Fernie ‘Master the Mountain’ Course #2 – Week 3
For the purposes of this diary I have identified the ski and snowboard groups as:
Group 1 – Ken, Sean, Steve, Chris, John Hindle (tall john), Karen
Ggroup 2 – John (old john), Joe, Katie, Jack, Anthony
Group 3 – Tom, John (sleepy john), Alex
Monday 16th.
Group 1 – Today we were introduced to our guide Nick Morris for a basic introduction to ski touring. At 9pm we took the Timber Chair to Lost Boys and proceeded to gear up. All were checked to have transceiver, probe and shovel before we skinned into the backcountry. For most of the group it was a first time touring and there was a bit of trial and error before the group mastered the skins on, uphill, skins off, downhill, skins on, uphill etc routine. A number of short ascents were made in lost boys followed by powder skiing in the trees before the group ascended to Lost Boys Pass. Here we lunched before we decided to return the long way by skiing into Mongolia bowl on fantastic powder followed by an entertaining narrow gully descent through the forest a road and a push back to the resort. Resort was reached about 3pm.
Group 2 – Skied with RSJ
Group 3 – Boarded with Steve.
Evening – Uneventful.
Tuesday 17th – Patricks Day
Group 1 – Ski Tour Day 2 – The group all adopted Irish Names to confuse the guide. After Monday’s trial session our intrepid group made a fast ascent of Mammoth Peak followed by a fantastic long powder ski though the trees. An ascent was made to regain the col above lost boys before a short fun ski. At this point the guide suggested that we were tired to which two of the party agreed and returned to the ski area. The remaining 4 members insisted upon another ascent and the final run of the day was made from lost boys pass on perfect deep snow. Beer followed in the griz bar and we missed our bus.
Group 2 – Skied with RSJ
Group 3 – Boarded with Steve.
Evening – Terry put on a slide show and then we all went to the pub to celebrate paddys day. Irishmen were few and far between but were the life and soul of the party.
Wednesday 18th – Slight Hangover
Group 1 – Lessons with Terry – Today we free skied all day in lovely snow. 2 of the group rested after the touring. The 4 hardcore members squeezed 16 black runs in.
Group 2 – Ski Tour with Nick – Not everyone liked the exercise.
Group 3 – Lessons with Steve.
Evening – Amazing group tobogganing session on Mighty Moose. How no one was injured is a mystery.
Thursday 19th -
Group 1 – 2 members skied High Saddle in the Morning and then paid for their adventurous streak by having to do snow plough drills for CSIA level 1 all day. Terry kindly ran us through what we might expect at the level 1 asssessment.
Group 2 – Only 2 members of the group showed for their tour this day – obviously its not for everyone.
Group 3 – Lessons with Steve.
Friday 20th – Melting
Group 1 – Jumps and Video analysis with Terry – Sean crashed spectacularly. Its on video.
Group 2 – No idea what they did with RSJ.
Group 3 – Snowboarders go touring and love it.
Evening – Marred by two members being beaten up and hospitalised. Fernies dark side shows.
Saturday -
Group 1 – Lessons with Terry. Hardcore Karen suffers knee injury. Fingers crossed for recovery.
Group 2 – Lessons with RSJ
Group 3 – Tour all day and love it.
Evening – Nada. Time spent with injured parties following previous nights ruccuss
Sunday
Lazy Day – 1 able bodied skier managed to eat at the Llizard Creek Buffet from 11am to 4pm. Doing the Breakfast Run, The Lunch Run and The Dinner Run – All tough runs but not on the trail map!
