Hot Dog Day is a tradition where folks pull their retro ski wear out of mothball storage boxes, dust off straight 203 cm GS skis and don their ugliest ‘80’s toque and fluorescent goggles. Starting in 2014, Nonstop Ski & Snowboard in Fernie is adding a new custom to this Fernie fashion faux-pas.

Each year Nonstop hosts a Hot Dog Fashion Auction. Nonstoppers bid for the right to wear the gear on the day, and all proceeds go towards a local charity.

“At last year’s auction, Fernie Nonstoppers bid on items auctioned off to fellow students for coveted retro costume items,” remembered Alex Simons, a former participant who now works at RCR Guest Services. “Some people got so caught up in the fun that they emptied their wallets for fun and charity.”

In recent years, Dave Richards, Canadian Operations Director, is pleased to share the proceeds with two worthy local charities: Emily Brydon Foundation and Wildsight Elk Valley Branch.

“We feel the training courses we provide to participants from the UK, Australia and other countries add to the social fabric of Fernie, not to mention providing revenue for local restaurants, pubs, retail and rental market,” he said.

Richards is excited to add to the list of Nonstop benefits, the environment, rounding out the three pillars of sustainability.

Nonstop has been operating ski and snowboard training courses in Western Canada since 2002.

“Over the years I see many benefits of Nonstop to Fernie. These participants leave Fernie as ambassadors spreading accolades of Fernie around the globe. Many Nonstoppers stay or return to open businesses like the Loaf and Beanpod. They are active volunteers with Fernie Search and Rescue and Fernie Trails Alliance and are a brain-gain for many local businesses,” commented Lee-Anne Walker, Director for Wildsight’s Elk Valley Branch.

Lisa Janssen, Wildsight Elk Valley Branch President, is thankful for the generous donation from Nonstop.

“The money helps fund their 2nd Avenue office, the hub for our education programs to local schools and volunteer opportunities like Earth Day, Wild Nature Tours nature-based experiences for visitors, EcoGarden activities, and a place for people to get information about our local environment. It is also a shared space with the community-based water group Elk River Alliance and the East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council.”

Above photo: Nonstop staff and participants donate $3,400 to Wildsight Elk Valley Branch president and directors.

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