Oct 22 - Winter Wonderland

Fernie was hit by a couple storms over the weekend leaving Island Lake Lodge covered in a nice blanket of snow.  After a long hot fall, it seems that winter is on the way and catskiing is in the air.

Call now to ask about availability or to be added to our standby list.
www.islandlakecatskiing.com

A Day in the Life of a Catskier or Snowboarder

Here is another webisode from Island Lake Catskiing.  This installment gives an overview of a typical day of catskiing.  From sunrise to powder to apres ski, this video will show you what the experience is like.  Enjoy and share!

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

A Brief History of Island Lake Catskiing

As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations here at Island Lake Catskiing, we have produced a series of webisodes.  The first installment is called A Brief History and has interviews with Mark Gallup, Jason Ford, Scot Schmidt and Jake Blattner, all of whom are past shareholders of Island Lake.  A full length documentary will be released fall 2013.  Here you go!

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

A great summer season has come to a close

The summer operating season has come to an end at Island Lake Lodge.  After a few months of amazing hot weather, great hiking, several weddings and a busy restaurant, we have now shut the gate.  We would like to sincerely thank all our guests and staff for making it one of the best summers ever. We now start looking forward to the coming catski season, which is just around the corner believe it or not.  If you are interested in catskiing with us during our 25th anniversary season, call quick because the seats are filling quick.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

limited edition Island Lake snowboards coming off the line.

Island Lake Catskiing has partnered with Prior Snowboards to create limited edition 25th anniversary snowboards.   The Prior Spearhead and Khyber big mountain models were used with a custom graphic.  These boards are some of the best powder and big mountains snowboards available and will be available for Island Lake guests to use in the 2012/13 season.   

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

Island Lake Lodge Catskiing history book

Oolichan Books and Island Lake Catskiing announce an illustrated history of Island Lake and the Cedar Valley.

Oolichan Books is collaborating with Island Lake Catskiing to produce a special book celebrating the history of Island Lake and the Cedar Valley. Island Lake Lodge rose to fame in the early 90’s when it became a Mecca for ski /snowboard media and pro athletes. Stars like Craig Kelly, Scot Schmidt, Mark Gallup and Jason Ford not only filmed and shot photos there, but ultimately became owners as well. 2013 will mark the 25th anniversary of catskiing at the lodge.

“Island Lake is steeped in history and great stories, it is time to document what went on there” said internationally renowned photographer Mark Gallup.  Bears Above the Valley includes many outstanding images documenting rich natural and snow-sporting history of Island Lake and the Cedar Valley. The book is co-authored by Mike McPhee, Mark Gallup and Lee-Anne Walker with an introduction by famed ski-journalist Leslie Anthony.  

The book is set for release at the end of October 2012.

Island Lake Catskiing is located in the Lizard Range of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, 10 kms from Fernie B.C.  

Oolichan Books is a Fernie based publisher known for unique and authentic Canadian literature.

www.islandlakecatskiing.com

More hiking around Fernie BC - with photos

The beautiful summer weather continues in Fernie B.C.  Because it has been getting pretty hot during the day, we started on a hike up to the top of the Tamarack Trail near Island Lake Lodge at about 8:30 am.  The trail winds it's way through Old Growth forest, then through some open slide paths.  The wild flowers and berries are still in their prime on many aspects.  An elevation gain of 650 m gets you to the top of the ridge, which is actually a should of Mount Fernie.  Nice catski terrain in the winter makes for nice open meadows with wild flowers in the summer.   From the top of the ridge you can see towards windy pass and the 3 sisters, as well the Lizard Range and Island Lake Lodge.  This trail is the end of Heikos Trail if you start from the other side of the 3 sisters.  Round trip was 16 km and took about 4.5 hours... with stopping to take lots of photos and lunch on top.   It's a good moderate level hike.  Here are some photos.

Hiking in Fernie BC