By Jikke Gyorki

Tourism Fernie held a special recognition at it’s annual event at the Best Western PLUS this year. Mike Delich was honoured as a key individual who through his leadership, dedication and professionalism made significant contributions to the tourism industry in Fernie and Fernie Alpine Resort.

Mike (pictured above third from right) had recently sold his company, Fernie Lodging Company, a pillar in tourism accommodations that helped drive the industry we see today.

Born and raised in Rossland, Mike moved to Fernie in 1979, working in the coal industry as an engineer for 10 years before starting his own business ventures in 1989. Mike through his passion for alpine skiing, development and entrepreneurship became the Resort Development Manager for Snow Valley Ski Ltd. owned by Heiko Socher.

Mike was tasked with the 1989 Revised Master Plan and developing resort infrastructure. This included developing one-of-a-kind slopeside properties such as Timberline Lodges, Bear Paw Lodges, and Snow Creek Lodge & Cabins under Fernie Vacation Properties Inc. Those nightly rental properties then became Fernie Lodging Company Inc. while Fernie Vacation Properties Inc. continued to build other developments such as Fernie Golf Estates.

Mike’s guiding principle was to “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood, and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans, aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram, once recorded, will never die...” (Charles Burnham, 1919, Chicago).

Never sitting idle, Mike was very active in the community and within the local, provincial, national and international alpine ski industry. Mike would also say hi on the street when seeing you and ask how your family was. His involvement was in many areas:

• Ski racing and coaching in Rossland and Fernie. Helping bring Nancy Greene program to Fernie.
• Volunteering time and expertise in big renovation projects at the Fernie Family Centre and the Fernie Catholic Church.
• Supporting the KinderGym Program started by his late wife Joan Delich over 40 years ago.
• Being Chief of Race, or FIS Jury Official or other key official positions at major downhill ski races over the years including Panorama World Cup DH 1985, Calgary Olympics Men’s DH, Torino Olympics, US National Championships, NCAA events, Continental Cups in Asia, and back home the Kootenay Zone Races.
• Founding Director of the Highline 100 cycling event, 2012 Fernie Snow Valley 50th Anniversary, Fernie Skiing Heritage Wall of Fame Celebrations and much more.

Needless to say Mike has worked hard and accomplished much. This also, and importantly for us, includes being a founding director of Tourism Fernie and advocating to government for the implementation of the hotel tax in smaller resort communities. Fernie accommodators started collecting the hotel tax from guests starting in 2007 thanks to the perseverance of Mike and many other key tourism stakeholders at the time.

It is easy to understand Mike’s guiding principle in relation to his history. Well done Mike and thank you on behalf of the tourism industry in Fernie and also as a resident of Fernie for your care and interest in its people and its future.

Lead image: The art piece presented to Mike was by Authentic Custom Woodcrafts in Fernie, with a commemorative plaque added by Kootenay Signs. Tourism Fernie photo

– Jikke Gyorki is Executive Officer (since 2010) of Tourism Fernie

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