Ski Touring
Recent Articles
High Avi Hazard – Snowshoe Safe Terrain
When the avalanche hazard goes to high its best to stay on the ski hill or go snowshoeing in safe terrain if you still need your backcountry fix. I have to repeat, use safe terrain, lots of incidents around Fernie in the past week and the High Hazard continues. The February surface hoar layers are […]
Avalanche Observations Report March 7, 2012
Tues March 6 we were at Harvey Pass- 60cm of recent storm snow on the bed sfc from the remote we had on Feb 29 which ran on the Feb 9 surface hoar. We did some compression tests in a different slope and got moderate results on the same layer, now buried 125 cm at […]
avalanche observations
Clarify the SPAW issued by CAC
Hi Everyone, Just a short note to clarify the Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW) which was issued by the Can Avalanche Centre for last weekend. Ian Stokie and I had a discussion about it as he was wondering why the Danger was dropped to Considerable when there was a special warning issued. Ian figured that […]
Southern Rockies Avalanche Observations
Gord and I were in the Barnes Lake area today which is near Corbin. Its was a beautiful day with mainly light winds from the west, with some moderate winds and snow transport at ridge top later in the afternoon. We saw numerous natural avalanches today to size 2.5 (i.e. large enough to bury injure […]
Fairy Creek Meadows
Three Sisters – Fairy Creek Meadows
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 […]
Hosmer Mountain – Ghostrider Slopes
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 […]
avalanche report
Tunnel Creek Avalanche Report Feb 8 2012
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 […]
A Cabin Crisis: The Economy of Toilet Paper views: 2071
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: 254
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: 846
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: 708
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: 679
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, […]
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