Subscribe via RSS Feed Connect on Instagram

DougKoran

rss feed

DougKoran's Latest Posts

Recent Articles

Three Sisters – Fairy Creek Meadows
Fairy Creek Meadows

Three Sisters – Fairy Creek Meadows

Filed in Ski Touring by on February 20, 2012 0 Comments • views: 4323

Ten of us took a Helicopter ride into the Three Sisters for a day of ski touring. Landed at 2208 meters in Fairy Creek Meadows and did our snow evaluations before our first descent. Snowpack is 3.0 meters at 2200 meters elevation and has two surface hoar layers in the top 30 cm. We immediately […]

READ ON

Hosmer Mountain – Ghostrider Slopes

Hosmer Mountain – Ghostrider Slopes

Filed in Ski Touring by on February 19, 2012 0 Comments • views: 5268

Group of eight of us made some nice turns today under the Ghostrider Peak on Hosmer Mtn. The clear-cuts below the cliffs are pleasant 20 to 30 degree slopes and the alpine just below the rocks increases to 35 degrees. Snowpack is highly variable between 1.5 meters down to .5 meter on the windblown exposed […]

READ ON

Tunnel Creek Avalanche Report Feb 8 2012
avalanche report

Tunnel Creek Avalanche Report Feb 8 2012

Filed in Ski Touring, Tunnel Creek by on February 10, 2012 0 Comments • views: 7412

Gord and Dave have been busy doing field observations for the Canadian Avalanche Association. The have graciously forwarded their reports and findings for posting on Fernie Trails. Thanks guys! Had a good look at this avalanche today – cornice triggered Na 12-02-05 0500 +/- 12hrs . – E asp 2050m – 1750m – 350m W […]

READ ON

Thunder Meadows  Feb 4 2012
fernie

Thunder Meadows Feb 4 2012

Filed in Ski Touring, Thunder Meadows by on February 6, 2012 0 Comments • views: 3918

Four of us started by utilizing the new Polar Peak lift, and going through the beacon gate into Polaris Bowl. We had epic conditions all the way down to easy street. As we go into uphill mode at the bottom of Easy Street and had a thorough discussion about conditions and the 2.5 that crossed […]

READ ON

Island Lake Lodge

Ski Touring at Island Lake in April

Filed in Ski Touring by on January 31, 2012 0 Comments • views: 4160

Island Lake Lodge, long heralded as a premiere backcountry lodge and catskiing destination, will now be offering guided ski touring as well. Guests will be transported by snow cat into the mountains where they can enjoy touring 7,000 acres of Island Lake property. The terrain, which includes alpine bowls, gladed trees and an extensive road […]

READ ON

Thunder Meadows Access and Ski Terrain

Thunder Meadows Access and Ski Terrain

Filed in Ski Touring, Thunder Meadows by on December 23, 2011 0 Comments • views: 4377

Route up to Thunder Meadows has a shallow snowpack right now (December 23-2011). After leaving Island Lake Road (5 km from parking area) it is best to ascend Thirstquencher Bowl for the first half of the climb and then cross over into Cabin Bowl just before the cliff bands start. It will be difficult to […]

READ ON

Thunder Meadows Hut on December 11th
fernie

Thunder Meadows Hut on December 11th

Filed in Ski Touring, Thunder Meadows by on December 13, 2011 0 Comments • views: 4642

On Sunday eight of us ski toured to Thunder Meadows Hut from the White Pass Chair at Fernie Alpine Resort. We figured it was best to start high and avoid climbing up the shallow snowpack and thick alder bush that makes getting over the headwall into Cabin Bowl a tough challenge this time of year. […]

READ ON

A Cabin Crisis: The Economy of Toilet Paper views: 2021

Deep in the heart of the Fernie backcountry, at the legendary Thunder Meadows, Tunnel Creek, and Harvey Pass cabins, a shadowy barter economy thrives. No, it’s not trading trail mix for dry socks or a thermos of coffee for a warm seat by the fire. It’s something far more primal: toilet paper. Yes, in the […]

Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club Annual General Meeting 2026 views: 179

The Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club invites members and anyone interested in ski touring and four-season cabin use in the Elk Valley to attend the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Who: Anyone interested in ski touring and winter/summer use cabins in the Elk Valley What: 2026 Annual General Meeting Where: Fernie Seniors Centre, 562 3 […]

January 15 Booking Release Opens for Fernie’s Backcountry Cabins views: 808

The January 15 booking period for Fernie’s backcountry cabins opens Thursday, January 15 at 6:00am MST, releasing February 1 to April 30 overnight inventory for Thunder Meadows Cabin and Tunnel Creek Cabin. This is the second and final winter release for the 2025–26 season and typically fills quickly. What’s Being Released on January 15 Thunder […]

2026 Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Avalanche Bursary Recipients views: 671

The Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club (FTSTC) 2026 Avalanche Bursary Program awarded a total of $2,500, with funding allocated based on the cost of each recipient’s training program. Applicants this year reflect the breadth of avalanche education being pursued in the Elk Valley, from first-time courses to continued skill development. FTSTC President Magnus Leckenby […]

Tunnel Creek Cabin Fall Maintenance Update views: 661

Nine dedicated volunteers made the trek up to the Tunnel Creek Cabin this week for a full day of fall maintenance and cleanup. The crew completed a deep clean of the hut, installed a new chimney, added snow stops to the roof, and took care of extensive brush and weed trimming around the cabin, outhouse, […]