Fernie Alpine Resort welcomed skiers and snowboarders to its snow-covered slopes on Dec. 2 to make the first runs of the 2023-24 winter season.
Crowds arrived at the hill early in the morning and hurried up to the top of the mountain to ski the fresh powder. Heavy snowfall on Saturday blanketed the mountain and provided good coverage on most runs. The majority of the runs were free from rocks and other debris, although there were a few branches still poking through the snow up in the bowls.
The snow report at the White Pass Chair showed that by the early afternoon on Saturday, the hill had already received four centimeters in the past 12 hours and six centimeters in the past 24 hours.
The temperature remained fairly mild throughout the weekend. It hovered around zero degrees at base and reached minus six degrees at the summit. Driving snow made viability poor on Saturday, but the skies cleared the next day. Sunday only saw cloudy skies and scattered flurries.
A report at the Elk Chair showed that by Sunday morning, the hill had received four additional centimeters of snow in the past 12 hours and 14 centimeters in the past 24 hours. Overall, Fernie Alpine Resort has received over 155 centimeters this season and more than 80 centimeters at base.
Seven lifts were in operation as of Dec. 4., including Timber Bowl Express Quad, Great Bear Express Quad, Boomerang Triple Chair, Mighty Moose Platter, White Pass Quad, Elk Quad Chair and Haul Back T-Bar. Polar Peak Chair, Deer Triple Chair and Mini Moose remained closed.
Forty one runs were open and 37 runs were groomed on Dec. 4. Cross country trails are accessible to the public, but the rail park is still closed.
The majority of Lizard Bowl was open on the weekend and Monday, with the exception of The Saddles and Easter Bowl. This area of the mountain had pillow soft snow, and skiers and boarders threw up clouds of powder with every turn.
Snow coverage on Timber was slightly more patchy than Lizard and it had more ice. A few routes in the Timber Bowl were open, including Puff, Heartland and Silver Lining.
Cedar Bowl, Currie Bowl and Siberia Bowl had more limited offerings. Lower Cedar Bowl and Cedar Ridge were ski-ready, but not Cedar High Traverse or Snake Ridge. Siberia Bowl was open, but Siberia Ridge and Morning Glory remained closed. Only Upper Currie Bowl was ski-able on the far side of the mountain.