Opening Weekend is usually a very special day for me, it signals the start of my winter skiing season. But this year opening day didn't bring with it the excitement it usually does. I wasn't out at 7 in the morning vying for the coveted "First Chair" like I have in the past. This year, opening weekend seemed like just another day. I started my 06/07 season on November 14th and have already had over 15 days of great skiing before the lifts started to turn.

Another reason this weekend didn't quite have the same excitement was because the conditions are not nearly as good as they have been the weeks prior to opening. It hasn't snowed much for nearly two weeks now, and the snow that did fall has turned into a great settled snowpack. A few CM's of snow at this time would go along way.

There are quite a few improvements on the mountain this year; The Deer Chair's now sport comfy new seat tops (although they forgot about the back rest) and Whitepass Quad now has a double sided queue.. perfect for skiing right onto the lift from Big Bang.

Last but not least there is the new "Lost Boy's Café" and bathrooms at the top of the Timber Express. This beautiful new facility has some of the best views on the mountain, and a menu featuring;

• Gourmet Baked Potatoes - $9.95-13.95
• Cheese Platters - $13.95-16.95
• Cheesecakes - $7.95
• Muffins - $4.95
• Cinnamon Buns - $4.95
• Cookies and Mini Muffins - $2.95
• Coffee and Hot-Chocolate - $2.95
• Draft Beer - $5.95
• EJ Gallo Wines from - $7/glass or $27/bottle

I was disappointed to find that they will not be serving any Espresso Coffee's this season.

See a collection of photo's from Opening Weekend Here- www.ourfernie.com/media/far-opening-weekend