Most people harbour imbalances in their bodies from the activities they do in daily life without even realizing it. For example you might ski every day causing the front of your legs to be stronger than the back of your legs, you may hold your baby on your right hip all the time causing your lower back to be stronger on one side, or maybe you have an old injury that you have compensated for and never retrained. Whatever your habits, chances are you have imbalances in your body that can be a ticking time bomb to injury if not addressed. Even if you have pretty good balance, training your balance can not only prevent injury but improve your overall strength as well, just ask any professional athlete.

Each morning of the ski season, the Ski Patrol is engaged in ongoing avalanche risk assessments. Of the multiple daily chores, one stands out for its precision, tradition, and importance: The Standard Weather Observation. Weather is a key factor in predicting avalanches as it is a constant modifier of the snow pack. Events such as wind, sun, snow, rain, freezing temperatures, and thaws influence and create layers of snow with different characteristics. How those layers strengthen or weaken over time is dependent on past, present and future weather events. Observations are made at standard times and at the same plot each day. Weather recordings have strict standards that are set by The National Research Council of Canada, and the Canadian Avalanche Association. Great care is taken to be sure that all observation guidelines are followed with precision.

Within the five legendary bowls at Fernie Alpine Resort also come legendary powder stashes. From Wally’s Follies, to Mars Run, all of these favorite lines have one thing in common- a traverse is required to get there. Much time is spent trying to set and maintain standard traverse lines to make these areas accessible, avoid skier collisions, and most of all preserve fall line skiing. With the introduction of roped sign lines in recent years, the use of gates has been more and more popular. Gates are breaks in the permanent rope that are opened and closed. Gates are installed at the most convenient and popular access points. The patrol would like to remind all riders that for the above mentioned reasons these gates and set traverses are to be used. Thanks for the help, and long live the fall line!

In some cultures, three is a lucky number and now it has become mine! Yes, I am embarking on the journey to my third Olympic Games. At the ripe old age of 29 I feel that I am finally ready to compete at home in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. It will be a dream come true and an honour beyond words.

What is the first sign of a big powder day? Well, it’s the windows shaking from the thundering roar we all know as the Fernie Alarm Clock.

It was a clear powder day mid season in 1993. We had taken the Face Lift and saw a boot pack leading to a nice pocket of snow below the rocks of Lizard Bowl, took off our skis and started the quick ascent. Just 13 at the time, consequences were never considered mostly because we didn’t realize what they were. Hiking the saddle into Curry Bowl, it was the same thought process. “Wow, someone put in a boot pack, let’s drop in too!” Transceivers? Nope. Shovels? They’re too heavy! Probes? What are those? Knowledge of the terrain? Not a clue.

Winters first snow reads like a book you don’t want to put down: drama, unique characters, mystery, and one-of-a-kind illustrations mapping out a compelling plot.