06 OPENING REMARKS As Canadians prepare to head to the polls, editor Braden Dupuis takes stock of who’s on the federal ballot in the Sea to Sky.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers weigh in on mountain safety at Whistler Blackcomb, and share more on the swans seen recently on Green Lake.
18 RANGE ROVER Leslie Anthony’s love affair with Switzerland began after a long, gruelling flight from Los Angeles to Geneva sometime in the mid-’90s—and it’s still going today.
42 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Good manners are an important part of any human’s upbringing, writes Vince Shuley—and that includes mountain users in Whistler.
10 MOMENTUM STALLED Whistler’s Momentum Camps won’t operate on the Horstman Glacier for the foreseeable future due to low summer snowpacks and glacier melt.
11 ZONED OUT
A group of Whistler property owners allege the municipality unfairly stripped them of their ability to rent out their homes as short-term tourist accommodations.
24 NO ORDINARY JOE Spud Valley Nordics and Whistler Nordics alum Joe Davies struck gold March 8, helping his University of Utah to its 17th NCAA Ski Championship.
28
WHO’S THERE?
Arts Whistler’s fan-favourite Anonymous Art Show returns for its seventh instalment, starting with a sneak peek on March 21.
- Photo by Mark Going
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
PHOTO BY MARK GOING
Who is on the ballot in the Sea to Sky?
WHAT A DIFFERENCE three months makes.
Canada’s governing Liberal Party, in power now for more than a decade, was dead in the water at the end of 2024.
The almost comical disdain for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent the party’s polling numbers into the deepest depths of popular opinion, such that Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party of Canada seemed poised
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
to cruise to a resounding majority.
Seeing such favourable polls, it is no wonder the Conservative leader seemed so anxious for an election last fall, as Trudeau floundered, prorogued, delayed, tanked his party’s fortunes.
If Poilievre got his fall election wish, he would no doubt be the Prime Minister of Canada today.
Then a whirlwind of events in quick succession raised the Liberal Party’s polling numbers from the dead.
Donald Trump was elected, and wasted no time denigrating Canada, its people, and its leaders. Trudeau resigned. Economic all-star Mark Carney won the Liberal Party leadership race with ease, and cancelled the consumer carbon tax as his first official move as prime minister (so much for those Conservative “Carbon Tax Carney” ads running every break on your television).
The result? A reversal of political fortunes that seemed completely impossible at the outset of the year.
Yet here we are, once again looking at a dead heat in an upcoming federal election, with the Liberals suddenly flirting with majority territory (at least according to polls released early this week).
As of this writing, no election has been called. But by the time you read this, it might already be official. So it’s worth taking a moment to consider our local candidates, and the campaign ahead.
The parties and their candidates surely sense the call is coming soon, too, judging from their recent posturing. Both the NDP and Green Party announced their federal candidates for the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding in recent weeks—eighteen-year-old Jäger Rosenberg for the NDP, and Squamish Councillor Lauren Greenlaw for the Greens.
Rosenburg and Greenlaw join incumbent
sensing a weak link in the riding, the NDP floated its own all-star candidate in Avi Lewis. But Lewis failed to gain traction, finishing third with 16,265 votes.
Weiler ultimately won his second election, earning 21,500 votes to Conservative John Weston’s 19,062. Voter turnout was a somewhat respectable 65 per cent.
Which way the local pendulum will swing in our upcoming election is anybody’s guess— we’ve seen how quickly polls and political fortunes can turn on a dime.
As for the issues, it’s gearing up to be something of a curious campaign. Where Poilievre previously angled for a “Carbon Tax Election,” Carney neutered that narrative on his first day in office by eliminating the consumer carbon tax. Following up on a promise of his own during last fall’s B.C. election, Premier David Eby on March 14
current circumstances.
But while there are no doubt other serious issues to be discussed—housing, immigration, inflation, climate change… the list goes on— one gets the sense this election is about one thing and one thing only at the heart of it:
Who will stand up strongest for Canadian sovereignty?
It’s the question at the heart of the Liberal Party’s astonishing polling comeback. Tracing the poll numbers, you see a clear and obvious spike in Liberal support immediately after the U.S. election—which is about when Trump first started referring to our prime minister as “Governor Trudeau” and openly musing, seemingly every single day, about making Canada the 51st State.
Oh, to be a fly on the wall of the Conservative Party war room these past three months.
Liberal Patrick Weiler, the Conservative Party’s Keith Roy, and the People’s Party’s Peyman Askari on the ballot for Sea to Sky voters (you can read profiles of all five candidates at piquenewsmagazine.com).
While it’s no doubt foolish to write any candidate off before the writ drops, Whistler’s riding has historically been a two-horse race. Take the 2021 vote as proof: Presumably
pledged to also scrap the provincial carbon tax.
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, aside from being a mouthful to say, is a massive riding, covering nearly 13,000 km2 and home to some wildly diverging interests. So it will be interesting to see how the candidates approach their messaging once the writ drops in light of
But of course, pendulums swing both ways, and there’s no telling where voters’ intentions will lie by the time they mark their ballot.
Campaigns matter, as they say, and we’re about to witness a doozy.
It might as well be the catchphrase of 2025 at this rate: Buckle up. n
Keep your hands to yourself
If you’re a snowboarder about to fall over, please keep your hands to yourself rather than reaching for the nearest skier (frankly, you should not be close enough to a skier to grab them in an effort to keep yourself from falling). Trust me—unless the skier is your parent or partner, they probably don’t want you grabbing at them. Fall over—don’t grab the skier and risk injuring someone other than yourself.
What’s happened to on-hill etiquette? Poor etiquette isn’t just about politeness, it’s about safety. I take great pride in being a Level 6 skier and senior citizen, still out there. I’ve noticed all my injuries are taking longer to heal, and more and more they result from a lack of on-hill etiquette. I’m just back after three weeks off from being hit by another skier.
If a skier or snowboarder is in front of you, it is your responsibility to avoid them. There are no exceptions to this rule. You should never be skiing or riding so close to someone that you can easily touch them. You should be aware of what’s going on downhill from you (and merge points, all around), try to anticipate the trajectory of those ahead, and travel in control and at a speed that allows you to correct if needed without hitting someone if you’ve misjudged the skier/rider’s line.
Today I had a snowboarder grab me
to avoid falling, and another snowboarder travelling at an extremely high speed (where there was tons of room) would’ve hit me from behind had I not intentionally fallen to stop. He was straight-lining at a high speed, and I was turning on what had been an empty slope. He came out of nowhere from behind me and in spite of an open slope showed no sign of
turning to avoid me. Especially when the snow is good, skiers and snowboarders alike look for hits and jumps. Whatever happened to checking and making sure no one was down in the landing area? In deep snow you should always be skiing or riding with a buddy for safety. For the safety of others, it would be prudent to send your buddy ahead to make
Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 450 words. Pique Newsmagazine reserves the right to edit, condense or refrain from publishing any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Send them to edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com before 11 a.m. on Tuesday for consideration in that week’s paper.
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sure your landing is clear and you don’t land on someone else. I don’t really understand the appeal of straight-lining as fast as you can in deep snow, but if you insist on doing this at high speed, for the sake of others, please try to turn to avoid people below you, rather than heading straight for them. If you can’t do that, you shouldn’t be straight-lining.
I’m hoping to ski until I’m at least 80… I seldom fall and I’ve learned to ski in control at a slower speed as I’ve aged, so if I do fall, damage will be limited. Increasingly though, this is not enough. If I’m going to ski until I’m 80, I need a bit of help as far as mountain safety etiquette goes. Please do your part. You’re not the only person on the hill. Please pay attention to those around you, learn the basics of mountain safety. It’s your business if you put yourself at risk, but please spare those around you.
Ellen Balka // Whistler/Vancouver
More signs of spring in Whistler
Last week’s Pique talked about the sightings of a lone trumpeter swan on Green Lake signifying the start of spring. On Friday evening, March 14, I was photographing the sunset and was graced with whole flocks of trumpeter swans majestically flying around Whistler and Blackcomb (see the picture on page 31). The snow keeps falling and there’s little breaks in the storm forecast for this week. The trumpeter swans are here and we’re halfway through March, but spring is not here. Miracle March is on. Corey Green // Whistler n
AS OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 Spring has sprung, but winter is in no hurry to leave. The Pacific frontal system that impacted the Sea to Sky region this week will leave us dealing with winter conditions for at least another weekend.
It’s easy to let your guard down in March, because spring is on our minds. The mountains can lure us in with a greater potential for good visibility and comfortable temperatures. However, we need to remember that it can still be very wintery up in the mountains. This time of year, reading the avalanche forecast and having some knowledge of mountain weather is invaluable in your quest for adventure.
The freezing level is expected to be between 1,000 and 1,500 metres. This means we’re looking at rain in the valley bottoms and dry snow at treeline and alpine elevations. Accordingly, you can anticipate winter avalanche problems at those upper elevations.
Cornices are likely to grow and hang out further over slopes. Storm slabs and wind slabs will likely develop and become more reactive as the snow accumulates and the wind blows. And let’s not forget there’s also a lurking persistent slab problem that hasn’t quite healed yet and has been sporadically reactive. The increased weight of the new snow can sometimes bring these persistent problems back to life. This is certainly worth keeping
in mind. A weak layer from early March is now 120 to 175 centimetres deep with January and February layers buried 150 to 250 cm. There’s still uncertainty about avalanches stepping down to these layers, potentially triggering very large avalanches.
If you plan to recreate in the backcountry this weekend, here are a few things to keep in mind:
The snowpack will be very different at higher elevations than down low. Adjust your travel and terrain choices according to the conditions at hand.
Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridge crests. They can break surprisingly far in from the edge.
Be prepared to adjust your terrain choices if the storm delivers more snow than forecasted.
Make sure you check the latest forecast at avalanche.ca and stay up to date on how the snowpack and avalanche problems are developing. Check out all the blue Mountain Information Network (MIN) posts from around the area on the map on the front page of our site—they’re an excellent source of info, observations, near-miss details, and photos. And thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN when you go out into the backcountry. Avalanche Canada is lucky to have such a solid network of MIN posters in the region! It helps our forecasters and your fellow recreationists. Happy riding.
CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry. Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountain-info/ snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.
function of climate change’: Momentum Camps reacts to cancellation of summer programming on Horstman Glacier
DIRECTOR
JOHN SMART AND HIS TEAM ARE COLLABORATING WITH WHISTLER BLACKCOMB TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES
BY DAVID SONG
THE WRITING’S ON THE WALL, or in this case: on the glacier.
Momentum Camps director John Smart could not, in good faith, argue with Whistler Blackcomb (WB) shot-callers when they put a moratorium on summer camp operations on the Horstman Glacier for the foreseeable future. Smart is well-versed in probing snow year after year, so he knew conditions were far from ideal.
It hasn’t just been the miserly snowfall amounts defining much of last winter and parts of this current ski season. The Horstman itself is in recession, altering the land’s profile and exposing greater swaths of terrain to rock once the snow melts. Having already absorbed the cancellation of 2024 summer camps, Momentum is now scrambling to respond with the fate of its flagship offseason programming in limbo.
“It is the reality of the glacier. As much as we’d like to blame somebody else, we can’t,” Smart said. “We had a devastating result last year. This year rolls around, it’s a La Niña year, we’re all excited… and then [the snow] shuts off in January and February.
“Ty Weed is our magician in the [snowcat], and he’s the guy who knows where the stores of snow are so he can scrape it together and
build this park we had up there. He said, ‘I can’t conceive of us being able to build what we used to build with what’s happened up there.’ So it is a function of climate change. There’s no denying that.”
WB elaborated in a statement: “Whistler Blackcomb is unable to continue hosting summer camps on the Horstman Glacier for the foreseeable future. This decision was not made lightly—we know these camps, and this experience, have a long history at our resort. Unfortunately, the summer conditions on the glacier related to snowpack and glacier melt prevent the safe operation of summer camps.”
‘SO BLOODY IMPORTANT’
A myriad of everyday citizens and national team athletes alike are reeling from the loss of what has been an invaluable cog in North America’s skiing machine for more than three decades.
According to Smart, Momentum’s summer camps were not just summer camps. They were hotbeds of quality training and fellowship for all breeds of skiers and snowboarders: from recreational youth wanting a unique experience to Olympians and World Cup standouts. Numerous pros developed a mutually beneficial relationship with Momentum, as they would coach younger individuals while also developing their own skills on top-flight terrain.
Moguls carvers, slopestylers and big mountain aces alike relied on Smart’s crew instead of leaving the continent for vital offseason training. Oregon’s Mount Hood is the only other place in North America which can rival the Horstman environment, but even
U.S. national teams have chosen to sign on with Momentum in years past.
“It’s a pretty devastating hit to the entire ski community,” said Smart about the end of the well-known glacier camps. “The summer training setup has been a formula of success for so many champions in the world. Everyone who’s a serious skier or snowboarder comes to summer camps. We’ve had so many letters from families and people who had these experiences with us.
“Thirty-two years is a long time, and what comes across is how much [our camps] impacted their lives—not just those who became champions themselves, but the fun others had and the years they’ll never forget. Losing camps is a massive blow to thousands of people in the industry, so that’s why I think it’s so bloody important that [WB] sees … what it was and understands how important it is not just for Canadians, but for the whole growth of the sport.”
Momentum launched its first camps in 1992 with approximately 43 registrants and grew steadily from there. An unprecedented run of snowfall took place in 2022, and the year after that Smart’s operation exceeded 1,200 campers.
Yet signs of trouble began to emerge around the same time. Organizers limped through the final week of summer 2023 as Mother Nature refused to cooperate, and now they face an uncertain future.
‘WE’RE
GOING TO NEED PARTNERS’
Not all hope is lost, however.
Momentum salvaged parts of the
2024 campaign by rescheduling its adult program to May atop Whistler Mountain. This positively received initiative will return on Blackcomb, and demand is growing for a new all-ages family week for minors able to take a few days off of school. It is hoped these offerings can at least somewhat replicate summer conditions, with comfortable temperatures and soft snow favourable for technically challenging exercises.
Looking further ahead, Smart hopes to bring back summer camps with a new permanent training facility built on the same Whistler Mountain terrain that hosted last year’s adult programming. He says this idea has been floating around in one form or another for some time.
“Originally, [Whistler] is where the summer camps were based and there’s definitely opportunity and potential to bring it back, but it’s going to cost a big bill,” Smart explained. “I’ve talked to the mountain about it, and they’re like, ‘yeah, we’re going to need partners on this.’ They’re definitely open to it—no reason why they shouldn’t be—but they’ve got a lot of other capital projects on their plate, too, so [Momentum] has got to become a priority there.”
Smart expects Canada’s various national team associations to jump on board with the proposal of relocated camps, but other elements need to fall into line, too: preliminary geological studies, financing, etc. He’ll champion the cause in any way he can.
In the meantime, expect Momentum to double down on improving its winter programs. Visit momentumskicamps.com for additional updates. n
IN LIMBO A Momentum Camps skier goes airborne while many of his peers and coaches cheer him on during a 2019 session.
Whistler homeowners take legal action against municipality over rental ban
THE PROPERTY OWNERS ALLEGE THE RMOW’S ZONING CHANGES UNFAIRLY STRIPPED THEM OF THEIR RIGHT TO OPERATE SHORTTERM TOURIST ACCOMMODATIONS, CITING DECADES OF PRECEDENT
BY LIZ MCDONALD
A GROUP OF WHISTLER property owners have filed a legal petition against the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), alleging the municipality unfairly stripped them of their ability to rent out their homes as short-term tourist accommodations (TA). The petitioners, Alan and Lenore Gelfand and Steven and Katherine Nichols, claim the RMOW’s decisions were unreasonable, procedurally unfair, and ignored decades of historical precedent that allowed their properties to operate as TAs. They filed the petition March 4 in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
The petitioners argue the dispute centres around two key decisions made by the RMOW: the “2022 Official Community Plan (OCP) zoning decision” and the “Tourist Accommodation (TA) decision.” These decisions reclassified the petitioners’ properties in Horstman Estates, a neighbourhood on Blackcomb Mountain, from a zone that permitted tourist accommodations through a warm bed policy to a residential-only zone, effectively banning short-term rentals.
The Gelfands’ and Nichols’ properties have been used for TAs since the 1990s, with the RMOW’s knowledge and approval. They claim the RMOW’s decisions not only disregarded historical zoning bylaws and taxes paid for tourist accommodation but also failed to provide proper notice or justification for the changes, violating procedural fairness.
A DECADES-LONG HISTORY OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATIONS
The Gelfands and Nichols own two properties in Horstman Estates, which they use as second homes and rent out to tourists when not
in personal use. According to the petition, Horstman Estates was developed in the late 1980s under a previous legislative tool called a Land Use Contract (LUC). LUCs are contracts between the municipality and developers, and were used in B.C. throughout the 1970s and 1980s, similar to zoning.
Horstman Estates was part of the Blackcomb Land Use Contract. The LUC was unique because it explicitly permitted tourist accommodations in residential dwellings, even if they were not part of a rental pool covenant (a system where properties are managed collectively for rentals).
This was possible through what’s called the “warm bed policy,” found in the RMOW’s first amended Official Community Plan in 1983. In 2017, the RMOW passed Bylaw No. 2142, which recognized all the properties that were rented as tourist accommodation “with no rental pool.” This bylaw reaffirmed the warm bed policy and listed the petitioners’ properties as eligible for tourist accommodations.
Despite this, the petition notes the RMOW refused to issue business licenses for the owners. The owners continued to rent the houses, and the RMOW continued to bill and receive “payment of the Whistler Resort Association (“WRA”) commercial fees and Municipal and Regional District Tax (“MRDT”),” until they were ordered to stop in 2024.
Furthermore, in 1999, when five neighbours filed a civil claim against the owners of properties renting to tourists, a legal opinion was sought out by the Gelfands and the RMOW. That legal opinion, paid for equally by both parties, found a civil claim would likely fail. After this, the RMOW removed its support of the civil claim and continued to permit the parties to rent the properties as tourist accommodation until July 1, 2024 (the stop order).
$3,499,000
$4,750,000
•Exclusive
IN COURT Alan and Lenore Gelfand can’t rent nightly accommodation at their home in Horstman Estates due to two decisions by the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
RCMP BRIEFS: POLICE SEEK WITNESS AFTER OFFICER INVOLVED IN COLLISION; COUNTERFEIT CASH SEIZED
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
A WOMAN IS DEAD after an incident on Blackcomb Mountain March 13, though details remain scarce nearly a week later.
In a joint release with Whistler Blackcomb, police said they “became aware of an unfolding incident on Blackcomb Mountain” shortly after 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 13.
“Information was received from Whistler Blackcomb ski patrol that an unresponsive female had been located on Blackcomb Mountain. Whistler Blackcomb patrollers were initially notified of the incident by an individual riding the Blackcomb Gondola,” police said in the release.
“Whistler Blackcomb ski patrollers located the female and began life-saving
measures. She was transported to the base of the mountain and transferred to the care of BC Ambulance Service. Despite the best efforts of all who attended and provided assistance, the female was declared deceased after arrival at the health-care clinic.”
Police would not say how old the deceased is, or where she is from.
The BC Coroners Service confirmed it is investigating the incident, but would also not provide anything in the way of specifics.
“The time for a coroner to complete an investigation and produce a coroner’s report varies, based on many factors,” said a spokesperson with the BC Coroners Service. “That can include results from postmortem investigations to obtaining information from other investigative bodies.”
ZONING CHANGE FROM PAGE 11
THE OCP ZONING DECISION
Bylaw No. 2199 (the OCP) was first at council in 2018, and reclassified Horsman Estates as “residential-very low (detached),” which the RMOW does not recognize as permitting tourist accommodation. The bylaw was consolidated Oct. 5, 2022.
The legal counsel for the property owners argues the RMOW failed to notify the owners, stakeholders and public or clearly communicate the purpose of altering the zoning in 2018, the “RMOW violated section 466(1) and (4) of the Local Government Act” and did not adhere to procedural fairness.
After consolidating the OCP in fall 2022, the RMOW terminated the Blackcomb LUC, which governed Horstman Estates, and replaced it with RS3 zoning. Terminating the LUC was required after the province mandated all LUCs be replaced with zoning in 2014. In developing its rezoning policy for TUCs in 2016, the RMOW opted for a “like-for-like” approach, such that property owners wouldn’t notice a change in use.
the TA decision, the petition alleges the RMOW’s director of planning and planning staff omitted critical facts, including the entire history of nightly rentals in Horstman Estates, deflected questions about the history of zoning for the neighbourhood, and claimed a 2017 report listing Horstman Estates as permitted for TA was an error. They also excluded the legal opinion from 1999.
IMPACT ON PETITIONERS
The petitioners say the loss of their right to rent out their properties has caused severe financial hardship. They estimate the inability to generate rental income has significantly reduced the value of their investments, and “materially altered the Petitioners property rights without due consideration of the financial consequences.”
In his sworn affidavit, Alan Gelfand said the impact on his elderly parents is causing them “significant distress.” His mother frequently asks if they will have to sell the home and his father has developed Bell’s palsy, “a condition directly related to stress.”
Despite the desire for like-for-like zoning, the new RS3 zone explicitly prohibited tourist accommodations in Horstman Estates. Because the zoning was already amended in the OCP bylaw and banned TAs, it technically was “like-for-like.”
THE TA ZONING DECISION
The petitioners argue the decision was based on a misinterpretation and misuse of residential zoning definitions, applied a “selective definition” of which dwelling units permit tourist accommodation, ignored the history of permitted nightly rentals and failed to acknowledge the joint legal opinion from 1999.
In particular, during the public hearing for
The petitioners are asking the court to reverse the RMOW’s decisions and restore their right to operate tourist accommodations. They are also seeking a declaration that the RMOW’s decisions were unreasonable and procedurally unfair, as well as an order requiring the RMOW to issue them business licenses for tourist accommodations and costs associated with the petition.
In response to a request for comment, the RMOW said it “does not comment on matters subject to ongoing or potential litigation.”
None of the claims have been proven in court. Check back with Pique as this story develops. n
The release said out of respect for those involved, no further information will be provided.
“We are deeply saddened by what transpired today,” said Whistler Blackcomb COO, Belinda Trembath in the release. “Incidents of this nature are felt by all of us, and Whistler Blackcomb’s sympathy and support are with the guest’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
Blackcomb’s Crystal Ridge Express, Glacier Express, and 7th Heaven Express were all delayed briefly as patrol responded to the emergency.
The RCMP’s investigation is ongoing alongside the BC Coroners Service, and police are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the incident.
Check back with Pique for more as this story develops...
RCMP SEEK WITNESSES AFTER WHISTLER COLLISION INVOLVING OFFICER
Sea to Sky RCMP are seeking witnesses after a Friday morning collision involving a marked police vehicle.
Police said in a release the Sea to Sky RCMP General Investigations Section is seeking witnesses and dash camera footage of the incident, which occurred near Function Junction.
“On March 14, 2025 at approximately 8:30 a.m., a Whistler RCMP officer driving
a marked police vehicle was involved in a collision with another vehicle on Highway 99 near Cheakamus Lake Road,” the release said. “The officer and driver of the other vehicle were transported to the local area clinic with non-life-threatening injuries.”
The Sea to Sky RCMP General Investigations Section is leading the investigation and working to determine all contributing factors.
Anyone who was in the area and witnessed the collision or has dash camera footage is asked to contact the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044.
COUNTERFEIT CASH SEIZED IN WHISTLER
The Whistler RCMP is educating the public on counterfeit cash after someone tried to pass a fake $100 bill at a Whistler business last month.
The RCMP received the report on Feb. 28, according to a release, and the counterfeit bill was provided to police and removed from circulation.
“We have not received many reports in our area of the discovery of counterfeit currency,” said Cpl. Katrina Boehmer, media relations officer with the Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP, in the release. “Our goal in releasing this information is to provide education on how to detect and deal with transactions involving counterfeit bills. We want our local business owners as well as individuals who post items for sale online to have the tools to protect themselves from this type of fraud.”
To that end, police offered some tips when dealing with counterfeit currency: Safety first!
Assess the situation and determine whether you are at risk; Be courteous. Consider that sometimes the individual giving you the bill is also an innocent victim who doesn’t know the bill is suspicious; Don’t be offended. Cashiers may take a closer look at a bill you are providing, and this is a good way to intercept counterfeit and keep it out of circulation; and immediately report the counterfeit to your local police.
Anyone with any information regarding counterfeit currency, or any other crime, is asked to contact the Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-TIPS, or go to the website solvecrime.ca.
MOLINARO TRIAL RESUMES
The closing arguments in the second trial for Roger Molinaro of Pemberton began March 17 in North Vancouver Provincial Court.
Molinaro is facing child sexual assault charges, with the closing arguments set to wrap March 19 (after Pique’s weekly print deadline— find the latest at piquenewsmagazine.com).
The final arguments were originally slated for Dec. 11 to 13, but were postponed.
Molinaro was originally convicted in November 2021 on multiple charges related to the abuse of minors and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison in August 2022. However, in December 2023, he successfully appealed the conviction, leading to a new trial that began on Oct. 15 of last year.
His legal team argued the initial trial judge’s approach to the evidence was flawed,
resulting in guilty verdicts that disregarded credibility and reliability concerns regarding witness testimony. The Court of Appeal ultimately overturned the convictions on all counts, entering an acquittal on one charge and ordering a retrial for the remaining charges.
Over eight days in October, the Pemberton courtroom heard emotional testimony from alleged victims and their families, much of which mirrored testimony from the original 2021 trial. The prosecution, led by Crown counsel Jason Krupa—who also represented the Crown in the initial trial—focused on establishing the credibility of key witnesses and the close relationship they once had with the Molinaro family, emphasizing the difficulty of coming forward with allegations.
Molinaro’s defense, led by lawyer Tony Paisana, challenged the credibility of the complainants, highlighting inconsistencies in their statements, lack of specific details, and what they argued were implausible claims. Cross-examinations relied heavily on previous police statements, testimony from the original trial, and a civil suit filed by one of the alleged victims.
Molinaro, a businessman and longtime resident of Pemberton, was first arrested in April 2020 following a police investigation into historical allegations of abuse. The alleged victims were between the ages of nine and 12 or 13, and six and 12, respectively, in the periods when the alleged conduct was said to have taken place. Their identities are protected by a publication ban.
He has denied all allegations.
- Liz McDonald n
Whistler Institute hosts timely talk tackling political polarization
HOW CAN WE SOLVE BIG COMMUNITY CHALLENGES WITHOUT POLITICAL GRIDLOCK? FORMER VANCOUVER
MAYOR KENNEDY
STEWART SHARES INSIGHTS ON BRIDGING DIVIDES AT A MARCH 27 EVENT
BY LIZ MCDONALD
IN A WORLD WHERE political discourse often feels more like a battleground than a conversation, the Whistler Institute is offering a refreshing antidote with its latest event, Democracy and Science: Anecdotes, Positive Notes, and a Forward-Thinking Approach. Scheduled for March 27, the event will feature Dr. Kennedy Stewart, a seasoned politician, academic, and former mayor of Vancouver, who will guide attendees through a thoughtful exploration of how to tackle complex issues without falling into the traps of partisanship or entrenched thinking.
Stewart brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served as a member of Parliament, mayor, and professor of public policy at Simon Fraser University. His approach to problem-solving is rooted in evidence and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of defining the problem before jumping to solutions.
“People often come to public hearings or discussions with their minds made up, ready to push their own agendas rather than listen,” Stewart said in a pre-event
interview.
“But if we can all agree on what the problem is, we have a much better chance of solving it.”
The event will blend a structured presentation with real-world examples, including the housing crisis and Canada’s shifting relationship with the United States. Stewart plans to use these examples to illustrate how data and a methodical approach can lead to more effective solutions.
“Take housing, for example,” he said.
“When I ask my students what the crisis is, they often talk about homeownership. But when you look at the data, homeownership rates in Canada have remained steady at 65 to 70 per cent for the past 70 years. So, what’s really going on? Who is being hurt, and how can we help them?”
The discussion will also touch on the broader challenges of navigating global political and economic uncertainty, particularly as Canada faces pressures like U.S. tariffs and shifting international alliances. Stewart stressed the importance of stepping back and thinking critically about the problems at hand, especially in times of crisis.
“When times are hard, we don’t have the
luxury of making poor decisions,” he said. “We need to approach problems with a clear head and a willingness to listen to different perspectives.”
The event will be highly interactive, with plenty of opportunities for audience participation. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own questions and topics for discussion, whether they relate to local issues or broader national and international challenges.
Stewart’s unique perspective—shaped by his experience as an independent mayor and an MP who frequently worked across party lines—means he welcomes all viewpoints.
“I’ve worked with Liberals, Conservatives, and New Democrats,” he said. “This isn’t about partisanship—it’s about finding solutions that work for everyone.”
The Whistler Institute’s Democracy and Science event is a timely opportunity for the community to engage in meaningful dialogue about the challenges we face—and how we can tackle them together. Whether you’re a policymaker, a community leader, or simply someone who cares about the future of our society, this is a discussion you won’t want to miss.
Democracy and Science: Anecdotes, Positive Notes, and a Forward-Thinking Approach takes place March 27 at the Maury Young Arts Centre. For more information or to register, head to whistlerinstitute.com. n
COMMON SOLUTIONS Former Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart will speak in Whistler on March 27. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER INSTITUTE
NEWS WHISTLER
Naturespeak: Winter warriors—how birds adapt to freezing temperatures
BY MONICA SANDER BURNS
WALKING DOWN the forest trail, the sting of an arctic wind numbs my exposed face. With all the engineered brilliance of modern clothing, thermals, coats, electric socks, and high-tech snow boots, I am only just able to retain my body heat. I cannot help but marvel at the tenacity of bird life in these conditions.
On my walks, I regularly see chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, pine siskins, brown creepers, red-breasted nuthatches, goldencrowned kinglets, and other tiny birds flitting about the bare winter landscape.
According to Bergmann’s Rule, larger animals are better able to survive the cold because larger bodies are better at conserving heat. The smaller the animal, the larger the proportional surface area that can lose heat.
It seems unimaginable, then, that creatures as small as a goldencrowned kinglet can survive these frigid temperatures. Kinglets are about the size of a large walnut, which means the rate of heat flow from their body is more than a hundredfold more than the heat loss from a human body. The challenge of replenishing this heat loss is why many birds migrate over the winter to warmer grounds.
Every year, an estimated 3.5 billion birds migrate south to their overwintering habitats, often covering incredible distances. Rufus hummingbirds, those tiny, copper terriers of the sky, travel nearly 6,500 kilometres down to Mexico, before turning around and flying back in the spring. Hummingbirds have been known to overwinter if they have a stable food supply.
As it turns out, migratory birds are not so much trying to escape the cold as they are responding to winter food scarcity. Bird bodies are actually quite well adapted to
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handle the cold. In addition to bulking up with fat reserves over autumn, birds create their own micro-climates through feather insulation.
Puffed-up feathers trap pockets of warm air, helping birds maintain a steady core temperature. Keeping feathers clean, dry, and flexible is vital, because dampness transfers heat much more quickly than dry air. This is why birds dedicate so much time to preening. Some use a special oil secreted from a gland near their tail to waterproof their feathers. Others, like herons, grow special feathers that disintegrate into a waterproofing powder.
Bird legs, of course, are featherless, but since they are mostly tendons and bone, they do not freeze and shred the same way as muscle or nerve tissue. Bird legs also stay warm with heated blood from their core. To minimize the energetic cost of replacing this valuable core heat, birds have a countercurrent heat exchange system. Cold blood returning from the feet runs next to the warmed core arteries, recuperating some of this outgoing heat.
Some birds stay warm by relinquishing their territoriality in favour of shared body heat. Swallows are known to huddle in large flocks.
In extreme cold weather, small birds like chickadees must shiver all night to survive. Shivering produces heat by activating opposing muscle groups to create friction. Since shivering burns up most of their fat reserves, chickadees must spend the day foraging to replenish themselves.
Luckily, the brains of chickadees grow larger in the winter to help them remember the location of food stashes.
As spring finally approaches and the birds begin to return, I am filled with new admiration for the ones that stayed.
Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists.ca. n
ENERGY EFFICIENT During the winter, while we put on our puffers, chickadees create their own cosy insulation.
PHOTO BY CHRIS F
Pemberton’s six big moves on climate change, three years in
PEMBERTON MAYOR MIKE RICHMAN TALKS ABOUT PROGRESS AND WHAT’S STILL TO COME ON THE VILLAGE’S CLIMATE FILE
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
IN MARCH 2022, the Village of Pemberton (VOP) declared a climate emergency. The declaration detailed the human and financial costs of letting climate change run rampant. The Village has seen devastating flooding in its boundaries and regional forest fires raging nearby in the years since.
“The impacts of climate change are obvious,” said Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman. “[The declaration] gave us something to rally around.”
Following the declaration, the VOP published a Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which charts a path towards net-zero emissions by 2050 through six big moves.
SHIFT BEYOND THE CAR
The transportation sector accounts for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, Canada’s transportation sector produced 28 per cent of the country’s emissions. For Pemberton, it’s 83 per cent.
“It is the single biggest point of attack for us to reduce emissions in our valley,” said Richman. “So we continue to invest in [local transit] to find ways to make it more effective.”
In 2024, the Route 99 commuter added 1,500 hours of transit between the Village and Whistler.
Future transit growth will be aided by the next phase of the Village’s multi-modal hub. Most of the hub’s first phase was completed in 2024, while Phase 2 will add a bus exchange and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, along with other amenities, pending a successful grant application.
A loftier goal is an oft-discussed regional transit system that spans the entirety of the Sea to Sky. Richman cited the social, economic, medical and environmental benefits of the hypothetical route.
“You could pull a bunch of cars off the road,” he noted. “That would be a huge, huge win. We’re all pretty stubborn on this one. We want to see this through.”
The CCAP also encourages different modes of transportation by expanding walking and cycling infrastructure. Richman highlighted the work done on the Friendship Trail and singled out the Ridge and Sunstone developments for future potential connections.
“We’re doing our best to connect the different pockets of our community with downtown,” he said. “So we want to improve transit to [those areas] as the community grows, as well as alternative ways to town so we can reduce that traffic.”
ELECTRIFY TRANSPORTATION
Another way to cut into transportation emissions is to swap out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for EVs.
EVs produce fewer emissions than ICE vehicles, even when the electricity is derived from fossil fuels. Emissions gains from EVs in B.C. are bolstered by the province’s energy profile—as of 2021, 89 per cent of energy in B.C. comes from hydroelectricity.
But when it comes to EVs, concerns around range persist. For Pembertonians, that concern is exacerbated by the distance between population centres. Over the last few years, new charging stations have been installed across the village.
Another idea is to install chargers along the Sea to Sky highway. Richman said competition for the grants required to build stations along the highway make the project unlikely in the short-term.
EV adoption in Pemberton is trending
up, year-over-year, despite some volatility, with 2024 seeing record numbers of new EV registrations in the village.
STEP UP NEW BUILDINGS
The B.C. Energy Step Code was added to the provincial building code in 2017. The policy established energy efficiency standards for new construction. The minimum step new construction is required to meet moves up every couple years, reaching net-zero energyready buildings by 2032.
The VOP opted to move ahead of the province’s timeline in the CCAP; while the rest of B.C. is currently at Step 3 of the code, Pemberton now sits at Step 4—which demands new construction be 40 per cent more energy efficient than a 2018 baseline reference building.
“After vehicle emissions, building emissions is one of the highest, so we went for it,” said Richman. “And we’ve considered, at times, ‘do we go back a little bit in certain exceptional circumstances to make sure that people can build homes themselves?’ But we stuck to it because we feel it’s important.”
The VOP recently considered stepping back to the third step as part of a series of housing initiatives, with the goal of accelerating the construction of new units by making it less expensive.
DECARBONIZE EXISTING BUILDINGS
The Step Code addresses new buildings, but existing buildings, particularly older buildings, account for some of the biggest losses in energy efficiency. That’s why the CCAP singled out supporting energy retrofits and fuel-switching in buildings. But there’s a problem.
“For us to have a rebate program where we refund or help support people to get heat pumps or new doors or all those sorts of things … It’s just not feasible,” said Richman. “Which is really unfortunate, but there’s no way that
that is within our budget.”
So, the bulk of efforts here are to educate residents and builders on what provincial programs are available to help, using resources like Better Homes B.C. and Better Buildings B.C.
CLOSE THE LOOP ON WASTE
Landfills are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. When organic materials decompose in landfills, they release methane—a planet-warming agent 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Under the CCAP, the VOP seeks to divert organic waste away from the transfer station in the Industrial Park. Together with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the Village has worked to educate people on what should and shouldn’t go into the station, in an effort to divert organic, methane-producing material.
“I think we still have a lot of ground to make up,” said Richman. “But if you compare the numbers from about five years ago, our diversion rates are absolutely much better than they were.”
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
In every report presented to the VOP, there’s a consideration of how policy shifts might affect the climate.
“We’re trying to put this everywhere in the work we do,” said Richman. “On every single report that comes to council, there is a section, whether it’s applicable or not.”
Richman adds that the Chair of the Next Generation, acknowledged at the top of every meeting, is a reminder of council’s duty to work towards making a cleaner future for Pemberton; a mandate that includes addressing climate change.
The Village of Pemberton’s climate strategy can be found at pemberton.ca. n
St’át’imc Nation Walk & Run launching this summer
THE
JUNE 21 RACE WILL COINCIDE WITH NATIONAL INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES DAY
BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ST’ÁT’IMC NATION is set to host an inaugural Walk & Run event this summer, with 5k, 10k, half marathon (21.1k), full marathon (42.2k), and double marathon (84.4k) options for participants. All distances will be held on Saturday, June 21—National Indigenous Peoples Day.
“It was our running club’s idea to have it on Indigenous Peoples Day, to celebrate health and wellness and movement all together,” said organizer Pala Kovacs, who goes by her Ucwalmícwts name Neekiki.
“We just want to be able to see people out there moving and in our territory.”
While the event is open to any participants, it’s marketed towards Indigenous people as part of the organizers’ push to promote health in the Nation.
“We want to really encourage Indigenous health and Indigenous well-being,” Neekiki said. “It’s the whole driving force behind it.”
A 2024 study from the First Nations Health Authority notes that, while improvement has been made on Indigenous health, “overall progress has been limited.”
The report highlights the “ongoing acts of settler colonialism and Indigenous-specific racism that continue to impact First Nations people, [manifesting in] inequitable health and wellness outcomes.”
Sport plays an essential role in the B.C. Truth and Reconciliation report’s recommendations. Case in point, Call to Action 89 urges lawmakers to embrace a more holistic vision of sport that promotes health.
“We call upon the federal government to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to support reconciliation by ensuring that policies to promote physical activity as a fundamental element of health and wellbeing, reduce barriers to sports participation, increase the pursuit of excellence in sport, and build capacity in the Canadian sport system, are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples,” it reads.
To that end, Neekiki wants to see the event become an annual tradition akin to Haida Nation’s annual Totem to Totem Marathon event, part of the Nation’s Skidegate Days Celebrations.
“We just really want whatever we can to support our people and bring our health back up, because our health is vital to our success in the future,” said Neekiki. “So we just want to do whatever we can to support that.”
One difference between the Haida Nation’s event and the St’át’imc walk and run? The double marathon option. Neekiki said a handful of people have already expressed interest in the double marathon, including one of the event’s organizers.
There’s a lot about running that’s expensive—the shoes, the running packs, the gels—but race entries would probably top
that list. Marathons can easily cost hundreds of dollars to enter, paying for administration costs, aid stations and medals. Neekiki said the entry fee will be $10 for adults and free for those aged 19 and under, despite those expenses.
“We just want to make it accessible for all Indigenous people to be able to participate,” she said. “We don’t have people signing up for those races that cost hundreds of dollars. It’s a luxury that our people don’t really experience. So we want to be able to make this accessible for our people, to be able to be part of something bigger.”
The majority of the race takes place within the boundaries of the Lil’wat’s traditional territory, with the exception of a small section out towards Owl Ridge. In addition to the symbolic importance of holding the race within those boundaries, there’s an ancillary benefit; the cheering throngs that always accompany marathons will be comprised of Nation members.
“And the goal is for it to be a larger Indigenous event, because of the history like we used to have in the old reserve,” said Neekiki. “Our people would have foot races on the old reserve. And there’s really cool instances of people doing shorterdistance, but also longer-distance foot races. And that was a huge part of our culture and entertainment back in the day.”
Start times will vary, depending on the distance, with the ultimate goal of getting everyone back to U’ll’us around the same time so runners can all commemorate the occasion together as part of the Nation’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
Until then, members of the Nation looking to train up for the event can join the Lil’wat movement club on Saturdays at 9 a.m. at Tsipun.
As with any marathon event, plenty of help and resources are needed. Local businesses looking to sponsor the event or provide prizes, as well as those looking to volunteer to help get the event across the finish line, can reach out to Neekiki at palamikayla@gmail.com.
Neekiki said to expect the registration to open up in the coming months as sponsorships are ironed out. To stay up to date on the event as it continues to be rolled out, check out the race’s Facebook page. n
OUT AND ABOUT The event takes place mostly in the traditional territory of the Lil’wat Nation.
ST’ÁT’IMC NATION WALK & RUN
WATERFRONT
I Heart Switzerland
I REMEMBER when my love affair with Switzerland began. It was after a long, gruelling flight from Los Angeles to Geneva sometime in the mid-’90s. Bleary-eyed and disoriented, I staggered through the low-ceilinged baggageclaim expecting a long wait for my ski bag and duffel. But they arrived almost the second I did. Both shocking and endearing, the advent was enough for other sights, sounds and smells of the moment to be emblazoned in my memory:
BY LESLIE ANTHONY
platoons of skiers buzzing with anticipation; French, German and British accents; the tarry odour of Gitanes cigarettes.
Despite being hellishly jet-lagged, I quickly snapped to attention as we grabbed a (tiny) rental car and headed, ski bags threatening the rear window, toward our destination—the ski-resort colossus of Verbier.
My travel companion was Steve Casimiro, then editor-in-chief of Powder magazine, and we were paying a visit—homage, really—to an infamous ski chalet in a small, out-of-the-way alp known as Clambin, from which a catalogue of stunning photos by shooters Mark Shapiro and Ace Kvale—typically with buddy and instructor/guide/model/James Bond stuntdouble John Falkiner as subject matter—had been emanating for a decade, helping drive what would come to be known as the freeski
revolution. At the time, of course, they had no other label than cool captures of powder explosions and smiling skiers of both sexes from Verbier and a raft of other exotic locales which had, at that point, been a mainstay of Powder for more than a decade. Beyond anything else these shots were now part of the ski-media ecosystem, proof for a generation of aspiring ski bums that it was possible to get paid to live and adventure with friends in a stunningly beautiful corner of the planet.
Experiencing the canvas on which these photos had been rendered was a reality check: the mountains were so much bigger, the slopes so much larger, the scenery so much more over-scaled than what I’d understood from the images. Dropping in on the infamous
with me. The massive, glaciated mountains and their dizzying overlook of verdant springtime valleys; the postcard chalets, their roofs limned in metres of snow; the rounds of espressos and schnapps with weak tea at small, sidewalk tables; and the rösti, fondue and other heart-stopping delights that I now have to think twice about consuming too much of.
It all added up to an invitation to return. Which I’ve done again and again, some 20 times now on a more-or-less-regular professional rotation, seeking stories and inspiration that have never been hard to find. Staid as their reputation may be, the Swiss are also a pioneering species in many ways, meticulously out in front of all sorts
A storm rolled in and dropped more than a metre of snow to help with the already redlining big-mountain vibe. We skied ourselves silly, then moved on to Chamonix for more of the same.
Shapiro, Kvale and Falkiner partnership of “Team Clambin” just as its members were going their separate ways in life seemed like a key cultural acknowledgement. Also, the skiing didn’t suck. It was early April, but those were the days when you could still go to the Alps in late spring and reliably ski most places. A storm rolled in and dropped more than a metre of snow to help with the already red-lining big-mountain vibe. We skied ourselves silly, then moved on to Chamonix for more of the same.
But it was the Swiss experience that stuck
of trends, from multi-lingual casualness to cultural diversity in a mountain labyrinth, from true, headless democracy to respectful community decision-making, from gritty street art to world-leading engineering, and from culinary horizons to oenological revolutions.
I’ve had a lifetime of experiences in Switzerland and made many a friend, and one of the things I truly delight in upon return is being able to track not only the things that will never, ever change (because, Switzerland) but the titanic and positive
changes that have occurred in some locations, forging new futures together with celebrated tradition. Back in the day we didn’t spend much time in big guns like Verbier, even if they weren’t overrun as they are now. Instead we were mostly plumbing the smaller, unheralded places—Little Areas that Rock as we called them. Several of these began in that local freeski backwater category only to transform completely over the years into respected international destination of note. Engelberg would be one that saw an influx of hardcore powderhounds eventually invest in and drive its makeover. And another, for different reasons, would be Andermatt, where I find myself this morning.
When I first visited in the late 1990s, Andermatt was another one of those whispered secrets, known mostly to a few Swiss aficionados and a growing contingent of foreign steep-and-deep seekers for the tram that climbed a jagged peak called the Gemsstock whose avalanche-prone slopes had threatened valley inhabitants for a millennium. It was an old-school outpost that I fell in love with immediately.
A longtime military garrison rapidly emptying out due to redundancy brought on by the end of the Cold War, it was a small alpine town at a literal and figurative crossroads, wondering whether it could make a go of it as a tourist destination. Not only did it manage to do so, but it became the most transformed ski area in the Alps over the past 20 years—one reason it’s now an Epic Pass destination. It’s also a big reason I keep falling in love with this country over and over. Stay tuned to this column for the full story of why you might, too.
Leslie Anthony is a Whistler-based author, editor, biologist and bon vivant who has never met a mountain he didn’t like. n
TOP OF THE WORLD The breathtaking view captured from the summit of Gemsstock in Andermatt, Switzerland.
PHOTO BY LESLIE ANTHONY
Carbon tax is dead, but B.C.’s budget mess is just beginning
BY ROB SHAW
THE CONSUMER CARBON TAX may be dead politically, after Prime Minister Mark Carney eliminated the federal version last week. But the financial fallout and budgetary headaches are just beginning for British Columbia.
Carney’s first act in office was to sign a cabinet order to cut the fuel tax rate to zero, effectively neutering the part of the carbon tax most people see at the pump on gas or diesel.
Premier David Eby was quick to say British Columbia will follow.
“Our commitment was once the federal government removed the backstop that required us to have it, we would get rid of it too,” said Eby, highlighting his flip-flop from fierce defender to opponent of the tax just before the last election.
“And that work is well under way, and we will be ending the carbon tax here in British Columbia.”
Carney’s order does not affect B.C. directly, because it has its own separate carbon tax legislation, a consequence of the province being the innovator of the tax back in 2008.
Nonetheless, once B.C. does scrap the tax, the financial impact will be severe.
B.C. will lose at least $1.8 billion in additional revenue—during a year in which it’s already projecting to run a record $11-billion deficit.
Financial officials did not include that specific calculation in the provincial budget earlier this month. To decode it, you need to combine political statements, new ministry data and the public budget documents.
It starts with a $3-billion estimate for all carbon tax revenue in 2025-26. From that, deduct the amount industrial polluters are
“They would have received what is called the CATC [climate action tax credit]. It was a carbon tax rebate cheque from the provincial government. They will not be receiving that cheque anymore and the province won’t be collecting the carbon tax that paid for those cheques.”
The climate action tax credit was primarily aimed at low-income residents with household incomes between $41,000 and $57,000. It provided up to $504 per year for a single person, or $882 for a family with one child.
Were B.C. to cancel it, it would save $1.025 billion per year, reducing the revenue loss from the carbon tax to $1.8 billion.
Perhaps Eby and Bailey will cut further programs, to make up that amount. Or, increase the deficit to $12.7 billion. Or, increase the industrial side of the carbon tax (at the risk of adding financial costs to major natural resource projects Eby has promised to otherwise fast-track and support). We won’t know for sure immediately.
(Fun trivia note, $1.8 billion is the same amount it would have cost the BC NDP to follow through on its election promise for $1,000 grocery rebate cheques. The premier cancelled that promise after being re-elected, saying the province couldn’t afford it. No kidding.)
That’s the revenue side of the carbon tax cancellation.
Now the implementation.
Eby was asked Friday how he’ll prevent a scheduled April 1 carbon tax increase, and gave no answer. He can’t use a cabinet order, because the rate hikes are set in legislation. The legislature is on a break until March 31, and there won’t be enough time to introduce and pass a bill in one day.
The solution? Fudge it, apparently.
The government believes as long as it introduces the bill on March 31, it can legally
B.C. will lose at least $1.8 billion in additional revenue—during a year in which it’s already projecting to run a record $11-billion deficit.
paying under the “out-put based pricing system” wing of the carbon tax, which Eby has pledged to keep in place.
B.C. has never made that figure available before, but Finance Minister Brenda Bailey promised me during an interview to provide it. Her ministry followed through. Industrial polluters are projected to pay $199 million this year.
So, the revenue hit to the province is $2.8 billion to eliminate the consumer carbon tax.
However, Bailey and Eby suggested that B.C. could cut tax credits to British Columbians to lessen the financial impact to the treasury.
“There is a consequence of this decision, and it’s a significant one for many families,” said Eby.
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ignore the April 1 hike, regardless of when the legislation is eventually passed.
All of this is very messy, to put it mildly.
The carbon tax started in controversial fashion in B.C. in 2008, and it ends in controversial fashion in 2025. The only difference is in the interim the province got addicted to the revenue. And it’s going to be difficult for British Columbia to wean off those dollars during difficult economic times.
Rob Shaw has spent more than 17 years covering B.C. politics, now reporting for CHEK News and writing for Glacier Media. He is the co-author of the national bestselling book A Matter of Confidence, host of the weekly podcast Political Capital, and a regular guest on CBC Radio. rob@robshawnews.com n
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CHASING JAPOW
Has Japan’s Moment Passed?
Story and photos by Steven
Threndyle
Almost a century after the Japanese government hired famed Austrian skimeister Hannes Schneider to introduce Alpine skiing to the country’s masses, skiing and snowboarding are currently having a “bit of a moment.”
You can see it at Vancouver International Airport, as skiers and riders from Toronto, Vancouver, and Seattle cart oversized ski and board bags bound for either Haneda or Narita, Tokyo’s two international air hubs. If you stop at the airport to pick up the Sunday New York Times for reading entertainment during your 10-hour Zip Air flight, you might read feature stories with headlines like: A First Timer’s Guide to Skiing in Japan and Japan’s Ski Slopes Have Too Much of a Good Thing: SNOW.
But it’s social media, in particular Instagram Reels, where the true buzz around “Japow,” as it’s called, has taken place. From mid-December to mid-March, social media was blowing up daily with pros and bros (and women, of course) getting utterly buried in deep-snow bliss.
The advent of the “invisible pole” Insta 360 camera has resulted in a slew of videos where the rider or skier pushes off to gather speed and makes one or two turns before tunnelling
under a white blanket, followed by an expletive-filled narration: “The deepest effing… whoo-hoo, effing amazing, mate, effmate, let’s get back to the lift again.” Meteorologists like @ imlukesnow (107,000 followers) have peppered Instagram throughout the season, leading to perhaps the most serious FOMO of all time for B.C. locals stuck (until recently) amid an eight-week snow drought.
A darker side has emerged recently, seen in clips of epic lineups (or should we say Epic lineups, given that Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass provides transferable days of skiing at several Japanese resorts). There are plenty of statistics to back up just how popular skiing in Japan has become; the country hosted 43 per cent more visitors in 2024 than it did the year before. How did we get here, and what might the future hold? Skiers and riders from around the world understand the lure of deep snow thanks to ever-user-friendly fat skis, hybrid bindings, and avalanche safety gear. Yet the lure of Japan goes well beyond blower pow. Buried deep beneath the six metres of settled depth at many resorts is the story of an insular country coming to grips with some hard economic and demographic truths, as well as snow enthusiasts’ boundless quest to find skiing’s Holy Grail; one that can be defined as “heli-skiing for the price of a lift ticket.”
Past: Japan’s Great Postwar Economic Miracle
From 1972 to 1990, no country punched above its weight on the international stage quite like Japan. The Arab oil embargo— where the price of gas tripled in the space of six months in the United States—led to the costly collapse of “Detroit Iron”; smoke-belching, gas-guzzling land yachts and muscle cars. With inflation spinning out of control, economical, dependable, functional cars by Toyota, Datsun (later Nissan), Honda and Mazda began filling up parking lots. Indeed, it scarcely mattered which consumer category you were in, from cars, cameras, stereos and microwave ovens to photocopying machines and guitars; American manufacturing was being routed by the likes of Honda, Nikon, Nakamichi, Toshiba, Ricoh and Yamaha. “Made in Japan” meant premium quality, long-lasting durability, and exceptional value.
In 1982, the Banff Mountain Film Festival premiered an unflattering documentary about how overtourism affected the world’s mountain landscapes. A brief detour was made to the slopes of Japan, where the world’s largest hotel complex— complete with its very own enclosed amusement park—was under construction in Hokkaido. Futuristic Shinkansen “bullet trains” jammed with thousands of members of Japan’s rising middle class departed on Friday afternoon from downtown Tokyo and teleported millions of skiers to brand-new resorts in Yuzawa, Myoko, and Nagano. By the mid-’90s, Japan had more than 700 ski resorts, and its winter economy was greater than that of the United States.
British ex-pat Andrew Lea saw those heady bubble days, but when he was assigned to teach English in Yuzawa Town in 1992, he had never skied. Inadvertently, he bore witness to what recreational life was like at the height of Japan’s economic bubble. “These trains would come up from Tokyo on the weekends, and there would be so many people on the
slopes that it would be hard not to run into somebody,” he says.
One of those powder seekers is Whistler’s very own Jill Dunnigan, co-founder (with Peter Smart) of Extremely Canadian, the mountain adventure company that has challenged thousands of skiers to face their fears and test the limits. “It’s been 20 years since we teamed up with former Japanese pro racer Rick Lewon to go over and try Niseko,” she says. “Rick knew how to speak Japanese, which was a huge asset to us.”
Indeed, Lewon himself was a trailblazer when he first arrived in Japan to race professionally in 1983. He recalls: “I’d been racing on the PWA pro circuit here in Canada and went to Japan because the purses were about four times higher than they were here.” As was the case in North America at the time, pro racing featured two racers battling side by side on parallel slalom and GS courses.
“It was quite a spectacle,” Lewon says. “Thousands of fans would line the course. Range Rover and Toshiba were the major sponsors. It snowed a lot, but I only had stiff racing skis, and there wasn’t much time for freeskiing anyway. There was a ton of money going around; many of the resorts were brand new.”
The Japanese, however, were never much interested in powder skiing anyway. Glades, climbing out of bounds, and skiing underneath chairlift lines were all strictly forbidden at the time. For many years, Japanese skiers held the superstition that evil spirits lurked in the dark, mysterious, snow-laden forest.
“We knew the world would beat a path to Japan,” Dunnigan says. It wasn’t an overnight sensation, though. “In 2007, we filmed a segment for the Pontiac World of Skiing TV show and hit perfect conditions. But it was a hard sell until we had a DVD to send out to our clients or to play on the ski-show circuit.
“By the time we got to Niseko, the Australians had planted the flag,” she says, and seems a bit depressed at how busy it has become. “We saw a booking for one of our trips go from $400 per night pre-season to over $1,000 for a decent, though hardly luxurious, hotel room.” While lift tickets are a comparative bargain at $105 per day compared to Whistler’s walk-up ticket window pricing, shopping, dining out and alternate winter activities can be just as expensive as here in Canada.
Rachael Oakes-Ash is an Australian journalist covering the Japan beat since the early 2000s. In a feature story for her website snowsbest.com, she admits those rowdy days of discovery led to Niseko earning a reputation as a “Bali on Snow” party spot, with ex-pat powder seekers and locals alike frequently appalled by the newcomers’ often rude and obnoxious behaviour. Two decades later, Niseko has become synonymous with American-style luxury (“though it will never be Aspen,” Oakes-Ash says). The flags of several opulent hotel chains fly below Mount Yotei’s famous volcanic cone, including Ritz-Carlton and the over-the-top Park Hyatt Niseko, which featured its own Louis Vuitton Mongolian-style yurt “pop-up shop” on the premises for 2025. Indeed, the $5-million luxury townhomes (in a country where almost 20 per cent of rural property has been abandoned by its rapidly declining population) are just as likely to be owned by Chinese, Korean, Malaysian or Taiwanese high-rollers as they are by Australians. Perhaps Niseko never truly was a Japanese skiing experience. There’s no language barrier and the place gets
hammered with 17 metres of bottomless fluff annually. Dunnigan and Smart’s Extremely Canadian offers both scheduled and bespoke trips to Japan, but Dunnigan says “if skiers are expecting a big dump overnight, you’re going to have to get up very early and be very strategic when it comes to planning your day. It’s just as challenging to find first tracks there as it is here at Whistler Blackcomb.”
Matt Appleford, an Australian guide who similarly leads adventure skiers on trips to Kashmir, Kazakhstan and Turkey, had the misfortune to hit a dry spell lull during this year’s cyclonic storm cycle. “Four, five days after the last storm, you really had to work hard to find first tracks in the Niseko backcountry,” he says.
With the exception of Hakuba, the resorts closer to Tokyo on the island of Honshu have been slower to realize the Kangaroo hop when it comes to real estate prices. According to a podcast from the Tokyo Times English-language newspaper, the domestic Japanese ski economy declined drastically from 1990—the year the Lost Decade began—from a high of 20 million skiers to the current level of roughly 6 million. Enormous sums of government money were poured into resort and train infrastructure to host the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, but that investment has been very slow to pay dividends. According to Hugh Smythe, former Intrawest CEO, “we were very interested in bringing our village-building expertise to Japan when the economy was still going strongly. However, the Japanese ski vacation culture is very different from that of North America. Amongst the Japanese, there’s very little après ski or dining out, their resorts often have two or three lift companies operating at one resort. It’s a complicated place to do business.”
Figuring out “where to go next” has become a bit of a holy grail for adventurous skiers and riders. “Our guests want to explore more of the countryside and have a more authentic experience,” Dunnigan says. To meet that demand, she and Smart along with another couple took to the road for three weeks in January hoping to uncover some hidden gems. “To take some of the pressure off places like Hakuba and Niseko next season, we will offer two ‘mystery trips’ to Japan where I won’t inform you of the destination until you pay in full and sign an agreement to not geo-tag your location on social media.” Forget Instagram, this will be old-fashioned “word-ofmouth” style buzz.
“Are Japan’s Lost Decades Finally Over?”
Japan’s domestic ski industry will never again reach the heady numbers it did in the early ’90s—the country’s incredibly low birth rate, high urban cost of living and generally stagnant economy will see to that.
Lea has been in the country for more than 40 years now and is 100-per-cent fluent in Japanese. He’s also a parttime resort archeologist; you might say, searching for the remains of some of the 200-plus ski areas that continue to vanish to this day. “Many of the mid-sized areas have not kept up regarding lift infrastructure,” he says. “I would have to say that the biggest challenge for the Japanese resort industry will be upgrading its lift systems to the standards that in-bound travellers from other countries expect to see.” You can get an idea of just how immense the Japanese ski industry was at its peak by perusing his snowjapanhistory. com website where “I’ve covered 300 of the 400 defunct resorts and am slowly getting to the rest.” Alas, with modernized lift facilities comes a higher price tag for locals, with more occasional skiers—a complaint voiced everywhere these days. “Pre-COVID, a daily lift ticket at Rusutsu cost approximately Y5000 and now it’s Y14,500,” Lea says. But, consistent with the wonderful incongruities that Japan offers, “there are a few tiny hills nearby that let you ride a rope tow for free!”
Or, as one Australian lodge owner said, “a lot of skiers like to think that they want to stay in a tiny ryokan (traditional Japanese lodge with tatami mats, futon bedding, and paper room dividers) but then the lodge happens to be off the main bus route, or the breakfasts are fish roe, eel, and tofu and, of course, there’s a language barrier.” All of which sounds insufferably colonial, except for the fact that if you’re there to ski powder, you don’t want obstacles in your mission.
There’s one very delightful tradition that kind of hearkens to the ’40s-era Laurentian-style lodges that have largely disappeared. Slotted somewhere between youth hostels with communal beds and showers and the cookiecutter Hyatts of the world lies the wonderful world of Japanese ryokans and Australian-owned ski lodges. Large family homes once owned by Japanese families can be owned for almost unbelievable prices. “Akaiya” properties as they are known are country homes usually owned by Japanese parents or grandparents whose children that have moved to the city. Japan’s population is aging so rapidly that it is estimated as many as 20 per cent of all homes in rural Japan are vacant. Most of these are tear-downs, yet some savvy skiers and boarders have been able to snap up fixeruppers and turn them into homey ski lodges.
Like most Australian snowboarders who’ve been in-country for a while, Dan Solo’s Japanese journey started in Niseko but eventually led him to Madarao, one of the “diamond in the rough” resorts we all dream about. “It’s still off the beaten track enough that I can get out early after a 50-centimetre dump and not cross a single track all morning,” he says. “All of the backcountry runs end near a road that takes you right back into the area. There’s only been one fatality during all of the years that I’ve been riding here.”
Solo and his wife Louise started with their Australia x Japan style Snowball Lodge and have added a luxury family
duplex next door, and several nearby apartments with strangely institutional architecture; indeed, it used to be a dorm for maintenance workers.
Madarao’s an interesting case; it shares its slopes with another resort, Tangram Ski Circus, which is almost exclusively patronized by Japanese families staying at the all-inclusive onsen resort farther down the valley. Solo says Madarao has gone through three ownership changes since he’s been there but its fortunes might soon change. Like several of the resorts in nearby Myoko, Madarao is now owned by Singapore-based Patience Capital, which is probably what the new owners will need to make money at this mid-sized mountain. Some locals fear that outside money will modernize the rather run-down charm some of these obscure areas ooze.
It’s worth noting that while these premium Australianowned lodges do their best to integrate Japanese best practices in culture, cuisine, and décor—most lodge developers are huge Japanophiles of both the modern and traditional aesthetic—the truly unspoiled Japanese experience is still out there. While Oakes-Ash believes that Niseko and Hakuba are “pretty much over for core skiers looking for authentic Japan,” she suggests going farther afield or planning a trip outside the six-week Japow window from early January to mid-February.
SnowJapan’s Lea is optimistic; though he’s probably more skilled at navigating the country's travel since he’s fluent in Japanese. The English teacher turned webmaster spends his mornings updating his highly informative (and hype-free) snowjapan.com website and then hits the slopes for the first tracks around 10:30.
First tracks, at 10:30? Where the hell is that?
“There are three or four ski areas within a half hour that I can go to where you can hop on a chair and ski powder. I’ll go for two or three hours a couple of times a week and that’s it, I’m good,” he says. An avowed curmudgeon when it comes to social media (rather ironic for a website owner),
FEATURE STORY
Lea says, “I’ve seen these video clips going around of people lining up for an hour at Niseko or Hakuba and think, ‘Are you people crazy?’ My website lists over 400 ski resorts in Japan and at most of them, you can ski right onto a lift.”
Indeed, the Japanese Alps are full of surprises. Full-on multi-day backcountry tours are non-existent, and winter hut access is limited. Hit Hokkaido in mid-March and you’ll have the place to yourself, and there’s still a good chance of hitting the Japow.
While the sun might be setting on Japan’s aging population, there’s still enormous potential in the land of the rising sun. n
Purpose: Thepurpose oftheproposedbylaw is to amendtheResidential Multiple –Comprehensive Development Two(RM-CD2) zone to add‘Apartment forEmployeeHousing’asan allowableland use,toincreasethemaximumGross FloorArea (GFA),FloorSpace Ratio(FSR),buildingheightandsite coverage, to reducetheminimum building separation,and to requirea minimumofoneparkingstall perapartmentuniton1600Mount FeeRoad(Lot3).Theproposedbylaw also updatesthe zoning onLot4 (RiverRun) to account foraccessory residentialdwellingunits(ARDUs),in alignmentwith theSSMUH Bylaw.
SubjectLand: Thelandsthat arethesubjectoftheproposed bylaware shownonthemapattached to thisnotice,andarelegally describedasLOT 3LOT 8073 GROUP1 NEWWESTMINSTERDistrict PlanEPP111931.Thechanges to density, height,buildingseparation,andparkingstandardsapplyonly to 1600Mount FeeRoad.
BylawReadings: Considerationofthefirst,second,andthirdreading(s)oftheproposedbylaw will be at theR egular CouncilMeetingonMarch25,2025.
To learnmore: AcopyoftheproposedBylaw andbackgrounddocumentationare available forreview fromMarch10 to March25,2025 at •MunicipalHall at 4325Blackcomb Way, Whistler,BC, during regular officehoursof9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidaysexcluded)
SCANTHEQR CODE FORACOPYOFTHE PROPOSED BYLAW AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTATION
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Joe Davies helps University of Utah to 17th NCAA Ski Championship
THE WHISTLER NORDICS PRODUCT BECAME THE 89TH INDIVIDUAL CHAMP IN SCHOOL HISTORY
BY DAVID SONG
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH has locked down its 17th collegiate skiing national championship, and Pemberton’s Joe Davies played a starring role in the accomplishment.
Davies and his fellow Utes found themselves sitting third overall after the alpine slalom event on March 5, but rebounded quickly and decisively. Erica Lavén prevailed in the women’s 7.5-kilometre classic and Johs Braathen Herland won the men’s giant slalom, granting Davies an opportunity to secure the NCAA title if he could conquer the 20-kilometre freestyle.
On March 8, the Spud Valley Nordics and Whistler Nordics alum left no doubt. He struck gold, besting runner-up John Hagenbuch from host venue Dartmouth College by more than a minute. Utah finished the competition with 590 points, well clear of runner-up University of Colorado (513) and Dartmouth in third (508.5), to obtain its 17th national title—and its fourth in the last five years.
“It means a lot, especially after last year coming up short to Colorado in the overall championship,” Davies said. “Being able to put down one of my better races this year to help secure the win for the team is, I mean, it’s the best thing I could have done to end my college career.”
and acquired a Utes flag from teammate Claire Timmerman to wave as he powered across the finish line.
Davies also netted bronze in his own 7.5-kilometre classic on March 6, but feels he did not meet his standards that day.
“[I]t’s the best thing I could have done to end my college career.”
- JOE DAVIES
No stranger to varsity success, Davies also grabbed a national title in 2023 representing the University of Alaska Fairbanks by outperforming—you guessed it—Hagenbuch. The duo are friends well-acquainted with each other’s skills.
Davies charged into the front-running pack early and never relinquished a dominant position. Hagenbuch is a threat to overtake at the end of any given race due to his sprinting ability, so the Pembertonian sought to establish a big lead.
Hagenbuch hung tough for the first three laps, but Davies pulled away during lap No. 4
‘THERE’S
SOMETHING MORE PERSONAL ABOUT COLLEGE RACING’
Now the 89th individual champion in Utah history and an All-American, Davies will return in the winter semester to finish his engineering degree—but he’s out of NCAA eligibility. College skiing will always hold a special place in his heart nonetheless.
“I mean, World Cup racing is obviously amazing and cool, but there’s something more personal about college racing,” opined Davies. “It feels more like a family and that’s always, I think, what you should put first—so that’s why I’ve
[been spending] half the year doing the World Cup and coming back [for] college races I want to do. That’s really where I have the most fun.
“What’s cool about the [national] championship is that it really comes down to a team effort. I wasn’t even thinking so much about winning that race individually—I just wanted to put down the best possible performance to be able to help our team. Erica and Johs both getting their own titles is really cool, and it’s nice when the whole team can come together and put down some of their best results this season.”
Davies authored a robust start to his own campaign with three straight top-16 World Cup results last December in Ruka, Finland and Lillehammer, Norway. Although he competes for Great Britain internationally, he has not experienced any dip in support from Canadian friends and family.
The men and women of Whistler Nordics back him heartily as well. They believe Davies’ ceiling is high, and that gives him more fuel to keep plying his trade. Full-time World Cup racing in Europe awaits next year, and the 2026 Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy loom large.
Visit utahutes.com/news/2025/3/8/ skiing-champs-utah-ski-team-back-ontop-with-17th-national-championship.aspx for more details on the University of Utah’s national title. n
GO, JOE, GO Joe Davies won the men’s 20-kilometre freestyle at the 2025 NCAA Skiing Championship in Hanover, New Hampshire.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Embyr-Lee Susko three-peats as national luge champion
SPORTS BRIEFS: DREA DIMMA, MARKUS TONDL WIN IFSA QUALIFIER IN WHISTLER; STEWART LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER
BY DAVID SONG
AFTER A SURPRISING team relay bronze medal at the FIL World Championships last month, Embyr-Lee Susko and Theo Downey returned to Whistler and prevailed in their respective national title races.
Susko clocked in at one minute and 18.313 seconds for her third straight Canadian Luge Championship. Fellow Whistlerite Caitlin Nash earned silver (1:18.468) and Trinity Ellis of Pemberton received bronze (1:18.632).
“Capping the season off with another two wins on my home track was awesome,” said Susko, who has racked up 16 national titles throughout her development pathway since 2012. “It was really great racing to end a great season. It is always so fun to come back and race Canadian Champs while watching and supporting the next generation.”
The homegrown athlete was also tops among junior sliders over Jolie Brodylo (1:19.291) and Ella Hodder (1:20.753). Susko has become Canada’s top female singles luger, with a Junior Worlds silver from 2024 on her record in addition to U23 runner-up honours (fourth overall) at her individual World Championships race in February.
Among men it was Downey emerging victorious in both the senior and junior categories (1:42.893). Dylan Morse finished second (1:43.299).
“That was a super fun way to end off a year full of wins and progress,” Downey said in a press release. “It’s always fun to take a step back and go head-to-head with my fellow teammates like we used to when we were little.”
Fast-rising women’s doubles pair Beattie Podulsky and Kailey Allan clocked in at 1:19.713, and their male counterparts Devin Wardrope and Cole Zajanski notched a time of 1:18.706.
Both doubles sleds combined with Susko and Downey to clinch third at the World Championships team relay.
DREA DIMMA, MARKUS TONDL WIN IFSA QUALIFIER IN WHISTLER
Several Whistler Freeride Club (WFC) alumni distinguished themselves at the IFSA 2* Qualifier event from March 7 to 9 on their home snow.
Drea Dimma topped the ladies’ ski category with a score of 29,80, edging out runner-up Sage Michaely (29.77) and thirdplacer Gabrielle Lacaze. Just missing out on hardware was Kayla Constantini in fourth (29.47).
“Best weekend ever at the Whistler IFSA 2*!” quipped Dimma on her Instagram account. “Shoutout [Sage Michaely] for the shoey.”
Markus Tondl earned gold among male skiers (31.17), but nipping at his heels were Sea to Sky brothers Leif Gascoigne with silver
PHOTO BY DAVE HOLLAND/LUGE CANADA
(31.10) and Kane Gascoigne who clinched bronze (30.80).
Over on the snowboard side: Pippa Stowell (26.93), Rheanna Chow (26.47) and Mutsumi Ido (26.37) filled out the women’s podium in that order as Daniel Barker (31.03), Kai Hooper (29.27) and Cedric Madrenes (28.03) grabbed hardware for the men.
Full results are available at liveheats.com.
MACKENZIE STEWART LAUNCHES BOBSLED FUNDRAISER
Each of Canada’s national bobsledders is currently self-funded out of necessity, and Mackenzie Stewart is pulling out all the stops to raise money.
Stewart and her team are inviting members of the public to a unique fundraiser on April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC). For a hefty $500 minimum donation, two people can sign up as a pilot/brakeman duo to race against other tandems on Earth’s fastest ice. No experience is required, but local companies are making prizes available for anybody who finishes in the top five.
Also available is a $1,500 sponsorship package that will get you a berth into the contest, plus your name or company logo on Stewart’s sled for the upcoming campaign. Proceeds will go towards funding two new bobsleds for use at the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy.
The experience is also advertised to include food, beverages, networking and photographs. Only 24 spots are available, with Stewart on hand to introduce her career and the sport of bobsled more generally.
Contact Stewart at 604-989-4349 or mackenziestewart1123@gmail.com for more details. n
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TRIPLES IS BEST Embyr-Lee Susko pictured at the FIL World Cup in Whistler on Dec. 16, 2023.
Don’t break the bank—or your back—for a ‘wow’ spring break
A WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWSTOPPER STARS AT THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM
SPRING BREAK , Easter break, or any old excuse for a break-break: If you’re looking for a cheap ‘n’ easy get-away with plenty of “wow!” that will transport you round the world with only a quick (and beautiful) ferry ride to Vancouver Island, have I got the day trip for you.
BY GLENDA BARTOSH
Especially if you’ve got kids in tow. More especially if you love the natural world, and worry about what those same kids are going to inherit.
No airports. No hassles. No más problemas. All you have to do is soak up the remarkable 100 photos of wildlife—big and small; known and mysterious; threatened and abundant—selected for the famous (and prestigious) Wildlife Photographer of the Year, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. This is the event’s 60th year, and the competition drew nearly 60,000 entries from 117 countries and territories around the world.
Lucky photographers all who made it to the touring exhibition now on at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. A surprising number are literally kids, but they obviously
get what one of the judges, photonaturalist Tony Wu of Japan, offered as sage advice to wildlife photographers of any age: “Be patient. Meeting an animal is just like meeting a person. It takes time to get to know one another.”
Like Alberto Román Gómez of Spain, who took his powerful image from his dad’s car window: a delicate European stonechat perched next to a brutish chain. And Shreyovi Mehta, who ran back to her dad to grab a camera, then captured two Indian peafowl silhouetted under repeated archways of trees in the morning calm of India’s Keoladeo National Park. These are only two of the photographers, who handle their craft like masters—at 10 years of age, or younger!
But never mind the lucky fotogs, as we call them in the news biz. Really, it’s lucky us who live a hop and a skip from the Royal BC Museum—one of two venues on the exhibition tour in Canada. The other is the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and lord knows why you’d hop on a plane to go that far.
But before we get into more Canadian angles—including Shane Gross, who lives in Nanaimo and won the overall “grandtitle award” for his unforgettable photo, The swarm of life, which features western toad tadpoles swimming through lily pads in a Vancouver Island lake—here’s a “museum” moment.
The Natural History Museum, London, is one of the best of its kind. Period. It’s the most visited in Europe, and has been a hit since opening in 1881. There’s the 80 million specimens in its collections— some of which were studied by the likes of Charles Darwin and Captain Cook. Plus the 300-plus scientists on staff who use their knowledge and the museum’s unique collections to tackle the biggest challenges
facing the natural world today—climate; frightening extinction rates; how humans can and can’t co-exist with wildlife around the world.
Consider Shane’s western toad tadpoles, for one. If you’re a Whistler buff, you’ll know they’re near-threatened—disappearing from much of their historic range in B.C. due to highway mortality, clear-cut logging and climate change. You’ll also know that Whistler’s Lost Lake Park, which is annually closed to protect them, is the breeding ground for the largest local population. Imagine: The swarm of life happens there every spring!
Then there’s the entertainment side of natural history museums, like the tidal pools and giant mastodon at the Royal BC Museum. In London, the star is Dippy the diplodocus, an 85-foot replica of fossilized bones. More spring break fun: Check out David Attenborough’s ground-breaking Museum Alive documentary filmed there. Besides Sir David, it features Dippy and more—the extinct dodo bird; a giant sloth; a yeti—that all come “alive” via state-of-the-art CGI.
As for royal museums, like the five in Canada, the name is used for official museums in countries with a monarch, or which formerly had one. A nice distinction to support in these “special” times.
But back to that wonderful wildlife photography show—and the many Canadians featured. Nine in all, including Alexis TinkerTsavalas, 17, who won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award with Life Under Dead Wood. Alexis, a Canadian citizen living in Germany, specializes in subjects “smaller than his thumbnail.” The dead wood is a log he rolled over to shoot his eye-popping image of a wee springtail and a fruiting slime mould (one of my favourite things! As per one of my earlier Pique columns). Which just
goes to show it’s worth paying attention to what’s right under our feet.
Another Canadian showstopper, one that vividly portrays our many environmental challenges: Patricia Homonylo’s gutwrenching When worlds collide, featuring 3,900 birds that died after flying into windows in the Greater Toronto Area in a single year. Then, of course, there’s Shane’s striking image of beautiful western toad tadpoles, swim, swim, swimming up towards the light in an image that, once seen, you can’t shake from your mind. An image that sheds light on so many overlooked aspects of the natural world we dominate.
Shane, a marine conservation photojournalist who snorkelled the lake for hours to get his unique shot, is also one of 20 Canadians who started the Canadian Conservation Photography Collective. He loved photography before he started school, and I love what he noticed during the opening at the Royal BC Museum. We noticed it, too, on our visit: How people put their phones away. How they soaked up the images and the excellent little cutline stories beside each one. “It was inspiring,” he said. And it was. I also like what he said in one of the videos about his own photo: “It gives me hope to know there are still places like this (pristine Cedar Lake) on the planet.” Indeed. And it takes great wildlife photographers like him to share those moments with the rest of us.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is at Victoria’s Royal BC Museum until April 27. The museum cares for more than 7 million objects, belongings and specimens, and works to enhance our understanding of environmental changes to help with future decision-making.
Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who got her first camera at age nine. n
WILD! LIFE! Nanaimo’s Shane Gross, a marine conservationist photojournalist and Wildlife Photographer of the Year, with his unforgettable image of Vancouver Island western toad tadpoles on opening day at the Royal BC Museum.
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE
SWEAT • SQUASH
Anonymous Art Show returns for a seventh time
THE
YEARLY ARTS WHISTLER FUNDRAISER AND GALA CULMINATES WITH AN APRIL 4 BUYING NIGHT
BY DAVID SONG
IF YOU’VE HEARD of the Anonymous Art Show, you might be eagerly looking forward to its next edition.
If you haven’t: the show is Arts Whistler’s flagship fundraiser that invites professional creators and newbies alike to submit work on eight-by-eight-inch canvases. The Maury Young Arts Centre’s gallery can fit 355 pieces, and often it’s filled to the brim by this particular undertaking.
A sneak peek and artist reception on March 21 enables folks to preview what’s on tap and make a shortlist of what they might be interested in. Yet April 4 is where things ramp up at Buying Night: a colourful gala with live music, a pop-up bar, appetizers, and the fruits of everybody’s labour up for grabs.
The event’s website urges patrons to dress to express, whether that’s “cowboy boots or cocktail attire,” and promises a few “surprises” on the big evening.
SOMETHING FOR EVERY TASTE
A guest who commits to buying at the highest price tier of $500 receives first dibs,
followed by people at incrementally lower tiers down to $50. What results is a sense of urgency and sport to Buying Night, which Arts Whistler executive director Maureen Douglas didn’t necessarily intend—but which locals are obviously on board with.
If you can’t join in on April 4, don’t worry: about half of the available fare tends to remain for viewing and purchase until show’s end (which this year is April 26).
“We have some pretty high-end, well-known, well-loved Whistler artists participating in the show like Andrea Mueller, Doria Moodie and Dave Petko. Some of them will do something very different than what people think is their style … which is very fun.
“Or you might choose a piece off a wall, it could be beautiful and it’s the first thing someone’s ever done. I’ve seen artists get tears in their eyes because somebody has chosen to buy
“We have some pretty high-end, wellknown, well-loved Whistler artists participating in the show...”
- MO DOUGLAS
“So many people buy original, locally created art for 50 bucks and they get what they want—even if they’re choosing near the tail end of the night—because there’s so much on the walls, there’s truly something for every taste,” says Douglas.
Nobody gets to know who they bought from until the transaction is made. As each piece comes off the wall, it reveals a decal replicating the work and the artist’s name. This approach levels the playing field for more nervous or less experienced content creators.
“It’s incredibly freeing,” Douglas remarks.
their piece … and it’s the first thing they’ve ever done. Incredibly empowering for those people, right? This show has actually started a lot of folks in the community down the path of painting.”
‘IT TICKS A LOT OF BOXES FOR US’
More than 200 individuals submitted 410 artworks for this year’s show, with the reserves expected to make their way on display after others are sold. Each participating creator gets a one-year Arts Whistler membership and
recognition at the March 21 sneak peek.
Douglas goes on to elaborate that Buying Night is usually one of Whistler’s most energetic community gatherings. Many celebrate their purchases and show them off to staff members (or their own social media followers). The Maury Young theatre becomes a lounge and dance floor with DJs livening things up, while the gallery hosts group after group of excited buyers.
Some loyal patrons have collected 10 or 20 paintings from the Anonymous Art Show alone, and they’re pleased with how the eightby-eight canvases combine symmetrically on their walls. Others drop by for multiple days to grab additional work or simply to view what’s still up there.
“It ticks a lot of boxes for us,” says Douglas. “It helps us raise funds for our gallery programs and our community arts programs like Art on the Lake. It allows first-time artists to participate and not feel self-conscious about their work. It draws people together: we know lots of girlfriends who come together and do paint-and-sip nights on their own. [The Show] is a really neat adventure and creative challenge for [participants], but they’re also directly contributing to the success of what we do, which bounces back to them again.”
Keep an eye out for one berth into the $250 price tier that will be offered as a raffle prize (tickets costs $10) instead of sold traditionally. Meanwhile, Buying Night entrance tickets are going for $35 apiece.
Check out artswhistler.com/anonymous for tickets and more information. n
SECRET ADMIRERS Arts Whistler’s Anonymous Art Show is the organization’s primary annual fundraiser.
PHOTO BY TOSHA LOBSINGER
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE
Here’s a
CANDLELIGHT
PRINT & SIP WITH MELISSE CARRON
Spend a fun evening learning the art of screen printing from experienced print artist Mélisse Carron. Bring several T-shirts, hoodies or shirts to print and make your own iron-on patches.
> March 21, 5 to 7 p.m.
REGALIA WE TREASURE + BRAIDED HIDE CUFF CRAFT WORKSHOP
> Point Artist-Run Centre
> $40
DISCOVER YOUR ANIMAL SPIRIT WORKSHOP
Join a Cultural Ambassador on a guided tour to explore the traditional clothing styles and regalia-making art forms of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. Witness the creative process of crafting traditional regalia with modern approaches and view regalia, masks, cedar skirts, baskets, tools, and accessories. Learn about the craftsmanship behind buckskin preparation and create a braided hide cuff.
> March 25, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
> Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
In ancient times animals were humans. They considered themselves brothers and sisters. Some people were known to transform themselves into animals to help one another; stories and legends about the relationships between animals and people are intertwined with the cultures. Students are introduced to four animals in the traditional territory of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations—Eagle, Bear, Raven, and Wolf.
> March 21, 3 p.m.
> Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
> $35
THE STAND-UP STANDOFF
> $25
CANDLELIGHT: TRIBUTE TO COLDPLAY
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multisensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before. Discover the music of Coldplay under the gentle glow of candlelight in Whistler.
> March 22, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
> Maury Young Arts Centre
> Tickets start at $75.50
TRIVIA TUESDAYS
Question Everything Trivia in The Living Room is hosted by Ronald! First come, first serve so get in early as there are prizes to be won and you don’t want to miss out on a seat. Enjoy the Daily Deal feature of a half bottle of wine and any flatbread.
> March 25, 7 p.m.
> Pangea Pod Hotel Living Room
> $34.90
Whistler’s ultimate stand-up comedy competition and show sees six fearless stand-up comedians hit the stage to battle it out for big money! Once the dust settles, the powerhouse headliner takes over, delivering a knockout set to cap off this bare-knuckle comedy brawl where the only thing hitting harder than the competition are the punchlines! This month’s headliner is Alannah Brittany.
> March 26, 8 p.m.
> Dusty’s Bar and Grill
> Tickets start at $28
PADDLE RATTLE CRAFT WORKSHOP
Make a wooden paddle rattle using pre-cut wood and copper beads. Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations rattles or shakers are instruments used in ceremonies, community songs or gifted to newborn babies to repel bad spirits.
> March 27, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
> Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
> $45
Lounging in Whistler
BY ALLYN PRINGLE
JACK BRIGHT first arrived in the Whistler area with his wife Ann in 1967 as the new ski area manager, responsible for everything for the lift company that didn’t move (mountain manager Dave Mathews was responsible for the things that did move, such as lifts). In 1975, while Bright was still working for Garibaldi Lifts Ltd., the couple opened the Whistler Inn, described in its first season as “ultra modern yet rustic accommodation,” right near the shores of Nita Lake within walking distance to the lifts. After a seemingly successful first season, a restaurant and cocktail lounge was added onto the Inn in preparation for the winter of 1976-77.
In its first year, JB’s Dining Lounge featured some familiar faces in the area, as well as some new ones. Roger Systad, who had previously worked at the Brandywine Falls Restaurant, the Cheakamus Inn and L’Apres, was hired as the head chef, and John
disappointed to come in and find d’Artois playing folk music for a change.
The early winter of 1976-77 is still talked about today as very dry and cold, with little snow. D’Artois played at the Keg while Whistler Mountain was operating through the holidays and the beginning of 1977, but the lack of snow forced the lift company to close down in January. With no skiing, not many visitors were coming to Whistler, though residents embraced activities offered by the frozen lakes.
When it had finally snowed enough for the mountain to reopen in February, d’Artois was hired by Bright to perform at JB’s, similar to the position he held in Lake Louise. He played three 45-minute sets between 9 p.m. and midnight, mostly to a local crowd who soon knew his repertoire and were happy to put in requests. According to d’Artois, “not infrequently, Jack would call last call [and] people would leave, except those people that knew they didn’t have to leave.” They would have one last drink and d’Artois would play one last set.
Reynolds, manager, barman, and fixture of the Cheakamus Inn, returned to Whistler as the barman at the Whistler Inn. A few months after opening, JB’s also hired Michael d’Artois who, though he had been visiting the area to ski for years, was at Whistler for his first season as a full-time resident.
D’Artois had previously worked in the front office at Chateau Lake Louise until the general manager heard him singing and playing guitar at a staff contest. He was hired as a resident entertainer at the hotel for the next winter, playing in various spaces throughout the day. In the fall of 1976, when he decided to move up to Whistler, d’Artois left a demo tape at the Keg restaurant at Alta Lake and then returned to Vancouver. When he returned to Whistler, the Keg asked him, “Where have you been? You’re hired.” Although the Keg was known as the place to go for disco, apparently the staff were not
Not wanting to work late nights again the next winter, d’Artois opened the Valley Inn in a building on Nesters Road he rented from Rudy Hofmann. He stayed in the hotel business for a few years, even living onsite in Whistler Village while still under construction, before getting his real estate licence and starting a long career in real estate.
The Whistler Inn and JB’s are still standing in Creekside today, though they have changed some over the past five decades. The Whistler Inn is today known as the Whistler Resort & Club and JB’s has changed names a few times. The space became Hoz’s Pub under Ron Hosner in the 1980s and Karen Roland began working there in the 1990s. She took over the space in 2008 and today JB’s restaurant area houses Roland’s Pub while JB’s bar area has been transformed into the Red Door Bistro. n
FAMILIAR FACES Michael d’Artois, Laura McGuffin, Rod MacLeod and Mark Sadler entertain at the Alta Lake Community Club’s Children’s Christmas Party at the Keg. WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION, 1980
ASTROLOGY
Free Will Astrology
WEEK OF MARCH 21 BY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. From standing still, they can be running at 110 kilometres per hour three seconds later. But they can’t sustain that intensity. After a 20-second burst, they need to relax and recover. This approach serves them well, enabling them to prey on the small creatures they like to eat. I encourage you to be like a metaphorical cheetah in the coming weeks, Aries. Capitalize on the power of focused, energetic spurts. Aim for bursts of dedicated effort, followed by purposeful rest. You don’t need to pursue a relentless pace to succeed. Recognize when it’s right to push hard and when it’s time to recharge.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Inside a kaleidoscope, the coloured shards of glass are in an ever-shifting chaotic jumble. But internal mirrors present pleasing symmetrical designs to the person gazing into the kaleidoscope. I see a similar phenomenon going on in your life. Some deep intelligence within you (your higher self?) is creating intriguing patterns out of an apparent mess of fragments. I foresee this continuing for several weeks. So don’t be quick to jump to conclusions about your complicated life. A hidden order is there, and you can see its beauty if you’re patient and poised.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Spiders spin their webs with meticulous care, crafting structures that are delicate, strong, and useful. Their silk is five times more robust than steel of the same diameter. It’s waterproof, can stretch 140 per cent of its length without splitting, and maintains its sturdiness at temperatures as low as -40 degrees. With that in mind, Gemini, I bid you to work on fortifying and expanding your own web in the coming weeks—by which I mean your network of connections and support. It’s an excellent time to deepen and refine your relationships with the resources and influences that help hold your world together.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Chichén Itzá was a large pre-Columbian city from around 600 to 1200 CE. It was built by Mayan people in what’s now Mexico. At the city centre was a pyramid, The Temple of Kukulcán. During the equinoxes, and only on the equinoxes, sunlight fell on its steps in such a way as to suggest a snake descending the stairs. The mathematical, architectural, and astronomical knowledge necessary to create this entertaining illusion was phenomenal. In that spirit, I am pleased to tell you that you are now capable of creating potent effects through careful planning. Your strategic thinking will be enhanced, especially in projects that require long-term vision. The coming weeks will be a favourable time for initiatives that coordinate multiple elements to generate fun and useful outcomes.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Fireflies produce very efficient light. Nearly all the energy expended in their internal chemical reactions is turned directly into their intense glow. By contrast, light bulbs are highly inefficient. In accordance with astrological omens, Leo, I urge you to be like a firefly in the coming weeks, not a light bulb. You will have dynamic power to convert your inner beauty into outer beauty. Be audacious! Be uninhibited! Shower the world with full doses of your radiant gifts.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Brazil nut trees grow in the Amazon—but if only they are in the vicinity of orchid bees, their sole pollinators. And orchid bees thrive in no other place except where there are lots of blooming orchids. So the Brazil nut tree has very specific requirements for its growth and well-being. You Virgos aren’t quite so picky about the influences that keep you fertile and flourishing— though sometimes I do worry about it. The good news is that in the coming months, you will be casting a wider net in quest of inspiration and support. I suspect you will gather most, maybe all, of the inspiration and support you need.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In 1858, businessperson James Miller Williams was digging a new water well on his land in Ontario, hoping to compensate for a local drought.
ROB BREZSNY
He noticed oil was seeping out of the hole he had scooped. Soon, he became the first person in North America to develop a commercial oil well. I suspect that you, too, may soon stumble upon valuable fuels or resources, Libra—and they may be different from what you imagined you were looking for. Be alert and open-minded for unexpected discoveries.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I’ve been through the U.S. education system, and I can testify that our textbooks don’t give the French enough of the credit they deserve for helping our fledgling nation gain independence from Great Britain. The 18th-century American Revolution would not have succeeded without extensive aid from France. So I’m a little late, but I am hereby showering France with praise and gratitude for its intervention. Now I encourage you, too, to compensate for your past lack of full appreciation for people and influences that have been essential to you becoming yourself. It’s a different kind of atonement: not apologizing for sins, but offering symbolic and even literal rewards to underestimated helpers and supporters.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): As I survey the astrological aspects, I am tempted to encourage you to be extra expansive about love. I am curious to see the scintillating intimacy you might cultivate. So, in the hope you’re as intrigued by the experimental possibilities as I am, I invite you to memorize the following words by author Maya Angelou and express them to a person with whom you want to play deeper and wilder: “You are my living poem, my symphony of the untold, my golden horizon stretched beyond what the eye can see. You rise in me like courage, fierce and unyielding, yet soft as a lullaby sung to a weary soul. You are my promise kept, my hope reborn, the infinite melody in the heart of silence. I hold you in the marrow of my joy, where you are home.”
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Four facts about a mountain goat as it navigates along steep and rocky terrain: 1. It’s strong and vigorous; 2. It’s determined and unflappable; 3. It’s precise and disciplined; 4. It calls on enormous stamina and resilience. According to my astrological analysis, you Capricorns will have maximum access to all these capacities during the coming weeks. You can use them to either ascend to seemingly impossible heights or descend to fantastically interesting depths. Trust in your power to persevere. Love the interesting journey as much as the satisfaction of reaching the goal of the journey.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Swiss Army knife is a compact assemblage of tools. These may include a nail file, scissors, magnifying glass, screwdriver, pliers, blade, can opener, and many others. Is there a better symbol for adaptability and preparedness? I urge you to make it your metaphorical power object during the coming weeks, Aquarius. Explore new frontiers of flexibility, please. Be ready to shift perspective and approach quickly and smoothly. Be as agile and multifaceted as you dare.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on the planet. If, Goddess forbid, lumber harvesters cut down one of these beauties, it can be used to build more than 20 houses. And yet each mature tree begins as a seed the size of a coat button. Its monumental growth is steady and slow, relying on robust roots and a symbiotic relationship with a fungus that enables it to absorb water from fog. I propose we make the redwood your power symbol for now, Pisces. Inspired by its process, I hope you implement the magic of persistent, incremental growth. Treasure the fact that a fertile possibility has the potential, with patience and nurturing, to ripen into a long-term asset. Trust that small efforts, fuelled by collaboration, will lead to gratifying achievements.
Homework: Henry James said, “Excellence does not require perfection.” Give an example from your own life. Newsletter. FreeWillAstrology.com.
In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates
EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES
In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com
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( Internet). Non Smoking building and no pets allowed. Spa and pool in building. Available from May 1st to September 30th 2025. Cost per month is $2600. Call 604-809-5398 if interested
We promotefrom withinandarelooking to strengthenouramazingteam.Opportunitiesfor advancementinto managementpositionsalwaysexistfortheright candidates.Don’t missout onbeingable to build withtheteamthatbuildsthe mostsignificantprojectsinWhistler. Send your resume to info@evrfinehomes.com We lookforward to hearingfrom you!
•Competitive Wages&FullBenefits
•Supportive&Collaborative Team
• Tuition remissionforchildren
•Schoolworkingschedulewith summersoff
Currentlylookingfora:
ElementaryEducationAssistant
32.5hours/week
$27-32/perhour (dependsonexperience)
View whistlerwaldorf.com/employment
Email hr@whistlerwaldorf.com
» piquenewsmagazine.com/jobs
We’reHiring:ExecutiveDirector
TheSea to Sky HospiceSocietyisseekinga compassionateanddynamicleader to join our teamasExecutiveDirector.Ifyouhave experienceinnon-profitleadership,fundraising, and communityengagement,thisisyour opportunity to make ameaningfulimpact.
LocatedinSquamish,BC
30hrs/week |Starting wagefrom$45/hr
ApplybyMarch28,2025
To learnmore&apply,visit: https://seatoskyhospicesociety.ca/executive-director/
Child & Family Services
ÚlÍus Community Centre
• Social Worker ($80,371.20 - $91,673.40 per year)
• Transition House Support Worker ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• Director of Human Resources ($93,475.20 to $101,556 per year)
Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre
Child & Family Services
• Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Operation Manager ($59,878 to $73,564 per year)
• Program Manager ($57,330 to $64,610.00 per year)
• Social Worker ($80,371.20 to $91,673.40 per year)
• Operations Manager ($59,878.00 to $73,564.40 per year)Would you please highlight/emphasize this position?
Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre
• Operation Manager ($59,878 to $73,564 per year)
• Family Mentor ($38,038 to $53,599 per year) - Would you please highlight/emphasize this position?
• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour
• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• Administrative Assistant ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)
Xet’òlacw Community School
Xet’òlacw Community School
• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
• Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Camp Counsellor ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
Community Development
• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
Community Development
• Community Justice Development Facilitator ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year)
Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/
PUT YOURCAREER ON ANEW PATH
FACILITIESENGINEER
FullTime, Year Round
The FacilitiesEngineerisresponsiblefortherepair,maintenance,and efficient operation of allmajormechanical,electrical,andplumbing systems,aswellastheupkeep of commonareas at theWhistler ConferenceCentre,WhistlerGolfCourse,andDrivingRange.This role alsosupportssustainabilityinitiativesandprovides technicalguidance to theteam.
/dəˈkôrəm/ n. -behaviour in keeping with good taste and propriety.
WHETHER IT’S from our parents, our schools or other childhood influences, good manners are an important part of any human’s upbringing. Respect your elders, especially those who helped raise you. Don’t pry into people’s business. Don’t stare at people who are visibly less fortunate than you.
BY VINCE SHULEY
At some point in late teenage years or early adulthood, maintaining good manners becomes a decision for the individual to make. It’s you who decides whether you hold the door open for that stranger or help the mom when she drops her shopping bags while juggling two toddlers. Most people would pass these daily tests of social decorum. But when we start speaking or acting in a heightened emotional state, that decorum can easily be thrown out the window.
It’s not like our societal leaders are setting the best examples. The recent White House meeting between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the president and
vice president of the U.S. didn’t just make me feel embarrassed for America, it made me embarrassed for Western society as a whole. Young people all over the globe were tuning into news coverage (likely shared through a biased social media filter) to witness this “world leader” dressing down a strategic ally like a mob boss. The following week, Trump addressed a joint session of congress and went so far as to question why the democrats— the people he’d been publicly insulting, demeaning and threatening for the better part of a decade—weren’t adhering to the political decorum expected of elected officials.
I’ve always seen Canada as the more polite nation of the English-speaking world.
of the year. A total 87 centimetres of snowfall in the space of a weekend is enough to get every skier out of the woodwork, creating traffic congestion, long lift lines and even longer waits for alpine terrain to open. And unfortunately, it’s this passionate froth that brings out the worst of Whistler ski culture. Decorum seemingly evaporates on a pow day. The bigger the snowfall, the bigger the attitude, the bigger the bravado.
Where the heightened emotional states are most likely to spill over on big snow days is in our lift lines. Specifically, the first lift of the day to access the mountain, and a few hours later, the alpine lifts. People camp out for hours to be first, or at least in the first
Lift-line cutters are the MAGA of the ski world.
When I came to North America (to start what was supposed to be a short-lived ski-bum career), I worked at a Californian resort first. While on the surface it seemed friendly and welcoming, under the surface there was a fierce competitive nature to the people from the southern part of that state, even in the ski towns. When I moved to Whistler the following season, I experienced little to none of that.
But that was a long time ago, and time can’t hold progress. Whistler has grown in population, just as the sport of skiing has grown. There’s more competition here than ever for our housing, our lakeside spots, our powder.
March 8 to 10 was undeniably the storm
wave. Depending on the day, the wait can pay off for what might be your best powder run of the year. Waiting for lifts to crack can be a cold, uncomfortable affair—it’s not for everybody. Some people would rather keep moving and ski tracked-up snow on other parts of the mountain.
Others try to have it both ways, arriving late to the lineup party and expecting that cutting in front of hundreds of people is fine, because their friends have been waiting it out on their behalf. This is the first act showing an obvious lack of decorum. It’s not about having one more pair of tracks in front of you, it’s the fact that we waited, and you didn’t.
The reaction from the lift-line early birds can either be to ignore the snake, heckle the snake or confront the snake. If you choose to confront with aggression and hostility, that’s the second lack of decorum.
From there, what’s supposed to be a fun and fulfilling pow day on one of the best ski hills in the world can degenerate into petty arguments, name-calling and even physical altercations. I don’t know about you, but that’s not what I get up early on a Whistler pow day for. The backcountry is currently a haven away from this crowd-fuelled nonsense, but make no mistake, it’s coming for us there, too. Best we maintain a more refined decorum to keep the backcountry peaceful.
In the wake of the March 8 to 10 storm and resulting on-hill chaos, I’ve seen footage of the biggest Spanky’s Ladder lineup in years (with an equal and opposite Dirty Line); I’ve read a local meme-generator opine how cutting into a pow day line to join your friends should be socially acceptable; and worst, I’ve seen footage of a fight kick off in a Whistler lift line which apparently had nothing to do with powder at all. Whistler has grown in popularity to the point where decorum matters little, and if you don’t like it, your only option is to go skiing somewhere else.
And for those who think joining their friends at the front of the pow day lift line is somehow socially acceptable, it isn’t. It demonstrates that you’re in it for you and your cohort alone, not the greater community around you. Lift-line cutters are the MAGA of the ski world.
This is Whistler. We can do better. Let’s do better.
Vince Shuley does his best to maintain decorum in the town where he lives. n
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