Spend an enjoyable Saturday morning in the country savouring the sites and smells of the very festive Baynes Lake Farmers Market.

Wander the stalls sipping a fresh brewed cappuccino, munching a tantalizing bit of fresh baking or take in the Lions Club full-on sausage and egg breakfast. Locals and visitors alike, delight in the opportunity to exchange a bit of gossip while supporting the local economy.

Arrive early especially if baked goods are on your shopping list!

You’ll find fresh organic fruits and veggies, West Coast oysters, bedding plants, herbs, handmade soap, pottery, jewellery, imports (fabrics, clothing), wool, collectibles, tinctures & more. There’s a café on-site as well as live music to entertain all. Children activities abound!

Spend the weekend and camp at beautiful Surveyors Lake in Kikomun Creek Provincial Park just minutes from the market.

Spring is a wonderful mix of seasons for Fernie residents.  Most skiers have dusted off their bicycles and are in search of snow-free trails.  This search takes most to South Country where the trails are dusty and hot.  In Fernie the valley trails are beginning to open for riding however a majority will be snow covered for another month.

The more traditional Fernie resident takes to the alpine in search of snow. Here are a few shots from a Snowmobile club ride at Island Lake Lodge, Polaris Bowl and Polar Peak.

Fernie’s annual Hot Dog day was another great spring bash.  Rippin’ Richard Laughlan commented, “The costumes are better and the kids take bigger air every year.”  Old Dog’s, Young Dog’s, Hot Dog’s––everyone who attended had a great time hanging out and basking in the endless sunshine.

Photos by J.McKay

When I was younger and my knees worked, Winter was never long enough. Weeks after the lifts closed I traveled to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine on New Hampshire’s 6800 ft Mt Washington and the Gaspe’s Mt Albert in the Chic Choc Range.  Later in life while living on the Coast I skied every month of the year, because I loved skiing.
These days with my turns limited and my desire to ski equally matched I frequently find myself South on beaches surfing the break and sucking compressed air in the blue depths of the ocean.

This year was no different and a last minute trip to Hautulco Mexico was great break for my knees and my kids loved the marine life and the beaches.

On my return a couple of top to bottom powder runs in Fishbowl and a run off Polar Peak  have stirred my appreciation of skiing!

The Griz is extremely happy with this years celebration in his honour, Griz Days, being correctly focused on Snow. And to communicate his pleasure with the new tag line”A Celebration Of Snow”, the Griz has blessed the community with the best powder of the season.

Lets make sure the Griz is happy with our participation by attending as many festivities as possible.

Festival Events Schedule
Friday March 6
6:30 pm Parade Downtown, starts at 6:30 p.m. sharp
7:30 pm Skating Party on outdoor rink at the Aquatic Centre
7:00 pm Texas Hold’em at the Legion, $20. advance tickets required
7 – 9 pm Late Swim at the Aquatic Centre
Saturday March 7
8:30 am Pancake Breakfast at community centre
All Day Extreme Griz competition at various pubs/hotels
10 am - 4 pm Craft Fair at Community Centre
10 am Bridge Tournament @ Senior’s Centre - $18. Lunch included
11 am Baby Griz competition at Community Centre
NOON Snowmobile Drag Races behind the Stanford Inn – $5. per.
NOON Scavenger Hunt around community – starts at the Fernie Museum
NOON Men’s Street Hockey Tournament at Park Place Lodge
NOON Youth Hockey Tournament at the Aquatic Centre
NOON Snow Sculpture Challenge at the Aquatic Centre
2:30 -4:30 Griz Days Pool Party @ Aquatic Centre - Reg. admission
4 pm Arm Wrestling Competition at The Fernie Hotel (men & women)
6 pm Ukrainian Supper @ Ferine Family Centre Adults: $12, 6-12 yrs: $6, under 6 Free
6 pm Pig Roast at The Fernie Hotel $10.
7 pm Griz Days IDOL at the Fernie Legion (contact: rosanna1@shaw.ca)
8 pm Crowning of the Extreme Griz – Park Place Pub – music by the Todd Band
8 pm Snow Ball @ Community Centre (semi-formal, live bands & DJ’s) $25. adv. tickets
Sunday March 8
12:30 Dummy Downhill at FAR
1:30 pm Euchre Tournament at The Fernie Hotel – teams of 2

The first and most obvious thing that came to mind today as I was cruising around Fernie was that it seemed sort of like skiing at whistler, great at the top, albeit a little heavy, but as we neared the lower mountain the snow warmed up to the consistency of wet cement.

We arrived just in time for the bear / boomerang to open around 9:30 am and were up on the top for first(ish) tracks through the classic inner triangle runs (Bear, Boomerang, Cedar Ridge and everything in between). The 20 cm rule was clearly in effect today as the mountain was quite full for a mid week day, and the triangle runs were quickly skied out.

As the day wore on a lot more white fluffy stuff fell, and we made our way over to white pass just in time to catch a run on mitchy’s and hop on about the 20th chair up. We were greeted with, near powder, heavy but still a lot of fun to play in, Currie was closed but surprise trees were open and we were able to catch some good tracks in there before the masses devoured the whole hill.

Finally we finished the day off with a big hike up the siberia / mongolia ridge and found some great first tracks. On my way out I encountered a pretty good slide, showing just how unstable some parts of the mountain are, but it was good to note that they were appropriately fenced off.

All in all a great day and the forecast for the next few days is looking great!

report by joe gaudet

Friday’s 9 cm of fresh snow was well received by a community of powder addicts. The snow will help soften the slopes for an exciting Freeski competition this week.  Don’t miss the excitement!

With 20mm Monday morning the skiing improved immensely.  The snow provided a skiff to cover boiler-plate ice and deeper drifts formed on Northern aspects. Our four week snow drought is as bad as I can remember however the skiing remains enjoyable. Do not expect the Legendary Powder the marketers like to embellish.

Great family skiing persisted on the low mountain as the beginner runs are in excellent condition.

Without a snowfall change from millimeters to meters this season could be all but Legendary.

Think snow!!

Ah, the cycles of Winter including the infamous inversion (clear above with nice temperatures, cloud below and cold) make Winter enjoyable.  Mountain weather is less than perfect unless its snowing.  The inversion is liked by photographers and those in the alpine enjoying the light. This fun seeker is judging his para-glider flying potential.

The skiing in Fernie is the best its been this season for a few reasons.  The most prevalent fact being that this seasons snowpack now matches last seasons, and last year was awesome.

View this seasons blue line on the graph and how it has now climbed to meet last seasons green line.

Snow is key however so is terrain and the patrol at FAR are beginning to open the steeps. This weeks forecast of moderate temperatures and clears skies should facilitate the opening of the resorts better terrain that has been closed for over two weeks.

The third element is that the urbanites have returned to work and the slopes are empty. Get out now and enjoy the season!