Contest Winner!

The winner of our contest has been selected and notified: Dirty Hairy, of Fernie B.C.

Dirty has been doing many environmentally responsible things in Fernie, and we have asked him to write an article describing the initiatives he has created at Island Lake Lodge in Fernie, B.C. He is also writing for a variety of magazines, such as the Fernie Fix (A local magazine in Fernie), and other online magazines.

Congratulations Dirty! We've contacted him and are waiting for his address to send him his environmental reward!

P.S. The above photo is our contest winner... "Livin' it up hey Dirty Hairy!?"

Chanel & Heather

Fernie's Fight

Well Hello again,

We are now sadly writing from our "real-life" living rooms, that lack the incredibly majestic scenery of Southern B.C. While we were there, we toured around the mountain and found some pretty great initiatives that Fernie is undertaking to fight their print. Although no massive changes were observed, we commend the hill for making small, realistic, and practical long term changes in their operations. After all that is what we are trying to do in our lives, practical, small changes for long term.

Things we weren't too impressed by, however the hill is not to blame. Both young and old bucks like to enjoy themselves in this blissfull place, but there is no excuse for this irresponsible waste!

Thanks for the good times Fernie, if we're lucky... Fernie will bring us back next year to see the improvements made on the hill since we last went!

Lots of Love,
Heather and Chanel

Go Fernie Gooo....

Since we have been here, on this Beautiful Mountain, we have been observing the "green" ways of being practised on the Hill & we thought we would share them you:

1. In the bathrooms on the hill, they have the 1/2 or full flush toilets: if it yellow 1/2 flush, if it brown definitely the full flush... why does this sound so familiar?

2. The hill ONLY uses 100% biodegradable garbage bags, yaaaa!

3. In order for the lifty's to put the covers on the t-bars, they have devised a bicycle ridding/pulley system to help them. Very smart, and green... many other hills would simply use a ski-do to do the job. Way to go Fernie-o!

4. They are also promoting healthy lifestyles with various contests and are giving away free passes as the prize!

Although it's not an earth shattering effort, we have seen little steps that show that the hill is aware of it's impact on the environment.

Today is our last day together and we are going to live it to the fullest! We are really hoping that Fernie, used as a catalyst, will continue to motivate us when we return to Saskatoon. We will be having a few of our friends and acquaintances who are trying to live greener, more environmentally responsible lifestyles, writing articles on their successes, challenges, and priorities. We are SUPER excited to have you reading our blog, and hope you will continue to learn with us.

Happy Trails Folks, Step Lightly!

Lots of Love, Chanel and Heather

Snow snow snow...

Hurray, it is snowing, the snow dance worked! And we are prayin' for it to continue.  

We ended up heading out on the hill near the end of the day and it was just what we needed.  There is nothing like cruising down the slopes on a beautifully sunny and inspiration-filled day (added bonus:  working off some of the food we have been downing continuously (seriously 24/7).  Today the plan is to go on the trek we promised yesterday.  We had a chance to meet up with Dirty Hairy and he is in the process of getting us some info.  

Our top 10 vacation tips for trying to be a bit more "eco":  

1.  Take big trips into town to get food, and then use the deck outside to refrigerate beer, wine, beverages, food, left-overs, etc.  That's a great bonus of going on a chilly  vacation.

2.  Using reused materials (ie. pizza pans from 2007 to cook and store pizza... great job Pat) to transport, cook, and store food.

3.  Because there are so many of us in the cabin using valuable non-renewable resources, we have an unwritten standard for the bathroom:  when it's yellow let it mellow, and when it's brown... well... you know what to do.

4.  Showers are brief because of a lack of hot water and we're trying really hard to leave more water for the dolphins :P :P :P :P

5.  Even though there is A LOT of us together, we have not used one disposable plate, piece of cutlery, or beverage container.  

6.  Going a step further... we have put masking tape on our own glasses (with our names on it) in order to wash less and drink more... :P  To say the least... our cup is ALWAYS half full!

7.  We have been reusing our towels so as to reduce our number laundry loads.

8.  Stink is the new black...  the smell of teen spirit tells us that we have been working hard!  We haven't been washing our gear everyday, and so far we're all in the same boat, so we haven't noticed a change!

9.  Instead of driving to places that can easily be walked to, we have been taking our sweet time (we are on vacation after all) and leisurely gabbing as we use more renewable and less non-renewable resources.

10.  And last but not least...  we haven't been relying on technology to entertain us.  We have been playing pictionary, charades, and other games with one another!  

We have taken some pics of this oasis and they will be posted later tonight.  We also want to thank you for coming to our site and reading our entries... we LOVE to see our counter movin' up, footprint movin' down!

Stay clean, go green (note: showers optional)!

Chanel and Heather

For the love of Fernie...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!! We are here together with coffee in hand and using the mountains as a source of abundant inspiration!! It seems as though when we are here, all of the trials and tribulations that everyday life brings are dissipated into thin air and we are able to breathe again! We are truly Blessed to have such an incredible outlet to look forward to from year to year.

The relaxed mountain air and the efforts made to preserve this beautiful space is important to the culture here in Fernie. People hitch hike to and from the mountain, there is an abundant source of organic foods and clothing stores in the town, and people choose to walk and bask in the glory of the mountains (we know it's a little more difficult to do that in Saskatchewan where the centres are larger and the air is MUCH colder).

We packed food in our vehicles when making the trek out here, used stainless steel water bottles, and filled our reusable mugs with coffee (more than a few times :P). Now that we are here, we will be making minimal trips into town using the great concept of carpooling. It seems as though the atmosphere makes us want to live better lives for ourselves and for the environment, and although many (including us) do not feel that degree of motivation when we return home, we will be trying to observe the little details that creates this incredible atmosphere in Fernie, B.C. and apply them to our lives in Saskatoon, SK.

Fernie has a variety of accomodations and entertainment venues from hostels to 5-star resorts. We have an "in" with one of the managers at Island Lake Lodge (a cat-skiing resort) who has also been involved in the community for over 15 years. We have asked him to give us some insight into the initiatives that Island Lake Lodge has been doing to fight the footprint.

Today... we are packing our lunches and heading out on our snowshoes into the woods... the deep dark woods (shout out to you guys...). We will be making BIG footprints, but not permanent ones :P Stay tuned for stories and adventures... for we are sure there will be many!

P.S. giving a little love to my husband who proposed to me on this very hill 2 years ago today... love love love, all you need is love!! :P

Lots of love on this cupidous hallmark holiday.... Heather and Chanel