To ski, or not to ski? That is the question.

[Samwich]

I need help making a decision. I've been considering competing in the upcoming Fernie IFSA comp. My dilemma is that conditions have blown ass in Whistler all season, so I haven't had much practice this year skiing difficult lines or hucking. I don't feel like I'm prepared to go and compete with the big boys. Normally, this wouldn't be much of an issue, because I know I can beat suckers like Matt Neiderhauser anyway ( ), but conditions in Fernie aren't all that great either.
Another issue is my finances. I don't have a whole lot of money, so i can't really afford to head down to Squaw, unless I can find cheap lodging and tickets. I can afford a trip if it costs me ~$300 CDN. Fernie is $130 for tickets and registration, plus lodging/food/gas/misc. other expenses. Prolly around $300. I'd MUCH rather spend that on good skiing, but comps are always fun.
Also, if I go, i miss my good buddy's birthday. Should be a great party. Obviously, this isn't a huge concern, but it is something to think about.

Now, you're probably saying that I've already made the decision and i just don't know it. HOWEVER, I've recently been feeling an urge to get the fuck outta Dodge. I've been skiing Whistler or Blackcomb almost every day this season, and have yet to have an epic day. I've had a bunch of good days, but there's no such thing as a bad day of skiing, so good days are easy to come by. I'm getting a little burned out, and I'm feeling that I need to do something to get stoked on skiing again. This is my year off from school that I'm taking to really enjoy skiing... and I'm not really enjoying the skiing.

So. Should I

a) call Atrain, tell him I need a ride, get my ass to Vancouver and throw him some gas money and some beer so I can get to Fernie

b) go visit Squaw/Alta/anywhere but this godforsaken rock and ski with a posse of stoked maggots (which would definitely get me stoked again)

c) shut the fuck up, stay in Whistler, and get into park skiing.


Also, what is the Fernie comp usually like? Pretty mellow like Crystal, or do a bunch of fucking crazy canadians show up and huck 60 foot to icy moguls?

[lemon boy]

Fill vehicle with gasoline (or diesel as needed) & cheap foodstuffs.
Watch the weather intently.
When you see a sure thing developing, drive there.
Ski.

That is how you get pow days when your home hill sucks. If that happens to mesh with the fernie comp then that's where you go.

[Samwich]

lemon boy: you'd better believe that that's what I would be doing... if i had a car. If I had a car, it would take care of transportation and lodging, and I would have gone down to Tahoe already, and probably Alta as well.

[lemon boy]

how can you not have a fucking car?

Try borrowing your parent's car or something, damn. No serious skier* can be without a car


*in Western North America...

[Snow Dog]

how can you not have a fucking car?

In Whistler you really don't need a car.

There's always Greyhound but once you get to Fernie you'll need a truck.

[Samwich]

the reason i don't have a car is the same reason that I haven't been taking a bunch of trips to where the snow is via plane/bus: lack of funds.

I can borrow my parents' car very occasionally, but it has to be very well planned. I can't just stock it and have it ready to go.

Anyway, any thoughts on my dilemma?

Thanks a lot guys...

[girlski0912]

I am saying the competing this year is pretty much gonna suck unless it is in kirkwood. It sucks even more when you aren't "there" yet. Red was sort of a let down for me because I had 8 days going into it. I was torn over going to Fernie too...for me that 130 bucks would have been a bust. Competing on shitty conditions could only remind you more of how lame this season has been. Go cheap and get down to where the snow is good to reward yourself. As someone said to me, you can always compete next year! PM me cuz I might have a ride down to Tahoe for you leaving Vancouver BC March 12.

[char]

Don't know when the comp is but I'll be headed that way over spring break. Not sure about getting back, lodging (was planning on crashing in the back of my truck...), etc.

[Endlessseason]

To ski, or not to ski? That is the question.

Duh. ......

[Samwich]

anyone care to offer an opinion?

[gramboh]

I haven't been out to Fernie for a few weeks but it looks pretty crappy, e.g. competing on hardpack. Also weather can change really quickly so comp venues could be limited, but then again it could snow a schwackload and be awesome. Personally I would go to Utah/California where you have a better chance of good snow.