Castle Mountain and Fernie Alpine Resort

Hart Golbeck / hart@vueweekly.com

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Cat skiing at Castle Mountain

Last season, southern Alberta's Castle Mountain Resort opened the province's only cat ski operation. Now in its second season, the Powder Stagecoach will once again give skiers and riders an incredible chance to ski untracked lines in wide open bowls. This is an awesome experience, and you can bring the whole family because while you're enjoying the steeps, the less skilled can cruise the regular runs. Your morning starts early, with an 8 am briefing and familiarization with your pack, beacon, shovel and probe—all provided by the resort. Coffee and breakfast muffins are offered for a little morning fuel. Next, because it's classified as a lift-assisted experience, you ride up the Huckleberry Chair to the 11-seat snowcat. After an integral avalanche awareness session, the fun begins. Typically, your day consists of six to 10 epic runs in bowls and glades with memorable names like Pocket Rock-It, Gun Slinger and Roll Your Own. As the day draws to a close, meet the cat group in the lounge for a brewski while reviewing pictures and videos of your best runs. This whole experience will set you back about $310. Compared to the $900 or more a day that heliskiing takes from your wallet, that's a pretty good deal.

Located in the southeast corner of British Columbia, just across the Alberta border, Fernie Alpine Resort is one of our premier big snow destinations. On November 26, Fernie will open for its 50th season. Events to celebrate this milestone will be taking place all winter long. The biggest anniversary present is going to be the opening of the new Polar Peak Lift. It sounds like there's been a bit of a late start because, though contractors have been working feverishly on the installation, lift helicopters have been hampered by early season snow storms. Operations staff are hopeful the lift will be running by mid-December, but that may be somewhat optimistic. As the name implies, Polar Peak goes right to the summit of the Lizard Range, providing access to bowls above the tree line and adding 22 new runs. In addition, this lofty venture gives Fernie bragging rights for the most vertical and named runs in the Canadian Rockies. Add to that their ski-to-your-door accommodations and you are truly in for a great experience. Come on La Niña, a gift of massive snow is truly in order! V

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