The Safe Keepers

As a family, year after year, we have skied at Fernie Alpine Resort. We have made so many incredible memories there. I have an immense amount of gratitude for those who make the tough decisions to open, or to keep terrain closed, even more so now that my kids go off on their own.

A few years ago, my kids and I were spending a few extra days in Fernie over the winter. The kids really, really, really wanted to get last chair.  They timed it perfectly.  It was mid week and not very busy. It felt like we were the only ones there as we slid off at the top of Whitepass Chair. We were taking a moment to look out passed the Currie Bowl sign and appreciate the grandiosity of it all, without a soul skiing it.  Then the patrollers came out of their hut to get ready for their final sweep. One of them came up to us and said, “It’s a beautiful afternoon, take your time. We will follow you down on our sweep, but we’re not in a hurry. Enjoy it.” 

We started our last run but the kids were pretty small at the time, and we needed lots of breaks.  I remember stopping to take a rest, and looking up behind me.  We spotted three or four patrollers, all standing up high on the ridges, looking down at us.  We would make a few more turns, then look up, and they were still there…watching over us.  It was truly a magical moment for the kids. 

Then, just as we were coming out of Currie, nearly past the fence to the deer runs, a little puppy came full tilt to greet us with his handler/patroller. It was the cherry on top. The pooch ran alongside the kids for a couple turns. To this day, although we’ve had other great last runs, this one gets talked about every time we reminisce about good times at the ski hill.

Thank you for watching over us❤️!