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GALLERY: Opening day at Fernie Alpine Resort

Hundreds of skiers and snowboarders turn out for winter opening day at Fernie Alpine Resort
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Stoke levels were at an all time high on Saturday after Fernie Alpine Resort received 7cm of fresh snow in the 24 hours prior to opening day. Hundreds of skiers and snowboarders queued at Timber Chair that morning. Photos by Kimberley Vlasic/The Free Press

Update: Day three, and the hill is looking great! Video credit: Dan Taylor

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The excitement was tangible at Fernie Alpine Resort on Saturday as hundreds of skiers and snowboarders queued for the first chair of the season.

But they were beaten to the punch by local Greg “G-Money” Barrow who camped at Timber Chair overnight as per his tradition.

The 70-year-old arrived at 5 p.m. Friday to ensure his place in the line on what was his 18th opening day in Fernie.

“I’ve got really good winter gear, a good tent and a super warm sleeping bag and Therm-a-Rest (sleeping pad),” said Barrow. “It’s super comfortable, I got lots of sleep.”

Asked what drives him to sleep out every year, Barrow replied “I don’t know, just ‘cos it’s something fun to do… just to do something dumb.”

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