Fernie Alpine Resort closed its gates in mid-April and those of us that live here all year round are now in shoulder season.

The permanent population of Fernie is between 4,000-5,000 depending how you measure it. At times in winter the population of Fernie is closer to 10,000.

As soon as the main ski season is over, almost overnight it seems like the town suddenly grows older (by which I mean there is hardly anyone younger than 25) and the percentage of people that you know in town suddenly leaps up. Last year I knew it was summer when I walked into Mugshots coffee shop at lunchtime and knew all five people who were in there. In winter you usually can't get a table at that time.

Some businesses close during this time, some make a point of staying open as a kind of political statement that they serve the community as well as the tourists, but only the ones that had a really good winter and can afford to keep going when so many people leave.

The noticeboards around town are full of posters for stuff that people don't want to ship home – cars, board, skis, boots, furniture – you name it, you can get it at a knockdown price in town right now. The  less experienced season workers write on the poster what date they are leaving town – I'm guessing they get no calls until the day before they leave, and then a bunch of cheekily low offers.

A lot of it is the same stuff that was advertised on the boards at the same time last year – I've seen the same couch in the Salvation Army on three occasions this year, I swear.

When you live in a ski resort full time you get accustomed to saying goodbye a lot, and making new friends when the next season begins. It sucks, but it's also fun to meet so many new people and I think now that wherever I go in the world I'll have somewhere to stay.

Besides, those of us that are left know the true secret of Fernie – summer is better than winter!

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