to the connection with his Mountain Lakes Trail.

Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Cub (seen below) helped Heiko grub hoe another 200 meters down through the forest and into the alpine meadows this past Sunday. His trail is now 3.5 kilometers from the Fernie Mtn powerline road and it is about another 4 kilometers of open alpine hiking to tie into his Mountain Lakes Trail in Fairy Creek Meadows.

To access the trail head go through Alpine Trails condo village and hike up the powerline road for about one kilometer. Go right onto a 4×4 track at the top of the first steep climb. The trailhead is 200 meters from the powerline. The single-track climbs 800 meters on 3 kilometers of his excellent new trail. This is definitely the best way to climb Fernie Mtn Ridge. One could even do an easy ridge walk and exit down the Mocassin route.

Heiko’s trail building efforts have opened up beautiful Apline for hiking and biking enthusiasts. This latest trail provides town access to the Mountain Lakes Trail. Once again, well done Heiko!

Photos, map and copy from Pat Gilmar, Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Scientists with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, in today’s release of its monthly El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion, say that La Niña is on its way.

“While we can’t officially call it a La Niña yet, we expect that this pattern will continue to develop during the next three months, meeting the NOAA definition for a La Niña event later this year,” said Mike Halpert, acting deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Md.

La Niña refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific that occur every three to five years. NOAA declares the onset of a La Niña event when the three-month average sea-surface temperature departure exceeds -0.5 degrees Celsius (-0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the east-central equatorial Pacific [between 5 degrees North and 5 degrees South and 170 degrees West - 120 degrees West].

The development of La Niña conditions is supported by increasing below-normal-sea surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and stronger-than-average easterly winds across the west-central equatorial Pacific. “Nearly all operational dynamical models, including the National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s Climate Forecast System and many of the statistical models also favor a La Niña event,” said Halpert.

With La Niña developing, seasonal forecasters expect wetter-than-normal conditions in the Pacific Northwest and drier-than-normal conditions in the already drought-stricken southwestern U. S. this Fall.

“These conditions also reinforce NOAA’s August forecast for an above normal Atlantic hurricane season,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., NOAA’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster.

The Climate Prediction Center routinely publishes an assessment of ENSO conditions each Monday and the next official ENSO Diagnostic Discussion will be issued on October 11, 2007. The El Niño/Southern Oscillation Diagnostic Discussion is a product of the Climate Prediction Center in association with its funded institutions.

Wages have risen for ski resort workers, the US-based National Ski Areas’ Association (NSAA) is reporting.

Wages for ski resort industry employees increased to an average of $16 per hour, a 5.5% increase over the previous year.

The study indicated wages grew more rapidly for non-supervisory than for supervisory employees. Non-supervisory wages for the same resorts increased an average of 7.5% to $11.84 per hour when compared to previous year levels. For the more than 6,500 managers and supervisors in the study, wages rose only 0.6% to an average of $21.93 per hour.

More than 95 resorts with 80,000 full and part-time workers participated in this year’s NSAA Salary Survey.

The report was prepared by Sierra Research Associates LLC for the NSAA.

Things at Fernie Brewing Company are busy, in fact so busy they had to build a new Brewery! The new Brewhouse is located along the highway on the East side of Fernie, at 26 Manitou Road. The new location is designed to allow visitors to stop in for a tour, purchase Brewery apparel, or pick up a 6-pack of beer on their way into town. The new Brewhouse production area is triple the size of their previous space, with new fermentation tanks, a state of the art water filtration system and increased capacity.

Some might be questioning what took Fernie Brewing so long to move. “We’ve been brewing like crazy!” said Don Moore, Fernie Brewing’s Head Brewer, “Strong Summer sales in Victoria and the Lower Mainland made it nearly impossible for us to shut down for the move. But, we took the plunge and now all production is happening at the new Brewhouse.” Fernie Brewing Company sells its 6-pack cans throughout all of BC and Alberta.

This new location is conveniently located on the highway, entering Fernie. “Our highway location will give our brand great exposure”, says Murray Pask, Sales Manager for Fernie Brewing Company, “It’s great incentive to try it on tap at our local restaurants and pubs. And hopefully they’ll remember Fernie Brewing Company when they see it on the shelves at their local Liquor Store in Calgary or Victoria.” Fernie Brewing Company cans are sold in Liquor Stores, Restaurants and Golf Courses throughout BC and Alberta.

With the expansion of the brewery, Fernie Brewing has launched their new Rocky Mountain Genuine Lager in 6-pack cans. The Lager is a continental style lager, with peaks of flavour built in a longer aging process.

The brewery was established in 2003 and is a small batch brewery driven by passion and pride about quality beer-making. All their handcrafted ales and; lagers are brewed locally, using Rocky Mountain spring water and premium all-natural ingredients with no preservatives.

Fernie Brewing Company premium ales and lagers are on tap throughout the Kootenays. 6-pack cans are now available throughout British Columbia and Alberta Liquor Stores. Retail Store hours are Monday to Friday 1pm - 5 pm, and Brewery Tours run Wednesdays & Fridays at 3pm. Call 250-423-7797 to book your tour.

Skiers and riders have awakened this morning in New Zealand to awesome spring skiing conditions at all the ski areas in the South Island.Right on cue spring snow started to fall on the first day of spring and has swept through the South Island since then.

Mt Hutt, in Canterbury, was closed yesterday but is due to open this morning at 10 am, once the road is cleared from all the snow! According to Ski Area Manager, Dave Wilson, “This heavy dump is well timed to create a fantastic base and people are really buzzing in anticipation of our exciting calendar of spring events at Mt Hutt”. Snow fell in Methven Village yesterday also.

Fresh snow has blanketed Coronet Peak and The Remarkables near Queenstown with 25 cm at the top of Coronet Peak and 25 cm all over The Remarkables. “There is a good base of fresh powder and all lifts are operational. The timing couldn’t be better to create a fantastic base for New Zealand’s top alpine skiers racing in the Volkswagen Alpine Ski Nationals that kick off today,” according to Ski Area Manager Hamish McCrostie.Cardrona Alpine Resort reported 60 cm of spring snow fell over the past few days.

Treble Cone also enjoyed the snow from the same weather system which brought them 40 cm in the Saddle and 25 cm in the Home Basin.

The North Island ski areas of Turoa and Whakapapa, on Mt Ruapehu are sitting on 1.80 metre and 2.00 metre bases respectively and are open today, with sunny weather forecast for the balance of this week.