JOSEPH – The annual Fergi Fest was a mix of fun, snow and a

bittersweet tribute to Charlie Kissinger, longtime manager of Ferguson

Ridge Ski Area.

A few weeks ago, Kissinger was under medical care for a cardiac

event. In true Wallowa County fashion, the wheels started turning and a

Facebook page was created, an “I Love Charlie” T-shirt fundraiser

began and the seeds of more events to come were planted immediately.

Kissinger is recovering well and attended the 2010 Fergi Fest,

decked in evening attire. He was escorted by his dog, his right-hand

man and chief dishwasher at the ski area.

Festival attendees were asked to bring “heart-healthy” food to the end-of-the-day potluck in honor of Charlie’s recovery. Many of the festival attendees showed up in “I Love Charlie” shirts to show their love and support of the revered ski manager.

Roger Averbeck of Portland said he’d been to many Fergi Fests in the 20-plus years he lived in Wallowa County, and this year had “the best snow conditions of any Fergi Fest I’ve been to.”

Averbeck, a member of the newly formed Wallowa Avalanche Center and former owner of Wing Ridge Ski, travels to Wallowa County often to visit the mountains where he guided ski trips for many years. Skiing Ferguson Ridge is also a time-honored tradition for him.

“Fergi is a great little ski area. It’s family-friendly and a great place to teach kids to ski. It’s a real asset to the community,” Averbeck said.

Fergi Fest is held the first weekend of April each year and is a celebration of the end of the ski season.

Competitive events highlight the day – events from the sublime to the ridiculous. The following are results of the day’s top competitors:

Kids 8 and younger downhill: Henry Coughlan

Kids 9 and older downhill: Cody Irish

Women’s downhill: Tammy Knorr

Men’s alpine and telemark downhill: Ken Gebhardt

Lawn chair race: Paul Arentsen

Ferguson Ridge is open each weekend, weather permitting, late December to late March. It is entirely volunteer-run by the Eagle Cap Ski Club with assistance from the Joseph Enterprise Lions Club.

Visit www.skifergi.com for more information.