The benefits of life in Fernie

Andre Labine enjoys how accessible the outdoors are when you live in Fernie

What do you do in your downtime?

In the summer, I am an avid hiker and kayaker. I am also in the process of restoring a classic cedar-strip canoe. In the winter I do both alpine and cross-country skiing; last winter I managed to ski 65 days. I volunteer at alpine ski races—(for) example, the World Cup Downhill and Super G at Lake Louise. I travel a few times a summer to our island cottage in northern Ontario. I read business books such as Too Big to Fail and The Lords of Finance.

I am also involved in genealogical research and have volunteered to work in my family’s heritage website. We have five grandkids that keep us busy and entertained; three of them are about to move from Libya to Istanbul, Turkey. We plan to travel there this summer to spend some time with them and our daughter and son-in-law.

If someone were visiting you from out of town, where would you take them to give them a taste of the place?

I like to show folks Fernie Alpine Resort, downtown Fernie and the heritage buildings, followed by a trip up to Island Lake Lodge to see the 800-year-old old-growth forest.

What do you like about doing business in your community?

Actually, I am involved in three businesses. I have a sales and marketing consulting company focused on lubricants. I can work from my home, (I have) little or no commuting; the Internet allows us this flexibility. My first client was based in Paris, France, and I gave a PowerPoint presentation on our findings for the client, who wanted to enter the Canadian market. He liked it and hired us for more work.

I am a business coach for the Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council (KRIC). What I like about working in Fernie and the East Kootenay is that I am always amazed at the bright and capable entrepreneurs we have here. KRIC is designed to help small entrepreneurs to medium-size companies grow their businesses and diversify the economies of many single-resourced-based communities we see so often in B.C.

I am also a project manager for Gateway in Fernie; it is a great opportunity to use my acquired management skills to get this project off the ground in Fernie. I know Gateway will make all Fernie residents proud of their city and environs. I like working in the Fernie community, being involved with some very interesting folks.

I should also say I am also involved in a fourth business, at least helping my wife running our B&B, which mainly caters to skiers in the winter and mountain bikers in the summers. It is a great opportunity to promote Fernie and the lifestyle it offers and also meet some very interesting guests. Last winter, one guest successfully climbed Mount Everest with no oxygen.

Why did you choose to start your business here?

We planned to move to Fernie as we neared retirement—mainly for the skiing and the excellent small-town lifestyle and activities it offers. But as is so often mentioned, we found the summers and the activities it brings outstanding. Working my businesses from home in the middle of the Canadian Rockies is envied by many of my close friends.

For more information about Labine's work on the Gateway project, please read the extended article.