April 4, 2006
Snowfall
24 Hour: 0cm (0in)
48 Hour: 0cm (0in)
7 Day: 4cm (2in)
Snow Pack: 341cm (134in)
Text and photos by Krista Turcasso
April Lungs
On the one hand it’s hard to believe it is already April. On the other, it’s a relief it is here at last. Sunshine and warm weather are definitely warranted in Fernie as mass amounts of snow have been falling since October. And while everyone is thankful for the much-anticipated season of powder, the appreciation for the sun was evident on every smiling, tanned face on the slopes at Fernie Alpine Resort this weekend.
FAR was host to the Big Air Competition and live bands, beer gardens and competitors all made the mountain alive. Our trip to the hill on Saturday was for one reason only: practice the first leg of the Powder Pedal Paddle race. As this is my first year skiing in the PPP, I recruited a seasoned competitor to show me the course. The big air comp worked to our advantage as competitors and spectators remained on the “new” side of the hill, leaving our course in Cedar Bowl clear.
Having skied at the Fernie ski hill for over 23 years, I am almost too familiar with the Cedar Bowl “tuck out.” Back in the day, there was not a haul back at the bottom of Cedar Bowl, leaving all to tuck and skate ski to the Triple Chair. But prior to this weekend I was not familiar with the Cedar Trail traverse, and for good reason.
We started my first run of the course from the gun tower, traversing to Blueberry and racing through an imaginary course to the gully, then straight lining to the beginning of the Cedar Trail. I followed my barely visible companion along the traverse, losing site of him at the top of Wallaby (hey, he had the advantage of 223 cm skis!) I continued on my way, skating with all my might across Kangaroo, Lower North Ridge, Linda’s Run, Boomerang Ridge, Boomerang, Kodiak, Lower Bear, Holo Hike, Holiday, Elk and Power Trip to finally the Dipsy and Conerstone Lodge. When I reached my partner, he was standing with a smile on his face and said “one more time, but give it your all.” I laughed……on the inside.
Last year at the PPP I stood waiting for my team member to pass me his necklace, watching and wondering why the skiers were so short of breath. I now know. After running half way up the Face Lift to your skis, skiing through a course set up on Blueberry, tucking it out to Cedar Trail and skate skiing all the way across the mountain, any oxygen left in your lungs is there by pure fluke.
During my second and last run Saturday, I decided that I need one of two things before the actual race: longer skis or a whole lot of wax…..maybe both! Stay tuned for the results and stories of the upcoming PPP race, and watch out for a skier wearing a borrowed Canadian Alpine Ski Team race suit.
www.skifernie.com
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