25 Straight Years Of Catching The First Chair Up of the Season

Greg “G-Money” Barrow has cemented his place in Fernie folklore, marking 25 consecutive winters as the undisputed king of First Chair at famously steep and deep Fernie Alpine Resort in BC.

What began in 2000 with a tent pitched at the base of the Timber Chair and a stubborn standoff with security has grown into one of Canada’s most colourful ski rituals. Every opening day since, Barrow has been first in line, braving snowstorms, rain, and the occasional sceptical guard, to claim the coveted first ride up the mountain. 

Barrow, a North Carolina native who made Fernie his home, is more than just a snowboarder with a knack for early mornings. He’s the owner of Edge of the World, the local board shop that has become a hub for riders and a symbol of his deep roots in the community. His humour, warmth, and sheer determination have made him one of Fernie’s most recognisable figures. 

Locals now expect to see G-Money camped out the night before opening, often joined by newcomers hoping to share in the tradition. “Everybody talks big about beating me,” he once laughed, “but they don’t”.