The death of winter...

..came on the 18th January 2005 at about 11:00pm local time. What had been a beautiful snowy day (it had been snowing all day and all evening) shops had posted notes on their doors at closing saying they would be opening late the following day as everyone was expecting an amazing powder day. Even when it began to rain in Fernie itself there was still hope, it could still be snowing on the mountain! It rained all night and only let up in the morning. Still everyone raced up the hill in the morning only to find that it had been raining on the hill all night. the rain had gone right up to 2000+m essentially ruining the days skiing. It was a mad rush up followed by a mad rush down. By about 1:00pm the hill was deserted everyone had gone home in disgust. The rain continued for the next three days almost constantly, the temperature went from about -30C to +4C in those four days. A huge weather system originating out in Hawaii normally called a 'pineapple express' had moved in. This normally brings warm air and rain which can deliver snow if Fernie is lucky or a bit of rain if not. This time the weather channel called it a 'Tropical Punch' due to the severity of the rain and the air temps. There were huge avalanches in the reosrt due to free running water in the snow layers. Deep winter turned to spring turned to summer over the last two weeks. It's about +12C outside right now, great for wondering around and going biking but useless for snowboarding. The whole of the Canadian rockies got the rain so there are few resorts in good shape and they are all currently experiencing the same great spring temperatures.

For the first week we drank heavily hoping the rain would stop and the snow start. Then we got ill, I got it a lot worse than Hannah. The doctor said Flu (nothing i can do for you, more like.) Lots of fluid and ibuprofen for the body aches. Sudafed works a charm. We drove to Lake Lousie in a desperate attempt to get away from the rain, they still had good snow coverage but LL is not Fernie and the joy just wasn't there. We came home after about four days. The snow boarding is at an end. Fernie has had it's worst season in 30yrs already. It's taken me 30yrs to get here and it craps on us! Bitter, i should say so. Ho hum here's to thoughts of mexican beaches!!

Check out the state of Fernie resort

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The 'Meat Hook' & more

So life in Fernie is treating us both well. We're experiancing a bit of a cold snap right now with temperatures reacing -40 or -50 with wind chill. So with frostbite warnings we have both been wearing out neopreme face masks. Sexy.
Occasionally we find ourselves yearning for life when we first rocked up in Fernie - the days when we ate fruit, tried to stick to our budget and went to bed early. Those were the days before we made any friends. Now it appears we have chosen a life of too many 'cheeky beers', late nights and a blown budget. However our new friends also live in proper houses. Houses with baths, sofas and ceramic plates. So needless to say they will find it hard to get rid of us.
As for the snowboarding we're both having great fun and touch wood with no serious injuries. We're both practising little jumps and kickers and Patricks 180's are looking sweet. Last week we decided to attempt the ski-lift nicknamed the 'Meat Hook' (It's the only way to get to the highest point in the resort and is only opened occasionally). It's basically a nasty contraption consisting of lots of hooks that drag along the ground. The preferred method of mounting the hooks is to grab the wire early and gradually lower yourself on to the hook so it cups your back. Both Patrick and I managed to manouvre ourselves onto the hooks successfully and problems only arose when we got to the top. Patrick was first - He dismounted no problem. Then it was my turn but the hook just didn't want to let me go. Instead it lodged itself up under the shoulder strap of my bag, and to my dismay I found myself being dragged along the ground in a very undignified fashion. That is until I broke the barrier at the top and stopped the lift. Fair play to Patrick though he did come and unhook me with the straightest of faces and he took my mishap very seriously until he saw me laughing. Emma joined us at the top after three 'meat hook' attempts and we all had an awsome run down.

Patrick adds...The funniest thing about the whole event was hearing Hannah calling my name with a rather desperate edge to her voice, I turn round only to see Hannah being dragged up the hill. Hannah's looking at me with a rather astonished 'do something' look on her face. I can't do a thing as she's 10ft away and i'm so suprised i can't move. As H says she broke the emergency barrier which automatically stops the lift, I go over and help untangle Hannah from a mess of wires, 'meat hook', rucksacs and snowboards. Oh how we chuckled! That picure will always be etched into my memory.

New Years eve celebrations 2004...

Well i think the pictures speak for themselves so go and check them out.

Happy New Year

from P + H