Fernie (BC), Canada – Ever since Charlie Locke’s "Resorts of the Canadian Rockies" (RCR) purchased Fernie Snow Valley in June of 1997, rechristened it Fernie Alpine Resort and doubled the size of their lift-serviced terrain during the 1998/99 season, the southeastern British Columbia hill has been transformed overnight from a ski-bum secret into a darling … Continue reading Fernie: Growing Pains →

“At the summit of Fremont Pass, the wind blows the fresh fluff into puffy drifts that curl up against the embankment like little white kittens settling in for a nap.” n The clouds hang low as I wheel toward Southern Colorado Saturday evening. After a few runs on Keystone’s brick-hard man-made earlier that day, a … Continue reading Wolf Creek Getaway Soothes the Soul →

Norden, CA – The alarm chirped at 6:30 AM. The kids, Jacquelin 14, and Jonathon, 10 rolled over into their respective pillows and buried their heads in a lame attempt to shut out the noise and sleep in for a bit longer. This otherwise compelling display of lameosity was, unfortunately, all for naught. Dad, (yours … Continue reading Sugar Bowl: Lookin’ Good at 60 →

Wildcat Creek Basin (BC), Canada – Bang! Crash! etc. plus bouncing around like a small skiff in tide rips. We tried to look out the nearby window and saw only a wall of white!!! Gradually I came awake and realized that wife Marilyn and I were ensconced on a 40″ wide bunk with 3″ of … Continue reading Mistaya Lodge Backcountry →

Panorama (BC), Canada – I was beginning to wonder if it was really worth getting up in the middle of the night for the coach trip to R.K. Heli-Ski at the base of Panorama Resort, an Intrawest resort outside of Invermere, British Columbia, and 2 hours from the comfort of my bed in the Chateau … Continue reading R.K. Heli-Ski: A Perfect Day →

Teton Village, WY – Excitement. Anticipation. Anxiety. Fear. These are the overwhelming sensations that best describe my first encounter with the "Terror of the Tetons." Jackson Hole is, for the most part, a hardcore skier’s mountain that makes most of America’s ski areas seem lame by comparison.  It is no coincidence that the most affluent … Continue reading Wanted: Skiers and Boarders, Dead or Alive →

Assiniboine Pass (BC), Canada – We awoke to heavy snow in Lake Louise, but our rented Dodge Neon got us through Banff and down to Canmore, where we boarded a chopper bound for the Mt. Assiniboine Lodge. n The Lodge is nestled in an intervale situated 7,000 feet above sea level, bounded by Wonder Pass … Continue reading Mount Assiniboine Lodge Backcountry →