Fix's Top Ten Winter Fernieisms
Photo by Henry Georgi
Welcome to Fernie! This town is one of a kind, nestled at the base of the Elk Valley, surrounded by beautiful terrain and mountains that provide the perfect backdrop to the day to day lives of those that live, work, play and visit here. Originally Fernie began as a coal mining town, but slowly it morphed into a diverse mountain community with a plethora to offer in all facets. There are many little intricacies that make up the whole, making it near impossible to truly convey the Fernie factor that sets it apart from other mountain communities. Instead we thought we would have a go at the question we ask all residents profiled in each section of this guide: What is Your Favourite Fernieism? Once again we realized the extreme difficulty in an absolute, so instead we compiled our Top Ten Fernieisms, in no particular order!
1. Fernie Time. It’s not a myth, Fernie has its own time and it’s different for everyone and every circumstance. One thing that is consistent in all cases is that it’s behind. If you’re planning on meeting someone for drinks at 8pm, be there for 9. Going for coffee? Wait an extra 20 minutes. Heading to the hill? It’s up to you, but remember there are no friends on a powder day!
2. Biking in Winter. While in Fernie you will come across more people than expected biking around town bundled up. These folk are actually onto something. Having a vehicle during winter can be frustrating. You leave the house minutes before a meeting and realize there is a foot of snow on your car. You wipe the window with your sleeve, and since you can’t find your brush you sit in your car, put on your rear window de-froster and window wipers…which then break because the snow is too heavy. No wonder we’re all on Fernie time! Studded tires are a worthwhile investment, both on your car and on your bike.
Photo by Terry Nelson
3. Apres Ski. You’ve heard of the Griz Bar, and if you haven’t you will very soon. Whether it’s a day of powder flying over head or quick groomers run after run, skiers and boarders alike gather at the Griz Bar for beer and nachos with smiles ear to ear. One of my friends actually said to me recently that she only skis for the après. She quickly followed it with golfing, biking, hiking….you get the point. We enjoy the apres as much as the play.
4. 10-20cm Rule. The powder here is good. Really good. When it snows, the town is vacated and business owners are ripping it up on the slopes with everyone else. What’s the point of staying open if everyone in town is up at the hill? While we work hard to enable living here, we don’t easily forget why it is we live here.
5. Traversing. This might be a frustrating factor to some, but many thoroughly enjoy working for their turns. Fernie has just the right amount of lifts getting you to all of the bowls, but then it’s up to you. This helps to spread people around on the hill, and allow those looking for the steep and deep a little more privacy (and hopefully more champagne powder). A little tip – people traversing, whether towards Snake Ridge or the Saddles, are serious about where they are going but as long as you’re out of their way it’s all good. They may even share their secret stashes with you!
6. Snow Berms. When it snows in Fernie, it snows hard. The City does their best to clear the streets, but often times they clear snow to the centre of the road and come back later to dispose of this “snow berm”. This can make crossing the street a bit difficult (especially since jay walking is another notable Fernie trait). And if it happens to rain, the slush does wonders to your jeans and shoes. But all in all waking up to berms is a good phenomenon, welcomed by those that enjoy the powder!
7. Inversions. It’s cold in town with clouds overhead. You’re going back and forth between heading to the hill or staying bundled up by the fireplace. Once again, you look out the window to see if it’s cleared and you catch an odd appearance: a blue glow among the clouds against the ski hill. It’s an inversion! There is nothing like taking the chair above the cloud line and looking down onto a fluffy, cotton ball looking valley. Plus it’s warmer! These are spectacular, magical days not to be missed.
8. Locals. The other day I was asked what I defined as a local. This can be a touchy subject to some, but it’s actually quite interesting. Especially after growing up here and returning to a mounting “new local” base of residents. The dynamics between the “born and raised” and those that have lived here 15 years plus has evolved. The lines are blurring any distinction, and increasingly those that call Fernie home and give back to the community in some way are just as “local” as the third generation resident. Most of the time ;-)
Photo by Todd Weselake
9. Weather Patterns. If you don’t like the current weather, sit back with that cup of tea or pint of beer and be patient - it will likely change in either direction very soon. A good friend whom has worked in weather forecasting for years once told me not to trust any forecast over 12 hours for Fernie. Whenever I do I’m disappointed, but I tend to want to know what’s going to happen. Letting go helps you to live in the moment – not looking forward to what’s to come, but enjoying whatever is going on now!
10. Where Everybody Knows your Name. Outside of a café last summer we visited with friends from out of town. After a while they asked if it was common to say hi or wave at everyone passing by. Well, it’s common in Fernie because it’s like a large scale episode of Cheers on a daily basis. It’s just the way it is here. People often know you before you’ve introduced yourself! It’s an intimate, curious community and a big change from the anonymity typical of the city. And it’s an awesome place to call home.
There is much more for to discover about this little town. Continue reading through the Fernie Winter Fix to learn more about this piece of paradise, and don’t forget to pick up your monthly Fernie Fix to get the inside scoop on what’s going on every month. www.ferniefix.com
