Griz days and Avalanche training

The february fernie flock! L to R: V, Rob, Rob F, Anna, Neil, Paul, Dave (Fernie, Canada. 28 Feb 2007)
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Happy Griz days to all! This weekend is carnival in Fernie, in honour of the local legend, the Griz who guarantees good snow to Fernie. Find out more about the legend at http://www.skifernie.com/news-and-info/the-griz-legend.aspx , but in a nutshell it's a good excuse for a few days worth of parties! Excellent amusement in the form of the "dummy downhill" where a special downhill race track and jump is built for some specially built model skiers. See pictures for some examples!

Rob's superman impression needed some work.. (Fernie, Canada. 26 Feb 2007)
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We have been keeping ourselves amused over the past few weeks by going back to school  - V to learn how to undo her bad snowboarding habits (instructor Mat has the patience of a saint!) and Rob to improve his skiing (and make some good drinking buddies in the form of Charlotte and Alison). New confidence instilled, we have been investigating the double black diamonds on the mountain with mixed results (lessons learned = trees are hard and the facelift drag lift can bite!). Neil, Rob and Anna who became instructors last year have been helping us and their friends Paul and Dave become as expert as them. They are getting there! The fact that it has snowed nearly every day for the last few weeks has helped.

V playing in the trees (Fernie, Canada. 24 Feb 2007)
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Yesterday we completed our Avalanche course with a chilly field trip into the backcountry near the resort. Digging 3m deep snowpits in biting wind was initially not the best way to have fun but it was v interesting to understand a bit more about how avalanches form, and are caused, together with what to do if someone is caught in one. A bit sobering but definitely good knowledge gained, especially as instructor Dave Aitkens was an absolute mine of information on the subject.

Planning on a road trip next week to see some other hills around BC, hopefully including Lake Louise, Sunshine and Kimberley. Hope that the "Rent a wreck" car makes it round!

Dummy in action #1 (Fernie, Canada. 4 Mar 07)
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R&V