111703

College of the Rockies would like to apply for a Park Use Permit for Mount Fernie Provincial Park for education and training purposes. The main user will be the Mountain Adventure Skills Training Program. We have a maximum student group per annum of 18 students with 1-3 instructors depending on the activity. We plan to use Fernie Provincial Park for day-use only for two key purposes: Natural History interpretation and training and access to the Lizard Range for both Avalanche Skills Training courses and Backcountry Ski education and training. Seasonal usage would be up to 2 days in the Fall during the month of October, up to 2 days in the Winter during the month of either January or February and up to 2 days in the Spring during the month of April for Natural History interpretation and training using the hiking trails. Park usage for access to the Lizard Range for avalanche skills training and backcountry skiing education and training would cover a maximum of 10 days over the winter during Avalanche Skills Training courses and Ski Touring Courses during the winter months. These courses operate at a 1: 6 instructor to student ratio. Park Facility usage will be minimal with access to the provincial park using one of three parking lots, either the Nordic Centre, Gorby Bridge or Stove Creek parking lot. I have spoken with East Kootenay South BC Parks Area Supervisor Marika Welsh who is in support of this application.