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[Video] Polar Peak First Chair @ Fernie Alpine Resort
By Mark Gallup
On Saturday November 26, 2011, the first skiers rode a chair lift that began 50 years of skiing in Fernie. On the ‘first chair’ were Heiko Socher, his wife Linda Socher, ski coach Dr. Geoff Seagram and sports retailer Greg Barrow. Heiko, the legendary creator and builder of Fernie Snow Valley from the 1970's through to 1997 was honoured and humbled to be asked to be the first skier up the mountain and the first skier to enjoy the early start to the season. Heiko, who is very active at 81 years of age was joined by his skiing companion and wife of nearly 55 years Linda. Linda established the first ski retail business in Fernie and since leaving the Ski Base in Fernie, manages to ski nearly every day of the ski season in Fernie. Dr Geoff Seagram, a local ski coach with the ski racing program in Fernie, joined for the first run on his coaching day and season. At age 75, Geoff is the oldest and still active ski coaches in Canada. He was the Race Doctor for the Men’s downhill ski events at the 1988 Calgary Olympics and established the first paediatric surgery practice in the Province of Alberta before retiring to Fernie in 1994. For 11 years, local legend Greg Barrow has held the first chair position on opening day at Fernie Alpine Resort. Greg was thrilled to once again to be on the first chair in the 50th year of skiing in the Lizard Range in the Canadian Rockies.
This is THE Year to ski Fernie Alpine Resort - Come and enjoy the big fun this winter at Fernie, celebrating 50 years of skiing and riding! To commemorate this special year we have a jam packed week of skiing history, socials, movie nights and more! Plus Ski The Peak on the 50th year of Fernie on the NEW Polar Peak chairlift. Most importantly we want to Thank You for Skiing and Riding with us, and also show our appreciation and respect for all the people involved over the years, who have made or contributed to the incredible - and one of Canada’s Best skiing and riding destinations - Fernie Alpine Resort.
Check out the 50th Anniversary historical displays in the Griz Lodge (daylodge) and the Slopeside Coffee Shop!
We would like to give an extra special shout out to Fernie Alpine Resort Season Pass Members, both past and present, Team Members, Fernie Community Members, Original Ski Families who formed the ski area Snow Valley in the 60’s, Municipal Leaders, Provincial Leaders, Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Fernie Tourism, Tourism B.C, and another extra salute goes out to Heiko & Linda Socher!
“We are real proud of Mike Delich for his effort to put together a great community 50th committee that involves a broad based group of individuals who played pivotal and important roles in sharing their passion for skiing and for sharing the sport of skiing and for making skiing possible in Fernie, British Columbia 50 years ago!”
Come Celebrate 50 years of Skiing with us this winter in Fernie, British Columbia
January 4th 2012
By Rebecca Edwards
2012 is here and every skier in Fernie is excited to be part of events to celebrate 50 Years of Skiing in Fernie.
Fernie Snow Valley ski hill opened in 1962 as a community ski area – 50 years later the renamed Fernie Alpine Resort is internationally-renowned as one of the best places in Canada to ski powder.
Fernie is also home to cat skiing operators Island Lake Lodge and Fernie Wilderness Adventures, where you can shred backcountry powder with a comfortable cat machine to take you up and down the mountain, and knowledgeable and experienced mountain guides to show you the best lines.
50 Years of Skiing in Fernie events will take place throughout 2012, thanks to a steering committee of Mike Delich (Fernie Lodging Company owner), Heiko Socher (former Fernie Snow Valley Ski Hill owner) and Andy Cohen (Fernie Alpine Resort manager).
The purpose is to honour skiing in Fernie since 1962, the founders, the employees, the ski school, the ski racing team, the ski patrol/avalanche experts and mountain guides and the areas - Fernie Snow Valley, Island Lake Lodge, Fernie Wilderness Adventures.
The events will create memorable events and lasting memories and will establish and maintain an enduring legacy of the rich cultural history of snow sports and mountain life.
50 Years of Skiing in Fernie – event calendar
• Several events will be held to coincide with the display at the Fernie Museum and the Ski Canada Ski Week in March.
• In late January, former employees, ski patrollers and the public will bring their collection of photos for an evening to reminisce on the past 50 years.
• In February, the Fernie Classic Art Show at several locations will be held. The judged event with many art categories will see prizes awarded by an esteemed panel of judges.
• In March, former ski racers will gather on March 17 to have a social and a fun ski race. Alumni from the Fernie Ski Club, the Elk Valley Racers, Fernie Snow Valley Racers and the Fernie Alpine Ski Team are expected to attend. Gordie Bowles, Editor of SR (Ski Racing) Magazine has already started contacting his former team mates.
• On March 24, Dave Rogers, the long-time ski school director will be organizing a classic ski school reunion. Former employees and instructors from across Canada will spin tales and demonstrate their ski techniques. It is expected that the attendees will bring fashions and equipment of the last 50 years.
Also part of the organizing team are Dave Aikens, Barry Hulburd, Dave Rogers, Dr. Rod Geddis, Dave O’Haire ( the first employee of Fernie Ski Resort).
Look out for more information on the events coming soon!
This article was written by Rebecca Edwards on the Fernie Lodging Company Blog - Original Article |
