The Legend of the Griz

As legend has it, in 1879 a baby boy was born in a grizzly bear's cave high in the mountains during a cruel and bitter winter. The resident bear woke mean and ravenously hungry. A terrible battle ensued between the two, one fighting for his life - and the other for his dinner. The next day the townspeople went looking for the source of all the noise during the previous night. They looked high and low on the mountains above town. One man thought he saw a little boy wearing a bear coat and hat, leaping from rock to rock on the lofty peaks. His friends laughed, jokingly accused him of seeing things, and the sighting was forgotten.

Recently, however, some backcountry ski-tourers were ascending the peaks above Fernie Alpine Resort in the midst of a heavy snowstorm. While taking a short breather, they happened to glance up at a fantastic sight. A man of standard height, but with shoulders six feet wide, holding an eight foot musket. The man's 300 pounds was made even more awesome by the bristly, grizzly coat he wore. A bear hat was pulled down, shading his eyes. As the skiers watched, he shot his giant musket into the clouds, coaxing more snow to fall. The man became known as "The Griz." In his honour the townsfolk held a week-long festival to celebrate. Sporting events, competitions, parades and gatherings marked the gala. Whoever most embodied the Griz during that week was made honourary "Griz" for the rest of the year. The festival continues to be held every spring, and the Griz is obviously pleased - the best powder in the west continues to blanket our mountains.