• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Because the Family that Skis Together, Enjoys Life Together.
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards
    • Featured Author
    • Brand Ambassador
  • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Contact Me

The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

  • Skiing
    • Skiing With Kids
    • Ski Racing
    • Learn to Ski
    • Cross Country Skiing
    • Telemark Skiing
    • Snowboarding
  • Ski Resort Reviews
    • United States
      • Alaska
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Pennsylvania
      • Utah
      • Vermont
      • Washington
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • France
    • Finland
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
  • Ski Gear Checklist and Recommendations
    • Equipment and Gear
    • Product Reviews
    • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Hiking
    • Camping
  • Biking
    • Downhill Biking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
  • Good Stuff
    • Parenting
    • Health
      • Getting in Shape
    • Reflections

Not The Mama: Afternoon Corduroy at Fernie Means the Top is Opening Soon

January 19, 2018 by braveskimom

ferny snow cats
Snow cats heading uphill at Fernie to free the White Pass bull wheel from scaffolding erected after it failed. With the lift repair, the top of the mountain will be opening again soon to skiers and riders. Photo: Martin Griff

brave ski mom logoToday, we launch Not The Mama, an occasional series , as reported by my friend Martin Griff.

Martin is traveling North America this winter, skiing at resorts large and small. A newspaper journalist by education and profession, he’s kindly offered to share some of his insights, experiences and musings as he lives the ski bum dream. 

Thanks Martin! 

Afternoon Corduroy at Fernie Means the Top is Opening Soon

I skied with my nephew at Fernie Alpine Resort in British Columbia, Canada on Thursday. The snow was deep, wet and heavy and his legs are 35 years younger than mine. Before lunch I literally cried uncle and suggested we take the long, winding Summer Road intermediate trail back to the base area for lunch.

We were stopped by a ski patroller who asked us to move far off the trail so two uphill bound grooming machines could pass by. It is unusual to see grooming machines on a mountain during hours of operation since heavy machines and skiers are not a good mix.

After the groomers passed we headed down the trail of fresh corduroy. Can’t beat first tracks at 12:30 p.m.

We later learned that the grooming machines were heading up the mountain to retrieve the scaffolding that surround the top of the White Pass quad chair. The chair is the gateway to the top of the mountain and some of its best bowl skiing.

The top bullwheeel bearing had failed and the lift has been closed for about a week.

In addition to our good fortune, those groomers were a sign that the lift should be spinning soon.

Smart Tip: For USA skiers, Canada is a great option. In addition to the terrain, the exchange rate means that 81 US cents buys a dollar’s worth of Canadian goods and services. In other words, that $100 dinner will set you back 81 greenbacks.  And Canada doesn’t celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. or Presidents Weekend so those two crowded stateside holiday weekends are less hectic north of the border. 

© 2018 – 2019, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Spread the Love (thanks!)

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Canada, Guest Posts, Skiing, Travel Tagged With: british columbia, canada, ski british columbia, skiing

Primary Sidebar

2023-2024 Partners

FERA
World Snow Day
FERA

Welcome

I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

Never Miss a Post

Enter your email address to subscribe. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter

Today’s Most Popular Posts

  • No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
    No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
  • Québec City: My Kind of Ski Town
    Québec City: My Kind of Ski Town
  • Quotable Ski Quotes?
    Quotable Ski Quotes?
  • Ski Fashion: Curves or Turns?
    Ski Fashion: Curves or Turns?
  • Why Our Family Likes to Ski at Teton Village, Wyoming
    Why Our Family Likes to Ski at Teton Village, Wyoming
  • Tight Turns: Spring Skiing Sunscreen and Gorilla Glue Repairs
    Tight Turns: Spring Skiing Sunscreen and Gorilla Glue Repairs

Categories

Footer

Recent Tweets

My Tweets

Featured In

snowlink world snow day snowkidz
liftopia mtn town learn to ski and snowboard mom trends
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Affiliate Disclosure · Product Review & Giveaway Policy · Guest Post Policy · Privacy Policy · Login
 

Loading Comments...