This is what happens when you leave a green deck-hand on wheel and he only knows how to use a GPS and does not reference his charts and depth sounder.

And then do not drink whiskey and pass out before you batten down the hatches and hold, or when the tide rises it will fill your boat and you will wake up in a wet bunk.

 

 

The TransRockies event, the best mountain biking event in North America, starts August 8th in Fernie, British Columbia. Celebrating 9 years of TransRockies, the event then follows trails to the finish line in the Canadian Rockies community of Canmore, Alberta on August 14th. Fernie is pulling out all the stops to host the kick-off party for the 500 racers on Sunday, August 8th with events scheduled for that day of a Beer Garden, Bike Show and the Time Trial stage kicking off North America's most scenic bike race. From what I understand there have been some really cool routes picked for this years event that traverse some incredible alpine terrain and offer outstanding example of jaw dropping scenery over the spine of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Hopefully the racers will be able to take in this scenery while they grind the climbs out....There is still some lodging available for the weekend opening event so you can check www.skifernie.com and go to the vacations section for on-line bookings or call 1-800-258-7669. Don't miss cheering on the riders for this epic event and then do some killer rides in and around Fernie or up at Fernie Alpine Resort.

Christopher Nolan's blockbuster "Inception" debuts in movie theatres on Friday, July 16th. Filmed on locations around the world but some of the most challenging filming happened on location in the Canadian Rockies near Nakiska Ski Resort. As the weather and significant snowfall which is fantastic for skiers but provided challenging conditions for the film crews. The movie crew moved into position over deep snow in snow grooming cats similar to the models used in ski resorts. In addition to the snowmobiles as noted in my previous blog entry also had an elaborately detailed Hummer on snow tracks to quickly move during the chase scenes. It is going to be an amazing film and look forward to seeing it on Friday!

The stunt crew for "Inception" was coordinated by Brent Woolsey and he had a top notch team that did some amazing acts on snowmobiles, on skis and on foot. "Inception" used a Hummer on skis and specially outfitted snowmobiles for the action scenes carrying heavily armed soldiers. The snowmobiles were slick, high powered Ski-Doo's with 800R PTEK engines. At Nakiska Ski Resort http://www.skinakiska.com the stunt team practiced with the high powered sleds to perfect the tricks used in the movie.

The Movie's stars include, Leonardo DiCaprio ("Blood Diamond", "The Aviator"), Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai"), Ellen Page ("Juno"), Tom Hardy ("RocknRolla", "Bronson"), Cillian Murphy ("Batman Begins"), and Michael Caine ("Hannah and Her Sisters")

Don't miss this film as it debuts July 16th

Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie, British Columbia was recently visited by one of Canada's best bike shops, Gord's Ski and Bike, in Manitoba. The Gord's Ski and Team are not afraid to get Dirty! Gord's has an expert crew of downhill mountain bikers who recently visited Fernie Alpine Resort. Gord's team had this to say- "Gord's Bike Club Members Heidi, Scott Watson, Matt Jackson, Watson 2.0 as well as staff members Darci, JF, Coppens and JT Austin are ripping it up on our first MTB trip to Fernie ever... and WE'RE LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Let us be the first to admit it, the hype is all true, this place is sensational. From the delicious burgers at the on-hill Kelsey's to the equally delicious trails and exceedingly friendly locals, Fernie is a most pleasant surprise. Especially considering the hype it had to live up to."

please visit more details from there epic downhill mountain bike journey in the Canadian Rockies at http://www.gords.com Gord's Bike Club members visited Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Panorama. Gord's Bike Club team stayed at the Wolf's Den Lodge for their Fernie Vacation (work.....)

 

 

Choosing the best powder skiiing resort destination in North America is not easy. There is lots to debate. So to keep it simple I have chosen three ski resorts that you will have a great powder skiing experience and if it does not snow you will have a positive skiing experience. Snow though is the ski ingredient for a powder ski vacation. The Canadian Rockies ski resort of Fernie Alpine Resort located in Southeastern, British Columbia and short drive from the new Canadian Rockies International Airport gets on average 30 feet of snow. It most years that is new snow at least 3 days a week. So that would give a ski trip to Fernie Alpine Resort the best odds of experiencing skiing powder in the Canadian Rockies. If my trip was to take me to the United States I would look at either Grand Targhee Ski Resort near Driggs, Idaho and just an hour away from Jackson Hole Wyoming and or Alta Ski Area in Utah. Both get lots of snow! Good luck searching for your favorite powder ski vacation this winter!

 

It is early in the season but now is a great time to think about buying skis. What...you say...Yes it is true as many ski shops and outdoor retailers move their ski equipment to make way for summer items and they usually put some of their skis on crazy, deep discount sales. Also try checking http://www.ebay.com for some ski bargains as well. But you need to know what type of ski and size you are looking for to make e-bay work for you. First step is ask yourself what terrain you want to ski? All skis are not the same. All Mountain Skis, Park and Pipe Skis, Powder Skis and Carving Skis. Next step is pick a ski that matches your ability level- beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced, Advanced/Expert. Then ask yourself how many days you will ski. As this will accelerate how fast you improve. So you might consider that if you are an intermediate that plans to ski over 20 days then you may want to purchase advanced skis. This is the start of my series 'How to Ski', 'How to prepare for Ski Season' and 'How to get in shape for skiing this winter' series

I love skiing. There is nothing like feeling the satisfaction after a long day powder skiing on the slopes in a spectacular mountain setting with friends and family! When it is time reward yourself with a soak in the hot tub, a great meal and relaxing by a crackling fire. I was happy to see that others enjoy this same experience. Thanks to Action Sports and ActionSportsBlips for ranking Matt's Ski Blog in their top 10 SKI Blogs in North America. I appreciate all your support and thank you goes to you my readers for your feedback, sharing my stories and input! Looking forward to powder turns!

Calgary's favourite Alternative News and Entertainment Weekly, Fast Forward has released it's 13th Annual Best of Calgary edition. They have a category for favourite Ski Resort. Fernie Alpine Resort has been picked the top ski resort in British Columbia by Fast Forward Weekly! We thank the readers and Fast Forward Weekly for picking Fernie Alpine Resort!

By Air, By Train or by Car-- getting the the Canadian Rockies, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Trickle Creek Golf Resort and Fernie Alpine Resort is Easier than you may have thought! With the improved air service to Canadian Rockies International Airport, Cranbrook, British Columbia it is much easier to ski or golf in the Canadian Rockies. Now with Air Canada, Pacific Coastal Airlines and Delta Airlines service. This makes the communities of Kimberley, British Columbia and Fernie, British Columbia, the closest mountain towns to a major International Airport in Canada and in the Canadian Rockies. Driving is easy with major highway connections and easy border crossing options if you are coming up from the United States to Ski or Golf. Passenger train service would be either Amtrak with the closest station located in Whitefish, Montana, just 1.5hrs away by car and or VIA Rail with service to Jasper, Alberta or Edmonton, Alberta.

Isn't it time that you escape to a place that is easy to get to, that the highest buildings are trees and wildlife outnumber residents.

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