Pique Newsmagazine 2850

DECEMBER 16, 2021 ISSUE 28.50

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UPH

B TTLE Recently opened uphill skiing corridor leaves much to be desired, advocates say

14

HISTORIC BID?

First Nations exploring

the feasibility of a 2030 Olympic bid

15

GIVING SEASON

There are plenty of

ways to give back this holiday season

52

HOWLING SUCCESS

Whistler alt-

rockers Introduce Wolves prep new EP

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

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Uphill battle The recently opened uphill skiing corridor on Blackcomb Mountain leaves much to be desired, advocates say. - By Harrison Brooks

14

HISTORIC BID?

Four B.C. First Nations have

36

TRACKING TRANSIT

Community members

invited the City of Vancouver and Resort Municipality of Whistler to explore

in Pemberton are speaking out about improvements they’d like to see to

a potential bid for the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.

transit in the corridor.

15

48

HOLIDAY HELP

As the Whistler Food Bank readies

FOR THE LOVE OF LUGE

Competing

to face an increased need for its services in 2022, there are plenty of ways

for her home country of Argentina, Whistler’s Veronica Ravenna plans on

locals can give back this holiday season.

attending the 2022 Olympic Games before deciding her future in the sport.

16

STUCK IN MOROCCO

Amelia Olafson was

52

HOWLING SUCCESS

Whistler alt-rock band

surfing in northern Africa when the country abruptly banned flights due to

Introduce Wolves had been met with setback after setback, but a major

the Omicron variant—but she found her way home.

confidence boost led them to craft their latest EP.

COVER Seems like the mountain is only keen on sharing space when you’re in a gondola these days. - By Jon Parris 4 DECEMBER 16, 2021

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS Whistler is planning for cannabis retail outlets next year, but the resort

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should do more than sell it—it should make it part of its tourism offerings.

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letter writers this week call out local government for not doing

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com Editor CLARE OGILVIE - edit@piquenewsmagazine.com Assistant Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@wplpmedia.com Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@wplpmedia.com Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@wplpmedia.com Advertising Representatives TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com GEORGIA BUTLER - gbutler@wplpmedia.com Digital/Sales Coordinator AMELA DIZDARIC - traffic@wplpmedia.com Production production@piquenewsmagazine.com

enough to cut C02 emissions, while another calls for understanding for the victims of the toxic drug emergency.

15 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Writer Andrew Mitchell pens a Whistler version of “‘Twas the Night before Christmas.”

74 MAXED OUT Tiny Town is the perfect place to spend the holiday season, which has to include plenty of good things to eat and drink.

Environment & Adventure

Arts & Entertainment/Features Editor BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com

40 RANGE ROVER It took more than eight years to take the dream of a book about Chad Sayer’s life,

Social Media Editor MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@piquenewsmagazine.com

illustrated by top photographers, and make it a reality, writes Leslie Anthony.

Reporters BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@piquenewsmagazine.com ALYSSA NOEL arts@piquenewsmagazine.com HARRISON BROOKS - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com Classifieds and Reception mail@piquenewsmagazine.com Office and Accounts Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, FEET BANKS, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY, LISA RICHARDSON

Lifestyle & Arts

50 FORK IN THE ROAD Glenda Bartosh encourages us all to find a Christmas celebration meal that works for us in these challenging times.

54 MUSEUM MUSINGS When the McLennan family first bought a unit in Whistler in the mid-‘60s they had to contend with both fires and floods in their apartment block.

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.

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Strategic thinking needed on cannabis retail IT’S TAKEN MORE than three years, but the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is finally getting ready for brick-and-mortar cannabis stores in the resort.

We learned earlier this month that staff and council are looking at mid- to late 2022 (pending local and provincial approval processes) for the storefronts to open, and along the way there will be plenty of community discussion about what that might look like. The municipality has discretion about where and how many

BY CLARE OGILVIE edit@piquenewsmagazine.com

shops will dot the resort, with staff proposing to allow one cannabis retail location each in Function Junction and Creekside, and two locations in Whistler Village. Nesters Plaza may also be considered.

With close to 3 million visitors a year to the resort (pre-pandemic), it’s no surprise there is lots of interest in opening a store here—the RMOW has fielded more than 200 expressions of interest since Canada legalized recreational weed three years ago.

least 50 per cent of the business,” George Smitherman, the president and CEO of C3, told the CBC. “If the illicit market is still selling billions of dollars of cannabis, that’s a lot of tax revenue that governments aren’t getting.”

Statistics Canada data suggests retail sales in 2020 were just over $2.6 billion, which represented a 120-per-cent increase compared to 2019. That same report found that 41 per cent reported legal storefront as their usual source, an increase from 24 per cent in 2019, but that means that up to 59 per cent are still buying from illegal sources (some may be growing their own).

Part of the reason behind that is due to municipalities that have banned legal weed entirely, opening the door further to the black market.

“Just because you blocked out retail from your city doesn’t mean that cannabis isn’t being sold there,” Deepak Anand, chief executive of cannabis company Materia Ventures, told the Canadian Press this week.

“You’re basically, as city councillors or municipal governments, choosing to further enable the illicit market.”

We don’t have any way to know exactly what the situation is here in Whistler, but

29 per cent of all active leisure travellers want to do cannabis-related activities on vacation.

The timing of the municipality’s decision to move ahead now is interesting given that, as part of a process started in 2018, a statutory review of the Cannabis Act began in October 2021. And while there appears to be some wins—legalization has apparently helped keep weed out of the hands of youth—the Cannabis Council Of Canada (C3) generally sees much room for improvement on the retail front.

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logic would lead you to understand that this is almost certainly happening here.

Along with the supply-and-demand conversation set to take place here in the coming months, there will no doubt be discussion about how supplying weed at retail locations melds with our vibe, our outdoor culture and our community.

Many would argue that that countercultural, pot-friendly dynamic is Whistler. I am not so sure anymore. I feel like the resort has grown up in the last two decades

and perhaps shed its rebellious, teenage angst in favour of a focus on an adventureseeking lifestyle, when fun is still front and centre, but respect is part of the equation, too.

That respect will need to be practised as we welcome weed to the Village Stroll.

If Whistler is going to open up cannabis storefronts, part of the business strategy has to include our tourism sector—this also has to be part of the community conversation.

After all, a 2020 report found that 29 per cent of all active leisure travellers want to do cannabis-related activities on vacation, and 25 per cent of respondents travelled to a destination for a cannabis experience, including 44 per cent of Millennials and members of Generation Z. I would argue that cannabis retail needs to be viewed, from a tourism point of view, as closer to the wine industry than tobacco—which is kind of the focus around regulation currently.

Perhaps in the future, Whistler might host a festival where guests enjoy seminars about the variety of cannabis available, perhaps they would visit a farm where it is produced as they would a vineyard, perhaps eateries will prepare food or cocktails with different cannabis strains? (Maybe one of the chemists could work on making that second-hand smoke smell better!)

Could this represent an opportunity? I think so, and it’s not just about people coming here to get high—they can do that anywhere.

It’s about an added value to the guest, about creating a unique offering to draw them here.

In the space of three years, adult-use and medical cannabis’ contribution to Canada’s gross domestic product for the year ending July 2021 has grown to $17 billion. Compared to alcohol, Canadian cannabis sales have or will soon surpass the yearly retail sales of wine ($8 billion) and beer ($9.3 billion).

So while the conversation in the short term might be about where to put cannabis stores, the long-term conversation for Whistler must be about how to do what we do best: take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. n

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR were horrified to see how little is being funded to lower our emissions. Staff informed us that this budget cycle was no different than previous budget cycles. Staff has explained to us that the budget is a mirror of the wishes of the electorate: “voters have come to expect a high level of services and low taxes, and until we hear clearly from them that they would prefer to do fitness classes on old fitness mats, we will continue with the service levels they expect.”

Other RMOW staff describe our GHG emission inaction as a “lack of political will” and the need for more “community buy-in.” We get the impression that staff wants to address what they understand is a climate emergency, but have not been given a mandate to follow their hearts.

Sadly, 2022 is budgeted to be another year of insincere climate policy here in Whistler.

When it comes to lowering our emissions here in Whistler, where is the leadership? Who is steering this ship? The answer from RMOW staff: “Did you know there is an election in 2022?”

Brendan and Amanda Ladner // Whistler

Whistler’s actions on climate crisis are inadequate On Dec. 9, many of us went to hear climate expert Dr. Marc Jaccard speak [in Whistler].

At the core of his presentation is that we need to have climate-sincere politicians who implement compulsory policies in electricity and transportation.

Dr. Jaccard defines climate insincere politicians as those who: a) Set distant targets while delaying policies to achieve them; b) Deliberately confuse actions and policies; c) Implement only non-compulsory policies; d) Exaggerate cost of compulsory policies.

More than one year ago this council adopted the Big Moves Strategy, with a new target that commits Whistler to reducing GHG emissions by 50 per cent below 2007 levels by 2030—see “a” above.

Our Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) climate action coordinator explained that if we implement all of the “key initiatives” in the Big Moves Strategy, we will miss the target by nearly 30 per cent. No work has been done in the past year to design or implement policies that will close that 30 per cent gap. See “a” above.

To the best of our knowledge, this council has not announced any incremental targets for the next eight years and has set no clear

metrics for staff to follow and introduced no compulsory policies—see “c” above.

This council has not shown the courage to implement a compulsory higher Step Code, while many other jurisdictions have. This council won’t even try to prevent new buildings (except its own) from connecting to fossil gas connections (a.k.a., Fortis “natural” gas). See “c” above.

This council has set a target of 30 per cent of trips to be taken by Active Transportation by 2030 (as transit will be 20 per cent), and as a member of the Active Transportation Planning Subcommittee we must sadly report that the goal of our work is not being guided

by the clear Big Moves targets, but is merely “to increase walking and cycling trips.” See “a” above.

Why don’t we create separated cycling infrastructure to drive mode shift to the 30 per cent target of Active Transportation? We are, after all, planning to spend $2.5 million on 1.3 kilometres of Valley Trail along the West Side of Alta Lake … “too expensive.” See “c” above.

The Small Steps for Big Moves campaign has no metrics, no measures for success, and is being used by this council to deliberately confuse actions and policies. See “b” above.

Looking over our RMOW budget for 2022, we

Recognizing our outstanding RCMP officers Editor’s note: This letter came via a friend of the original letter writer to protect the privacy of the person described in the letter: This is a love letter to our local RCMP. With all the negative press the police have been getting, I thought it was important that I speak up.

I have a friend that suffers from

Happy Holidays!

Best Wishes for Peace, Health & Happiness in 2022!

AY D 1 G IN KIN LD AS SO ER OV

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR debilitating mental illness when it is not medicated correctly. Over a period of four months, she had four instances when the Whistler RCMP was called to assist.

The level of respect, and the members’ ability to de-escalate the situations and keep my friend safe, utterly impressed me. My friend was treated as a whole person on every occasion. Although what she was saying made absolutely no sense to the bystanders involved, and on occasion could be quite scary, the officers took what she said, and understood that this was her current reality, and acted accordingly.

They did not talk down to her. They narrated their own actions so that nothing came as a surprise, and made an effort to give her the physical space she needed.

I feel quite lucky to live in a town where I see our RCMP members come out to assist with ambulance calls and fire calls; a town where I have seen them volunteer in our high school over the years.

Thank you Whistler RCMP. I am pleased to report that my friend’s doctors seem to have found the right medication to stabilize the chemical imbalance that causes these psychotic breaks.

Jane Hellyer // Whistler

Bravery in action My daughter-in-law Nayia Leventis is a true hero.

I was not there, but [recently], on her way home to Whistler, she was directly behind a car that crossed into oncoming traffic and caused a horrific accident. She missed being hit herself by mere inches!

Then she got out of her car and ran to help the people in the car in front of her.

She couldn’t open either door or even see the passengers since the airbags had deployed.

With gas all over the road and while breathing gas fumes, afraid the car would explode, she nonetheless crawled into the car through the wreckage of the rear end to get to the occupants who were an older couple.

She bravely stayed with them until help arrived while hearing an injured passenger in another car screaming terribly.

She knew the guy who had been in the truck behind her had gone to help the other victims, so she was able to stay with the couple all while still breathing gas fumes and fearing for their lives in case the car would explode.

This is incredible bravery in action! The fire chief told her she missed being hit and maybe killed herself by inches. He said she surely had an angel on her shoulder!

Nayia is understandably still shaken up but she is also worried about the screaming man, and also about the couple she stayed with. She has learned that they all required surgery.

Nayia is a remarkable human being with a huge heart and a bigger smile for everyone.

Including her massage clients at Scandinave Spa and Nita Lake Spa. I hope she recovers from the trauma and that people who know her, or even those who don’t, will show their appreciation for her courage and selfless actions.

We love you Nayia.

Helen Jones // Coquitlam

‘We decided to ski elsewhere’ We had been planning on taking two ski vacations to Whistler Blackcomb this winter.

After reading that guests will not be required to be vaccinated [against COVID19] to ride the gondolas, we decided to ski elsewhere this winter. I just cancelled our hotel reservations this morning.

We’re very disappointed, and we also feel bad about local businesses that will be losing revenue, not just from our group, but from all of the other like-minded skiers and snowboarders.

I still hold out hope that B.C.’s health officials will do the right thing, and require people gathering with strangers in small, enclosed spaces to show proof of vaccination.

If they do, we may visit for a ski trip in February.

On the bright side, we’ve always wanted to ski the Canadian Rockies, so Powder Highway, here we come.

Sean Walton // Oregon

Chair failures and service failure too I managed to get a few hours to ski this morning [Dec. 13] (I’m busy caring for my elderly mom).

To my delight, the fog cleared, the skies turned blue and myself and friends headed over to 7th Heaven. After waiting half an hour in line and watching the chair stop and start quite a few times, it began to load.

We got through three-quarters of the slow ride to the top when it stopped dead for more than 30 minutes. We could see black smoke pouring up in the air from the backup diesel engine. (Never, in 12 years living here, have I ever seen black smoke.)

Arriving at the top, shivering with cold, we were each presented with a $10 coupon for Vail Resorts food and beverage. That was really appreciated by my friends and I because we had joked we would probably get a hot chocolate coupon.

To our surprise and delight the lifty assured us it was good at Merlin’s and Dusty’s too.

Having lost most of the morning between the lift line and the chair failure, and feeling very cold, I skied out and headed home to mom.

I got a text at 1p.m. from my buddy who, after she left me, immediately got stuck on a broken Crystal chair ride for a further 25 minutes. She went home even colder than I where she happened to read the fine print on the coupon. “You’re not going to believe this …” she said. “The coupons are for today only!”

Cheryl Springman // Whistler

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Community support gratitude Our team at Whistler Community Foundation (WCF) wishes to express immense gratitude to the eight Whistler businesses that donated five per cent of gross sales from open to close on Saturday, Dec. 4 to the Whistler Community Fund as part of the Shop Local Give Local event.

A few even surprised us by adding in-store fundraising activities and additional donations. Armchair Books, Coastal Culture, Keir Fine Jewellery, Moguls, Smartwool, Sushi Village, Whistler Hardware and Zog’s, you are

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.

Engel & Völkers Whistler

DECEMBER 16, 2021

11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR simply the best! Whistler has a strong sense of community, and with the pandemic, it’s been clear many businesses have stepped up to help because they love Whistler, mountain life and the community that surrounds us.

As you may know, WCF grants to local charities that serve the community using donations as investments that grow over time. It’s been a tough few years for charities though, and as a funder WCF consistently gets more grant applications than we are able to support. So we are thrilled the community joined us in building financial resiliency for our non-profit sector by kicking off the giving season with Shop Local Give Local. We hope to see you again next year!

Claire Mozes // CEO, Whistler Community Foundation

Putting a face on overdoses

Nick Davies, Whistler local and experienced family lawyer practising across BC andYukon.

Call at 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca Maclean Law is headquartered in Vancouver with offices across British Columbia.

Seeing the continued carnage caused by drug overdoses in B.C. (and other places) is horrific.

Many times, I have heard people, including family members, say that using drugs is a choice. When I tell people that I know of people who have died from overdoses, I have been told that maybe I should choose my friends better.

Why isn’t the drug pandemic treated with an urgency that is comparable with how COVID-19 is being dealt with? Probably because all the average person in B.C. sees in the media in pictures and B-roll is from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. That isn’t the case. Here are some friends who I have lost (names redacted): • M—Father of two young children.

Husband. Ex-military officer. CEO and Founder of a NASDAQ Company as well as numerous private companies. Age 45.

• J—Father of two children. Husband. Lawyer.

Founder of multiple publicly traded companies as well as numerous private companies. Age 48.

• P—Founder and CEO of B.C.-based companies. Age 52.

• W—Father of three children. Grandfather, CEO and Founder of a NASDAQ Company as well as numerous private companies. Age 58.

Addictions are a mental health crisis. To say otherwise is wrong.

Patrick Smyth // Whistler

A big Trinkets and Treasures thank you This year’s Myrtle Philip Community School (MPCS) Trinkets and Treasures was a huge success. Through purchasing donated, used items to give to their families as presents, the students raised $1,701.45 for the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS).

Not only were we able to donate the funds to the WCSS, but many teachers were able to collect leftover puzzles, games, books, and craft supplies for their classrooms.

A huge shout out goes to all the families who donated amazing items, to the students for purchasing these items for $2 each, to the teachers and MPCS staff for having their day interrupted for the event and for helping the students with their selections, to the principal Ms. Kubik and office administrator Ms. Russbueldt for all the emails and questions you fielded, to Mr. Dontas’ class for moving all the items from the portable into the school, to Melissa Kish from the Resort Municipality of Whistler for your help with the space, and to the Re-Use-It Centre for accepting the leftovers.

Also a massive thanks to all the parent volunteers that came out to set up the night before, run the event the day of, and help tear down after.

This event is a highlight for the kids every year and it went smashingly.

Dana Elliott // Whistler ■

Backcountry Advisory

Mountain Psychology and Neurofeedback Centre

Stephen L. Milstein, Ph.D., R. Psych. BC #765 - 604.938.3511 Dawna Dixx Milstein, OT. COTBC # AA0201 - 604.938.3523 Whistler: #107 - 4368 Main St, Whistler, B.C. V0N 1B4 Squamish: 38077 2nd Ave, Squamish, B.C. // 604.848.9273

Serving sea to sky for 18 years

12 DECEMBER 16, 2021

AS OF WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15 A powder day is on its way! The incoming storm this weekend is looking like it will deliver a significant amount of cold snow with strong winds at higher elevations.

Storm slabs that are reactive to human triggers will form and will be especially reactive in wind-affected terrain.

The fresh storm slabs will be a primary concern over the weekend, but the persistent slab sitting on the crust that formed in early December will be trickier to manage. This crust was formed by the atmospheric river event in early December and is now buried by up to 100 centimetres of snow.

Recently, there have been large humantriggered avalanches that failed on small facets (sugary crystals) sitting on this crust.

The additional snow and wind will increase the likelihood of avalanching on this critical layer.

This problem exists on all aspects and is most pronounced at treeline and alpine elevations. It will be best managed by avoiding likely trigger spots. These include steep, rocky

slopes where the snowpack is shallow. Steep roll-overs and slopes that have been cross loaded by the wind are also good spots to steer clear of.

The other factor to keep in mind is the consequence of triggering an avalanche on this deeply buried weak layer. How big will the avalanche be if the slope you ride, starts to slide?

By choosing to expose ourselves to smaller slopes, rather than larger ones, we can reduce the consequence of making a wrong decision. Additionally, avoiding slopes with terrain traps, such as cliffs, crevasses, and deep depressions, will further reduce the consequence of an avalanche.

The good news to this crusty story is terrific powder skiing will likely be found in lower elevation terrain that is sheltered from the wind.

The key to playing safe in the mountains this weekend will be choosing terrain that avoids places where these avalanche problems likely exist, while also providing fun riding.■

CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry. Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountaininfo/snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.

PIQUE N’ YER INTEREST

‘Twas the night ‘TWAS THE VARIANT before Christmas and all through the town, People struggled to turn their sour frowns upside down.

The news was abuzz with new COVID concerns,

BY ANDREW MITCHELL

All the masks! All the jabs! All the rules that may vary!

All the sanitizing stations and the passports we carry! _______ And now inflation is coming to the pumps and to stores, All the stuff that you need costs a little bit more.

And if you have the money, why those shelves could be bare!

Letters from dead alphabets nobody learns.

There was Alpha and Beta, Gamma, Epsilon,

The supply chain’s in a crisis, everything, everywhere.

No bikes, no computers, Playstations, Xboxes,

Eta and Iota, Kappa-Mu-Zeta

twenty-twenty?

“What more could go wrong?” Well, it turned out to be plenty.

Heat domes and floods, another pointless election,

Like the snow that’s been falling every day this past week, Where we’ve been, who we’ve seen now we can finally fly, Like the ways that we’ve found to make the most of these times.

Quite possibly the start of a global recession. _______

And hey, legal weed! The muni’s finally on it.

And the snow hasn’t been falling the way that it ought,

Soon we can buy legal “Omichronic.” _______

The usual piles of December elephant snot,

And the Canucks, well they suck, but at least you can watch,

To bury the stumps and the creeks and small trees,

Only $49 for Columbus, beers just $18 a pop.

And Christmas is coming with good times and good cheer,

We just got through Delta

No cars, no cream cheeses for bagels and loxes.

And the dips and the bumps that dismantle our knees. _______

And now Omicron? _______

Times are kind of grim, the new normal is sad,

But even in dark times like these there’s a glimmer of good,

How many more months of these rules to endure!

And people are worn out from this year that we’ve had. _______

To take us through the holidays feeling hope like we should.

And mean it…

Like the fact COVID cases are well past their peak,

Because things can only really go up from here. ■

And it’s not Bonnie’s fault, the blame’s with us not with her!

Remember we thought we couldn’t top

Good food and good friends and slightly more affordable beer.

And before we all know it, we’ll be saying Happy New Year!

CARLETON LODGE

604.938.1616 CANADIANWILDERNESS.COM

DECEMBER 16, 2021

13

NEWS WHISTLER

Indigenous-led Olympic bid ‘captures the imagination’ WITH COSTS, BENEFITS, AND PUBLIC SUPPORT STILL UP IN THE AIR, ‘THERE’S LOTS OF WORK AHEAD’

BY BRADEN DUPUIS HAVING BEEN PART of the Four Host First Nations team during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Squamish Nation Councillor Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) remembers the Games well—even if his children were too young at the time to truly experience it.

With the historic announcement on Friday, Dec. 10 that the Squamish, Lil’wat, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations intend to explore a 2030 Olympic bid with the City of Vancouver and Resort Municipality of Whistler, a whole new generation could experience the wonder of the Games.

“When I went home and shared the potential for the Olympics coming in 2030 to my kids, they were over the moon,” Williams said.

The excitement stems from the spirit of sport and competition that comes with the Games, but on a larger scale, “[I told them] this is an opportunity for us to share who we are and where we come from,” Wilson said.

“And they were just ecstatic.”

With the signing of a Memorandum

HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT Lil’wat Nation Chief Dean Nelson speaks at a Dec. 10 press conference in Vancouver announcing plans to pursue a 2030 Olympic bid—what could be the first-ever Indigenous-led Games.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF VANCOUVER

14 DECEMBER 16, 2021

of Understanding, the four Nations and two municipalities plan to explore the feasibility of the first-ever Indigenous-led Olympic Games.

“In reflection, we have been at this place before, with the 2010 Olympics, where we showcased our presence and our cultures, respectively,” said Lil’wat Chief Dean Nelson at the Dec. 10 announcement at the BC Sports Hall of Fame in Vancouver.

“The difference between [now and] 2010 was we were an invitee at that time, and today we are a big part of the exploratory group to consider a bid for the 2030 Olympics.”

Politically, the respective Nations have a greater presence and voice on their lands than they did 10 years ago, Nelson said.

“I also feel we are in a better place of inclusion in respect to political advancements since the previous Olympics,” he said.

“I am looking forward to being part of this. I’m looking forward to the future.”

With the MOU signed, the four Nations and two municipalities will now explore a collaboration agreement, followed by a feasibility study, Wilson said.

“Basically, the big question is how much is it going to cost, [and] who’s paying? So that will be done following the collaboration agreement,” Wilson said.

From there, the parties “will go back to their respective councils and leadership to decide on if this is worthwhile to pledge our

support for a bid.”

If all goes well, an official bid could come in the spring or early summer of 2022.

“There are more questions than there are answers right now, and there’s lots of work ahead of us,” said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton.

“The focus of this group is to understand whether this kind of a project is realistic, achievable and something that we want to get ourselves into.”

One of the big outstanding questions is how much public support there would be for the Games in Whistler and beyond.

Survey results released at the end of October

by Research Co. showed just 43 per cent of British Columbians would support a bid— down from 60 per cent in January 2020.

“I’m looking forward to hearing from the public,” Crompton said. “A 2030 Games wasn’t high on my priority list, but what is being presented by the Nations, I think, captures the imagination. I’m interested to see if it captures Whistlerites’ imagination the same way it has mine.”

While it’s unclear at this point what form public engagement will take, “we will talk to Whistlerites a lot about this,” Crompton added.

“Our intention is to ensure that we are good partners to the Nations as they lead, and that we listen well to our community as they speak.”

The 2010 Games provided lasting legacies to the resort, through both housing and world-

class sporting facilities—but it’s premature to talk about potential benefits to Whistler from a 2030 Games, Crompton said.

“That is what we will be investigating as part of this process,” he said.

“I’m excited to get to work with the assembly on the investigation of 2030, [but] there is very little concrete at this point.

There is a huge amount of work to do.”

Still, the concept of hosting a historic, Indigenous-led Games—being framed by the parties as the “Reconciliation Games”— is exciting for those involved.

“Because if it’s First Nations-led, it’s community-led, it will allow us, especially as First Nations through reconciliation, to share our story,” Wilson said.

The “tough stories” that have come out in the past year about the Kamloops Indian Residential School, and other residential schools in Canada, have led to increased dialogue, he added.

“I think people have an eye and ear to really want to learn more—not what was wrong, but I think learning more of the historical events with Indigenous and First Nations people,” Wilson said.

“So I really just feel [the bid] as us getting stronger, especially provincially and in Canada, to really share our story—real story—to the world.

“And the way it’s going to make us stronger is now we are working together, and really trying to make the future a better place for everybody.” n

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler Community Services Society helping locals give back this holiday season FACED WITH A RISING DEMAND, WHISTLER FOOD BANK CELEBRATES RECENT FUNDING BOOST FROM SLRD

BY MEGAN LALONDE FOOD BANKS across B.C. are anticipating a five-per-cent rise in demand over the next year, “as a result of the pandemic and a lot of economic uncertainty and turbulence and an unpredictable climate,” according to Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) executive director Jackie Dickinson—and Whistler’s food bank is no different.

In Whistler, food bank visits were up 87 per cent in 2020 over 2019. That translated to about 1,400 monthly visits immediately after the onset of the pandemic. Visits to the food bank “levelled off” to about 500 per month in summer 2021, Dickinson said—but that’s still nearly twice the pre-pandemic average of about 250 visits per month.

While the holidays might be a popular time to donate, the Food Bank needs support year-round, said Dickinson. In Whistler, demand for its services used to fluctuate alongside the number of tourists in town, but that’s not necessarily the case anymore. The increased need prompted WCSS to launch an appeal for funds earlier this year.

The campaign saw WCSS surpass its $50,000 fundraising goal, said Dickinson.

“The philanthropy and giving in this community has been absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations, and thankfully, [it’s] helping us fundraise the type of money that we need to sustain these types of programs now moving forward, because [our] budgets are three to four times what they were pre-pandemic,” she explained.

Adding to the pot is a $17,500 one-time contribution from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), which also provided the same financial boost to three other local food banks in Lillooet, Pemberton and Squamish from its COVID19 restart funds.

The day she learned about the contribution “was probably one of the best Monday mornings I’ve had in a really long time,” said Dickinson. “It’s money you need, but you don’t anticipate.”

Monetary donations like the SLRD’s can go a long way due to the Whistler Food Bank’s ability to buy much-needed items in bulk and at a wholesale price.

While those donating food items from their pantries are just as appreciated—“the big thing is that we always encourage people to consider non-perishable food items because they have a longer shelf life,” noted Dickinson—donors are reminded to double-check expiry dates and make sure cans aren’t dented.

Among the most needed non-perishable items are canned food rich in protein (like

fish, chicken, beans and legumes), canned vegetables and fruit, soups, cereal and granola bars, peanut butter, rice, pasta and pasta sauce.

Donations can be dropped off at the Whistler Food Bank, which operates out of the WCSS building at 8000 Nesters Road, or in donation bins at local grocery stores.

Bottles, cans and other refundable beverage containers can be donated at WCSS bins in Function Junction and Nesters.

Monetary donations can also be made to the Pemberton Food Bank, operated by Sea to Sky Community Services Society, online, or dropped off at 1347 Aster Street.

But during the holidays, sometimes locals are looking to help their neighbours out with more than just the necessities.

For those interested in donating gifts, Dickinson recommended the Howe Sound Women’s Centre’s “fill a bag” project, where a new or gently used bag, backpack, or purse filled with items like new socks, mitts, toques, chapstick, shampoo, conditioner and other essentials can be dropped off at the Squamish (38021 Third Ave.) or Whistler Women’s Centre (1519 Spring Creek Drive).

WCSS is also running its holiday hamper program this year, but rather than offering families boxes filled with toys and other items as it has in the past, is offering gift cards specifically chosen for each family’s needs and wants.

If one of your priorities is making sure animals in need aren’t forgotten this holiday season, local shelter Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) is also looking for a few gifts to put under the tree.

Among the items highest on its wish list (available to scroll and purchase on Amazon) are high-quality, large-sized dog harnesses, cleaning supplies and pet treats.

The shelter is also running a holiday fundraising campaign throughout the month of December, where all monetary donations up to $15,000 will be matched by Zog’s and Moguls Coffee House.

Whether it’s animals, people or the environment, how to give back to the community this season has been a frequently discussed topic in Dickinson’s home, she said, including in a letter one of her two sons recently received from Santa himself, courtesy of Canada Post.

“And [the letter] said to my son, ‘Remember Michael, that the greatest gifts you’ll receive this year are kindness, empathy and compassion. They’re not things you can wrap under a tree; they’re things that will last a lifetime,’ … So in the words of Santa, I would just tell any family as long as you’re providing opportunity to spread that kindness, empathy and compassion, I think our kids and our world are going to be OK.” -With files from Braden Dupuis n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Stuck in Morocco: How a Whistler local caught up in border closures found her way home AMELIA OLAFSON WAS SURFING IN NORTHERN AFRICA WHEN THE COUNTRY ABRUPTLY BANNED FLIGHTS LAST MONTH DUE TO THE OMICRON CORONAVIRUS VARIANT

BY MEGAN LALONDE WITH INTERNATIONAL borders mostly opened to travellers, vaccines available and some testing requirements lifted, longtime Sea to Sky local Amelia Olafson was ready to finally revisit a typical shoulder-season tradition after two long years.

She escaped rainy B.C. in early November in search of warmer weather and surfable waves, first heading to the south of France for 10 days and then hopping across the Mediterranean to Marrakesh, Morocco on Nov. 12.

At the time, the only requirement to enter the country was a negative PCR COVID-19 test result, which Olafson easily obtained in France.

“It was really, really cool. Pretty nice weather; not too hot, but really good surf, pretty good food,” said Olafson of Morocco. “Everything seemed to be going pretty smoothly.”

That is, until the country’s foreign ministry abruptly announced on Sunday,

16 DECEMBER 16, 2021

Nov. 28 that it would halt passenger flights into Morocco for a two-week period, after concerns emerged about a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron. The measure—set to take effect beginning at 11:59 p.m. the following day—sparked a series of chaotic domino effects and put foreign travellers like Olafson “into a panic,” she said.

Though researchers still haven’t determined whether the heavily mutated variant initially detected in South Africa in late November spreads faster or results in more severe illness, early evidence suggests Omicron could be more transmissible.

Morocco’s decision came just hours after Israel’s announcement that it was similarly closing its borders to foreign travellers in response to the new variant. A few days prior to the complete border closure, Morocco had already prohibited entry from South Africa and six other African nations, and barred flights to and from France due to a rise in Europe’s COVID-19 cases.

“They said to the French, you basically have approximately two to three days to get on flights out of the country. So I booked a flight out of Morocco because I was like,

‘OK, this is like nerve-racking,’” recalled Olafson. She decided to cut her trip short, “because I didn’t want to get stuck there.”

She booked flights through RyanAir and Air Canada that would first take her to Portugal, and then home.

“Then less than a week later, the [Moroccan] government just decided to do no flights in or out,” she explained.

Her flight to Portugal was cancelled, and hours and hours spent trying to contact the Canadian Embassy resulted in nothing but automatic messages and email replies.

“The Canadian Embassy in Morocco was basically like, ‘You were warned not to travel,’” she continued. “They were no help.”

Olafson scoured social media to find information about the closures and which airlines were still operating outgoing flights, and managed to book a flight with Air France out of Marrakesh.

“Closer to my flight, I just wanted to check my email and reservation to double check what time my flight was,” she explained, “And it said that my reservation just didn’t exist.

“Then I was just back at square one.”

In all, Olafson had three flights cancelled before she managed to find a seat on an Air Maroc repatriation flight to Paris, and eventually on another flight back to Canada. She estimates she spent about $1,000 on unexpected costs like cancelled and re-booked flights, plus price-hiked COVID-19 tests.

“I honestly cried tears of joy after being on my phone for, like, 10 hours,” she said.

“It was just a relief to get to the airport.

Because [the Moroccan government’s announcement] really did put everyone into a state of panic and then [the government] changed their minds, like, 24 hours later.

They should have just allowed the flights to continue that were taking people out instead of cancelling them all.”

Asked what her advice would be to anyone looking to travel internationally at this point, Olafson said, “I thought I was good to go and safe. I guess I probably wouldn’t do it again, because things change so quickly.

Unless you’re prepared to stay for like a super long time, I wouldn’t recommend it.

“It’s just chaos and stressful with all the confusion between rules.” n

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NEWS WHISTLER

RMOW to implement COVID-19 vaccine mandate COUNCIL BRIEFS: TWO MORE LUCS UP FOR TERMINATION; IN-PERSON SERVICE RESUMES AT MUNICIPAL HALL

BY BRADEN DUPUIS STARTING MARCH 1, all Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) employees, contractors and volunteers will be required to have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.

Council approved the policy in a closed meeting on Dec. 7, the RMOW said in a release.

The new policy will affect about 597 employees, contractors, volunteers and paid-on-call firefighters.

“In terms of contractors, that would be individuals working directly with RMOW employees and not, for example, delivery persons dropping off at municipal hall,” a municipal spokesperson said.

The March 1 date was chosen to allow enough time for those affected to have their first dose, as well as allow for a three-to-four-week window before their second dose.

“We have also encouraged staff to have a conversation with their doctor about vaccination, and [we’re] recognizing that those appointments may not be available immediately, especially if someone does not have a family doctor,” the spokesperson said.

The policy aligns with the provincial requirement that all public sector employees be vaccinated, as well as Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry’s encouragement to large employers to put such policies in place, the RMOW said.

“Throughout the pandemic, the RMOW

employee health and reduce the risk of transmission within the workplace.”

The new policy supplements existing municipal safety measures, like the Communicable Disease Prevention Plan in place for all municipal facilities and public spaces (which is required by WorkSafeBC).

“British Columbia’s PHO says being fully vaccinated against COVID19 is the most effective measure to safeguard employee health...”

- JACK CROMPTON

has been diligent in following the advice of public health experts and taking all available steps to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our workplace and in our community,” said Mayor Jack Crompton in the release.

“British Columbia’s PHO says being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most effective measure to safeguard

The RMOW’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate follows the lead of other B.C. municipalities, including Vancouver, Surrey, Creston, and the Capital Regional District.

The provincial government brought its BC Vaccine Card into effect in October.

B.C.’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner issued a policy guidance document about vaccine mandates in

July (and updated it on Oct. 14), stating that its position on the provincial vaccine card program is that it “is justified from a human rights perspective and will result in increased protection for those among us who are most vulnerable to the virus.”

Ultimately, the commissioner’s position is that vaccination status policies can be implemented “in limited circumstances— but only if other less intrusive means of preventing COVID-19 transmission are inadequate for the setting, and if due consideration is given to the human rights of everyone involved.”

TWO MORE LAND USE CONTRACTS UP FOR TERMINATION The long process of terminating all Land Use Contracts (LUC) in Whistler before the province’s June 30, 2022 deadline continues, with council hearing presentations on two more LUC terminations at its Dec. 7 meeting.

Resort Municipality of Whistler staff now has just six months to rezone Whistler’s five remaining LUCs: Blackcomb; Blueberry; Vale Inn; Whistler Creek Lodge; and Twin Lakes.

SEE PAGE 20

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>>

NEWS WHISTLER << FROM PAGE 18 Bylaws terminating both the Blackcomb and Blueberry LUCs received first and second readings on Dec. 7, with public hearings to follow for each.

While the Blackcomb LUC affects just one property (the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course) and will require a single new zone (Leisure Recreation 11) to replace it, replacing the Blueberry LUC is considerably more complex, with seven different zones needed to cover the land’s 54 single-family parcels, 14 duplexes, 71 townhouses and 183 apartment buildings.

Of the seven zones, four are new (Residential/Tourist Accommodation 30-33) and three existing (Rural Resource 1; Leisure Park 1; and Residential Multiple 4).

A letter detailing the LUC termination process was sent to owners in October, many of who wrote letters to the RMOW wanting to confirm that they won’t lose their ability to rent their properties nightly.

In all proposed zones, dwelling units (aside from those restricted to employee use) are permitted to be used for temporary accommodation when not occupied for residential use, according to a report to council.

Affected property owners will have another chance to weigh in on the proposed zones at the yet-to-be-scheduled public hearing.

Stay up to date on the latest at whistler. ca/landusecontracts.

WHISTLER

|

IN-PERSON SERVICE RESUMES FOR BUILDING, PLANNING, INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENTS AT MUNICIPAL HALL The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s building, planning and infrastructure services departments are once again welcoming in-person visits at municipal hall.

“There are many lots in Whistler that a four-storey house could be built ... potentially being built to a lesser Step Code.”

- JAMES HALLISEY

A bylaw amendment given first three readings by council on Dec. 7 aims to address an oversight related to the Energy Step Code.

While Whistler’s Energy Step Code bylaw—requiring residential buildings to be built to Step 3 of the energy efficiency Step Code—came into effect in 2018, Resort Municipality of Whistler staff recently realized that some single-family or duplex homes may be big enough to be classified

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as Part 3 (commercial), and would not be regulated by the bylaw, which currently only relates to Part 9 buildings.

Part 3 buildings are defined as a building exceeding 600 square metres or three storeys in height.

“There are quite a few lots in Whistler that allow a house to be built that large; there hasn’t been many built in the past, but there are some, and there is still unbuilt lots that have that potential,” said general manager of infrastructure services James Hallisey at the Dec. 7 council meeting.

Factoring in a three-metre height bonus that can be applied to sloping lots, “there are many lots in Whistler that a four-storey house could be built, which would open the door to those four-storey houses potentially being built to a lesser Step Code,” Hallisey said.

“So this is trying to reactivate the intention of the original bylaw.”

Though there are houses in Whistler large enough to classify as Part 3, “as far as I know, all the ones that have been built were built prior to the Step Code coming in,” Hallisey said.

“But we want to make sure that that isn’t going to be the way people go [in the future].”

No technical changes to the Building and Plumbing bylaw are required, but wording will be amended to ensure all residential buildings are constructed to the Energy Step Code. Adoption will follow at a later date. n

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BUILDING BYLAW AMENDED TO ADDRESS STEP CODE OVERSIGHT

Closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic, the departments re-opened on Dec. 13, and will initially be open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. before expanding to municipal hall hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on Jan. 4.

Visitors are required to wear a mask, practice physical distancing and use hand sanitizer when they enter the building, but proof of vaccination is not required.

Visitors to the planning department will also notice some changes, as the RMOW began improvements to the reception area and office spaces in September.

8745 IDYLWOOD PLACE WHISTLER SOLD

“Over the years the planning department has been renovated numerous times resulting in an inefficient layout and an inability for staff to actively engage with one another,” the RMOW said in a release.

“The new format is open floor plan and will facilitate better collaboration and discussion amongst the entire team while maximizing the available space within municipal facilities.”

$206,000 (1/4 share) 3

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Savour the Season

CREEKSIDE’S NEW POP-UP RESTAURANT NOW OPEN Nita Lake Lodge, 2131 Lake Placid Rd, Whistler Creekside call 604-966-5711 or email dining@nitalakelodge.com to book your table

NEWS WHISTLER

Vail Resorts’ North American pass sales rose 47% this year IN EARNINGS REPORT, COMPANY SAYS LODGING BOOKINGS AT WB CONTINUE TO LAG COMPARED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS

BY BRANDON BARRETT VAIL RESORTS saw pass sales increase by a healthy margin this year, bolstered in part by a drop in price announced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its quarterly earnings report released Thursday, Dec. 9, the Broomfield, Colo.based ski giant and Whistler Blackcomb (WB) parent company said North American pass product sales for this ski season through Dec. 5 had increased 47 per cent in units and 21 per cent in sales dollars compared to the same period last year.

Those figures don’t include a deduction on the value of any redeemed credits provided to pass holders in that period.

Once factoring in pass sales from Peak Resorts, the owner of 17 U.S. ski areas that was acquired by Vail Resorts in 2019, pass sales rose a whopping 76 per cent in units and 45 per cent in sales dollars.

“We are very pleased with the results of our season pass sales, which continue to demonstrate the strength of our data analytics capabilities and the compelling value proposition of our pass products, driven in part by the 20-per-cent reduction in pass prices for the 2021/2022 season,” said Vail

22 DECEMBER 16, 2021

Resorts CEO Kirsten Lynch in a release.

The company anticipates the total number of guests on all advance commitment products, including in Australia, will exceed 2.1 million this year, an increase of roughly 700,000 from last year and 900,000 from 2019.

This comes despite Vail Resorts’ largest ski area, Whistler Blackcomb, having to cut its ski season short two years in a row due to COVID19, and as advance lodging bookings at its sole Canadian property continue to lag behind pre-pandemic numbers, “which we anticipate is due to the impact of travel restrictions on international visitors to the resort,” the company said in its earnings report.

Lynch indicated there was strong unit growth from both renewing and first-time pass holders, with the “most significant” growth coming from its destination markets, particularly in the Northeast.

“We have focused on growing our destination pass holder base as we have expanded our network, and over the course of the last two years, we have nearly doubled the number of advance commitment guests from those markets,” she continued. “We significantly outperformed our original expectations for pass sales relative to the estimates we provided when we announced the 20-per-cent price decrease in our passes, which was driven by the significant

increase in new pass holders and guests trading up to higher-value passes.”

Vail Resorts’ quarterly financials were less promising, although the company typically operates at a loss in the first fiscal quarter given its North American resorts aren’t usually open yet.

Net loss for the quarter was US$139.3 million, compared to $153.8 million in the same quarter last year. Resort reported EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) loss was $108.4 million for the quarter, compared to $94.8 million for Q1 2021. Total net revenue increased $43.8 million, or 33.2 per cent, to $175.6 million for the three months ended Oct. 31, 2021.

The quarterly report comes on the heels of Vail Resorts announcing Dec. 8 that it had entered into an agreement to purchase Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania. As part of the US$125-million deal, the company will also acquire Hidden Valley Resort, the operations of Laurel Mountain Ski Area, a hotel, conference centre and other related operations. Vail Resorts says Seven Springs will generate incremental annual EBITDA in excess of $15 million and ongoing capital expenditures associated with operations there are forecast at approximately $3 million a year.

The deal is expected to close this winter.

Along with its recent acquisitions, Vail Resorts also has big plans on the capital investment front. In September, it announced it would proceed with its 2022 capital investment plan, with between $318 million and $328 million earmarked to “significantly increase lift capacity and enhance the guest experience” across its resorts. That includes replacing WB’s existing six-seat Creekside Gondola with a new high-speed, eight-person gondola, as well as swapping out the quad Big Red Express for a new high-speed, sixperson chair. The projects are planned for completion by the 2022-‘23 winter season.

In addition to the lift upgrades, Vail Resorts is also planning to invest in “network-wide scalable technology that will enhance our analytics, e-commerce and guest engagement tools to improve our ability to guest outreach, personalize messages and improve conversion.”

The company came under fire in Whistler last year after complaints over long wait times to reach Guest Services by phone and confusion over redeeming pass credits after the shortened 2019-‘20 ski season.

As of Oct. 31, Vail Resorts had $1.5 billion of cash on hand and $636.2 million of availability under its U.S. and WB revolving credit facilities. n

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler transit fares expected to fall $900K short of 2021 expectations FULL WINTER TRANSIT SERVICE RETURNS DEC. 18 be able to continue providing reliable transportation services during the pandemic—in the RMOW’s case, $3.6 million.

The downside of drawing from the reserve to make up the shortfall is that $2.1 million will have been spent by the end of 2021, Price said.

“Should pandemic effects continue to linger, should the recovery continue to be intermittent and visitation to shift into periods that are less helpful to fares revenue, the absence in this funding in future years may be problematic,” she said.

“That specific risk feels manageable and the new multi-year drawdown plan satisfying for most potential outcome scenarios.”

BY BRADEN DUPUIS DUE TO A MULTITUDE of factors, transit fares in Whistler are expected to fall well below amounts budgeted for 2021.

On Dec. 7, council heard that budgeted amounts are off by up to $900,000 for the year.

“Some of this has to do with a shortened ski season following the early closure of Whistler Blackcomb; some of this has to do with a shift in tourist visitation into the summer, and specifically summer weekends when transit is fare-free,” said director of finance Carlee Price in a report to council.

“Some of this has to do with a generally slower post-pandemic economic recovery outside of the peak summer months. In any case, the expected fares shortfall in combination with higher expenses for existing service results in higher net costs for the transit program in 2021 than were original contemplated in the budget.”

The increase in expenses is related to higher maintenance costs on older vehicles and smaller savings on newer vehicles than initially expected, Price said, noting that costs for parts and shipping are also having a “visible effect” on expenses.

IN TRANSIT Ridership on Whistler buses has yet to fully recover from a COVID-19 drop-off seen last year.

PHOTO BY TREVOR BODNAR

The shortfall must be made up from either an increased drawdown on the Whistler Transit System Local Transit Reserve or the RMOW’s general operating reserve, Price said.

But given the pressure already placed on the general operating reserve, Price recommended drawing the $900,000 from the transit reserve.

Council did just that, giving first three readings to a related budget amendment bylaw at the Dec. 7 meeting.

The transit reserve is held by BC Transit and created through the COVID-19 Safe Restart fund, with grant money provided by the federal and provincial governments.

Communities have been given a fixed amount of funding from 2020 to 2024 to

MEANWHILE, WHISTLER’S FULL WINTER TRANSIT SERVICE RETURNS TO THE RESORT ON DEC. 18, AND WILL RUN UNTIL APRIL 3.

Winter scheduling includes additional service on several routes, including: 4 Marketplace shuttle; 5 Upper Village/ Benchlands; 6 Tapley’s/Blueberry; 20/20x Cheakamus; 21 Spring Creek; 32 Alpine; and 32 Emerald.

For more information on bus schedules, head to bctransit.com/whistler. n

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NEWS WHISTLER

New plan aims to help Whistler seniors age in place AGE-FRIENDLY ACTION PLAN OUTLINES 30 STRATEGIES, 71 ACTIONS

BY BRADEN DUPUIS PRIOR TO COVID-19, an overwhelming majority of Whistler seniors deemed themselves in great shape both physically and mentally.

A 2017 Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) survey found that 88 per cent of Whistlerites aged 65 or older rated their physical health as excellent or good, while 89 per cent rated their mental health as excellent or good.

Though a similar survey has yet to be conducted to measure the impacts of the pandemic, a new action plan aims to keep Whistler’s seniors happy and healthy as they age in place in the resort.

The Whistler Age-friendly Assessment and Action Plan, presented to council on Dec. 7, uses eight categories as its overarching framework, said planning manager Courtney Beaubien: outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; respect, social inclusion or cultural safety; social well-being and participation; communication and information; community engagement and employment; and community support and health and wellness services.

Across the eight categories, the plan

proposes a total of 30 strategies and 71 actions to help Whistler seniors—things like additional seating along the Valley Trail, enhanced medical care in the community, an age-friendly information website or hub, and age-friendly business programs (to name just a few—find the full report at whistler.ca/agefriendly).

Of Whistler’s 12,000 or so permanent residents, approximately 17 per cent are aged 55 or older, according to 2016 census data.

Nearly 400 seniors responded to a survey related to the project, while a further 22 interviews were conducted online and by phone.

This summer’s heat dome “demonstrated the vulnerability” of local seniors, as well as a lack of connection to emergency services, said Councillor Cathy Jewett.

“Another thing that that stood out in the report to me was that nine per cent of Whistler adults over 65 are considered lowincome versus a Canadian average of 6.6 per cent (according to 2016 census data),” Jewett said Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) staff and community partners will be using more recent data as it becomes available, but it’s important not to consider Whistler seniors as one homogenous group, Beaubien said.

“There is a spectrum from people who are on the lower end of the economic spectrum to those who are regarded as being quite wealthy,” she said.

“So I think it’s really important with the implementation of each of the actions … that staff and the community partners

“[N]ine per cent of Whistler adults over 65 are considered lowincome versus a Canadian Average of 6.6 per cent.”

- CATHY JEWETT

give consideration to the entire spectrum of older adults within Whistler, and how they might be benefiting in different ways from the implementation of the actions.”

Online sessions related to the project were “positive and proactive,” said Mature Action Community (MAC) chair Kathy White.

A SEASON OF GIVING

Support your local community.

Support your local not-for-profits

There are a number of reasons to refocus your gifting habits this year. Whether you’re concerned about the environment, not sure what to purchase or looking for more far-reaching presents, take a look at the community around you. In Whistler, we’re lucky to have a very caring community. From environmental to health to homelessness, there are many worthwhile causes to consider supporting this Christmas.

Especially in such difficult times it is more important then ever to provide assistance if we can. Please consider making a donation to one of these worthy local causes.

26 DECEMBER 16, 2021

“The MAC board and membership, like other community businesses and organizations, will work together with the RMOW to follow up on the action steps recommended for our current and future 55-plus Whistler residents,” White said, adding that the plan will also benefit older visitors to the resort, too.

White encouraged seniors to sign up for MAC membership (which is currently free) at whistlermac.org.

Coun. Arthur De Jong also noted the potential positives for tourism.

“One of the stats in the report I found really interesting was that … as a market segment, the mature tourists will grow by 63 per cent by 2040, representing 25 per cent of the provincial population,” De Jong said.

“So it’s good for business as well.”

Business positives aside, the project is important, De Jong added.

“Our mature residents are the core of our community, the backbone of our volunteers. I see them helping our stretched workforce right now,” he said.

“And they so authenticate who we are through their passion and patience … so yeah this is really important.”

The action plan was funded by a $24,418 grant from the Union of BC Municipalities. n

Whistler Transit System

Seasonal Service Changes Increased Trips: ► Winter Service Dec. 18, 2021 – Apr. 3, 2022

21248

For full schedules and NextRide visit bctransit.com/whistler.

Transit Info 604·932·4020 bctransit.com/whistler

Public Notice

2022 Council Meeting Schedule Get noticed!

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Council meetings are held in Council Chambers located at 7400 Prospect Street and via Zoom unless otherwise posted. To view meeting agendas and minutes, visit pemberton.ca.

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Please note: Committee of the Whole and In Camera meetings will be scheduled as required.

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Notice of the 2022 Council Meeting Dates is given in accordance with section 94 and section 127 of the Community Charter.

Sheena Fraser, Corporate Officer.

VillageofPemberton

pemberton.ca DECEMBER 16, 2021

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35

NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

Village of Pemberton looks to review transit schedule PEMBERTON’S TRANSIT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE A HOT TOPIC AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS

BY HARRISON BROOKS LAST WEEK, a letter was sent to the Village of Pemberton’s (VOP) mayor and council requesting changes to the Village’s current transit system.

The letter referred to the number of students from Pemberton who travel to Whistler for school and how the current bus schedule makes things difficult for them and their parents to coordinate the daily commute.

“The Pemberton community is growing, and many children attend schools in Whistler, having us commute back and forth daily,” read the letter. “As my family is very conscious about the environment, we would love to lower our carbon footprint, but this is simply not possible as I have to drive in and out on a daily basis. Please consider adding a bus that arrives [in time] for school start in Whistler and leaves at [the] end of school day.”

While mayor and council agree on the environmental benefits of getting more cars off the road with increased transit, the question was brought up at the Dec. 7 council meeting by Councillor Ryan Zant, who wondered whether getting Pemberton students to school in Whistler is the

TRANSIT WOES Community members look to Village of Pemberton Mayor and Council to find solutions to insufficient transit schedule.

PHOTO BY JOEL BARDE

36 DECEMBER 16, 2021

responsibility of the VOP—something Mayor Mike Richman thought was a valid question.

“I’m sure people have a number of reasons as to why they send their kids to Whistler,” said Richman. “But we have schools here in our community with bus systems to them. If you choose to send your kid somewhere else, that’s totally fine.

But the expectation that we’ll change the bus schedule around, I wonder if that’s appropriate as well, especially since our morning buses are really full.

“So are we looking at changing the schedule to bump people going to work, potentially, for kids to go to school? I think those are really good questions.”

However, not all councillors held the same view. Couns. Amica Antonelli and Leah Noble both thought that while they weren’t sure if it was the responsibility of the VOP to pay for a bus so people can send their kids to school in Whistler, there are many valid reasons that people do, so it would be worth inquiring about the schedule with BC Transit.

In the end, mayor and council moved to continue the discussion and send an email to BC Transit to request a schedule review of Pemberton’s current transit system.

Even before the issue about a bus that catered to school kids was brought up, Pemberton’s transit service has been a constant topic of conversation between mayor and council as well as among community members.

On Dec. 10, Pemberton local Lincoln McCardle posted on the Pemberton Community Forum Facebook page to

gauge interest in sending a letter to BC Transit about adding two extra bus times to the current schedule due to the large gap between the times buses travel between Pemberton and Whistler.

Currently, the bus schedule has just two round trips that connect Whistler and Pemberton each morning between 6 and 9 a.m., then nothing else until after 4 p.m. when there is three more round trips between the towns, causing people who caught a morning bus from Pemberton to Whistler to have to wait for hours to catch the 4:40 p.m. bus back, often having to stand the whole time because the bus is packed full.

“Well right now for example, I had to do my orientation day today to volunteer for my ski pass and I’m done at 12 o’clock, and now I have to just sit in Whistler for the next four hours and just play the waiting game,” said McCardle. “That means I have to go to different places and spend money instead of just going home … because there is no middle of the day bus. On average in a week, I probably spend 10 hours in Whistler just waiting for a bus, and that adds up quick.”

McCardle would like to see a bus route connect the two towns at around mid-day and another at midnight, as this would allow people to not only get home to Pemberton at a reasonable time without waiting for hours during the day, but also give them the option to pick up a second job at night in Whistler or just enjoy a night out without having to pay for a pricey cab back to Pemberton.

Richman is well aware of the issues surrounding the current system, and said the VOP would welcome adding more routes to the schedule—but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Transit is one of the most expensive budget items for a community and there is “only so much we could put on the backs of our taxpayers,” Richman said.

“There are so many positive impacts from a good transit system. We get cars off the road, and just the ability to get people from the furthest parts of our community and our valley into town … where they can access work opportunities, services, and recreational opportunities and on and on, there’s just so many positive impacts,” he added.

“So we recognize there’s demand, and we want to increase the service. There’s no way we can align with everything, but we’ll do our best with what we’ve got to serve the people as well as we can. But like I said, it’s not without its costs.”

In the short term, Richman hopes the VOP’s schedule review request with BC Transit can open some possibilities to tweak the current system to provide more options in line with what community members are looking for.

A transit study was recently done for the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District’s Area C to see how transit could better serve the area’s people, and Richman hopes that this study leads to not only a more comprehensive transit system for everyone in the Pemberton Valley to get where they need to go, but also more opportunities for funding so transit times can be increased. n

DECEMBER 16, 2021

37

SCIENCE MATTERS

ECOCENTRIC HOME DESIGN & DECOR

If our stories set us apart, we need to create new ones ACCORDING TO philosopherhistorian Yuval Noah Harari, “Homo sapiens conquered this planet thanks above all to the unique human ability to create and spread fictions. We are the only mammals that can cooperate with numerous strangers because only we can invent fictional stories, spread them around, and convince millions of others to believe in them. As long as everybody believes in the same fictions, we all obey the same laws, and can thereby cooperate effectively.”

In his book, Sapiens, Harari explains that 1,000 humans can peacefully occupy

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a large room if it’s for a common purpose— to attend a lecture, say, or church. But if you put 1,000 non-human animals into a room, chaos would likely ensue. (Of course, human gatherings can also end in chaos.)

This is the most convincing theory to date of a distinction between humans and non-human animals—a distinction we’re so heavily invested in that we’ve told ourselves numerous stories to uphold the concept. Most of these stories have been debunked.

In the 1960s, Jane Goodall rocked the scientific world by reporting that David Greybeard, a chimp she was observing, used grass stalks to collect termites from a termite mound. Until then, tool use was thought to be a defining quality of humanity. In subsequent observations, she

that animals communicate. Honeybees dance out directions to nearby nectar.

Vervet monkeys use different alarm calls to alert fellow monkeys to the presence of leopards, eagles and snakes.

Researcher W. Tecumseh Fich says animals communicate complicated ideas within their communities, but this “cognitive sophistication” isn’t detectable in their vocal communication systems.

The assertion that only humans can think abstractedly has also been debunked, as has the notion that only humans have culture and shared learning.

There’s no question that non-human animals are different from humans in many ways. But although we can’t teach a chimpanzee how to communicate with us in sign language as a human could, nor can we learn how to communicate within non-human animal societies. While we might glean the meaning of some of their signals and cries, many concepts they comprehend are collectively understood in ways we’ll likely never know.

As our stories evolve or are replaced as we learn from the world around us, we must find narratives that better equip us to meet the challenges of our times. Our current preferred plot lines potentially hinder our ability to fully come to terms with risks such as those posed by climate change and the steps needed to address them. Harari writes, “It’s important to have human enemies in order to have a catchy story. With climate change, you don’t. Our minds didn’t evolve for this kind of story.”

As dictators have shown throughout history, collective narratives are often

[O]nly we can invent fictional stories, spread them around, and convince millions of others to believe in them.

Building a brighter future

38 DECEMBER 16, 2021

noticed chimps shaping tools to increase their efficiency. In response, her sponsor Louis Leakey exclaimed, “Now we must redefine tool, redefine Man, or accept chimpanzees as humans.”

Instead, we shifted the goalposts, and asserted that while other animals might make and use tools, only humans had a sense of self. This theory was discounted by the “mirror test,” first conducted in 1970, in which Gordon Gallup Jr. anesthetized apes, painted a red spot on their foreheads, and placed a mirror in their cage. When they came to, the apes responded by touching the spot and inspecting their fingers, much as humans would do.

While American linguist and social activist Noam Chomsky and his supporters assert that language differentiates humans from other animals, and while humans have never successfully taught other animals to communicate in complete sentences, there’s little question

successful when they have a bad guy, someone or something that is “other.”

That’s why seeing nature as a “resource” rather than “kin” or something we are a part of has made ecosystems easy to exploit.

Ultimately, humans have the ability to shift our narratives, create wider circles of caring and revel in the wonders of non-human animals’ abilities instead of comparing them to ourselves and finding them lacking.

It’s not too late to set ourselves up to be the story’s heroes who finally take responsibility for our ailing planet. In the most pressing story facing our planet today, the ending has yet to be written.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Boreal Project Manager Rachel Plotkin. ■

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RANGE ROVER

Inside Overexposure OVER THE YEARS I’ve been lucky to work on many rewarding publishing projects, from the hallowed halls of Powder magazine to my own books and volumes like Whistler Blackcomb: 50 Years of Going Beyond. Whether writing, editing, creative direction or all three, each project came with a requisite deadline of a year or less from concept-to-print. In

BY LESLIE ANTHONY contrast, a recently completed project took a halting eight years to fruition.

I’m shilling for it not because I’ll make any money (my job is done and I’ve already been paid) but because I review books in this space before Christmas and can think of none more fitting for the coffee tables/ bathrooms of keen skiers, followers of big-mountain freeskiing, or lovers of ski photography.

Eight Novembers ago, I met with my friend Chad Sayers, who had a book idea.

I’d first met Chad as a wide-eyed grom at the Canadian Freeskiing Championships on Blackcomb in the early new millennium, a milieu on which he built a career before becoming a staple of global ski magazine galleries and covers, and a star of Jordan Manley’s award-winning film project, A Skier’s Journey. Later, I came to know him through ski trips and the images I regularly sorted as editor of sbcSKIER magazine. I was impressed not only with his solidity as

OVEREXPOSED This new book documents the life of Chad Sayers, but represents much more than just one man’s adventures.

PHOTO BY LESLIE ANTHONY

40 DECEMBER 16, 2021

a subject, but that he consistently worked with the best photographers, ensuring publishing gold.

Sitting by a window at Brackendale’s Watershed Grill in a downpour so fierce we got soaked just dashing in from our cars, Chad was typically friendly and humble, but clearly excited someone was hearing him out. He wanted to do a ski book: photos mostly, but also one in which he could tell his story. Well, what was that—him travelling the world to ski?

Not quite. It was also travel for his other passions of climbing, surfing and photography. Exploration and discovery,

he’d said finally, “but it’s all in here.” He reached into a grubby bag and plopped a stack of tattered travel notebooks on the table. I thumbed a few, finding an incomprehensible scrawl of drawings, revelations, self-doubts, wonder, introspection, and repetition. Oh boy. This was the point where one might size up the mountain before them and politely decline to scale it. But it was also the point where one might see the challenge as opportunity. Chad had a story to tell that put the lie to the visual persona his photos projected, and elements of this messy tale were the story of every traveller, every

It was also travel for his other passions of climbing, surfing and photography. Exploration and discovery, solitude and spirituality. solitude and spirituality. Chasing the light. It was also about life as a ski pro, the difficulty of continuing, the constant uncertainty and inner struggles—competition and industry expectation, catastrophic injury and chronic pain, risk and reward, heartbreak and isolation.

Hmmm … this was all over the shop but intriguing. Light and dark. In an industry where people did little more than celebrate the last run then pat each other on the back, brah, this was new territory. On the couch now, Chad admitted that despite fame and fortune he was often a lost soul— and ready to bare it all.

“I’m not sure what it’s about yet,”

skier, and every pro who ever wondered what the hell they were putting themselves on the line for. I believed it could all come together in a way that made sense and looked great. I signed on.

Over the years, people came and went from the project. None of us were quite ready, and the time that passed as the idea moved incrementally along filled in some of the blanks; the elusive storyline assembling itself as if by design. By the time we really dug in, it was myself and award-winning design friend from Mountain Life Annual, Amelie Legare, with writer and snowboard pro Taylor Godber helping us out at the front end.

Taylor parsed Chad’s thoughts, musings and stories into text that I could massage into a materializing storyline and pass on to Amelie for assembly. The concept was now a large-format photo book with selfcontained stories on facing pages; readers could digest just one at a time, while they all assembled into a complete narrative arc. With mind-boggling photography from the likes of Mattias Fredriksson, Jordan Manley, Paul Morrison, Steve Ogle and others, choosing the right ones for Amelie’s brilliant design became a slowmotion Polish parliament that further slowed progress.

By the time Overexposure was published

by Rocky Mountain Books last month, Chad had spent 23 of his 41 years inside the belly of the professional freeskiing beast, a two-decade odyssey of inspiration, selfdiscovery, loss and redemption. Success brought celebrity, sponsors, travel, and freedom, but living the dream was also a treadmill of daily risk that eventually set him adrift from family, friends, lovers— even himself. Somewhere, he crossed a line of solitude that only made sense in front of a camera. Eventually he left the mountains, only to fight his way back.

Though the story comes together in a miscellany of Chad’s recollections and thoughts, what makes Overexposure truly unique is that the reader can also see it through the eyes of some of the world’s greatest outdoor photographers, who captured not only the high-stakes gambits required by a pro skier to stay in the spotlight, but also the grandeur of the stage on which these play out.

Leslie Anthony is a Whistler-based author, editor, biologist and bon vivant who has never met a mountain he didn’t like. ■

The Vancouver Coastal Health Sea to Sky Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic Team would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the many amazing people and community partners who have supported our efforts in keeping our loved ones healthy and safe. As we approach the end of year 2021, we would like to acknowledge those we have relied on to make the clinics offered throughout the Sea to Sky corridor a success. We would like to give a heart-felt thanks to those who have made working in the clinic a little sweeter. ♥

Thank you:

Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic Staff including immunizers, administration, IT and resource support • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Pacific Destination Services Whistler Conference Center Tourism Whistler Pemberton & District Community Center Public Health, Sea to Sky-Vancouver Coastal Health District of Squamish Resort Municipality of Whistler Whistler Blackcomb Village of Pemberton Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Nesters Market, Squamish Fresh St. Market, Whistler Pemberton Valley Supermarket The Home Depot, Squamish Squamish Hospital Foundation Greg Gardner, Greg Gardner Motors Ltd Squamish General Hospital Ron Smith-Chocolate Guy, Pemberton Starbucks, Squamish School District #48 Quest University Canada, Squamish Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler Slope Side Supply Brad Silverberg Volunteers throughout Sea-to-Sky Starbucks, Whistler Hundo-P: The Smoothie Bar The Bread Bunker Senka Florist Bucha Brew Kombucha

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Charging fees are being introduced to all EV stations in the Day Lots this December 15.

Fees will be $1 an hour with a ceiling cost of $5 a day.

Rates at other RMOW-operated EV stations in Whistler will remain at $1 a day.

The new fees mark the second phase of the RMOW’s Whistler EV Charger User Fee Strategy.

Learn more: Whistler.ca/EV

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/EV DECEMBER 16, 2021

41

FEATURE STORY

UPH

B TTLE Recently opened uphill skiing corridor leaves much to be desired, advocates say

42 DECEMBER 16, 2021

FEATURE STORY

Disease Ridge towards Blackcomb peak, Photo by Michael He

The corridor opened on Blackcomb Mountain on Dec. 1

BY HARRISON BROOKS

Despite Whistler Blackcomb opening an uphill skiing route on Blackcomb Mountain with access to Garibaldi Provincial Park on Dec. 1, more still needs to be done to live up to an agreement made more than 30 years ago, according to the BC Mountaineering Club (BCMC).

The 1979 Blackcomb Master Development Agreement (MDA) between Blackcomb Skiing Enterprises (formerly known as Fortress Mountain Resorts Ltd.) and the province to further develop the ski resort, laid the groundwork for uphill access.

An Oct. 1, 1991 amendment to the agreement stated Blackcomb must provide year-round access for individuals on foot or skis through the mountain’s controlled recreation area (CRA) to Garibaldi.

DECEMBER 16, 2021

43

FEATURE STORY However, in the 30 years since that amendment took effect, it was never followed through on by the mountain, or the province’s Mountain Resorts Branch.

“This [corridor] is new. It was tried as a temporary corridor a couple of years ago, then it was allowed to lapse with COVID being the excuse. There’s just been a series of excuses why things can’t be done,” said BCMC director Paul Kubik, before explaining that the corridor now in place doesn’t meet the specific requirements in the 30-year-old amendment.

“For one thing, snowshoers should be allowed up into the park; so should hikers. The corridor is supposed to be five metres wide. It’s not supposed to be interfered with by Whistler Blackcomb (WB),” he said.

“That means it’s not subject to their mountain operations.

Ski Patrol doesn’t have the ability to prevent people from going up it.”

There are other things that are “objectionable” about the corridor, Kubik added, noting it’s only open four hours a day.

“There’s no permanence to it,” he said. “The corridors that we had seen in the agreement were permanent.”

When asked about certain aspects of the corridor not living up to the prior agreements, a spokesperson who declined to be interviewed but provided emailed statements for WB cited safety as the main reason the corridor isn’t as accessible as expected by the other parties involved.

“For the safety of our guests, employees and the backcountry community, users must adhere to the 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. open window specifically designated for uphill travel.

This is critical as the resort engages in avalanche mitigation, complex grooming work, and other industrial functions

East Col from Circle Lake between Blackcomb peak and Spearhead Glacier Photo by Winifred Swatschek outside of these hours,” said the emailed statement.

“For their safety, users will be turned away if they have not reached the park by 9 a.m. Users must also follow and adhere to all posted signage, which may at times indicate the route is closed for safety reasons.”

While the original MDA’s Oct. 1, 1991 amendment never specifically said the corridor should be accessible 24/7, the wording used in Article 5.10 (e) of the agreement, which refers to Garibaldi Provincial Park access, can be understood to mean the corridor would be accessible by

the public a majority of the time, with Fortress Mountain Resorts—now Vail Resorts as per the new MDA signed in 2017—given the right to “temporarily interrupt such access from time to time where it believes it is necessary to do so to ensure public safety.”

Advocacy pays off for BCMC, but the work continues Even though it may not cover all the bases the BCMC hoped it would, the fact remains there is still an uphill

“For one thing, snowshoers should be allowed up into the park; so should hikers. The corridor is supposed to be five metres wide. It’s not supposed to be interfered with by Whistler Blackcomb (WB).” - Paul Kubik

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FEATURE STORY

Heading up Disease Ridge Photo by Oudina Cherif

skiing corridor open on the mountain—largely due to the work and persistence of people like Kubik and the various backcountry advocacy groups in the area.

But the fact that it took this long to get something that was promised 30 years ago begs the question: Why is it all happening now?

The short answer to that question is, until recently, nobody really knew about this section of the MDA, according to Kubik.

“We only uncovered this information largely due to a Freedom of Information request that we made in 2018.

This is kind of the dirty side of the whole thing—the province and Blackcomb Skiing Enterprises had made all

these arrangements. They made an agreement, they put it into the [MDA], but they never made it public. We only uncovered this in 2018,” he said.

“Whistler Blackcomb has had a pretty darn good thing for the last 30 years. They’ve been able to charge people for access to the Spearhead Range, and I can see why it hurts not to have that. The mountain used to be able to control that. They’ve been making money off of it, improperly, in my opinion, because they haven’t allowed for public access.”

Despite the mountain not being held to the obligation outlined in the original MDA, the commitment to “work with the province to designate year-round, non-motorized public access corridors” to Garibaldi Park was transferred to the new 2017 MDA. As well, according to Schedule K of the new MDA, these corridors fall under prior rights, which legally bind the new developers to adhere to all promises made in the previous agreement.

“What I understand that to mean, is that they have to implement these corridors and if [they don’t], they are in default and their tenure would be cancelled, all their operating privileges would be gone and the facilities would revert to the ownership of the province,” said Kubik. “They would actually lose their investment, so I don’t think it’s in their best interest to continue to obstruct access to the park.

I think it is in their best interest, actually, to comply with their obligations.”

However, whether more work gets done on the corridor to get it up to Kubik’s standards all depends on if the corridor that is currently in place is deemed, by the MRB, to meet the criteria set out in the MDA. Pique reached out to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, which is the agency that oversees the MRB, to find out where they stand on the current corridor.

In an emailed statement the Ministry said it will continue to work to explore options for a permanent access route on Blackcomb that meets the requirements of the current MDA. “The opening of this interim route will provide an

DECEMBER 16, 2021

45

FEATURE STORY

A group of backcountry skiers enjoy Blackcomb’s uphill skiing access corridor Photo by Andrew Maurer opportunity to monitor use through traffic counters, better understand user experience and operational considerations,” said the statement about the current corridor that has been opened on Blackcomb.

“Once the interim access route has been in use for a couple of months, the province and Whistler Blackcomb will reach out formally to collect feedback from members of the public and stakeholders. The information gathered and the learnings will help inform the process as we work towards a long-term solution.”

‘Now is the time’ to solve the issue: MLA Sturdy Local MLA Jordan Sturdy—who has been one of the major players in making progress on this issue—agrees with Kubik that it has taken much too long to see any action on the uphill skiing corridor. But with 25 years of experience as a ski patroller on Blackcomb, Sturdy sees both sides of the issue.

He said he understands the initial reluctance of the mountain to open access for people to walk up as they choose, as he personally had to deal with skiers trying to

ride the mountain for free.

“To go have a pristine backcountry experience without having a helicopter drop on you or a snowmobile rip by is getting harder to find. And so increasingly, Garibaldi Park is an important place for people to be able to do that,” Sturdy said.

“At the same time, now that there’s these RFID readers at every lift but the Magic Chair, there’s no concern about poaching anymore, or there should be very little anyway.

You really can’t bypass the bottom lift and then ski for free.

It just doesn’t happen. So I think now is the time that we’ve got to make sure this thing gets solved.”

Sturdy has been pushing the MRB for a solution to the issue for a while now and believes that there is no reason for the mountain to not get it done, especially considering similar trails like the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver and the Sea to Summit trail under the Sea to Sky Gondola have proved to be valuable assets to the surrounding communities.

While getting a corridor that meets all the requirements outlined in the MDA will be an ongoing battle, Sturdy is a bit hesitant about whether this particular route—which starts in Whistler Village and climbs parallel to the Excalibur Gondola before cutting

“To go have a pristine backcountry experience without having a helicopter drop on you or a snowmobile rip by is getting harder to find.”

- Jordan Sturdy across Sunset Boulevard and up to the Park past 7th Heaven Chair—is the best one to accomplish what the goals of the route are.

“The problem is that there’s too much potential for conflict on Sunset. I just don’t think it’s safe to be skitouring up Sunset when people are tucking down. But that’s not to say that there isn’t a solution to be found … I just don’t think that’s the route,” he said.

According to Sturdy, finding this perfect mystery route up the mountain is just a matter of time and effort. In fact, he has taken the issue into his own hands by personally making the climb with a GPS to map out a potential new route. He encourages others in the community to do the same and send the routes to him to get where they need to go.

“I believe that this is an interim step. And I think we should all view it as that. It doesn’t achieve what I think the promise is or what the intent is of the MDA. And in my view, the intent is that we would have free and unrestricted access through the CRA at all times. That’s my view. And I think that can be done,” said Sturdy.

“I don’t know the ideal solution. But I think it’s incumbent on the community as well to participate in creating a solution. Let’s figure out what we think is the best route and advocate for it.” ■

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School Registration for the 2022/2023 School Year Opens January 18th-21st, 2022 Kindergarten, French Immersion Programs, and All New Students to the District School District No.48 (SD48) is welcoming registrations for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year starting January 18th, 2022 at 8:00am and ending January 21st, 2022 at 4:00pm.

There will be two key steps: Step One: Parents and Guardians will be asked to fill out an online webform through the school district website. This will include basic contact information such as name, email address, physical address and student name and grade.

Parents will be walked through the process within the webform to either register as a new student to the district, or a current student registering for French Immersion.

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Step Two: Make an appointment to complete your registration at your English catchment school by booking online through our district website, or by contacting the school directly.

Note - French Immersion registrations must be completed through your English catchment school, not the French catchment school. For Cultural Journeys and Learning Expeditions, complete your registration directly at St'a7mes School.

Please Note the Following Important Information: The order in which registrations and/or transfer requests are received have implications for placement in a program or school where space and seats may be limited.

A time and date stamp will be provided for your registration with the completion of the webform. This time and date stamp will be valid for 10 business days and will be confirmed at the completion of your registration during your school appointment.

Parents and guardians who miss the availability of the webform can register by contacting their English catchment school to book an appointment. The completion of the registration during this appointment will serve as the time and date stamp.

More detailed information on the registration process and SD48 program information can be found on our District Website: www.sd48seatosky.org or contact your English catchment school principal for further assistance. We encourage parents and guardians to register as soon as possible to help schools plan for September, 2022.

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47

SPORTS THE SCORE

Whistler’s Veronica Ravenna hopes to make the most of what might be her last Olympics COMPETING FOR HER HOME COUNTRY OF ARGENTINA, SHE HAS HER SIGHTS SET ON THE 2022 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING.

BY HARRISON BROOKS UNLIKE MOST who get the rare chance to compete at the highest level of their sport, when Veronica Ravenna lines up for her runs on the luge track at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games this February, she’ll be representing not just one, but two places she holds dear to her heart.

Born in Argentina, Ravenna and her family moved to Whistler when she was six years old.

She fell in love with luge after a field trip to the Whistler Sliding Centre when she was 11 years old gave her a taste of the sport.

Now 23, Ravenna has already competed for her home country in the Olympics once before at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, and is on track to make her second straight Olympic appearance in Beijing.

And even though, when the time comes, she’ll be donning the sky blue of the Argentina flag instead of the red and white, she still hopes to make Whistler proud.

“It’s definitely the best of both worlds, because I get to represent where I came from, where all my family came from, all my cousins and all our first friends,” she said.

“But then I also get to represent the town that kind of made me, the town that gave me the opportunity to get to where I am to be able to represent my home country.”

Ravenna has been competing internationally for Argentina for close to six years now, with her first exposure to the team being the lead up to the 2016 Youth

NATIONAL PRIDE Whistler’s Veronica Ravenna poses with the flag of her home country Argentina in front of the Olympic Rings in PeyongChang, South Korea.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

48 DECEMBER 16, 2021

Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, an experience she calls “maybe the best week of my life.”

The opportunity came up after Ravenna missed a few races while recovering from an injury she suffered in a crash in Whistler.

But until she got the call from the Argentina Luge Federation asking her why she wasn’t competing anymore, Ravenna didn’t even know competing for her home country was a possibility in a sport like luge.

“I heard my parents mention [sliding for Argentina] before, but it was never my intention. I didn’t know that it was possible.

[I didn’t know] they had a team, that they had coaches, that it was something that could actually happen. I thought it was more just, ‘oh wouldn’t it be cool if you represented Argentina,’” she said. “I always thought it was only places that had Olympic tracks. I didn’t know about all these small countries that don’t have luge tracks but have the ability to still compete.”

Despite describing competing for Argentina as “amazing,” there are still some challenges that come with competing for a country with a less-established Olympic program. Ravenna and her family are often left to their own devices to coordinate tickets and insurance, as well as other things, that many bigger Olympic committees would normally take care of for their athletes.

And of course, it also means she doesn’t get to spend as much time with her first luge family that she grew up sliding with, as they now have different schedules and training routines and facilities.

“I spend a lot more time here in Germany where our training base is. We still all follow the same World Cup circuit, so we’re all there every week. But in the summer, I do have to do my training alone or with a few other trainers in Whistler. But I don’t train at the Canadian Sports Institute or with a big team, it’s just me,” she said.

“I find it’s sometimes harder to get motivated when it’s just yourself at the gym versus when you’re there with your five or six closest friends. So that was a little bit hard—kind of having to separate from these people that I’ve done almost everything with for the last four or so years.”

However, it’s not all bad news.

According to Ravenna, being with a smaller federation makes it feel more familylike than some bigger teams, which can sometimes treat the athletes who are struggling as replaceable commodities.

Plus, due to a new rule for qualification put in place this year because of the unbalanced way the pandemic affected the ability for smaller countries to attend the World Cup last season, sliding for Argentina will make it easier for Ravenna to qualify for the upcoming Games.

Instead of going down the rankings and taking the top three from each country—the way athletes are normally selected—this year they will first be taking one person from each country represented in the top 40 before moving on to a country’s second and third ranked athletes, meaning Ravenna, if in the top 40, will get her selection before any country’s second ranked athletes.

With the 2022 Beijing Olympics less than two months away, Ravenna looks back on her experience in PeyongChang in 2018.

And despite finishing 24th out of 30 as a 19-year-old and missing her goal of making the top 20, she looks back on the experience with nothing but pride and fondness.

“It was so surreal. From the first moment in the opening ceremonies where you went and saw hundreds of people. And then you got home, and you saw all the messages from all your friends and family—that was amazing,” said Ravenna.

“And it was such a family event. [My family] have all sacrificed so much, so it was incredible to get to share it with them. And

then we spent a few days for my birthday exploring Seoul. I would never really get to explore South Korea with my family. It’s not really a common vacation location. So it was an amazing two weeks.”

Looking ahead to Beijing, Ravenna has the same goal of making the top 20 in mind. But with the ongoing pandemic not allowing family to attend the Games, as well as enforcing stricter rules on the athletes, it’s not looking like the ideal situation to celebrate what might be her last Olympic Games before she steps away to focus on her education.

“I’m really hoping that they’re still able to capture what the Olympics are all about and make it a positive environment. When we went there [a few weeks ago,] it wasn’t the most positive experience. We weren’t really able to leave the hotel, so I just hope that they’re able to capture all the positivity and everything that the Olympics means, regardless of what’s going on in the world,” she said.

“I don’t feel like these Olympics will really match what the others were. It’s definitely hard because I really wanted my family to be able to be there because they’ve been my No. 1 team. They were there when I changed teams, they were there when it was just me alone, so I really wish I could celebrate the ending of this chapter with them.”

While no decisions have been decided yet on her future after Beijing, if these do end up being her last Winter Olympics, Ravenna is just glad to have had the opportunity to share the full Olympic experience with her family at least once in 2018, before taking on the next chapter of her life.

This article is part of a series of profile stories highlighting athletes heading to the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, or those who hope to make it there. For others go to piquenewsmagazine.com. n

SPORTS THE SCORE

Whistler’s Marielle Thompson takes gold and bronze in World Cup ski cross SPORTS BRIEFS: PUBLIC SKELETON AND BOBSLEIGH PROGRAMS RETURN TO WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE; LOCAL SKIERS CONTINUE STRONG START

BY HARRISON BROOKS MARIELLE THOMPSON’S comeback is right on track after she took ski cross gold on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the World Cup stop in Arosa, Switzerland.

“I’m super excited to start off my season on the podium,” said Thompson.

“I feel like my physical preparation this past summer has paid off so far with some strong skiing.”

Her finish at the top of the podium comes just two days after Thompson claimed the bronze on Sunday, Dec. 12 in Val Thorens, France—her first World Cup races since a major knee injury last March.

In the Dec. 12 race, Thompson won her first two heats before edging out fellow Canadian Brittany Phelan for the last podium spot.

Just two days later in Arosa, Thompson picked up right where she left off on Sunday by edging out Switzerland’s Fanny Smith to take the gold medal.

“It feels great to be back skiing post injury and to be racing is even better,” said Thompson. “I wasn’t sure if I would be ready to race in these early World Cups, but I was feeling good with my skiing and decided with my coaches that I was ready to give it a shot.”

This most recent finish marks the 2014 Olympic gold medallist’s 48th podium in her 102nd World Cup race.

Next up, Thompson will be heading to Innichen San Candido, Italy from Dec. 18 to 20 before returning home to Canada for the Christmas break and the Nakiska World Cup in January.

PUBLIC SKELETON BACK AT WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE Starting on Friday, Dec. 17, the Whistler Sliding Centre will once again be offering public skeleton and passenger bobsleigh activities to the community.

“We are in an Olympic year, so it is extra special that we can give public guests the opportunity to slide like an Olympian themselves,” said Tracy Seitz, managing director of the Whistler Sliding Centre. “They will watch the Olympic races in February with a completely different appreciation.”

Public sliding will be available all winter until March 27 and is open to everyone regardless of experience.

Rides cost $199 per person with proceeds going towards growing sliding sports and supporting bobsleigh, skeleton and luge athletes who train at the venue.

PHYSIOTHERAPY Specialized Sports Physiotherapists Advanced Manual Therapy • IMS and Dry Needling Concussion Treatment and Rehabilitation All staff fully vaccinated

enhanced Covid procedures in place Call, email or book online

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WIN CANUCKS TICKETS!

BACK ON TOP Whistler’s Marielle Thompson (right),

Vancouver vs Florida Panthers Jan. 21st 2022 Come in for brunch on Saturdays & Sundays & Holiday Mondays from 11am - 2pm to enter to win.

Children are welcome until 10pm.

shown here in a February 2021 race in Sweden, recently won gold at the World Cup in Arosa Switzerland this week.

PHOTO BY GEPA PICTURES/ DANIEL GOETZHABER

In passenger bobsleigh, three guests will be accompanied by a trained pilot through a 10-corner run reaching speeds of up to 125 km/h. Rides will be available Wednesdays through Sundays, with additional dates added throughout the holidays.

Participants of the passenger bobsleigh must be over 14 years of age.

Skeleton is offered on Saturdays and Sundays to anyone 16 years of age and up and will see participants ride solo through the track’s final six corners, reaching speeds of to 100 km/h.

Both the skeleton and passenger bobsleigh activities include an orientation and background information on the Whistler Sliding Centre’s sports and athletes.

Participants must meet specific physical, health and safety requirements.

WHISTLER SKIERS CONTINUE STRONG SEASON After taking two bronze medals in Super G in the first two para-alpine races in nearly two years due to the pandemic early last week, Whistler’s Mollie Jepsen continued her hot start to the season by wrapping up the World Cup in Steinach am Brenner, Austria with a silver medal in Giant Slalom.

Jepsen, who hasn’t competed in a World Cup since January of 2020, has now won eight medals across her last three World Cup stops including three golds, three silvers and two bronze. She hopes to continue her success when she heads to St. Moritz, Switzerland for the next stop on the World Cup circuit.

Meanwhile in freestyle, after starting the season with a 16th place finish in Ruka, Finland, Whistler’s Sofiane Gagnon was able to climb up the rankings, settling into a seventh-place finish—making her the top Canadian woman at the World Cup in Idre Fjäll, Sweden.

Next stop on the circuit for Gagnon is Alpe d’Huez, France later this week. n

‘we keep you playing’

Catch all the NHL and NFL action everyday! All games available!

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Whistler Nordic Ski Club Exciting News!

• Thursday Youth Programs available to register - ages 6-12 • Toonie Races are back in 2022!

Toonie Schedule: Jan 13, 27, Feb 10, March 3 • Volunteers needed for Race Events at Whistler Olympic Park Get your membership at www.whistlernordics.com Email: admin@whistlernordics.com

Naturopathic Doctor

DR. JILL SCOTT Now accepting new patients at Connections Wellness Studio (604) 894-1223 drjscottnd@gmail.com drjillscottnd.com therapypemberton.com 1384 Portage Road, Pemberton (next to the Pony Restaurant)

DECEMBER 16, 2021

49

FORK IN THE ROAD

Make it yours, make it yours, make it yours!

THE MOST MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS DAYS ARE THE ONES YOU MAKE YOUR OWN Oh, the weather outside is frightful But the fire is so delightful And since we’ve no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I’VE GOT AN EARWORM this holiday season. So if you can’t get Dean Martin’s crooning—or Ella’s, or Frank’s, or any of the superb artists who’ve covered this

BY GLENDA BARTOSH chestnut—out of your head after you read those lyrics, you’re not the only one.

“Man, it doesn’t show signs of stoppin’; and I brought me some corn for poppin’; the lights are turned way down low… Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”

I couldn’t think of a better tune this time of year for Whistler or any winter resort on the planet, for that matter. Snow, once the bane of Canadians, an endless source of complaining and railing, is now nothing short of a gift.

The snow might be iffy where you are, but the holiday feasting (and piety) during these the darkest days of the year has definitely been part of our culture since the earliest

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL The Santa Claus or Christmas melon, known for its sweetness and long shelf life, adds an original and easy touch to any holiday meal.

PHOTO BY GLENDA BARTOSH

50 DECEMBER 16, 2021

times. A History of Private Life reminds us that whenever the word “sacrifice” appears in Greek or Latin texts, it always implies “feast” given the ritual of sacrificing animals, the bigger the better, on an altar followed by the contemplative participants feasting on the leftovers, as it were.

“Great temples had kitchens and offered the services of their cooks to worshippers,” writes Paul Veyne in Private Life. Food, piety, merriment—let the good times roll.

As we roll into yet another Christmas season peppered by a pandemic, you couldn’t ask for a better excuse to take the customs surrounding winter solstice (happening this year December 21, 7:58 a.m. Pacific Time) and, to the tune of the above refrain, “Make it yours, make it yours, make it yours.”

Never mind the decorating and presents and social agenda (well, I guess the latter is pretty much shot again this year, so that’s one relief), the whole Christmas day feast thing, as it trickled down from those ancient rituals, is still pretty much gendered, namely falling on women.

A few years back, journalist and author Judith Shulevitz described the “worrier role” of women. And, yes, that’s “worrier” not “warrior.” And at no time is it more evident than the “holiday shift”—what Shulevitz calls “the triple shift.”

Sure, men cook and have their special roles at Christmas, but they’re seldom largely in the kitchen, or seldom large.

Note I say seldom, but never mind. Let’s leap beyond gendering and into full parity: No matter who you are and what your expectations might be this holiday season,

there’s not been a better excuse for ages to make yourself truly merry, if not bright.

In a nutshell, take it easy.

First off, good chance you won’t be having many over for a feast so start there.

You don’t need the big ritualistic centrepiece of roasted suckling pig or lamb or turkey, even, and what with food prices, especially for meat, going through the roof where the reindeer need to land, that’s a good thing.

See that lovely photo at the top of the page? The centrepiece is a Santa Claus melon, also called Christmas melon.

Originally from Spain, where it’s known as piel de sapo (toad skin) because of its greenstriped rind, it got its English name due to its long-lasting characteristics. Its sweet, creamy flesh will keep until Christmas.

If you can’t find a real Santa Claus melon, make it up. Find a lovely cantaloupe or mound of figs (those were my grandad’s favourites at Christmas). Name them, think of a connecting story, and make those the centre of your holiday feasting. Our fragile planet will love you, too.

Pair your new Santa Claus fruit delights with favourites—yours or whoever you’re sharing your festive meal with. Chubby Hubbie loves stew? Make it so. The kids love Annie’s mac and cheese? Chop up some cherry tomatoes and bright green broccoli for a dash of festive colour. Support your local baker and buy a holiday treat to pair with good ice cream. Or heat up some maple syrup and run out and pour it on the snow. (Make it yours, make it yours, make it yours.)

Or, what the heck—don’t even bother to cook. Nobody’s watching so order in

anything that gives you pleasure, even if it’s pizza. Especially if it’s pizza! Take-out doesn’t have to be posh, but that can fun too, if it fits your budget and your mood.

Point is, the holidays are a time to relax and restore and launch into the New Year, feeling ready to take it on, not frazzled and fried to a crisp.

Be easy on you, and your surroundings.

Treat yourself with kindness, and it’ll spill over around you. Especially don’t get too hung up on what “should be.” The keyword is “acceptance.” Embrace with grace what is, especially this year, when travel plans, or other best intentions, can go awry in a heartbeat.

If you’re away from loved ones, organize a Zoom or just make a phone call or three.

And if that even seems too much, and you find yourself on your own, accidentally or on purpose, treat yourself to a cozy holiday pyjama day. Curl up with your favourite whatevers—books, popcorn, Netflix specials, BFF with four legs, or two. Consider what you have, not what you don’t.

As for that catchy holiday tune, the irony of its origins won’t be lost on you these days. It was created by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn in the middle of a heat wave in Hollywood—in July 1945!

So relax, get cosy, and love what you’ve got—especially you!

Best of the season to you. Make it yours, make it yours, make it yours…

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who looks forward to a very peaceful, green Christmas. n

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

Proof of vaccination and government photo ID required for entry

FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE DEC 16 THURSDAY

DEC 17 FRIDAY

DEC 18 SATURDAY

I Full Body HIIT 7:45-8:45 a.m.

Carly

I Low Impact I Strong Strength Glutes & 7:45-8:45 a.m.

Core Carly 7:45-8:45 a.m.

Jess

I Aqua Fit Shallow 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Marie-Anne

I Full Body HIIT 9-10 a.m.

Carly

DEC 19 SUNDAY

DEC 20 MONDAY

DEC 22 WEDNESDAY

I Full Body HIIT 7:45-8:45 a.m.

Carly

I Dumbbells and Down Dogs 7:45-8:45 a.m.

Laura I Sweat Effect 9-10 a.m.

Beth

I Yin & Yang Yoga 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Heidi

I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m.

Jess I Zumba 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Susie

I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m.

Carly

DEC 21 TUESDAY

I Low Impact Strength 9-10 a.m.

Carly

I Zumba 11:15-12:15 p.m.

Susie

I Zumba 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Carmen

F FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION Flex-reg’ classes have a separate fee and allow you to register for classes on the days that fit your schedule.

R REGISTERED

I Gentle Fit for Seniors 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Diana I Zumba 5:45-6:45 p.m.

Carmen

FITNESS Registered fitness classes have a separate fee and a defined start and end date.

Pre-registration is required for the entire set of classes.

I Slow Flow Yoga 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Laura

I Mountain Ready Conditioning 5:45-6:45 p.m.

Steve

I Functional Conditioning 5-6 p.m.

Garret

I HIIT 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Alex

I Slow Flow Yoga 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Laura

I INCLUDED FITNESS These classes are included with your price of admission for no extra charge.

ARENA SCHEDULE THU 16

FRI 17

SAT 18

SUN 19

MON 20

Drop-In Hockey 8:15-9:45 a.m.

Drop-In Hockey 8:15-9:45 a.m.

TUE 21

Women & 50+ Drop-In Hockey 10-11:30 a.m.

Family Stick & Puck 12:45-1:45

Public Skate 12-2 p.m.

WED 22

Drop-In Hockey 8-9:30 a.m.

Public Skate 12-3 p.m.

Public Skate Public Skate 12-3 p.m.

12-3 p.m.

Public Skate 2-6 p.m.

Public Skate 6:30-8 p.m.

Public Skate 6:30-8 p.m.

Drop-In Hockey 6:30-8 p.m.

Family Stick & Puck 12:45-1:45 p.m.

Public Skate 2-6 p.m.

Public Skate 2-6 p.m.

POOL SCHEDULE

Please see whistler.ca/recreation for daily pool hours

whistler.ca/recreation | whistler.ca | 604-935-7529 @RMWhistler |

@rmwhistler |

@rmowhistler

ARTS SCENE

From ‘underdogs’ to undeniable: Introduce Wolves come into their own FIRST SINGLE FROM WHISTLER ALT-ROCKERS’ NEW EP OUT DEC. 27

BY BRANDON BARRETT ANYONE TRYING to carve out a path in the arts can expect to hit a few bumps along the way, but for Whistler alt-rockers Introduce Wolves, the road to their latest EP was lined with so many challenges that it felt at times like some sort of cruel cosmic joke they were never let in on. “[We] have been playing music together for three or four years now and it felt like setback after setback after setback,” says lead vocalist and guitarist Rory Malkin. “Just the amount of rejection we faced [was difficult].

We were trying to play shows and get more shows in Whistler and it was just a constant battle. It was like, ‘Oh god, is it even worth it?’

We were spending a lot of time practising and weren’t getting a lot back for our efforts.”

That may have something to do with the band’s uncompromising ethos. The foursome that is today made up of Malkin, guitarist Phil Cartwright, bassist Liam McCook and drummer Kevin Condie is big on the kind of loud, fuzz-heavy riffs and punk-tinged vocals that wouldn’t be out of place in an East Van bar. But in the tourist-friendly venues of the Sea to Sky, their unapologetic approach didn’t always go over well—like the time they were politely asked to leave by the manager of a Squamish venue a mere 30 seconds after starting to play.

HOWLIN’ FOREVER Whistler alt-rockers Introduce Wolves are preparing to release a new EP in February 2022.

PHOTO BY LOGAN SWAYZE PHOTOGRAPHY

52 DECEMBER 16, 2021

But instead of watering down their sound, they doubled down, embracing what makes them distinct in a music scene that has always favoured happy-go-lucky covers over bold, original material. Last January, they began recording their latest record, The Inverted World EP, and in the middle of that, found out they had been accepted as one of five local acts for Arts Whistler’s inaugural Band Boot Camp, a multi-week program that mentored artists on various aspects of the music industry, from songwriting to marketing and everything in between.

band Dear Rouge.

“I personally don’t write lyrics. I’m not a singer, obviously, so I have never really looked into that emotional side of things, but I’ve tried writing bass lines and guitar parts before and never really had a process,” he says. “So to get access to someone who is such an established songwriter and hear her process and what worked for her, it was amazing.”

The title of their four-track EP comes from Christopher Priest’s 1974 sic-fi novel of the same name, and although Malkin began penning the “melancholic, angsty”

“We’ve gone from being the underdogs of the Whistler music scene to all of a sudden Arts Whistler being like, ‘We believe in you.’”

- RORY MALKIN

“We’ve gone from being the underdogs of the Whistler music scene to all of a sudden Arts Whistler being like, ‘We believe in you,’” Malkin says. “All of a sudden we had the confidence to really pursue this and do the best job we can at getting it out there. Just the confidence in the music and in ourselves as a band, and that we’re doing something unique.”

As a bass player, McCook relished the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of songwriting from Danielle McTaggart of award-winning Vancouver electro-rock

songs before COVID-19 hit, it turns out the pandemic touched on many of the record’s themes of frustration and isolation.

“It’s kind of funny, because we live in this amazing place and we have great lives here, but we all deal with that in Whistler. I think a lot of people are quite isolated here,” Malkin says. “Hopefully people will relate to that. It’s not a party album like a lot of other musicians in Whistler might create.”

The recording of the album was no easy feat either, with the band travelling down to a Vancouver studio for several

marathon sessions—all while holding down full-time jobs and struggling to find spaces to practise in.

“To me, that was the biggest piece of adversity. I’d feel like we go down for a day a month on average when we were actually recording the parts, and spend eight to 10 hours just doing drums or doing bass or doing guitar and then singing,” McCook says. “You’re trying to put out the best performance you can because you want it to be a good representation of the songs, and you have to do that eight times for each verse and chorus. It’s pretty gnarly.”

It’s clear all the work has paid off for Introduce Wolves, who are now spreading their wings into the Vancouver scene, with a show planned for Feb. 18 at The Railway Stage to coincide with the release date of their new EP, and ambitions to grace the Rickshaw stage in the spring. The guys are also hoping to host a release party in Whistler shortly after the EP comes out that they envision featuring a who’s who of local music acts.

“We want to get some other artists involved as well and make it not just an event about us but something we think the community will enjoy,” Malkin says. “A lot of people are wanting live music right now and are not getting enough of it in Whistler. This is one of our ways to make that happen.”

“Railways,” the first single from the EP, is out Dec. 27, followed by the second single, “Under the Stairs,” on Jan. 21. Check the band out on Spotify or Bandcamp (introducewolves.bandcamp.com), and stay up to speed on their latest gigs and releases on Instagram @introducewolves. n

ARTS SCENE

Birds of a feather: RMOW unveils winter street banner design MAXINE WOLODKO’S BIRDS OF WINTER SERIES FEATURES A SPARROW, A BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, A WHISKEY JACK AND A STELLAR’S JAY

BY BRANDON BARRETT WHISTLER AND WILDLIFE go hand in hand, but when considering the resort community’s most iconic animal residents, it’s usually the bears, eagles and marmots that people think of first.

That’s why Vancouver artist and graphic designer Maxine Wolodko wanted to dig a little deeper when coming up with a subject for her winning design selected by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to grace street banners around the community this winter.

Entitled “Birds of Winter,” the banners showcase four birds that are common to Whistler at this time of year: a sparrow, a black-capped chickadee, a grey jay (colloquially known as a whiskey jack), and a Stellar’s jay.

Wolodko says the experience of spotting and painting Whistler’s birds was an educational one that she’s hopeful extends to the public taking in her work.

“I’m not an avid birder, except as it relates to my art,” says Wolodko. “I love it when I see something new and have to figure out what that bird is.”

Whistler is home to some 270 bird species, and despite their ubiquity, Wolodko finds that our feathered friends are quick to fade into the background for most casual onlookers.

“As we go about our busy lives, they’re just sort of there,” she says. “I do like to take the time just to be in the park and be silent in the background and see what comes out and spend some time watching them. Then I think going home and painting them is a way for me to spend more time with them instead of being out there. Then if someone else looks at the artwork and gets the same feeling, that’s just a bonus.”

The boldly coloured work was selected by a jury made up of municipal staffers, as well as representatives of Arts Whistler and the Audain Art Museum. The RMOW’s parks manager Martine Pardoe said it was in part the simplicity and elegance of the design that ultimately won the committee over.

“It was something we hadn’t seen before, those four birds as a piece, at least in recent memory. And there’s something just about the way the birds are drawn that is really sweet and innocent,” he tells Pique.

“They’re the little birds, not the usual eagle or osprey or a more significant bird that we sometimes see. They’re birds that still make up a lot of our character and make you look with a little more detail at things.”

Whistler’s street banner program has been around since the late ‘90s, and like the community it reflects, the designs have evolved both in quality and creativity, Pardoe notes.

House Sparrows

FOR THE BIRDS Maxine Wolodko’s Birds of Winter series can be seen on street banners around the resort this winter.

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER

“They’ve [grown] more professional. Just the topics and the composition have moved beyond the basics of mountains and bears and trees and that type of thing,” he says.

“We have had bear banners, we’ve got lots of bear art, and people love the bears, but it’s nice to have something different.”

Typically, the RMOW looks for a design that reflects “the landscape, character, activities and plants of Whistler,” and if it has some sort of educational component, even better. Artists are also encouraged to favour bold designs and bright colours over photography and text, particularly in the winter, to help catch people’s eye.

Wolodko’s banners were fully installed on Dec. 13 on streetlight posts throughout the village, Creekside and Meadow Park.

Each banner series is displayed for two seasons before being sold to the public, with sales revenue contributing to future public art projects.

The RMOW will issue a call for artists next month for the summer 2022 banners.

Learn more at whistler.ca/banners. ■

DECEMBER 16, 2021

53

MUSEUM MUSINGS

All who are weary, come.

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LIT UP When owners first stayed at Alpine Village it was pretty rustic, and on one night a fire broke out due to the hotwiring done to keep the pipes from freezing.The units had another major fire in 1985, pictured here.

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WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION, 1985.

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54 DECEMBER 16, 2021

WHEN HUGH and Hilda McLennan first heard about Whistler Mountain in the early 1960s, they didn’t know exactly where it was or what was planned for the area. This, however, did not stop them from buying shares in Garibaldi Lifts Ltd. The McLennans moved to Vancouver with their two children, Catriona and Neal, in 1957, when Hugh took a position at the University of British Columbia as a professor in the Department of Physiology.

The family were already skiers before Whistler Mountain became known to them, often skiing at Mount Baker—they even thought about purchasing property there.

Despite buying shares in the company, the McLennans didn’t believe that they would ever ski at Whistler, though their grandchildren might enjoy it. However, when Sandy Martin brought his model of Alpine Village to their living room in 1964, the McLennans agreed to buy one of the units of his proposed development.

In the summer of 1965, the McLennans decided to take their first trip to Whistler.

According to Hilda, the highway around Squamish was still new to them and so they missed a turn and ended up driving into Paradise Valley. After a dusty lunch and new directions, they set off again and eventually came upon a sign on the edge of the road that read “Site of Garibaldi Lifts.” They continued driving and found another sign that read “Site of Alpine Village.” There wasn’t too much to see at either site, but Martin had told the McLennans they could be in their Alpine Village unit by Christmas that year.

The McLennans made their next trip to Whistler on Dec. 17, 1965. It was a short but eventful stay. In an oral history interview in 2016, Hilda recalled that when they moved in, many of the units were frozen. As they were built on a rock cliff, much of the

plumbing for the units was housed in cedar boxes above ground. Before going back to Vancouver, the plumber had wrapped electrical cables around the pipes in the boxes to keep them from freezing. Not only did some of the pipes freeze anyway, but a fire started in one of the boxes in the night.

That evening, just as Hilda had put dinner on the stove, the water to their unit thawed and began coming up under the toilet. She, Catriona, and Neal were trying to mop up and control the water, but didn’t know where to shut it off. At this point, Hugh, who had been visiting the unit of the Alpine Village architect near the top of the hill, returned. He observed that, in comparison to the architect’s unit where “they’ve got a lovely fire going and the table is all set for dinner with candles,” their place was “a mess.” This was not incredibly well received by those dealing with the flood.

According to Hilda, they didn’t notice the fire until they had no electricity in the morning. She got up to make a cup of coffee and discovered they had no power. She asked a construction worker who was living in the next unit what had happened, and he told her how the people at the Cheakamus Inn across the highway had seen the fire and come over to put it out. As a precaution, they also turned off the power to the other boxes, especially as some had already shown signs of smouldering. Despite their efforts, Hilda and Neal recalled that some of the units in a different section sustained serious damage.

Not surprisingly, the McLennans decided not to stay for another night.

This was just the first of many trips the McLennans made to Whistler, and they returned to Alpine Village with friends for New Year’s. Though they hadn’t ever expected to ski on the mountain they’d never seen, they became founding members of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, helped run international ski races on the hill, and Hugh even served as president of the Western Division of the Canadian Ski Association in the 1970s. n

PARTIAL RECALL

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DINNER DANCE The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre’s Spo7ez Performance Team entertains guests with a traditional song and dance during the Spo7ez Winter Feast’s industry night on Monday, Dec. 13. The culinary and cultural BAD AXES Pique’s team celebrated the holidays with a heated axe-throwing competition at Forged Axe Throwing on Thursday, Dec. 9. (For any concerned readers, don’t worry—the masks were only taken off for the photo!) PHOTO SUBMITTED. 3 PEMBERTON SECONDARY SANTA Pemberton Secondary School’s graduating class brought back its Breakfast with Santa event this holiday season. PHOTO BY BARB MARES. 4 CELEBRATING THE SLCC Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre was recently named the Best Indigenous Experience in Canada by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and Indigenous 1

experience takes place at the SLCC every Friday from Jan. 7 until Feb. 18. PHOTO BY CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND. 2

Tourism Association of Canada during a ceremony held in Ottawa on Dec. 5. Pictured left to right: Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC); T’ec Georgina Dan, SLCC Cultural Leader; Nadija Veach, SLCC marketing manager; Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Sea to Sky Country; and Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 5 GIVING BACK Spring Creek School and École La Passerelle raised a grand total of $2,167 for Whistler Community Services Society Food Bank and Christmas Hamper programs at their annual Santa’s Workshop on Friday, Dec. 10. The upcycle holiday event sees families from both schools donate lightly used items for the workshop, while students bring a nominal donation to pick and then give Christmas presents to their family members. All proceeds from the event are handed off by the students to WCSS. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 6 NATURE students from École La Passerelle enjoyed a field trip in one of Whistler’s beautiful local forests earlier this winter, accompanied by a French-speaking volunteer from BC National Forest Week (www.bcnfw.ca/). PHOTO SUBMITTED.

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55

ASTROLOGY

FOREST & WILDLAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY Are you interested in advising RMOW Council on issues related to forestry, wildfire, wildlife, and commercial and public recreation around Whistler?

Three 3-year term positions are available to serve on the Council-appointed Forest & Wildland Advisory Committee.

You should have a background in forestry, ecology, and/ or resource management, and a knowledge of the Whistler area. The committee meets once per month for 2 hours during business hours.

Please submit a short information sheet describing your qualifications and interest before 4:30 p.m., January 3, 2022.

Committee Information: whistler.ca/fwac Please email applications to hberesford@whistler.ca

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

Land Act:

Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that the Pemberton Valley Dyking District of 1381 Aster St, Pemberton, BC intends to make an application to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRORD), Surrey,for institutional purpose situated on Provincial Crown land located at unsurveyed crown foreshore or land covered by water being part of the bed of Lillooet River and Mowich Creek, together with that parcel or tract of unsurveyed crown land in the vicinity of Mowich Creek, all within Lillooet District.

The Lands File Number for this application is 2412258.

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 2) By mail to Senior Land Officer at 200-10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1. Comments will be received by FLNRORD until February 2, 2022.

FLNRORD may not be able to consider comments received after this date.

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/.

56 DECEMBER 16, 2021

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF DECEMBER 16 BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Key questions for you, beginning now and throughout 2022: 1. What do you need to say, but have not yet said? 2. What is crucial for you to do, but you have not yet done? 3. What dream have you neglected and shouldn’t neglect any longer? 4. What sanctuary is essential for you to visit, but you have not yet visited? 5. What “sin” is it important for you to forgive yourself for, but you have not yet forgiven yourself? 6.

What promise have you not yet fulfilled, even though it’s getting late (but not too late!) to fulfil? 7. What secret have you hidden so well that you have mostly concealed it even from yourself?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus novelist Anthony Trollope (1815–1882) took one of his manuscripts to a publishing company, hoping it would be made into a book and sold to the public. A few weeks later, he got word by mail that his masterpiece had been rejected. He took a train to the publisher’s office and retrieved it. On the train ride home, he turned the manuscript over and began writing a new story on the back of each page. He spent no time moping. That’s the spirit I recommend you embody in the coming weeks, dear Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “John Coltrane was an addict,” wrote author Cornel West about the renowned jazz saxophonist and composer. “Billie Holiday was an addict. [Nobel Prize-winning author] Eugene O’Neill was an addict. What would America be without addicts and post-addicts who make such grand contributions to our society?” I welcome West’s sympathetic views toward addicts. Many of us who aren’t addicts understand how lucky we are not to have the genetic predisposition or the traumatic experiences that addicts often struggle with. We unaddicted people may also have been spared the bigotry and abuse that have contributed to and aggravated some addicts’ addictions. Having acknowledged these truths, I nevertheless hope to do whatever I can to help you convert any addictive tendencies you might have into passionate obsessions.

Now is an excellent time to launch a new phase of such work. Invitation: Make a list of three things you can do in the coming months to nurture the process.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Actor and model Kate Beckinsale unleashed a cryptic boast: “My best feature is unfortunately a private matter, although I’m told it is spectacular. But you can’t really walk it down the red carpet. What can I say?” Are you imagining what I’m imagining? I bring this oddity to your attention in the hope that I can convince you to be more forthright and expressive about your own wonderful qualities. It’s time to be less shy about your beauty, less secretive about your deep assets. Show the world why you’re so lovable.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo-born Edna Ferber (1885– 1968) was a celebrated author who won a Pulitzer Prize.

She was witty and outspoken. Her stories featured strong women and characters struggling against discrimination. “I never would just open a door and walk through,” she said about her career. “I had to bust it down for the hell of it. I just naturally liked doing things the hard way.” At least in the coming weeks, Leo, I urge you NOT to adopt Ferber’s attitude. In my view, you’ll be wise to do everything possible to open doors rather than bust them down. And the best way to do that is to solicit help. Cultivate your ability to ask for what you need.

Refine your practice of the arts of collaboration, synergy, and interweaving.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “No one has ever written, painted, sculpted, modelled, built, or invented except literally to get out of hell,” wrote Virgo dramatist Antonin Artaud. That’s a ridiculous generalization, in my opinion.

For example, I occasionally generate songs, stories, and horoscopes to help me escape from a momentary hell.

But most of my creations are inspired by my love of life and a desire to inspire others. I’m very sure that in the coming weeks, your own motivations to produce good

things will be far closer to mine than to Artaud’s. You’re in a phase when your quest for joy, generosity, blessings, and fun could be fierce and productive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Barbara Sher offered this wise counsel: “Imaginary obstacles are insurmountable. Real ones aren’t.” I bring this to your attention because I believe the coming weeks will be an excellent time to identify the imaginary obstacles you’ve erected in your inner world—and then smash them or burn them or dispose of them. Once you’re free of the illusory interference, I think you’ll find you have at least twice as much power to neutralize the real obstacles.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Prolific author Ray Bradbury liked to give advice to those with a strong need to express their imaginative originality. Since I expect you will be a person like that in 2022, I’ll convey to you one of his exhortations. He wrote, “If you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling. I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon you.”

Keep in mind that Bradbury was referring to constructive craziness, wise foolishness, and divine madness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The coming months will be a favourable time for you to redefine the meaning of the term “sacred” and to deepen your relationship with sacredness. To spur your imagination, I offer four quotes: 1: “Recognizing the sacred begins when we are interested in every detail of our lives.”— Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa. 2: “When you notice something clearly and see it vividly, it then becomes sacred.”—poet Allen Ginsberg. 3: “Holiness begins in recognizing the face of the other.”—philosopher MarcAlain Ouaknin. 4: “Modern culture, in its advertising of sex, is in a misguided fashion advertising its longing for the sacred.”—teacher Sobonfu Somé.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn author E. M. Forster wrote, “The only books that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have yet gone ourselves.”

I propose we universalize that statement: “The only people, information, and experiences that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have yet gone ourselves.”

I believe this principle will be especially fruitful for you to embrace during the next three months. Prepare yourself for lessons that are vital for you to learn—and on the frontier of your understanding.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Among America’s Founding Fathers was Aquarian William Whipple (17301785). He was one of 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, instigating war with Great Britain. Unlike many of his colleagues, however, Whipple believed it was hypocritical to enslave human beings while fighting for freedom. That’s why he emancipated the person who had been in bondage to him. The coming months will be a favourable time to make comparable corrections, Aquarius. If there are discrepancies between your ideals and your actions, fix the problem.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): According to Piscean author Ryunosuke Akutagawa, “People sometimes devote their lives to a desire that they are not sure will ever be fulfilled.” So true! I can personally attest to that behaviour. Is such a quest misguided? Delusional?

Naive? Not in my view. I see it as glorious, brave, and heroic. Akutagawa did too. He said that those who refrain from having inspirational desires are “no more than mere spectators of life.” In any case, I recommend you think big in 2022, Pisces. From an astrological angle, this could be the year you home in on and refine and upgrade the single most important desire you will ever have.

Homework. Tell me your most important lesson of the year. https://Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com

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LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY AT THE CRYSTAL Crystal Lodge is recruiting a General Manager to lead our fun and friendly team.

As a newly renovated and busy hotel, with a strong management team in a bustling town, the Crystal Lodge is poised for an exceptional future; giving our new General Manager the opportunity to focus on driving exceptional guest service and employee satisfaction, while maximizing financial performance.

H I G H M O U N TA I N BREWING CO. BREWHOUSE WHISTLER, BC

Be a part of our dynamic team at one of Whistler’s busiest spots!

At The High Mountain Brewing Company, Whistler Brewhouse, we take pride in our product and service - From the busy patio to the cozy two-sided fireplace, from our exceptional pizzas to our hand-crafted beer.

We are currently looking for

Dishwashers and Line Cooks We offer comprehensive benefits packages after a probationary period, as well as competitive wages.

Ski pass included Starting wage $18 p/h Please come by with your resume or apply via email to mvedan@mjg.ca

PLEASE APPLY VIA OUR WEBSITE:

STEP INTO THE SOUL OF WHISTLER Crystal Lodge is recruiting fun and friendly individuals to join our team in the following roles: • • • • • • •

Reservations Coordinator Reservations Agent Manager on Duty Front Desk Agent Housekeeper Night Janitor Maintenance Technician

4355 BLACKCOMB WAY

DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH

WWW.CRYSTAL-LODGE.COM/CAREERS

WHISTLER, BC, V0N 1B4

WE ARE

HIRING Human Resources Advisor Regular Full-Time Plan Checker Regular Full-Time Chief Operator Waste Water Treatment Plant Regular Full-Time Director of Human Resources Regular Full-Time Financial Services Specialist Temporary Full-Time Utility Operator 2 Regular Full-Time

IT’S EASY TO APPLY VIA OUR WEBSITE: WWW.CRYSTAL-LODGE.COM/CAREERS

squamish.ca/careers Resort Municipality of Whistler

Employment Opportunities

We’re Hiring!

• Accounting Clerk

Labourers, Carpenters, Foreman, Project Managers

• Corporate Coordinator • Deputy Corporate Officer • Skate Host - Meadow Parks Sports Centre • Supervisor, Financial Services • Utilities Equipment Operator Leadhand • Volunteer Opportunity: Lost Lake Nordic Trails Patrol/Trail Crew • Volunteer Opportunity: Lost Lake Nordic Trails Trail Host

$1000 SIGNING BONUS BENEFITS, FULL TIME WORK ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION? WANT TO COME AND WORK FOR A GREAT TEAM WITH LOTS OF ROOM FOR CAREER GROWTH? APPLY TO CONNECT@TMBUILDERS.CA

64 DECEMBER 16, 2021

Resort Municipality of Whistler www.whistler.ca/careers

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BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS STORES ASSISTANT Job Location: Status:

BHLP Pemberton Base - 1850 Airport Road, Pemberton B.C. Temporary Position of 40 hours per week

ABOUT US Blackcomb Helicopters is a well-established full service, multifleet helicopter company with rotary flight and maintenance services. We have bases in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Sechelt, Lillooet and Vancouver.

POSITION This position is part of the Aircraft Maintenance Department assisting in all areas that arise out of the day to day running of our helicopter operation. Duties include but are not limited to: assisting with inventory and counts, expediting parts for overhaul and repair, tracking incoming and outgoing freight, preparing reports on aircraft parts, organization and maintenance of stores rooms, input and transcription of technical records, maintenance of aviation software systems, and other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS • • • • • • •

THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK FOR LOCAL JOB OPENINGS

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PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM/JOBS

Excellent accuracy with data input and extremely detail-oriented; Previous experience in the aviation industry a definite asset; Firm knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word programs, as well as ability to learn new computer systems quickly; Excellent interpersonal skills and superior customer service skills; Strong organizational and time management skills; Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment with a great sense of humour; Legally able to work within Canada.

This is a position of approximately 40 hours per week, however, we will require flexibility in terms of days worked as weekend work may be required due to the nature of our business. The hourly rate for this position is between $22.50 and $24.00 per hour depending on experience. This is currently a temporary position with possibility of permanent employment.

Become part of a creative team and surround yourself with art The Audain Art Museum is currently seeking:

Marketing Coordinator full-time, permanent

The successful candidate will be creative, collaborative, and forward-thinking, offering both technical knowledge and relevant experience to allow the AAM to excel in marketing and communications efforts.

Responsibilities include administration of advertising, digital engagement, content marketing, social media, special events, Museum tours, and public relations.

Application deadline is January 7, 2022 For complete job description visit audainartmuseum.com/employment

We've Got You Covered VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 FREE

Note: Blackcomb Helicopters is federally regulated, therefore, proof of double vaccination is a condition of employment.

If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to attention to: Human Resources at mcleanhr@mcleangroup.com noting Stores Assistant Application in your subject header.

Red Door Bistro is looking for line cooks.

Experience required, wage based on experience.

Extended Medical & Dental benefits, staff meals, staff discounts in Roland’s Pub, and tips with pay cheques.

Email resume to info@reddoorbistro.ca or apply in person at 2129 Lake Placid Road DECEMBER 16, 2021

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK FOR LOCAL JOB OPENINGS L

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UNLIMITED SEASON SKI PASS INCLUDED IN YOUR HIRING PACKAGE!

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BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS TECHNICAL RECORDS CLERK Job Location:

BHLP Pemberton Base - 1850 Airport Road, Pemberton B.C. Full-Time Permanent Position

Status: ABOUT US

we also provide our staff with: Competitive Wages, Health Benefits, Gratuities, Employee Discounts and Staff Housing

JOIN OUR TEAM Cooks, Dishwashers, Expeditors, Hosts

Blackcomb Helicopters is a well-established full service, multifleet helicopter company with rotary flight and maintenance services. We have bases in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Sechelt, Lillooet and Vancouver.

POSITION This position will be part of the Technical Records Team working in a variety of projects such as: organization of technical records information, data input, filing, assisting the Technical Records supervisor, updating all aviation relation databases, assistance in safety initiatives, and other office duties when required.

QUALIFICATONS: • • • • •

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESUME TO: CAREERS@ILCAMINETTO.CA

• • •

EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, APPLY TODAY! Diamond Resorts Canada Ltd., Whistler, BC

Full Time & Part Time Housekeepers Full Time Front Desk Agent Eligible successful candidates may receive* • $750.00 Hiring Bonus for successful full time candidates! $375.00 Hiring Bonus for successful part time candidates!

• Extensive benefits package which may include; ski pass or wellness allowance, disability coverage, travel insurance and extended health and dental.

• Travel Allowance and discounted employee rates at any Diamond Resort International resort.

• Full-time work year round and a FUN work environment. *eligibility and conditions based on DRCL policies and practices set out in general terms and conditions of employment. Please note that Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) acquired Diamond Resorts International (DRI) as of August 02, 2021. If you apply to work at a Diamond Resorts company you will be an applicant of a subsidiary of HGV. A transition to HGV will occur as we integrate technology, systems and branding but it will take time until our separate operating systems, employment policies and benefits are fully integrated. As a result, for a period of time, employees will receive correspondence and messaging from Diamond Resorts as well as from HGV and related entities.

Email your resume with the position you wish to apply for to: Jerome.Boye@hgv.com

66 DECEMBER 16, 2021

Above average English skills, both verbal and written; Experience in the aviation industry or related work a definite asset; Good attitude and excellent work ethic. A self-starter.

Detail driven – your attention to detail is a source of pride for you; Superior knowledge of Word and Excel and able to pick up new software quickly; Excellent organizational skills and ability to focus on repetitive tasks; Great sense of humour; Legally entitled to work in Canada.

This is a position working Monday to Friday of 40 hours per week, however, we will require flexibility in terms of days worked as occasional weekend work may be required due to the nature of our business. Minimum salary for this position is $41,600 per annum. We offer an excellent benefits program, RRSP, and an energetic and diverse work environment. This position does require working at our base, however, remote work from home is available on an occasional basis.

Note: Blackcomb Helicopters is federally regulated, therefore, proof of double vaccination is a condition of employment.

If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to attention to: Human Resources at mcleanhr@mcleangroup.com noting Technical Records Clerk Application in your subject header.

NESTERS STORAGE On Site Facility Caretaker

- Full-time property maintenance at Nesters Storage and other sites in Whistler.

- Basic carpentry, knowledge and use of hand tools, painting, building maintenance required.

- Must be physically fit, hard working and adaptable.

- Competitive wage with accommodation.

Please email expressions of interest and resume to 8080Nesters@telus.net.

CONTACT

8080Nesters@telus.net

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RADIO & EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN PERMANENT FULL-TIME POSITION Blackcomb Helicopters is the Pacific Northwest’s leading helicopter Company. We are a full-service helicopter company with bases in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Sechelt, and Lillooet. BHLP offers the right candidate a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of communications and IT services to equally diverse range of industries and customers. Unlike working for larger companies, our radio team enjoy dipping their feet in every part of the radio business, whether that is serving our customer with two-way radios and portable repeaters for a mountain-top film shoot, propagation work servicing our repeaters, or assisting in radio sales and service, you will enjoy a challenging and dynamic work environment.

Working with really cool people and equipment in some pretty spectacular places, everyday you will strive your best to exceed customer and co-worker expectations.

In cooperation with our sister company Signal Systems, you will maintain, repair, and improve a network of portable radio repeaters. You will also be responsible for base station, aircraft and vehicle radio systems, liaising and maintaining relationships with customers, vendors, and suppliers, and other ad hoc duties assisting our Fleet & Equipment department in all vehicles/fuel systems, repair, maintenenance and ground support equipment.

This position will be primarily located at our Pemberton base but will require travel to any one of our bases or other remote locations as necessary.

Qualifications & Skills Required: • Courses and/or complete education in Telecommunications System Technic (i.e. BCIT Radio Program or equivalent); • A valid B.C. Driver’s license and provide satisfactory N driver’s abstract; • Must be very detail oriented and organizational skills; • Experience in solar battery systems; • Competent computer skills; • Ability to shift tasks quickly and prioritize based on need and possesses situational awareness in anticipating needs; • Professional and calm always putting safety first; • Mechanical experience an asset, including general vehicle repair, electrical, fuel systems maintenance; • Legally entitled to work within Canada.

Previous aviation experience is an asset though not required. This position reports to the Director of Fleet & Equipment Maintenance and is a permanent full-time position of 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. BHLP offers an excellent benefits package including extended health and dental, disability, RRSP matching. Salary will commensurate with experience and education.

Interested candidates are asked to send their cover letter and resume attention to Human Resources at mcleanhr@mcleangroup.com

THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK FOR LOCAL JOB OPENINGS

TIRED OF WORKING LATE AT NIGHT? We have the perfect day job opportunity. Work for one of BC’s most acclaimed restaurants for the past 26 years.

Bearfoot Bistro, Whistler’s premier fine dining restaurant is looking for an AM Catering Cook.

We offer seasonal employment, above industry leading wages, extended benefit packages, staff meals, staff discounts at Listel Hospitality Group’s restaurants & hotels in Whistler and Vancouver.

The AM Catering Cook assists the Sous Chef and Executive Chef in the smooth and efficient operations of the kitchen and the catering department.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain effective communication within the kitchen management • Ensure highest quality and standard of food • Maintain a clean and organized work area and ensure proper food safe procedures • Show creative input • Highly reliable and responsible with excellent organizational and time management skills • Proven ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment • Professional demeanor and excellent communication skills • Physical work may be required • Available to work morning shifts from now to April 30th, 2022

Qualifications: • Minimum experience in a similar role is an asset • Food Safe Level 1 certification or higher is an asset • Graduation from a recognized culinary program is an asset • Ability to lift a minimum of 25 kg • Ability to work 8-hour shift standing

Job Type: Fixed Term Contract with potential to convert to Permanent Employment Salary: Starting at $30.00 per hour

Please send your resume to Simon Watkins at simon@bearfootbistro.com or come by between 3 pm and 5 pm.

BEARFOOT BISTRO 4121 Village Green - Adjacent to Listel Hotel - (604) 932 3433 - bearfootbistro.com

Employment Opportunities:

Guest Services Agents Apply to: jobs@pembertonvalleylodge.com

Competitive wages, health benefits, casual environment DECEMBER 16, 2021

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are hiring a

Youth Case Worker to help us end youth homelessness

Be a part of an amazing team as our newest Digital Account Representative!

We have a rare opportunity to work at one of Canada’s best-read online newsmedia companies, Glacier Media.

You will be part of the Pique Newsmagazine team, a division of Glacier Media. In your role you will consult with local businesses to offer cutting edge marketing solutions: programmatic, social media, SEO, sponsored content and community display advertising on our website and yes, we still reach customers through our trusted newspaper as well.

What we are looking for • • • • •

You are comfortable making cold calls and setting up/leading meetings with new and existing clients.

A self-starter with a consultative selling approach working with clients planning both digital and print advertising campaigns.

Building and maintaining client relationships with your exceptional communication skills comes easy to you.

You are a goal orientated individual with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

You possess strong organizational skills and have the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

What we offer • • •

Competitive salary + uncapped commission package.

Comprehensive / competitive group health and welfare benefits Extensive onboarding training and ongoing support.

Whistler has a worldwide reputation for outdoor recreation and boasts a vibrant village featuring restaurants, bars, retail and more. While this legendary resort is an international mountain sports mecca, it is also a down-to-earth mountain town, where community and culture have forged a unique environment. This opportunity offers you the chance to call a world-class ski hill you own—and if you are a local, well you know you’re in the right place to forge a career and lucky to call Whistler your home.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume in confidence to Susan Hutchinson, shutchinson@wplpmedia.com Closing date: December 20th, 2021

68 DECEMBER 16, 2021

NESTERS MARKET & WELLNESS CENTRE

NOW HIRING Deli, Bakery, Produce, Grocery and Meat Clerks Cashiers Full or Part Time E-mail or drop in your resume to: bruce_stewart@nestersmarket.com please cc ian_fairweather@nestersmarket.com or call us at 604-932-3545

PERKS • Competitive wage – Depending on experience • Access to medical and dental benefits for full time applicants • Percentage discount from store bought goods • Flexible and set schedule • Relative training

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Office Administrator

Whistler’s award-winning publication is seeking a

Reporter Pique Newsmagazine has a rare opportunity for an experienced and committed journalist to cover local news, politics and mountain culture in North America’s premier mountain resort.

You are passionate about news and politics, and have a sense of what makes a compelling local news story. You seek to engage and inform your community in print and online platforms, and use social media effectively. You are selfmotivated, efficient and deadline driven, with a curious, critical mind and an acute attention to detail. You are able to work well both on your own and with a team.

You have experience working in a newsroom, and ideally in covering municipal council, elections, and governments at all levels. Other relevant skills include copy editing, long-form feature writing, Instagram posting and story creation, and newspaper layout using InDesign.

Located in the mountain resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, Pique Newsmagazine is the unequivocal leader in reporting, interpreting and understanding the culture of the Coast Mountains and what it means to those who live, work and play in Whistler. At 27 years young, we’ve established ourselves as the locals’ publication that’s inquisitive and edgy, provoking conversation and building community. With our peers we’re acknowledged perennial winners at the BC & Yukon Community Newsmedia Awards (BCYCNA) and Canadian Community Newsmedia Awards (CCNA) for general excellence and reporting categories, as well as several Webster Awards honours over the years.

We’re known for our unique artsy design, weekly long-form features and comprehensive news coverage, but of course our reach is global, with loyal readers from Vancouver, Seattle, Toronto, Hong Kong and all over the world who come to piquenewsmagazine.com daily for the best Whistler storytelling and news source.

To apply, send your resume, clippings, or other relevant materials, as well as a cover letter making the case for why we should hire you to Braden Dupuis, bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Application deadline: January 7, 2022

WHISTLER PUBLISHING Limited Partnership

DECEMBER 16, 2021

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YOU’RE A KEGGER, YOU JUST DON’T KNOW IT YET!

NOW HIRING:

COOKS + KITCHEN STAFF UP TO $25/HR + GENEROUS TIPS ALSO HIRING HOSTS AND SERVER ASSISTANTS

To apply, email your resume to whistler@kegrestaurants.com or come in-person Sunday – Thursday from 4:00pm-5:30pm for an on-the-spot interview.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

ACCOUNTING GENERALIST - General Cashier / Accounts Receivable -

Apply your passion for numbers as an Accounting Generalist, where your exacting standards will ensure accuracy in support of your team and hotel.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE • Previous accounting or office administration experience preferred • Proficient at Microsoft Office applications • University/College degree in a related discipline is an asset

PERKS & BENEFITS • Employee housing available • Discounted hotel stays • Extended medical & dental benefits • Daily staff meals • Career growth opportunities

APPLY TODAY AT CAREERS.ACCOR.COM 70 DECEMBER 16, 2021

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Cooks • Steward • Room Attendants Shipper/Receiver • Guest Service Manager Sous Chef • Engineering Manager • Travel Perks and Benefits

• Complimentary meal at work

• Recognition and Rewards

• Subsidized Staff Accommodation

• Growth Opportunities

• Flexible Schedules

CALL THE EXPERTS

Want to advertise your service on this page?

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

TATTOO

WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICE HERE?

CLAIM THIS SPACE. CALL YOUR SALES REP OR EMAIL

SALES@PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 16, 2021

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CALL THE EXPERTS

Want to advertise your service on this page?

ALTERATIONS

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

BLINDS ETC.

BLINDS ETC.

PROFESSIONAL SEWING SERVICE

SUNCREST WINDOW COVERINGS

• Custom Garments • Curtains • Cushions • Upholstery • Sewing Classes

Custom Blinds • Shades • Draperies

Tel: 604-935-2101 Email: windowcov@shaw.ca www.whistlerwindowcoverings.ca

BLINDS ETC.

CARPET CLEANING

WINDOW COVERINGS

BLACK BEAR CARPET CLEANING LTD.

Whistler’s Source for Blinds since 1989

David Weldon

• SHUTTERS • DRAPERY

Connie Griffiths

604.967.2422 whistlersewing@gmail.com www.whistlersewing.com

david@summersnow.ca 604-938-3521

• BLINDS • SHADES

• • • •

Wood blinds Sunscreens Shades Motorization

• Carpets • Upholstery • Tiles • Car Interiors

Custom Window Treatments Contact us today for a free quote or consultation info@suncrestwindowcoverings.com

604.698.8406

CLEANING

• Furnace • Airducts • Dryer vents

Coast Mountain Cleaning • Full service cleaning • Residential & Commercial • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • Property Maintenance • Established 2011 We follow all VCH, Min of Health and WHO Covid 19 protocols

Insured & Bondable • Criminal background checks on all staff

www.summersnow.ca

100% ECO FRIENDLY CERTIFIED

Summer Snow Finishings Limited

www.blackbearcarpetcleaning.ca • 604 698 6610

CHIMNEY

FURNITURE

BLACKCOMB CHIMNEY PATROL LTD. Serving Whistler since 1986

604-966-1437

coastmountaincleaning@gmail.com

We use tea tree oil based cleaning products.

GLASS

Free delivery from Pemberton to vancouver

AUTO GLASS SPECIALISTS

Specialized in cleaning

· Frameless Shower Enclosures · Complete Window/Door Packages · Custom Railing Glass Systems · Fogged/Failed Window Replacements

Chimneys, Furnace & Airducts, Dryer vents.

mountainglass.ca | info@mountainglass.ca

604.932.1388 / 1.877.932.5775 blackcombchimney@yahoo.ca

604-932-7288

Available for private viewings. Tel: 604-868-0117 7322 Old Mill rd, Pemberton,bc

THE COMPLETE GLASS CENTRE

HEATING AND COOLING

PAINT

HOME SERVICES

Western Technical System Inc

HVAC/R

FOR ALL YOUR HOUSEHOLD & COMMERCIAL NEEDS

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

• Carpentry • Tiling • Drywall Repairs • Texture Finishing • Renovations • Installation • Painting • Plumbing • Snow Removal • Appliance Repairs Ask Us About • Mine Sweeping Your Home ROB PIDGEON • 604-932-7707 • Bonded & Insured

find us on

www.birdhouseservices.com BirdhouseServices@gmail.com

Our paint team has over 25 years combined paint sales experience, and we can help you get things right the first time. Now offering In Home Paint Consultations! Pemberton Valley Rona.

Let us help you love where you live.

Residential/Commercial Heat Pumps Boilers-Furnaces-Chillers Design Build Call us today! 778-994-3159 www.westerntechnical.net

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

604-894-6240 7426 Prospect St, Pemberton

SURVEYING

SURVEYING

BUNBURY & ASSOCIA BC LAND SURVEYORS

WHISTLER PROPERTY SERVICES

604-962-0050 info@50north.ca

Pressure Washing Window Cleaning Handyman Services

72 DECEMBER 16, 2021

Serving the Sea to Sky Corridor Since 1963 ▪ ▪ ▪

High Dusting Junk Removal

Phone: 604-932-3770

Surveys Surveys

▪ ▪ ▪

North Vancouver to Lillooet

Surveys Plans

Book your in-home leen Consultation with Col today!

Surveys

www.bunbury-surveys.com SQUAMISH OFFICE #207 - 38026 Second Avenue Phone: 604-892-3090 email: squamish@bunbury-surveys.com

DOUG BUSH SURVEY SERVICES LTD DOUGLAS J BUSH AScT, RSIS p: 604-932-3314 c: 604-935-9515 Engineering & construction layout Topographic & site improvement surveys Municipal, volumetric & hydrographic surveys GPS - global positioning systems www.dbss.ca // dougb@dbss.ca

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 10 15 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 37 40 41 42 44 48 49 50 53 55 56 58 59 61 63 64 65 66 67

Boca —, Fla. Leafy algae Roll with a hole Old saying Manicurist’s board Party handout Hazard a guess Cantina toast Send via modem “The Forsyte Saga” heroine Gray matter Small crown Do without Deadly poisons High-rise unit Enters data Lean Skill Persia, nowadays Pub order Qt. parts Fail to keep up Gape open Motor part Undercover org.

Recipe amts.

Meditators “The Bells” writer Eloquent speaker Merry sound (hyph.)

Exchange Ducts Hindu statesman Augured Fictional governess Sell off Best

69 70 71 74 75 78 81 82 83 84 86 87 89 93 94 95 96 97 100 102 103 104 108 109 110 111 112 113 115 116 117 118 120 121 123 124 125 127

Ran Livy’s “it was” Resist “Thrilla in Manila” boxer Diplomacy Yearning deeply Biologist’s eggs Two fives for — — Cost Annoying insect Spinning toy Furniture wood Long chat Poet’s contraction Motel furnishings Trevi Fountain coins, once Carnival Pilot Shore-leave taker Fabricated Sleeve part Arrive at Brown pigment Failure Steering gear Topknot doll Big bucks, briefly In progress Ask a question Pacino and Unser Hot time in Paris Nobleman Well-chosen Environmental prefix Actor’s prompt Eddie Murphy’s - Foley Big bird Prepares presents

129 131 136 138 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153

33 35 37 38 39 42 43 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 57 58 59 60 62 64 66 68 69 71 72

Glossy fabric Fail to work properly Kind of doctor Enjoyed Regarding Toyota competitor Wyoming neighbor Sweater letter Groundswell Less than Big risk Of the Vatican Charger Young girl Lean toward Omit, in speech

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 31

Shoal BBs Get dewy-eyed Source Chute material Black belt sport Roulette bets Sole Flatten Lynx Cooks’ attire Colossus Sooner city Comedian Jay — In a ferment Pretty and delicate Kyrgyzstan mountains Meditation guide Wax-coated cheese Tibia neighbor Pageant figures

73 76 77 79 80 82 85 88 90 91 92

Two identical things DJ’s platters Desktop symbol Uncommon Delhi nursemaid Prospector’s find Bronze or Iron Diner’s need Troubles Sparrow’s dwelling — de grace Mock fanfare (hyph.)

Bookcase part Note-taker’s need Enclosures Ghost Helen of — Type of pigeon Sioux dwellings Deli breads Pavlov or Turgenev Liver output Split Become ragged Dirty look — Jones Average Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” Error-prone More risky “I” trouble?

Head movement Family MDs Electromagnetic storm Undiluted Cairo’s river Make — — buck Directed Container weights

94 98 99 100 101 102 103 105 106 107 109 111 114 115 116 119 121

Prepare tea Obnoxious Natural resources Drainage pit Fifi’s friend Debatable What and where’s partner Triangle tip Give a ticket Cad Cut off, as branches Swiss artist Woodland deity Grammy category Manuscript sender Haven Crumbles away

122 123 124 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 137 139 140 141

Cage bird Stockpiled Zoo resident Muffled Meanders, as a river Speedy Treat wood Make a run for it Bulk Just touch Learning Pal Singer — Braxton Unfounded, as rumors Military cap Major Hoople’s word Broad valley

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

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: VERY EASY

3 1 9 2 5 7 9

6 7

8 2 5 3

1 9 2 8 9 9 5 6 1 4 8 3 7 2 8 4 5 6 7 2 8 4 1 V. EASY Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com # 5

9

6

7 5 6 3 9 4 1 8 4 9 4 8 5 3 V. EASY

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

2 3 5 2 7

6

4 #6

ANSWERS ON PAGE 62

DECEMBER 16, 2021

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MAXED OUT

The holidays are here and so is the snow!

THERE’S NO TIME like the holidays.

Let no hall be undecked and all tidings be cheered. The snow has arrived to turn Tiny Town into the winter wonderland tourists hoped it would be. It’s redeemed our pandemic-battered collective psyche and rejuvenated our spirits. Bookings are up, but how could they not be after last year—and all is right with the world.

Almost. The holiday season we all thought would be about as normal as whatever meaning that word still has, is still darkened with building storm clouds.

The distraction we thought would let us

BY G.D. MAXWELL momentarily forget about last summer’s fires and this autumn’s floods has been nudged off course by the latest foray into whatever we remember of the Greek alphabet. Ο is for omicron. Can you say Omicron, Kermit?

As with so much of the lore of coronavirus, little is known about Ο but more is being discovered every day. This state of ignorance and rapid discovery leads many people to throw up their hands in despair and draw the erroneous conclusion medical science knows nothing and is, therefore, not to be believed. You say highly transmissible; they say t’ain’t necessarily so.

No one wants to hear about downsizing their holiday plans. Everybody is tired of self-restraint, especially those who have been practising it for what seems like forever while gnashing their teeth watching others pay it no heed at all.

It’s time to throw stress aside—other than the inherent stress of Christmas—and party like it’s 2019 all over again. Deck our halls, troll our ancient Yuletide carols and don our gay apparel. Right?

Newspapers and magazines are chock-ablock this time of year with two overarching themes: the year in review where we can read someone else’s opinion on the 10 best movies, TV shows, songs, books, annoying new words, etc., of 2021; and cutesy, faux self-help stories on how to survive the perniciousness of Christmas. Since this is an opinion column, I feel compelled to weigh in. After all, Christmas in Whistler isn’t exactly like Christmas in Toronto.

The three hells of Christmas seem to revolve around what we eat, what we spend and with whom we celebrate. Too many writers think we should get through the holidays without gaining weight. They’re idiots. The whole idea behind Christmas is to eat and drink as much as humanly possible while striving mightily to avoid drunk tanks, road blocks and buttons that pop so hard somebody loses an eye.

74 DECEMBER 16, 2021

GETTYIMAGES.CA

If Christmas wasn’t about excess, fitness centres wouldn’t have January specials.

And fitness centres depend on the excess of Christmas much as timeshare salesfolk depend on holiday tourists. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

The Holy Grail of the holidays for anyone in their right mind should be to eat and drink their weight in the four basic food groups: cookies, turkey dinner, chocolate and alcohol. The rules are fairly simple, eat until you feel the first signs of discomfort.

Have one more helping of everything, then slip anything you’ve particularly liked into your pockets for later. To that end, you

The more upscale, large hotels in town are still your best bet. Even in CovidTime, the law of large, albeit not too large, numbers will help get you in whether you belong or not. With any gathering you stumble across of, say, more than 30 people who don’t all look as though it’s a family reunion, it’s practically impossible to detect interlopers. Walk in with your head high, grab a drink, make small talk— it’s the same at every party—and pretend you belong. Hell, it’s even easier now with masks on; every gathering is a masquerade.

Of course, if this level of boldness makes you uncomfortable, invest in a Santa suit.

If Christmas wasn’t about excess, fitness centres wouldn’t have January specials.

should always have a plastic bag in your pocket for the rest of the month.

Parties and banquets are not as plentiful this time of year as they were when we weren’t being scared of ICUs running out of room but they are still knocking around.

Clearly they take more commitment to ferret out and crash than they used to but as with so many things, the more difficult the hunt, the sweeter the kill.

Santa’s always welcome, even if there are already two or three squirrelling away whatever treats have been laid out.

Avoiding overspending in Whistler is either easy or impossible. If you live here and don’t own a swank market home, it’s super simple—you’re probably broke anyway. Everyone on your shopping list will be happy with ski socks or, if you’re feeling particularly flush, anything merino wool.

Splurge a little. You can always pick up a second, third or fourth job next month with all the help wanted signs in town.

If, on the other hand, you are visiting or own one of those aforementioned swank homes, here’s a tip: You’re supposed to spend like drunken sailors. We’re depending on you to get us through the holidays and all the way to early closing this spring. Assuming you can get a reservation at one of our fine dining establishments, be generous, show off, you know a $500 bottle of wine is at least 10 times better than a $50 bottle. Who deserves it more than you?

Right. Nobody.

And don’t make me remind you of our bylaw prohibiting you from scrambling some eggs in your condo and calling them dinner. You want to be able to come back again, after all.

I would not dare to tell you where to shop locally while you’re here, but really, you should. Everywhere. And I don’t mean just because of the rumours going around about hackers cancelling your tickets for your flights home if you don’t. That’s just a rumour. The town’s full of ‘em. They’re rarely true. Rarely.

I’m not brave enough to comment on with whom you might celebrate or exactly how you might go about that. This is, after all, a family newsmagazine. But clearly, you didn’t come here to celebrate alone so love the one(s) you’re with.

Eat, drink, ski, celebrate and be merry.

For tomorrow... ■

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2

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9333 Warbler Way

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2

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