New Resort for Fernie?

**Trigger** · 10-06-2006, 10:29 AM

Heaven's Gate has been proposed for the south side of Morrisey ridge. The group behind the proposal includes Heiko Socher the original owner of Fernie (when it was Fernie Snow Valley). Trying to find an area that is located new the town of Fernie but out of the dredded rain belt was the biggest concern, Heiko has stated that the resort will be more of a locals ski area for those who live in town but can't afford the $1100 pass that RCR now charges. This should be interesting, sounds like Heiko is disappointed in the marketing and money monster that RCR has become in Fernie and wants his legacy to be affordable skiing for the town. B.C. and Alberta mags discuss.

**gramboh** · 10-06-2006, 10:32 AM

Sounds dope, especially if the elevation is better and snow conditions are good. Where exactly is Morrisey ridge relative to the town? Would be cool if they just put a few lifts up and cut a few runs, keep the numbers down.

**srozing** · 10-06-2006, 10:40 AM

wow.. that's crazy expensive for fernie - it's more expensive than lake louise; what's up with that? The super pass is only $1249 and the fernie one is $1139?

Bah!

**srozing** · 10-06-2006, 10:41 AM

Hear hear on the higher elevation. Thats why fortress kindof rocks.

**mntlion** · 10-06-2006, 10:58 AM

higher elevation, gets snow, and near town.. does that exist?

RCR does a lot of dumb things, but wil they care if they loose the local market share? I think a typical british week long vacation will net them more money then a local will all year (acc'm, meals on hill or out, rentals, lessons in 7 days) vs skiers that ski all day and then go home, eat brown bag lunches, and ski all year.

nice to see more areas open, but they are just fighting over the same slice of pie, I dont see how this will make more skiers, just split up the skier days that they have now.

**Dromond** · 10-06-2006, 11:02 AM

Something to consider: would a company want to draw locals type skiers away from their main vacationer attraction or keep them there? From their perspective, having real skiers there helps maintain some sort of image or credibility perhaps, but maybe makes it less friendly to visitors?

I've never been the region in question, I'm just wondering out loud.

**mntlion** · 10-06-2006, 11:07 AM

its worht a bit of marketing to have hard core locals, but costs in other ways. I think most people holiday based on web sites, friends recomendations, and travel agents, not free ski comp venues

**Snow Dog** · 10-06-2006, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by srozing

wow.. that's crazy expensive for fernie - it's more expensive than lake louise; what's up with that? The super pass is only $1249 and the fernie one is $1139?

Bah!

That's not crazy; that's retarded. $69-$74 for a regular lift ticket too. No wonder there's so many sled skiers out there.

**Trigger** · 10-06-2006, 12:40 PM

Morissry ridge: if your at the top of Fernie look across the valley, then follow that horizon line untill it drops that drop is where we're talking. I think mtnlion's right RCR won't and can't give a shit (good to see yer healthy mtnlion). My speculation (and this is purely my opinion) is that Heiko doesn't like the direction RCR has taken his resort FSV - FAR and would like to make amends with the locals for this.

**BigLineSeeker** · 10-06-2006, 12:54 PM

I spend most every weekend in Fernie now and have hear lots of talk about a new resort. If they make it a go I will be first in line on opening day. It is not that I dislike Fernie; the terrain is good the snow is usually solid and the crowds are substantially smaller than any of the Banff resorts, but you are still surrounded by gorbs. Having a resort like Whitewater close to Calgary will kick ass. From what I have heard those trying to bring the new resort to Fernie already have a gondola is ready to go in as soon as they get approval. Who knows if it is actually true, but that seemed to be the talk around Fernie last time I was there.

**holy_snikes** · 10-23-2006, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Trigger

Morissry ridge: if your at the top of Fernie look across the valley, then follow that horizon line untill it drops that drop is where we're talking. I think mtnlion's right RCR won't and can't give a shit (good to see yer healthy mtnlion). My speculation (and this is purely my opinion) is that Heiko doesn't like the direction RCR has taken his resort FSV - FAR and would like to make amends with the locals for this.

Heiko doesnt need to make amends for shit, he's a God here. Sure he sold Snow Valley, it expanded big time with RCR but within the last couple years good lord RCR has really shown its true colours. Heiko is a community man, he gives and gives to the town of Fernie, he is well respected and really owes the town nothing. I will be leaving Fernie next year, after 3 seasons, I cant afford the wages they pay at RCR to live in Fernie and I cant afford to work the higher wage in town and pay for the damned pass. I hope Heavens Gate goes through, the area he wants to develope is right straight across from F.A.R but I believe on the back side of Morissey ridge or a couple peaks even further behind this, apparently the area gets alot of snow as well, or maybe he might move his operation a little further south, close to where a local cat skiing operation runs.

RCR

**nesta** · 10-23-2006, 03:07 PM

props to Heiko- if anyone can do this it is him. But, where he plans to develop is definitely less than ideal, if it's going where you have all said it is. Not very steep, no more elevation than FAR, not quite as much snow ( although that can vary). A gondola and cheaper ticket prices are appealing however.

**holy_snikes** · 10-23-2006, 05:39 PM

What will be worth it is when RCR starts to squirm

**eldereldo** · 10-23-2006, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by BigLineSeeker

. Having a resort like Whitewater close to Calgary will kick ass.

There already is, it''s called Castle Mountain

**Bring On The Snow** · 10-23-2006, 06:23 PM

does anyone no of any website with info on this topic?

**rossibandit** · 10-23-2006, 09:04 PM

I think it would be cool to have another resort in Fernie, but I don't know how realistic it is.

It is very expensive to run a ski hill. Selling Lift tickets alone actually isn't a very good return on profit. I don't know if a resort with a year round gondola is going to be any cheaper. I have a feeling that there will be a big push to develop the area around the base area of this new resort and sell expensive propertry to well off people in Calgary. This new resort would be close to the new golf course if it ever get started.

I am sure that Hieko has the good the community at heart. A guy that would spent several summers building a trail for the public in the most beautifull area should have a semi god like status after selling the hill.

I have to wonder if its just another real estate hype. Some would even have to wonder about the golf course planned for Fernie. Having a name like Hieko behind your development would be very good for promoting the development. Just like having a big name golfer putting his name behind a course.

I am thankfull that I had the chance to learn how to ski at Fernie and that it was affordable for my family to buy a family pass every year (luckly, I din't have a hockey parents

). I still can remember going skiing with my father on weekends.

Mind you it would be nice to see RCR have some competition

.

Other problems would be that Morrisey ridge is the in the rain shadow side of the valley and recieves a lot less snow that the lizard range. The lizard range and cedar valley (Island lake lodge) are like there own mirco climate and recieve alot of precip. (rain or snow). Hence the gaint cedars.

just my 2 cents anyways.

**lax** · 10-23-2006, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dromond

Something to consider: would a company want to draw locals type skiers away from their main vacationer attraction or keep them there? From their perspective, having real skiers there helps maintain some sort of image or credibility perhaps, but maybe makes it less friendly to visitors?

I've never been the region in question, I'm just wondering out loud.

deer valley.

get the local scum outta there. more room for groomers, condos, mid mountain restaurant/spas/hockey rinks and everything else that rightwith skiing.

edit-this sounds fucking sweet, if it appears to be what you say it is. definitely someplace i'd check otu to skibum. and, as much as i hate on the corporate/whorish part of skiing, they can provide the one thing usualyl missign from "soul" resorts: a nightlife.... :/