Learning to ski powder on our 2 week camp
Our Canadian NONSTOP courses are now wrapping up for the season and one of the last to run was our 2-Week Development & Performance Camp. True to form, conditions are still great out in Fernie! Here's how Steve Farmer got on...
So this is the year that I hit 40 and decided to head to Fernie to improve my powder skiing! On arrival we were met by Jenny the NONSTOP host, who showed us around the Red Tree Lodge. The accommodation was excellent, with large clean rooms with en suite bathrooms. To keep the cost down I had opted to share, but there was still plenty of room. The next
morning following breakfast, we had a quick talk on the coming two weeks. Then we jumped on the bus for the ride up to the hill. Once there, Jenny gave us a tour of the mountain and its amenities. After getting acquainted with the mountain, we went on to the welcome meal, where we all sat down and got to know each other properly. Obviously the skiers sat drinking beer and chatting while the snowboarders grunted to each other in the corner! Fortunately Chris my room mate, a former skier turned snowboarder was able to translate. Luckily, it was clear from the outset that the group was made up of amazing people and the coming two weeks were going to be awesome.
The lessons started on Monday at 10am, so we had an hour to free ski and warm up. Colleen was my instructor and the snow conditions were fantastic, with deep powder everywhere - the previous five days had seen 104cm of snow fall! Initially I didn’t thank Colleen for the traverse and hike along Snake Ridge. That was until I saw the fresh untracked powder appear in front of me. Words cannot describe the feeling of skiing thigh deep fresh powder! The lesson lasted until 4pm, with an hour for lunch in one of the mountain restaurants; our favourite was definitely The Lizard Lodge.
My aim on this course was to learn to ski the powder, Colleen I can only describe as the best instructor I’ve ever had. Studying each of the group individually she highlighted one aspect for each of us to work on at a time. Once we had mastered it or consolidated it to muscle memory, she highlighted the next aspect to work on. The lessons took place Monday to Thursday each week, during which I learnt a huge amount skiing in varying terrains on and off piste. I arrived with the aim of learning to ski in powder, I’ve left with an all round improvement in my skiing, as well as the ability to ski in the deep.
On the Friday of the second week there was the option to go Cat Skiing in the surrounding mountains, all I can say about this is “do it people, do it!” Words fail me in my attempt to describe this experience, carving fresh tracks through virgin snow is heavenly. The smile on peoples faces lasted all day and night, I still smile thinking about it now.
In the evenings we were mostly left to our own devices, with thirsty Thursday in the Griz Bar being the start of a good night out each week. Our farewell dinner on the last Friday was fantastic fun, during which I can safely say we drank more than Charlie Sheen on a bender!
In short if you’re looking for a course that will enable you to improve your skiing or snowboarding taking it to the next level, I highly recommend NONSTOP and its Two Week Improvement course.
NONSTOP, thank you for a great course, especially Jenny, who I only have one piece of advice for; be careful next time you say “you only have to ask”, so many inappropriate comments went through my mind! To Colleen you’re an awesome instructor thanks! My fellow NONSTOPers from this course you’re awesome thanks for the memories, when we doing it again? Steve aka Dave’s Midget, smigde, shorty!
