Hate the Grump Luv the Griz- F*@! Fernie Nay-sayers

In every Mountain Community there is one person that is grouchy and grinchy and always likely to complain. Well it is the Holiday Season and time to reflect on how fortunate we are in Fernie to have Fernie Alpine Resort. Thought time to list some of the many ways that Fernie Alpine Resort supports the local community and gives back like no other ski resort in the Region (Red, Lake Louise, Revelstoke, Sunshine, Panorama, Castle, Kicking Horse etc..)

1. Community Ski Day- the only ski resort to offer a FREE SKI Day for all who live in the Elk Valley (communities of Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and Elko) Other ski resort have similar but they charge for it- i.e. Red charges 1/2 price and Lake Louise charges $25

2. Fernie Alpine Resort Community Summit Fund- giving $150,000 cash to Elk Valley/Fernie volunteer, non-profit organizations in the community. One of the largest contributors to non-profit organizations in the East Kootenay Region of British Columbia. From School playground support to support of STARS night flight program, to supporting Fernie Historical Society, Fernie Search and Rescue, youth programs, Hospital programs, Senior Programs, Kids care programs, Relay for Life, Emily Brydon Foundation and many more important and vital community goodwill organizations

3. Largest ski resort supporter in the Rocky Mountains of the Canadian Avalanche Foundation and Host of the National Avalanche Awareness Event this year. I hear through the grapevine that the resort is cooking up more ways to support this important service to all mountain communities across Canada. Also have heard that Fernie Alpine Resort and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies supports the important efforts of Avalanche Research at the University of Calgary

4. One of a few Ski Resorts in the Rockies that opened early for it's guests this winter! Not an easy or inexpensive task i am sure. We went to Big Mountain for their opening weekend and had to wait almost 2 hrs for a shuttle because they refused to operate their lower shuttle lift up to Chair 1. Heard from the Fernie Ski Patrol team that they opened up all possible terrain and lifts and many guests had a great experience! I will stay home and ski now...

5. For the Kids- Fernie Alpine Resort and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies started the Husky Grade 2 Fun Pass Program- this program gives a Complimentary Season Pass to all 7 yr olds.

Now I am no expert in marketing or tourism but can see from each weekend that Fernie Alpine Resort brings in many guests to our town who eat at our restaurants, buy from our retail stores and shop at our grocery stores. So from an economic perspective we are also fortunate during this time of severe economic headwinds facing our country.

Don't let the minority (usually one or two people) in your mountain community taint the positive that is happening all around you. My community of Fernie is going forward and I am fortunate to be able to live here.

Have a Safe and Happy Holidays!