The Greatest Day

Jan 18, 2012 by Mike Cotton     4 Comments     Posted under: Canada, Destinations, Ski, Travel Writing

The snow started falling early on Sunday morning, breaking for a short while on Monday and returning with a vengeance on Tuesday, where it didn’t stop for hours and hours.

Tuesday 17 January 2012 will go down in history as one of the greatest powder days in Fernie’s history, over 110cm of the lightest, softest and fluffiest snow on the planet fell over our little corner of British Colombia in less than 24 hours, the result of two opposing weather systems colliding.

Credit: Stu Robbins

Cold, frigid Arctic air blasted down from Alaska met a warm, moist front. This unique weather pattern saw temperatures drop to a unholy minus 25 degrees and many mountain users experienced frostnip and frostbite (myself included).

The snow was waist deep in most places and sometimes chest deep, but so soft even the most limited technical skier could blast their way through. Even in places which had been ‘tracked out’ the snow was still deep enough to experience fresh lines. Faceshots of powder covered skiers and boarders from head to toe. Face masks turned a mystical white yet they couldn’t hide the yelps of joy and screams of pure unadulterated ecstasy as Fernie enjoyed a champagne Tuesday.

Was it worth it I hear folks cry, was the snow worth the cold and pain? Well to answer that question you only need to watch this video by the remarkable Fernie filmmaker Dylan Siggers.

Legendary Fernie provided the greatest day…

About The Author: Mike Cotton

Mike is a writer and wannabe mountain man, if he could grow a big bushy beard he would, but he will settle for writing about all things adventure. A history buff and keen sportsman, Mike can be found at the local footy ground, shredding on the mountain, jamming at a gig or with his nose in a book at the bar, notepad always on hand.

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