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FERNIE
Locally referred to as 'Snow Valley,' the area boasts an incredible annual snowfall of over 29ft (875cm) one of the highest in North America, and considering Fernie has a relatively short winter season (mid December to mid April) this means that there are more regular powder dumps than in almost any other ski area around the world. Fernie frequently has the deepest snowpack in the Rockies and you'll become accustomed to waking up to the sound of the mountain patrol's avalanche bombs and a foot of fresh snow on the doorstep!
In short, epic powder days are plentiful! Renowned for its 'steep and deep' conditions, Fernie has varied terrain to challenge all abilities, from demanding chutes and tree runs to mellow gullies and perfectly groomed pistes. The type of ski terrain is considerably different to that of certain European resorts. The emphasis is on off-piste skiing and snowboarding rather than the motorway pistes found elsewhere. Many of the marked runs are through gladded trees, wide bowls and long gullies offering perfect lines in the fresh powder. In addition there are also some great groomed pistes to enjoy and these are perfect for developing your carving technique and practising your instructing skills.
THE TOWN
Fernie is not only famous for its powder conditions but also for its exceptionally friendly atmosphere and welcoming locals. The laid-back environment rubs off almost immediately on even the most stressed out souls and on returning from Fernie, you spend your first few days back in the UK saying hello to everybody, smiling as you walk down the street, driving considerately, chatting to your neighbours and other inhuman acts that are likely to see you locked up in a loony bin this side of the Atlantic!
Downtown Fernie is 2 km from the ski hill and offers an excellent selection of fine restaurants, bars, coffee shops, clothes and ski/ boarding shops, spas, a swimming pool with whirlpool and waterslides, ice skating rink, museum, gym and much more. Unlike most North American towns, Fernie has many fine heritage buildings and the main street, 2nd Ave, in particular has some beautiful 'western style' architecture.
The city of Fernie was founded in the late 19th century after the discovery of local coal deposits, and mining remains one of the main economic activities in the area. Because of this mix of local activity – tourism, mining, and forestry - Fernie has managed to retain its strong community feel rather than turning into a purpose built holiday resort (such as the likes of Whistler, Val'Disere and Meribel) even after the word has spread about it's awesome powder conditions.
The ski hill itself has a good selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, café, supermarket and a ski/ boarding shop. There are also husky rides, cross country ski trails and regular organized activities so there is plenty to do if you need a break from the powder!
For those of you who fall in love with Fernie and never want to leave, the locals swear that the summer season is even better, with activities such as white-water rafting, canoeing, hiking, golf and fly fishing in abundance. The popular local saying in Fernie is 'I came for the snow, but stayed for the summer'. We strongly recommend a trip here in summer or Autumn.
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DATES & PRICES
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28th December 2007 - 8th February 2008
14th February 2008- 27th March 2008 |
Twin Room |
£4,600 |
Single Room (Houses only) |
£5,400 |
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Held in Fernie, our 'Master the Mountain' course is designed for riders who want to spend an extended period living in the mountains, improving their snowboarding and gaining new backcountry touring skills. 
Directed by Glen Clarke one of Canada's most experienced snowboard pros, our team of snowboard instructors are the best in the Fernie area. 
For those that do want to achieve the CASI level 1 instructor qualification there will be a level 1 course running in Fernie while you are there. This 3 day course includes both training and assessment and is designed for people with no prior knowledge of snowboard instruction. In addition the NONSTOP coaching that you receive will mean that your snowboarding ability should be easily up to the level 1 standard and you will find that you’re familiar with teaching techniques after spending so much time with our instructors.
Alongside the resort coaching you'll spend many days snowboarding in the backcountry. Whilst enjoying some sweet lines in the untracked powder you'll learn about mountain safety so that you have the knowledge and skills to ride off-piste in safety. 
Our two day avalanche course is held close to the start of the course. It will provide essential skills for safe off-piste snowboarding. Topics covered include avalanche theory, stability assessment, route finding, and search and rescue techniques. The course includes one day of theory indoors and a field day putting your knowledge to the test. You'll be taught how to dig snow pits, check snow layers, and effectively use transceivers and probes. At the end of the course your search and rescue skills will be tested in an avalanche scenario. 
By the third week of the course you'll find the resort coaching will have significantly developed your riding skills. You'll spend two days in the backcountry touring with professional mountain guides and your instructor. These trips provide a good opportunity to put the avalanche course skills to the test, and to concentrate on your powder riding. Using split boards we head into the backcountry and travel uphill using skins. The descent down will be worth the hike - getting freshies in the untouched backcountry powder. 
After riding with our snowboard pros for the past five weeks you'll be snowboarding at new levels, and will be looking for new challenges. The final week provides the highlight of the trip: a four night snowboard expedition staying in a mountain cabin and riding fresh backcountry conditions each day. Rogers Pass (elevation 4,534 feet/1382m) is renowned for being one of North America's best powder destinations and one of Canada's best areas for touring. You will be flown in and out by helicopter, check out the amazing experience below.
We offer two types of accommodation on our 'Master the Mountain' course: 
info@nonstopsnowboard.com 
