Watch The Latest Live SOTS Recording

Fernie Live Event Schedule

At The Central 6:30PM-8:30PM

Meet the Fernie Team

SOTS Fernie Event Coordinator
Ian Shopland is a Fernie resident with a love for year-round outdoor recreation. Above all, his primary goal is always to return home safely to his family.

SOTS Fernie MC/HOST
Jade is from the UK and grew up snowboarding a couple of weeks a year in the French Alps. She ‘retired’ from teaching and moved to Fernie in 2018, originally just for the winter as so many people do, and now calls this town home! She spends a bunch of her winter split-boarding and has taken her AST 1 & 2. She is the Operations Manager for Mountain Addicts Guiding and Instruction.

CAA Level 3 / Fernie Alpine Resort, Avalanche Forecasting Supervisor
Tyler Carson started in the Avalanche Industry in 1998 as a contract instructor for the British Army Training Unit Suffield. Currently, He is a CAA Professional Member, having completed the CAA Industry Training Program Level 3, he is presently serving on the Canadian Avalanche Association Board Directors, and is working as a CAA ITP Instructor, and has 10 years of AST instructing experience. In his day job Tyler is the Forecasting Supervisor at Fernie Alpine Resort and a reluctant social media content creator.

SOTS Fernie Livestream Producer
My Name is Gavin. I’m 18 years old, and I am freestyle/big mountain skier from Fernie BC. I was a Level 1 ski instructor at Fernie Alpine Resort from ages 14-16. I also worked as a lift operator in the past two summer seasons and am starting this winter to join the winter lift ops team. I recently got my AST1 just last January and have been interested in the snowpack even more ever since. I plan to further my knowledge and education with snowpack and avalanche safety in the foreseeable future, to ensure my safety, as well as others!

CAA 2 / Practitioner / Avalanche Canada South Rockies Forecaster
Nik was born and raised in Fernie. After a brief stint away on Vancouver Island, the Rockies called him home. He is an Avalanche Practitioner, Ski Patroller, AST instructor, and member of Avalanche Canada South Rockies Field Team.

CAA Level 3 / Alpine Solutions, Lead Avalanche Technician
Ben Jackman is a seasoned Avalanche Professional based in Fernie, BC, beginning his avalanche career in 2005. Over his career, Ben has developed a diverse background in avalanche risk management and planning spanning various sectors, including ski areas, transportation corridors, industrial construction and avalanche education for the Canadian Avalanche Association's industry training program.

Originally from Calgary, Olivia built her snow and avalanche career after moving to Fernie, BC 10 years ago. Starting in ski patrol and later becoming an assistant forecaster at Fernie Alpine Resort, she is in her 10th year of working in snow safety. She now leads the South Rockies Field Team for Avalanche Canada and previously served five years as president of Elk Valley Snow and Avalanche Workshop. Alongside her fieldwork, Olivia teaches avalanche safety and is dedicated to public education and backcountry risk management.

ACMG Ski Guide / CAA Level 2 / Island Lake Lodge Cat Skiing, Guide
Steve Kuijt. Working for Island Lake Snowcat skiing since they started snowcat skiing there. Has also worked guiding Heli Skiing at Mike Wiegele’s, CMH Bugaboos and several backcountry ski touring lodges. Canadian Avalanche Association Professional Member, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides Ski Guide and Certified Avalanche Blaster with Worksafe BC.

CAA Level 3 / Fernie Alpine Resort, Senior Advisor to Operations
CAA Professional Member since 1983. Level 3 graduate and I have been a CAA instructor for the Level 1&3 Industry Training Program. I was on the CAA board of directors for a period as the Vice President. I am starting my 48th season at Fernie Alpine Resort I was a ski instructor, ski patroller, avalanche forecaster, avalanche rescue dog handler, operations manager and currently a Senior Advisor to Operations with a focus on mentoring the young avalanche forecasters and patrollers.