Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Fly while Skiing in Fernie B.C.

Middle Sister Photo by Lance Edwa Fernie Free Winter Guide 2019/2020

Fly while Skiing in Fernie B.C.

November 25, 2019 //  by Black Press Media Staff

Share this:

This winter, when you’re out adventuring in the backcountry, you might stumble upon some ski tracks that appear out of nowhere, or disappear without a trace.

These ghost tracks, although seemingly from a legend, belong to a reclusive group known as speedriders.

Requiring just a small parachute like wing, a set of skis and a thirst for adventure, this niche hybrid sport combines two amazing things; skiing and flying.

Access for speedriders in Fernie is all in the backcountry, primarily by ski touring up or using snowmobiles.

Most times, the effort it takes to reach the point of take-off is substantial. What could take hours to ski tour up may be over in a minute once the rider sets off. Descending down the mountain, speedriders can fly above the ground at speeds of 80-130 km/ hr., interacting with the terrain by touching down to make turns then taking off again, leaving only a set of ghost tracks in their wake. Their ability to fly allows them to decorate a slope with ski tracks down unskiable terrain that may end in massive cliffs.

The sport of speedriding has developed over the years since the 70s and 80s as European mountaineers started using parachutes to descend mountains quicker. In the past 10 years, there have been incredible advancements to speed wings, which can range in size from 6m to 15m; a third to half the size of a paraglider.

Lance Edwards of Fernie was introduced to this incredible sport at a mountain lm festival in 2010. He watched a film in awe as one of the sports’ founders, Francois Bon, gracefully made his way down the famous Eiger, combining flying with skiing. Edwards knew at that moment he had to try it for himself.

After a lot of homework researching this new sport of speedriding, Edwards discovered there are two ways to safely learn to speedride. The most common way in North America is to learn how to become a proficient paraglider first. This involves taking lessons and completing a paragliding school, learning to understand the respect for weather conditions, wing control, flight planning, takeoffs and landings.

Paraglider wings range from 20-30 square metres which allow paragliders to catch thermals to gain elevation, and can stay up in the air for hours. For progression to a speedwing, in time, a paraglider can slowly downsize their wing which allows them to gain more speed and decrease their glide ratios.

The only other way to safely learn the sport is to complete a training program specifcally for the speedriding. There are many schools in Europe that offer these focused training programs, including the one that Edwards attended. In 2013, he and good friend Ryan Dale-Johnson chose the Europe option and attended the well-known Speedriding School in Les Arcs, France. Edwards says that chairlift accessible terrain with world class coaching was the perfect combination to learn. He explained that over there, one can complete more flights in a few days than you can in an entire season back home. After their schooling, the now-certified speedriders bought wings of their own and have been hooked ever since.

Speedriding has allowed Edwards to cross an item off his bucket list; to place a ski track right off the middle ski jump feature of the Three Sisters in Fernie.

On the top of middle sister, he stands in the snow, his wing laid out on the ground behind him. Like a pilot, he runs through his preflight safety checks, ensuring harness is secure, lines are laid out correctly, and a final wind check is completed. Sliding forward, he picks up speed, allowing the wing to rise up over his head. Looking up, Edwards checks his lines again, ensuring no that there are no tangles and that all wing cells are equally inflated. He shifts his gaze back down as he hurtles towards the edge of the cliff. Everything gets louder as the wind picks up and his skis race across the surface of the snow, and in an instant everything goes quiet.

Launching off

the edge of the cliff, the ground opens up, and Edwards is flying. Using his toggles and shifting his weight in his harness to control his direction, Edwards hugs the edge of the cliff, descending back down towards Fernie in his nylon fighter jet.

The speedriding community in Fernie is about eight members strong, and Edwards says it is amazing to share this sport with friends. He says speedriding consistently delivers big smiles, huge high fives, and a definite spike in dopamine levels.

In addition to the increased stoke, while speedriding with buddies, Edwards says it’s a lot safer with a crew. He explained that the risk associated with speedriding is very calculated, but with good personal and team decision making, they can practice the sport at a very safe level. In the backcountry, one of their biggest dangers is being in avalanche terrain, and Edwards says they try to limit their time in exposed areas as much as possible. To do so, they ‘rig up’ in well-protected areas then ski to their launch area ready to go. In addition to their avalanche conditions awareness, the safety gear they carry, Edwards says a speedwing is another great piece of avalanche safety gear as it allows them to y away from danger if necessary.

Over the years, media coverage of the sport has grown. Edwards says they do have a Wayne Gretzky of speedriding, and the elite in the sport continue to push the boundaries and grow the sport by doing so. He would love to see the sport continue to grow in the Elk Valley.

If interested in finding out more about speedriding, arguably the most incredible way to go down a mountain, track down Lance at his downtown retail store, Elevation Showcase.

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: City of Fernie, Skiing, Snow

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

About a mile up the Heybrook Ridge trail, east of Everett, Wash., along Highway 2,…

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is hereRead More

Local knowledge: Discover why Kamloops is sensational in spring

Spring has finally sprung, bringing warmer, longer days perfect for outdoor pursuits – sans skis.…

Local knowledge: Discover why Kamloops is sensational in springRead More

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown Victoria

Things will get wild on the streets of Victoria this month with life-sized driftwood animal…

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown VictoriaRead More

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delights

Spring’s arrival brings more than longer, sunnier days coaxing leaves from the trees. It’s the…

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delightsRead More

Where is California’s ‘hardest to book’ campground? Not in a famous park

California has one campground among the nation’s 10 most difficult to book, according to a…

Where is California’s ‘hardest to book’ campground? Not in a famous parkRead More

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and camping

By Jared Gendron, The News Tribune Beginning May 26, Mount Rainier National Park will only…

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and campingRead More

What to bring on a hike: WCT Travel Guide

Knowing what to bring on a hike can make all the difference between a wonderful…

What to bring on a hike: WCT Travel GuideRead More

You could spend a lifetime paddling here! Endless kayaking adventures await on southern Vancouver Island

Southern Vancouver Island is a world-class kayaking destination, with options along its endless, meandering coastline…

You could spend a lifetime paddling here! Endless kayaking adventures await on southern Vancouver IslandRead More

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

From a Kootenay Beer Festival to a slushy end to a long, snowy spring ski…

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!Read More

Previous Post: « A local’s perfect day in Fernie, B.C.
Next Post: This is one of B.C.’s most popular sledding destinations »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

March 27, 2023

Local knowledge: Discover why Kamloops is sensational in spring

March 27, 2023

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown Victoria

March 22, 2023

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delights

March 21, 2023

Recent Posts

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

March 27, 2023

Local knowledge: Discover why Kamloops is sensational in spring

March 27, 2023

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown Victoria

March 22, 2023

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delights

March 21, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved