Category Archives: Outdoor Adventure

Adaptive ski program at Fernie

Posted on March 1, 2016 | 1 comment

Bennett has made great progress on the slopes this year. We’ve gotten him out a lot more and he ditched his edgie-wedgie in January, but he’s also made strides (or, turns) with F.I.R.E, the Fernie Adaptive Ski Program.

Every Sunday when we’re in Fernie, Bennett gets a two-hour ski lesson with two certified instructors, for just $20. It’s an amazing, affordable opportunity and I’m thrilled I discovered the program, which was started in 2011 by local sit-skier Grace Brulotte (who was just 14 at the time!).

Bennett snowplows down a green run at Fernie Alpine Resort.

Bennett snowplows down a green run at Fernie Alpine Resort.

The program allows kids and adults with differing abilities to learn and enjoy skiing. Instructors adapt their teaching techniques to meet the special needs of the students. In Bennett’s case, this means being extra patient and encouraging, and repeating the information a lot.

During his first lesson back in January, Bennett was very quiet with Scott and Jacob, his volunteer instructors, but by lesson number four in mid-February he was talking a lot more. He had also progressed from the Mighty Moose poma lift to the Deer Chair for a much longer beginner run (again, with no edgie-wedgie, which is huge for him).

Volunteer instructors tk and tk halp Bennett ski to the chairlift.

Volunteer instructors Scott and Jacob help Bennett ski to the chairlift.

Prior to finding out about this program, I was resigned to trying to teach Bennett myself. He can’t join a regular lesson because he needs so much one-on-one help with everything from clicking into his skis to zipping up his jacket to loading the chairlift. And we certainly couldn’t afford private lessons, which start at $219 for a two-hour lesson. So when I saw the link to the adaptive program on Fernie’s website, I was hopeful.

It turns out many ski resorts in B.C. and Alberta offer adaptive ski programs. In B.C., they are available at most big resorts, from Panorama to Whistler, and to take advantage at your hill of choice you just have to buy a $45 membership with BC Adaptive Snowsports. In Alberta, they are available at Canada Olympic Park, Sunshine Village and Marmot Basin.

For us, this is huge — I only wish I had heard about Fernie’s program two years ago! But that’s okay, we know about it now and look forward to getting Bennett out on the slopes again this weekend.

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Hiking Fernie’s Old Growth Trail

Posted on August 26, 2015 | 1 comment

Avery stretched her arms wide to measure the girth of a massive cedar tree along Fernie’s Old Growth Trail. By her estimate the behemoth was “eight arm spans,” which measures roughly 10 metres around. Wow!

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Avery and Blake hiking the Old Growth Trail in Fernie, B.C.

We certainly felt Lilliputian earlier this month while hiking through this forest of ancient Western Red Cedar trees, some that are estimated to be 800 years old. It’s a great hike for a hot day — the forest floor stays cool thanks to the shade provided by these giants.

Tiny humans in a giant forest.

Tiny humans in a forest of giant cedars.

Bennett hikes up the shady Old Growth Trail to Island Lake Lodge.

Bennett hikes up the shady Old Growth Trail to Island Lake Lodge.

The trailhead is located at the 4-kilometre mark on the road that leads up to Island Lake Lodge. The path is well-marked and a gentle ascent, gaining just 250 metres as it climbs four kilometres to Island Lake.

Balancing on a fallen tree… with a little help from Daddy.

Balancing on a fallen tree… with a little help from Daddy.

I was worried the kids would get bored or start complaining after the three-km mark, but there were enough bridges to cross, fallen logs to balance on, and old growth trees to hug that it never lost their interest. It took us about 90 minutes one way, including a snack break. (Blake jogged back down the trail to get the car and come pick us up at the lodge after the hike.) It’s a definite do-again — perfect for kids!

Peeking out from behind a very old Western Red Cedar.

Peeking out from behind a very old Western Red Cedar.

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Inglewood Bird Sanctuary reopens!

Posted on August 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

More than two years ago, before the Calgary flood, one of our favourite things to do as a family was to walk the trails in the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. In summer we’d look for ripe Saskatoon berries, in fall we’d admire the colourful foliage, and in winter we’d appreciate the stillness save for the chatter of chickadees. In all seasons there was wildlife, notably deer, and occasionally we’d see muskrats or a bald eagle.

Blake and Bennett spot ducks from a new bridge at the recently reopened Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

Blake and Bennett spot ducks from a new bridge at the recently reopened Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

For the past two years Bennett would ask, “The bird sanctuary will be closed forever?” It began to feel like it. So we were thrilled to return from vacation on August long weekend and find out our old stomping grounds had been (partially) reopened. Not all of the pathways are ready for foot traffic — the flood did a number on the trails and infrastructure like bridges and viewing platforms — but our favourite loop that meanders past the Colonel Walker house, across the lagoon over two new bridges, and around to the main rehabilitated bridge, is once again open. We walked there on a recent evening to check it out.

Peaceful evening inside the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, which has finally (partially) reopened after the Calgary flood.

Peaceful evening inside the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, which has finally (partially) reopened after the Calgary flood.

We immediately spotted several fawns walking in the brush on the other side of the lagoon, their mother grazing not far away. Then, we saw an enormous great blue heron perched atop a fallen log. We got a good look and then he took flight, his enormous wings beating the still air.

This is why they call it a bird sanctuary -- a great blue heron rests atop a fallen tree.

This is why it’s a bird sanctuary — a great blue heron rests atop a fallen tree.

On the other side of the lagoon, where the forest is thicker, we saw what looked like numerous trails leading from the water into the trees. On closer inspection we realized they are beaver runs and lead to trees that have been felled by the industrious critters, which have pretty much taken over during two years of free-range chewing.

Have trees, will chew. The beavers have taken over the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

Have trees, will chew. The beavers have taken over the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

As we walked along the path we kept our eyes peeled for the fawns, and we were lucky to spot all four of them (!), plus mama having a rest among tall grass near the water’s edge.

One of four fawns spotted on a recent evening.

One of four fawns spotted on a recent evening.

Her babies were skittish, but mama deer is entirely non-plussed about sharing the bird sanctuary with humans again.

Her babies were skittish, but mama deer is entirely non-plussed about sharing the bird sanctuary with humans again.

In all, it was a special evening that reinforced why we love — and truly missed — the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

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