Pique Newsmagazine 2805

FEBRUARY 4, 2021 ISSUE 28.05

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FREE TO HEAL

AVERTING

TRAUMA

WHISTLER HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION MEETS $1.5M FUNDRAISING GOAL FOR TRAUMA CENTRE UPGRADES

16

PUT TO THE TEST

Whistler was recently

home to a rapid COVID-19 test trial

23

RACISM ROUNDTABLE

Multicultural

Society looking to offer anti-racism training

40

CELEBRATING PEMBERTON

Four

Spud Valley artists on display in Whistler

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

36

40

32 Averting trauma Whistler Health Care Foundation meets $1.5M fundraising goal for trauma centre upgrades. - By Braden Dupuis

16

PUT TO THE TEST

As advocates push for

26

NUMBER CRUNCHING

Village of

broader COVID-19 testing across Canada, Whistler was recently home to a

Pemberton council took its first look at the 2021 budget during its

rapid antigen test trial.

Committee of the Whole meeting on Feb. 2.

18

ON EDGE

Problems persist for Whistler Blackcomb

36

MAGIC MARIELLE

Ski-cross racer Marielle

ski-pass holders unable to travel due to pandemic confusion over refunds,

Thompson looks back on the first half of the FIS World Cup season held

credits, or a salvaged ski season linger.

during the COVID-19 pandemic.

23

RACISM ROUNDTABLE

The Whistler

40

CELEBRATING PEMBERTON

Four

Multicultural Society has been tapped to deliver anti-racism training and

Spud Valley artists are showcased in a new exhibit at The Gallery digging

resources locally.

into the inspiration that abounds north of Whistler.

COVER I think the true measure of a Whistler local is when you’ve hit double digits in visits to the trauma room! - By Jon Parris 4 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS Fresh powder—and mixed messages from B.C.’s top doctor—made for a

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

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

busy weekend in Whistler while reinforcing the idea that Canada needs to make its own vaccine.

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letter writers this week call out the province for not doing more

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

to protect residents against COVID-19 and thanks healthcare workers for compassionate and outstanding care.

15 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Writer Alyssa Noel asks other dog owners to respect boundaries when it comes to off-leash fun in the outdoors.

54 MAXED OUT It’s been a week of mixed messages when it comes to visiting Whistler from afar, writes Max, who points to this as an abject failure by government.

Environment & Adventure

Arts & Entertainment Editor ALYSSA NOEL arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

30 SCIENCE MATTERS Empowering people to get involved in their communities provides a path to

Sports Editor DAN FALLOON - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

positive local change to help resolve major national and global crises, writes David Suzuki.

Features Editor BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com

31 THE OUTSIDER Writer Vince Shuley explores that age-old question, Whistler or Blackcomb? It’s one

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, FEET BANKS, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY, LISA RICHARDSON President, Whistler Publishing LP SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com 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.

that’s been pondered for over a generation ever since the mountains were two competing factions.

Lifestyle & Arts

38 FORK IN THE ROAD As the pandemic rolls on, writer Glenda Bartosh checks in with clinical counsellor Greg McDonnell about how to stay grounded and healthy.

42 MUSEUM MUSINGS Freestyle skiing has a long and storied history in the resort going all the way back to the ‘70s.

The entire contents of Pique Newsmagazine are copyright 2021 by Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of WPLP, a division of Glacier Media). No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher.

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

Powder trumps the fight against the pandemic, it seems WELL, WE NOW know that the fight against the coronavirus doesn’t stand a chance against 30 centimetres of fresh powder and the thumbs-up to travel from the Lower Mainland to recreate in Whistler—if you have a connection.

“Day trips are less risky with your family, your household,” said B.C.’s top doctor, Bonnie Henry, last week when asked about coming to ski at Whistler given the huge surge of cases recently.

“If you’re somebody who works or has strong connections and lives partly in Whistler, then yes, that is your local ski hill,” she explained.

“It’s not the skiing itself that seems to

BY CLARE OGILVIE edit@piquenewsmagazine.com

be the risk. It’s the things that we’re doing before and after—if we are staying over, having people over.

“The risk is not on the ski hill. We are working with the industry, with all of the industries involved, to come up with a

comments on CBC’s The Early Edition, he said: “I don’t believe that a ski day in Whistler is essential travel…

“People shouldn’t be going on unnecessary travel, and in my view, I wouldn’t be going skiing.”

We do have to realize that short of closing the highway both north and south and hunkering down, there is no way the community was going to avoid the coronavirus. It was always going to impact us and make us sick.

Indeed, I would argue it was amazing that we lasted as long as we did without the type of major impact we have seen and continue to see since the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season.

Most of Whistler’s cases are in its young workforce, many of whom may work at more than one job and most of whom live in shared housing. Our local medical leaders tell us that the majority of these residents are not out partying or having people over to socialize. And, too, unlike our seniors, few seem to come out of a COVID-19 infection with long-term impacts.

But impacts there are, nonetheless—and not just on the health front. Few businesses here have spare employees they can just

“If there are variants arising, we may be designing second, third-generation vaccines and vaccinating the population for the next two or three years.”

- DR ALAN BERNSTEIN community way of supporting this.”

If the traffic line-ups arriving here from the south, the state of the parking lots and the line-ups up to ski and board were any indication last weekend, then what everyone heard was, “blah, blah, blah... then yes, that is your local ski hill.’”

On Monday, Feb. 1, other commentators, including the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, were trying to put the travel-advisory message back on track. Asked about Henry’s

call in to reopen, for example. The infection plays out as a domino effect from the risk to personal health, to employment, to housing, purchasing power and especially on our mental health and relationships.

A year into the pandemic, many businesses are not in a position to pay employees if they are off sick with COVID-19 no matter how much they want to. If they’re being forced to shut down, well, again, just sit for a moment and connect the dots for local business on that scenario.

It is infuriating to be in this position with the prospect of vaccines tantalizingly close and yet the threat to the very fabric of our community staring at us. (I understand that without support from the federal and provincial governments for local businesses it would be much worse, but still…)

The federal government has deployed almost 500,000 doses of both the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna vaccines to distribution sites across the country since mid-December, but the actual rollout of vaccinations is up to the individual provinces and territories.

As of Feb. 2, close to 139,000 doses have been administered in B.C.—with 0.09 per cent of the population vaccinated.

Our World In Data shows that vaccination data doses per 100 people in Canada at 2.5 as of Jan. 30, compared to 8.4 in U.S., 13.1 in the U.K. and 53.8 in Israel.

Moderna announced Friday that it is cutting vaccines to Canada by 50,000— three-quarters of the expected supply.

Canada is ramping up its own vaccine production we learned this week—and it’s about time.

Said Dr. Alan Bernstein, a leading Canadian health expert on the federal government’s COVID-19 Task Force to CBC this weekend: “I think the sooner we get on with it, the better.

“We need domestic vaccine production capacity in the country for the next pandemic, and also for this pandemic.

If there are variants arising, we may be designing second, third-generation vaccines and vaccinating the population for the next two or three years.”

What is needed now is political leaders—indeed, community leaders—to step up and lead, whether that is at the federal, provincial or local level.

If, for example, coronavirus is running wild through our local workforce because of staff housing and cramped, shared accommodation, could we not as a community full of empty tourist accommodation find a way to spread them out and offer isolation? n

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR each and every professional I encountered at each step of my journey—I’m sorry I am not able to name all of you. Your service and integrity is deeply valued.

Without a doubt, we corridor residents are lucky to take for granted our top-calibre health professionals, who, in their respective areas of expertise, excel in their practises, and seamlessly link us across the entire spectrum of care.

While my initial reaction to my injury was shame and guilt to have taxed the system during this unprecedented time when our health professionals are working harder than ever, under more stress than ever, and beyond the call of duty, I now look back and feel entirely grateful for the good fortune of having these fine individuals within our community in my moment of need.

Words are not enough... thank you to every single person who works in the healthcare system!

Allison Twiss // Pemberton

Grateful for our outstanding healthcare professionals It is necessary to send a huge thank you to the high-calibre individuals working hard, and beautifully, to create seamless end-to-end care across the entire medical spectrum here in the Sea to Sky corridor, during these most challenging times.

On Opening Day, I experienced a significant clavicle break, and had my first touch point of care with Blackcomb Ski Patrol—big shoutout to the young paramedic who quickly assessed me and assured me a trip to the clinic was warranted, and to the more-experienced propatrol (Andrea Thomson) who offered to check out the “ditch” that took me down (regardless of the fact that it was my choice to cross the boundary line).

Then, at the Whistler Health Care Centre’s [emergency room], I was immediately in the hands of a caring triage nurse, then on to Dr. Clark Lewis—who quickly assessed and diagnosed me, with the utmost of care and professionalism. He pulled in the orthopaedic surgeon who happened to be down the hall that day, Dr. Sarah Clark, who immediately squeezed me in for next-day surgery (with a pointy bone threatening to break through the skin), which she executed perfectly given the many broken bone bits she had to work with.

Next, the kind, caring nurse and physio

team helped me on my way, and off I went for surgery at the COVID-19-free Squamish General Hospital the next day (a strategic COVID-19-free location amidst COVID-19 outbreaks at the Lions Gate Hospital).

Another amazing team in the operating room comprised of efficient, skilled nurses and a precise anaesthesiologist, along with a post-surgery recovery nurse who dealt with my nausea in as supportive and respectful a manner as one could.

Then post-surgery physiotherapy with Allison Megeney—a top-notch

physiotherapist who didn’t hesitate to squeeze in my ongoing recovery.

[And there was the v]irtual visit with my primary care nurse practitioner in Pemberton, not to mention the ongoing graciousness of admitting clerks, X-ray technicians, and friendly janitors keeping the facilities COVID19 safe.

All of these various elements gave me a sense of safety and confidence during this unusual time. I cannot share my gratitude enough for the seeming “ease” and quality of care that I was fortunate to experience with

Time for the government to do more to fight the coronavirus (Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the provincial government and shared with Pique.)

Throughout this week, you have asked the citizens of British Columbia to do more to bend the curve of cases.

While I have no doubt a minority of British Columbians could be doing more to help fight this pandemic, I’m not sure what more most

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR J

of us can do. We’ve self-isolated, worn masks, worked from home, eliminated travel, seen our careers falter, suffered financially and lost jobs, become part-time teachers, cut off social ties at the expense of our mental wellbeing, fallen ill, turned to alcohol and drugs to cope, and made the biggest sacrifice of all, losing loved ones to COVID-19.

I myself have: spent hundreds of volunteer hours advising various groups in the Ministry of Health; talked to young adults about their concerns around the pandemic; guided family, friends, colleagues, and students through their challenges; been verbally attacked for advocating mask use; had my heart broken as I watched my teenage kids miss important social milestones; and gone through numerous days when thoughts of self-harm entered my mind.

Your appeal for us to do more reminds me that we should always look in the mirror and be the change we want to see.

As you know, December was a catastrophic month in the province for COVID-19 deaths.

Our average of 15 COVID-19 deaths per day was equivalent to three 737 airplanes crashing in December alone. Our per-capita death rate in December was greater than Ontario’s. In Taiwan, with a population nearly five times that of B.C., there have only been seven deaths in total. New Zealand has gone two months without community transmission, and the Atlantic provinces have some of the lowest rates in the world.

For some reason, B.C. has lagged in adopting technology and pivoting to the latest science. You were slow to acknowledge asymptomatic spread; we were the secondlast province to implement a mask mandate, despite months of supporting research; and it wasn’t until Jan. 5, 2021 the BC Centre for Disease Control acknowledged that COVID19 can be spread through small droplets (aerosols) and float in the air.

As you ask us to do more, there is much more you can do for us.

Increased testing: Early in the pandemic, it became clear widespread testing, tracing, and individual isolation was essential to blunting the pandemic. At the end of the summer, Premier [John] Horgan promised 20,000 tests per day by winter, an achievable target based on existing lab capacity. Yet, four months later, we’re barely able to reach half that number.

Implement a contact-tracing app: Last April, the BC Ministry of Health began developing outlines for a contract-tracing app.

Ten months later, we still don’t have such an app and we’re one of only two provinces not using the national contact-tracing app. This is not due to a lack of technical expertise: B.C. has some of the best health and technology professionals in the world. A contact-tracing app would support the work of our overstretched manual contact-tracers and minimize the spread of outbreaks.

Rapid testing in long-term care (LTC) and high-risk workplaces: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has long recommended rapid testing to minimize outbreaks in LTC facilities; so too has the federal government,

with its recent report by the Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel. A pilot project led by a respirologist at St. Paul’s Hospital found such testing to be 75-per-cent accurate overall and nearly 100 per cent accurate in individuals with symptoms, according to CBC. Implementation of rapid testing could have reduced the massive number of deaths in the Little Mountain Place long-term care home outbreak. As demonstrated in Nova Scotia, accordng to The Globe and Mail, these tests are also easily administered by non-health professionals. Public-health leaders mention concerns that LTC staff will take fewer other precautions following a negative test; a concept referred to as “risk compensation,” yet there is no evidence to support this supposition. In fact, evidence exists to the contrary, according to The BMJ. As a result, more than a million of these test kits, which expire this fall, have sat in storage since early November, instead of being used to save lives.

Support schools that want a mask mandate: Transmission among students and from students to staff is low as long as all recommended public-health measures are followed. However, many classrooms are unable to have students physically distance and the U.S. CDC has recommended universal mask use in schools, according to The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Your refusal to adopt public-health measures that have proven successful elsewhere has likely led to untold numbers of additional cases and deaths. With the emergence of new, and more-robust, variants, we cannot afford to wait. We also cannot hold out hope for vaccines to save us in the short term. As recent days have proven, we can expect delays in vaccine delivery and distribution here in B.C. and around the globe.

By implementing the four simple steps detailed above, cases and deaths will go down across the province. This will allow restrictions to ease and the economy to flourish, because jurisdictions that have taken a more sciencebased and aggressive stand have had better economic outcomes.

We are in the midst of the biggest crisis since the Second World War. As B.C. residents, we all seek the same goal and, just as you expect more from us, we expect more from you.

Scott Lear // PhD Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences Simon Fraser University

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Mixed messages on travel an issue for Whistler I reached out over the holidays with my concerns over the number of people visiting my hometown of Whistler.

My concerns included that my friends working in hotels were telling me that the hotels had guests from all over Canada, including from areas hard hit by COVID-19 such as Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. My doctor friend working in the health clinic at this time informed me that a vast majority of people being tested for COVID-19 in Whistler were from out of town, many from Ontario and Quebec. Furthering the issue

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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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR is that Whistler is in a housing crisis which has led to a high-density housing situation, especially for people in their 20s and early 30s (I am not in this demographic).

Whistler also only has a clinic, not an actual hospital. Over the holidays, I reached out and emailed the Premier [John Horgan], [Health Minister] Adrian Dix and the BC NDP but got no response. Anyone with a basic understanding of COVID-19 could see that Whistler was vulnerable to becoming a hot spot, but despite large crowds over the holidays, the province only continued to recommend that people not travel to Whistler.

We are now seeing the results of the province’s inaction. Whistler is the hot spot for COVID-19 in the province. The province’s reaction is to blame the 20- to 30-year-olds in Whistler. The reality, as the province is aware, is that this demographic of individuals in Whistler tend to live in overcrowded housing and have done so for years. The solution should have been a focus on preventing COVID-19 entering the community in large numbers.

The coronavirus is now here, and the province seems to care even less about preventing the spread within the resort municipality, than it did during the holidays.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s response was to announce that day trips to Whistler are better than overnight trips. Many people will choose to hear this as an approval for individuals to make day-trips to Whistler, during the resort’s outbreak.

Judging by the huge ski lines today (Jan. 31), that is exactly what is happening.

Kali Parr // Whistler

Half measure won’t work with pandemic It is time to close the provincial border to all non-essential travel.

The province claims that there is no solid evidence of major interprovincial spread; perhaps this is true. This does, however, sound

very similar to the [federal government’s] response, or lack of, to shutting down the international border and international flights in March.

That did not work out all that well. The problem here, of course, is that the scientific method is a slow process. It is one of the most important foundations of modern society, but it is slow. The spread of COVID-19 generally is not slow. It should be evident that in some circumstances a cautious approach based on rational thought should prevail, while we wait for science to confirm our hypothesis.

I thus suggest that it is likely that some people who travel from provinces with high rates of COVID-19, into B.C. are carrying the virus. It is also likely they will spread it into B.C. communities. I furthermore believe it is rational to suggest that people who travel during a pandemic are likely the type of people who are not taking the virus as seriously, meaning they probably have lax COVID-19 protocols. Closing the border will thus likely slow the spread somewhat.

Perhaps in time, strong science will suggest there is little spread of COVID-19 from other provinces into B.C. The border still needs to close. The problem here being the messaging—it seems paradoxical that the province asks British Columbians to sit at home, while visitors from other provinces vacation and travel freely within B.C. Does the province really expect British Columbians to take Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s message not to travel seriously when the province allows others to freely travel here?

Australia and New Zealand, along with several othe r jurisdictions, have set the model of what works in curbing the spread—this being short-term lockdowns and isolation of regions with COVID19 outbreaks. Hard but relatively short restrictions work, half measures do not.

Chris Sauer // Whistler ■

Backcountry Advisory AS OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3 The Sea to Sky region got a nice refresh of new snow last weekend and into the early part of the week. The storm was a significant one, bringing up to 100 centimetres of new snow to some parts of the region and strong winds— resulting in an avalanche cycle.

With the stormy weather behind us, the days ahead are looking cool and dry. The weekend will probably bring some sunny days, but with strong north winds in the forecast, it may still be pretty chilly!

The good weather on the horizon might make it tempting to venture out into some bigger terrain in the backcountry, but there are some lingering problems in the snowpack that require some careful consideration. All of that new snow landed on a persistent weak layer, creating a persistent slab avalanche problem.

These avalanches become increasingly difficult to predict over time, they often catch people by surprise, and they tend to be big enough

to carry some serious consequences. With the weak layer in question now under nearly a metre of new snow in many areas, avalanches triggered on this layer definitely have the potential to be large and destructive.

The best tool for managing this type of problem is to stick to conservative terrain. Choose low-angle slopes, avoid steep roll-overs, minimize the time that you spend under big slopes, and be aware that this problem exists in the trees, too, so the trees may not offer the safe riding conditions that we often associate them with.

It can be easy to get amped up when we see the sun and to start thinking about tackling big objectives, but this weekend is not the time to be pushing into more committing terrain, regardless of what the avalanche danger rating might be. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, and with appropriate terrain choices, it looks like it will be a beautiful weekend to get out into the mountains to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine! ■

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.

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PIQUE N’ YER INTEREST

When your goodest boy goes bad, it’s time to face on-leash reality MY ALMOST seven-year-old husky/ kelpie mix is a perfect angel.

He’s the best little spoon, wonderful with kids, fun, goofy, and my best friend.

To be more specific, he’s mother’s perfect angel—except, of course, when he’s not.

BY ALYSSA NOEL arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

For the first three years of his life, I lived in blissful ignorance of what it was like to have a reactive dog. He loved canines of all kind—big, small, high-energy, chill.

I would go on hikes and call him back occasionally. I would run with him off leash until I spotted wildlife or a person with a leashed dog. I wouldn’t think twice about introducing him to new pups.

And then, for some reason, when he hit three years old, everything changed. He still loved his established doggy friends; they could eat out of his food dish and he would hardly blink. But suddenly he began growling at dogs that came bounding at him with a little too much exuberance.

My previously submissive boy suddenly

grew into a surly teen that wanted to prove his dominance.

I was sad, baffled, frustrated and scared.

A trainer was no help. “Yeah, that’s a tough one,” she said. “Just keep him on leash.”

Honestly, at first it felt like a tough ask in the Sea to Sky corridor where leashing your dog constantly feels akin to abuse (let’s be honest: there are the bylaws and then

complete control of him. (Of course, also useful for any possible wildlife encounters.)

Or we’ll stop at a wide-open, empty space so he can get some zoomies in.

Frankly, it does kind of suck, but it’s the hand we were dealt and I’m still head-overheels for the guy, so we do what we have to.

This is all to say I’m in the unique position of having lived in two very different

I have all the patience in the world for dog owners who spot me with my leashed dog and make some kind of effort to call theirs back or control them in some capacity. there are the unspoken cultural rules). It also felt like overkill; I certainly didn’t feel like any animal’s life was at risk.

But I adjusted to this new reality. Yes, it’s supremely annoying—and occasionally dangerous—trail running with a dog on leash, but it’s doable.

In very specific circumstances, he’s still allowed off leash—for example, my husband and I have trained him to run quiet singletrack in between us so we have

worlds: the old one in which I would yell “he’s friendly” when my dog ran up to other dogs and the new one where other people yell, “(s)he’s friendly!” when their dog runs up to mine on leash.

I can’t fault these people; I used to be one of them. I have all the patience in the world for dog owners who spot me with my leashed dog and make some kind of effort to call theirs back or control them in some capacity.

The people who get to see my little-used

genuine temper are those who are in denial about their similarly reactive dog. They let their off-leash pooch come running up to my leashed good boy, shout “he’s friendly,” then watch as their dog attempts to fight mine while I’m stuck in the middle.

All this is to offer both dog owners with headache-free, submissive dogs and those in denial about their naughty boys and girls some insight into how we can all get along a little better.

There have been too many horror stories lately about dog attacks and irresponsible owners and, in the end, it isn’t fair to any of the dogs involved. Yes, things happen, but really the equation is simple. If you have an off-leash dog, don’t let it run up to on-leash dogs even if “he/she is friendly.” If you have a dog that has ever reacted aggressively to another dog, keep it on leash and under control.

In a way, it’s kind of sweet that we all think our four-legged angels should have the run of the dog park (it means you probably love your dog a lot and that’s what they deserve, regardless of their flaws), but unfortunately, we have to balance that with being responsible dog owners, too.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, my flawed precious pooch is sleeping at my feet and appears to need 100 kisses. ■

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

15

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler site of rapid COVID-19 testing trial run A SEVENTH WHISTLER RESTAURANT JOINS RESORT-EXPOSURE LIST, WHILE MORE POTENTIAL EXPOSURES HIT LOCAL SCHOOLS

BY BRANDON BARRETT AS GOVERNMENT at all levels consider how to help the tourism sector survive the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, one of the tools being looked at is the adoption of rapid COVID-19 testing.

“The Premier’s Tourism Task Force final report recommended, among a number of things, that government prioritize innovative approaches to lifting travel restrictions,” explained Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton.

“One of the innovative approaches could be rapid tests in the tourism sector, and that is certainly something I’ve been discussing with other mayors, and [I’m] interested in understanding whether it would work in our setting.”

Whistler has recently been the site of a rapid COVID-19 test trial run through the Divisions of Family Practice. No details of the trial were available at press time. (Check back with piquenewsmagazine.com for more on the trial run as information becomes available.)

Most recently, Canada has been testing more than 80,000 people a day, with nearly 12,000 of those in B.C., primarily using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which

PUT TO THE TEST Rapid antigen tests are less accurate than the standard polymerase chain reaction test, but require less know-how to administer and can produce results quicker.

GETTY IMAGES

16 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

although close to 100-per-cent accurate, can take a full day or more to process.

The rapid antigen test, on the other hand, isn’t as precise, with a higher false-positive rate than molecular tests, but it requires less know-how to administer, typically through a nasal or throat swab, and can produce results in as little as 15 minutes.

Although not favoured as a single test for active infection, because the rapid antigen test is quicker, cheaper, and easier to administer, some experts recommend it as a broad approach, with the idea being that it would cut back on contact-tracing time and get positivecase patients into quarantine sooner.

A recent government-funded study out of Oxford University conceded that rapid testing is less accurate than its PCR counterpart, but “could be a good solution to ensuring those who are highly infectious are able to know they need to isolate more quickly and could allow an easing of lockdown restrictions.”

Sandy White is the co-founder of Rapid Test & Trace Canada, and one of the country’s leading voices calling for widespread adoption of rapid testing. A former policy advisor for the Conservative Party and hotelier by trade, White has met with officials in tourism hotspots, including Whistler.

A coalition of concerned businesses, academics, epidemiologists and public heath experts that includes representatives from Harvard, the University of Toronto and the University of B.C., Rapid Test & Trace Canada has lobbied for a ramping up of rapid testing to 5 million a day by April. And while

the federal government has purchased and distributed 38 million rapid antigen tests to the provinces, the uptake has varied.

“We need to take a quick consideration and a step back to remember what we’re trying to achieve: In short, a testing, screening and tracing approach that is put in place specifically to identify cases, isolate the people who are infectious, and track their contacts to find anywhere where this disease might have spread and lock it down through quarantining,” White said. “Canada has done an absolutely abysmal job at that so far.”

At the moment, provincial officials’ appetite for rapid testing appears to be lukewarm, at best. Although trials have been carried out in long-term care homes in the Lower Mainland, and a recent study out of Simon Fraser University estimated that as many as half the roughly 600 deaths last year in B.C.’s long-term care and assisted living facilities could have been prevented had rapid testing been made available, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix have pointed to concerns about the test’s accuracy, as well as its potential strain on an already overloaded healthcare system, as reasons for not adopting it more broadly.

“What we’re really failing to understand, and people who are paying attention are seeing with open eyes, is that the Canadian healthcare system, very simply, is not set up for this,” White said.

Without major backing from public health, Canada’s private sector has stepped

up to fill the void. Enlisting the help of University of Toronto business professors, 12 major Canadian companies, including Air Canada, Loblaw, Suncor, Rogers and Shoppers Drug Mart, have come together to develop a quick screening system, using the rapid tests, for its workers, with the goal of accelerating the economy’s recovery.

Nova Scotia has taken a novel approach of its own, enlisting and training volunteers from the public to administer rapid tests at pop-up COVID-19 centres throughout the province, which has so far seen just over 1,500 positive cases since the pandemic began, less than 0.2 per cent of Canada’s total caseload.

Several countries turned to rapid testing as they struggled to contain the second wave of the virus, but opinion remains divided in the scientific community over its use.

In the U.K., the government is administering close to 600,000 PCR and rapid tests a day, almost double the testing rate from November, amidst pushback from some in the medical field, who say the rapid tests’ inaccuracy compared to the “gold standard” PCR test means it isn’t worth adopting on a wide scale.

The British government, meanwhile, has touted the rapid tests’ reliability, noting that they allow for regular testing of people who may have the virus but are asymptomatic.

For his part, White acknowledged that rapid testing is just one tool in the government’s pandemic toolkit, but an essential one nonetheless.

“It’s not a silver bullet, there’s no doubt

NEWS WHISTLER about that. Masks still need to be kept in place, distancing still needs to be there, the vaccine is coming, which is wonderful,” he said. “No one thing is a panacea or a miracle cure, but rapid testing is the one thing where we’ve just been like, ‘No, we don’t feel like doing that.’”

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.

WHISTLER’S CURRENT COVID LANDSCAPE It took Whistler less than a month to surpass its 2020 COVID caseload, with 288 labconfirmed cases up until Jan. 26, compared to 271 cases for all of last year, according to the most recent available data.

In an information bulletin that went out last Thursday, Jan. 28, VCH said the majority of recent cases “involve young people in their 20s and 30s who live, work and socialize together.” None of the recent cases have resulted in hospitalization or death.

Looking at the wider Howe Sound health region, which comprises Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, Lions Bay and parts of the southern Stl’atl’mx Nation, the most recent data shows there were 224 new cases between Jan. 17 and 23, up from 63 the week prior and 14 the week before that.

In the two weeks leading up to the end of January, the number of COVID cases per capita in the health region would put it between two to 13 times higher than anywhere else in southwest B.C., with nearly one per cent of the region’s population infected in that time.

The Howe Sound health region had a total of 503 cases last year.

The pandemic has hit resort businesses hard as well. On Monday, Feb. 1, the Amsterdam Café Pub became the seventh resort restaurant or bar added to VCH’s list of possible public exposures in the span of a week, meaning health officials have been unable to contact everyone who may have been exposed. The possible exposure dates are noted as Jan. 11 to 17, 19, 21, and from the 23 to 25.

Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, Black’s Pub and Buffalo Bills Bar & Grill were added to the potential exposure list on Wednesday, Jan. 27, joining Hy’s Whistler, El Furniture Warehouse and The Longhorn Saloon added earlier that week.

The potential exposure dates are noted as between Jan. 1 and 27 for the Dubh Linn Gate; from Jan. 5 to 27 at Black’s; from Jan. 4 to 27 for Bills; from Jan. 16 to 25 at the Longhorn; on Jan. 12, and from Jan. 14 to 21 at El Furni’s; and on Jan. 13, and 15 and 16 at Hy’s.

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler also confirmed, in a statement to CBC, that 12 of its employees have tested positive, while Whistler Blackcomb said last month that several staff were in isolation after possible exposure.

SCHOOL EXPOSURES Four Whistler and Pemberton schools have had COVID-19 exposures in the last several weeks.

The latest added to the list is Whistler Secondary School. On its website, VCH lists the potential exposure dates as Jan. 11 to 14 and Jan. 18 and 19.

On Monday, Jan. 31, the Sea to Sky

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School District (No. 48) issued two COVID-19 exposures notices at Signal Hill Elementary School in Pemberton and Spring Creek Community School in Whistler.

“We are supporting Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to undertake contact tracing to determine if any other members of our school community were in contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19, and if any additional steps are required,” both letters say.

Neither of those exposures, however, are currently listed on VCH’s exposure list.

Protocols in both cases are for VCH to perform contact tracing, determine if anyone in the school was in contact with the person who tested positive while they were infectious, and determine if anyone in the school is a close contact who needs to self-isolate.

The letter asks that if you’re contacted by VCH you should follow its advice. However, if you aren’t contacted, the health authority has determined your child is not at risk.

Last week, L’Ecole Vallée De Pemberton temporarily closed after exposures on Jan. 25 and 26.

In a letter, VCH said, “public health is requiring all staff and students from all grades who attended school on [Jan.] 25, 26, 2021 to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the date of exposure.”

The French language school for kids from Kindergarten to Grade 8 is located on the same property as Signal Hill Elementary School, but in a separate building. Students do access Signal Hill’s gym and library, but they didn’t on the days of the exposures, said a representative from the Sea to Sky School District.

‘I THINK WE’RE EXHAUSTED’ As case numbers have risen, so too has the stress levels of the Whistler community, said Crompton.

“I think we’re exhausted,” he said. “This has been going on for almost a year and we are continually asked to do more. That’s an enormous ask when you’ve been doing more for a full year.”

Crompton has taken to social media in recent days to address some residents’ frustrations over what they see as a lack of action on curbing visitation from outside the region. Acknowledging the limits on what he can do as a municipal mayor, Crompton said he has been vocal in urging visitors not to come here, and remains in constant communication with the province and health officials in addressing COVID. “None of this has been perfect by any means,” he said. “We’re in the middle of a pandemic and we need the leadership and guidance of our public health authority. I think we’d do well to trust them.”

Whistler is a prime example of the balancing act B.C. has tried to strike between preserving physical and economic health. Henry has previously urged Lower Mainland skiers to stick to their local mountains, such as Cypress and Seymour, but then on Friday, Jan. 29, seemed to indicate what constitutes “local” leaves some room for interpretation.

“If you’re somebody who works, or

SEE PAGE 18

>>

Nick Swinburne

Personal Real Estate Corporation Engel & Völkers Whistler Phone: +1 (604) 932-8899 Email: nick.swinburne@evrealestate.com

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NEWS WHISTLER

Problems persist for WB pass holders unable to travel in pandemic CONFUSION OVER REFUNDS, CREDITS, AND A SALVAGED SKI SEASON LINGER

À L’INTENTION DES ENFANTS NÉS EN 2016 ET DE LEURS PARENTS. FOR CHILDREN BORN IN 2016 AND THEIR PARENTS.

BY ALYSSA NOEL GREGORY HASTINGS carefully picked the date for his ski trip to Whistler.

With his own and his partner’s birthdays at the tail end of winter, in fall 2019 he booked a trip from their home in Washington State for March 2020, including two five-day Edge Card passes to ski.

“We only have one time a year we can take two weeks away,” Hastings added. “It’s not like I’m a local and I would buy an annual pass or a five-day pass and use it whenever I want. It’s not only a lot of time for us, but a lot of money.”

Then, just days before they were set to embark on their trip, both Whistler Blackcomb and the U.S.-Canada border shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hastings managed to get refunds for accommodations, but his Edge Card refunds proved not to be as simple.

While Vail Resorts offered a credit for season passholders and Edge Card holders for the 2020/2021 season (with a credit up to 80 per cent, depending on how many days were used), with the border remaining closed and no opening date on the horizon, Hastings continued to seek a refund.

The Sept. 17 deadline to claim the credit came and went without his issue being resolved.

“We step back and say, ‘Did we get hoodwinked?’” Hastings asked. “We have a range of emotional responses, which deals with annoyance, but we think more deeply and we say, ‘Gee, we’re not alone.’”

When asked about its refund policies for people who are unable or discouraged from travelling to Whistler, a Vail Resorts spokesperson said, “Epic Coverage [insurance] provides refunds for resort closures due to COVID-19 and certain personal events like illness, job loss and injury.”

That new coverage was implemented for the 2020/21 season, however.

“We know some of our pass holders are experiencing additional challenges this season,” the statement continued. “We sincerely understand their frustrations and will take all guest concerns into consideration at the end of the season when we seek to retain the loyalty of our pass holders. We thank guests for their patience ad we continue to focus on delivering a safe experience in resort.”

Asked specifically about the case for Washington Edge Card holders who have

SEE PAGE 20

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has strong connections and lives partly in Whistler, then yes, that is your local ski hill,” she said, after noting that day trips are less risky than multi-day stays.

“It’s not the skiing itself that seems to be the risk. It’s the things that we’re doing before and after—if we are staying over, having people over.”

In one of his regular COVID video updates this week, Crompton touched on Henry’s remarks, saying he knows “many people were disappointed that she wasn’t more focused on limiting visitation from the Lower Mainland. From the beginning her focus has been on understanding where spread is happening and where it isn’t and making policy accordingly. The goods news is if we are careful skiing is safe and will stay open. The old news is we still need to ‘stay home, stay local and reduce our contacts.’

Come to the hill, ski and go home applies to all of us.”

Henry also fielded a question last week about Whistler hotels advertising travel incentives online. In response, the provincial health officer said any ads targeting out-ofprovince travellers were “not something I would support at this point.” (It’s unclear whether the ads appeared outside of B.C.)

For its part, Tourism Whistler suspended all marketing for stays in January, February and March, and its website features a notice advising of B.C’s current travel advisory, noting “all nonessential travel into, out of and within British Columbia should be postponed” until it is lifted. The current travel advisory is in place until Feb. 5.

Ahead of Family Day on Feb. 15, Henry has urged British Columbians to stay close to home for the holiday, adding that the province will step up enforcement around social gatherings in vacation homes given recent clusters in Whistler and Fernie.

“We have orders in place from the summer when we saw similar things happening around vacation properties in the Interior. Those orders say you cannot have gatherings in rental properties,” she said.

In its most recent press briefing, the Whistler RCMP noted there were three violations under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act between Jan. 18 and 25.

Municipal staff is now working with other agencies to ensure Whistler is prepared to host vaccination clinics when the vaccine is available, Crompton said.

- with files from Alyssa Noel n

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NEWS WHISTLER << FROM PAGE 18 been prevented from visiting by a nearly year-long border closure, the spokesperson said they were eligible for the credit and subject to the fall deadline.

“These are non-refundable products and when they are used is entirely up to the guest,” Vail Resorts said in an email. “For example, they may have intended to use it in the spring, there’s no guarantee that the weather or conditions will cooperate for the trip.”

The spokesperson reiterated that guest concerns will be taken into consideration at the end of the season.

CLOSER TO HOME, BUT NOT QUITE LOCAL American visitors are one thing, but many North Shore and Lower Mainland Edge Card holders told Pique they have been obeying Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s travel restrictions and staying home this season.

Lately, though, Henry’s messaging has become more muddled. After weeks of reiterating that Vancouver-area skiers and snowboarders should not be travelling to Whistler, Henry changed gears and last week said, “If you’re somebody who works or has strong connections and lives partly in Whistler, then yes, that is your local ski hill.”

“It’s not the skiing itself that seems

COVID CONFUSION For Americans unable to cross the border or Vancouver-area residents adhering to pandemic travel restrictions, confusion over refunds and credits from Vail Resorts persist GETTY IMAGES

to be the risk,” she added. “It’s the things that we’re doing before and after—if we are staying over, having people over.”

On Monday, Feb. 1, however, Minister

of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth went back to old messaging and told CBC’s The Early Edition that, “people shouldn’t be going on unnecessary travel,

and in my view, I wouldn’t be going skiing.”

He added, “I don’t believe that a ski day at Whistler is essential travel, but the issue is that it is the parties, it is after-ski that is causing the problems.”

One North Vancouver Edge Card holder who asked to remain anonymous said he has opted to follow travel restrictions, largely to protect his family bubble, which includes his parents who help take care of his young kids.

That said, he and his father plan to use their Edge Cards some time this season, even if the restrictions persist. He also has a second home in Whistler, but has been limiting time in the resort this year “primarily for essential up-keep.”

“We will find a way to make it work on weekdays later in the season when there are often less people,” he said in an email.

“We don’t want a repeat of last year where I didn’t get to use any of my Edge Card days since we were planning on a bunch of spring skiing.”

He said he does not have much hope that Vail Resorts would issue any kind of refund or credit again if the travel restrictions remain in place all season.

“We have no hope that Vail [Resorts] will be reasonable if we can’t use our days,” he said. “We have bought Edge or Season passes for over 30 years now, but we are honestly ready to give the mountain a break and cross country [ski]/ do other activities.

Vail [Resorts] doesn’t seem to care about loyalty very much.” n

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T GETHER This virus is being contracted by and causing health issues for ALL AGE GROUPS WITHIN WHISTLER. Covid-19 does not hold biases of who it hosts to certain age groups or demographics. We are all susceptible to contracting and sharing this virus. At WCSS, we would like to bring awareness to the impact this virus has had on our economically vulnerable population who work front line, providing important essential work in our community.

TOGETHER, at a time when we still need to be apart we need to remember that we are all in this TOGETHER as a community.

We are so very grateful for the community support we have received over these past 12 months, this time has shown that we are truly all in this TOGETHER, and we need to continue to rely on one another to ensure our community remains the healthy, vibrant, and caring place we have all come to know and love. We anticipate demand for our programs to stay high in the coming months and thus appreciate your continued support. Thank you to our doctors, health care teams and essential workers for your hard work and dedication to keep our community safe.

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NEWS WHISTLER

Wildfire management remains main focus at Cheakamus Community Forest this year COUNCIL TO HEAR COMMUNITY FOREST UPDATE ON FEB. 16

BY BRADEN DUPUIS IT WAS ANOTHER quiet year for Whistler’s Cheakamus Community Forest (CCF), with no real harvesting taking place aside from the ongoing fuel-management project on Cheakamus Lake Road.

“That’s been the focus of the community forest for the last couple of years … the fuel hazard reduction treatments, and yeah, there’s just not a lot of logging that we’ve been doing for the last decade, really,” said CCF manager Simon Murray.

“There is just not a lot of opportunities there for us right now just because of the economics of it.”

The project includes almost 100 hectares of fuel treatment along the Cheakamus Lake Road, Murray said, adding that the work is being carried out by the Squamish and Lil’wat nations (partners with the Resort Municipality of Whistler in the CCF).

“It’s just a real quiet kind of time right now, and our First Nations partners, we’ve

been keeping them as busy as we can,” Murray said.

As such, forest harvesting plans remain largely unchanged from previous years (find them at cheakamuscommunityforest.com).

“We may or may not harvest any of that this year, it depends on whether the partners are interested in doing that,” Murray said.

“We do have a couple of newer proposals that we’re looking at developing, whether it’ll happen this year or whether we just get it organized this year, we’ll see.”

While markets for certain products have bounced back after some down years, pulp markets remain sluggish, Murray noted.

“The solid logs are in pretty good shape, and there is some opportunity there,” he said.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll get some actual harvesting completed this year, and get [some of the] jobs that come for the community forest partners.”

While commercial logging around Whistler remains a sore spot for many— particularly in terms of old growth—the CCF is built on a complex relationship,

said Councillor Arthur De Jong, who sits on Whistlers’ Forests, and Wildlands Advisory Committee (FWAC).

While there has been no commercial harvesting during his tenure on the board, “we’re very sensitive to our First Nations partners,” De Jong said.

“We cannot operate at a loss … It’s intended to be an economic opportunity [and] job creator for our respective nations.”

That said, De Jong sees little value in commercial logging around Whistler.

“Whistler is nature-based tourism, not resource extraction. Trees are worth more left standing than being removed,” he said.

“I deeply respect the forest industry in B.C.; it’s an enormous job creator for many, many communities in the province, but in the case of Whistler, a tourism hub of the province, I think it could damage our brand, the commercial logging aspect.”

The provincial government’s oldgrowth management review, the findings of which were released in September, could provide a new path forward, he added.

“So I’m interested to hear other

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councilors’ views on it,” he said.

According to meeting minutes, Resort Municipality of Whistler environmental stewardship manager Heather Beresford presented to the FWAC on Nov. 18, highlighting among other concerns, a need to “reconnect the CCF with the community”— which prompted Coun. Cathy Jewett to request an update to council.

The CCF’s harvesting plan needs to be updated to reflect new changes and current economic realities, Jewett said.

Council is scheduled to hear an update on the CCF at the Feb. 16 Committee of the Whole meeting.

While the CCF can always do better, De Jong said Murray has been very responsive to and transparent with FWAC (which in itself is a very diverse group made up of foresters, environmentalists and more).

“So yes, there is room for improvement, keeping in mind that the community forest tenure … is the best tenure that we can have in terms of autonomy as a community working with our Crown land forests.

“So we need to understand that’s a good thing, but it can be certainly improved.” n

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Multicultural society looks to offer anti-racism training, resources WHISTLER MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY RECEIVES $7K GRANT AS PART OF RESILIENCE BC ANTI-RACISM NETWORK

BY BRANDON BARRETT AT ITS FIRST Anti-Racism Roundtable, held over Zoom last week, the team at the Whistler Multicultural Society (WMS) was looking for input from virtual attendees on what supports they’d like to see locally to help address racism and discrimination.

But the conversation, at turns heated, raw and vulnerable, didn’t make it that far.

“That was very unpredictable, first of all. But I think if you look at the end result, it’s a step up towards addressing this issue in society,” said WMS member and former Syrian refugee Mohammad Aljamous, who goes by Jamous.

It was the kind of challenging discussion, touching on issues of representation, white privilege, and inclusivity, that you don’t often hear in such a public forum in Whistler, and one the WMS hopes to facilitate again in the future. (The specific contents of the meeting are confidential.)

“In general, the feedback I had was that it was hard, but necessary,” said Carole Stretch, program manager for the WMS. The WMS held the meeting after joining the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network, a provincial initiative connecting communities with information, support and training to respond to and prevent future incidents of racism and hate, in November.

With approximately $7,000 of grant funding in hand, the WMS will serve as Resilience BC’s Whistler branch, alongside similar outposts in Squamish and Pemberton.

“What we are trying to do is set up a huge array of supports, and it’s not for us to decide what people in the community want,” Stretch noted.

WMS president and Filipina immigrant Priscilla Belanger is hopeful the local initiative can serve as a resource “for immigrants and all people coming to the community” to be able to identify and respond to incidents of discrimination, especially for those who may not have the language to do so.

“For some, English is not our first language. The majority of those people will be focusing their energy on working, on learning, and being an expert in being articulate and expressing themselves is not their priority,” she said. “Being able to express themselves on these matters is important. The call to end racism isn’t about who is the loudest.”

Tapped as the project lead, Jamous also wants to incorporate social media training and protocol into the initiative, given how challenging it can be to respond to incidents of hate online.

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“You can’t really cut it off or cancel it, but you can minimize or eliminate the number of [racist] incidents that happen online,” he said. “I think by speaking more about the issue in the community, you give other people the opportunity to be aware of it.

“If we can’t change [some people’s] behaviour, at least we can train the people who encounter racism how to respond.”

This speaks to a key goal of the WMS and Resilience Network, Belanger said: “To train people to move from being a bystander to someone who is taking action” in calling out racism.

Whistler remains predominantly white, with 78 per cent of permanent residents coming from a European background, according to the most recent census data, and is largely considered a progressive, educated community, which can make it difficult to acknowledge that racism and intolerance does happen here, Jamous said.

“Whistler looks like the ideal bubble, it looks like everyone is happy and everyone is skiing and having fun,” he said. “But there is still sometimes discrimination in the streets, in the community, and in the workplace. I think the challenge will be to make sure people understand that such a problem exists here.”

The WMS is now looking to form a committee made up of WMS members and local Black, Indigenous and other people of colour to plan next steps on how to push this initiative forward.

For more information, email aljamous@ wmsociety.ca. n

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LRB rejects Whistler Blackcomb snowmakers as collective bargaining unit BOARD SAYS SNOWMAKERS’ SHARED DUTIES WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS MAKES THEM INAPPROPRIATE FOR BARGAINING

BY BRANDON BARRETT WHISTLER Blackcomb snowmakers’ union ambitions took a hit last month after B.C.’s Labour Relations Board (LRB) dismissed an application to reconsider the department as a collective bargaining unit.

As previously reported in Pique, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 1518 originally filed the application in January 2020 on behalf of 28 employees in the snowmaking department, excluding millwrights and senior supervisors, which was ultimately dismissed by the LRB in April of last year. Then the UFCW applied to have the decision reconsidered, which was dismissed in a Jan. 6 ruling.

“Certainly we were disappointed with the decision, but at the end of the day, we need to respect the decisions made by the Labour Relations Board,” said UFCW organizer Keith Murdoch.

Snowmaking employees’ main concerns surround overtime pay and general wage increases, according to Murdoch. The base

wage for snowmaking employees is $14.85 an hour, and tops out at $25, he said. Department staff has also had to sign averaging agreements that mean overtime only kicks in after working 10 hours in a day, not the standard eight as set out by the Employment Standards Act, Murdoch relayed.

The crux of the board’s finding was that the proposed unit was inappropriate for collective bargaining based on the “functional integration” of the snowmakers within other Whistler Blackcomb (WB) departments. “[I]t is the integrated nature of the Employer’s operation as it specifically concerns Snowmaking and certain other departments in which those employees frequent that most strongly favours a conclusion that a rational and defensible line cannot be drawn around the Proposed Unit,” the decision read.

The UFCW believes it was an error to find integration, as it is common for WB employees to work in different departments in the summer, arguing the board “ought to alter its law on appropriateness to recognize [that] the sequential seasonal employment, in a different position and a different department, does not create industrial

instability” from working both within and outside of the proposed bargaining unit.

In turn, the LRB said the original panel considered “a number of circumstances beyond the employment of some snowmaking employees in the summer” and said it was clear the finding of functional integration was based in part on the interchange of snowmaking employees with other departments in the winter as well.

The UFCW argued that snowmakers’ shared duties across departments during the ski season was merely “incidental,” while the LRB said, based on the evidence provided by WB, that it was “more than incidental.”

In its opposition to the LRB’s original dismissal, the UFCW argued that if its assessment of integration stands, “it would mean that either nothing less than an allemployee bargaining unit of approximately 4,600 employees [WB’s approximate workforce pre-COVID] would be appropriate, or that the smallest appropriate unit would be more than 1,000 to 2,000 employees,” an assertion both WB and the LRB countered.

Murdoch, who also ran as the NDP’s Sea-to-Sky candidate in last fall’s provincial election, has been working with Whistler

employees in some form since late 2017, when a group of WB Snow School instructors approached the UFCW. Since dubbed the Whistler Workers Alliance, the group has set its lofty sights on potentially organizing WB’s entire workforce.

According to Murdoch, the LRB’s dismissal opens the door to expanding a WB bargaining unit to potentially include related departments, like grooming, in a future application.

“It gives us more clarification on what we need to do to be successful at unionizing the mountain. Certainly we’re not giving up,” he said.

The LRB’s decision came while skipatroller unions at two of Vail Resorts’ U.S. properties—Stevens Pass in Washington and Park City in Utah—have been picketing for better wages and work conditions. Union members at both resorts said Vail Resorts has dragged its feet in negotiations, and talk of a possible strike has also surfaced (because the patrollers have been picketing on their days off, it is not as yet an official work-stoppage strike.)

A spokesperson for WB declined comment. n

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Pemberton applies COVID lens to 2021 budget MUNICIPALITY OPENS MONTHS-LONG PROCESS AT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

BY DAN FALLOON WHEN VILLAGE of Pemberton council considered the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its budget in 2020, ultimately resulting in slashing its tax rate increase to zero per cent, it had to do so on the fly.

But nearly a year into the global health crisis—and after finishing 2020 with a surplus—the municipality will be able to account for it throughout the months-long process, which kicked off at Committee of the Whole on Feb. 2.

The 2021 draft budget currently shows “zero increases and Non-Market Change of $75,477,” though Manager of Finance Lena Martin’s report also noted that council will revisit those figures later on in the process after considering project and capital budget numbers.

Martin’s report noted that the draft, with a zero-per-cent tax increase, results in the operating budget having a deficit of $57,382, which is chalked up to there being 27 pay periods, rather than 26, because of the leap year in 2020.

“That is not for any increase in salary.

That is just a calendar shift in terms of pay periods,” she said.

One consideration council will make

BUDGET BITES Trail widening at One Mile Lake Park is one of the items on the Village of Pemberton’s 2021 budget.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

26 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

is to potentially shift its $206,960 in road reserves to operational reserves, at least for this year, to cover the additional pay period and allow flexibility for other expenses while maintaining a lower tax impact. If the reserves are allocated, used for all projects in the draft budget, it would offset all but $34,193.51 of the tax increase, working out to a 1.87-per-cent rise.

Councillor Ted Craddock was concerned about the reallocation, noting past reports

spend that on qualified initiatives rather than dipping into reserves.

“This is just a short-term solution for this year for COVID-19 recovery for keeping our tax rates low,” Martin said. “If you are comfortable with changing the rates of the taxes, we could increase the amount of capital reserves.

“Also, we are going to continue for updates to the COVID grant funding that is available and for every dollar that we

“This is a short-term solution for this year for COVID-19 recovery for keeping our taxes low.”

- LENA MARTIN

have suggested significant road spending for years to come.

“We’ve been working for years to build that reserve up,” he said. “Here we are going to put it all into operational. I’m somewhat concerned about that.”

SAFE RESTART GRANT Martin noted that the shift would just be temporary while adding that the VOP received a $987,000 COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant for Local Governments from both the federal and provincial governments late in 2020, and every effort would be made to

can find from the grant funding, we can take away from the operational reserve. We would only draw on it at the end of the year if it was required.”

The VOP spent just over $63,000 of the safe restart grant in 2020 to cover costs such as loss of park event revenue, computers and technology, cleaning supplies, remote meeting expenses, communications and signage and other public works costs. In 2021, the budget proposes tapping into nearly $91,000 of that cash for similar costs, as well as One Mile Lake trail widening, an emergency communications electric sign, a commercial bunker gear washer

and dryer for the fire hall and a financial software upgrade.

“We are obviously continuing to look for additional projects that we can add, and as we go through budget sessions 1, 2 and 3, especially for 2021, we can identify further additions,” she said.

NEXT STEPS While the VOP is entering the process with an eye toward keeping any increase modest, Martin noted that the draft does not contain changes to taxes collected on behalf of other governments as those individual bodies, not the VOP, make those decisions.

The current plan is to hold the second budget session at Committee of the Whole on Feb. 16, with a discussion of the budget’s tax implications at Committee of the Whole on March 2.

The public budget session is set to take place before council’s regular meeting on March 16, with the third budgeting session, including discussion of the Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw, to follow at Committee of the Whole that afternoon.

The first three readings of the Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw are slated to come before council at its April 13 regular meeting, with fourth and final reading at the April 27 regular meeting. Also on April 27, the first three readings of the Tax Rates Bylaw will come forward, with fourth and final slated for May 11.

The full draft budget is available at pemberton.ca. n

NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

2021 Budget

Scotiabank plans town hall for Feb. 9

Info Session

BANK SAYS MEETING WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING PEMBERTON BRANCH’S TRANSITION INTO WHISTLER LOCATION

BY DAN FALLOON SCOTIABANK HAS planned a telephone town hall meeting for Pemberton residents in the midst of its decision to close the branch in July and amalgamate its services into the Whistler branch in Creekside.

The meeting is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. To join by phone, dial 1-888-465-5079 toll free for English or 1-866229-4144 toll free for French or English.

Punch in 7543509# to join the call.

In an email, Scotiabank spokesperson Daniela Da Silva said that holding such a meeting is standard practice when making such a move.

“Consulting the community is part of Scotiabank’s usual process when closing a branch and we are working closely with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada to ensure all relevant guidelines are followed,” she wrote. “It is a very important part of this process and we are committed to addressing customer and community questions and concerns to make the transition as smooth as possible.

remote communities with spotty internet access to the impact on the local economy.

Pemberton’s population as of 2016 was just shy of 2,600.

Natalie Livermore, who launched the petition on change.org, had mixed feelings surrounding the call. While she’s encouraged that the bank is hosting an event, she anticipates the telephone call-in format will dull the effects of the sentiments.

“I’m happy that they’re doing the engagement that should have been done, but I feel like without having that proper town hall meeting, without having all those people and those faces, you really kind of lose what a town hall meeting can do,” she said. “What takes away from this community engagement, is the format.”

While Livermore is in Whistler twice a week for work and can access banking services while there, the fire in her fight is fuelled by those who will feel far more adverse effects.

“I want to be more supportive of the people this is going to affect,” she said. “In the community setting, it’s not necessarily just about me. It’s about those who are going to be most affected and we need to stand behind them as well.”

“In the community setting, it’s not necessarily just about me. It’s about those who are going to be most affected...”

VillageofPemberton

Ques�ons?

We’re Listening.

- NATALIE LIVERMORE

604.894.6135 “Scotiabank has a long-standing relationship with the community in Pemberton and we want to assure you that our support of the community will continue.”

Da Silva added that the bank’s “leaders for the Pemberton and Whistler area will be present to answer questions, hear concerns and share how Scotiabank plans to support the community through and after this transition.”

In response to a question regarding whether the bank would reconsider its decision, Da Silva sent a statement nearly identical to a question regarding why Scotiabank is closing the branch from a prior correspondence, complete with a reference to Pemberton being in “British Colombia.”

“Our primary focus at this time is to communicate any changes to all affected customers and work with them to ensure a smooth transition,” reads the only new part of the statement.

The town hall comes at a time when more than 2,250 people have signed a petition asking the bank to reverse its decision, citing concerns ranging from the impact on

During Village of Pemberton council’s regular meeting on Feb. 2, Mayor Mike Richman reported on a call he held with one of the bank’s vice presidents that he described as “frustrating.” The call followed a letter that the municipality had sent expressing its concerns.

“There seems to be no opening to reconsider the decision of keeping our branch open. I was asked by the VP to provide some suggestions or options to help with the transition,” he said.

“I said, ‘Well, if you’re not here to talk about reconsideration and you’re looking for suggestions on the transitions, my response is I’m the mayor and you are a banker. You come up with the solutions to help our community through this. I can’t help you with that.’”

For her part, Livermore plans to keep pushing until there’s some finality.

“I like to remain hopeful, but it’s kind of like David and Goliath, right? Until the door actually closes, it’s worth trying,” she said. “We can only give it our best and see what happens.” n

www.pemberton.ca

admin@ pemberton.ca

To facilitate snow clearing, residents are reminded that as of November 15th, parking is not permi�ed on the even side of the street or in Village public parking lots between 9pm and 9am, 7 days a week.

Vehicles parked in contraventoon of the posted parking regula�on will be �cketed and/or towed at the owner's expense. Winter Parking Regula�ons are in effect un�l March 31st.

You can help to ensure quick and efficient snow clearing by: • •

www.pemberton.ca • • •

Keeping cul-de-sacs clear of vehicles; Parking the en�re vehicle in your drive way and off the roadways; Yielding to the snow plow; Not pushing snow onto the Village streets; and By familiarizing yourself with the Village of Pemberton Snow Clearing and related Boulevard Maintenance Bylaws available at www.pemberton.ca.

Did You Know?

Parking is not permi�ed on both sides of Dogwood St between Aster & Greenwood Street

Parking for 72 hours or more on Village streets is not permi�ed

Unregistered and uninsured vehicles may not be parked on Village Streets or propert

Vehicles must be parked in the same direc�on as the flow of traffic.

For the safety of children, please ensure they refrain from playing on and around snowbanks. Snowbanks will be dumped on or moved, posing a serious threat to children playing in close proximity

VillageOfPemberton

www.pemberton.ca FEBRUARY 4, 2021

27

NOTICE

NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

2021 COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM The Resort Municipality of Whistler will be accepting Community Enrichment Program (CEP) applications from community groups looking for financial assistance for 2021. The application period runs from January 25 until February 15, 2021.

The CEP provides funding to not-for-profit organizations or societies based within Whistler that are considered by Council to be contributing to the general interest and advantage of the municipality. The categories include ‘Environment’, ‘Community and Social Services’, ‘Recreation and Sport’ and ‘Arts and Culture’.

Each interested community group will be required to complete a Grant Application Form and present to Council at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on March 16, 2021. All approved funding will be issued no later than April 30, 2021.

Grant Application Forms will be available at www.whistler.ca/cep or at the reception desk of the Whistler Municipal Hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, B.C., Monday to Friday, from 8a.m. to 4:30p.m., excluding holidays.

Please submit applications to: Legislative Services Department Resort Municipality of Whistler 4325 Blackcomb Way Whistler, BC V8E 0X5 Phone: 604-935-8121 Fax: 604-935-8109 Email: corporate@whistler.ca Completed applications must be received by 4p.m., February 15, 2021.

No late applications will be accepted.

Community organizations wanting to learn more about the CEP application and granting process are invited to contact the Legislative Services Department.

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

FULL TIME Kerry Mehaffey was recently named Lil’wat Nation’s chief administrative officer after serving in the position in an interim role since February 2020.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Mehaffey new Lil’wat CAO LIL’WAT BUSINESS GROUP CEO HAD HELD ROLE ON AN INTERIM BASIS SINCE FEBRUARY 2020

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28 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

BY DAN FALLOON LIL’WAT NATION HAS its new permanent chief administrative officer.

Kerry Mehaffey, who has served in the position since February 2020, had the interim tag removed in November, and the Nation announced the move in January.

In an email to Pique, Mehaffey said that taking over the role long-term rather than keeping the seat warm has changed his perspective.

“I definitely look at the job differently,” he said. “Although I have been familiar, each person coming in has their own approach and thoughts about the position. While I have done it in the past, I have really focussed on getting things ready for someone else to step in.”

Mehaffey’s main focus as he assumes the CAO job permanently is continuing to navigate COVID-19. The Lil’wat Nation had kept the virus at bay for months before its first cases in December. Lil’wat quickly cleared the cases and has worked diligently to immunize residents.

“We have delivered 842 vaccines to people who live or work on-reserve and we have a second dose to deliver in five weeks. We are really just waiting for this to be over before we get back to other priorities,” Mehaffey wrote.

Mehaffey noted that pandemic response has taken up much of the Nation’s bandwidth as staff members and residents handle uncertainty, burnout and stress.

“Responding to COVID has been pretty all-encompassing,” he said. “We are very proud of the way that the community has responded throughout.”

Of course, peering through the COVID lens makes it difficult for Mehaffey and the Nation to chart a course for what to do once a sense of normalcy is restored.

“We are waiting to see what the world looks like coming out the other end of this pandemic,” he said. “Council really wants to see us re-connect with the community and as a community. It’s been hard on people and families to be apart.”

Lil’wat’s chiefs and council opted to keep Mehaffey in the role, with political chief Dean Nelson thrilled with the move.

“Not only is he a strong leader, but he has also proven to have excellent management and business skills as CEO of the Líl’wat Business Group,” Nelson said in a release. “For more than a decade, Kerry has demonstrated his commitment to Líl’wat Nation, our people and our culture. He has a strong understanding of our land, economic development and community needs.”

Mehaffey joined the Lil’wat Nation in 2007 as its on-reserve lands officer before rising through the ranks to become the economic development officer and later, the chief executive officer of Lil’wat Business Group, which operates at an arm’s length from the Nation.

Chief financial officer Dwayne Stanshall is the business group’s interim CEO. Mehaffey noted that he’s staying involved in some projects during the transition. n

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DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN (PMP) APPLICATION #: MOTI-SCM-PMP-2021/2026 Applicant: B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, South Coast Region, 310-1500 Woolridge Street, Coquitlam, B.C., V3K 0B8.

Agent: ADC Plant Science, 32 Falshire Terrace NE, Calgary, A.B., T3J 3B1, telephone: 1-833-852-3939, email: pmpconsultation@outlook.com.

The purpose of the proposed multi-agency PMP is to manage invasive alien plants and/or noxious weeds on Provincial public land in the South Coastal Mainland of B.C. The PMP applies to areas located in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Sunshine Coast Regional Districts, the southwest half of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, and a small area in the southwest region of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.

The PMP applies to areas near the communities of Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission, Harrison Hot Springs, Richmond, Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Hope, Eastgate, Boston Bar, North Vancouver, Bowen Island, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Gibsons and Sechelt.

The pest management methods proposed for use include mechanical, cultural and biological control, and use of herbicides within the area to which the PMP applies. The active ingredients and examples of the trade names of herbicides proposed for use under this plan include: aminocyclopyrachlor (Truvist, Navius VM), aminopyralid (Milestone, Restore A, Clearview, Reclaim II A), chlorsulfuron (Truvist), clopyralid (Lontrel 360), dicamba (DyVel, Vanquish, Banvel II), diflufenzopyr (Overdrive), flazasulfuron (LongRun 25WG), flumioxazin and pyroxasulfone (Torpedo EZ), fluroxypyr (Starane, Pulsar, Sightline B), glyphosate (Roundup WeatherMAX, Vantage Plus MAX, Vantage XRT, VP480, Roundup Transorb HC), halosulfuron (Sandea WG), imazapyr (Arsenal, Arsenal Powerline, Habitat), indaziflam (Esplanade SC), MCPA (DyVel), mecoprop-p (Trillion, DyVel DSp), metsulfuronmethyl (Escort, Navius VM, Clearview, Reclaim II A), picloram (Tordon 22K, Grazon XC), rimsulfuron (Prism SG), triclopyr (Garlon XRT), 2,4-D (2,4-D Amine 600, Grazon XC, Restore B, Reclaim II B), and rinskor (Rinskor Active). Selective application methods include: backpack, handheld and vehicle mounted sprayers and wick/wipe on, cut surface and injection tool applications.

The proposed duration of the PMP is from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2026.

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A draft copy of the proposed PMP and a map of the proposed treatment area may be viewed at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s South Coast Regional Office listed above, online at gov.bc.ca/plantpestmanagementplan, or by contacting the Agent listed above.

A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the pest management plan, may send copies of the information to the Agent at the address above within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

29

SCIENCE MATTERS

Local acts can build global impacts THERE’S TRUTH to the saying, “Think globally, act locally.” To resolve a planetary crisis like climate disruption, we need change from the top, but without localized support, that’s difficult to achieve.

And grassroots action can grow into something much bigger. Think of Greta Thunberg, whose 2018 solitary school strike for climate outside Swedish parliament blossomed into a massive youth movement that drew more than 4 million people to 2,500 events in 163 countries on all seven continents just one year later.

BY DAVID SUZUKI Local action is beneficial even if it doesn’t become a worldwide movement. It can help communities respond to specific issues, such as adapting to regional effects of climate change. It can help protect threatened plants and animals and their habitats. It can inspire municipal or provincial governments to implement important policies, pushing governments higher up to act.

But those who want to get involved to better their communities often find it difficult to gain knowledge, tools and support for their endeavours. The U.S. Sunrise Movement, Climate Action U.K. and SuperLocal in France offer training and other resources to strengthen environmental and climate action, and bring diverse groups together to build a more powerful force.

The David Suzuki Foundation is doing the same in Canada with the Future Ground Network/Réseau Demain le Québec. It provides education, tools and networking opportunities to help groups throughout Canada strengthen their impact, on initiatives ranging from urban agriculture projects and climate campaigns to advancing sustainable transportation solutions. It’s all about support, connection and inspiration.

As Holly Reid of Cycle Don Valley Midtown said, “We can benefit from the knowledge and insights of other organizers in the network. The tools and supports that the Future Ground Network provides— webinars, Action Network and access to Superteam volunteers—will make us more effective at getting the job done.”

Foundation staff knows how effective local action can be. Its Butterflyway Project has inspired people to plant thousands of pollinator-friendly native wildflowers in schoolyards, gardens, balconies and boulevards throughout Canada.

It started as a project to support monarch butterflies making their astonishing migration from Canada to Mexico and back. Monarchs need milkweed to lay eggs and feed, but urban and agricultural development has been wiping out the plants. Over the past four years,

30 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

1,008 volunteers have planted more than 54,000 native wildflowers in over 1,000 pollinator patches in 100 communities to feed and shelter birds, bees and butterflies.

Making connections in your community—even if virtual or physically distanced—is healthy and much needed in these times. Working with others for the betterment of your neighbourhood, town, city, province, country or world contributes to well-being and happiness.

And, as we’ve seen from people like Greta Thunberg, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela and many others, small acts can lead to big changes.

Research from Harvard University shows what can be achieved when these acts bloom into larger, non-violent movements. Political scientist Erica Chenoweth looked at hundreds of campaigns from 1900 to 2006 and found that non-violent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent ones and that, if at least 3.5 per cent of a population participates in a protest or movement, serious political change is likely.

In their book Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict, Chenoweth and International Center of Nonviolent Conflict researcher Maria Stephan write that, of the 323 violent and non-violent campaigns they studied, nonviolent ones led to significant change 53 per cent of the time compared to 26 per cent for violent ones. That’s partly because nonviolent action attracts more participants.

All campaigns that involved at least 3.5 per cent of a population succeeded!

The climate and biodiversity crises and other environmental emergencies call for rapid change. This global pandemic has shown such change is possible with political will and public support. Empowering

All campaigns that involved at least 3.5 per cent of a population succeeded! people to get involved in their communities provides a path to positive local change and builds networks to help resolve major national and global crises.

Change isn’t always easy, but it’s often necessary. Resolving the climate crisis brings many other benefits beyond ensuring improved health and survival rates for humanity—from high-quality jobs to greater equity.

Initiatives like the Future Ground Network can bring people together to build a better society and help heal the world.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington. ■

OUTSIDER

Whistler or Blackcomb?

‘The Outsider’s’ choice AN AGE-OLD question: One asked for over a generation ever since the mountains were two competing factions. Ski school versus ski school. Patrol versus patrol. Snowboarders allowed versus snowboarders banned. The old “Dual Mountain” prank, memorialized as the name of a local dry cleaning service.

While Whistler Blackcomb has been under singular ownership since 1997 and

BY VINCE SHULEY the leadership preaches unity, the divide runs deep. Nowhere is that partisanship stronger than with locals. Sure, everyone skis the other mountain, but deep down, everyone has their favourite. If a meteor, volcanic eruption or some other natural cataclysm were to destroy one of these mountains (heaven forbid) and you were offered the choice of which one was allowed to survive, which would you choose?

Before I even made it to this town I was being educated on the choice. Crashing on a friend’s couch in Vancouver in the fall of 2004, he told me that, “Whistler is more of a skier’s mountain.” Unsurprisingly, he was a snowboarder. I later learned that that statement was crap; Blackcomb is

CHOOSE WISELY Which ski and ride mountain do you like best, Whistler or Blackcomb?

WWW.GETTYIMAGES.CA

equally as awesome for skiers. Whistler just has more flat spots and traverses where snowboarders need to scootch across.

Let’s start with the lifts: The best alpine chair is undoubtedly Whistler’s Peak Chair.

The steeps you can access make it arguably one of the best chair lifts in the world, at least in its class. Blackcomb’s answer is a combination of Glacier Express, Showcase T-Bar and since the slow demise of the Horstman T-Bar (RIP), the 7th Heaven Express.

Alpine terrain: The Blackcomb alpine may not have a lift to the summit, but

day can be the most powder-filled vertical this side of Revelstoke.

Mid-mountain terrain: This is where we get stuck when the heavy storms roll in, so the choice here can make or break a day.

And with its fall-line runs and more acres of skiable trees, Blackcomb has a clear edge.

Whistler does have its closely guarded midmountain zones, but it’s hard to compare those to the awesomeness accessible from Crystal Ridge on Blackcomb.

Operations: The teething problems of the Blackcomb Gondola notwithstanding,

If a meteor, volcanic eruption or some other natural cataclysm were to destroy one of these mountains (heaven forbid) and you were offered the choice of which one was allowed to survive, which would you choose?

its terrain is just as formidable. Saudan Couloir, Chainsaw Ridge, Gemstone Bowls (colloquially known as Spanky’s Ladder) all add up to a class of their own, it can just take a few more steps to access than simply sliding right off the chair as one does on Peak or Harmony. On a pow day with good visibility, Whistler’s alpine is hard to beat. And then there is Khyber Pass, the real peak-to-creek run, which if you catch on a low, freezing-level storm

over the years I’ve found Blackcomb to be more reliable. The terrain is more naturally funnelled, allowing ski patrol to cordon off sections of the mountain and conduct avalanche control faster. That means you can be on your third Spanky’s lap while everyone on Whistler is still jostling for room on the Goat Path. Blackcomb lifts (with exception of 7th Heaven) tend to be a bit more wind resistant, too. That’s why Blackcomb is my storm skiing mountain of choice.

Backcountry access: The Musical Bumps area off the boundary of Whistler’s Flute Bowl is awesome, especially for ski tourers looking for chill powder days (the impatient souls who ascend the avalanche-prone “suicide skin track” up Cowboy Ridge need not apply).

As physically taxing as Singing Pass can be (especially for snowboarders), it can get you home faster than most backcountry exits in the Sea to Sky. But it’s no Spearhead Range.

Blackcomb has one of the most convenient access points to hundreds of steep, skiable lines, all within a couple hours’ walk. Know before you go.

On-mountain food and beverage: I’m going to glaze over this category as I rarely eat on the mountain anymore. But I have sampled the impressive dining experience at Christine’s, which is pretty good by North American standards. Seppo’s Bar in the Roundhouse is by far the best place for an on-mountain, post-pow-day beer. That Umbrella Bar is pretty good too, I’ve heard.

Search and Rescue calls: Cake Hole on Whistler. Enough said.

We really are lucky to have two of the best ski mountains in the world side by side, now joined by a valley-spanning gondola that is a tourist attraction in itself.

But if I had to choose, I don’t need to go much further than my gut feeling. I choose Blackcomb. Dark Side forever.

Vince Shuley chose the Dark Side. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

31

FEATURE STORY

32 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

FEATURE STORY

Some of the team at the Whistler Health Care Centre.

Photo submitted.

AVERTING

TRAUMA

WHISTLER HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION MEETS $1.5M FUNDRAISING GOAL FOR TRAUMA CENTRE UPGRADES

L

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

ooking back on the night her nearly two-yearold son Parker went into anaphylactic shock, Nora Clarke remembers some of the scariest hours of her life.

But somehow it didn’t feel that way at the time—a calmness she credits to the team at the Whistler Health Care Centre (WHCC).

After being greeted at the doors to the clinic by Dr. Clark Lewis and his team, it was touch-and-go for some time, Clarke says, with Parker requiring three shots of epinephrine over several hours, as well as an IV to keep his lungs open.

“It was a mess,” she recalls.

But the WHCC staff, with their no-nonsense approach, helped keep things grounded.

“It’s scary when I think back, but they managed to make it not scary when we were in it, somehow,” Clarke says.

“No one took their eyes off Parker the whole time, so I didn’t feel like I had to ask any questions. I could just hang out with him and give him more screen

time in 12 hours than he’s had in his whole life.”

Dr. Lewis went “above and beyond” in his care for Parker, even offering to ride in the ambulance with them to meet the critical care team, Clarke remembers.

“He’s incredible,” she says. “This is actually the first time I’ve talked about it without bursting into tears.”

While you don’t have to look far to find similar stories of local heroism at the WHCC, at 25 years old, the facility is well overdue for an upgrade.

That’s why news that the Whistler Health Care Foundation has reached its $1.5-million fundraising goal for trauma room upgrades is being welcomed on all fronts.

“I am pumped to see it, and not just because of our kid’s allergies,” Clarke says, adding that, “we don’t have small injuries in Whistler.

“I think our doctors are top-notch, but now it’s just really cool that they’re actually going to have a facility that matches their skills.”

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

33

FEATURE STORY LASTING TRAUMA For the team at the WHCC, the announcement comes in the midst of a very difficult year, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend all aspects of life.

“It is exceptional, it is exciting,” says Whistler’s medical director Dr. Fern von der Porten.

“It is great news during a really hard time, and this will mean for our group that we can provide better care in a better working environment.”

In a normal year, the WHCC sees about 22,000 patients, and about 100 a day during the busy times, von der Porten notes.

With COVID still raging, the WHCC is seeing about 60 patients a day during busy times.

“And obviously lots of those are traumas based on the skiing and biking we see here,” von der Porten says.

The trauma room upgrade project will make use of existing space in the building, “moving out some walls and making it so the two trauma rooms we have right now can be connected together,” she adds.

“And then [there will be the] purchase of some new equipment, which is mostly this thing called a boom, which hangs off the ceiling and provides oxygen, suction, vital monitors, etc.”

According to a Vancouver Coastal Health spokesperson, the surgical booms are designed to “ergonomically centralize all surgical equipment and utility services for the Trauma staff.”

“They are used in state-ofthe-art healthcare facilities where there is a need for immediate access to medical gases and air.

“Furthermore, they provide electrical power and audio visual data services.”

The new equipment also prioritizes safety by keeping electrical cords out of the way and organizing key equipment in one location.

“Surgical procedure lights are also attached to the same

structure to give flexibility for the same reasons,” the spokesperson notes.

“The addition of booms to WHCC will bring the facility one step closer to modernization and aligning with current best practices and healthcare standards.”

The goal is to start construction after Easter, with a construction timeline of about five to seven months.

“We will have to rearrange our work a little bit so that we can run traumas in a separate space,” von der Porten says.

“We’re working on getting the mobile medical unit; we’re just looking at that right now to see if it’s an option, and if we can do that we may use that for increased workflow and capacity during the summer months.”

When finished, the upgrade will allow the WHCC staff more space to work as a team.

“The [current] space is small,” von der Porten explains.

“We’ve been very successful working in this space, but we know we can do better.”

“We’ve spent time at the clinic in the past, and we knew it was in need of an upgrade, just given the significant amount of volume that goes through that place on an annual basis.”

Two-year-old Parker paints a thank-you ‘masterpiece’ for the Whistler Health Care Centre staff after they helped saved his life. Photo submitted.

- PATRICK DOVIGI

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FEATURE STORY

A mock-up of the Whistler Health Care Centre’s new trauma room.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Dollar for dollar, the trauma room upgrade campaign is the single largest fundraising project ever undertaken at the Whistler Health Care Foundation—and one that was substantially completed within a year.

While the project was announced at the end of 2019, the fundraising campaign officially launched in the summer of 2020 with the foundation’s No-Show Ball.

“We ramped up the campaign in the fall and were overwhelmed by the response from the community,” says Sandra Cameron, head of the WHCF’s trauma room upgrade committee.

The project benefited from some big donations in the early months, including

Image courtesy of the Whistler Health Care Foundation.

$300,000 from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and $500,000 from the Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District.

“Once these two pledges were in place, the hard work began, but we were confident we would meet our target of $1.5 million,” Cameron says.

“We reached out to all our past donors and engaged a few of our supporters to help create interest in the project.”

Other big donations came from the Rockowitz family ($100,000), the Squamish Hospital Foundation ($100,000), and the Katz-Amsterdam Foundation ($90,000), as well as $300,000 from GFL Environmental.

As the owner of a second home for more than a decade, Whistler is near and dear to

his heart, said GFL’s president and CEO Patrick Dovigi.

“We’ve spent time at the clinic in the past, and we knew it was in need of an upgrade, just given the significant amount of volume that goes through that place on an annual basis,” he says.

“I thought it was just a great opportunity to give back to a place that was near and dear to our heart.”

IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S… DR. LEWIS? Despite his close call, Parker bounced back well after a night in Lions Gate Hospital.

“He’s fine. Dad and I aren’t, but he’s fine,” Clarke says with a laugh, adding that

Parker even painted a “masterpiece” of a thank-you gift for the team at WHCC. Recalling the incident nearly two weeks after it happened, Clarke was still blown away by their professionalism.

“I’m not as scared with his allergy, knowing how awesome they were,” she says.

“I know they’re just doing their job, and that’s what some people say, but there’s a way to do it, and then there’s the way they did it.”

Clarke finds a nickname for Dr. Lewis— Parker’s attending physician on that dramatic night—especially fitting, given the circumstances.

“Because his first name is Clark, I’ve heard that his nickname is Superman,” she says.

“And I’m just going to go ahead and say he’s earned that.” ■

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35

SPORTS THE SCORE

Thompson adapts to pandemic season SKI-CROSS STAR SITTING SECOND OVERALL

BY DAN FALLOON WHEN YOU’RE IN a sport reliant on amenable weather conditions, you have to be adaptable.

So in that sense, Whistler ski-cross racer Marielle Thompson has found the frequent schedule quirks on the 2020-21 FIS World Cup circuit fine to handle.

However, it’s the specific COVID-19related changes that have thrown curveballs at the 28-year-old.

“The biggest difference this season has been the new protocols at races,” Thompson wrote in a text message after the most recent set of races at Idre Fjäll, Sweden. “Schedulewise, there have been changes but we have had similar challenges in the past due to lack of snow so it’s all about being flexible and ready for anything.”

Competing during a pandemic hasn’t changed Thompson’s approach to racing, as she’s still the same fierce competitor as always as she sits second in the overall standings to Switzerland’s Fanny Smith in search of her fourth Crystal Globe.

HEAD TO HEAD Marielle Thompson (left) and Switzerland’s Fanny Smith battle it out during a recent World Cup series at Idre Fjäll, Sweden.

PHOTO BY GEPA PICTURES/ DANIEL GOETZHABER COURTESY OF FIS

36 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

However, the extended time overseas, sometimes with long layovers between contests, has been at times a hurdle to deal with. After races scheduled for this past weekend at Feldberg, Germany were wiped out, it means there are three weeks between the Swedish events and the World Championships, which will be right back at Idre Fjäll after being relocated from China, starting Feb. 10. Before the Swedish World Cup events, there was a month between

“I miss my family a lot, but we stay in touch pretty well over FaceTime and iMessage.”

So far this season, Thompson has cracked the podium in five of seven contests, with two runner-up finishes and three third-place showings. After World Championships, as currently scheduled, Thompson will have four opportunities to top the World Cup podium for the first time since last February as the tour wends through stops in: Reiteralm,

“I was definitely more fatigued after three races rather than with just two, but I really appreciate the Swedish race organizing committee and their support of our sport ...”

- MARIELLE THOMPSON

races after the Val Thorens, France stop.

Still, Thompson, the 2014 Olympic champion, has found ways to make the most of the experience.

“This trip has been long, but I have appreciated the chance to train and race in Europe,” Thompson wrote. “Over the holidays I was lucky to be invited into one of my fellow racer’s homes and had a true Swiss Christmas so without these strange circumstances I wouldn’t have the chance for new experiences like that.

Austria; Bakuriani, Georgia; Sunny Valley, Russia; and Veysonnaz, Switzerland.

“I’ve been happy with my results but feel I can work on a few things in my skiing going into the second half of the season,” Thompson wrote. “I’ve had good skiing on race days but a few mistakes here and there have kept me from where I want to be.”

The schedule itself has created a few unique situations for racers. In addition to the cancellations, the World Cup had an extended time at Idre Fjäll last month,

holding three consecutive races there when in a normal season, there wouldn’t be more than two at any given locale.

“Idre Fjäll was a lot more skiing in a row than we are usually used to,” Thompson noted. “I was definitely more fatigued after three races rather than with just two, but I really appreciate the Swedish race organizing committee and their support of our sport, since they’ve stepped up and are hosting two more races than were originally on the schedule.”

In preparing for the unprecedented campaign, Thompson said the main adjustments came while she was at home in the Sea to Sky as opposed to when she was already on the road.

“The biggest difference in my pre-season training was a lack of time off at home. I’ve had all quite productive camps prior to the World Cups in December starting in Saas Fee, then Pitztal and Laax,” she explained. “My coaches did well in balancing camps and time off for those of us who stayed in Europe.

“I’m really appreciative of every opportunity because I know I’m lucky to be racing in these crazy times.”

Thompson is far from Canada’s only Crystal Globe hope for the 2020-21 season.

Reece Howden of Cultus Lake is leading the men’s standings after earning back-toback victories in Sweden to go with a win and second-place showing at Val Thorens before Christmas. n

SPORTS THE SCORE

Sharpe silver at X Games SPORTS BRIEFS: WATTS EQUALS WORLD CHAMPS BEST

BY DAN FALLOON AT HER FIRST competition in nearly a year, former Whistler resident Cassie Sharpe earned herself some hardware.

The 28-year-old earned her fifth X Games medal in the women’s ski superpipe at Aspen, Colo. on Jan. 29, taking silver.

Sharpe previously won gold in the event at 2016 in Oslo, Norway and in 2019 in Aspen. This time, Eileen Gu of China became the first athlete from China to score X Games gold while a second Canadian, Rachael Karker, also hit the podium in third.

Another Canadian skier, Megan Oldham, came away with a pair of medals. Oldham placed second in the big air behind France’s Mathilde Gremaud and just ahead of Gu, while in the slopestyle, Oldham was third as Gu scored the win ahead of Great Britain’s Isabel Atkin. Canadians Alex Beaulieu-Marchand and Evan McEachran were just off the podium in the men’s big air as Switzerland’s Andri Ragettli took gold over France’s Antoine Adelisse and American Alex Hall. However, McEachran edged Beaulieu-Marchand to secure bronze in slopestyle behind Nick Goepper of the United States, who took gold, and runner-up Ferdinand Dahl of Norway.

On the snowboard side of things, Canadian Laurie Blouin hit the women’s slopestyle steps with a bronze behind champion Jamie Anderson of the U.S. and runner-up Zoi Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand. Blouin was a single point off the big air podium, placing fourth as Anderson took the victory over Japan’s Miyabi Onitsuka and Sadowski-Synnott.

WATTS EQUALS WORLD CHAMPS BEST After missing the final in the last World Cup before World Championships, Whistler luger Reid Watts bounced back on the 2020-21 season’s most significant stage.

Rebounding from a disappointing outing at Igls, Austria, Watts equalled his best-ever FIL World Championships result at Königssee, Germany on Jan. 30, placing 18th.

Watts sat 16th after the first run, but an inconsistent second attempt dropped him a couple of spots. It also bumped him off the under-23 podium as Watts finished just 0.002 seconds back of Latvia’s Gints Berzins.

“Today was a real bittersweet type of race. We showed we had some good pace in the first run, but a big mistake in the second run threw away a chance at a really strong result,” Watts said in a release. “Coming up just short on that bronze medal in the U23 race stings a lot, but will fuel the fire for sure coming into the offseason.”

In the overall race, Roman Repilov of the Russian Luge Federation scored gold ahead of Germany’s Felix Loch and Austria’s David Gleirscher. In the women’s

race, Canada’s Carolyn Maxwell took 20th overall, and eighth in U23, as Julia Taubitz led a German podium sweep with Natalie Geisenberger and Dajana Eitberger in second and third, respectively.

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KRIPPS CLAIMS THIRD OVERALL Canadian bobsled pilot Justin Kripps locked down third place in the IBSF World Cup’s overall four-man standings after a thirdplace performance at the final tour race of the season at Igls, Austria on Jan. 31.

Kripps and his crew of Ryan Sommer, Ben Coakwell and Cam Stones shared the podium with the winners, led by Francesco Friedrich of Germany, and runners-up, headed by Austria’s Benjamin Maier.

“We didn’t set any overall goals this year. We always want to be hunting down the podium but with COVID situations this year, it was all about building some momentum and seeing what we need to work on,” Kripps said in a release.

Fellow Canadian Chris Spring drove his crew of Mike Evelyn, Chris Patrician and Mark Mlakar to 16th.

Spring and Evelyn placed 11th in the Jan. 30 two-man race as Friedrich and Alexander Schueller topped Latvia’s Oskars Kibermanis and Matiss Miknis and Russia’s Rostislav Gaitiukevich and Mikhail Mordasov.

In the women’s race, Cynthia Appiah and Dawn Richardson Wilson starred in a tight contest, finishing 0.08 seconds back of winners Kaillie Humphries and Lolo Jones of the United States as fellow Americans Elana Meyers Taylor and Lake Kwaza placed second and Austria’s Katrin Beierl and Jennifer Onasanya took third. Appiah and Richardson Wilson were just 0.02 seconds off the podium. Other Canadian sleds were Melissa Lotholz and Sara Villani in fifth and Alyssia Rissling and Erica Voss in 11th.

GAGNON HITS GARMISCH PODIUM Canada’s Marie-Michèle Gagnon found herself on the FIS World Cup podium for the fifth time in her career, but it was her first appearance for a speed event.

Gagnon took third in the super-G at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on Jan. 30, 0.93 seconds back of champion Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland while Kajsa Vickhoff Lie of Norway placed second.

“It was a very good day. I was very surprised, but I had a good feeling all day.

I felt confident with my plan,” Gagnon said in a release.

Gagnon spent her first decade on the national team focused on technical events before shifting to speed in 2017.

Gagnon placed 12th in the Feb. 1 super-G as Gut-Behrami took another win, this time topping Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova and Austria’s Tamara Tippler. n

Notice of Application Wedgewoods Utilities Inc. NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO THE COMPTROLLER OF WATER RIGHTS UNDER THE WATER UTILITY ACT AND THE UTILITIES COMMISSION NOTICE is hereby given by Wedgewoods Utilities Inc. that an application has been made to the Comptroller of Water Rights for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the proposed construction and operation of an expanded waterworks distribution system to serve residents in the area of WedgeWoods Whistler, Strata BCS3916 located in the Squamish Lillooet Regional District.

Any person wishing further information in connection with this application should apply directly to Wedgewoods Utilities Inc, 5403 Buckingham Ave., Burnaby BC V5E 1Z9, wedgewoods_utilities@wedgewoodswhistler.com or call 604 644 1111.

Any objections to this application are to be forwarded to Chris McMillan, Secretary to the Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights, Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, PO Box 9340 STN PROV GOVT, Victoria BC, V8W 9M1 or by email Chris.Mcmillan@gv.bc.ca or by fax at 250-953-5124 on or before February 23 2021.

Frowein, Rolf Wilhelm March 10, 1933 – January 13th, 2021.

It is with profound sadness and grief that we said good-bye to our beloved husband and papa on Jan 13th. Survived by his wife, Liselotte, daughters Claudia (Dave) and Britta, grandchildren, younger siblings in Germany & Switzerland, nephews, & a niece.

Rolf was born in Wuppertal, Germany, and immigrated to Canada in 1954 where he worked in his profession as a master carpenter. He married Lotti in 1963 and started a family; while building them a home in North Vancouver, Rolf attended BCIT and completed the construction management program. Always hard working, Rolf started his own company, Homar Construction Services, specializing in commercial projects including hospitals and shopping centers; one of his favorites was Expo 86.

Rolf was instrumental in the development of the Tyrol Ski + Mountain Club and the oldest club cabin in Whistler, the Tyrol Lodge, to make skiing accessible to all. For decades he volunteered at alpine ski races, officiating everything from FIS World Cups to classics such as the Back Bowl DH and Tyrol GS (the latter for 40 years), where he formed lifelong friendships and mentored many.

In retirement, Rolf enjoyed travelling with Lotti, spending time at their cabin on Denman Island, and with his daughters’ families in Whistler and Grande Prairie/Kelowna.

A kind, generous, devoted, warm-hearted soul liked by everyone. Rolf was the consummate family man who loved nothing more than being with his family, friends,and menagerie of pets.

Our hearts are broken, but his memory will live on forever.

A service will be held when CoVid19 restrictions are lifted. Contributions in Rolf’s memory can be made to the SPCA or a charity of your choice.

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

37

FORK IN THE ROAD

Stay safe / stay well!

HOW WE SAY THE FORMER BUT MEAN THE LATTER “STAY SAFE!” we urge one another at the bottom of emails and texts, or at the end of a phone call or (safely distanced) real-life encounter.

It’s the trope du monde for wishing well the person from whom we’re taking our leave, be they friend, neighbour, loved one or simply someone we meet at the grocery store, much as we used to say “take care” or “have fun.” These, in turn, had pretty much

BY GLENDA BARTOSH replaced “goodbye,” which by my Oxford English Dictionary, is a contraction of the 16th-century farewell or parting, “God be with you” or “God be wy you” or “God b’yu.”

It’s sweet how language evolves.

I venture what we really mean now when urging each other to “stay safe” is for people to stay well in all regards, and that includes emotionally and psychologically. So I wanted to learn from an expert in such matters—what their tips were for staying well one year into the pandemic, as well as any eating tips and their own food habits.

Clinical counsellor Greg McDonnell has been part of the local scene for years. He’s the former executive director of Whistler Community Services Society, and has had his own private practice for ages. Safe to say, he’s one of the most respected and

COOKIE MONSTER NOSE DIVE: Homemade cookies were a welcome self-care birthday gift for counsellor Greg McDonnell.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

38 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

well-loved counsellors around. As you can imagine, he’s also a pretty busy guy.

In a nutshell, lately Greg’s been working on the idea of being anti-fragile, and helping people to learn to expect chaos in life. He says we’re basically in denial if we’re expecting life to go a certain way and everything’s going to be lollipops and rainbows.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the human experience, and COVID-19 brings that into stark contrast for us,” he explains. To wit, Greg’s email sign-off, which reads something like a Buddhist tenet and is actually a quote from cultural activist Stephen Jenkinson: “... how about holding dear the fact that nothing you hold dear, lasts.”

A lot of people are feeling pretty hopeless right now, Greg notes, maybe it’s the first time in any of our lifetimes we’ve seen such a sense of hopelessness. So here are three things that can give us hope: No. 1: A set of personal values we’re really committed to. To illustrate that he uses a metaphor: “Think like a salmon, act like a coyote,” meaning think like a salmon, which always returning to home waters, and not abandoning the idea of family, whatever form it takes. As for the coyote part, that’s all about resiliency.

“A coyote is very resilient. It doesn’t make meaning out of something that doesn’t go right for it, so it hustles and looks for a new beginning elsewhere,” he says.

No. 2: Have a sense of purpose and meaning. Here, he adds a food angle.

“Early pandemic what did we see? Everyone posting pictures of their sourdough bread, and their jars of jam. Or maybe they were learning to garden,” he says. Greg calls these old-time skills, which older people tend to be really good at because they needed such things to ground their nervous

systems through their own challenges after experiencing something like war or the Great Depression.

According to Greg, we all have identity structures—things that define us. In Whistler, it might be athletics, the type of car you drive, or the wealth you amass. For young adults, it might be last night’s party.

People with a broad identity structure tend to be psychologically well, so learning something new like making cookies or how to sew broadens our identities.

The third thing that builds hope is community: “being connected to a community of people who feed your soul, who enrich you.” Maybe these are mentors, or a chosen family because you don’t live near your family, but it’s connecting to “people who feed you in some way, not people who suck you dry.”

Speaking of feeding, I asked Greg how important it is to eat well in these challenging times.

“It’s incredibly important, he says. “It’s nourishing the foundation, so things like sleep, eating well, minimizing or avoiding alcohol, certainly during stressful times— those are baseline self-care concepts,” adding that even he doesn’t always get it right. But he knows enough if he’s had a tough weekend to get to bed early rather than numbing himself out on the couch watching Netflix.

As for keeping himself wellnourished—think of all our health-care providers who have to keep themselves healthy and well-fuelled during these busy, busy times—Greg is very grateful he’s part of a family team. On Sundays, Spud Delivery brings their order and they make a food plan for the week, later shopping for whatever else they need.

Mexican food is a fave—it reminds them of holidays and surfing. Overall, though, they’re ovo-lacto pescatarians, meaning eggs, yogurt and cheese (but no milk); and fish are OK, but they stay away from red meat. As for staying fuelled at work, Greg often brings leftovers from home.

“Today I’m looking at my desk right now, and I have a paprika, yam, roasted-pepper burrito with white beans and cheddar cheese left over from last night’s dinner.”

He tries to avoid the posh chocolate chip cookies at Forecast Coffee below his office in Function Junction, but he also recognizes when stress levels are high, he tends to reach for the simple sugars and carbs, just like most of us.

As for his go-to comfort food, it’s tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich and a dill pickle, like his dad from Edmonton used to make him for a school lunches when he was a kid.

Remember that salmon returning to home waters? Greg now makes the same comfort food for his son.

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who finds much joy in bananas— and chocolate. n

FOR THE RECORD “Fork in the Road” in the Jan. 21 print issue of Pique had the wrong photo.

That photo, which featured the right cake but the wrong people, was part of the Whistler Question Collection at the Whistler Museum. You can see the correct photo, complete with Debbie Smythe, online at piquenewsmagazine. com under Arts and Life. n

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Timeslots can be booked up to 72 hours in advance

whistler.ca/MPSC

GROUP FITNESS SCHEDULE THU 4

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Beth

MON 8

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Jess *ONLINE

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Learn more at whistler.ca/familyday

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ARTS SCENE

Spud Valley artists get some time in the Whistler spotlight with Picturing Pemberton RON AND HEIDI DENESSEN REFLECT ON FULL-CIRCLE JOURNEY WITH ARTS WHISTLER’S LATEST EXHIBIT

BY ALYSSA NOEL IT WOULD be understandable if Heidi and Ron Denessen had a case of déjà vu.

Nearly 20 years ago, the artist couple were living in Pemberton and preparing to exhibit at one of the first-ever shows at (what’s now called) The Maury Young Arts Centre.

While they’ve lived a whole lot of life in between—marriage, kids, several moves around the Lower Mainland—at the end of 2019, they built a house, complete with two studios, and moved from Whistler back to Pemberton once again.

On top of that, they’re two of four Spud Valley artists featured in Picturing Pemberton, a new exhibit at The Gallery.

“We haven’t done many shows together,” Heidi says. “We’ve been so busy.

Our kids are teenagers now. In all those years, we were in the thick of chasing after little kids and focused on making a living.

We both always made a living related to our art practices, but one thing we didn’t have a lot of time for was producing whole shows.

SNOW DAY Ron Denessen’s piece, 30 cm Day, is featured in the new Arts Whistler exhibit Picturing Pemberton.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

40 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

We’re now in a place where we’re able to make a return to that. Now that we have this studio space, we’re settled.”

For Ron, who dug up an old article from The Whistler Question on that first exhibit, it was interesting to see how his style has both progressed, but remained the same over two decades.

“The style I was doing then was quite

was doing that back then too.”

Both have two pieces featured in the new Arts Whistler show. Heidi’s include Listening and Learning, featuring Mount Currie, but with a deeper theme of reflecting on the Black Lives Matter movement, and Arthur’s Choice, inspired by the ski run on Blackcomb. Both are large, acrylic paintings on wood panels.

“I’ve been exploring landscapes as a way to express feelings of a sense of wonder and joy and peace, using the landscape as a jumping-off point.”

- HEIDI DENESSEN

similar,” he says. “It’s developed, but I was doing the same thing, just through minimal means, trying to portray a landscape through colour and form.”

Likewise, Heidi says she’s gone “full circle.”

“I’m returning back to what I was always doing when I first started out as an artist,” she adds. “I’ve been exploring landscapes as a way to express feelings of a sense of wonder and joy and peace, using the landscape as a jumping-off point. I think I

“I’m exploring how colour and light communicate,” she says of the latter piece. “I really want to just focus on communicating joy right now. I think we all need it.”

Ron’s contributions to the show, meanwhile, are called Alpenglow and 30 cm Day. “It’s of Wedge and it’s a morning feeling painting,” he says, describing 30 cm Day. “It’s inspired by a big snow day—when you wake up in the morning, look outside, and you’re instantly excited because there’s so

much snow. It’s going to be a good day on the mountain.”

The show, which, alongside the Denessens, also features well-known artist Karen Love and established photographer Simon Bedford, aims to shine a light on the talent that abounds in Whistler’s neighbouring community—and the beauty that valley inspires. “[Pemberton] has inspired us a lot— especially because of where we moved,” Ron says. “We have a Mount Currie view right in front of us. It’s been ridiculously inspiring to look at it every day.”

The exhibit officially opened on Jan. 22 and runs until March 7 during opening hours at The Gallery. While it might have been sad to have to forgo an opening party due to the pandemic, the couple says they’re just happy for what has become a rare chance to exhibit publicly during this time.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get out of the house, drive somewhere, and drop off a painting,” Heidi says, with a laugh. “If you’re wandering through the village right now, we have this space for us to go, which is cool … Everyone is missing doing things, and this is such an awesome thing for the community to do. You can go in a safe way and see a show.”

For more, visit artswhistler.com/event/ picturing-pemberton. n

ARTS SCENE

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POINT IT OUT A dancer from Gruff Goat Dance performs onstage at the Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival at The Point Artist-Run Centre. Unable to host its traditional fundraisers to support the festival and its other endeavours, The Point has moved fundraising online for 2021.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Point launches online fundraiser with benefits ARTS NEWS: TEENY TINY ART SHOW OPENS FOR SUBMISSIONS; VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS

BY ALYSSA NOEL THE POINT ARTIST-RUN Centre has launched an online fundraiser to help support future programming after it had to cancel its annual fundraising events in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

Instead, supporters can log on to GoFundMe to check out an array of “rewards” they can get for donating.

“For the Love of Art—Get to The Point! is a GoFundMe campaign that will enable The Point to continue its arts programming, from children’s theatre and music camps, to the Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival, as well as other upcoming live and live-streamed events made possible through a forthcoming investment in digital equipment,” according to a release. “The best thing about this new twist on fundraising is that it also directly supports artists.”

Half the proceeds will go to the artist who created the reward and the other half will go to The Point.

For $20, you will receive a membership to The Point, while $50 will get you an art print by Andrea Mueller. A $100 donation will land you some Zoom acting classes with Ira Pettle. For $150, you will get a Vincent Massey ceramic pitcher and for $500, you can get a small, original painting from a local artist. Membership is also included with all donation rewards.

You can peruse and choose some of those at gofundme.com/f/the-pointartistruncentres-annual-fundraiser.

GO SMALL FOR A FOURTH YEAR Arts Whistler is accepting submissions for its Teeny Tiny Art Show.

The annual event—which displays work that’s three-inches-by-three inches (7.62 cm-by-7.62 cm) or smaller—is returning for a fourth year.

Artists must be from the Sea to Sky corridor (Bowen Island to Mount Currie) and drop off their pieces on or before Feb. 28.

If you’re in need of a tiny canvas, you can pick one up the Maury Young Arts Centre for $3 (or $5 for two) during opening hours.

The art can be in any medium, but jewelry isn’t accepted at this time.

The show itself will run at The Gallery from March 11 until May 1.

To see the full list of rules and how to submit, head to artswhistler.com/event/ the-teeny-tiny-show-2021-call-for-artists.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL Surprise! The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival is moving online for its 24th annual event from Feb. 19 to 28. (OK, that probably comes as a surprise to no one.)

As part of its offerings, this year, there will be 17 different shows with more than 50 films, workshops, and panel discussions.

Films range in topic from climbing to skiing, mountain culture to the environment.

This year, a film-only pass is $75 for access to all the films and three live panels (it goes up to $85 on Feb. 19), and $95 for an all-access festival pass, which includes film access, the panel discussions, three interactive virtual workshops. (That goes up to $105 on Feb. 19.)

Tickets to individual feature films, meanwhile, are $7 or $15 for shows and workshops with prices increasing Feb. 19.

To see the full lineup, or get tickets, head to vimff.org. n

Land Act:

Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that The Resort Municipality of Whistler located at 4325 Blackcomb Way has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNROD), Surrey for a tenure situated on Provincial Crown Land for the purpose of a watermain utility to be located on that part or tract of unsurveyed Crown Land adjacent to District Lot 8073, Group 1, New Westminster District.

The Lands File Number for this application is 2412372. Comments on this application may be submitted in two ways: 1 Online via the Applications and Reasons for Decision Database website at: https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications, or 2. By mail to the Senior Land Officer at 200 –10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1.

Comments concerning this application should be directed to the Project Manager at 200-10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1. Comments will be received by the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations until March 5, 2021. Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations may not consider comments received after this date. Please visit the Applications, Comments & Reasons for Decision website at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For information, contact Information Access Operations at the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services in Victoria at: www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/.

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca FEBRUARY 4, 2021

41

MUSEUM MUSINGS

HAPPY Y A D H B IRT To MacLaurins

DEAR OLD M.G.T.D. 1951

SEEING DOUBLE Michel Daigle (right) shows a front flip in tandem during a competition on Whistler Mountain.

PHOTO FROM THE WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CORPORATION COLLECTION

PRESENTLY BRINGING SMILES TO THE FOLKS IN HOBART, TASMANIA

Early freestyle on Whistler

BY ALLYN PRINGLE

IENCE MEX IC ER P O X

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OWNED

BY DAUGHTER JILL MACLAURIN HUDSPETH

ISTLER WH

3 COURSE WINTER MENU

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At the Base of Whistler Mountain in the Sundial Hotel 604.962.4450 www.themexicancorner.ca

42 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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WHEN THE FIRST Toni Sailer Summer Ski Camp was held on Whistler Mountain during the summer of 1966, the camp focused mainly on racing and was motivated partly by the need for competitive skiers to stay in shape and improve their technique between competition seasons.

This focus changed as more recreational skiers began participating in the camps with an interest in improving their own skills under the guidance of skiers such as Toni Sailer, Nancy Greene and Alan White.

It wasn’t until the summer of 1973, however, that freestyle skiing was included in the Ski Camp programming and the legendary Wayne Wong began coaching on Whistler, reflecting a change in the sport of skiing.

At the time, freestyle skiing was still a relatively young sport. The first recorded freestyle skiing competitions in the United States were not held until the mid-1960s and it was not until 1969 that the first instructional program began at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire.

In 1971, Waterville Valley hosted the first Professional Freestyle Skiing Competition, drawing together competitive skiers from across North America. These skiers included Wong, George Askevold and Floyd Wilkie, all of whom decided to stay at Waterville Valley as coaches of the first Freestyle Ski Team.

We don’t know when exactly the first freestyle skiing competition was held on Whistler Mountain, but by the spring of 1971, there was enough demand that Garibaldi Lifts Ltd. hosted the first annual Aerial Ski Acrobatic Championship and Hot Shot Contest. In 1973, freestyle skiing became part of the Toni Sailer Summer Ski Camp’s programming under the direction of Wong, Askevold and Wilkie, providing

more formal training for skiers interested in the growing sport and “teaching youngsters to ski the ‘Wong Way.’” In the spring of 1974, Whistler Mountain expanded its freestyle offerings with a spring Freestyle Skiing Camp for “youngsters who can ski parallel, but who want to master some of the popular new maneuvers of freestyle under competent coaching.”

According to Garibaldi’s Whistler News, the “newest tricks” such as skiing sideways, backwards or going upside down were becoming more common on Whistler but were also risky, especially without training or instruction. They decided to provide an opportunity to explore techniques and tricks under the tutelage of Michel Daigle, Tetsuo Fuji, and Bob Dufour.

While freestyle skiing was becoming increasingly popular through the ‘70s, it was not officially recognized as a sport by the FIS until 1979, when international regulations and certifications were introduced.

The next year saw the first FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup with events in moguls, aerials, and “acroski,” also known as ski ballet. To win the overall title, skiers had to compete in all three disciplines.

In 1986, the first FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships were held in Tignes, France and then demonstration events were held at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Over the next two decades, more and more freestyle skiing events joined the Olympic line-up, beginning with moguls in 1992, aerials in 1994, ski cross in 2010 and, most recently, halfpipe and slopestyle in 2014.

Unfortunately, ski ballet, though part of competitions and tours in the ‘70s and ‘80s, did not continue to grow with freestyle skiing in the same way and has not been recognized as an official freestyle discipline since 2000.

Today, freestyle skiing looks a little different than it did in the early competition of the ‘70s, but it can often be seen on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and around the world. n

PARTIAL RECALL

2

1

3

4

5

ICE CAVE ADVENTURES There’s nothing to brighten a cloudy day quite like a mid-winter visit to the ice cave on Blackcomb Glacier. PHOTO SUBMITTED 2 PATIOS AND PICKUP Nita Lake has been the perfect spot for pickup puck as of late. It also make the perfect backdrop for a patio après session at Nita Lake Lodge. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 3 FIRST TRACKS Corduroy on Jeff’s Ode to Joy in the Symphony zone, as seen here at 11 a.m. on Jan. 28. “Beautiful day with very few people!,” writes the photographer. PHOTO BY STACEY MURL.. 4 DUST ON CRUST Even after a few centimetres of fluffy snow, cold temperatures meant conditions were ideal for a morning skate on Alta Lake last week. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 5 BIRD’S EYE VIEW Black Tusk and the Haida eagle carving are pictured standing guard Whistler Blackcomb’s slopes on a recent bluebird day. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 1

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

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43

ASTROLOGY

NOTICE OF AGM AND NOMINATIONS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF FEBRUARY 4 BY ROB BREZSNY

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 5:30pm Location TBC

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Herman Hesse’s novel

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS for Directors: Candidates should have strategic leadership skills, previous board experience, knowledge or experience in governance, and familiarity with Arts Whistler’s mandate and operations.

Deadline for nominations to the Board of Directors: March 26, 2021 For more information please contact Mo Douglas at mdouglas@artswhistler.com

artswhistler.com

Help amplify youth voices Under 40? Passionate about community and sharing a youth perspective? Whistler’s Vital Signs committee is seeking new members.

Email Libby lmckeever@whistlerfoundation.com for more info

Investing in a thriving community, together. whistlerfoundation.com

HEAR AND NOW WHISTLER’S LOCAL MUSIC CELEBRATION ONLINE THURSDAYS, 7PM

Feb 4

Feral Nifty

Feb 11

Kostaman and The Good Vibrations

Feb 18

The Railtown Prophets

Feb 25

Ev Kinsella and The Campfire Soul

Find the episodes on Arts Whistler’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

artswhistler.com/hearandnow

@artswhistler

Photo: Arts Whistler / Kelly Cosgrove

FEBRUARY EPISODES

Siddartha is a story about a spiritual seeker who goes in search of illumination. Near the end of the quest, when Siddartha is purified and enlightened, he tells his friend, “I greatly needed sin, lust, vanity, the striving for goods, and the most shameful despair, to learn how to love the world, to stop comparing the world with any world that I wish for, with any perfection that I think up; I learned to let the world be as it is, and to love it and to belong to it gladly.” While I trust you won’t overdo the sinful stuff in the coming months, Aries, I hope you will reach a conclusion like Siddartha’s. The astrological omens suggest that 2021 is the best year ever for you to learn how to love your life and the world just as they are.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus physicist Richard Feynman said, “If we want to solve a problem we have never solved before, we must leave the door to the unknown ajar.” That’s always good advice, but it’s especially apropos for you in the coming weeks. You are being given the interesting and fun opportunity to solve a problem you have never solved before! Be sure to leave the door to the unknown ajar. Clues and answers may come from unexpected sources.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When we want to get a distinct look at a faint star, we must avert our eyes away from it just a little. If we look at it directly, it fades into invisibility. (There’s a scientific explanation for this phenomenon, which I won’t go into.) I propose that we make this your metaphor of power for the coming weeks. Proceed on the hypothesis that if you want to get glimpses of what’s in the distance or in the future, don’t gaze at it directly. Use the psychological version of your peripheral vision. And yes, now is a favourable time to seek those glimpses.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): If the apocalypse happens and you’re the last human left on earth, don’t worry about getting enough to eat. Just find an intact grocery store and make your new home there. It’s stocked with enough non-perishable food to feed you for 55 years—or 63 years if you’re willing to dine on pet food. I’M JOKING! JUST KIDDING! In fact, the apocalypse won’t happen for another 503 million years. My purpose in imagining such a loopy scenario is to nudge you to dissolve your scarcity thinking. Here’s the ironic fact of the matter for us Cancerians: If we indulge in fearful fantasies about running out of stuff—money, resources, love, or time— we undermine our efforts to have enough of what we need. The time is now right for you to stop worrying and instead take robust action to ensure you’re well supplied for a long time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Judge a moth by the beauty of its candle,” writes Coleman Barks in his rendering of a poem by Rumi. In accordance with astrological omens, I am invoking that thought as a useful metaphor for your life right now. How lovely and noble are the goals you’re pursuing? How exalted and bighearted are the dreams you’re focused on? If you find there are any less-thanbeautiful aspects to your motivating symbols and ideals, now is a good time to make adjustments.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I invite you to try the following experiment. Select two situations in your world that really need to be reinvented, and let every other glitch and annoyance just slide for now. Then meditate with tender ferocity on how best to get the transformations done. Summoning intense focus will generate what amounts to magic! P.S.: Maybe the desired reinventions would require other people to alter their behaviour. But it’s also possible that your own behaviour may need altering.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Marguerite Duras wrote these words: “That she had so completely recovered her sanity was a source of sadness to her. One should never be cured of one’s passion.” I am spiritually allergic to that idea. It implies that our deepest passions are unavailable

unless we’re insane, or at least disturbed. But in the world I aspire to live in, the opposite is true: Our passions thrive if we’re mentally healthy. We are best able to harness our most inspiring motivations if we’re feeling poised and stable.

So I’m here to urge you to reject Duras’s perspective and embrace mine. The time has arrived for you to explore the mysteries of relaxing passion.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Author Karen Barad writes, “The past is never finished. It cannot be wrapped up like a package, or a scrapbook; we never leave it and it never leaves us behind.” I agree. That’s why I can’t understand New Age teachers who advise us to “live in the now.” That’s impossible! We are always embedded in our histories. Everything we do is conditioned by our life story. I acknowledge that there’s value in trying to see the world afresh in each new moment. I’m a hearty advocate of adopting a “beginner’s mind.” But to pretend we can completely shut off or escape the past is delusional and foolish. Thank you for listening to my rant, Scorpio.

Now please spend quality time upgrading your love and appreciation for your own past. It’s time to celebrate where you have come from—and meditate on how your history affects who you are now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Luisah Teish is a writer and priestess in the Yoruban Lucumi tradition. She wrote a book called Jump Up: Seasonal Celebrations from the World’s Deep Traditions. “Jump up” is a Caribbean phrase that refers to festive rituals and parties that feature “joyous music, laughter, food, and dancing.”

According to my reading of the astrological omens, you’re due for a phase infused with the “jump up” spirit.

As Teish would say, it’s a time for “jumping, jamming, swinging, hopping, and kicking it.” I realize that in order to do this, you will have to work around the very necessary limitations imposed on us all by the pandemic. Do the best you can. Maybe make it a virtual or fantasy jump up. Maybe dance alone in the dark.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Perhaps we should know better,” wrote poet Tony Hoagland, “but we keep on looking, thinking, and listening, hunting that singular book, theory, perception, or tonality that will unlock and liberate us.” It’s my duty to report, Capricorn, that there will most likely be no such singular magnificence for you in 2021. However, I’m happy to tell you that an accumulation of smaller treasures could ultimately lead to a substantial unlocking and liberation. For that to happen, you must be alert for and appreciate the small treasures, and patiently gather them in. (P.S.: Author Rebecca Solnit says, “We devour heaven in bites too small to be measured.” I say: The small bites of heaven you devour in the coming months will ultimately add up to being dramatically measurable.)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author Alice Walker writes, “In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.” In the coming weeks, I hope you’ll adopt that way of thinking and apply it to every aspect of your perfectly imperfect body and mind and soul. I hope you’ll give the same generous blessing to the rest of the world, as well. This attitude is always wise to cultivate, of course, but it will be especially transformative for you in the coming weeks. It’s time to celebrate your gorgeous idiosyncrasies and eccentricities.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Though the bamboo forest is dense, water flows through it freely.” I offer that Zen saying just in time for you to adopt it as your metaphor of power. No matter how thick and complicated and impassable the terrain might appear to be in he coming weeks, I swear you’ll have a flair for finding a graceful path through it. All you have to do is imitate the consistency and flow of water.

This week’s homework: What’s the important thing you forgot about that you really do need to remember sometime soon? 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

44 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

LOCAL EXPERTS GLOBAL REACH

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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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Services

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Take a culinary trip down the Mekong river through Thailand and Vietnam and experience the ebb and flow of a bubbling South East Asian kitchen with 88Mekong Restaurant, opening this spring/summer in Creekside!

We are an upscale casual dining restaurant, and we are currently looking to hire the following leadership positions for our opening team: General Manager - Must have 3-5 years of existing GM experience in a similar restaurant Assistant GM/Bar Manager - Must have 2-3 years of restaurant

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JAPANESE TEPPANYAKI CHEFS in Whistler.

• • • • • •

Restaurant Supervisor - Must have 1-2 years of restaurant

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Chefs (Sous Chef and Chef De Partie) - Must have 2-3 years

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If you want to be a part of a dynamic, fun and driven leadership team, please send your resume to jobs@infinityenterprises.ca

COUNSELLING

JOB DUTIES

Prepare and cook Teppanyaki and other Japanese food including Sushi.

Ensure food meets quality standards.

Estimate food requirements and cooking time.

Instruct Kitchen Helpers and Cooks in preparation, cooking, and presentation of food.

Assist Head Chef and supervise cooks and kitchen helpers.

Inspecting ingredients for quality and freshness and supervising all food preparation.

Create new menu, recipes and specials.

Ensure to provide excellent live cooking presentation and customer services at the Teppanyaki bar.

Work as a team and ensure orders are completed in timely manner.

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• Completion of secondary school and 2-3 years or more experience as a cook/chef.

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All season, Permanent Full-time, 30 hours per week $25 per hour 4% vacation pay Start Date: As soon as possible.

Language of work is English Address: 301-4293 Mountain Square, Whistler, BC, V0N 1B4 Apply by email at teppanvillage@shaw.ca

Emotional distress can be difficult to manage on your own. The goal of Ashlin Tipper Counselling is to promote health and happiness by providing welcoming, kind, supportive, non-judgmental, goal-oriented, practical, clinically-based emotional support.

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The Network Administrator provides a wide range of technical leadership relating to the network, software, and hardware for the Whistler Conference Centre, Visitor Information Centre, Whistler Golf Club, Whistler.com, and Tourism Whistler’s administrative office.

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To view our career opportunities, and to apply, visit us online at: whistler.com/careers.

IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN

Full Time, Summer Seasonal (April – October) The Irrigation Technician is involved with all facets of maintaining and operating the irrigation system, and works closely with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent on all irrigation repairs, troubleshooting, programming, and planning.

This position requires an individual with formal education in Turfgrass Management, or experience in golf course maintenance and/or irrigation; an understanding of golf and how it pertains to the set up and maintenance of the course; and an ability to deliver “Whistler’s Attitude”!

We are also recruiting for: Grounds Maintenance (Full Time & Part Time, Seasonal), Assistant Gardener (Full Time, Seasonal), Volunteers (Seasonal).

To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to Andrew Arseneault, Assistant Superintendent: andrew@whistlergolf.com.

For a complete list of summer positions at the Whistler Golf Club, visit: whistlergolf.com/careers.

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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Teppan Village is hiring an Assistant Manager.

The Assistant Manager is responsible for managing the daily operations of our restaurant, including the selection, development and performance management of employees.

•

•

• •

•

• • •

• • • •

JOB DUTIES:

Oversee and manage all areas of the restaurant and make final decisions on matters of importance to guest service.

Adhere to company standards and service levels to increase sales and minimize costs, including food, beverage, supply, utility and labour costs.

Responsible for ensuring consistent high quality of service.

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Respond to complaints, taking any and all appropriate actions to turn dissatisfied guests into return guests.

Ensure security procedures are in place to protect employees, guests and company assets.

Ensure a safe working and guest environment to reduce the risk of injury and accidents.

Manage shifts which includes daily decision making, planning while upholding standards, product quality and cleanliness.

Provide direction to employees regarding operational and procedural issues.

Oversee the training of new employees.

Maintain an accurate and up-to-date plan of restaurant staffing needs. Prepare schedules.

Reports to the General Manager and Owner of the business.

QUALIFICATIONS: • Completion of high school, College diploma as asset.

• Valid Serving It Right Certificate.

• 2 years of experience as a Food Service Supervisor or Assistant Manager in the food industry • 3 years of experience in the food service industry.

All season, Permanent Full-time, 30 hours per week $25 per hour 4% vacation pay Start Date: As soon as possible.

Language of work is English Address: 301-4293 Mountain Square, Whistler, BC, V0N 1B4 Apply by email at teppanvillage@shaw.ca

Part-time Sales Representative: Lead Generation Pique Newsmagazine is looking for a self-motivated Individual, to be able to work closely with our sales team to help find creative digital resolutions for our clients.

• Extremely effective time management • Detail-oriented, multi-tasker • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment • Personable, understanding, objective and honest • Outstanding relationship-building skills

Job Functions

• To research digital leads and provide them to the sales team • Understand best practices as it relates to digital marketing and advertising • Understand the competitive landscape and be able to appropriately position our service relative to competitors

Please support The Rotary Clubsthe of Rotary Whistler Club Whistler Spirit Night are of now meeting virtually.

Fundraiser to purchase The Whistler Club a mobile refrigeration Tuesdays at 3. unit for the Food Bank.

The Millennium Club Mix Cocktails, Raffle, Thursdays at 12:15.and Auction, - Registration Contact us at information info@Whistler-rotary.org https://bit.ly/399PocP

for log in info. All welcome.

MEETING PLACE Welcome Centre at Whistler Public Library - Information, support, community connections and ESL practice groups for newcomers and immigrants. Meet people, make connections, volunteer, build your communication skills in English.

Multicultural Meet Up every Friday 9.3012pm.604-698-5960 info@welcomewhistler.com FB: WhistlerWelcomeCentre

VOLUNTEERS Big Brothers, Big Sisters Sea to Sky Volunteer to Mentor- just 1hr/week - and make a difference in a child's life. Call 604-892-3125.

This is a 10 hour week, contract position reporting to the sales manager.

There is a bonus incentive as well as a competitive hourly wage.

If interested in this position, please provide your resume along with a cover letter to the sales manager.

Susan Hutchinson at shutchinson@wplpmedia.com WHISTLER WHISTLER PUBLISHING PUBLISHING Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Lil’wat Nation Launch your career at the District of Squamish Utilities Technician – Regular Part-Time Public Engagement Specialist – Regular Full-Time Clerk 1 Generalist - Temporary Part-Time Clerk 2 – Casual/On-Call Prisoner Guard – Casual/On-Call Recreation Program Leader – Casual/On-Call Lifeguard 1 – Casual/On-Call Recreation Facility Attendant 1– Casual/On-Call Recreation Facility Attendant 2 – Casual/On-Call

Employment Opportunity Human Resource Manager Are you an experienced, passionate, and self-motivated HR professional?

The Human Resources Manager will be responsible for providing leadership, professional knowledge and guidance while building strong relationships throughout the Nation and working closely with the HR team and internal departments to support workplace culture.

Please send your resume and cover letter to lee-anne.kauffman@lilwat.ca by February 11th, 2021.

For a full job description, please visit lilwat.ca/careers

squamish.ca/careers

48 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

lilwat.ca

OUT NOW! Whistler’s only dedicated wedding magazine.

AVAILABLE ON STANDS IN THE SEA TO SKY

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Bucha Brew Administrative assistant -Job Responsability/ requirements - Prepare, edit, invoices - Create and organize deliveries route - Search grants and procces applications -Knowledge of fermentation, kombucha -Must have knowledge and experience of Beverage manufacturing industry - Spanish/ English speaking -Own computer with Microsoft -Quickbooks, Basecamp, social media -6 months experience in a Kombucha Company -Salary: 21.50$/h. -30h./ per week -More information and contact :https://bit.ly/3p7cF4F

PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM/JOBS

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, trained to build/repair all types and levels of bicycles, and has awesome communication skills.

Annual comp $50-60k, plus tips, discounts on parts, usage of vehicle. ryan.torvik@velofix.com https:/ /www.velofix.com/locations/sea-to -sky/

Vista Integrated Systems Apprentice Technician Vista Security (Integrated Systems Inc.) is expanding and looking for new people to join our team of integrators working with Access Control, CCTV Video, and Intrusion systems.

We are looking for individuals with experience in security installations, Low voltage electrical installs, or basic electrical foundations to learn and grow with us.

We are a dynamic, creative, and fun company that work hard and play harder. Excellent wages, phone, health benefits, vehicle and bonus structure for the right person. info@vistasecurity.ca www.vistasecurity.ca

DRIVE

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88/64 CASPER CHARLIE PLACE, DARCY BC V0N 1L0

JOB POSTINGS

PRESCHOOL CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR INFANT TODDLER EDUCATOR The N’Quatqua First Nation is seeking 2 qualified Early Childhood Educators. One is a full-time permanent position, the other is a full time maternity leave position at N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre. The successful candidates will join our NCFDC team. The Early Childhood Educators work as team members with other 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.

• Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports community, inclusion and is culturally significant for young Aboriginal children

Velofix S2S Bike Mechanic Velofix Sea to Sky is currently hiring a full-time lead mechanic and operator who has a passion for cycling, possess outstanding customer service skills and has the ability to manage their own mobile bike shop.

FIX

N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre PO BOX

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

***Local Automotive*** Automotive technician for year round position in Whistler. 604-905-9109 steve@localautomotive.com

WORK

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

EMPLOYMENT Bucha Brew- Administrative assitant -Job Responsability/ requirements - Prepare, edit, invoices - Create and organize deliveries route - Search grants and procces applications -Knowledge of fermentation, kombucha -Must have knowledge and experience of Beverage manufacturing industry - Spanish/ English speaking -Own computer with Microsoft -Quickbooks, Basecamp, social media experience -6 months experience in a Kombucha Company -Salary: 21.50$/h. -30h./ per week -More information: https://bit.ly/3p7cF4F

RENT

• 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 Educators will have: • A minimum of 2 years work experience in a child care setting • Valid Early Childhood Educator Certificate, ECE Licence to Practice or going to school to take Early Childhood Educator courses.

• 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, Monday to Friday hours to be determined • Start Date: As soon as possible • Wage: (negotiable depending on experience) 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

Infinity Enterprises Group is growing its F&B portfolio this spring/summer with an authentic Thai Vietnamese Restaurant in Creekside, called 88 Mekong. We are looking for an experienced General Manager to make the magic happen every day in our upscale casual dining establishment.

The General Manger will oversee all of 88 Mekong’s restaurant operations. This position will provide leadership and motivation to ensure that all team members are “Guest Focused”, by setting high standards and establishing a fun and positive work atmosphere to create successful day to day operations.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS: • Minimum 3-5 years of experience required as an existing restaurant General Manager of a full service restaurant specializing in upscale casual dinning.

• Restaurant opening experience highly desirable.

• Post-secondary education in Hospitality/Tourism Management or Culinary highly desirable.

• Proven experience in hiring top talent, training, coaching, mentoring, and onboarding new team members in order to build productive motivated teams.

• Experience in managing the restaurant’s financials and make recommendations to improve flow through, increase average guest check, increase covers, and tighten food & beverage controls.

• Experience in managing inventory levels, and vendor relations.

• Ability to develop SOPs, training manuals, job descriptions, job duty checklists.

• Develops marketing and sales strategies to increase restaurant top line revenue.

• Proven ability to maintain high guest satisfaction and drive Trip Advisor scores.

• Trouble shoots problems independently as they arise and can operate with little to no supervision.

These are some of the benefits available for this opportunity: • Competitive salary + performance-based incentives.

• Fully paid covered Extended Medical Benefits, which includes: Dental, Vision, Practitioner Services (RMT, Acupuncture, Physio, Naturopath, Chiropractic, and much more), and life insurance.

• A generous amount of paid and unpaid time off.

• Cell Phone allowance.

• Lifestyle pass or Ski pass.

• Complimentary shift meal.

• 40% discount with the La Cantina restaurant chain & The Mexican Corner Restaurant.

• Learning and development leadership training opportunities.

Infinity Enterprises has ambitious expansion plans in the sea to sky corridor, and there will be other career opportunities for successful leaders in the future. We are sophisticated in the area of finance, and run efficient and dynamic operations.

If you are interested in personal and professional growth and are ambitious, driven, and results oriented, you will enjoy being part of our team.

We would love to hear from you.

Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@infinityenterprises.ca

Deadline: until position is filled We thank all those who apply. Only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

49

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Book your classified ad online by 3pm Tuesday

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM/JOBS

THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK FOR LOCAL JOB OPENINGS

PLANNING AND BUILDING ASSISTANT

PUT YOUR CAREER ON A NEW PATH

We are looking for an energetic, results-oriented individual with great customer service and interpersonal skills and a can-do attitude to join our busy department. As a Planning and Building Assistant you will help out with a number of tasks, such as: answering and directing phone calls (~15 per day), scheduling inspections, receiving and sorting communications, managing files, tracking applications and departmental statistics, helping to research property information and property titles, taking minutes (on occasion), uploading documents to the SLRD website, and a variety of other tasks that may arise.

The ideal candidate will be an upbeat team player with great attention to detail. You will also possess: • Some post-secondary training, preferably with an office administration diploma as well as experience with Microsoft Office software (including Word and Excel, and preferably, Publisher or InDesign), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in a planning, municipal or local government environment will be an asset but we are willing to train the right individual.

• Ability to work through interruptions and to work with minimal supervision.

• Ability to communicate tactfully, clearly, and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to exercise mature judgment when dealing with colleagues, Elected Officials, clients and the general public.

• Ability to positively contribute and work in a team-oriented environment.

• An ability and willingness to identify what needs to get done, and to initiate positive improvements.

This is a full-time position. The SLRD offers a flexible 9-day fortnight and a benefits package.

A full job description is available on the SLRD website here: http://www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/ employment If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume via email by 5 p.m. February 12th to:

FACILITIES ENGINEER Full Time, Year Round

The Facilities Engineer is responsible for the oversight, maintenance, repairs and efficient operations of all main mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and the overall common areas at the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Course and Driving Range.

This position requires an individual who possesses a 4th Class Power Engineering Certificate (or is currently enrolled), complimented with five years of related experience gained in a commercial building or hotel. Experience and knowledge of direct digital controls, energy management systems and green initiatives is also important. Previous leadership experience, with knowledge of applicable buildings codes and health and safety practices is an asset.

To view our career opportunities, and to apply, visit us online at whistler.com/careers.

Squamish Lillooet Regional District Attention: Nathalie Klein Email: nklein@slrd.bc.ca Website: www.slrd.bc.ca We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER Full Time, Summer Seasonal

Reporting to the Food & Beverage Manager, the Front of House Manager leads the front of house food & beverage team in delivering an exceptional product and service to our guests, both on the course and in Palmer’s Gallery Bar & Grill.

Our ideal candidate has experience in food and beverage leadership; experience with budgeting, scheduling and controls; excellent customer service skills and the ability to deliver “Whistler’s Attitude”!

To apply for this position, please visit: www.whistler.com/careers.

Blaze Your Trail at the District of Squamish!

» piquenewsmagazine.com/jobs

LOVE YOUR JOB AND YOUR LIFE

Public Engagement Specialist – Regular Full-Time This is an exciting career opportunity for an experienced, high-energy P2 practitioner! You will play a leading role in developing and executing public engagement strategies, which work to support local decision making and engage the public and stakeholders in civic matters. Does this sound like a position that would be perfect for you?

Find out more by visiting squamish.ca/careers

Resort Municipality of Whistler

Employment Opportunities • Supervisor, Facility Construction Management • Utilities Operator 2 – Water • Engineering Technologist • Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanic Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/careers

50 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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BUY

RENT

WORK

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM/JOBS

THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK FOR LOCAL JOB OPENINGS

WHISTLER WHISTLER PUBLISHING PUBLISHING Limited Partnership

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Limited Partnership

Whistler’s award winning publications are seeking a full-time production manager.

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We have a rare opportunity for a talented individual interested in managing a bustling production department with Pique Newsmagazine and our sister publications.

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Suitable candidates will have the following qualifications:

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At Tyax Lodge and Heliskiing, rugged, glorious wilderness meets luxury.

Resting on the shores of Tyaughton Lake in the heart of the southern Chilcotin Mountains, the resort is a base for #unparalleled world-class HARD 49 HARD heli skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, paddling, fishing and hiking.

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• Advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.

• Strong understanding of newspaper printing process, including how to design for newsprint, how to preflight artwork for newsprint and glossy output, how to troubleshoot and correct submitted artwork.

• Minimum 5 years experience in the graphic design industry, specifically in print/publishing.

• Digital product creation skills for responsive ad design and social media platforms.

• College diploma or equivalent experience in the area of graphic design.

• Team and project management skills.

• Experience managing IT resources and office assets.

• Illustration skills an asset.

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We are currently seeking a General Manager.

As the visionary at the helm you will build your team, tell the brand story, invigorate and reposition the resort, and manage the overall operations.

Apply today to tyaxhr@gmail.com

The chosen candidate will be comfortable working to strict deadlines and show attention to detail, while working in a fun and collegial office atmosphere.

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To apply, please send your resume and relevant portfolio by 5:00pm on Wednesday, February 17 to: Sarah Strother sstrother@wplpmedia.com No phone calls please

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# 51 SUBSCRIPTIONS - 52

HARD

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CANADA - REGULAR MAIL

5 2 7 8 3 8 6 9 tyax.com 8 7 9 9 7 4 5 2 6 7 8 1

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Email cover letters and resumes to: SB@NOBLEELECTRIC.CA WWW.NOBLEELECTRIC.CA

# 49

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NORTH ARM FARM FARM FIELD LABOURER 9 1 7 2 6 8 5 4 3

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4 6 3 5 Weeding, fruits 6 8 7 3 9 2 1 5 4 2 4 5 Looking 9 8 1 for 3 More than one season of agricultural experience required.

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CALL THE EXPERTS

Want to advertise your service on this page?

BLINDS ETC.

Call Pique at (604) 938-0202, or email sales@piquenewsmagazine.com

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WINDOW COVERINGS Whistler’s Source for Blinds since 1989

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CARPET CLEANING

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52 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: HARD

7 2 8

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9

5 1 4 3 4 2 3 9

9 3 4 7

6 2 1 1 8

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HARD Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com# 49

6 8 5 4 9 5 1 8 3 8 6 5 7 5 2 9 1 2 8 3 3 2 6 7 4 7 3 8 HARD

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 51

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

53

MAXED OUT

Redefining what ‘local ski hill’ means IT SEEMS TO BE HUMAN NATURE to dichotomize. This or that, black or white, yes or no, go or no-go, either-or. It’s neat, easy. Breaking things into two dimensions doesn’t overly tax our brains by presenting too many choices. It’s the direction towards which we gravitate.

But clearly, most of life takes place in the interstices of dichotomies. While eitheror choices offer simplicity, they actually fall somewhere on a continuum or perhaps anchor the ends. In between, there are shades of grey, other possibilities, tangents shooting off on their own continuums... and quite often, solutions we seek.

BY G.D. MAXWELL To circle back, though, people tend to fall into one of two categories: those who want clear-cut answers and those who are comfortable with ambiguity. Writers generally have to be comfortable with, embrace even, ambiguity. How else can you stare at a blank screen or sheet of paper and fill it with your own thoughts? Discomfort with ambiguity is what makes writing a daunting challenge for many.

Still with me? You must know by now this gibberish leads somewhere.

The scientific/medical response to COVID-19 has been, to be generous, ambiguous and, at times, considerably opaque. Such is the nature of science and medicine when dealing with many things and particularly something novel.

So little is known and so much is being discovered rapidly.

For example, while Canada’s public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, initially said masks were not shown to be effective and weren’t recommended, as the global consensus grew on the subject, she changed her position. Early heightened concerns about the virus spreading through surface contact were, as well, later proved to be overstated.

The acquisition of knowledge and evolving positions upset and confused many people. But then, there are those who still scratch their heads over the butter/ margarine war.

While science and knowledge evolve, they do not do so in a vacuum. Politics and self-interest can and does play a role.

Perhaps the most egregious example of this is the vilification of fat—all fat— as the culprit behind heart disease and other maladies. The demonization of fat, as it turns out, was underwritten by the sugar industry and its efforts to deflect the spotlight away from the role sugar played in, well, everything fat was getting the blame for.

All of which brings us back to COVID-19

54 FEBRUARY 4, 2021

PHOTO BY PIQUE NEWSMAGAZINE

and the politically tinged, science-based response to it.

Illustrative is the dichotomy of Canada and Australia. Canadian decision makers chose the path of incrementalism, taking baby steps to thwart the virus. The velvet glove, if you will. Australia chose the hammer. While Canada continually ratcheted up baby steps as the spread and numbers grew ever larger, Australia smashed the virus with severe lockdowns and then reopened, approaching normalcy.

The difference continues. Canada only recently embraced imposed quarantine in secure locations. Perth locked everything down when they discovered one, yes, one case.

The approach here, since March’s total lockdown, seems to have been reluctant

COVID-19 denial and conspiracy theory, it took so long and so much pressure for B.C.’s public health officer to stop prevaricating and finally come out and mandate maskwearing in public places. There’s no doubt she knew that was the right thing to do long before finally doing it.

I have mostly been a fan of Dr. Bonnie Henry’s approach, while wishing it was a bit more powerful. I have thought it was reasonably clear to anyone who was paying attention. Until last Friday.

For a long time, this has been the official word: “Ski and snowboard at your local mountains. For example, if you live in Vancouver, you should ski at Cypress, Grouse or Mt. Seymour.”

That language is still on the provincial government’s official website.

Is this a mixed message? Was that a rhetorical question? incrementalism, steps designed to balance control against economic life, albeit at a slower pace, mirroring perhaps the efforts of most governments against climate change.

Whether this strategy has been too timid or too heavy-handed depends on whether it’s your ox that’s been gored. Many business owners, churchgoers and others find it too oppressive. Many others find it too open.

The opinion of the dead remains unknown while their numbers grow.

The interplay of science and politics probably goes a long way to explaining why, when the science was clear to all but those who have gone down the rabbit hole of

By contrast, here’s what she said on Friday. “If you’re somebody who works, or has strong connections and lives partly in Whistler, then yes, that is your local ski hill.” (Italics mine.)

Is this a mixed message? Was that a rhetorical question? While you or I might think this is a departure from the official line, Dr. Henry on Monday’s update again simply prevaricated and said, in response to a question, she continued to, “... encourage(ing) people to ski at their local ski hills.”

No one asked if she hadn’t just redefined local hills. Now, I don’t have a problem with the works-in-Whistler or lives-partly-in-

Whistler part of the redefinition.

But what the heck does “has strong connections” mean? Is a season pass a strong connection? An Edge Card?

Knowing where Whistler is? Wanting to come here to go sightseeing? Wander the village aimlessly?

When the meaning of local ski hills was abundantly clear, it was also abundantly ignored by waves of Lower Mainland skiers, sightseers and random daytrippers.

But now that nothing more than a “strong connection” to Whistler has magically turned Whistler and Blackcomb into local ski hills, the floodgates have opened.

At least if the crowds last weekend are any indication.

Admittedly, snow was falling. Sunday especially was a powder day. Some, not me, would say Epic™. So were the crowds at the bases. At Blackcomb, the gondy lines reached the Chateau shortly after 7 a.m. They snaked back on themselves, went down the stairs and over the bridge to Rebagliati Park and were, according to a friend with far greater patience than most locals, two hours long at their peak.

At least one of the village lines crossed the Ted Nebbeling Bridge before terminating near Eddie Bauer in Town Plaza.

The highway was jammed with day trippers leaving each afternoon.

Yes, skiing is a relatively safe outlet.

But it defies imagination to believe these numbers pose no threat in a town spiking with over 300 cases since the beginning of the year.

So when Dr. Henry says, as she did Monday, “When we say this (stay local) people know what to do now.” Yes, they do.

And so they came to their local ski hills— Whistler and Blackcomb. ■

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