Fernie festival sounds like epic party

My husband likes to celebrate the winter season with an annual cross country skiing/camping trip to the Methow Valley. My brothers and their wives usually join us, and general merriment ensues.

Or at least we hope so. The universe may be trying to tell us something because last year our friend Vanessa showed up, toting some deadly virus to which a number of our party quickly fell victim.

And one year, we almost lost Iceman for good.

The rest of us had tired of the bonfire and hit the rack. But our friend Matt, also known as Iceman, decided to take a walk about.

Snow started to fall partway in, so – doubting his ability to find his way back to the tent – he did what anyone would do in those circumstances: He recorded a farewell message on his digital camera, hoping that when we found his cold, lifeless body we would know how he felt about us.

He did eventually make it back to camp – and yes, there was alcohol involved.

But, given that record, maybe this year we should opt for some adult supervision and attend the Snow Dreams Festival, scheduled for Feb. 25 and 26 at Fernie Alpine Resort in British Columbia.

Organizers call it a celebration of the resort’s “epic snowfalls, reclusive Sasquatches (presumably as depicted on a Kokanee label), frumpy park rangers, Kokanee Glacier Girls and the wild imaginings of diehard skiers and boarders.”

And in 2006, Ski Canada magazines called it “Best Deck Party.”

The debauchery kicks off with live music on Friday, with Saturday set aside for actual skiing before you drag yourself from the outdoor beer garden to the Kokanee Deck and on to the Griz Bar.

And if that’s not enough for you, sign up for the Sasquatch mating call contest or the Sasquatch and Glacier Girl look-alike competitions.

There’s more than glory in it for the winners. You can get prizes, too!

To find out more, visit www.skifernie.com or call (877) 333-2339.

A very important date

If you prefer your craziness indoors, The Children’s Museum in Seattle has just the thing.

“Alice’s Wonderland” opens Feb. 2. The interactive traveling exhibit takes children and adults alike into the world of Lewis Carroll’s great, great “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” complete with rabbit hole, mad tea party, crazy clock, pool of tears, the game of crazy croquet and more.

The museum calls the experience “an innovative approach to helping children and adults build a shared foundation for science and math literacy.”

I guess that doesn’t sound so outlandish, after all.

Admission runs $7.50, with a senior discount of $1. All adults must be accompanied by a minor.

Get more information at (206) 441-1768.

In full flower

Just before I sat down to write this, my friend Shirley came by to deliver an amaryllis in blossom.

A living, blooming flower this time of year is a brave and beautiful thing, and you’ll get a whole lot of the same at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, Feb. 20 to 24 in Seattle.

This is the 20th outing for North America’s third-largest flower show. You can expect full-scale display gardens, thousands of gardening products and services eager to woo you, and more than 120 seminars and demonstrations.

Among the seminars are those aimed at beginning gardeners, new homeowners, apartment or condo residents, and young families.

“Sproutopia: A Place for Kids!” will keep the young’uns occupied with singing, story time, miniature gardens prepared by area elementary school students, and a treasure hunt with prizes.

If that doesn’t interest your junior gardener, the show also offers free child care.

Adult ticket prices range from $13 for a half day to $65 for a five-day pass. Children pay less.

You can purchase in advance at www.gardenshow.com or (206) 789-5333. If you prefer to wait, just pick your tickets up at the door.

Family affairs

The wonderful Maryhill Museum of Art in Goldendale, Wash., has announced its Family Fun Days for 2008.

The series, created to entertain the whole bunch of you at once, kicks off on March 15 with “All About Collage.” “All About Landscapes” follows on May 27.

Next, “All About Loïe Fuller,” a favorite subject of France’s great printmakers in her day, takes over June 21. “All About Andy Warhol” wraps things up on July 19.

These Saturday events include hands-on activities and many of them are attached to larger museum happenings.

Visit www.maryhillmuseum.org or call (509) 773-3733 to find out more.

Regional events

“Slavic Festival, Jan. 12 and 13, Eugene, Ore. Immerse yourself in Eastern European and post-Soviet music, art, dances and food. ( www.slavichome.org/541-510-7651)

“18th Annual Anchorage Folk Festival, Jan. 17- 27, Anchorage, Alaska. You’ll find singing, dancing, storytelling, workshops and more. ( www.anchorage.net/907-566-2334)

“Great Rockies Sportshow, Jan. 18-20, Billings. Exhibitors come from all over the globe to show you their boats, RVs, and fishing, hunting and camping gear. ( www.visitmt.com/406-580-3907)