Participants in Fernie’s annual Cardboard Derby aren’t racing to the finish line, they’re just trying to make it there in one piece

You can use cardboard boxes to move the contents of your house, store stuff or transport a pet, but it would be a lot more fun to construct a craft with them and sail down a mountain with three of your friends at Fernie Alpine Resort’s 14th annual Cardboard Derby on January 24.

“It’s a great road trip of fun with friends,” says Michelle d’Entremont, who has participated in three derbies. “I think we all love to create the craft, then ride in it knowing what it is made of – which isn’t much!”

Crafts can only be made of cardboard, paper, tape, string and glue — no metal, wood, fibreglass or plastic is allowed. The crafts also have to be equipped with one braking device per pilot. “Brakes are great but tricky to design,” says d’Entremont.

She prepares for the event by hunting for cardboard, keeping an eye out for anything that might be useful. “I kept all the best strong boxes from my office and gathered all the plotter printer rolls. What was really fun was finding cardboard that had an interesting shape. I found myself passing boxes and thinking, ‘Oh, that’s a great shape, I wonder how we could use that.’ “ Eventually, she says, her office cut her off from collecting any more cardboard.

Up to four pilots can navigate the craft down the steep ski slope, one craft at a time. There are no points for speed; rather, making it down in one piece is the goal. In fact, the pilots must remain in the craft for the duration of the ride and finish the course at the same time as the craft — uncontrolled crafts are disqualified.

Paula Worthington of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, which operates the Fernie ski hill, says there are usually between 15 and 20 crafts entered in the derby, and teams include families, friends and co-workers. She says the event has grown in popularity over the years, and although most entries are local, some out-of-towners participate as well.

Participants are encouraged to make the most outrageous crafts possible with the lure of prizes. In the past, designs have ranged from simple covered wagons and submarines to taco salads.

“I think one of the best was the Eiffel Tower,” says d’Entremont. “It was hilarious watching it go under the chairlift as they towed it up to the start because it actually could touch the chairs, but it didn’t ride very well, so it was a bit of a letdown.”

According to the event registration form, “a distinguished panel of judges will evaluate each craft.” Prizes are awarded for originality and creativity, construction, most intact with all members on board, costumes and other categories, as well as the grand prize for best of the derby.

D’Entremont’s team has won for best explosion — an award from past years. “The pirate ship was big, complex and it had a great braking system that also allowed us to steer. The system eventually broke down and we won best explosion that year.”

While exploding may sound dangerous, d’Entremont says she and her fellow pilots have never suffered injuries. “Helmets are mandatory and that’s a good thing,” she adds.

She also has some craft construction tips for newbies: “Spray paint is great for decorating, and duct tape on the bottom is a must. Finding good cardboard is vital.” Her group tries to design ahead of time,but brings the cardboard to Fernie and starts building there a couple days prior to the event.

If you can’t make Fernie’s Cardboard Derby, Lake Louise Ski Area holds its own derby, which started in 2002. The event, which attracts hundreds of spectators, will take place February 14 and features similar rules and prizes.

For more information, check out upcoming events at www.skifernie.com and www.skilakelouise.com.