Pique Newsmagazine 2750

DECEMBER 10, 2020 ISSUE 27.50

WWW.PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM

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ACTION FIGURES

WILDERNESS RESCUERS

BRACE FOR A BUSY WINTER

14

VITAL SNAPSHOT

Report offers a

snapshot of pre-pandemic reality

16

CLOSING TIME

Eatery Three Below

becomes COVID-19 casualty

48

WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL Indian Road Trip film started with a WFF fellowship

Spread Cheer & Happiness this Holiday Season!

What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney?

Answer: Claus-trophobia!

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CONGRATULATIONS

to our Epic Ski Pass raffle winner Andrew Bacon, Whistle Ride Share Manager and WhistlerLive Event Coordinator and Host.

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

44

Backcountry boom

40

48

Wilderness rescuers brace for a busy winter—As COVID-19 pushes people into the backcountry, SAR groups from the Pacific Northwest to the Sea to Sky expect a spike in rescues. - By Jane C. Hu, High Country News, and Megan Lalonde

14

VITAL SNAPSHOT

Whistler’s 2020 Vital

28

PEMBY COUNCIL

Pemberton could soon see

Exploration report offers a snapshot of the resort’s pre-pandemic reality,

the gates to Nairn Falls open for the winter, after council discussed a

for the first time benchmarked against four other B.C. communities.

related funding request on Dec. 8.

16

44

CLOSING TIME

The owners of Three Below

SLIDING SEASON

Local luge athlete Reid

announced the village restaurant was closing permanently last month

Watts kicked off his season by successfully defending his Canadian

with government COVID-19 financial assistance too little too late.

Championship title at the Whistler Sliding Centre on Saturday.

20 RESIDENT HOUSING

48

The municipality is

ROAD TRIP

Indian Road Trip all started with a

moving forward with a $10-million investment in resident housing next

Whistler Film Festival fellowship five years ago. Now it’s set to debut at

year, but the spend isn’t without risks—and a few unknowns as well.

this year’s festival.

COVER In a winter like no other, probably a good idea to take extra precautions and think twice about your decisions in the backcountry. - By Jon Parris 4 DECEMBER 10, 2020

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS While some progress has been made in addressing violence and

#202 -1390 ALPHA LAKE RD., FUNCTION JUNCTION, WHISTLER, B.C. V8E 0H9.

PH: (604) 938-0202 FAX: (604) 938-0201 www.piquenewsmagazine.com

discrimination against women, much more needs to be done.

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A letter writer this week asks BC Hydro to reconsider the

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com Editor CLARE OGILVIE - edit@piquenewsmagazine.com Assistant Editor ALYSSA NOEL - arts@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@wplpmedia.com Production Manager KARL PARTINGTON - kpartington@wplpmedia.com Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@wplpmedia.com Advertising Representatives AMY ALLEN - aallen@wplpmedia.com TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com Digital/Sales Coordinator AMELA DIZDARIC - traffic@wplpmedia.com Production production@piquenewsmagazine.com LOU O’BRIEN - lstevens@wplpmedia.com

scrapping of a program to help people in need.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Writer Andrew Mitchell gets into the holiday spirit with his list of … not who is naughty or nice, but rather the dos and don’ts of Christmas during a pandemic.

62 MAXED OUT Max urges us to dig deep and be thankful for what we have this holiday season and offers a shout out to Whistler Blackcomb as it opens and operates in the pandemic.

Environment & Adventure

Arts & Entertainment Editor ALYSSA NOEL arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

38 SCIENCE MATTERS When it comes to acknowledging and addressing environmental racism,

Sports Editor DAN FALLOON - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

Canada comes up short argues David Suzuki.

Features Editor BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com

39 THE OUTSIDER Vince Shuley revisits the idea of uphill skiing on Whistler Blackcomb offering up a

Reporters BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@wplpmedia.com Classifieds and Reception mail@piquenewsmagazine.com Office and Accounts Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com I.T. and Webmaster KARL PARTINGTON Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, MICHAEL ALLEN, FEET BANKS, LESLIE ANTHONY, ALLEN BEST, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY, LISA RICHARDSON President, Whistler Publishing LP SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com

suggestion to help make it a reality.

Lifestyle & Arts

46 EPICURIOUS Cacoa has long been revered by people all over the world. It is also the inspiration for Whistler’s Cacao Now, which sells a range of organic, vegan cacao snacks.

50 MUSEUM MUSINGS The ‘70s were a busy time on Whistler Mountain as it continued to add new lifts, improve runs, and expand the menu at the Roundhouse.

Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Whistler Publishing Limited Partnership, a division of Glacier Media) distributed to over 130 locations in Whistler and to over 200 locations from Vancouver to D’arcy.

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In no event shall unsolicited material subject this publication to any claim or fees. Copyright in letters and other (unsolicited) materials submitted and accepted for publication remains with the author but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms.

Letters to the Editor must contain the author’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 250 words. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine.

Pique Newsmagazine is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact (edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com). If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil. ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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OPENING REMARKS

We have work to do IT’S

BEING CALLED a shadow pandemic—as if it has just appeared on the horizon like COVID-19 did.

But this has been part of my life and that of many of my friends, colleagues and indeed the Canadian population for decades and decades.

One of the most important things I believe I have done to combat it is raise my two children to not only be aware of it, but to stand against it every time they see it.

What is it? It is gender-based violence and discrimination. It is misogyny, sexism, femicide.

BY CLARE OGILVIE edit@piquenewsmagazine.com

It happens at work, at home, while women are living their lives in a thousand ways on and offline. There are still too many women living in fear, who do not know how or cannot reach out for support. And, as we have seen in this coronavirus time, women on the margins are most at risk— women of colour, Indigenous, racialized, new immigrants and those in the north or rural areas.

finishes Dec. 10, World Human Rights Day. During this time, Canada also marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on Dec. 6. That was the day, 31 years ago, a gunman entered a classroom at École Polytechnique Montréal, deliberately separated the women and the men, and opened fire on the women, killing 14. He shouted, “I hate all feminists.” He injured many more before turning the gun on himself.

Canada was shocked, and the mostly white, male government took immediate steps to investigate how this could possibly have happened, forming a committee to study violence against women.

It didn’t get to travel across this great country collecting evidence, nor did it even get any real funding! But despite this, it produced a report, “The War Against Women,” from the Subcommittee on the Status of Women, with meaningful recommendations, which were... ignored.

COVID-19 has caused a 20- to 30-percent increase in rates of gender-based violence in some parts of Canada.

Every time this type of violence happens we are shocked and outraged as if it never happens in Canada. But it does and we

Governments are recognizing the issue perhaps more deeply than ever before. (Maybe one of the only things we can thank COVID-19 for).

A woman is killed every six days by her intimate partner in Canada.

Today, Dec. 10, is the last day of the annual observance of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, started by the UN. It began Nov. 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and

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need to stop pretending that we are too civilized here for this horrendous genderbased violence to be an everyday occurrence, because it is. This is terrorism.

It happened again in 2018 when a young man used a van as a weapon to hit women in Toronto because he couldn’t get a date.

Eight women and two men were killed in his attack and he was charged with 10 counts

of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

Last year, a serial domestic abuser went on a shooting spree in Nova Scotia that left 22 dead, the majority women. In May, a woman was held for hours in a tent in an Oppenheimer Park camp and repeatedly assaulted. She was held captive in the tent screaming for 15 hours before she escaped, and no one did anything to help her in that time. And there are murder-suicides, never-ending cases of domestic abuse and homicides.

Connect the dots... this is rooted in misogyny.

Women make up 79 per cent of homicides by an intimate partner and about 40 per cent of women in Canada have been physically or sexually assaulted at some point in their lives (since the age of 15).

Governments are recognizing the issue perhaps more deeply than ever before.

(Maybe one of the only things we can thank COVID-19 for). Over the past four years, Ottawa has developed and implemented its first Strategy to Prevent and Address GenderBased Violence, it has increased financial supports to frontline organizations more than fivefold since 2015 and as part of the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, $100 million is being provided to sexual assault centres, shelters and organizations providing supports and services to women and children experiencing gender-based violence.

The government has built 7,000 new shelter units for survivors of violence, created 45,000 new affordable housing units and repaired or renovated another 60,700 units. It has also reviewed nearly 30,000 sexual assault cases categorized initially as “unfounded” and through legislation it has clarified the legal definition of consent.

All I can say is, it’s a start.

If you need help please reach out to the Women’s Centre at hswc.ca. Or call the crisis line at 1 877 890 5711.n

Enjoy the 2020/21 Winter Season Steve Shuster

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Put customers first

crisis support funds, but ongoing bill relief for those that need it. Despite a small but vocal minority that opposes these critical measures, by BC Hydro’s own estimates, 88 per cent of British Columbians approve of continuing the CCF. One of BC Hydro’s justifications for cancelling the program is low rates of participation. However, this is likely a result of needlessly restrictive criteria and limited awareness of the program.

Instead of cancelling the Customer Crisis Fund, BC Hydro could adopt more inclusive application criteria similar to other successful crisis programs in Canada—and more actively promote the program.

The Customer Crisis Fund has certainly not been perfect in its design or execution, but cancelling it entirely, in the midst of a crisis, is not the answer and will only serve to further harm those most impacted by the pandemic.

Dylan Heerema, P.Eng., senior analyst and researcher, Ecotrust Canada n

BC Hydro’s cynical move to cancel an important lifeline program has the potential to put the most vulnerable customers at risk just when help is needed most.

BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis Fund (CCF) is designed to protect customers facing unexpected economic hardship, by providing a one-time grant for bill payment. The BC NDP government directed BC Hydro to implement this program in 2018, after failing to deliver on a promise to create a permanent “lifeline rate” for qualifying households.

Now, in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, BC Hydro is proposing to terminate the CCF at the end of March 2021, leaving B.C. with no utility bill support programs at all. This would leave the more than 270,000 B.C. households that face energy poverty with nowhere to turn for assistance, and at risk of having their power shut off if they fall behind on their bills.

Ecotrust Canada is an enterprising charity that works with communities to ensure that everyone can affordably access clean energy to meet their basic needs, including heating, lighting, cooking, and communication. A study we conducted in May showed that one on five British Columbians were having a harder time paying their utility bills since the COVID-19 crisis began.

BC Hydro’s planned move would be out of step with several other provinces including Ontario, which provides not only

“BC Hydro’s planned move would be out of step with several other provinces including Ontario, which provides not only crisis support funds, but ongoing bill relief for those that need it.”

FOR THE RECORD In an article last week in Pique, “Whistler has had around 200 confirmed COVID cases, mostly in recent weeks,” it was stated that the new trauma room upgrade project is being partially funded by the Whistler Health Care Foundation. In fact the Foundation will be funding the full amount of the project. Pique regrets the error. n

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Backcountry Advisory AS OF WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9 The storm early in the week thrashed the Coast Mountains with strong southwest winds, copious amounts of rain, and some snow at high elevations. This warm deluge might have been a bit of a sloppy mess for those dreaming of blower pow, but this should play out well for us in the long term. Wet, heavy snow offers a pretty incredible foundation to build our season’s snowpack on. A little colder snow at upper elevations will have given alpine slopes a nice refresh.

Through the week, temperatures cooled to more seasonal norms with intermittent flurries and cloudy skies. The sun may poke out Friday, illuminating the alpine before a round of flurries and clouds cover the sky.

As you climb through the trees and venture into the alpine, the good news is that we’re not very concerned about any deeply buried weak layers, but the snowpack isn’t without isolated

surface instabilities and other mountain hazards. Wind slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering in extreme terrain.

Additionally, cornices that grew in the last storm may be larger and more reactive than on your last visit.

As we get ready for the holiday season, now is a good time to do a thorough inspection of your gear, so you can let Santa know what you need for an epic winter. Remember, a transceiver, probe, and shovel are essential gear every time you go beyond the ski area boundary. And avalanche education courses make great gifts. Think of the AST1 (Avalanche Skills Training level 1) course as the basic level you need to safely play in the backcountry. And don’t forget to check out Avy Savvy, our new online avalanche tutorial, at avysavvy.ca.

Have a safe weekend in the mountains and stay healthy. ■

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/mountaininfo/snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.

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.

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PIQUE N’ YER INTEREST

COVID-19 Christmas etiquette UNLESS YOUR HOLIDAY traditions involve sitting at home, twiddling thumbs, and wondering what all your friends and family members are doing right now, things are going to be a lot different this Christmas.

That doesn’t have to mean it has to be terrible,

BY ANDREW MITCHELL one last splatter on the turd pile that has been 2020—done right, Christmas 2020 could actually be great.

I’ve put together a simple list of Dos and Don’ts for having a Merry COVID-19 Christmas and making the most of our collective predicament.

DO put up decorations even if nobody is coming to visit. Make Whistler visible from Deep Space if you can. Somehow it helps. Growing up on an endless stream of movies and TV specials about people saving Christmas probably has something to do with it. Just look what a few lights and ornaments did for Charlie Brown’s miserable little tree.

DON’T have a big Christmas Party with all your friends and relatives. As hard as it’s going to be to cancel those annual traditions, whether it’s a big family dinner or standing around the tree with friends and rapping

along with Run-D.M.C.’s “Christmas in Hollis,” (the time is now / the place is here / and the whole wide world is filled with cheer) it has to be done. If someone got sick and took a turn for the worse, imagine how horrible you would feel—you know, assuming you’re not a sociopath or a billionaire/world leader who can afford Dexamethasone, Remdesivir and Monoclonal antibody therapy.

DO something. Get friends and bubble groups together online or in an outdoor space where you can yell nice things at each other from a safe, socially responsible distance. Speaking of which…

DO shut up about Zoom. Zoom is far from the first video conferencing platform out there, people have been using Skype for 17 years now and before that there were probably half a dozen other options to choose from. The first web cam under $100 came out in 1996. There are literally dozens of ways to connect with family and friends over the holidays that are free and won’t kick you off after 40 minutes.

DO spike the eggnog. Spike the hell out of it. If you’re mulling wine, throw in an extra clove. And more wine. Hot toddies?

Why notty? Barbecue up some chestnuts and serve with an ice-cold, locally brewed holiday lager (which is basically a regular lager served anytime during the 12 days of Christmas).

DO plunk yourself down on a sofa and binge the holiday classics as if everything is

perfectly normal with no need to panic. My personal favourite is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, followed by A Muppet Christmas Carol. I’m also a fan of Scrooged, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Arthur Christmas, and Home Alone. For some reason I always end up watching It’s a Wonderful Life at this time of year—not because it ends with that slamming Christmas party at the Bailey House, but for its insights into the commercial banking system.

DON’T go Christmas Caroling after drinking too much spiked nog. All those popped P’s and B’s in Silver Bells and Little Drummer Boy could potentially trigger a super-spreader event. But if you do feel like super spreading your cheer musically …

DO put together a Christmas playlist and share with your friends. Or if you happen to have a trenchcoat and classic Toshiba RT-SX1 boom box, stand outside your friends’ houses and blast some Christmas.

The 1977 Chevy Malibu is optional.

DON’T hang mistletoe. In fact, all mistletoe decorations should be encased in concrete and submerged in at least 10 metres of water until scientists can come up with cures for both coronavirus AND cooties.

DO proudly wear an ugly Christmas sweater, or whatever ugly sweater best represents your religious or cultural beliefs.

The point is ugly sweaters. They go great with the sweatpants nobody can see us wearing on

Zoom—which, again, you can shut up about.

DON’T give Bezos and his billionaire buddies every cent of your money this year.

While millions of people are struggling to make ends meet, billionaires have increased their wealth by over a trillion dollars during this pandemic—with probably only a tiny percentage donated back to worthy causes.

The only thing these guys should be getting for Christmas this year is pictures of torches and pitchforks.

DO shop locally as much as possible.

Wear a mask because it’s the considerate thing to do, wait your turn on the tape lines outside, buy something awesome, and get yourself a genuine, “Thank you and Merry Christmas!” in return—way more festive than that “Order Confirmed” message page you get shopping online.

DON’T get down on yourself. Honestly, we place far too much significance on these holidays and traditions, which only makes it harder on people that are homesick, lonely or are otherwise struggling. And if you are struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Everyone has an inner elf just waiting for the opportunity to be someone’s Christmas miracle.

DO have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. It will be different, but different is OK. Small is OK. Homemade is OK. I’m OK. You’re OK. And the whole freaking world is going to be OK. Eventually… ■

DECEMBER 10, 2020

13

NEWS WHISTLER

Vital Exploration offers prepandemic snapshot of Whistler FOR FIRST TIME, REPORT DATA WAS BENCHMARKED AGAINST OTHER B.C. COMMUNITIES

BY BRANDON BARRETT

(The report can be read in full at whistlerfoundation.com/work/vital-signs.)

THE RECENTLY released Vital Signs report—renamed “A Vital Exploration” for 2020—offers a snapshot of pre-pandemic life in Whistler that was, for the first time, benchmarked against several other B.C. communities.

Compiled by community foundations in Whistler, Squamish, West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island, the report gauges the well-being of each respective community, and was based on 2016 census data, Vital Signs reports from the participating foundations, and several research studies from the past four years.

Whistler Community Foundation (WCF) executive director Claire Mozes said the intent was “to see what other communities were doing well and where other communities had gaps, and to use it as a learning tool for all of us.”

There were several notable trends from the report, including changes in population growth, the workforce and housing.

COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS

VITAL TALKS Community members gather at a Vital Café hosted by the Whistler Community Foundation last fall.

FILE PHOTO BY MEGAN LALONDE

14 DECEMBER 10, 2020

Whistler experienced the highest population growth among the benchmark communities, growing by nearly 21 per cent between the 2011 and 2016 census. And while it is no

Whistler’s young adults on the issues that matter most to them.

“In our communities, I think it’s going to amplify the issues if we don’t have youth involved, if we don’t have young people in that age range making decisions about Whistler,” said Mozes. “It really does matter.”

Mozes said engaging youth is a challenge across the participating communities, but

“In our communities, I think it’s going to amplify the issues if we don’t have youth involved.”

- CLAIRE MOZES

surprise that Whistler’s demographics skew younger than the average community, it’s notable that almost half—49 per cent—of the resort’s resident base falls in the 20-to39 age bracket, with no other community hitting higher than 31 per cent (Pemberton).

The data, along with the WCF’s recent Vital Café on youth health and wellness, convinced the non-profit that more outreach needs to be done to engage

particularly in Whistler, with it’s annual influx of seasonal workers—who, it should be noted, are not counted in the census.

Coun. Jen Ford believes Whistler might benefit from a program similar to one in Abbotsford, where young adults shadow council members to learn the ins and outs of local government.

“They are the frontline workers of our community. They are pouring

coffee and running chairlifts,” she said.

“This town doesn’t operate without that demographic. Sure, they may not have a vote in a municipal or a federal election, but does their impression make or break our community? Absolutely.”

While having a high proportion of residents from other countries, Whistler’s ethnic makeup remains relatively homogenous, with 78 per cent of residents from a European background, followed by nine per cent of East Asian or Southeast Asian descent, two per cent of Aboriginal descent, one per cent of Latin or South American descent, and one per cent of South Asian descent. Eight per cent of residents were from other backgrounds.

Also, 80 per cent of residents named English as their mother tongue, followed

by Chinese dialects (five per cent), Tagalog (two per cent), Slavic (two per cent), and German (two per cent). Other languages make up nine per cent of Whistler’s linguistic profile.

“I think the 2020 census, we’ll see a different makeup here in Whistler,” said Vital Signs project coordinator Libby McKeever, noting the recent shift in immigration patterns (at least, pre-COVID) with, for instance, an emphasis on bringing in trained chefs from Morocco over the past year-plus.

NEWS WHISTLER “I know the Whistler Multicultural Network has done great things as far as getting into businesses to try and talk to employers about cultural shifts and opening their minds up to how people do things. It’s slow, but it’s coming.”

WHISTLER’S WORKFORCE Whistler and Pemberton led the way in terms of employment among the benchmark communities, with 86 per cent of residents employed in both communities, compared to just 52 per cent among the admittedly older population of West Vancouver, for instance.

Five per cent of Whistlerites identified as unemployed, with another nine per cent either retired, too young, or otherwise unable to work. Fifteen per cent of Whistler’s workforce identifies as self-employed.

Unsurprisingly, Whistler’s primary employment sectors looked much different from the other communities, with sales and service making up the lion’s share of the workforce, followed by trades and transport, management, and other sectors.

“If you look at the employment sector compared to some of these other communities, sales and service stands out hugely,” said Mozes, highlighting the

homeowners are considered in core housing need, higher than the B.C. average (21 per cent), and higher than all of the other benchmark communities.

Whistler also had the lowest proportion of residents in subsidized housing, at eight per cent, when compared to the other communities, and, remarkably, a whopping 61 per cent of privately owned dwellings in Whistler are unoccupied or temporarily occupied. In Squamish, by comparison, that number is only at four per cent, while the B.C. average is nine per cent.

Given Whistler’s years-long affordable housing shortage, addressing the resort’s empty homes seems like low-hanging fruit, Mozes said.

“I don’t really know what that answer is, but when I look at it, that is unused housing, and it’s a lot,” she said. “We have the space here, we just have to figure out how to fill it.”

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COMMUNITY WELL-BEING Overall, Sea to Sky residents reported being in relatively good health, although either end of the resort’s age scale were more likely to feel social disconnection.

Based on 2018 survey data from School District 48, nearly 20 per cent of youth in Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton

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- JEN FORD

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volatility of the sector that has been put into full view during the pandemic. “When you think about those jobs, they’re not jobs you can generally do from home. They’re not jobs that you can generally do in the same amount of hours, so if those fold, that’s pretty big compared to some of the other communities. I think Whistler’s more volatile in some ways.”

HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY Housing and affordability, as they have for years, remain top of mind for many Whistlerites, with 45 per cent of renters considered to be in “core housing need,” which occurs when housing falls below at least one of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s adequacy, affordability or suitability standards, and occupants spend 30 per cent or more of their income on housing.

That is just above the B.C. average of 43 per cent, and below West Vancouver (58 per cent) and the Sunshine Coast (52 per cent).

Only West Vancouver renters pay more in shelter cost than Whistlerites, who pay, on average, roughly $1,800 a month.

Owners, meanwhile, pay close to $2,000 a month, which, again, was only eclipsed by West Vancouver.

Thirty-two per cent of Whistler

(grouped together in the survey) reported experiencing depression, while 24 per cent reported feelings of anxiety or panic attacks, and just over 20 per cent reported needing emotional or mental health services, which mostly aligned with provincial averages.

“I think those numbers are high and a lot of it has to do with belonging,” McKeever said speaking generally about young people.

“A lot of youth here, 18 to 35, are here on their own and they’re away [from home] for the first time.”

Whistler seniors, meanwhile, were more likely to live alone than the other comparative communities, with a third, or 950 people, living on their own.

It is admittedly a tough data point to interpret, as Whistler’s seniors are typically more active and self-sufficient than in other regions, but the lack of specialized healthcare services here could also skew the numbers, as seniors may be more likely to leave Whistler in search of care.

McKeever said COVID has only exacerbated the social isolation Whistler’s seniors may be feeling.

“Because of COVID, there’s a lot of mental health issues and as people retire, not being out in the community meeting and greeting people and having that social interaction is difficult,” she said. n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Putting commercial rent subsidy in hands of tenants too little, too late VILLAGE RESTAURANT THREE BELOW ANNOUNCES IT IS CLOSING PERMANENTLY

BY BRANDON BARRETT AFTER A DOZEN years in the resort, local haunt Three Below has announced it is closing permanently, a move that could have been avoided had the federal government put its commercial rent subsidy in the hands of tenants sooner than it did, said the restaurant’s owner.

“Certainly it was a little bit too late,” said Priyanka Lewis, owner-operator of Three Below, along with Brickworks and Main Street Noodles. “Obviously now the rent subsidy has moved into the hands of the tenants, and I think if that was the case from the beginning, we would have made it at Three Below.”

Last month, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy was amended to allow commercial tenants to apply directly to Ottawa for rent and mortgage-payment assistance, without the need for landlord support.

Although the landlords for Main Street Noodles and Brickworks gave their OK to apply for the subsidy from the get-go, Three Below didn’t have the same luxury, and last month was pushed to vacate the space—

which, ironically enough, came around the same time the feds tweaked the rent assistance program.

“I think a lot of people were frustrated by that,” said Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association. “[Restaurants] have gone six, seven months and in many cases, I think the main reason that some of them were able to survive was we had a decent summer with patios, the liquor policy and different things.

But as you get into the fall, absolutely, it is late. They’re running out of cash. It would’ve been nice six months ago, for sure, and might’ve changed the outcome.”

Lewis and her team got creative to shore up some of the losses caused by the pandemic—she said revenue is down more than 50 per cent since new health restrictions were announced Nov. 7. This summer, Brickworks pivoted to begin offering fish and chips and poutine for delivery and takeout, before resuming in-person dining. Now, they are preparing to launch a midweek delivery concept out of the Brickworks kitchen, selling burgers and chicken sandwiches.

“I don’t think we could have been any more inventive,” she said. “We’re really

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trying to think about how we can make the most out of the space and how we can generate the most out of the venues.”

Appreciative of the balance both the B.C. and federal governments have to strike between public and economic health, Tostenson did note how challenging it

“Certainly it was a little bit too late.”

- PRIYANKA LEWIS

can be for businesses already operating on razor-thin margins when funding initiatives and health orders are regularly revised.

That uncertainty is even more prevalent in Whistler, where, historically, businesses rely on the financial surety of busier periods like Christmas and summer to plan out their operations for the year. He pointed to the Liberals’ lowering the base commercial wage subsidy from its original 75 per cent to 65 per cent as an example.

“That subsidy has been a game-changer

for most people. The issue that happened was when they started to change it,” he said. “It’s a good program, but when they changed it the way they did … it just creates more uncertainty for the business owner, that’s the problem.

“It’s wreaking havoc with the businessplanning cycle.”

The labour shortage adds another layer of uncertainty for Whistler restaurants trying to determine how they will staff their operations if this winter brings with it a bump in visitation similar to what the resort experienced this summer.

“My concern right now with the travel restriction is we’re contemplating whether we need to close a couple days a week because the revenue is just not there, which means we’re going to have to possibly cut shifts for people, which means that if in three or four weeks, in January, when the vaccine rolls out, we’re going to need more staff if it gets busier, and are those people going to be available and in town?” asked Lewis.

“I’m very respectful of the decisions the province is making, but I think for the resort, what if January, February, March are strong? How do we staff it then?” n

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NEWS WHISTLER

IN WHISTLER,

WE WEAR MASKS

Heidi Landau’s ‘huge heart’ left indelible mark on Whistler FOUNDER OF SNOWBOARD CAMP FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH DIED FROM COVID LAST MONTH

BY BRANDON BARRETT HEIDI LANDAU WAS A magician of sorts.

“...For the health and wellness of our students, staff and Families.”

Stuart Bent, Principal - Spring Creek Community School

#WhistlerWearsMasks www.whistler.ca/wewearmasks 18 DECEMBER 10, 2020

How else to describe a firecracker of a woman with the innate ability to make something out of nothing, to pull small miracles out of thin air against all odds?

“There were lots of times when programs and funding and organization and the challenges ahead of us seemed impossible, but she always seemed to persevere and had some way of making things work and come together no matter what we were battling,” explained Lenny Rubenovitch, who worked with Landau at her non-profit action sports camp.

The founder of CampCare, a snowboard program for underprivileged youth that was held in both Whistler and Lake Tahoe, Calif. in the mid-2000s, Landau died Nov. 18 in Kalispell, MT. of COVID-19, only four days after her mother, Roberta, passed from cancer, as well as complications related to COVID-19.

It was an untimely end for such a lively soul, who was described by loved ones as a selfless go-getter who made it her life’s mission to help those less fortunate.

“She was a complete fireball, sometimes a bit nutty, always giddy and laughing, grabbing your arm to gush about her camp or chat about life,” wrote friend Jen Friesen in a statement. “She was the kind of human who would drop everything to help you and she did—she helped so many people.”

Originally from Virginia, Landau spent several years after college in Tennessee as a whitewater rafting guide before exploring other parts of the country, gravitating to mountain towns like Crested Butte and Aspen, Colo.

Eventually she landed in Whistler, where she recruited close friends and young snowboarders to help run her camp.

Local Steve Andrews, who first worked at the camp in 2006, said it was Landau’s single-handed drive and determination that made the program such a success.

“We were just a bunch of snowboard bums. We were lucky to tie our shoes properly at that time. She just orchestrated everything,” he recalled.

“She had such a huge heart and she just really cared about others.”

While Landau’s Whistler camps were remembered fondly, it was The Heavenly Respect Camp in Lake Tahoe, which she organized in 2006, that left the deepest mark on those involved—both campers and counsellors alike. Hosting 35 youth from California group homes, the camp served as so much more than just an introduction to snow sports.

HEAVENLY HEIDI Heidi Landau, centre in brown coat, with some of the campers that took part in the Heavenly Respect Camp in Lake Tahoe, Calif. in 2006.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

“Just seeing the transformation in the kids was probably the biggest thing. From fearful and quiet, keeping to themselves and just really being in their own shells, to, by the end of it, everybody was high-fiving and slapping hands,” he said.

Eventually leaving B.C. to care for her ailing father, Landau reprised the caretaker role in 2013 when her mother developed cancer, eventually moving into her Montana home. Even as her COVID-19 symptoms worsened in the days before her passing, Landau’s primary concern remained her mother. In a Nov. 10 Facebook post, Landau wrote about “the hell” she was going through worrying for her mom despite taking every possible precaution against the virus.

“This whole time I have been in isolation from Mom. Wearing a mask when wiping down surfaces and everything I touch, spraying Lysol, using air purifier, having Mom stay in her room when I am out. I never go in stores. I use grocery pickup, masked. I wash my hands constantly and [deodorize] our home, and my car, daily.

Mom and I wear masks when any nurse or worker comes into our home, and they wear theirs,” she wrote.

“May we have more precious time together before she joins my Dad.” Long-time friend Karen Drgon, who was in contact with Landau up until her final days, wants people to know that she wasn’t alone, thanks to friend Brandy Tellez, who she called “the best caregiver that could have lived on this planet.

“Heidi touched anybody she came across—forever,” Drgon added. “She just had a magical way about herself. She genuinely cared about every word that came out of her mouth that she spoke to every single person she spoke with. It was just something I’d never seen in anyone.” n

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Council weighs in on financial risks of housing COUNCIL VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE $10M LOAN TO WDC

BY BRADEN DUPUIS THE

RESORT

MUNICIPALITY

of Whistler is moving forward with a $10-million investment in resident housing next year, but the spend isn’t without risks— and a few unknowns as well.

On Nov. 17, council heard an update on plans for Cheakamus Crossing’s Phase 2, which includes a total of 100 units in two buildings on what’s known as Parcel A, with occupancy targeted for 2022.

A $10 million line item included in Whistler’s 2021 budget will fund the beginning of the project, and will be viewed as a line of credit to be used only as needed, according to Eric Martin, board member of the Whistler 2020 Development Corp (WDC).

At the Dec. 1 council meeting, chief administrative officer Virginia Cullen and director of finance Carlee Price detailed some of the nuances involved with the loan.

The WDC’s project plan, included in the Dec. 1 agenda, has developed six financing scenarios for Parcel A development, with final decisions yet to be made (pending the outcome of BC Housing grant applications).

The scenarios consider a mix of rental and ownership options between the two

3

buildings, depending on the outcomes of the grants, as well as how proceeds from the sale of 18 market lots on Parcel D3 will be used.

After servicing costs are accounted for, the WDC is hoping to bring in “at least $15 to $17 million, net, in cash,” Martin said of Parcel D3, adding that the WDC will pre-sell the lots to ensure significant deposits, “so before we spend the money on infrastructure we know we’ve got commitments.”

The total cost to develop Parcel A is estimated at about $38 million.

While costs included in the WDC’s plan are estimates, “there are good comparables with recent buildings that have been built by the Whistler Housing Authority,” Cullen said. “So these numbers have a higher level of certainty with them than perhaps they would if we hadn’t had these recently built projects.”

One major unknown is what 2021 real estate market conditions will look like.

“We know that 2020 was strong. We don’t know if this will continue in 2021,” Cullen said.

“COVID just introduces more uncertainty to real estate trends and we just need to be cognizant of this.”

The loan is necessary as WDC—a wholly owned subsidiary of the Resort Municipality of Whistler—does not have sufficient assets

to secure third-party lending, Price said.

“They do believe that rezoning will change that, because that will increase the value of the lands in question,” she said.

“So at that point WDC anticipates that it will be able to borrow from other traditional lenders, and that this would then become

“We don’t know if this will continue in 2021.”

- VIRGINIA CULLEN

a factor in the second quarter and beyond in 2021.”

As the WDC can’t offer security at this time, the RMOW won’t be able to compel repayment, Price added.

As for the mechanics of the loan, there are two possible approaches: Either the RMOW takes a short-term loan from the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA), or pulls from its reserves.

There are pluses and minuses to both approaches, Price said.

“In the case of an MFA loan, that loan creates a claim on all of the RMOW assets,

which is of course a risk to the organization,” she said.

“In the case of reserve investment liquidation, it results in reduced interest income to the RMOW, which would be offset by an income accrual against the WDC, but that again exposes the RMOW to the risk … [that] the money may not ultimately be repaid.”

In the end, council voted unanimously to support the $10-million loan, and directed staff to return at an upcoming council meeting for further consideration of the agreement details.

“The caution and the depth of analysis in this report is welcome,” said Mayor Jack Crompton.

“My hope, and I think the expectation of the WDC, is that the money will be returned to the municipality. I will work hard to see that happen, and I know the WDC will as well.”

But it’s no small decision, the mayor added. “In fact, it’s a huge investment of municipal land and capital,” he said.

“And for that reason, I am grateful that we took the time and did the in-depth analysis that we did, and I’m grateful that staff have spent the time and the energy and the thought delivering what we have in front of us today. I feel confident in this decision.” n

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NEWS WHISTLER

What do you know about Whistler?

WHISTLER 101 LANDS THE PANDEMIC PIVOT—AND LAUNCHES NEXT WEEK

BY BRADEN DUPUIS EVEN AFTER MORE than three decades in the Whistler Valley, working on Whistler 101—a new Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) web series launching this month—was an education for filmmaker Mike Douglas.

“It’s super interesting. I’ve learned so much about this area that I didn’t know,” Douglas said.

Reached by phone while putting the finishing touches on the series’ first episode, which tackles the region’s geodiversity and launches online Dec. 16, Douglas’ enthusiasm for the project was evident as he listed four revelations from the first episode alone.

“You’ve probably heard how Black Tusk was formed—it was a volcano, like a traditional volcano, and it wore away and left a magma core …,” Douglas said. “And that’s totally not the case.”

The real Black Tusk origin story is a new interpretation, said biologist (and Pique columnist) Leslie Anthony, script supervisor and director of Whistler 101.

“I think the old theory was, ‘Well obviously that was a large stratovolcano,

and it all eroded away and all that’s left is the plug that’s in the middle,’” Anthony said.

“Well, no, there was never a stratovolcano, there was a bunch of lava erupting under a glacier, and it never made it to the surface, and that’s what it ended up looking like as it collided against the ice.

“So that’s cool stuff.”

Without giving away too much, the fivepart series is peppered with these little revelations, Anthony said.

“People should tune in because they’re going to find out something that they didn’t know about either the place that they live or the place they love to visit, and it’s going to make them love it even more, regardless,” he said.

“It’s going to present people with a fun rabbit hole, in many cases, if they want to go down it, and they’re not going to get overburdened either. That’s the best part.”

But Whistler 101 in its current form was far from a straightforward endeavour.

Originally envisioned as a series of in-person events at the Maury Young Arts Centre (think a Whistler-centric TED Talk), Whistler 101 was set to launch in April of this year, said project lead and RMOW manager of cultural planning and development John Rae. “We were one day away from approving the advertising that would go in Pique

newspapers to be creating awareness of the live lectures” when COVID shut down the resort, effectively shelving the project, Rae said.

At first, the lockdown had a deflating effect on the project team.

“Suddenly, we had the rug pulled out from under us,” Rae said. “We had to be quiet for a while … it was July before I kind of realized we’re in this for awhile, and yeah, we’re going to have to pivot.’”

But with a new vision, the team was reinvigorated.

“Then it was very exciting for everyone to get back into the game again and realize, hey, we’re going to just reimagine what this is, and it’s going to probably be better in the long term,” Rae said.

“Now we’re doing this with such energy and enthusiasm and vigour, that it almost feels as though it was always supposed to be this way.”

Billed by the RMOW as a true community collaboration, the series utilizes the knowledge of a wide range of local experts as it explores five diverse topics: geodiversity; biodiversity; Indigenous peoples; history and heritage; and the arts (read more and find the full release schedule at whistler.ca/101).

Condensing the hour-long presentations

into short, sharp video packages was no easy task, requiring a multi-stage reimagining of what the end product would be.

The videos take an “inverted pyramid” approach to revealing information, Anthony said, starting at a very wide angle before narrowing it down to the local Whistler context.

With the drastic change in creative vision, was the original spirit of Whistler 101 maintained?

“Absolutely, and that was job one, for me,” Anthony said.

The total budget for the project was $215,000, paid for with provincial Resort Municipality Initiative funds, hotel tax funds and a $60,000 grant from the province.

Rae said he hopes the series offers a sense of belonging, but also a sense of responsibility.

“And that responsibility is not just to everything that surrounds us and to our heritage and to our history and to the arts, but it’s also a responsibility to our visitors to help them understand everything that’s available to them as people who are sharing this cherished space with us,” he said.

“And that we’d like them to feel as knowledgeable about the place as we are so that they are equally as good stewards as we are when they’re here.” n

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NEWS WHISTLER

New cabinet could bode well for transit, tourism COVID RECOVERY STILL ‘NO. 1 PRIORITY’ AT MUNI HALL, MAYOR SAYS

BY BRADEN DUPUIS WITH A NEW provincial cabinet officially in place—and new provincial ministers given their mandates—local officials are excited to see some familiar faces amongst those recently sworn in.

“I’m excited to work with the new cabinet. Many of their goals match with our own,” said Mayor Jack Crompton.

“Our continued focus remains on community balance and recovery, climate action, and housing. Those are items that they campaigned on, and we look forward to working with them on.”

Of particular note to Whistler is the appointment of rookie-MLA Josie Osborne to the position of Minister of Municipal Affairs.

As the former mayor of Tofino and an influential member of the Resort Community Collaborative, Osborne is intimately familiar with the needs of B.C.’s resort communities.

“I don’t think I could be more excited about that,” Crompton said.

“Her depth of knowledge of tourism is incredible, [and] we will be the direct beneficiary of that insight and understanding.

That said, I think she also has a very broad view of how local government operates, and our needs generally.”

Vancouver-Mount Pleasant MLA Melanie Mark—the first Indigenous woman elected to the B.C. Legislature (and the first to serve in cabinet)—is the new Minister of Tourism.

Mark replaces former tourism minister

“We will not back off of [the RMI] file regardless of the challenges that we face otherwise.”

- JACK CROMPTON

Lisa Beare, who will now oversee the Ministry of Citizens’ Services. “[Mark has] been in cabinet before, she has a lot of experience, and I think will be a good advocate for British Columbia’s tourism sector,” Crompton said.

Though local officials have yet to speak with Mark, one area of advocacy in the months ahead will be the continuation of the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI)

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program, which helps pay for tourism enhancement in B.C.’s resort communities.

“We will not back off of that file regardless of the challenges that we face otherwise,” Crompton said, adding that the government made the RMI program a part of its baseline budget in 2019.

“Our expectation is that that

commitment will carry on, and we’ll advocate for that to see that happen.”

Crompton was also encouraged to see a focus on regional transit in the mandate letters of both Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming and Minister of Environment George Heyman.

“Both letters consider an integration of TransLink and BC Transit services to offer a regional service,” Crompton said.

“There is lots of thinking to do on exactly how it happens, but regional transit is still very much a priority for Whistler.”

Overall, Crompton said it was great to see so many people with local government experience serving in the new cabinet.

“The minister of finance was a city councillor for two terms. That kind of understanding of the needs of communities, I think, helps government get closer to the ground and the needs of real people,” he said.

“It certainly makes our advocacy easier, because the people that we’re speaking to understand the realities on the ground.”

Meanwhile, following his narrow election victory in the Sea to Sky, MLA Jordan Sturdy has been named the BC Liberals’ critic for Fisheries, Aquaculture and BC Ferries.

“Jordan’s good at reaching across the aisle, and he’ll need to do that very well over the next four years,” Crompton said.

Looking to the immediate future, Crompton said COVID response and recovery remains the “No. 1 priority” at the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

“That will mean working very closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health,” he said.

“Our goal is very much to do everything in our power to ensure that the businesses and residents of Whistler are well represented.” n

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BIODIVERSITY 01.06.2021

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 01.13.2021

H I S TO R Y & H E R I TA G E 01.20.2021

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The Resort Municipality of Whistler gratefully acknowledges the ďŹ nancial support of the Province of British Columbia.

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler fire department acquires sonar device for underwater rescues, recoveries PURCHASED THROUGH DONATION, AQUAEYE AVAILABLE TO FIRST RESPONDERS ACROSS SEA TO SKY

BY BRANDON BARRETT WHISTLER’S FIRST responders will have an extra eye underwater thanks to the acquisition of a sonar device that will be used in rescue and recovery efforts.

AquaEye is the first search-and-rescue device of its kind, a hand-held scanner that uses ultrasound and artificial intelligence to identify human bodies underwater. The device, manufactured by Vancouver-based VodaSafe, enables rescuers to quickly scan a scene and identify potential victims “within seconds of entering the water,” according to its website.

“The goal was to make it as simple as possible to use, durable and fast acting,” said Carlyn Loncaric, founder and CEO of VodaSafe. “You don’t even need to get into the water yourself. You can lean off the side of a dock or a boat, you put the unit in the water, you pull the trigger, it starts firing and sending sound pulses out, then that sound echoes off of objects in the water, the device picks them up and analyzes them. Then it shows on the screen where it

believes people to be.”

The Whistler Fire Rescue Service acquired the portable device thanks to a $5,000 donation from GFL to Whistler Search and Rescue, which, along with the local RCMP and search-and-rescue groups across the Sea to Sky, will have access to the

man was found deceased the day after he upturned his kayak in choppy waters.

Although drownings are relatively rare locally, Whistler deputy fire chief Chris Nelson said, “just one drowning is enough to make [the device] worthwhile,” and it will significantly cut down the time and

“...it works quite well and it’s going to be really handy...

- BRAD SILLS

equipment as needed. (The donation was initially intended for the WFRS, but, being a municipal organization, it is not permitted to take donations.)

“I just know that it works quite well and it’s going to be really handy for logjams and places you wouldn’t dare put anybody in,” said Whistler Search and Rescue manager Brad Sills, who said search crews used the device this summer when a kayaker went missing in the Cheakamus River. The

risk associated with traditional underwater rescue or recovery missions.

“If someone drowns in our local waters, it’s our job to go out and do the best with what we have. In the past, we literally had nothing, other than the last person who saw the person go down in that location, and we begin our search from there. It’s quite futile,” he said.

Nelson also pointed to the drowning of 25-year-old Australian woman, Alison

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www.piquenewsmagazine.com/seasonofgiving 26 DECEMBER 10, 2020

Raspa, who went missing in late November 2017. Despite her personal items being found nearby, and five separate underwater searches of Alpha Lake, she wasn’t discovered for nearly four months, after the frozen lake had begun to thaw. The BC Coroners Service ruled Raspa’s death a suicide in a March 2020 report.

“Had we had that tool, we could’ve scanned that body of water and found her.

Not in time to save her but in time to put some closure on the whole thing for everybody,” he said.

With more people out recreating in the pandemic, this summer saw a rise in water-related emergencies. According to preliminary data from the B.C. and Yukon Branch of the Lifesaving Society, by late August, 32 people had drowned in B.C. this year, up a third from the same time in 2019.

One of those drownings was a 20-year-old Vancouver man who died after being pulled from Alta Lake in July.

“Time is of the essence when you’re in the middle of a rescue or recovery,” said Loncaric.

For more information on the AquaEye, visit vodasafe.ca. n

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NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

Pemberton council offers input into initiative fund COUNCIL BRIEFS: FERNWOOD DRIVE VARIANCE PERMIT QUASHED; SABRE WAY TO BE RENAMED

BY ALYSSA NOEL PEMBERTON COULD soon see the gates to Nairn Falls open for the winter.

During a Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8, council discussed the funding requests put forward by various community groups for the Pemberton and District Initiative Fund (PDIF)—which could include $5,500 for snow removal at Nairn Falls Provincial Park.

“We have some buy in from BC Parks on this,” Mayor Mike Richman said during the Zoom meeting. “We got a response—Mr. [Mark] Mendonca [president of Tourism Pemberton] sent it my way from BC Parks saying they would be willing to work with our community to find a way to keep [them] open.

They don’t have a budget to do any of the work, so the funds to … clear it and keep it safe would have to come from somewhere else.”

While the committee debated Tourism Pemberton’s request for a 525 per cent increase in funding compared to last year without plans for direct spending (they received $8,000 this year and requested $50,000 for next year), ultimately they decided to recommend that $5,500 be allocated for the snow-clearing project separate from other Tourism Pemberton funding, with the caveat that any remaining money be returned at the end of the season.

Pemberton, the Squamish-Lillooet

FROZEN FALLS The parking lot at Nairn Falls Provincial Park could be cleared of snow and open this winter if funding is approved.

PHOTO BY ALYSSA NOEL

28 DECEMBER 10, 2020

Regional District and Area C are all part of the decision-making process when it comes to what projects or organizations get money from the PDIF. While council discussed which groups they would recommend for the funding, the decision will be made by the Pemberton Valley Utilities & Services (PVUS) Committee board in January.

In total, there are two funds within PDIF, including $75,000 for arts, culture and recreation and $50,000 for economic development.

Council passed motions to support: • Tourism Pemberton, $16,000 • Pemberton Farmers Market, $6,000 • Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce, $27,500 • The Wellness Almanac, $12,000 • Pemberton Canoe Association, $5,500 • Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association, $4,740 • Pemberton BMX, $5,500 • Fire department fireworks, $5,000 • Spud Valley Nordics, $3,000 • Pemberton Cemetery Committee, $5,000

FERNWOOD DRIVE SUBDIVISION INVITED TO REAPPLY FOR PERMIT The owners of 1368 Fernwood Drive who applied for a development variance permit as part of the process to subdivide their 0.47 hectare property into four lots (including the existing property) will have to reapply after council voted against the application.

Council referred the item back to staff at its May 26 meeting because of questions around snow clearing, drainage, a setback on the house, impacts to neighbours, snow

storage and pedestrian connectivity.

While some of those issues were addressed at the Dec. 8 meeting—and the setback on the house was removed—some councillors ultimately felt they didn’t have enough information to support the project.

“I feel like we all want to make sure the neighbours’ concerns are addressed, but we’re feeling really restricted in our ability to do so,” said Councillor Leah Noble.

The variance permit had to do with changes to the road, including narrowing the right-of-way width from the standard of 18 metres to 15 m, the asphalt width from the standard of 8.1 m to 7.5 m, the land width from the standard of 3.3 m to three metres and the ditch width from 3.6 m to two metres.

However, many of the lingering questions councillors had will only be answered when the applicants enter the subdivision approval process, which will require them to prepare a detailed engineering design, to be reviewed by a provincial Approving Officer.

That officer could take council’s recommendations but is not required to, council heard.

“I get the cart before the horse in the order of things, but then it feels like council’s given approval to something that hasn’t been fleshed out, so that’s where there’s lack of comfort,” said Richman.

He went on to make a motion to support the development variance permit, which was voted down.

Coun. Amica Antonelli then made a motion to repeat the previous motion, but also added a request that the applicants address the issues raised during the meeting.

That motion temporarily passed, but

staff quickly clarified that when it comes to development permits, if a motion is not approved it means by de facto it’s refused.

To that end, the motion had to be rescinded before council ultimately passed a motion that stuck. They asked staff to go back to the applicants to give them the option to address council’s concerns and reapply, with council potentially waiving the six-month waiting period.

SABRE WAY TO GET NEW NAME Council voted to approve a request to change the name of Sabre Way to Sunstone Way. Sunstone Ridge Developments Ltd. requested the name change of the municipal road to help with wayfinding to the entrance of its Sunstone Ridge subdivision.

The road was named in 2014 after Art and Nellie Den Duyf donated recreation land to the Village and asked that the street be named Sabre Way. Council approved that request in 2017.

Later that year, the Village passed a new street-naming bylaw. After Sunstone requested the name change—which staff said met the criteria laid out in the bylaw— they went back to a Den Duyf family representative to ask what they thought about the change.

“We were told that they would be agreeable to the proposed street name change and that’s given the fact that the Village has already offered to name a major facility on the recreation lands in recognition of the family’s donation,” said Lisa Pedrini, manager of development services for the Village.■

NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

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TRAIL MIX Watersprite Lake was one of the Sea to Sky’s busiest trails this summer.

GETTY IMAGES

Trail usage spiked in Sea to Sky this summer BACKCOUNTRY BC CALLS FOR END TO DAY-PASS SYSTEM AND ADVOCATES FOR INCREASED DISPERSAL THROUGH NEW TRAILS

BY STEVEN CHUA TRAIL USAGE in the Sea to Sky corridor spiked this year, presumably because the pandemic made it one of the few safe ways to recreate safely, a just-released study shows.

During this summer Rec Sites & Trails BC monitored visitor use on 38 trail locations in the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District using infrared trail counters (21 hiking, 17 mountain-bike primary).

A representative from the B.C. Mountaineering Club (BCMC), which runs Backcountry BC, said these recent results highlight a need to keep parks open, create more trails to disperse recreationalists, and improve management.

“Park closures are not the way to go,” said Paul Kubik, director of cabins and trails with the BCMC, in an email.

“The provincial health officer continues to say the risk of transmission in the outdoors is infinitesimal.”

Kubik would also like to see the daypass system that was piloted this summer

by BC Parks removed, as it appears to be, in his mind, highly subjective.

“What we’ve got is the province being able to set limits based on a nebulous set of criteria such as ‘desired conditions’ and ‘unique attributes,’ again, with no

attempt to define them,” he said. “It really amounts to the province setting limits based on whatever they decide suits the mood of the moment. Sometimes they say it’s about parking. At Stawamus Chief, there is virtually unlimited parking along Mamquam FSR and at Darrell Bay. It’s also a short walk from Squamish. Yet, they say parking availability is one of the criteria for establishing limits on visitation to the Chief.

“In [BC Parks’] blog, [it] admits it’s subjective,” said Kubik. “What we’ve noticed is there is a conservation bias in the parks system to the detriment of recreation.”

Kubik believes there is an alternative way of solving overcrowding.

“The solution is dispersal through further trail construction,” he said.

One example of a way to increase trails was highlighted in Backcountry BC’s election wish list, which called on politicians to invest in parks.

The organization called for the province to, among other things, adopt the Garibaldi Park Southwestern Amendment proposal, which would open up five new trailheads at Alice Lake, Brohm Ridge and Skookum, Swift and Conroy creeks.

It’s just one way to alleviate crowding

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NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY << FROM PAGE 29 in the Sea to Sky, which occurs in several areas, according to the survey report.

Of the trails monitored, the busiest included Whistler’s Brandywine Meadows, Watersprite Lake, Semaphore Lakes and Rohr Lake (near Pemberton), Al’s Habrich Trail, and the Slhanay approach trail.

They experienced differing levels of increased activity, depending on the month.

For example, compared with 2019, Brandywine Meadows jumped by 69 per cent in July, 100 per cent in August and 93 per cent in September.

Trail use is highest during weekends for all trails.

For hiking trails, the study looked at usage for the Slhanay approach trail, Watersprite Lake, Tricouni West, Sky Pilot Valley, Petgill Lake and Al’s Habrich trail, Semaphore Lakes, Brandywine Meadows, and Tenquille Lake.

Of those, Slhanay had the biggest average percentage increase over the summer, at 142 per cent. Its busiest day this year recorded 144 hikers, compared with 70 people last year.

Watersprite came second with an increase of 126 per cent. At its peak day, it recorded 263 people, while last year it peaked out at 165.

Coming in third was Semaphore Lakes, averaging a 101 per cent uptick. There were 107 people during its peak day this year, compared with 71 last year.

There were also highlights for usage on mountain bike trails.

For the Legacy Climb trail in the Diamond Head area, the busiest months were April and May, garnering 6,143 and 6,944 rides, respectively.

Jack’s Trail in the Alice Lake area recorded 9,477 rides during July, which was its busiest month.

Half Nelson peaked out this year at 568 rides on March 16. This was the highest number between February and November.

For Pseudo-Tsuga, the busiest day between March and November was Nov. 1, with 469 rides.

The busiest among trails monitored in Pemberton was Happy Trail.

Kubik is calling on the province to increase access and stop park closures during the winter.

The Callaghan has no public access trail in the winter, he said, while Brandywine and Joffre are shut during the winter months.

In other examples of closures or decreased access, Kubik said the province allowed Cypress to shut access to the backcountry access corridor before 9 a.m. and has stayed silent during negotiations with Whistler Blackcomb to open up the Singing Pass.

In responding to Kubik’s comments the Ministry of Environment said BC Parks will continue to work with Cypress Mountain Resorts to ensure that Backcountry Access Corridors are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Regarding winter access to the Singing Pass through the Whistler Blackcomb Controlled Recreation Area; BC Parks has worked in close collaboration with Mountain Resorts Branch, and engaged with Whistler Blackcomb and stakeholders on proposed winter access routes into Garibaldi Park,” the province said.

“The majority of the parks in the Sea to Sky corridor are open to the public. Joffre Lakes Park remains closed at this time.

“Park closures are not the way to go.”

- PAUL KUBIK

Vehicle access may not be available to some provincial parks in winter due to public safety (e.g., winter wind storms and snow levels blocking access roads and trails) and park security.”

The province also acknowledged that usage has increased greatly due to COVID-19 and that BC Parks is investing in “expanding trails and other recreational facilities and does this through a planned approach, considering the careful balance needed between providing public recreation and managing the environmental and cultural values in our protected area system.”

Finally, Kubik noted that with COVID19, many people may be hesitant to have the government start spending more money on

recreation.

However, there are ways it can be beneficial to spend at this time, he said.

Money doesn’t just have to flow from the government, as corporate partners, charities and increased camping permits, among other things can become a revenue stream, he said.

“You say that people are worried about COVID-19 causing the government to overspend. I personally have the same concern. But governments are saying now is the time to go into debt because rates are cheap and people need to work,” said Kubik.

Park improvements—something as simple, for instance, as an outhouse project—can be a way to give people jobs in a trying time, while creating spinoff effects, he noted.

“It addresses the pillars of partnership, reconciliation, recreation and conservation—all provincial park policy objectives. It calls for employment of First Nations, equipment operators, an archaeological assessment and a biological assessment. That’s putting local Squamish people to work and developing skills. I would foresee a future [First Nations] presence in the park as maintenance operators, rangers and custodians. It would be local people running the show instead of remote [officials] in Victoria.”

-This story originally appeared in the Squamish Chief on Dec. 3. n

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Happy Holidays from Council & Staff

Have a safe & wonderful holiday season Village Office Holiday Hours Thursday, December 24th - CLOSED Friday, December 25th - CLOSED Monday, December 28th - CLOSED Tuesday, December 29th - CLOSED Wednesday, December 30th - CLOSED Thursday, December 31st - CLOSED Friday, January 1st - CLOSED Monday, January 4th - OPEN

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Raise the Roof Online Auction

13,300 The Delta Whistler Village Suites recognizes this has been a challenging year for many. We saw our in-person event transition to an online auction. We are so fortunate to live in a generous community and have our tourism partners pull together to help raise funds for two meaningful charities. We would like to thank everyone who supported the event and our sponsors who helped make it possible, namely: Backcountry Brewery BC Ferries Canucks Sport & Entertainment Caramba Restaurant Charlotte Watson EFT Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Crystal Lodge Whistler Delta Hotels Burnaby Conference Centre Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Fairmont Chateau Whistler Gibbons Group HD Supply Hy’s Steakhouse JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa K-Bro Linen Systems Long Beach Lodge Resort Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver Nesters Market Nicklaus North Nonna Pia Pacific Coastal Airlines

Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre Performance Painting Residence Inn Gravenhurst Resort Municipality of Whistler Scandinave Spa, Whistler Sea to Sky Gondola Sharon Audley Simmons Canada Spaghetti Factory Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre Starbucks The Kahala Hotel & Resort The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler Tina Pashumati James Whistler Blackcomb/Vail Resorts Epic Promise Whistler Cooks Whistler Film Festival Whistler Golf Club Whistler Olympic Park Whistler.com Yogacara Whistler Zip Trek

DECEMBER 10, 2020

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NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

Snow to be cleared for access to Rubble Creek BC PARKS REVERSES DECISION, SAYING IT WILL OFFER ONETIME FUNDING FOR SNOW-CLEARING

BY ALYSSA NOEL BACKCOUNTRY enthusiasts will have parking access to the Rubble Creek trailhead this winter after all.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, local outdoor clubs had a meeting with BC Parks to advocate for parking at the site, which leads to Garibaldi Lake and other popular backcountry destinations.

At the time, BC Parks said it didn’t have the extra money to fund snow-clearing, but then on Wednesday, Dec. 2, it reversed that decision and said it was committing to onetime snow-clearing throughout this winter.

“What they’ve said is they found onetime funding for this year and this will give us a better idea about how much it will cost.

Then, hopefully, based on what it costs this year, they will find future funds for future years,” said Jay MacArthur, access and environment director for the Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver chapter and the former director and president of the Federation of

Mountain Clubs of BC (FMCBC).

Earlier last month, the FMCBC, which represents the interests of outdoor clubs across the province, wrote a letter to BC Parks officials and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy asking them to consider plowing the parking area, which, in the past, has been quoted at $12,000 to $18,000 for the season.

With backcountry travel expected to spike this winter, it argued that the area was a safer choice for many who might get pushed into more dangerous avalanche terrain.

“BC Parks acknowledges the importance of this winter access point into Garibaldi Park, and is thankful to all the stakeholder groups who came to the table to constructively explore solutions,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in an email.

Last year, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure installed “no parking” signs along Highway 99 and the Rubble

OPEN TO FUN BC Parks has committed to snow-clearing for the Rubble Creek parking lot this year after outdoor clubs advocated for the access to Garibaldi Provincial Park.

GETTY IMAGES

Creek access road and towed cars that ignored them.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” MacArthur said. “The idea is to plow to the regular parking lot at the end of the road. It would probably be about 50 spots, but they’re not sure yet.”

The snow-clearing is expected to take place from this month until March.

The other news from the meeting was

that BC Parks will not be opening access to Joffre Lake Provincial Park this winter. That area has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic in the spring.

“We are not opening winter access to Joffre Lakes Park; that park remains closed at this time and the lot is not being plowed,” the ministry spokesperson wrote. “Winter vehicle access to Brandywine Park also remains closed.” n

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Happy First Night of Chanukah! gershoncpa.com 32 DECEMBER 10, 2020

SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is seeking qualified applicants to serve in a voluntary capacity on the Transportation Advisory Group (TAG).

The purpose of the Transportation Advisory Group is to identify transportation related issues and opportunities to, from, and within Whistler. Using a social, environmental and economic lens, the TAG provides Council with strategic advice and recommendations regarding the assessment of, planning for, and implementation of transportation initiatives for the Resort Community.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED DISPOSITION

Pursuant to section 286 of the Local Government Act, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (“SLRD”) hereby gives notice that the SLRD intends to dispose of land to the Village of Pemberton by way of sale, of an interest held in fee simple over Lot 11 District Lot 210 Lillooet District Plan KAP74191, PID 025-764-675, having a civic address of 1950 Venture Place in Pemberton BC (“Venture Property”). The consideration for such fee simple interest is the Statutory Right of Way to be granted by the Village of Pemberton to the SLRD shown as the unregistered SRW Plan EPP89904 over that portion of Lot 5 District Lot 210 Lillooet District Plan KAP72481 shown as Lot “A” on the proposed Subdivision Plan set out below and $678,000 which will be applied towards the proceeds needed for the SLRD’s purchase of a certain subdivided portion of parent parcel 1929 Stonecutter Place in Pemberton BC, known as Lot “B” (see below).

Four Citizens-at-Large are appointed to TAG by Council for a two year term and typically meet quarterlyfor 3 hours during business hours.

Download the TAG Terms of Reference at: whistler.ca/committees.

B

A

To apply, submit a resume and brief statement highlighting relevant experience and interest in participating on this committee by email to edalsanto@whistler.ca or mail: Transportation Advisory Group c/o Emma DalSanto Resort Municipality of Whistler 4325 Blackcomb Way Whistler, BC V8E 0X5 Application deadline: December 23, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED DISPOSITION

Pursuant to section 286 of the Local Government Act, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (“SLRD”) hereby gives notice that the SLRD intends to dispose of land by way of a Statutory Right of Way in favour of the SLRD for a recreation trail. The consideration for the proposed Statutory Right of Way is nominal. The proposed Statutory Right of Way is shown on Plan EPP96799 set out below as the unregistered SRW Plan KAP74190 in respect of Lot 11, District Lot 210 Lillooet District Plan KAP74191, PID 025-764-675, having a civic address of 1950 Venture Place in Pemberton BC. BOOK

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LOT 8 DISTRICT LOT 210 LILLOOET DISTRICT PLAN KAP74191

21.4 m²

LOT 9 DISTRICT LOT 210 LILLOOET DISTRICT PLAN KAP74191

315.0 m²

LOT 10 DISTRICT LOT 210 LILLOOET DISTRICT PLAN KAP74191

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/committees

165.6 m²

LOT 11 DISTRICT LOT 210 LILLOOET DISTRICT PLAN KAP74191

121.7 m² TOTAL

Lot 4 Plan KAP74191

623.7 m²

Lot 6 Plan KAP74191

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Lot 8 Plan KAP74191 DL 210

Lot 11 Plan KAP74191

14

LOCAL EXPERTS GLOBAL REACH

INDUSTRIAL WAY

Plan KAP74191

VENTURE PLACE

SRW KAP74190

90° 09' 17" 36.794

90° 09' 17" 72.050

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED DISPOSITION

Pursuant to section 26 of the Community Charter, the Village of Pemberton hereby gives notice that the Village of Pemberton intends to dispose of a certain fifty percent (50%) subdivided portion of land, known as Lot “B” as shown on the proposed subdivision plan set out below, to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (“SLRD”) by way of sale of an interest held in fee simple over the Lot “B” portion of the parent parcel Lot 5 District Lot 210 Lillooet District Plan KAP72481, PID 025-569-724, having a civic address of 1929 Stonecutter Place in Pemberton BC. The consideration to be received by the Village of Pemberton from the SLRD for such fee simple interest consists of $340,000 plus the value of the Venture Property (being $678,000 as noted above) for total consideration of $1,018,000.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED DISPOSITION

Pursuant to section 26 of the Community Charter, the Village of Pemberton hereby gives notice that the Village of Pemberton intends to dispose of land by way of a Statutory Right of Way (“SRW”) in favour of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District for a recreation trail. Since the Village of Pemberton is to grant the SRW as part of the consideration to purchase the Venture Property, the consideration for the SRW is nominal. The proposed Statutory Right of Way is shown on the proposed subdivision plan set out below as the unregistered SRW Plan EPP89904 in respect of a certain subdivided lot known as Lot “A”, on a portion of parent parcel Lot 5 District Lot 210 Lillooet District Plan KAP72481, PID 025-569-724, having a civic address of 1929 Stonecutter Place in Pemberton BC.

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DECEMBER 10, 2020

33

As Pique columnist Glenda Bartosh wrote last week, “Restaurants, cafes, shops, and dozens of suppliers, community organizations and at-home entrepreneurs throughout Sea to Sky are more than willing and able to help you with your Santa shopping during these special times.

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Until December 20 This holiday season, make your gift-giving dollars count.

By shopping local, you are supporting Whistler’s artists and artisans and take pride in giving a locally made gift. See the artisans selling their creations in the Gift Shop and come in to shop in-person.

Artworks in the Think-It-Over Exhibit in the Gallery are also included until the show closes on December 13.

Please wear a mask when entering the building and follow the COVID-19 safety protocols.

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Maury Young Arts Centre | 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler | 604.935.8410

40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION IS HERE! IN PRINT AND ONLINE! Covid ’19’ Things To Do Comfort food Long-term locals Backcountry Bounty The Evolution of Ski Style Whistler Classic Homes And much more!

Look for it in select hotel rooms, on stands, in shops… or call us if you would like copies delivered. cpower@whistlermagazine.com | 604-932-1672

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38 DECEMBER 10, 2020

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SCIENCE MATTERS

It’s time for Canada to address environmental racism IN CANADA, we’re quick to favourably compare ourselves to our southern neighbours. COVID-19 caseloads may be at an all-time high here, but the U.S. situation is even more dire. Canada hasn’t managed to curb carbon emissions, but the U.S. abandoned emission reduction targets when it pulled out of the Paris Agreement. We may take comfort in things being “less bad” here, but that’s a low bar.

And when it comes to acknowledging and addressing environmental racism, Canada comes up short. In 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton issued an executive order—

BY DAVID SUZUKI which remains in effect requiring federal agencies to develop strategies to address disproportionately high and adverse health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations.

It also established a high-level interagency working group on environmental justice to facilitate government-wide response.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Justice has operated since 1992, under Democratic and Republican administrations. Its goal is “to provide an environment where all people enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to maintain a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.” Sadly, Environment and Climate Change Canada has no such mandate.

If you’re not familiar with the terms “environmental racism” and “environmental justice,” you’re not alone.

Canada’s failure to name and address the environmental dimension of systemic racism means we lack the language to grapple with it.

Environmental racism occurs when, intentionally or unintentionally, environmental policies or practices result in disproportionate negative impacts on certain individuals, groups or communities based on race or colour; for example, through placement of polluting industries or other environmentally dangerous projects in these communities.

This week, MPs started debating Bill C-230, introduced by Nova Scotia MP and Liberal backbencher Lenore Zann.

A Canadian first, it would require the environment minister to develop a national strategy to redress environmental racism.

All parties should support its passage.

Zann says she got the idea for the bill after encountering Ingrid Waldron’s research into the causes and effects of toxic industries near Mi’kmaq and Black Nova Scotian communities. Waldron, an associate professor at Dalhousie University, documents her unsettling findings in the film There’s Something in the

Water (available on Netflix) and her 2018 book of the same name.

Waldron refers to industrial polluters such as landfills, trash incinerators, coal plants, toxic waste facilities and other environmentally hazardous activities sited near communities of colour and the working poor, as well as uneven access to environmental benefits and services such as garbage removal. She notes these communities often lack political power to advocate for environmental protection.

Researchers have found that 25 per cent of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada’s urban areas are within a kilometre of a polluting facility, compared to just seven per cent of the wealthiest. There’s a racial dimension to this inequality. Visible minorities account for a higher proportion of the population in low-income neighbourhoods than in other neighbourhoods. At the time of the 2011 census, nearly half the population of lowest-income neighbourhoods were visible minorities, compared to 24 per cent elsewhere.

The absence of a legislative mandate or governance structures to address environmental racism in Canada is a blind spot that must be remedied.

A national strategy to redress environmental racism is just a start. Even after more than 25 years of work by the U.S. Office of Environmental Justice, no one would suggest that country has solved its problem. But the first step in solving any problem is to name it and try to understand it. Bill C-230 puts the issue on the table in Canada. That’s long overdue.

... communities often lack political power to advocate for environmental protection.

If passed, Bill C-230 would shed light on discriminatory effects in environmental policy-making. All-party support for it would signal a commitment to placing equity considerations at the centre of urgently needed, ambitious environmental action.

If the new U.S. administration succeeds in implementing even some of its campaign promises, Canada will need to up its game in many areas or lose its status as North American leader. The incoming Biden administration is expected to usher in an era of binational and multinational co-operation to tackle the climate emergency, for example. Let’s hope Canada and the U.S. improve on all environmental fronts, including environmental justice.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Lisa Gue. ■

OUTSIDER

Uphill travel, revisited WHILE I’M STILL finding my fitness groove for ski touring season, I always believe the best way to get some momentum is to throw myself into the deep end. Not in terms of objectives or testing sketchy avalanche conditions, but just getting out and walking up mountains, logging roads and pretty much any route that passes for good ski touring travel in early season conditions.

BY VINCE SHULEY Having only dabbled in the backcountry thus far in the 2020/21 winter, this past weekend a friend and I decided to sign up for the All You Can VERT! virtual ski touring challenge. This was a pretty grassroots event organized by the folks behind the Darkside Skimo Race, which I’ve entered for the two years it has run. Like everything else in 2020, the ski touring race on Blackcomb was cancelled back in April.

The format for All You Can VERT! was pretty simple. Ski tourers, split boarders and runners signed up for either the “Race” or “Citizen” category (Race for spandex and

EARNING TURNS Early season turns were above satisfactory the weekend before Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) opening day, as this photo, which was not taken on WB’s terrain, shows.

PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY

skimo race equipment, Citizen for everyone else) then everyone had the weekend to log a three-hour block of activity with the goal to climb as much vertical as possible, all logged with GPS watches or Strava apps.

Winners of the Race category would bring home a nifty pair of skimo bindings with draw prizes for the rest of the pack.

My friend and I didn’t have any delusions about entering the Race category (I’ve seen what those guys are capable of) but we were looking forward to seeing what we could muster in three hours. Starting at

when it feels like harder work than it needs to be. It also gives me the opportunity for great chats with my friends, but I also like the quiet time where I get to think. Not surprisingly, one of things I was thinking about while skinning up runs outside of the temporary boundaries on Blackcomb was how cool— and appropriately timed—it would be to have a dedicated uphill travel route this season.

Before I go any further, I wrote about this exact subject in an Outsider column back in February. I made a mistake in that column by writing that Whistler Blackcomb

... there’s probably a few ways it could work, none of which include a flash mob skinning up Sunset Boulevard during operational hours.

the top of Jersey Cream chair on Sunday morning, we lapped the yet-to-open 7th Heaven zone as many times as we could, enjoying groomed runs for the up and the down. Sweaty and triumphantly exhausted, we came in at what we thought was a respectable 1,873 metres in two hours and 58 minutes (my timing error for stopping us early). For context, the top Race entrant at time of writing this clocked 2,997 m.

Skinning uphill is something I enjoy, even

(WB) doesn’t have an uphill skiing route or policy in place yet, which wasn’t the case. I apologized (through the PR department, as media does) for the mountain operations feathers that I ruffled and my editor corrected the story that there are certain uphill skiing routes in place, which are mostly for backcountry access and none of which originate at the base of either mountain save for access to the Singing Pass Trail from Whistler Village.

Uphill routes at resorts have been rising in popularity across North America, mostly down in the States and in Quebec.

Resorts in Western Canada have been the most resistant to making it a part of their operations. If we localize to Whistler, there’s probably a few ways it could work, none of which include a flash mob skinning up Sunset Boulevard during operational hours.

Reservation days are working well except for those who miss out on a reservation. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have an uphill-ski option for those who have a pass, couldn’t reserve in time but are willing to walk? No stinking up the gondola cabins or on-mountain restaurants, just skin up, ski down and repeat if desired.

Outside of the resort, the Whistler Valley doesn’t have the easiest access to ski touring, with motorized assistance or otherwise. Uphill skiing at Whistler Blackcomb would add a feather to the cap of an already acclaimed ski resort known for the best terrain and some of the best snowfall.

I can appreciate that WB has its hands full this season staying open, staying staffed and keeping the good times rollin’. But demand for uphill travel isn’t going away.

Over to you, Mr. Buchheister, WB’s COO. Vince Shuley is appreciative that his local mountain is open and doing great work during a difficult time. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

DECEMBER 10, 2020

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FEATURE STORY

40 DECEMBER 10, 2020

FEATURE STORY

BRACE A S C O V I D19 P U S H E S P E O P L E I N T O T H E B A C K C O U N T R Y, S A R G R O U P S F R O M THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO THE SEA TO SKY EXPECT A SPIKE IN RESCUES B Y J A N E C. H U / H I G H C O U N T R Y N E W S very winter, volunteers from Seattle Mountain Rescue are dispatched to the sites of dozens of harrowing incidents: They rescue backcountry skiers buried in avalanches, help injured hikers descend slick trails— and once, they even removed the wreckage of a single-engine plane from a mountainside.

Volunteers must tackle steep, avalancheprone mountain terrain, carrying the requisite gear to ward off hypothermia. Once on the scene, they rig anchors and ropes to carry out rescues, a time-intensive project that often lasts until after dark. “I can’t think of a time I didn’t come out in a headlamp during a winter mission,” said Cheri Higman, chairperson of the organization.

And this winter may be harder than usual, thanks to COVID-19. Owing to the pandemic, outdoor recreation skyrocketed this summer, and that trend is projected to continue into the winter. As a result, backcountry first responders are preparing for a potential rise in rescues, especially given the forecast for a particularly snowy winter in the Northwest. “We are anticipating there will be an uptick in accidents,” Higman said.

As soon as a wilderness emergency is reported in Washington, county sheriffs dispatch search and rescue volunteers. In King County, where Seattle is located, the sheriff may call one of nine all-volunteer

units that make up the King County Search and Rescue Association. Each has its own specialty: building anchors with ropes and rigging kits for steep alpine rescues, tracking lost people, or transporting other rescuers on all-terrain vehicles. The association has more than 500 responders on its roster, though only about 25 per cent of them are trained to work in snowy terrain.

In addition to assisting with missions, Seattle Mountain Rescue typically holds a number of trainings and workshops throughout the year. This winter, concerned about early snow, it began training six weeks earlier than usual. But, Higman said, new volunteer enrolment has been down this year, in part because the organization had to abandon a recruitment round after the pandemic hit in the spring. Like other outdoor organizations, Seattle Mountain Rescue moved most of its training online; it’s also had to cancel in-person community workshops on treating cold injuries and training for winter navigation, which can help decrease the need for rescues.

The pandemic restrictions could be a problem as more recreationists head outside. By October, the King County Search and Rescue Association had already conducted 191 rescues, compared with a total of 198 for all of 2019. Search-andrescue groups in other Western states, including California, Utah and Colorado, were also stretched thin over the summer.

And this winter, many of the people hitting the slopes are likely new to backcountry adventures. With many ski areas limiting ticket sales in response to COVID-19, and resorts in New Mexico and Colorado already selling out of passes, retailers are reporting an uptick in backcountry gear sales. For instance, Evo action sports company, with stores in Seattle, Portland, Denver and Salt Lake City, has seen its April-to-October sales for skitouring equipment like boots, bindings and skins increase by 120 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. “We see customers that are looking to provide themselves with options,” said Laura Holman, Evo’s assistant buyer.

Organizations that train recreationists are also preparing for a busy year, but COVID-19 has forced them to adapt. The Northwest Avalanche Center, which typically offers avalanche awareness courses to about 10,000 people annually, has pivoted to an online-only format.

Similarly, The Mountaineers, a Seattlebased alpine club, has taken its basic avalanche safety classes online, with in-person field practices limited to small groups. Those courses are filling up fast, making it challenging to balance the demand with the COVID restrictions, said Mountaineers CEO Tom Vogl: “We’re all trying to figure out how we can offer as many courses as possible while continuing to contain the spread of the virus.”

Scott Schell, the executive director of the Northwest Avalanche Center, hopes that the abrupt move to digital education will actually allow more people to take part.

The center’s 14th-annual Northwest Snow and Avalanche workshop went online for the first time this year, and attendance was higher than ever before. “Avalanche awareness and education in general is now more accessible than ever to people in rural areas, [who] have historically been underserved,” said Schell.

Meanwhile, many of the Northwest’s best-known outdoor organizations are teaming up to coordinate a message for recreationists looking for safe but snowy fun this year. Their advice: Always check avalanche forecasts, carry an avalanche shovel, probe, transceiver and other necessary gear, and seek training whenever possible. Schell said that it’s a common misconception that popular summer hiking trails are safe to snowshoe in the winter. “Snowshoeing is not the wintertime equivalent of hiking,” he said. “You’ve got to have a winter mindset, and that involves the ability to identify avalanche terrain, and when it’s appropriate to be there.”

Jane C. Hu is a contributing editor for High Country News and an independent journalist who writes about science, technology and the outdoors. She lives in Seattle. This story originally appeared in High Country News on Nov. 11, 2020.

DECEMBER 10, 2020

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FEATURE STORY

PANDEMIC WAVE

BY MEGAN LALONDE lmost five years have passed since the day Dave Crompton and his friends found themselves gravely in need of rescue from B.C.’s backcountry.

It happened on the first full day of what was to be a seven-day ski touring trip through the Selkirk Mountains, near Golden.

Though all members of the Canmorebased group had fundamental avalanche training—some had more extensive backcountry experience than others—the skiers had hired a certified guide to lead them through the unfamiliar terrain.

As the last skier in the 13-person group began to descend a steep, narrow chute, a massive avalanche was triggered.

Five people were fully buried. Five more were partially buried, while two people narrowly escaped getting caught in the slide.

Only one skier was standing in a protected, treed area when the slope gave way.

Bones were broken, knees and shoulders torn, brains injured.

One member of the group, Doug Churchill, never recovered. Despite being dug out by his peers in less than 10 minutes, he died in a Calgary hospital three days later.

Crompton and friends Mitch Putnam and Sheila Churchill—Doug’s wife—are now focusing their efforts on a newly launched initiative born from the tragedy, called Backcountry Safe.

“We have accepted that the avalanche that took Doug’s life was the result of many errors—both from our guide and to an extent ourselves,” Backcountry Safe’s founders acknowledge on its

website. Through sharing their story and detailing those mistakes, the friends are working to foster “honest and open dialogue between all backcountry users, from recreationalists to professionals,” that they hope can prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. With support from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, it also aims to bring about greater accountability to Canada’s alpine guiding practice.

The initiative couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do,” Sheila explains in a 30-minute documentary posted to Backcountry Safe’s site. “We know that this winter, there’s going to be a lot more people in the backcountry, and we need people to learn from our avalanche and our experience.”

SAR VOLUNTEERS EXPECTING ‘A LOT OF MISSED DINNERS’ Like their American counterparts, local rescuers expect to see more people than ever seeking out backcountry adventures this winter.

There are several factors leading to this projection, chief among them COVID19, the deadly virus that’s proven to spread faster indoors. But with bigger crowds in the backcountry comes an increased need for search and rescue. These not-forprofit organizations are staffed entirely by volunteers, who drop everything to help when

someone is lost or injured in the wilderness.

“Hopefully people that are going out “I don’t think any emergency there are being smart and aren’t going to response agency or group in the corridor need our services, but we don’t really have isn’t fully prepared for an onslaught,” much control over that.” said Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) manager Brad Sills.

“Every indicators there that it’s going to be very, very busy, so we’re kind of just READY TO RISE TO resigned to the fact that there’s going to be a THE CHALLENGE lot of missed dinners and nights where you don’t come home.”

Unlike the SAR crews currently experiencing In what is likely a preview for the winter volunteer shortages south of the border, ahead, Sills estimated that more than 150 those in the Sea to Sky corridor appear to be people each day headed up to Hanging well manned.

Lake on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. To put it into In Whistler, volunteer levels rarely context, that number is “somewhere in the change year-over-year thanks to a stable magnitude of at least a five-time growth in group of experienced, highly trained rescuers. that area,” he explained.

A few kilometres down the highway in Squamish, SSAR is even in the process The remarkably high number of people flocking to B.C.’s trails over the summer of recruiting new members to join its came alongside an unprecedented number 65-member team. of calls for Squamish Search and Rescue Wolfe said the crew is accepting (SSAR) crews, as well. applications until the end of December, “Our 2020 has been the busiest year for us “because we recognize the need to have ever on record, and so we’re expecting that more members going forward as our call trend to continue through the winter season,” volume increases.” explained SSAR president Gerald Wolfe.

Pemberton’s team is also growing: As of Nov. 17, Squamish crews had According to Schimek, a new seven-person responded to 114 callouts since the calendar crew has recently been established in year kicked off. Previously, the record was Lillooet, joining the 27-member squad that 104 calls throughout the whole of 2018. will remain based in Pemberton proper.

Though the Pemberton Search and Throughout the corridor, “We’ve got Rescue Society (PSAR) has not yet experienced really well-trained, competent people,” the same overwhelming uptick in calls as its explained Schimek. “A lot of them do Squamish equivalent, all available evidence work in the industry of ski patrollers and prompted PSAR president Pete Schimek to avalanche technicians so they’re staying up make this prediction: to speed on avalanche-type work.

“It’s going to be a full-time, unpaid job “We’re lucky that way.” for us this winter,” he said.

Each SAR group was also able to keep

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42 DECEMBER 10, 2020

FEATURE STORY up with its preparatory training sessions throughout the fall months, though the sessions—like pretty much every other event, meeting or appointment these days— were moved online whenever possible.

TIPS TO STAY SAFE AND EASE THE BURDEN ON LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS Itching to get out into the backcountry this winter? Complete your own fair share of prep beforehand, say Sea to Sky SAR leaders.

“Do your avalanche courses, make sure you’re well equipped,” advised Schimeck.

“Leave an itinerary with somebody.”

Schimeck lauded BC AdventureSmart’s (adventuresmart.ca) trip-planning app, which allows users to build an itinerary and send it to a friend before setting off.

That way, “they have a good idea of where you are, what you have with you and if

something happened to you then we, of course, can get that information and would have a better idea of how to respond to a task,” he said.

When venturing into avalanche-prone terrain, always be sure to pack safety gear like a transceiver, probe and shovel (and make sure you know how to use it), along with extra food, water and warm layers.

With higher volumes of calls anticipated, wait times for rescues will likely rise too, warns Sills, “so you better have a sleeping bag and extra clothes.”

Particularly in the context of an ongoing pandemic that has the potential to place enormous amounts of pressure on the province’s healthcare system, this winter is not the time to push the limit, Sills added.

“Don’t make the big moves, and try to come home for dinner every night.”

For those planning to dip their toes into the world of ski-touring, splitboarding, snowmobiling or snowshoeing for the first time, Sills recommends joining one of B.C.’s many backcountry clubs and taking part in the training courses they typically offer.

“If you can’t do that, for whatever reason, then definitely you must have at least—as

a minimum—an AST 1 [avalanche skills When asked what he would change if he training] course before you think about could turn back the clock, Crompton said, leaving the ski area,” he cautioned.

“I would really question going with a group Sills also recommended finding a solid that large, for starters.” crew of more experienced friends to learn Whether you’re skiing with a guide or from. “I’ve been doing this for 44 years here not, “you have to really understand your in the corridor. There’s not a day that goes group, but you also have to understand by that I’m not learning something new,” yourself,” he added. he said.

“If you’re relatively new [to the Though backcountry rookies should backcountry] and you’re with a guide or absolutely heed Sills’ advice, there’s also someone who’s really experienced, you’re wisdom to be found in Crompton’s tragic deferring to that individual, and you’re experience: Surrounding yourself with putting all your trust in them. That’s not mentors is crucial when you’re getting ideal, because you really should have the started in the backcountry, but the presence knowledge; you should have the training of someone more experienced is never an yourself.” excuse to let your guard down.

- With files from Steven Chua / Squamish It’s a lesson Crompton and his Chief ■ Backcountry Safe co-founders learned the hard way.

In filmed interviews posted to the site, the friends admit to relying too heavily on their guide to make safe decisions, even when they had their own extensive experience to lean on.

SEARCHANDRESCUE CREWS ACROSS B.C. HAVE SEEN A SPIKE IN CALLS DURING THE PANDEMIC. NORTH SHORE SEARCH AND RESCUE IS SEEN RESCUING A SKIER FROM SEYMOUR MOUNTAIN EARLIER THIS YEAR. WWW.GETTYIMAGES.CA

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43

SPORTS THE SCORE

Whistler luger Reid Watts holds onto national title at Canadian Championships THE 22-YEAR-OLD OLYMPIAN IS STAYING POSITIVE AHEAD OF RETURN TO WORLD CUP CIRCUIT

BY MEGAN LALONDE DESPITE KICKING off his sliding career at the Whistler Sliding Centre over a decade ago, hometown luge athlete Reid Watts is more familiar with Blackcomb Mountain’s iciest chute than he’s ever been.

“I haven’t had this many runs on my home track in probably over six years,” said Watts with a laugh.

Normally at this time of year, the 22-year-old Olympian would be bouncing from track to track, racing in a new location each weekend as the International Luge Federation’s World Cup circuit gets underway for another winter. But thanks to the global pandemic, he and his Canadian teammates have been living and training at the Whistler Sliding Centre “in a controlled bubble” since mid-October.

The extra time at home appears to have done Watts good. He successfully defended his Canadian Championship title at the Sliding Centre on Saturday, Dec. 5, in what marked his first official race of the 2020-21 season. Watts put down the fastest run in both heats of the senior men’s singles race, clocking DEFENDING CHAMP Whistler luge athlete Reid Watts slides to first place in the senior men’s division at the Canadian Championships, held at the Whistler Sliding Centre on Saturday, Dec. 5. After missing the first half of the World Cup series amidst the COVID19 pandemic, the 22-year-old Olympian is preparing to return to international competition next month.

PHOTO BY SILKE JELTSCH

44 DECEMBER 10, 2020

a combined time of 1 minute, 42.270 seconds (1:42.270) for the win.

“It’s been a really busy last seven weeks of just high volume training out here and trying out a lot of new [equipment,] but it’s good to finally get the race bib on and get into the racing atmosphere again,” he said.

In the women’s event, Calgary’s Makena Hodgson took the top spot with a combined time of 1:18.353, followed by teammate Carolyn Maxwell, who slid into the silver medal position with a time of 1:18.365.

Devin Wardrope, also from Calgary, rolled into third at 1:43.896.

“It’s not quite a World Cup,” Watts admitted, “but in the end I try to keep my mindset the same, you know? Because we’re missing the first half of the World Cup season I’m just trying to get any opportunity I can to just put myself into the race day mentality and mindset.”

That said, the win is still “obviously the best way I can start things off,” he added.

“But I’m really looking forward to racing

“It’s been a really busy last seven weeks of just high volume training out here and trying out a lot of new [equipment,] but it’s good to finally get the race bib on and get into the racing atmosphere again.”

- REID WATTS

Whistler locals also performed well in the women’s race. Trinity Ellis claimed third with her two-run combined time of 1:18:586, while Whistler-based doubles partners Natalie Corless and Caitlin Nash placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the women’s singles division.

Watts acknowledged that the field of competition among senior men at the Canadian Championships isn’t exactly deep, with just two other luge athletes competing in the division on Saturday.

Calgary teen Cole Zakanski slid into second place with a two-run time of 1:42.50, while

World Cup and getting into the bigger scene over the New Year.”

Watts leaves for Europe on Boxing Day. After missing the first four World Cup events of the season, he and the rest of Team Canada will re-join the circuit in Konigssee, Germany, according to a news release from Luge Canada. The athletes are scheduled to don their world cup bibs for the first time in Oberhof, Germany on Jan.12-17.

Throughout the past two months of training, Watts and his teammates have been busy acclimating to new sleds, as

well as a new assistant coach in Duncan Kennedy. Since retiring from international competition, the American luger and sled developer has cultivated a reputation for excelling when it comes to the technical side of the sport.

“He’s the guy who’s bringing in all the new sled tech stuff,” said Watts. “We’ve been working together really well and I’m really excited to have a future with him.”

Getting comfortable with the new equipment is a theme Watts said he expects to continue for the foreseeable future, even through his return to the World Cup circuit.

“I think this year’s going to be definitely more about getting this new stuff dialed in on all of the different tracks,” he said.

But that doesn’t mean Watts doesn’t have some big goals. With the 2022 Winter Olympics on the horizon, “Ideally, I want to start pushing the top-12 range more consistently, and be more competitive this year,” he said.

As Watts prepares for a return to international competition that will look unlike any of his previous seasons— complete with ever-changing protocols and weekly COVID-19 tests—his feet are still firmly planted on the bright side.

“Racing is still racing, and even though we do have to jump through all these hurdles, I’m just really fortunate to have the opportunity to actually race this year,” he said.

“There’s so many other people that have had their seasons cancelled and haven’t been able to compete, so at the end of the day, I’m just really happy I get to go out there.” n

SPORTS THE SCORE

CLOSED THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18TH

FALL SPECIALS

FREEFLYERS Freestyle Whistler and its roster of roughly 75 riders started training on Blackcomb this weekend.

FILE PHOTO BY MEGHAN LAHATTE

Freestyle Whistler ramping up for season NEW GEMINI FREESTYLE CENTRE SET FOR GRAND OPENING

BY DAN FALLOON THE LONG-ANTICIPATED Gemini Freestyle Centre on Blackcomb Mountain is set to officially open this winter, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

According to Freestyle Whistler program director Chris Muir, having access to the terrain will significantly benefit the club’s ability to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The club started training on the mountain over the weekend.

“The timing couldn’t be better in terms of offering us a space that’s ours that we can call our own to run this year and offer a great product for our athletes,” he said.

The advantages start immediately, Muir explained, as having the designated space will allow the club to ask athletes to meet there instead of at an indoor location.

“We’re going to open up training facilities to kids the moment they arrive, so we’ll have our moguls course going, our airbag. We’ll have a few jumps going,” he said. “They’re going to be engaged from the moment they arrive. ‘Let’s do our dynamic warmup and start training.’

“Kids are going to be able to session a feature while they wait for their friends to arrive. Once the group is there, then they head out skiing.”

With no wasted time, Muir reasoned, athletes will be able to jam more learning into a day, even if they’re not technically on the mountain for as many hours. Muir noted that the start times for each of Freestyle Whistler’s five programs will be staggered by 30 minutes to avoid overlap during arrivals, departures and lunchtimes.

“We’re not going to be able to run as long of a day. We were running six-hour days last year and we don’t know how long we can run, honestly, at this point because we don’t have as much access to lodges,” he said. “Whether that’s a four-and-a-halfhour or five-hour day, we don’t really know,

but the kids will get more for what they’ve been paying in the past, even if it’s a slightly shorter day.”

Though Freestyle Whistler, like other clubs, saw a sudden halt in the spring, it slowly and safely resumed operations in the summer. Without camps like Momentum going, they became the only game in town and saw a spike in participation, with water-ramp training selling out and having a waitlist.

“Normally, we’re struggling to even get people to show up for those training events,” Muir said. “I didn’t even realize that that would even be a factor in the summer.”

Heading into this winter, Muir said that the roster of roughly 75 athletes is consistent with last year.

“We’re definitely excited and whatever we’re going to be doing, at least the kids are out on snow and distanced and having a good time,” he said. “Sport is just so important at this time.

“It’s super important and critical that they’re able to exercise, have fun, see some friends in a distanced and masked area.”

Muir said the club has been tapped to host the provincial championships in early April, should they run this year, noting that any competition has TBD status. Freestyle Whistler’s high-performance teams are slated for events in Quebec and Alberta this winter, but Muir only anticipates athletes attending “if things get better magically.”

The club will look to make the most of whatever situation it finds itself in.

“Coaches have been told that we could brand it as a development year. If we’re not competing, we’ll run our own closed competitions within our own club to simulate some competition,” he said.

As an independent club with a smaller number of registered participants Muir feels fortunate for the opportunity to operate.

Other clubs with greater athlete numbers that operate under the Whistler Blackcomb purview are still making arrangements for how to serve athletes in 2020-21. n

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EPICURIOUS

The raw power of cacao THE TROPICAL PLANT THAT HAS BEGUILED CIVILIZATIONS FOR CENTURIES

BY BRANDON BARRETT TOVE REDEBY describes the feeling she felt stumbling upon a cacao orchard in 2012 near the Peruvian jungle city of Tarapoto as “love at first sight.”

“I randomly ended up on this farm, and before then, it wasn’t that I didn’t like chocolate, but I was never one of those crazy chocolate lovers. So I didn’t really expect that I was going to have this amazing connection, and it was really an experience for me to be in this orchard,” she recalled. “I really felt a deep connection and passion.”

For the Swedish nutritionist, it was a chance encounter with the plant that has since led to an eight-year love affair through the founding of Cacao Now, the Whistler Farmers Market staple that sells a range of organic, vegan cacao snacks.

“This is maybe too personal, but until that point I realized that I had only ever been passionate about sport. Of course, it’s easy to be passionate about skiing or surfing, but it was the first time I felt passion for something that wasn’t so about me and my fun,” Redeby explained. “Also it was the first time I felt so passionate about something that I wanted to work with it, I wanted to make it my living.”

For Redeby, it wasn’t just the nutritional benefits raw cacao, rich in antioxidants and proven to reduce the risk of everything from diabetes to heart disease, offered that appealed to her, but something deeper.

“For me, it was about the spirit of the actual plant, because I really believe that all plants have spirits,” Redeby said. “So it was more of a calling of the actual plant. Like this is my plant ally, this is my plant friend.”

Redeby knows how unlikely that might sound to some, but she is far from the only one to feel the pull of a plant that has beguiled civilizations for centuries. Cacao held deep significance for the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, who believed its “bean” (actually the plant’s dried and fermented seed) to be divine. Used in rituals marking a birth, marriage or death, cacao was often served

CACAO NOW

Tove Redeby described the feeling of stumbling upon a cacao orchard in 2012 near the Peruvian jungle city of Tarapoto as ‘love at first sight.’

PHOTO SUBMITTED

as a drink that was prepared based on the occasion or ceremony of the day. Cacao seeds were regularly offered up to the gods. Aztec soldiers were given chocolate beverages to steel them for battle, and chocolate was so beloved by Aztec emperor Moctezuma II that

Mesoamerica—what a steal!)

For generations, the cocoa bean also sat at the centre of the European slave trade, filling Spanish royal coffers, a terrible legacy that has bled into the 21st century.

These days, Western African countries,

“[I]t was the first time I felt so passionate about something that I wanted to work with it, I wanted to make it my living.”

- TOVE REDEBY

Spanish Conquistadors reported he refused to drink any other beverage, and only out of a golden goblet. Convinced of its healing power, the Mayans often prepared cacao drinks for medicinal purposes. The miracle plant was so valued in Mesoamerican society that it was even used as currency. (Historical records show that 200 cacao beans could secure you a male turkey in Ancient

primarily Ghana and the Ivory Coast, produce more than 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa, where a cocoa farmer is lucky to earn $2 a day. As the demand for chocolate skyrocketed over the years, farmers increasingly resorted to child labour to keep their prices competitive, and even today, the practice is rampant in West Africa, despite large chocolate makers

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such as Mars, Nestle and Hersheys pledging to end child labour in their chocolate production. Estimates peg the total number of children working in the West African chocolate trade at 2 million.

Thankfully, between the rise of veganism and conscious eating, paired with the fractures in the global food supply chain exposed by the pandemic, more and more consumers are taking the time to consider where their food—cacao included—comes from, noted Redeby.

“It makes me so happy that people are more aware of what they’re eating, and not just eating more veggies, but asking where their food is coming from, who grew it and people are more willing to learn more about it and spend more money on their food,” she said. “With COVID, there’s been this whole quest and thirst for knowing more about the source of food … The whole pandemic mindset, it kind of fast-tracked this movement a little bit.”

Check out Cacao Now’s line of products at cacaonow.ca. n

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ARTS SCENE

Indian Road Trip premieres at Whistler Film Festival, where it all started COMEDIC ROMP DEBUTS AS PART OF VIRTUAL OFFERINGS ON DEC. 15

BY ALYSSA NOEL INDIAN ROAD TRIP is the film you need right now.

Filled with laugh-out-loud one-liners, a range of loveable goofballs, and shot in the picturesque Thompson-Nicola region, it’s a one-hour-and-45-minute escape from our current realities.

“This is kind of a love letter to my people up there where I’m from and to those quirky characters,” says A.W. Hopkins, who’s from the N’Quatqua First Nation near D’arcy.

“And those stupid, funny, wild situations we got into. They emerged from the back of my subconscious and imagination.”

Hopkins’ debut feature film is the story of two cousins—Hank, the brooding brains, and Cody the beefy sidekick—who embark on a road trip to travel from their small, stifling reserve where “everyone knows what you’re thinking before you even think it” to the fabled Wreck Beach (Vancouver’s famous nude beach/ hippie hangout).

After getting caught in a few cons, mostly perpetuated against clueless tourists, they get assigned a task before they can hit the road. They have to drive

HIT THE ROAD Indian Road Trip streams as part of the Whistler Film Festival starting on Dec. 15.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

48 DECEMBER 10, 2020

a curmudgeonly (but hilariously blunt) elder to see her estranged, dying sister on the old reserve.

“I realized as I was writing, I had tremendous affection for my characters,” Hopkins says. “I like them all. I want to spend time with them. It was really easy once I got going to write the script and put them in those situations. I want people to walk away with not so much a political

the right people, just under deadline. It all started with the Whistler Film Festival’s Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship in 2015.

“It was the first time I spent a lot of time around Indigenous filmmakers,” Hopkins says. “That was great to connect on that level and see what people were interested in doing. Everyone seemed to like my script. I was sure I would have the very worst script and no one would like it,

“I realized as I was writing, I had tremendous affection for my characters. I like them all. I want to spend time with them.”

- A.W. HOPKINS

[take] or thinking about an issue, but mainly just an emotion. ‘I experienced something that is different, that is authentic.’”

Hopkins grew up between N’Quatqua and Vancouver. He spent years working for CTV covering Indigenous current events stories. But when his job got cut, and he noticed the state of the industry, he decided to focus on scriptwriting.

It’s been a running theme throughout his filmmaking career that someone notices an opportunity and connects him with

but it was the opposite; everyone seemed to like it.”

The following year, he was accepted to the festival’s Screenwriters Lab to further hone the script—and make industry connections.

“My career so far is very much dependent on the Whistler Film Festival,” he says.

To that end, he had a few festivals that wanted to debut the film, but he knew it had to be at Whistler.

“I’m just really grateful Whistler wanted to debut it,” he said.

The road-trip genre had always been appealing to Hopkins, but it’s the Indigenous angle that makes it unique and compelling. He taps into a humour that might be common to Indigenous people, but is rarely seen on the big screen.

“I think it is a bit untapped,” he says.

“That kind of humour was a daily thing when it was in my formative years on the reservation. The two main characters are kind of loosely based on my brother and my cousin who just had such a great dynamic.

They were so funny. Everyone thought they were hilarious and very cool. There has been Indigenous humour for years and years; it doesn’t get a lot of attention.”

At its core, the film is about grappling with the desire to forge your own path or stay where you have roots and connections.

For Hopkins, it’s a bit of a fantasy of what could’ve been if he had chosen another path.

“I think a lot of Indigenous people who leave their land and their people and some of the history back on the reserve struggle with this feeling of, ‘How do I maintain that connection? Have I lost that?’ Once you get into the city and [start] doing education and working in an office and getting onto that wheel of accomplishment, I think a lot struggle with that and try and work out their own personal way of dealing with it.”

Catch Indian Road Trip as part of the virtual Whistler Film Festival on Dec. 15 at whistlerfilmfestival.com. n

ARTS SCENE

RESERVOIR

BY REBECCA BELMORE

SHOW GOES ON Jason Sakaki, who recently moved to Whistler, is taking part in the online production Gateway Theatre’s Home for the Holidays Musical Revue, kicking off on Dec. 18.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Catch musical revue Home for the Holidays, starring a Whistler newcomer AFTER A TUMULTUOUS YEAR, ACTOR JASON SAKAKI SPENDS A SEASON IN THE RESORT

BY ALYSSA NOEL AFTER WATCHING six months of acting jobs instantly evaporate during the first wave of COVID-19, Jason Sakaki decided to spend his winter a little differently.

The 20-year-old Vancouver actor headed up the Sea to Sky Highway and decided to live at his uncle’s Whistler home while working for the mountain over the season.

“I could either stay in Vancouver and live in the city or go out to Whistler and be a little bit away from everything and have some time to focus on what I want to do next,” Sakaki says.

Back in March, he was skiing at Big White when he checked his phone halfway through the day and found out Richmondbased Gateway Theatre’s production of From Alaska—in which he was co-starring— had been cancelled.

“I was supposed to be in Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park,” he added. “That got cancelled the next day. I lost six months of contracts in 24 hours.”

Instead of feeling sorry for himself, when Sakaki returned home, he came up with an idea to keep the creative juices flowing. Enlisting the help of his roommate, he decided to perform Les Miserables on his own in its entirety via Instagram Live.

“We took the joke too far,” he says, with a laugh. “It’s almost a three-hour musical, but we got through almost the entire thing—an abridged version. We thought it’d be for a few of my friends, but it ended up [that] 1,000 people viewed it by the end of the night. It was way, way more than we were expecting.”

So they did another. And then another. In total, he did four of the one-off performances.

“It was more of a way to entertain ourselves, but it ended up being this great thing. It was a chance for everyone to connect with each other,” he says.

Like it has for most performers, that boundless creative energy that seemed to be in abundance early in the pandemic has dwindled as the months have worn on.

But one bright spot has been Gateway Theatre’s decision to move its Home for the Holidays Musical Revue online this year.

Sakaki pre-recorded his contribution, a duet from The King and I—which he performed in at Gateway Theatre seven years ago when he was just 13—back in October.

“There’s so many fantastic artists involved in the show,” he says. “Gateway has been fantastic throughout the pandemic, supporting artists despite the complete cut of ticket sales.”

The one-hour, family friendly production will feature songs from classics like Annie, The Wizard of Oz, and The Sound of Music, to name just a few.

Everyone is invited to sing along at home.

While Sakaki isn’t sure what his future acting career holds—he also has a handful of TV and film credits to his name—it is fulfilling to offer people a little holiday cheer, he says.

“It’s lovely to make people happy and bring a bit of musical theatre into people’s lives,” he says. “For a lot of families, going to the Gateway musical was a tradition. It is for my family. It’s a big thing to lose out on. It’s nice we can have a different way to honour that tradition.”

Home for the Holidays kicks off with an opening night watch party on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. It’s available on demand from Dec. 19 to Jan. 1.

Tickets are $25 online gatewaytheatre. com/home-for-holidays. n

DECEMBER 10, 2020

49

MUSEUM MUSINGS

ZIG-ZAG Skiing on Whistler Mountain in 1970.

WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CORPORATION COLLECTION / COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM

Looking back at Whistler

BY ALLYN PRINGLE LAST WEEK WE CELEBRATED the 40th anniversary of Blackcomb Mountain’s official opening in 1980, so this week we thought we’d look further back at a few of the things that were new on Whistler Mountain and the Whistler area in 1970, when the area was constantly growing and changing.

Though crews weren’t having to finish new lifts or set up mountain operations from scratch, the summer and fall of 1970 were still a hive of activity on Whistler Mountain, with changes being made to runs, lifts, and facilities for the upcoming season. Many of the runs had grooming work done such as flattening some steep pitches and clearing trees, stumps, and boulders. The lengthening of the Green Chair was accompanied by the cutting of a new run and the widening of both Jolly Green Giant and Ego Bowl.

While the Green Chair was extended, the Valley T-bar, described as “the forgotten lift at Whistler,” was being moved up the mountain to run parallel to the Alpine T-bar. The Alpine T-bar provided access to some of Whistler’s most popular terrain: Harmony Bowl, T-Bar Bowl, and (with a bit of traversing) Whistler Bowl. It was hoped that the addition of a parallel lift would shorten the lift lines.

Another lift, the Blue Chair, gained a “high-speed” loading ramp and a few new trails, with one being cut from the bottom of Harmony Bowl, another from the base of Blue Chair over to the Green Chair, and Dad’s Run (now Ratfink) cut adjacent to Mum’s Run (now Marmot).

50 DECEMBER 10, 2020

Indoors, the Roundhouse received some substantial upgrades, most notably electricity.

Propane heaters were replaced by dieselpowered electric heaters. A “new modern electric food preparation” area was installed alongside increased seating capacity, which opened up new hot-food options at the top of the mountain that winter, such as French fries, chili, stews, soups, hot dogs, and even “shake and bake” chicken. For the first time, the Roundhouse offered breakfast as well, from a continental breakfast to cold cereal and hot porridge. While it may not have been considered gourmet cuisine, these new offerings greatly increased the on-mountain dining options.

Down in the valley, a new dining option opened up that, though now closed, is still talked about in Whistler today: Rudi and Merrilyn Hoffmann’s Mountain Holm Steakhouse. Rudi Hoffmann, who had completed his three-year apprenticeship in Germany, had worked as the head chef at the Christiana Inn on Alta Lake during the 1969/70 season before opening his own restaurant at Nesters late in 1970. The Mountain Holm Steakhouse invited guests to “relax in an European atmosphere with good food at moderate prices” and, by the holiday season, was busy enough that reservations were recommended. It even offered a traditional European Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, featuring goose, dumplings, and a homemade Christmas pudding.

All these changes would have made the 1970 season rather different from winters that came before. While each season may not bring new runs or changed lifts, Whistler Valley and the mountains continue to change 50 years later. n

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WALDORF GIVES BACK Whistler Waldorf School staff pose for “a group photo” after the school raised approximately $78,000 from its 20th Annual Giving Campaign which ended last week. Head to whistlerwaldorf.com/annualgiving for highlighted

excerpts and stories from Waldorf School more than two decades in Whistler. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 2 HELLY HANSEN HELPS Helly Hansen’s jacket drive is up and running through the end of 2020 at each of its 13 retail locations across North America, with retail locations now accepting donations of washed, gently-used jackets. (And no, donated jackets do not have to be Helly Hansen brand.) The jackets donated to the company’s Whistler locations—as seen here with local staff members Megan, Hanna, and Phil—will benefit the Howe Sound Women’s Centre. To thank those who donate a jacket before Dec. 31, Helly Hansen is providing a discount to be used on the purchase of one full-priced Helly Hansen item. The discount can be used at the time of donation or through the end of the year in-store or online. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 3

SUNNY SHRED DAY Luke Cipolla (13) sends it on Whistler peak, a beautiful Saturday above the clouds. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 4 WINNING WATTS Whistler luge athlete Reid Watts

poses with the Canadian Championship cup. The 22-year-old Olympian defended his national title at the Whistler Sliding Centre on Saturday, Dec. 5. PHOTO SUBMITTED. SPIRIT SKIS Cole Constantini, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student at Whistler Secondary School, was awarded the Freestyler Spirit Award on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 over a club-wide Zoom call. Along with the accolade, Constantini received a brand new pair of Volkl skis to shred the park. In an email sent out to club members, coaches said Constantini “continuously shows massive amounts of stoke and positivity,” and embodies “the very essence of what being a Freestyle athlete is about.” PHOTO SUBMITTED.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Send your recent snaps to arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

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ASTROLOGY

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): According to Taoist scholar Chad Hansen, “Western philosophers have endlessly analyzed and dissected a cluster of terms thought to be central to our thinking,” such as truth, beauty, reason, knowledge, belief, mind, and goodness.

But he reports that they’ve never turned their attention to a central concept of Chinese philosophy: the Tao, which might be defined as the natural, unpredictable flow of life’s ever-changing rhythms. I think that you Aries people, more than any other sign of the zodiac, have the greatest potential to cultivate an intuitive sense of how to align yourselves vigorously with the Tao. And you’re in prime time to do just that.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): What’s the cause of the rumbling at the core of your soul? How do we explain the smoke and steam that are rising from the lower depths?

From what I can discern, the fire down below and the water down below are interacting to produce an almost supernatural state of volatile yet numinous grace. This is a good thing! You may soon begin having visions of eerie loveliness and earth-shaking peace. The clarity that will eventually emerge may at first seem dark, but if you maintain your poise it will bloom like a thousand moons.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Author and student Raquel Isabelle de Alderete writes wittily about her paradoxical desires and contradictory qualities. In accordance with current astrological omens, I encourage you to ruminate about your own. For inspiration, read her testimony: “I want to be untouchably beautiful but I also don’t want to care about how I look. I want to be at the top of my class but I also just want to do as best as I can without driving myself to the edge. I want to be a mystery that’s open to everybody. A romantic that never falls in love. Both the bird and the cat.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): What would it take for you to muster just a bit more courage so as to change what needs to be changed? How could you summon the extra excitement and willpower necessary to finally make progress on a dilemma that has stumped you? I’m happy to inform you that cosmic rhythms will soon be shifting in such a way as to make these breakthroughs more possible. For best results, shed any tendencies you might have to feel sorry for yourself or to believe you’re powerless.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Novelist Tom Robbins says you have the power to change how you perceive the world.

You can change reality—and how reality responds to you—by the way you look at it and interpret it. This counsel is especially useful for you right now, Leo. You have an unparalleled opportunity to reconfigure the way you comprehend things, and thereby transform the world you live in. So I suggest you set your intention. Vow that for the next two weeks, every experience will bring you a fresh invitation to find out something you didn’t know before.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was re-elected in 2019. During his campaign, the Virgo-born politician arranged to be photographed while wearing the saffron robes of a Hindu priest and meditating in an austere Himalayan cave. Why did he do it? To appeal to religious voters. But later it was revealed that the “cave” was in a cozy retreat centre that provides regular meals, electricity, phone service, and attentive attendants. It will be crucial for you to shun this type of fakery in 2021, Virgo. Your success will depend on you being as authentic, genuine, and honest as you can possibly be. Now is an excellent time to set your intention and start getting yourself in that pure frame of mind.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When author Ernest Hemingway was working on the manuscript for his novel A Farewell to Arms, he asked his colleague F. Scott Fitzgerald to offer critique. Fitzgerald obliged with a 10-page analysis that advised a different ending, among other suggestions. Hemingway wasn’t pleased. “Kiss my

ass,” he wrote back to Fitzgerald. I suggest a different approach for you, Libra. In my view, now is a good time to solicit feedback and mirroring from trusted allies. What do they think and how do they feel about the current state of your life and work? If they do respond, take at least some of it to heart.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Mistletoe is a parasite that grows on trees, weakening them. On the other hand, it has been a sacred plant in European tradition. People once thought it conferred magical protection. It was called “all-heal” and regarded as a medicine that could cure numerous illnesses.

Even today, it’s used in Europe as a remedy for colon cancer. And of course mistletoe is also an icon meant to encourage kissing. After studying your astrological potentials, I’m proposing that mistletoe serve as one of your symbolic power objects in the coming months.

Why? Because I suspect that you will regularly deal with potencies and energies that could potentially be either problematic or regenerative. You’ll have to be alert to ensure that they express primarily as healing agents.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I’m envisioning a scene in which you’re sitting on a chair at a kitchen table. At the centre of the table is a white vase holding 18 long-stemmed red roses. The rest of the table’s surface is filled with piles of money, which you have just unloaded from five mysterious suitcases you found at your front door. All of that cash is yours, having been given to you no-strings-attached by an anonymous donor. You’re in joyful shock as you contemplate the implications of this miraculous gift. Your imagination floods with fantasies about how different your life can become. Now, Sagittarius, I invite you to dream up at least three further wonderfully positive fantasies involving good financial luck. That’s the medicine you need right now.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Boisterous Capricorn novelist Patricia Highsmith (1921–1995) once made the following New Year’s Eve Toast: “To all the devils, lusts, passions, greeds, envies, loves, hates, strange desires, enemies ghostly and real, the army of memories, with which I do battle—may they never give me peace.” Right now I suspect you may be tempted to make a similar toast. As crazy-making as your current challenges are, they are entertaining and growth-inducing. You may even have become a bit addicted to them. But in the interests of your long-term sanity, I will ask you to cut back on your “enjoyment” of all this uproar. Please consider a retreat into an intense self-nurturing phase.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the French city of Strasbourg, there’s a wine cellar built in the year 1395.

Among its treasures is a barrel filled with 450 litres of wine that was originally produced in 1472. According to legend, this ancient beverage has been tasted on just three occasions. The last time was to celebrate the French army’s liberation of Strasbourg from German occupation in 1944. If I had the power, I would propose serving it to you Aquarians in honour of your tribe’s heroic efforts to survive—and even thrive—during the ordeals of 2020. I’m predicting that life in 2021 will have more grace and progress because of how you have dealt with this year’s challenges.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): There are too many authorities, experts, know-it-alls, and arrogant ideologues trying to tell us all what to do and how to do it.

Fortunately, the cosmic rhythms are now aligned in such a way as to help you free yourself from those despots and bullies. Here’s more good news: Cosmic rhythms are also aligned to free you from the nagging voice in your own head that harass you with fearful fantasies and threaten you with punishment if you aren’t perfect.

Homework: What’s the one thing you don’t have that would help you make the biggest improvement in your life? 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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88/64 CASPER CHARLIE PLACE, DARCY BC V0N 1L0

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR AND/ OR ABORIGINAL SUPPORTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT WORKER Maternity leave 1 year may be extended to full time position The N’Quatqua First Nation is seeking a qualified Early Childhood Educator and/or Aboriginal Supported Child Development Support Worker to fill a full-time position at N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre. The successful candidate will join our NCFDC team, the function of the Early Childhood Educator and/or Aboriginal Supported Child Development Support Worker is to provide the extra staffing support to a child care center in order for children with extra support needs to fully participate in the child care settings chosen by their families. The Early Childhood and/or Support Worker works as a team member with child care setting staff and with all the children and families providing general support to the whole program to ensure effective inclusion of the children.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability in: • Ability to develop and maintain a warm, caring, responsive relationship with the child.

• Ability to establish and maintain supportive, collaborative relationships with families and staff.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, positive, professional, nonjudgmental attitude.

• Physically ability to carry out the duties of the position.

• Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports community, inclusion and is culturally significant for young Aboriginal children • Understanding and working knowledge of Child Care Licensing regulations • Interpersonal, written, oral communication skills and maintaining positive communication with parents • Collaborating with community service providers, Self-directed and able to initiate and complete projects In addition, the Early Childhood Educator and/or Aboriginal Supported Child Development Support Worker will have: • A minimum of 2 years work experience in a child care setting • Valid Early Childhood Education Certificate, Special Needs License to Practice or going to school to take Early Childhood Educator and/ or special needs.

• Special Needs certificate or relevant experience preferred • Clear Criminal Records Check & Current First Aid • Food Safe, or willingness to obtain • Some knowledge of curriculum and philosophies in First Nations Early Childhood settings Terms of Employment: • Full-time Permanent, Monday to Friday hours to be determined • Start Date: As soon as possible • Wage: (negotiable depending on experience)

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4/11/2005

Cover Letter & Resume to: Title: Lisa Sambo, Manager Agency: N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre Email: lisa.sambo@nquatqua.ca Fax: 604-452-3295/3280 Deadline: until position is filled We thank all those who apply. Only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

DECEMBER 10, 2020

57

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Accountant (Permanent, F/T) RDC Fine Homes is seeking an Experienced Lead Hand Foreman to join our team.

RDC Fine Homes has been building high performance custom homes (and renovating) in the Sea to Sky since 1993.

The core of our success is our team and we’re proud to have been recognized by Small Business BC Awards as one of the top five best employers in British Columbia.

We Offer: • A highly structured workplace where your experience and input are highly valued

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is located in southwestern BC and consists of 4 member municipalities (Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Lillooet) and 4 electoral areas. The region contains some of the most spectacular forests, waterways, and mountains in the province and affords an endless range of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of regional, sub-regional and local services to its residents. Services include land use planning, solid waste management, building inspection, fire protection, emergency preparedness, 911 services, recreation, water and sewer utilities, regional transit, trails and open spaces as well as financial support for various community services.

The SLRD is seeking an experienced individual to perform asset management duties, grant administration duties and other intermediate level accounting duties in support of and under the direction of the Director of Finance. This is a new permanent, full-time position with diverse responsibilities. At this time, it is anticipated that this position will initially be remote due to the COVID pandemic but will, in accordance with the SLRD reopening plan, eventually be located at the SLRD office in Pemberton.

The ideal candidate will have a Professional Accounting Designation, or be enrolled in such a program, with a minimum of 4 years accounting experience with a focus on and extensive experience with managing tangible capital assets. Candidates must have excellent Excel skills, experience using large data sets and superior communication skills with the ability to work within deadlines.

The successful candidate will be responsible for: •

Building, maintaining, improving and communicating the SLRD’s asset registry and asset management plans and strategies.

•

Developing annual and long-term capital budgets and performing capital budget variance reviews & remediation strategies.

• Professional development opportunities and trade-specific training

•

Assisting with capital projects as they relate to infrastructure asset management.

•

Assisting with capital project planning and procurement.

• Extended health benefits

•

Reviewing various grant funding opportunities, compiling information and writing grant applications in coordination with the applicable SLRD department.

•

Reviewing and reconciling project financial records for completeness and for any grant eligibility requirements, ensuring the project stays within any respective grant requirements.

•

Completing grant funding reporting requirements.

• A positive, solution based work environment

• Tool purchase and vehicle programs • Award winning Team as your co-workers

What We’re Looking For:

•

Cross-training in all facets of the finance department to assist as needed.

• A highly skilled Foreman with extensive experience building custom homes in Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton

•

Tracking financial funding resolutions of the Board, preparing funding letters to the recipients and completing cheque requisitions for funding disbursements.

•

Performing other related work as required.

• A leader who can manage, mentor and motivate a crew of experienced carpenters and apprentices

For further information, please see the full job description at www.slrd.bc.ca/employment

• An individual who will work alongside the Project Managers, the Site Superintendents and the site crews to ensure the on-going success of our projects • Someone who is open to new technology and innovative building systems

Please send your resume to: info@rdcfinehomes.com

Coastal Mountain Excavations (est. 1975) is a Civil Construction and Snow Services company serving the Sea to Sky Corridor and beyond.

We are currently recruiting:

ACCOUNTING CLERK Email resume to careers@coastalmountain.ca

58 DECEMBER 10, 2020

Compensation will be determined commensurate with knowledge, skills and ability, includes a comprehensive benefit package and Municipal Pension Plan and offers the ability to work a compressed work week (nine-day fortnight).

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume with a covering letter by email, no later than January 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. to: Suzanne Lafrance, Director of Finance Squamish-Lillooet Regional District slafrance@slrd.bc.ca We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Glacier Media Group is growing. Check our job board regularly for the latest openings: www.glaciermedia.ca/careers

R001408475

• We are a WCB COR compliant company and our worksites are safety first

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DECEMBER 10, 2020

59

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PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 11 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 48 49 50 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 63 64 66

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Nettle Cat call Merlot or claret (2 wds.)

Advanced degs.

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Full of suds Sea, to Cousteau Arrived Stray dogs Urges along

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Chopper’s place Feelings Spurs on Kind of fountain Tahiti Took out House feature Metric measure Iris center Biscotto flavoring White heron Bloodhound’s clues Strong alloy White-water craft Campus VIPs Conical shelter Is entitled to

# 45

Place firmly Turnpike Psychics may see them Grads-to-be Dinner courses Separate Roundup gear Deli order Home of the Wichita Mountains Sci-fi weapons (2 wds.)

Indications Protracted Miscellany Quick bread Instruct Clumsy ones Teemed Result of action Banana oil, e.g.

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Without a sou Son of Valiant and Aleta Rage Find fault Fly catchers Express gratitude Wharves Hippie greeting Theorem ender Move gingerly Falk or Jennings Spiny-leaved plant Did a lawn chore Took an oath Popular hemline Sighed with delight Mr. Spock Deceive with charm Mustang Matted locks of wool Terrible Gets married Webpage feature Be absent from Yet to come Trawler gear Education innovator Delay, with “off” Hosp. workers Dig a tunnel Place for skating Cookie holders Feels like State as fact Walk slowly Snapshots, for short Stack Squander

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Promoted Give an address Artist’s plaster Puppy chow brand Stoa Party tray cheese Split second Army wheels Projections Movies Most swift Golfer Ernie -Grassy shoulder Prom night must Forested tract Backslide Made a sudden forward

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thrust Brother’s title Kind of student Evergreen Fridge maker Theme Sonnet writers Barn dweller Kilted musician Unfamiliar Vales Unlucky time Secluded valley Shriveled from heat Halter -- banana Tony winner -- Hagen

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5 9 2 4 8

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2 8

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 57

DECEMBER 10, 2020

61

MAXED OUT

Being grateful for what we have “I’ll have a Zoom™ Christmas without you...”

AND SO SAYS ST. BONNIE of B.C.: Stay home, celebrate with yourselves, ski your local mountains.

I only mention that final bit as a reminder to all the Lower Mainland folks I saw spawning up and down the highway this past weekend. Overshoot Grouse?

Don’t give a damn? Too special to heed the proscriptions?

BY G.D. MAXWELL Alas, aren’t we all. Too special, eh?

Whatever. The pandemic weighs on us all and piles on what is universally recognized as a stressful time of year.

Our precious me-first mentalities simply aren’t wired to comprehend sacrifice.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders outlines many reasons people find Christmas stressful, including: financial and time pressures; isolation; family tensions—also known as getting along with your parents, kids, siblings and relatives; separation and divorce; bereavement; and reflecting on another year gone by, also known as getting older, which still beats the heck out of not getting older… unless you’re really depressed about Christmas, which a lot of people seem to be.

To that list we can add, more locally, wondering why all those cars with Alberta plates are parked, well, everywhere.

Alberta, being one of the nation’s COVID-19 hotbeds and being led by a buffoon whose main hobby is blaming others for his own shortcomings, is, perhaps, the last place from which we want to extend a warm welcome to visitors. If we weren’t ourselves being led by a premier who would rather egg on oppressive actions of a more senior level of government, we might crib a page from the Maritimes and ban all but essential travel into B.C. from Alberta.

And then there’s the stress of the Aimless Wanderers who haunt the village like so many extras in a zombie apocalypse movie. They come, they rubberneck, they gawk, they join the conga line of cars heading down valley. In other times, we would welcome them with open arms, offer them directions and suggestions to make their visit more meaningful, thank them for coming so they can say they’ve been here.

In other times.

But let’s, for a moment at least, focus on the positive. It is, after all, the peace on Earth, goodwill towards others time of year.

So in an admittedly uncharacteristic vein, let me extend both congratulations and thanks to the hardworking boys and girls who have beavered away to get Whistler and Blackcomb open, operating and about as enjoyable as anyone could hope for.

62 DECEMBER 10, 2020

GETTYIMAGES.CA

With just enough natural snow and copious amounts of artisanal snow, both mountains opened on schedule. Naturally, this was disappointing to those of us who remember several memorable years when we skied peak to valley in early November but that is not a complaint, just the wistful reminiscence of seasons past.

It was, in fact, one of the smoothest openings I can remember. Oh sure, there was a lot of grousing about the reservation system but I suspect much of that was coming from people who’ve never gotten comfortable with ordering a taxi from an app. As far as learning curves go, figuring out the reservation system was almost

good, far better than several recent seasons, and everyone in a lift line seemed to remain calm and distanced, respectful even of the people around them.

The on-mountain restaurants I checked out were marvels of openness. Tables were spaced, reserved, cleaned and recleaned and so completely unlike the chaos normally experienced therein it left me feeling as though I’d stumbled into a movie set not yet ready to shoot.

Heck, I even skied out to Base II on Blackcomb and the village on Whistler. I’ll defer to Dr. Anthony’s description of skiing out to Creekside for the time being; he’s never been known to exaggerate beyond

Rolling into a holiday unlike any most of us have ever experienced, I’ll take solace where I find it and I’m finding it at altitude. as steep as learning how to work velcro.

(Yes, Virginia, steep learning curves mean something is quick and easy to master, notwithstanding the fact so many people who are graphically challenged just can’t seem to grasp their misuse of the words.)

Virtually every day last week the lifts started loading early. Enough days to need more fingers than I have on one hand, I was skiing by 8:30 a.m., having boarded minutes after 8 a.m. The grooming was

acceptable limits, acceptable at least to opinion columnists (see Range Rover column, Pique, Dec.3).

After the foreshortened season past, getting up the mountains seems even more life-affirming than usual. The sharp air, sharper edges, pull of gravity, screaming first-day quad muscles, cold nose and numb fingers feel like life lived on the edge after the dull repetitiveness of the last eight months. And bonus—skiing with friends

seems safely social. Masked faces, open chairlifts, fresh air venting human exhaust as quickly as lifts slide past towers seem reasonably riskless and more welcome even than two-metre cocktails.

No, I haven’t drunk the Kool-Aid. I still hope to live long enough to see Whistler Blackcomb operate under more enlightened—or at least less benighted— ownership. But that’s a wish for another day. For today, I humbly thank those in charge for making life more than a little bit brighter.

Rolling into a holiday unlike any most of us have ever experienced, I’ll take solace where I find it and I’m finding it at altitude.

Less so in the village but it’s important to look for it there as well. I’m doing my best to walk the “shop local” talk. While that’s nothing new, it’s even more important this year when visitor numbers are smaller than ever and concern over living to be open another day is larger than ever.

Online shopping is seductive. A couple of clicks and a wait for delivery and just about anything you want arrives at your door. But just about anything you want can be found somewhere nearby, in a store owned and operated by a neighbour, a friend, fellow traveller. Now more than ever is a great time to think locally. Not sure what to get? Any store or restaurant in town will be happy to sell you a gift card. They’re all the right size and right colour and even if you or whomever you give them to don’t use them right away, the folks you buy them from have more than enough things they can use the proceeds for... right away.

So play hard, stay safe, shop local and wait for a better day to come. n

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1

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1

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2

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1

SOLD

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2

604.938.2499

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The perfect Whistler family home walking distance to Whistler Village. #23 Suncrest is a 2 bed, 1 bath, 904 sf townhome with deck & large crawlspace to store all the toys. 1 parking space + visitor parking. Updates include modern kitchen & hardwood flooring, new hot water tank & washer/dryer.

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#314 - 4369 Main Street

2

$375,000

Have your housing needs changed – are you able to work from home? Consider the purchase of this 7535 sq.ft. flat lot and plan your home build for Spring. Black Tusk, located just 15 minutes from Whistler Resort is the perfect spot to social distance, create a sustainable vegetable garden and enjoy a less hurried lifestyle.

A stylish studio unit right in Whistler Village with a beautiful view of the mountains. Recent updates include a sleek new kitchenette, slate flooring in the kitchen and bath, rain shower, luxury vinyl plank in the living area, slate fireplace surround, new AC unit, electric roller blinds and modern lighting throughout.

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Madison Perry

604.905.8777

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9024 Riverside Road

$899,000

Buildyourdreamhomeupto4,628squarefeetplusaseparateauxiliarybuildingof2,152on this1.88-acreproperty.Lot7onRiversideinPhase1ofWedgewoodsisashortdrivefrom Whistler.Appreciatetheprivacyanddepthofthislot,surroundedbymajesticmountains, whileremainingpeacefulwiththeGreenRiverrunningalongthebackoftheproperty.

Dave Beattie*

604.905.8855

3D Tour - rem.ax/23SB

This unit has had a wonderful renovation that is clean bright and modern.The high gloss cabinetry in the kitchen compliments the large porcelain tiles and high end Samsung appliances which match nicely with the glass fronted wine cooler. Live here well or share this great apartment with others as a nightly rental.

Dave Sharpe

$125,000

This 1 bed/1 bath QUARTER OWNERSHIP property in Evolution offers custom finishings, contemporary design & comes fully equipped. Building amenities include: outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, games room, exercise room & media room. Enjoy 13 weeks per year of personal use and/or rental income.

3D Tour - rem.ax/312greyhawk

#312 - 3317 Ptarmigan Pl.

#105D - 2020 London Lane

A private 108 lot community with unique privacy and many larger properties. You can build a family home as well as an auxiliary building of 2150 sq. ft. Perfect for a workshop, studio or guest suite with extra garage. A select group of properties located in The Highlands at WedgeWoods have just been launched and offer beautiful views.

Price Reduced

#3 - 2024 Innsbruck Drive

$704,900

WHISTLER OFFICE 106 - 7015 Nesters Road, Whistler, BC V8E 0X1 604.932.2300 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070 *PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

If you are a home owner, buyer, tenant, landlord, or small business in need of help during this time, please see our updated list of resources at: remax-whistler.com/resources

778.919.7653

.5

#2 - 4891 Painted Cliff Drive

$1,879,000

A beautiful location awaits you at the top of the Blackcomb Benchlands for your Whistler enjoyment. True ski in ski out properties are very hard to come by.

This 3 bedroom 2 bath has gorgeous natural light, allowing you to enjoy those sunshine-filled days with your family and friends.

Doug Treleaven

604.905.8626

#312A - 2020 London Lane

3

$225,000

Quarter Ownership in a modern well appointed condo at the base of Whistler Mountain. Building has pool, sauna and steam room and the unit has a great kitchen, open floor plan, and is pet friendly. Enjoy south facing views of the valley and use your unit 1 week every month, or allow it to be rented for revenue.

Matt Chiasson

604.935.9171

2

PEMBERTON OFFICE 1411 Portage Road, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L1 604.894.6616 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070