JANUARY 20, 2022 ISSUE 29.03
WWW.PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM
AND PROTECTED
IS THIS HOW TO END
HOW ONE B.C. GROUP AND FIRST N AT I O N S H A V E B O U G H T O U T T R O P H Y H U N T E R S
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HOLIDAY HURDLES
December occupancy close to pre-pandemic levels
17
GET REAL Real estate prices in Whistler and Pemberton continued to climb in 2021
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SNOWED IN Debra DiGiovanni and the Snowed in Comedy Tour return to the resort
604 932 5538 WHISTLERREALESTATE.CA *Personal Real Estate Corporation
“Let’s Connect” and celebrate family literacy week. Join Nesters Whistler and the Whistler and Pemberton Literacy Partnership for “Stories In The Store”. From January 23rd – 30th, bring your children to aisle 3 and the dairy department to read, Maki Saito’s, Animals Brag About Their Bottoms and Oliver Jeffers’, The Moose Belongs to Me. Enter to win a copy of the book and a $25 Nesters Gift Card.
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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE
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Is this how to end the hunt? How one B.C. group and First Nations have bought out trophy hunters. - By Stefan Labbé
14
HOLIDAY HURDLES
Despite the challenges,
24
HOUSE AND HOME
A pair of Pemberton
many Whistler businesses posted record profits in December—while
developments propose hundreds of new homes as the Village eyes an
visitation jumped nearly 40 per cent over December 2020.
Official Community Plan update.
17
38
GET REAL
Year-end stats show real estate prices in
Whistler and Pemberton continued to climb in 2021.
HIGHS AND LOWS
Local halfpipe hero Simon
d’Artois looks to cap off his Olympic career with gold in Beijing next month.
19
CLOCK TICKING
Property owners voice
frustration at public hearings as LUC termination deadline looms.
42
LET IT SNOW
Canadian comedy star Debra
DiGiovanni and the Snowed in Comedy Tour return to the resort Jan. 24 and 26.
COVER Is it just me or is the only reason to trophy hunt for the ‘gram? - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art 4 JANUARY 20, 2022
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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE
Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS As Whistler eyes a balanced future, editor Braden Dupuis explores the
#202 -1390 ALPHA LAKE RD., FUNCTION JUNCTION, WHISTLER, B.C. V8E 0H9. PH: (604) 938-0202 FAX: (604) 938-0201 www.piquenewsmagazine.com
prospect of “unconstrained growth.”
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT
10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letter writers this week share gratitude for local health-care
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Assistant Editor ALYSSA NOEL - arts@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
workers and float some solutions for traffic troubles seen recently in the resort.
13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Not everyone is on board with the idea of Whistler hosting the 2030 Olympics, but there are positives in the prospect, writes Megan Lalonde.
58 MAXED OUT Max dissects the formula that builds customer loyalty—and how it might (or might not) relate to Tiny Town.
TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com GEORGIA BUTLER - gbutler@wplpmedia.com Digital/Sales Coordinator AMELA DIZDARIC - traffic@wplpmedia.com Production production@piquenewsmagazine.com Arts & Entertainment/Features Editor BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com
Environment & Adventure
29 THE OUTSIDER The world needs more bikes, writes Vince Shuley—but not the type that don’t last.
Social Media Editor MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@piquenewsmagazine.com Reporters 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
Lifestyle & Arts
40 EPICURIOUS For people with disabilities, Joe’s Table Café offers more than a paycheque.
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
43 MUSEUM MUSINGS A new exhibit opening next week at the Whistler Museum explores three
President, Whistler Publishing LP SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com
decades of Pride in the resort.
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OPENING REMARKS
What is ‘unconstrained growth’— and how will Whistler manage it? UNCONSTRAINED GROWTH. Two words that have stuck with me since I read them at the top of a PowerPoint slide in a Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) presentation in mid-December. The presentation was about a new Balance Model—a product of the Strategic Planning Committee struck in 2018— seeking a sustainable future for the resort, and the potential “unconstrained growth” in question is based off of historical population figures.
BY BRADEN DUPUIS As population in the Lower Mainland grows, and more people fly into YVR, visitation to Whistler, historically, has grown right alongside it. For every 100,000-person increase in the Lower Mainland, Whistler sees an additional 400 daily visitors, according to the RMOW’s analysis. Metro Vancouver’s population was about 2.8 million in 2021. Recent modelling done by the Metro Vancouver Regional District predicts that number will grow to 3.8 million by 2050. So that extra million people could, in theory at least, equate to 4,000 extra daily visitors to Whistler by 2050. And according to the RMOW, for every 1,000 daily visitors, we need 600 workers to serve them—so tack on 2,400 more employees living locally. These equations don’t even factor in arrivals to YVR. For every additional 1 million arrivals, Whistler has typically seen 300 additional daily destination visitors, according to the RMOW. The municipality said its projections aren’t based on “final modelling,” and were presented strictly for discussion purposes— so let’s get that discussion started. Is Whistler prepared to deal with unconstrained growth?
At a cursory glance, no—not even close (but then, that’s exactly why the RMOW is working on a Balance Model). Even putting the future projections aside, we’re already seeing record numbers, and related pressure points, in several areas. Visitation to Whistler parks was up 77 per cent last year compared to 2019— virtually all attributed to tourists. In November, traffic counters at Brio tallied an average of 25,000 cars a day (the busiest month on record, though the number was likely inflated by flooding in other parts of the province, which wiped out several main highways). All of this while businesses can’t find enough staff to properly serve the guests we have, and many locals can’t find a place to live. Without real, concrete solutions, these problems are only going to get worse. From my discussions with locals and what I read online, I don’t get the sense that many Whistlerites are too enthused about the prospect of unconstrained growth. Whistler locals don’t want to be unable to access resort parks. They don’t want to be pushed off of local trails. They don’t want to see our wildlife impacted, or our natural areas
Plans include 130 ski and snowboard trails, 21 lifts, and a network of multiuse trails. At build-out, the resort could accommodate 15,000 skiers a day in winter and about 14,000 guests in the summer. The proponents say they hope to have an updated Master Plan available online in March, and are eyeing a potential opening date in winter 2028. Whistler has been vocal in its opposition to GAS since at least the mid-2000s. In 2007, with occupancy levels in Whistler a cause for concern, former Mayor Ken Melamed called its proposed scale “shocking” in a letter to the province. “There is no credible explanation of where GAS intends to get 15,000 additional skiers for every day of the ski season,” Melamed wrote. “We are thus left to believe that, if approved, (the) government would be endorsing the notion of new resorts stealing the market share from existing B.C. resorts.” I fully understand Whistler’s nervousness—the GAS proposal has always come with major concerns in regards to siphoning skier visits from Whistler, congestion on the Sea to Sky, feasibility in a changing climate, and staffing.
[O]n the current trajectory, the Whistler we all know and love will look very different in coming decades...
tarnished. They don’t want to be unable to find a place to park (or be forced to pay for parking everywhere they go), and they don’t want to see the highway packed with vehicles every day. So what’s the answer? Going back as far as the ‘80s, various proponents have been trying to launch a new ski resort on Brohm Ridge in Squamish. The elusive Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS)—now being pursued by Aquilini Development and Northland Properties— may yet become a reality.
It would have a real impact on Whistler, and I’m not saying it’s something I endorse. Many in Whistler still refer to dark days passed, when hotel rooms couldn’t be filled and business viability was an ongoing concern. We don’t want to go back there, either. But looking at the visitation growth now expected, I can’t help but wonder if at least some of the protectionism is shortsighted— or how new developments will impact Whistler’s growth projections.
We can’t stop populations from growing, or limit the amount of people driving up the highway to Whistler—maybe it makes sense to at least try and spread them out? A proposed surfpark at Britannia Beach, which recently received first reading at the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, will also help with dispersal (what these new developments will mean for our already diminished workforce is a topic for another column). In the meantime, Whistler had best keep working on that Balance Model, and hope it produces tangible results. Because on the current trajectory, the Whistler we all know and love will look very different in coming decades—and for some, that’s a frightening prospect. I’m reminded of something a Whistler homeowner once said to me in a conversation about their opposition to a nearby housing development: “The possibility that our lives may change scares me.” It was more than four years ago, but I still think about that quote often—not for the literal, NIMBYish meaning the homeowner intended, but for the inadvertent philosophical undertones. Yes, change is scary, but it’s also inevitable. On a long enough timeline, everything we’ve ever known will change. We can’t stop it from happening, but with enough planning and foresight, we can at least be prepared for what’s to come. Back in 2017, then-Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden spoke of a “watershed moment” for Whistler. She was referring to efforts to update the resort’s Official Community Plan, and potential major rezoning applications that might follow. I would argue the real watershed moment is happening right now, in 2022. The RMOW will be engaging the community on its Balance Model in the coming months, and in October, voters will elect a new mayor and council. I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching very closely what our candidates have to say about “unconstrained growth.” ■
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davebrown@wrec.com www.davesellswhistler.com Cell: 604 905 8438 / Toll Free: 1 800 667 2993 ext. 805
8 JANUARY 20, 2022
Steve Shuster
t: 604.698.7347 | e: steve@steveshusterrealestate.com www.steveshusterrealestate.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A miracle in Whistler This week, one year ago on Jan. 17, a miracle took place in Whistler. A teeny, tiny baby was born in our emergency department. She was a micro preemie, only 835 grams, born unexpectedly at 25 weeks gestation. Words cannot express the pure gratitude we feel to the special nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers and paramedics who helped bring our daughter into this world, stabilize us and deliver us safely to BC Children’s Hospital. To the two amazing staff that greeted me after hours and guided us through the most terrifying and emotional night, we are so grateful. We will never forget your kindness. We want you all to know that baby, born strong and feisty, continued to fight all her 255 days in the [neonatal intensive care unit]. Kinsley Munroe Clegg is a testament of strength and resilience. She is thriving at home and is the sweetest and happiest baby. She has continued to surprise her team of specialists throughout her journey. Thank you to all the medical staff for being a part of her success story, from the bottom of our hearts. Katherine Clegg // Whistler
Talk is cheap—time to act on traffic Traffic has really reared its ugly head this year as we all know—locals and visitors alike.
Did you know that an average vehicle idling for 10 minutes burns more than a cup of fuel and produces almost 700 grams of CO2? [Consider the traffic jam from] a week ago, on Sunday, Jan. 9: One thousand cars x three hours = 12,600,000 grams of CO2. That’s 12,600 kilograms. What are the reasons for this traffic? City folk love Whistler? There are no options besides coming to Whistler for the day because of border issues? It snowed in Canada? People can’t drive? Highway 99 is two lanes? There are no real public transportation options? BC Rail was sold under a cloud of corruption, and we
environment and, of course, the six-plus-hour drive to Vancouver. 2: Parkade—a multi-story parkade in Function/Cheakamus. Then shuttle bus people from that lot to the mountains. There is the land. A lot of it is unusable and under power lines. At a cost of about $20 million plus another $750K for shuttle buses, a five-story, concrete, 150,000-square-foot structure could be built housing 500 cars. Heck, let’s build two. How to pay for it? Privatize or issue municipal bonds. 3: Buses—what if we built a bus system to/from the city that was modern and fast? TV monitors on each seat, food service and other amenities. Make taking the bus cool. Long term, how about the Resort Municipality of Whistler invests in public transit catering to our tourists? 4: Immediate actions—provide incentives to take the buses that exist now immediately. Discounts and coupon books funded by the Resort Municipality Initiative for anyone who takes the bus from the city. Win-win for local bus operators and local businesses, while reducing C02. Remove the traffic lights at all the intersections on Highway 99 and put in traffic circles. Use adaptive signal technology which, as an example, has reduced traffic congestion in Japan by 35 per cent. We talk about climate change. We ask residents to use their cars less. We study and have meetings. What we don’t do is act. It’s time for local governments to act, because nothing will happen at a provincial or federal level to help our ‘little’ hamlet. Patrick Smyth // Whistler
don’t have rail like the rest of the world? People love Whistler and that is awesome! That’s why we have traffic congestion. Some options for thought: 1: Railway—our local governments must lobby the provincial government with force and with threats of eminent domain to take over the CN property if it doesn’t provide a rail passenger service. If it doesn’t provide a service, then let’s take its land away and use it for employee housing. A good rail service from Lonsdale will work, especially now given the attitudes towards the
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Bad, the Good, the Ugly—and the Possibility It took me a week to calm down and write this. Last Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, I caught the early morning Nanaimo ferry and arrived at the Creekside parkade in three hours at 10:30 a.m. only to discover all three levels full and about 50 cars driving around in an underground traffic jam looking for a parking spot. There were no “lot full” signs outside at the entrances! It took about an hour to get out of there. The Bad. I went to the main parking lots in the Village and all had “lot full” signs. I drove up to the Blackcomb Base 2 parking lot, and it too was full. I waited idling by the Gondola path and eventually was greeted by a departing skier who said she worked in the Village and if I followed
There must be better ways of managing the growing traffic futures destined for Whistler? The Possibility. Think bigger. Open the southern flank of Whistler. If a large parkade facility was situated at the Olympic Village/ Function Junction area, and a new gondola constructed with a terminal mid-mountain (intercepting Highway 86 or higher), in so doing skier/biker’s vehicles would not have to drive into Creekside or Whistler and employees/staff could ski or bike down to work in the Village. Consider removing the useless Franz’s Chair and replace it with a lift in the same general alignment so as to intercept this new gondola ski traffic at the junction of Highway 86 and Upper Franz. Everyone wins, and Whistler would grow with thoughtful enterprise and a new ski zone.
“Vail’s 2022 efforts may not help, and may, in fact, make things worse!”
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Views, Views, Views! End of cul-de-sac, hidden her, I could have her parking spot. The Good. It was a bluebird day and great snow so I waited in the Rendezvous until late in the afternoon, and when it closed I skied down to my vehicle. At 4 p.m. I was surprised at the lineup to get out of Base 2. Thereafter, the cars stuttered forward, one car length at a time, for three-plus hours! I went through the Village lights at a crawl after two-plus hours, and returned to Creekside in exactly three hours and 10 minutes! That trip was longer than it took to get to Whistler from Nanaimo. The Ugly.
How? Bring together the great thinkers of the past still above grass (Hugh Smythe for example) and any effective visionaries in a “Futures Roundtable” and generate a new game plan. All the new Creekside replacement lifts at Creekside planned by Vail Resorts in 2022 will not solve this growing elephant in Whistler’s future. Vail’s 2022 efforts may not help, and may, in fact, make things worse! Bottom line: beware of skiing at Whistler Blackcomb on most weekends. Brian D. Tutty // Nanaimo ■
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Backcountry Advisory AS OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19 Are you ready for spring skiing in January? Probably not, but it may feel that way this weekend. Weather forecasts are suggesting sunny skies and freezing levels to the mountain tops. There’s definitely uncertainty in what this dramatic warming will do to the snowpack. Our highest confidence is that the warming will weaken cornices, which have grown large over the past few weeks of storms. It is also possible that the warming will affect the recent storm snow in one way or another. The most suspect slopes will be steep, sun-exposed slopes that will see the brunt of warming when clear skies prevail. Should the snow start to move, resulting avalanches could be large and they have the possibility of triggering buried weak layers. Keep in mind that wind slabs may also linger into the weekend on steep, lee
terrain features, meaning it may be possible to trigger an avalanche on any aspect. Given the uncertainty with what the warming will do, the best way to have a safe day is to start out conservatively. Avoid succumbing to blue sky syndrome and assess how the snow is being affected during your travels. If you are finding moist or wet snow, back off and dial back your objectives. Look around for signs of instability, such as avalanches in similar terrain features or pinwheeling on steep slopes. If you do make it to a ridgeline, stay well back of cornices, which could become fragile. Good riding will likely be had this weekend, but approaching this time of uncertainty with some skepticism will ensure a safe day. As always, check out avalanche.ca for the most up-to-date information. ■
CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry. Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountaininfo/snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.
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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.
$1,890,000 DOUG TRELEAVEN 604-905-8626
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12 JANUARY 20, 2022
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PIQUE N’ YER INTEREST
Olympic dreams ASK A LONG-TERM Whistler local about their memories of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and you might notice their voice turn wistful and their eyes get starry. They might talk about the surreal feeling of volunteering or working during events, how it felt to walk down a packed Village Stroll and soak up the electric atmosphere, or
BY MEGAN LALONDE the pride of cheering on hometown athletes in-person. About the way everyone came together to show off Whistler in its best light and to welcome the world for a truly epic, two-week-long party. The word I hear most often associated with Whistler in February 2010 is “magic.” There were people in town who had a bad time, I’m sure. I just haven’t encountered many of them. Even the slightly more cynical seem to have good memories of empty powder runs—“hardly anyone was on the mountain, it was crazy,” I’ve heard more than a few times—or the hecticness of sleeping on a friend’s couch and pouring drinks non-stop for more than two weeks straight for buckets of tips. I, on the receiving end of these stories,
always feel a tiny sting of bitterness that I wasn’t in Whistler living that once-in-alifetime-experience firsthand. I was still in high school in Ontario in 2010, watching events through a TV screen. All the gold medals and memorable moments—gold-medal goals, more specifically—still carried a sense of magic from three time zones away. But every time cameras panned over a crowd, I remember dreaming about how much more fun it would be to take it all in in person. But if things go according to plan, soaking in an Olympic Games in Whistler might not be a once-in-a-lifetime experience after all. As Whistler prepares to cheer on more than a few locals when they compete in Beijing in February (gonna take this opportunity to plug Pique’s upcoming Olympic coverage— stay tuned for lots of athlete profiles and daily blogs!)—many Olympic proponents already have their sights set on 2030. Last month, the Lil’wat, Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, along with the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the City of Vancouver, announced plans to “explore the feasibility of an Indigenousled Olympic Games” in 12 years. The idea is to re-use venues from 2010 and host a leaner, greener version of the Games. Vancouver 2010 CEO John Furlong recently claimed neither new
venue construction nor government funding (outside of a costly federal security commitment) would be necessary to host the Games for a second time. It sounds like an exciting prospect, but not all British Columbians are on board. A Leger poll of more than 1,000 B.C. adults conducted for the Vancouver Sun last month found residents were split in their support for the Games. It registered overall support for the 2030 Olympics at 34 per cent, while 31 per cent of residents said they are neutral and 35 per cent oppose the bid. A survey we ran on Pique’s website two months ago, meanwhile, asked readers whether they’d support a Vancouver/ Whistler 2030 Olympic bid. With 49 per cent of the vote, “Yes” barely won out over two other options. Count me in the yes camp. It’s difficult to argue that the Games didn’t have a positive lasting effect on Whistler, as a community. There’s muchneeded employee housing in Cheakamus, a safer highway and unique, world-class recreation and sport facilities. It boosted Whistler’s profile and similarly boosted the resort’s visitor numbers and economy. More than a handful of Whistler athletes heading to Beijing might not be in that position if it weren’t for the legacies left by the 2010 Games. That said, Whistler is in a far different
position now than it was 12 years ago. A boosted profile might be low on the list of things this community needs, but things like housing and improved transit options aren’t. Who’s to say we couldn’t leverage a bid in a way that sees the Sea to Sky corridor reap even more benefits out of the world’s biggest sporting event, two decades later? It’s also worth noting that Whistler was purpose-built for this event. If it weren’t for a small group with an idea to create an Olympic venue in the ’60s—and then the construction of a pedestrian village to support another bid in 1976—who’s to say Whistler as we know it would even exist today? Valid arguments exist about the Olympics’ economic and environmental costs, as well as the Games’ relevancy in the future—assuming they’re held in a similar way to how they’ve been held the last few decades. Ultimately, I think the nations of the world putting their differences aside to come together for something as positive as sport has more pros than cons. With First Nations in charge, I also think this could serve as an opportunity for B.C., and Whistler, to show how hosting a major sporting event can be done as responsibly as possible, and hopefully usher in a new era for the Olympics. Realistically, we’d need to beat Sapporo anyways. So let the Games begin. ■
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JANUARY 20, 2022
13
NEWS WHISTLER
Whistler businesses overcame flurry of challenges during holiday season TRANSIT OPERATOR RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY AS WHISTLER TRANSIT SLASHES SERVICE
BY MEGAN LALONDE SOME CUSTOMERS eagerly looking forward to a hearty Canadian delicacy after a long day of powder turns were left disappointed over the holidays. “Getting potatoes from P.E.I. and cheese curds from Quebec when there’s issues with the railroad is something we [had to work through],” said Diana Chan, owner of Zog’s and Moguls Coffee House in Whistler Village, referencing lingering damage from the record-breaking flooding B.C. experienced in November. “On the days that our cheese curds did not arrive on time, Zog’s poutine was really just fries and gravy—but we’ve managed,” said Chan. (Mercifully for poutine enthusiasts, Zog’s is now back to its full menu, she added.) Supply-chain issues like those experienced by the local hot dog stand were just one of many challenges Whistler businesses faced over a busy holiday period this winter. With crowded hotels and snowy forecasts, a trio of capacity constraints proved to be the main factors preventing Whistler businesses from recognizing their full earning potential, said Chan, who also serves as chair of the Whistler Chamber of
BUSY BUSINESS The holidays were lucrative for some Whistler businesses who reported recordbreaking sales in the month of December. PHOTO BY MEGAN LALONDE
14 JANUARY 20, 2022
Commerce board of directors. “Be it the [COVID-19] restrictions that came in right before the holiday break around capacity in restaurants, be it limitations due to staffing, be it limitations due to supply chain,” she said. “If you run out of your key product, it isn’t there to sell.” For many businesses, an ongoing labour shortage was compounded after the Omicron variant tore through Whistler over the holidays. During the last two weeks of
other and ensuring those that needed to isolate [and] stay home could do so.” But even so, the last month of 2021 was lucrative for some local operators. “For many businesses [December] was record-breaking even in comparison to pre-pandemic” months, said Chan. “That speaks to a lot of the information we’re hearing—there is a pent-up demand and we had idyllic conditions. Let’s not forget weather was on our side over the holidays,
“These have been challenging and tumultuous times, but I think our community has really risen up to put our best foot forward.”
protocols are in place—that certainly is positive,” she said. “I think we all know that this variant has been fast-moving, it’s been easily transmissible and so we nevertheless are living amongst it. “It did impact some of our local employees, and we did see some businesses struggling to ensure that we were able to keep our levels of service where we want them to be at, so we did see a lot of people that were working morning, noon and night to deliver upon a positive guest experience.” One piece of good news, Fisher added, is that the resort did see an uptick in its labour force this winter, compared to summer 2021. “These have been challenging and tumultuous times, but I think our community has really risen up to put our best foot forward,” she said.
- BARRETT FISHER
December, most of the resort’s business community saw “a rolling average of 30 per cent” of its staff unable to work on any given day. “We saw that pick up right before the school break,” said Chan. “And it really became all hands on deck.” At Moguls and Zog’s, “the team has never seen so much of me—I was on the line a number of days in a row,” she added. “But it actually brought back a bit of that Christmas spirit. So how did we get through? With an incredibly loyal, dedicated team … stepping up when they could, looking out for each
although a lot of snow had to be cleared on a daily basis.” Whistler’s business community “did the best we could with what we had, and my personal experience was that guests in the village were very patient and kind,” she added. The community’s willingness to embrace pandemic health and safety protocols has helped keep Whistler’s economy and visitor experience going strong, said Tourism Whistler CEO Barrett Fisher. “Kudos go out to the businesses who have really invested in ensuring those
DECEMBER VISITATION APPROACHING NORMAL LEVELS, SAYS TOURISM WHISTLER In case record-breaking earnings weren’t proof enough, Tourism Whistler statistics show December 2021 was one of Whistler’s busier months since the pandemic began nearly two years ago. Occupancy for the month sat at 64 per cent, Fisher said—significantly higher than the 27-per-cent occupancy rate Whistler saw during the same month in 2020. “Considering that we are still coming through the pandemic, we certainly saw a pretty solid December,” said Fisher. A
NEWS WHISTLER COMING SOON typical December pre-pandemic would see monthly occupancy rates nearing 70 per cent, she explained. Room night occupancy over the week spanning Christmas to New Year’s in 2021 was, however, down about 25 per cent compared to a usual year. “Because of the really amazing snow conditions that we saw through November and December, we did see some real strength prior to the holiday period,” Fisher said. Regional skiers made up the lion’s share of Whistler’s visitors over the holidays, with smaller numbers travelling from other provinces, the western U.S. and the U.K. Though last month’s Omicron surge prompted some cancellations in January and February, Fisher said March is looking strong in terms of bookings.
S(NO)W GOOD FOR BUSINESS While the storm cycle that covered Whistler in a bottomless blanket of light, fluffy powder over the holiday period may have boosted visitors’ spirits—and the local economy—the snow didn’t prove as profitable for everyone. Joan Novak, owner of JoNo Hair in
counter-flow/fast track bus lane. The buses are still stuck in the traffic anyways so that solution is not appropriate,” Novak said. “I’d like to know the cost of loss of business for the local economy for every minute the highway is closed [due to an accident or backed up due to weather or traffic].”
WHISTLER TRANSIT LAUNCHES RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS DRIVER SHORTAGE Those employees that were healthy and able to work were, in some cases, hindered in their ability to get to work on time due to transit issues—and not just because of snowcovered roads. Bus riders were issued a string of service disruption advisories in recent weeks due to the labour shortage BC Transit is currently facing in many areas of the province, including Whistler. The lack of drivers resulted in potential wait times of up to 50 minutes or more on most routes over the holidays, as well as the suspension of extra weekend service on routes 4, 5 and 20X until further notice, BC
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Personal Real Estate Corporation Engel & Völkers Whistler Phone: +1 (604) 932-8899 Email: nick.swinburne@evrealestate.com
O W N , P L AY & EARN THE TRUSTED LEADERS IN WHISTLER
“I’d like to know the cost of loss of business for the local economy for every minute the highway is closed [due to an accident or backed up due to weather or traffic].” - JOAN NOVAK
Function Junction, said she’s seen less cash flowing into her business in the last six weeks than she did before the pandemic. “We have been steady but nowhere near how busy we used to be prior to the pandemic. There are no longer the big company parties anymore and that definitely makes a difference on people’s hair maintenance schedules,” she said in an email. Though she thanked snow-clearing staff for the tireless work in the heavy conditions, Novak also attributed her slashed revenues to a high volume of last-minute cancellations caused by major highway backups and Whistler’s Omicron outbreak. “That caused a major disruption to our day bookings,” she said. “Clients were no-showing. Most salons have started to now implement no-show fees as it’s revenue we can never recuperate and expenses that we still have to pay for as a business.” To help mitigate the issues caused by heavy traffic on the Sea to Sky, Novak proposed a similar strategy to one used during the 2010 Olympics, where visitors would park in the Callaghan Valley and take a shuttle, or a “people-mover gondola” into Whistler, plus the creation of a counter-flow lane. Trains and a Function-to-Whistler-Village highway expansion could also be considered as long-term solutions, she added. “The suggestion of everyone just getting on the bus doesn’t help, because we still have the problem of high volume coupled with ill-equipped city traffic—and without a
Transit announced last week. “When service is further impacted due to driver illness, BC Transit and Whistler Transit work hard to ensure customers experience the least impact possible and alerts are posted immediately on BC Transit’s website once trip cancellations are confirmed,” BC Transit said in an emailed statement. The organization thanked customers for their patience, and encouraged transit users to check for alerts regularly, sign up for route-specific email notifications and use NextRide to track their buses’ progress in real-time. In response to the shortage, BC Transit and its operating company, Whistler Transit, have also launched a driver-recruitment campaign “looking for people with strong customer service skills, who enjoy interacting with the public and supporting their community,” the statement continued. BC Transit said about 10 additional drivers are currently required to fulfil the existing schedule’s demands. “This is a short-term challenge, and BC Transit is confident that the shift to the spring schedule in April and hiring of additional drivers will alleviate this issue,” the company said. Whistler Transit offers a paid, threeweek training program during which new drivers will learn how to operate all buses in the company’s fleet. No previous transit experience is needed, but new drivers must have a BC Class 2 license with air brake endorsement. n
454 FOUR SEASONS WHISTLER $479,000
JANUARY 20, 2022
15
NEWS WHISTLER
Chemo with COVID: One Whistler woman’s story THE SECOND IN PIQUE’S SERIES LOOKING AT THE HUMAN IMPACT OF THE RESORT’S RECENT OMICRON SURGE
BY BRANDON BARRETT LOCAL SERVER Kelly McGillivray has heard one piece of advice time and again from doctors since she was first diagnosed with cancer last summer: whatever you do, don’t get sick. “With the whole pandemic, I was like, ‘What do you mean don’t get sick? How careful do I have to be?’ I tried asking them and they told me I basically have no immune system, so don’t get sick,” she explained. The 26-year-old first learned she had a form of lymphoma in late July, and since then, has endured rounds of chemotherapy and been put on drugs that have weakened her immune system. Most of us can relate to experiencing some level of COVID-19 anxiety since those strange, uncertain days of March 2020, but for McGillivray and many immunocompromised individuals like her, it is difficult to overstate how confusing and nerve-racking the pandemic has been. In her weakened state, McGillivray’s doctors warned her about everything from cleaning her two cats’ litter boxes to walking around construction sites. “The whole thing has been weird. I didn’t
WHISTLER
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really know how careful to be. My whole life I go outside. I camp. I am one with dirt,” she said. “It took a lot to wrap my mind around it, and I don’t know if I even have fully.” McGillivray’s gruelling chemotherapy treatment required her to be in hospital for five days at a time every three weeks, where she would endure a prolonged 96-hour infusion. In between treatments, she had to be extra careful about what she was exposed to, effectively turning the usually energetic outdoorswoman into a homebody. “I have forgotten how to socialize,” she said. “I’ve been so low energy, so even if I have the chance to go socialize or hang out with friends, it takes a lot of convincing myself to do it.” McGillivray lives with her boyfriend and housemate, which has helped to stave off the boredom. But even that has come with risks. After both tested positive for COVID-19 last year, McGillivray was forced into isolation at the cancer ward, all while still undergoing treatment. “It was not pleasant in the hospital,” she said. “The nurses are great, but it still sucks you’re plugged in. I have a chest port that’s still in right now.” Ultimately, McGillivray couldn’t avoid COVID-19, testing positive for the virus in early January.
8015 CYPRESS PLACE, WHISTLER
NEW LISTING
$7,400,000
$6,250,000
$2,595,000
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Compared to how she felt during chemotherapy, McGillivray said her symptoms were relatively minor—and already accustomed to spending the bulk of her time at home, quarantine didn’t prove much of a shift. Now that she’s feeling better, McGillivray recently returned to her serving job. But rather than anxiety about the potential of being exposed (particularly after already catching the virus), she feels relief at being back to an environment where she can interact with others. “I’m pretty excited about it, to be
#11-4644 BLACKCOMB WAY, WHISTLER
NEW LISTING
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- KELLY MCGILLIVRAY
6
5
2
4.5
3,480 sqft
Direct access to Alta Lake with its
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Exquisite design - built in 2018
own private dock
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Located on one of Whistler’s most
Gorgeous lake and mountain views
honest, because it gives me an excuse to put on a wig and pretend to be someone I’m not, and go out and talk to other people besides the people I live with,” she said. “I think my main worry at this point is I’m not sure how being on my feet and moving around and doing stuff with chemo brain will go. I’m just so forgetful and all over the place. Just to see how I actually handle the full day of work is I think what I’m most nervous about.” Fortunately, McGillivray doesn’t feel the same financial pressure to get back to work that a lot of young local frontline workers who’ve faced COVID have, thanks to a GoFundMe her friends launched after her diagnosis that means she can ease back into the job. “That did a ton to ease that worry. I don’t have to actually stress too insanely about being at work full-time right away,” she said. “But it is one of those things where I want to be serving and being busy and I’ve missed out on all of that. “The good thing is I have animals so I’ve become a crazy cat lady. No, actually, I already was a crazy cat lady.” This is the second instalment of Pique’s series exploring the human impacts of Whistler’s recent Omicron surge. Pick up next week’s issue for the third piece in the series. n
NORTH SHORE
FOR SALE
3,634 sqft
“I have forgotten how to socialize.”
SQUAMISH
5694 ALTA LAKE ROAD, WHISTLER
5
But despite her doctors’ early warnings about immunocompromised people and COVID, McGillivray wasn’t phased, particularly after all she’d already gone through. “When I found out I had COVID, I wasn’t actually that scared,” she said.
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
$929,000
$1,225,000 2
3 1,635 sqft
1,267 sqft
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Overlooks the Fairmont Chateau
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Spacious end unit at Seven Peaks
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Whistler Golf Club
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Open floor plan with plenty of light
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Large double garage
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Double side-by-side garage
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Fenced yard with large patio
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2020 updates include: new floors,
coveted streets in Nicklaus North
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Completely renovated end unit
Private ensuite for each bedroom
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Beautiful indoor-outdoor flow
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Ski in/Ski out
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Fenced yard with covered patio
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Excellent revenue generator
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Minutes from trails, lakes & shops
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Close to trails, schools and rec centre
DANA FRIESEN SMITH
NICK SOLDAN HARRISS
*PREC
*PREC
604 902 3878
604 902 0091
604 839 7347
nick@nicksoldanharriss.com
ian@iantangrealestate.com
dana@seatoskydreamteam.com
1.5
1,058 sqft
Two wood fireplaces
josh@joshcrane.ca
3
3
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604 902 6106
VANCOUVER #31-1821 WILLOW CRESCENT, SQUAMISH
#70-39548 LOGGERS LANE, SQUAMISH
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JOSH CRANE
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Beautifully renovated end unit
kitchen, roof and bathrooms
IAN TANG
LINDSAY MCIVOR
*PREC
604 612 1484 lindsay@lindsaymcivorrealestate.com
Stilhavn Real Estate Services | 208-1420 Alpha Lake Road, Whistler • 1388 Main Street, Squamish | Stilhavn.com This communication is not intended to cause or induce the break of an existing agency relationship. *Personal Real Estate Corporation. We would like to acknowledge that we work and live on the traditional, unceded territory of the xwməθkwəýəm, səlilwətaɬ, Lil’wat & Sḵwxwú7mesh People.
16 JANUARY 20, 2022
NEWS WHISTLER
Whistler, Pemberton home prices continued to climb in 2021 YEAR-END REAL ESTATE STATS SHOW CONTINUED GROWTH FOR SEA TO SKY MARKET, EVEN AS INVENTORY DWINDLES
BY MEGAN LALONDE A LOW SUPPLY and high demand for inventory is one trend that continued to define the Sea to Sky’s real estate markets and drive up property sale prices in 2021. “The second half of 2020 is when the market changed,” said RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate owner Ann Chiasson. One catalyst? Buyers looking to make a lifestyle change after the onset of the pandemic, she said. When prices started heating up in Whistler along with demand, people began heading for peripheral communities, Chiasson said. “People realize the drive was worth it,” she said. “I think people realized Whistler was getting out of control, and so a lot of people turned their attention to Pemberton, and that drove prices up.” The community about 30 kilometres north of Whistler rang in 2021 with 35 listings, explained Pemberton-based realtor Danielle Menzel, of the Whistler Real Estate Company. “This year we have 10,” she said, adding that most are priced at more than $1.3 million. In January of 2020, meanwhile, Pemberton had 72 active listings. “This is by far the leanest year I have experienced,” Menzel wrote in an email, adding that very few new listings were added to the roster month over month. “Properties were getting snapped up as fast as they came on.” While demand for Pemberton properties was already high in 2018 and 2019, Menzel also credited the “dramatic” post-pandemic spike, in part, to ultra-low interest rates and decreased spending in other sectors. “Inventory just simply didn’t keep up. There wasn’t that many more sales last year over the previous year, however the price of properties rose dramatically,” she explained. Chiasson, meanwhile, struck a more hopeful tone for prospective Whistler buyers. In 2022, “we’re starting to see a little more product come on the market,” she said. Both realtors agreed that the Sea to Sky corridor remains a largely local market, with only a small percentage of buyers coming from outside the province or from abroad. “There’s very little flipping or speculation going on,” noted Chiasson. Some buyers are still looking to “live where they play,” following the rise of remote work, said Menzel, while, on the other hand, some sellers are looking to cash out of the hot Sea to Sky market and find more bang for their buck in other pockets of B.C. and Canada. Another trend Chiasson said she’s noticed in the last year is an increased demand for vacant lots in the region—with buyers choosing to build within their budget—but said even that option is growing increasingly limited, particularly in Whistler.
BY THE NUMBERS Statistics provided by RE/MAX Sea to Sky real estate show the 947 property sales completed in Whistler in 2021 amounted to a total dollar value of about $1.496 billion. That surpasses the approximately $1.063 billion in sales in 2020 when 686 properties were sold, and more than doubles the 558 properties that sold for a total of about $695 million in 2019. According to this data, the average sale price of a chalet, or single-family home, reached just over $4 million in 2021, compared to nearly $3.27million in 2020 and just over $2.86 million in 2019. The average sale price of a duplex rose to $2.07 million from $1.8 million in 2020, while townhouses sold for an average of $1.59 million in 2021 (up from $1.43 million in 2020). The average sale price of Whistler condos also travelled north, but at a slightly slower rate: to $1.04 million last year, up from $1.02 million the year prior. The average sale price of a property in Whistler hit $1.55 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 (Q4), down from a high of about $1.85 million in Q3. The average sale price of vacant land dipped slightly, to about $1.63 million in 2021 from $1.89 million in 2020. With only a limited number of vacant lots for sale in Whistler at any given time, those numbers are easily skewed, Chiasson warned. By RE/MAX Sea to Sky’s calculation, 95.86 per cent of buyers originated from Canada— the highest proportion in the last nine years. A few kilometres north on Highway 99, there were 206 properties sold in Pemberton in 2021, compared to 186 the previous year and 137 in 2019, according to the statistics provided. The average sale price of a chalet came to about $1.36 million in 2021, up from $1.2 million the year before. Pemberton condos sold for an average of $540,000 last year compared to $452,000 in 2020, while the average sale price of a townhouse spiked to $772,000 from $614,000 the year prior. Vacant land also rose slightly, to $474,000 from $426,000.
Call for Artists The Resort Municipality of Whistler is requesting proposals for a creative theme and the visual expression of the theme on banners installed on street light lampposts throughout Whistler For more information please visit: whistler.ca/bids or bcbid.gov.bc.ca Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca
LOOKING AHEAD So what’s in store for 2022? “Of course I don’t have that elusive crystal ball but prices do appear to be stabilizing slightly,” noted Menzel. “Lack of inventory makes this really hard to predict and that will likely drive prices up a bit more but there is a limit to what people can afford.” One fact Menzel is sure of is that “this is certainly a sellers’ market, 100 per cent.” Homeowners thinking of making a move should speak to an agent as soon as possible, she advised, while prospective buyers “who know they want to stay here in the corridor [should] get in at whatever level they can afford.” n
JANUARY 20, 2022
17
NEWS WHISTLER
RMOW posts highest Q3 parking revenue in history QUARTERLY FINANCIALS A MIXED BAG WITH MUNICIPALITY STILL CHALLENGED BY PANDEMIC
BY BRANDON BARRETT THE RESORT Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) posted its strongest third-quarter in history for parking revenue last year, according to a quarterly report presented to local officials last week. For the financial period ended Sept. 31, 2021, the municipality brought in $473,757 in parking revenue, compared to $361,996 for 2019’s third quarter. The RMOW introduced pay parking in local parks this summer, a move that, while largely unpopular with residents, has proven a valuable source of non-tax revenue for the municipality amidst the economic uncertainty of the pandemic. “You’ll recall that parking as a non-tax revenue can be very effective in offsetting the required tax requisition,” explained the RMOW’s director of finance Carlee Price during the Jan. 11 council meeting. “Not a terribly beloved category … but they were very helpful to financial outcomes for the municipality and so can be considered good news for the third quarter.” Municipal revenue through the first three quarters of 2021 was $83,601,191, approximately 90 per cent of budgeted
amounts, while operating expenditures sat at $51,117,249, about 73 per cent of what was budgeted. That compares to 92 per cent and 71 per cent, respectively, for the same period in 2020. The report highlighted “pockets of strong revenue” initially noted in the first half of the year persisting through the third quarter, largely driven by “a very vibrant real estate, construction, and renovation market,” which could be seen in revenues from permits ($4,142,476, which was 89 per cent of what was budgeted for the first three quarters) and works and services ($720,172, which was 38-per-cent more than expected). Outside of the construction sector, the report noted that general economic activity in Whistler is “recovering from pandemic impacts less consistently.” The report pointed to Whistler’s Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) revenue as a useful indicator of recovery being that it is closely linked to visitation. In 2021’s second-quarter report, MRDT revenue was noted as being down 79 per cent from 2019 levels, while in Q3 that improved to 24-percent below pre-pandemic revenues. As parking revenues grew, transit fares continued to show “limited signs of recovery,” the report stated, with revenues
down 48 per cent in the quarter compared to 2019. In December, an amendment was approved to draw on greater Transit Restart funding in order to help offset the discrepancy between actual revenues and the originally budgeted amounts. The RMOW’s 2021 budget was amended three different times in part to manage finances throughout the ongoing pandemic. “The 2021 operating revenues remain challenged by the COVID-19 environment,” said Price. “We do expect that the bumpy path on revenues will continue into the fourth quarter and of course 2022.” On the expenditures side, municipal spending through the first nine months of 2021 was 73 per cent of budgeted levels. Project spending, which typically rises in the third quarter, totalled $23,043,931 through Sept. 30, representing 40 per cent of the budgeted amount. It’s worth noting that the totals only reflect project invoices that have been received and processed at the time. “So the numbers contained in this report reflect expenditures and not necessarily the volume of work,” Price said. “It’s only at year-end that those two sort of come back into alignment.” Price added that 101 of 154 planned projects reported some level of activity
through the first three quarters of the year, with 31 hitting more than half of their planned spend by September. The CAO office, which includes the RMOW’s communications and economic development departments, saw expenditures increase in 2021, totalling $2,154,616 for the first three quarters, 88 per cent of its budgeted amount. That compares to $1,798,085 for the same period in 2020. “This is of course related to pandemic effects and helping to manage the community through those, as well as things like insurance, software maintenance expenditures and some other pandemicrelated costs, including hosting a lot of council meetings outside of our normal areas due to capacity limits,” Price noted. The RMOW had anticipated recovering this year almost half of the approximately $9.9 million in declined revenues compared to 2019, but with the transit budget amendment factored in, the municipality is looking at recovering about a third of that shortfall in fiscal 2021, “which leaves a little bit more progress to be made in 2022,” Price said. “So fourth quarter is already looking a little bit mixed but the trend remains upward. The road ahead is not clear but certainly heading in the right direction.” n
Whistler Valley Housing Society’s Notice of Annual General Meeting Who:
Notice to Members
When:
January 28th, 10:00am - 11:00am PT
Where:
Inscriptions en cours Register Now OFFREZ À VOTRE ENFANT UNE ÉDUCATION PUBLIQUE FRANCOPHONE
Whistler
École La Passerelle
1509 Spring Creek Drive 604-932-9602 passerelle.csf.bc.ca
csf.bc.ca 18 JANUARY 20, 2022
M-7
Virtual via Zoom Please email WVHS.info@gmail.com for Zoom call in information, a copy of the agenda and the proposed Bylaws to be adopted at the AGM.
The Whistler Valley Housing Society is a not-forprofit established in 1983 and is the owner of Whistler Creek Court, a 20 unit affordable rental housing project for Whistler employees. Our Vision
To provide, and advocate for, a broader spectrum of housing opportunities for the Whistler community.
Contact WVHS.info@gmail.com for additional information.
NEWS WHISTLER
Whistler council hears from frustrated owners at LUC termination hearing WITH PROVINCIAL DEADLINE LOOMING, VALE INN, BLUEBERRY AND FAIRMONT GOLF COURSE OWNERS WANT MORE CLARITY
BY BRANDON BARRETT
Vale Townhouses also spoke at the hearing, including Vale strata president and owner Paul Hothersall, who said that the zoning proposed to replace the existing LUC doesn’t include a supposedly longstanding use for townhome owners: short-term rental. According to RMOW planners, however, the townhomes are zoned as multiple residential and “residential buildings are for residential use and do not permit tourist accommodation unless otherwise provided for in a zoning bylaw or in the covenant,” Kirkegaard said. Hothersall believes the discrepancy lies in missing paperwork at municipal hall: the original Cheakamus Inn Hotel built in the late ’60s burned down in 1982, and Hothersall told Pique that the RMOW has relayed it does not have plans on file for the 65-unit, four-storey building that was built the following year. (Pique is awaiting verification on this point from the RMOW.) “So because of that … basically the muni has issued a Section 84 work order, which basically says that you have to return it back to the building permit that we know about, which was the original 1960s construction and not the 1983 rebuild, which happened because they can’t find the paperwork,” Hothersall said in a call prior to the hearing. As previously reported in Pique, senior
RMOW staff said differences between strata unit plans and what the building department has on file have been popping up more frequently as owners look to upgrade older units. “I don’t understand exactly the mechanism of why those differences occur, but it is causing quite a lot of problems for when people come in and want to upgrade, renovate, do something better in their place,” GM of infrastructure James Hallisey said in a September interview. But Hothersall and other Vale townhouse owners contend that short-term rentals have been a part of the strata bylaws for years, and up-to-date building plans were registered at the land title office. Mike Shove, chair of the Blueberry Lynx Strata, also spoke at the hearing, seeking reassurance for Blueberry owners that the new zoning would indeed be “like-for-like in terms of usage and replacement [zoning] of the various properties.” In response, Mayor Jack Crompton reiterated that “the intention of the landuse termination process is like-for-like.” The RMOW will now collect the feedback and written submissions from Tuesday’s hearing before preparing a final report with recommendations for council ahead of potential third reading. n
2021
WHISTLER OFFICIALS heard from the community at public hearings this week ahead of a trio of provincially mandated landuse contract (LUC) terminations, and owners at the affected properties are seeking more clarity over the proposed rezoning at the sites. On Tuesday, Jan. 18, public hearings were held for three of the remaining LUCs set for rezoning: Blueberry, the Fairmont Chateau Golf Club, and The Vale. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has until June 30 to terminate the existing LUCs and replace them with “likefor-like” zoning. LUCs were a regulatory tool used in place of zoning in B.C. between 1970 and 1980, and seven years ago, Victoria set a 2022 deadline requiring municipalities to zone all lands subject to LUCs. Steve Sandercott, director with Oxford Properties Group, owners of the Fairmont golf club, told elected officials they were “very disappointed” with how the process has played out so far. “Our expectation was that the RMOW would abide by the land-use termination process developed and adopted in 2016 to ensure fairness and consistency in the land-
use termination and rezoning process,” he said. “One of [those] pillars is the like-forlike principle which has not been followed in its application to our land.” The ownership believes the RMOW’s proposed rezoning to a single new zone, Leisure Recreation 11, essentially restricts their existing development rights by putting heavy-handed restrictions on density, building height and permitted uses. The proposed LR11 zoning would permit the golfcourse use, including auxiliary buildings and uses associated with a golf course such as a clubhouse, maintenance facility and workshop, restaurant, retail, equipment rental and winter outdoor recreation. Councillor Duane Jackson wondered whether the RMOW should be incentivizing more diverse usage of the site. “Was there any conversation with the property owner about the potential for future upgrades to maintenance buildings, reinvestment in the clubhouse, employee housing—all challenges that a lot of this aging infrastructure will need to address if not now [then in the future]?” he said. In response, planning director Mike Kirkegaard reiterated that any addition of employee housing, for instance, would require a rezoning. Several owners at The Vale Inn and
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NEWS WHISTLER
Police watchdog clears Whistler RCMP of wrongdoing in arrest that led to broken wrist INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE SAYS NO EVIDENCE OF UNNECESSARY FORCE IN AUG. 25 ARREST
BY BRANDON BARRETT B.C.’S POLICE watchdog found no evidence that unnecessary force was used in the Whistler RCMP’s arrest of a man last summer that led to a fractured wrist. “In summary, the evidence as a whole leads to the conclusion that AP’s [the affected person’s] arrest was lawful, and was carried out with no more force than was necessary, given AP’s physical resistance,” wrote Ronald J. MacDonald, chief civilian director of B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO), in his Jan. 13 report. On the afternoon of Aug. 25, three Whistler RCMP members responded to a 911 call alleging a man had uttered threats to a woman during a domestic incident. In the course of the arrest, “there was a scuffle” before the suspect was taken to the ground and handcuffed, the report said. After being apprehended, it was discovered the man had suffered a fractured wrist, and the IIO was notified. When the officers arrived, they found the suspect in front of the building, where they said he initially appeared calm, but
investigators said he “became non-compliant when he was told he was being detained because of the [woman’s] complaint to police about him.” One officer then reportedly took the suspect’s arm behind his back and applied a handcuff to his left wrist, before all three officers found themselves unable to “complete the cuffing process because they could not control [the man’s] right arm.” In his written statement (both the suspect and original complainant declined to be interviewed in person by the IIO, instead submitting their written accounts through a lawyer), the man said he was having a panic attack at the time and said that he “began to have a full body tremor” as a result of multiple sclerosis. He described a condition in which his “entire body turned very static or rigid,” unable to move his arms or legs. He noted that his hands were “shaking uncontrollably” and said “it can be quite violent looking.” He goes on to say one of the officers tried to “tackle” him to the ground, and said he was initially unable to get down on the ground because of his disability. The officers’ statements described the suspect as variously “pulling away,” “twisting” and “spinning,” with the subject
officer characterizing him as an “active resister,” and another officer calling his behaviour “assaultive.” The police and suspect’s accounts diverge here somewhat. One officer told the IIO he saw the suspect twisting and pulling away from police, his left arm still
“There were ample grounds for arrest.” - RONALD J. MACDONALD
held by the subject officers while his right arm was free and “flailing.” The officer goes on to say he was concerned that the subject officer and other officer, both physically smaller than the suspect, might lose control and need to escalate their use of force. This officer said he ran towards them, intending to tackle the suspect to the ground, but then decided to grab the subject officer and suspect together in a “bear hug” and pin them against the side of the police cruiser. The suspect’s written account said the officer came running “and at full speed
smashed my head into one of the police vehicles. He used his entire body to throw me into the police vehicle. I immediately sustained a concussion, was lightheaded, nauseous and had blurred vision.” The IIO found nothing in the suspect’s medical records suggesting he had suffered, or claimed to have suffered, any head injury in the course of the arrest. “It seems more likely that [he] was simply restrained and pinned against the vehicle as described by [Witnessing Officer 1] before being taken to the ground,” MacDonald wrote. The suspect also alleged that, once on the ground, the subject officer “stood on my left wrist and tightened the handcuff until I heard and felt a snap.” The original complainant, however, made no mention of witnessing the subject officer standing over the suspect and crushing his left wrist with his boot, although she did report overhearing her partner “yelp in pain and I heard something about his wrist.” It doesn’t appear any of the three officers involved were alerted at any point to the possibility that the man’s wrist had been injured. While at the detachment,
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NEWS WHISTLER the suspect told police he had concerns about his mental health, and wanted to kill himself. He was then apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital. An injury to the man’s left wrist was subsequently discovered, and an attending physician wrote that there were also signs of previous bone degeneration in the wrist. In his conclusion, MacDonald wrote that the three attending officers were acting lawfully when they first detained and arrested the suspect, who had reportedly threatened to punch his partner and had raised his fist to do so, “an action that, in law, would amount to an assault. There were ample grounds for arrest.” In the man’s account, he acknowledged he was unwilling to cooperate with police, but maintained he had done nothing wrong and was not deliberately resisting arrest, “explaining the flailing, twisting, and spinning described” as a manifestation of his multiple sclerosis. “It is not necessary to evaluate the reliability of that explanation, or to reach a conclusion as to whether [the suspect’s] movements were voluntary or involuntary. That is because, by [his] own account his movements were probably ‘quite violent looking.’ From the perspective of the arresting officers, the only reasonable response was to get [him] under control, into handcuffs and into the back of a police car.” Conversely, MacDonald said the suspect’s statement that an officer stood on his left wrist while he was cuffed is “simply
difficult to reconcile logically with the fact that, at the time, [the subject officer] would have been holding [his] left arm beside him or behind his back, having just taken him down onto the ground to complete cuffing.” The IIO also found it significant that the original complainant, who was watching the arrest and was “clearly concerned” about her partner’s welfare, did not allege any such action on the subject officer’s part. “When witnesses to an event give conflicting accounts to investigators, it is almost never possible to determine with certainty which are true and which are not,” MacDonald wrote. “The police evidence does not carry any of the hallmarks of being exaggerated or selfserving, and appears to be reliable. The same cannot be said of the evidence of [the suspect and complainant].” MacDonald also noted that, because the suspect and complainant did not meet the IIO in person, “issues apparent on the face of their written statements cannot be explored and possibly reconciled. Indeed, while a written statement is still evidence, it is difficult to give it as much weight as a full in-person statement.” The IIO’s decision was based on witness statements, police dispatch records, audio recordings of a 911 call and other phone calls and police radio transmissions, closed-circuit footage from police cells, and medical evidence. To read the full report, visit iiobc.ca. n
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ELECTORAL AREA C Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 4pm
Public Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 466 of the Local Government Act that a Public Hearing will be held electronically regarding the following bylaw: 1. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area C Zoning Bylaw No. 765, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1705-2021. PURPOSE OF BYLAW 1705-2021: The bylaw is associated with an application to amend the zoning to facilitate subdivision of a parcel into 8 residential lots and would see the property rezoned to a new zone (RR2-Rural 2). This will reduce the minimum parcel size to one hectare. The proposed Rural 2 zone would permit one single family dwelling on each parcel. The area covered by Bylaw 1705-2021 is PID 029-238-412, LOT A DISTRICT LOT 5024 LILLOOET DISTRICT PLAN KAP92970 as outlined on the map included in this notice:
INFORMATION A copy of the proposed bylaw and relevant background documents may be inspected at the Regional District office, 1350 Aster Street, Pemberton, BC, during office hours 8:00 am to 4:30 pm from January 17 to February 1, 2022 not including weekends and statutory holidays or on the SLRD website at www.slrd.bc.ca/9669PH. The public hearing is to be chaired by Electoral Area C Director Russell Mack as a delegate of the SLRD Regional Board. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION All persons who believe that their interest in the property is affected by the proposed bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions respecting matters contained in the bylaw at the public hearing. All persons can 1) submit written comments; and/or 2) make oral representations LIVE via online video or phone conferencing (your image will not be broadcast to the Board or the public).
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1. Submit Written Comments to the Board: Written submissions must be addressed to “SLRD Board of Directors,” and include your name and mailing address. Until 4:30pm on January 31, 2022, written submissions will be received at the following: Email: Hard Copy:
planning@slrd.bc.ca Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Planning Department PO Box 219, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0
Written submissions will also be accepted on February 1, 2022 between 8:00am and the time when the motion to close the Public Hearing is made. During this timeframe, written comments must be submitted by email to: cdewar@slrd.bc.ca 2. Participate LIVE via Online Video or Phone Conferencing The live Public Hearing will take place February 1, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. via online video and phone conferencing. The Public Hearing will be conducted using Zoom and can be accessed via either online video or phone conferencing. No registration is required. Log-in details will be posted to the notice page: www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/notices three days prior to the Public Hearing. You may also call the Planning Department three days prior to the Public Hearing at 604.894.6371 to get the log-in information.
JANUARY 20, 2022
21
NEWS WHISTLER
Naturespeak: The magic of hair ice BY JAMIE MARCONI IN OUR WINTER wonderland of frozen water, the stunning formation of ice crystals on just about any surface can be mesmerizing. From surface hoar growing on the slopes to an ice storm caking everything in its path with a rime of ice, none can deny the beauty in seeing our world freeze. But one phenomenon stands out for its beauty and uniqueness. Hair ice appears as locks of silky smooth white hair cascading from logs and branches. These incredible structures appear like a wizard’s unruly beard growing in waves and curls, long and brilliantly white from a dead branch of a broadleaf tree. Although these strands appear soft to the touch, they are incredibly brittle, clinging with fragility to the host tree. This somewhat rare occurrence is seen worldwide, where the temperature remains just under freezing. Our climate is well suited to allow this growth to form. If you’re lucky during humid and calm weather, you can find these sculptures of nature where broadleaf trees grow. More often than not, you will find the hair ice on the forest floor before the snow buries the deadfall, but also sometimes up in the trees themselves.
STRANDS OF MAGIC Hair ice overwhelming a branch. PHOTO BY SABRINA HINITZ
The mechanism of this fantastic formation occurs in much the same way that frost heave occurs in frozen soil. A reservoir of liquid water soaked into the decaying branch is driven by suction to the surface of the wood, where it freezes. Usually, this layer would spread across the surface of the branch and appear like a shell of ice.
But in the presence of certain fungi, the ice is prevented from recrystallizing together. Instead, the ice continues outward as a single strand. These strands are observed as small as .2 millimetres in diameter and as long as 20 centimetres—an incredible feat for something so brittle. Although more research is needed to find out exactly why this happens, we
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now know that the crust fungi Exidiopsis effusa is present in all cases. The water that remains liquid within the wood is sucked out through the radial wood rays, which are usually responsible for the lateral transfer of nutrients and moisture within a growing, living tree. The now-decaying wood still uses this cellular structure to transfer water saturating the porous wood out, which freezes on the ray lines’ surface. The thickness of the strands directly correlates to the thickness of the radial cells. This is then pushed back by an ever-present film of water, constantly being replaced through suction by new ice crystals; the long, elaborate waves and curls of ice are formed. It is suspected that decomposed lignin, which makes up the cell walls of trees, is responsible for the ice segregating without recrystallizing. This lignin is found in the melted ice hair and would not be present without the fungi. Whatever the cause, as soon as the fungus is suppressed, so is the hair ice. A complex mechanism of a living and decaying forest can produce the most amazing phenomena. The science of nature truly is magic. Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists.ca. n
NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY
Pair of Pemberton developments propose hundreds of new homes OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW TO CONTINUE THROUGH 2022
BY HARRISON BROOKS A PAIR OF applications presented to the Village of Pemberton’s (VOP) Committee of the Whole (COW) on Jan. 18 could add two new developments inside the village’s boundaries—and hundreds of new homes. The first, from the Skénkenam Developments General Partnership (a partnership between the Lil’wat Nation and Pemberton Benchlands Development Corporation) was for a zoning amendment related to the proposed development of the Benchlands on the northwest corner of Pemberton. The proposal plans to extend Eagle Ridge Drive farther up the hillside, and will provide approximately 270 new single-detached and multi-family units to the community. Skénkenam purchased the approximately 60-hectare site in Sept. 2021. Most of the land is in VOP jurisdiction, with a portion in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. The Benchlands Neighbourhood Concept Plan was initially approved by council in 2007 as part of the Official Community Plan (OCP), and the area was zoned for residential use with the future growth of the community in mind. With its application, Skénkenam seeks to rezone the land from Residential One, which is exclusively for low-density, single-family lots, to a Comprehensive Development zone, which are created when there are a mix of
BENCHLANDS DEVELOPMENT A 3D rendering of Pemberton’s future Benchlands neighbourhood. PHOTO SUBMITTED
24 JANUARY 20, 2022
proposed land uses that do not match up with any one particular zone. However, the presentation to the COW on Jan. 18 was not to move forward with the application, but rather to update the committee on its status, according to VOP consulting planner Cameron Chalmers. With an OCP review currently scheduled to take place sometime over the next year, Chalmers is proposing the creation of a sub-area plan for the Benchlands neighbourhood that will be adopted into the new OCP when it is complete.
Niki Vankerk, who believes that with a comprehensive OCP review coming sometime within the year, it would be a mistake to move ahead with any OCP amendments, like the one proposed for Benchlands, before fully knowing what new information the OCP review will bring forward. “I think it’s been at least 10 years since we had a big review of [the OCP], and the nature of the community has changed so much that I think we should be waiting to decide on developments like the Benchlands,” Vankerk said.
“[T]he nature of the community has changed so much that I think we should be waiting to decide on developments like the Benchlands.” - NIKI VANKERK
“You can think of it almost as it’s analogous to a miniature Official Community Plan,” said Chalmers. “This is when we anticipate our next appearance before Committee of the Whole would be, when we have the first kind of cohesive draft of that plan, because it will show how all of the pieces tie together and how the project relates, or doesn’t, to council, the Committee of the Whole and the community’s aspirations for this neighborhood in the future.” One concern about this new development came in the form of a letter written to VOP mayor and council by community member
“My understanding of an OCP is it’s the community’s wishes and ideas for the direction of the Village and how it would grow. So why would we not wait for that to make any decisions? Maybe the change in the OCP that comes from this review will better align with what the Benchlands developer wants to do, or maybe not, but at least then they have the information of what the current community wants for the town before they make decisions on making changes.” However, opinions on the development among community members seem to be split, according to council. While Councillor Amica Antonelli
has heard from others in the community who share Vankerk’s stance, Coun. Ted Craddock said he has heard the opposite from people who want to see the new neighbourhood break ground as soon as possible to give the community “a bigger opportunity for rental, and different options for housing. “Now the concern is … it’d be pretty hard to put off all projects with OCP amendments for two years,” said Craddock, noting that delaying such projects until the OCP update is complete could add years-long delays to new housing opportunities. “So I would have a hard time agreeing to this total shutdown of the community OCP amendments until that review is in place.” After a lengthy discussion, the committee directed staff to submit the draft sub-area plan for the Benchlands to a future COW meeting for review. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of town, between Pemberton and Mount Currie, the Redwoods development (located at 7374 Pemberton Farm Road East) proposed 176 multi-family townhouses, stacked townhouses and 2,751 square metres of commercial space on just 3.3 hectares of land. After a presentation, the members of council all agreed with Coun. Leah Noble that the level of density of the proposed housing development was “too excessive and out of character for Pemberton.” The committee rejected the proposed plan in its current form, instead directing staff to amend the application to align it more closely with existing development in the area. Find the full agenda package and a recording of the meeting at pemberton.ca. ■
Electoral Area C Agricultural Advisory
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Committee - Call for Volunteers
WHAT? The SLRD is looking for interested residents of Pemberton and Electoral Area C to serve on the SLRD Electoral Area C Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC). WHO? Anyone with an interest or expertise in agriculture and related matters is welcome to apply. Applicants should: • Be a land owner and/or permanent resident of Electoral Area C or Pemberton • Have an interest in preserving the viability of farming in the Pemberton Valley and surrounding area • Be from the farming and ranching community (optional) • Posses a clear understanding and knowledge of topics affecting agricultural land • Be available to commit to roughly 4-6 meetings per year, for a one year or two year term HOW? Application forms can be obtained on the SLRD website, or by contacting the SLRD office. Please submit your application no later than 5pm on January 28, 2022.
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ARNOLD ZAKUTA
SCIENCE MATTERS
Son of Bea and Ken, brother of Sharon (Mike), Sandy and Michael (Michelle)
September 12th, 1961-December 20th, 2021
AZ, Extreme Arno, Arno, Passionate mountain man, intellect, accomplished house builder, stupendous telemark skier, skier, best pal of his beautiful dog Kobi, climber, rigger, investor, biker, sailor. Above all, Arno was a mentor to his many friends. He was gifted with his grace, humility and a wit that brought joy to those who had the luck to experience it. We are all the wiser for having such a friend. He was cared for by those who loved him during his final months and will be deeply missed. Please take a few minutes to read IF by Rudyard Kipling. YODEL Friends and Family would like to thank the palliative care nurses and staff at Nelson hospital for their kindness and care. As well, immense gratitude to Dr. Newson for his care and compassion for Arnold. The Family and friends invite you to consider a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation in Arnold’s name.
Bebb, Betty Elaine (nee Steel) passed away peacefully on November 29th, 2021, at St. Jude’s Anglican Home, at the age of 91. She was predeceased by her husband Douglas Evan Bebb and grandson Owen Bebb. She is survived by her three sons Robert Douglas Bebb (Franca, Ryan and Hanna); David Charles Bebb (Diane and Kayla), and Richard Arthur Bebb (Bernadette, Alexander, Charlotte and Brock). Betty was born and raised in Saskatoon. A child of the Great Depression. She grew tired of frigid winters and moved to Vancouver seeking refuge. After qualifying as a Registered Nurse at the Vancouver General Nursing School, she met her future husband Doug, and marriage and three children soon followed. After Doug fell in love with Whistler, Betty once again found herself on weekends surrounded by snow (or in the summer fishing rods). While not keen on skiing herself she supported the family’s pursuits and enjoyed socializing with her many friends at Whistler. After Doug’s retirement from his medical practice they spent most of their time at Whistler which became the primary home. It was common for friends and new acquaintances to be welcomed in for food and drink. Her most fond memories were with friends and family around the dinner table. In her retiring years, Betty returned to the family home in Shaughnessy. Merla Balbin joined her there, first as a caregiver, but eventually as a close friend. Visitors would more often than not find the two of them sharing food or a drink together. Betty is remembered for her resolute devotion to her family, her generosity to her friends, her appreciation of a good joke and her unguarded, sometimes hilarious, outspoken manner. A private celebration of life will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Anglican Home 810 W 27th Ave, Vancouver BC V5Z 2G7.
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Is there a rational argument against climate action? WHEN POLITICIANS and fossil-fuelled media seize on a few ill-chosen words I or other environmental advocates blurt out, while ignoring our overall messages, it’s usually because they have no real counter-arguments. I’m just a messenger, presenting science and solutions in accessible ways. And, like anyone who has worked on climate issues for any length of time, I get frustrated at the lethal lack of political and societal action. But it’s rare to see these politicians, media and businesspeople present a rational argument as to why we shouldn’t be doing
BY DAVID SUZUKI everything we can to forestall the climate catastrophe scientists worldwide are warning will be our future if we don’t act now. Instead, they ignore the science, or pay lip service to it, while trying to demonize people who devote their lives to ensuring humanity has a healthy future. They take quotes out of context to rile others who fear change and refuse to accept we’re in a crisis. They ignore the heat domes, droughts and floods, or act as if those have nothing to do with rampant, wasteful fossil fuel exploitation. If governments and media truly wanted to stand up for oil, gas and coal workers, they’d create and promote opportunities and help them transition to new employment. Instead, they blame environmentalists for job losses even as corporate bosses talk about continued—and eventually full—
The Alberta government’s recent response doesn’t meet that bar. It spent $3.5 million (along with a $30-million/ year “war room”) on a “public inquiry into anti-Alberta energy campaigns” to defend the most profitable industry in history from plucky environmental groups. It was beset with delays, cost increases and embarrassments before concluding there was no “wrongdoing on the part of any individual or organization” and that campaigns have not spread misinformation. Instead of accepting this and moving on, the government and some media spun it to imply it concluded the opposite. We in the environmental movement remain transparent about our communications, funding and aims, and if we make mistakes, we correct them. After all, our goal is a healthier planet for all. Those who worship money and power will happily manipulate and dupe others to obtain and maintain it. Look at the spew of constant misinformation from U.S. media outlets like Fox News, or the ongoing climate science rejection by opinion writers for Canada’s Postmedia chain—in service of the fossil fuel industry’s continued environmental devastation. They’re holding us back. We’ve known about the greenhouse effect for almost 200 years and been certain about human climate impacts for more than 30, but the fossil fuel industry and its captured politicians, lobbyists, front groups and media have convinced many to continue on as if everything is fine. We’ve wasted the past 30 years and we’re seeing the consequences. All I and others have been conveying for decades
We’ve wasted the past 30 years and we’re seeing the consequences. All I and others have been conveying for decades is coming to pass. automation of their industry and while the world turns to cleaner energy. They care as little for the workers as those who rake in massive profits while pushing employees out through automation and in response to market forces. Meanwhile, environmental organizations worldwide are calling for a “just transition” to ensure affected people and their families don’t get left behind in the necessary shift to cleaner energy and less waste. Why can’t they come up with honest arguments? If they believe climate disruption is not upon us and not serious enough to compel us to change our ways, that we can continue to exploit and burn fossil fuels until they’re gone, then it’s up to them to present their rationale. If they disagree with our communications about climate and other environmental subjects, they should respond with logical arguments.
is coming to pass. Just ask the people of Abbotsford or Lytton. Look at the billions of intertidal plants and animals wiped out in the summer heat dome. Canadian canola and wheat production are down more than 35 per cent this year because of drought, yet I still hear the anti-environmentalists arguing that more CO2 is good for plant growth, or that warmer temperatures will be good for Canada. I’d love to be proven wrong, as would, I suspect, every climate scientist and activist in the world. But there’s no denying our predicament, so let’s work together to resolve it. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington. ■
THE OUTSIDER
THE PETITION CALLS ON MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS TO:
Cycling needs more durable, low-end bikes THIS MAY COME as a surprise to you, but most people who ride bikes in Whistler didn’t grow up with the best bikes and the best trails to ride them on. Like many of you, my first new bike as a kid was a box-store special: heavy, clunky and most likely built in the back of an Australian Kmart without
BY VINCE SHULEY a drop of grease applied to it. But I didn’t care about the backstory of my shiny Fiero Roadmaster. It was new, and it was mine. But the love affair didn’t last, of course. After climbing one too many hills and hopping one too many curbs, the Roadmaster was running a little rough. My father had taught me how to fix a flat but had never worked on derailleurs before. So my mom and I threw the Fiero in the back of the station wagon and drove to the local bike shop. The grumpy shopkeeper reluctantly agreed to repair it, all the while trying to sell my mom on upgrading me to one of the more reputable bicycle brands he carried in his store. Predictably, my Fiero Roadmaster would have to do for the time being. It wasn’t until I scrimped and saved, working a paper route and chores for small change, that I was able to buy my first real mountain bike. My fully rigid Wheeler 5500 Comp Line came with a chromoly steel frame, cantilever brakes and Shimano
BUILT TO BREAK? Non-profit bike mechanics are calling on the industry to stop manufacturing and selling what they term “disposable bikes.” GETTY IMAGES
Rapidfire shifters (suspension came later when it was in the budget). That bike lasted for years and was the first I ever raced on. It took some hits, it got fixed up and I kept on riding. Over the years, mountain biking has—by its very nature—weeded out a lot of inferior bike products that simply could not stand up to the abuse. That’s the reason that if you want to get started riding trails, an aging $400 steel hardtail will outperform a brand new $280 full suspension Supercycle from Canadian Tire, every time, without fail. But the cycling industry is a whole lot bigger than mountain bikes. Lowerincome families all over the world rely on affordable bikes for basic transport and
people who buy them.” The culprit is an influx of seemingly disposable bikes; frames fabricated with sloppy welds and flimsy rear dropouts, unfixable parts such as riveted chainrings and plastic (where metal should be) on critical parts such as derailleurs and brake levers. At first glance, maybe not too far from the old Fiero, but veteran mechanics attest that even for the box-store bikes, they don’t make them like they used to. “If I get a Huffy from the ’90s, chances are I can actually make repairs to it. It will still be heavy, but the steel will hold together,” Mac Liman, a 19-year mechanic of Denver’s Bike Together shop, told Bicycle Retailer. She noted that on more
Telling low-income parents not to buy a cheap bike is like telling a gen-Zer not to own a smartphone.
accessible recreation. The problem is that many affordable bikes are so poorly built that they end up in landfills before they can contribute anything net-positive to society. A group of non-profit bike shop mechanics is petitioning to change that. A Jan. 11 article in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News reported that their petition calls on manufacturers to “stop producing and selling bikes that fall apart after a few months of use. These products are harmful to the environment, erode public confidence in the usefulness and joy of bicycles, and waste the money of the mostly poor and working-class
contemporary low-cost bikes—such as those purchased from box stores or online retailers such as Amazon—threads often shear off when components need to be adjusted or replaced. The frames crack easily and use non-standard parts that can’t be affordably replaced, she said. Many believe that consumers should simply vote out these inferior bike products with their purchasing decisions, an if-it’sshit-don’t-buy-it philosophy. That works for those of us who can visually tell the difference between an acceptable level of quality and disposable junk. But put
yourself in the shoes of a low-income parent who’s saving up to buy bikes for themselves and their kids—someone who must shop according to the price point. In the eyes of the non-profit bike shops, selling these cheaply made bikes is predatory behaviour. Take, for example, the surge of low-cost bikes at the onset of the pandemic. “Wal-Mart sold out of all its bikes in March 2020, and we’re already starting to get those bikes come in. And we can’t fix them,” said Liman. Planned obsolescence is already rife in the consumer electronics industry, generating an unconscionable amount of waste from devices designed to crap out after two years (or less) of use. The technology of bikes (with the exception of e-bikes) hasn’t really changed much in the last century, especially at the entry-level tier of products. Telling low-income parents not to buy a cheap bike is like telling a genZer not to own a smartphone. The initiative must come from the manufacturers, and it needs to come soon. The petition calls on manufacturers and retailers to “set a minimum durability standard for bicycles to last at least 500 riding hours before breaking down; design bikes to be serviceable and hold adjustment, with replaceable and upgradable components; and stop creating and selling bikes that are made to fall apart.” The world needs more bikes. But the world does not need more shit bikes. Let’s make the industry take notice. Vince Shuley signed the petition, which you can reach by scanning the QR code on this page. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider email vince.shuley@gmail. com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■
JANUARY 20, 2022
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FEATURE STORY
IS THIS HOW TO END
HOW ONE B.C. GROUP AND FIRST N AT I O N S H A V E B O U G H T O U T T R O P H Y H U N T E R S 32 JANUARY 20, 2022
FEATURE STORY
By Stefan Labbé
Foreign licences to hunt black bears fell 23-fold last year during the pandemic. As the hunting guide outfitter industry looks to bounce back, opponents are expanding an alternative: pay trophyhunting guides to stop hunting.
Since the start of the pandemic, First Nations like the Kitasoo/Xai’xais are turning their attention to scientific studies, looking at how many visitors ecosystems can handle at once. Photo by Jeff Reynolds / Maple Leaf Adventures
utchart Gardens, the slopes of Whistler, a wine-lover’s adventure through the Okanagan— these are some of the hotspots many tourists to British Columbia look to tick off on their way through YVR. But for a select few, the province’s draw lies in its woods, broken highlands and rugged coastlines, a canvas to hook a 30-pound salmon or bag a huge diversity of big game. “About 75 per cent of our clientele are international clients,” says Scott Ellis, CEO at the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia (GOABC), which represents between 60 to 70 per cent of the roughly 245 fishing and hunting outfitters in the province. “We’ve got species of stone sheep and mountain goat you’ve got nowhere else. We’ve got three kinds of moose.” As of 2017, GOABC says the industries brought in $192 million and employed about 2,500 people. When the pandemic hit, that business evaporated overnight, leaving fishing lodges and hunting guides to shut down or struggle on a trickle of dedicated hunters from places like Ontario.
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A Kermode, or spirit bear, in B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest. Kitasoo/Xai’xais territory is home to some of the greatest concentration of the rare variety of black bears in the world. Photo by Ken Canning / Getty Images
The Great Bear Rainforest has some of the highest concentrations of large predators in B.C. Could success protecting its animals from trophy hunting be replicated across the province? Photo By Florent Nicolas / Courtesy of The Raincoast Conservation Foundation
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34 JANUARY 20, 2022
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FEATURE STORY According to government data, the 2020-21 season saw a more than four-fold decline in the number of hunting licences issued to hunters from outside of B.C. In the biggest post-pandemic decline, the number of licences sold to non-residents to kill black bears fell 23-fold, dropping from 2,210 in the 2019-20 season to 96 last year. Elsewhere across Canada, Dominic Dugré, president of the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations, says hunting guides have lost 99 per cent of their clients. Desperate for a paycheque, many guides had moved into construction or the oil and gas industry. Business had climbed back up to 85 per cent in the fall and things were looking up. Then Omicron hit. Now many of the guides still operating are turning to offer their hunting cabins to clients more interested in snowshoeing, hiking or viewing wildlife, says Ellis. “You don’t have any revenue for a year and a half; it’s pretty devastating for those folks,” he says. For others, that pivot isn’t coming fast enough. The drop in foreign trophy hunters during the pandemic has offered a glimpse of a province where killing animals for sport is relegated to the past. Most British Columbians agree. One 2015 survey found 91 per cent of B.C. residents opposed hunting animals for sport; another in 2017 found four in five Canadians supported an outright ban on trophy hunting. In 2017, the province banned the grizzly trophy hunt, but left opponents questioning, what if another government overturns that decision? A more pressing concern, say conservationists: the B.C. government has moved to defer old-growth logging, yet there remains no legal shield to protect roughly 60 species preferred by trophy hunters, such as black bears, wolverines, cougars and wolves. Some B.C. First Nations run their own trophy-hunting guide operations, while others, like the Coastal First Nations, argue that there is no good economic or ecological justification to kill animals for sport—a bear, they say, is worth far more alive than dead. More than 500 kilometres from British Columbia’s biggest urban centres, where fjords butt up against the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest in the world, First Nations fought trophy hunters and won. As B.C. looks to reset how it manages forests in the province, the victory against trophy hunting offers lessons for an alternative path: how to phase out an extractive industry and replace it with something that lasts.
to build up an ecotourism industry in his community of Klemtu since the 1990s. The First Nation’s 5,000 square kilometres of traditional territory extends deep into the Great Bear Rainforest, a place with a huge diversity of wildlife and the highest concentrations of spirit bears in the world. The early years were bumpy. After the First Nation’s kayak guide business failed, Neasloss says they decided to focus on the bears. People started coming from around the world to see them. But there was a problem. In the early 2000s, Neasloss says wildlife guides would keep running into gruesome signs of a trophy hunt: dead bears with no head, no fur and no paws, left to rot. When they did see a live bear, Neasloss says they were so terrified of the hunters they would usually be running away into the bush. That’s when Kitasoo/Xai’xais and Falconer’s organization, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, struck upon a solution. Why not buy out the hunting guides directly? In 2005, the hunting outfitter agreed, and Raincoast bought the commercial hunting rights to a 25,000-square-kilometre tract of land. Since then, they’ve purchased four more tenures, effectively ending trophy hunting in more than 38,000 square kilometres of forest—an area larger than Vancouver Island. Instead of bringing in hunters with long-barrel rifles to shoot bears, guides take visitors on boats, helicopters and into the forest wielding camera lenses and binoculars. Slowly, the animals learned to no longer fear the mere presence of humans, says Neasloss. Evidence shows the strategy is paying off. Since 2005, Falconer calculates more than 1,300 animals, including nearly 900 bears, have had their lives spared in the commercial hunting tenures they control. By 2030, the number of animals saved from a trophy hunt will soar to nearly 5,000, including secondand third-generation bears that would never have been born had their parents been killed. “You’re literally buying the right not to kill these animals. You’re buying the lives of these animals to live every year,” says Falconer, who now works as Raincoast’s Guide Outfitter Coordinator.
“YOU’RE LITERALLY BUYING THE RIGHT NOT TO KILL THESE ANIMALS. YOU’RE BUYING THE LIVES OF THESE ANIMALS TO LIVE EVERY YEAR.” - Brian Falconer
Buying the right to live One day more than two decades ago, Brian Falconer remembers looking around and thinking, “I have nothing in common with these people.” A former angling guide turned conservationist, in 2005, Falconer, along with other First Nations, began to have some “serious confrontations” with a guide outfitter who owned a trophy hunting tenure in the Great Bear Rainforest. At the time, Falconer says there was “zero interest” in moving away from trophy hunting. The province charges less than $2,000 for a five-year commercial hunting guide licence. But the seemingly endless supply of rich foreign hunters willing to pay thousands of dollars for a single trip means the value of commercial hunting licences skyrocket. Despite the financial incentive to hold on to the licences, hunting guides still had to put up with the people opposing them. “When are you going to leave us alone?” Falconer remembers the guide telling him. At the time, Doug Neasloss, chief councillor of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais, had been working
Rebuilding a community Long before he was chief, Neasloss was a guide. When he started in the 1990s, unemployment had soared to almost 90 per cent in Klemtu. “There just wasn’t a lot of opportunities here. We live on an island on the Central Coast, extremely isolated,” he says. In a year Neasloss describes as “a dark time for our community,” Klemtu was devastated by a series of deaths. Suicide, he says, spread like a “contagious virus” taking many of the community’s young people. The community organized to make changes, but many were skeptical tourism would take them in a positive direction. At one band meeting, people stood up and said they worried outsiders would come into the community, peering into people’s windows, buying up all the food at the store and running the fuel station dry. For a people who have bears embedded in their dance, stories, art and identity, the biggest question, says Neasloss, was “am I selling my culture?” The community of Klemtu spent a lot of time deciding what was culturally appropriate to share with outsiders and what was off-limits. In the decades since, Klemtu has seen significant change. One of its architectural showpieces, the Spirit Bear Lodge, is a modern take on a traditional longhouse overlooking the Great Bear Sea. From bedroom windows, visitors from around the world can spot
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FEATURE STORY
humpback whales and otters before setting out to explore the First Nation’s territory. Tourist revenue started to double, growing from $100,000 annually to roughly $2.5 million in 2019. Jobs followed. The ecotourism operation has grown from a two-man operation to employing roughly 40 per cent of the community’s working population. Dozens more benefit from the outfit’s economic spinoffs, from the band store to boat operators and local artists. Beyond a financial windfall, it has given the people of Klemtu a chance to raise the next generation of stewards to look after their traditional territory and stay connected with their culture. “They get paid to be themselves, they get paid to be Indigenous. They get paid to interpret who they are and where they’re from, and share the culture with people from around the world,” says the chief.
A growing solution—with limits Beyond Klemtu, nine other Coastal First Nations—out of 204 total across B.C.—have entered into partnerships with Raincoast to manage their territories. Falconer says his group can only buy out trophy hunting licences where there’s a willing buyer and he has support from First Nations. Ellis, meanwhile, says he supports any “willing seller, willing buyer” agreement. First Nations’ roles are essential. Without them, there would be nobody to keep an eye on roaming trophy hunters, or regulate a permit system to limit the number of nonIndigenous tour guides operating in the territory. “We don’t want it to be overrun,” says Neasloss, whose nation offers 18 permits to sport fishing and ecotourism guides. “We don’t want it to be like the Galapagos and we want to make sure it’s sustainable.” More than 400 kilometres down the coast at the southern end of the Great Bear Rainforest, the Homalco First Nation is the latest community to partner with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Last month, the conservation group announced it was working to raise $1.92 million to purchase its sixth hunting tenure—this one at more than 18,000 square kilometres. If the sale goes through, First Nations and conservationists will have protected a piece of land bigger than the entire country of Costa Rica. As Falconer put it at the time, “This is part of a just transition to a new economy.” That “new economy” means Homalco tour operators have hosted a number of highprofile celebrities over the years, adding an even bigger draw for young people deciding what to do with their future. “What the residential schools have done was the shaming around our culture and being First Nations,” says Homalco Chief Darren Blaney. “It takes that away and then it shows you there’s people that value what our people knew—artisanal knowledge, how our people survived in the territory.” With the rich and famous come big tips from such celebrities as Prince Edward, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and one of the guides’ favourites, actor and comedian Chris Rock.
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Studies carried out by Raincoast and First Nations have found an economy based on ecotourism generates 15 times more employment and 11 times more direct revenue than one based on trophy hunting. But relying on destination tourists also has its downside. The flights, the lodging, the time—it all adds up, meaning many of those who can afford it are wealthy clients coming from Europe and Australia, or from the United States. A border closure that affects trophy hunters also affects wildlife guides in Klemtu and the Bute Inlet. Guides haven’t been idle. Kitasoo/Xai’xais operators have used the opportunity to help scientists determine how long a bear-viewing group can stay and how big it can get before impacting the local ecosystem. “A lot of that science is not out there in British Columbia, so we thought we’d take a lead on it and that gives us the information to be able to back up some of our management closures,” says Neasloss. The two years of downtime has also prompted Coastal First Nations, including the Kitasoo/Xai’xais, to remove hundreds of tonnes of trash in one of the largest beach clean-up operations in the province’s history. And despite the pandemic, bear-viewing tours are booked two years in advance with a full slate of visitors scheduled to arrive in Klemtu next spring. With the rise in Omicron cases, Neasloss says they still have another month before they have to start making decisions on delaying tours. In the end, he says, “we’ll find ways to keep people employed.”
‘An incremental approach’ Outside the pandemic, both communities are looking ahead to an even bigger transition: a carbon-neutral world. Klemtu already runs its own micro-hydropower generating station and a number of houses have been upgraded with heat pumps and solar panels. But like any ecotourism operation relying on foreign visitors, mitigating emissions from international flights remains a big unanswered question. How do you build a business celebrating nature when clients are dumping thousands of litres of jet fuel emissions into the atmosphere to see you? One solution is to turn to clients closer to home. While Neasloss and Blaney both say they’ve seen a growing number of Canadians join their tours, there’s still not a big enough pool of local people to replace international travellers. For the Homalco, Blaney says removing trophy hunters from their territory needs to be seen for what it is—a cog in a system of government-regulated extractive industries that have long shut out First Nations. In that light, partnering with Raincoast and working to build the high-end tourism infrastructure seen in Klemtu is part of what he calls “an incremental approach” to regain full control over its territory. It’s an understanding of a world where biodiversity loss and a warming global climate system cannot be separated. But neither can the people that keep watch over the land. “We’re gonna start saying ‘it’s our land,’” says Blaney. “You got to get ready for a new landlord.” - With files from the Canadian Press ■
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 – 5:30 P.M. This Public Hearing will be held electronically pursuant to s.465 of the Local Government Act and Council Procedure Bylaw No. 2207, 2018. ZONING AMENDMENT AND LAND USE CONTRACT DISCHARGE BYLAW (4700 GLACIER DRIVE) NO. 2322, 2021 SUBJECT LANDS: The parcels that are the subject of the proposed Bylaw are located at 4700 Glacier Drive, Whistler, and are legally described as Strata Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, together with an interest in Common Property, Strata Plan VAS2065, District Lot 3903. These lands are identified as “Subject Lands” on the map attached to this notice. PURPOSE: In general terms, the purpose of the proposed Bylaw is to discharge the Land Use Contract from the subject lands, and to zone the subject lands to a new Residential Tourist Accommodation Twenty-Nine Zone (RTA29). The RTA29 Zone will continue to permit the existing uses on the subject lands by permitting duplex dwelling, townhouse and auxiliary building and uses, and, in addition, will allow tourist accommodation when the dwellings are not occupied for residential use. The RTA29 Zone will allow an additional 2,884 m2 of gross floor area to be developed on the subject lands by permitting a maximum allowable gross floor area of 13,082 square metres, or a floor space ratio of 0.42, whichever is less. The RTA29 Zone will reduce the maximum building height from a maximum of six storeys or 65 feet (19.8 metres) under the Land Use Contract to a maximum of 14 metres, and will establish a maximum permitted site coverage of 40 percent. INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS: A copy of the proposed Bylaw and relevant background documentation along with written submissions received may be inspected at the Reception Desk of Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) from January 20, 2022 to and including February 1, 2022. A copy of the proposed Bylaw and relevant background documentation along with written submissions received may also be viewed online on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) website at: whistler.ca/RZ001141 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: All persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard by Council at the Public Hearing. All persons can: 1) submit written comments to Council; and/or 2) make oral representations LIVE via online video or phone conferencing. (Your image will not be broadcast to Council or the public.) 1. Submit Written Comments to Council Written comments must be addressed to “Mayor and Council”, and include your name and mailing address. Until 3:30 p.m. on February 1, 2022, written submissions will be received at the following: Email: corporate@whistler.ca Hard Copy: Resort Municipality of Whistler | Legislative Services Department | 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler BC V8E 0X5 Written submissions will also be accepted on February 1, 2022 between 3:30 p.m. and the time when the motion to close the Public Hearing is made. During this timeframe, written comments must be submitted by email to: corporate@whistler.ca All submissions will form part of the Public Hearing record and will be added to the Public Hearing Package as they are received. The Public Hearing Package will be available on the RMOW website at: whistler.ca/RZ001141 2. Participate LIVE via Online Video or Phone Conferencing The live Public Hearing will take place February 1, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. via online video and phone conferencing. The Public Hearing will be conducted using Zoom and can be accessed via either online video or phone conferencing. No registration is required. If you wish to make oral representations to Council on the proposed Bylaw by online video or by phone, please use the Public Hearing web link or one of the phone numbers (including Webinar ID) provided below. • The web link for the Public Hearing online video option is: https://whistler.zoom.us/j/62404962049 • The phone numbers to access the Public Hearing phone conferencing option are as follows: +1-778-907-2071 +1-647-374-4685 • The Webinar ID is: 624 0496 2049 Instructions for Participating via Zoom Online Video or Phone Conferencing • Online video: It is possible to access the Public Hearing on a computer, tablet or smartphone using the web link above. Your camera will not be available, but your microphone will need to be enabled. To indicate that you wish to make an oral representation, click on the ‘raise hand’ feature. The moderator will allow each person to speak in turn. When it is your turn to speak, your microphone will be unmuted and you will be asked to provide your name and address for the public record. Please be patient as there may be others in the queue before you. • Phone conferencing: To access the Public Hearing by phone, use one of the phone numbers above along with the Webinar ID as prompted. To indicate that you wish to make an oral representation, use the ‘raise hand’ feature by dialing [*9]. When it is your turn to speak, the moderator will announce the last three digits of your phone number, and your line will be unmuted. You will be asked to provide your name and address for the public record. Please be patient as there may be others in the queue before you. After the conclusion of this Public Hearing, Council cannot receive representations from the public on the proposed Bylaw. General information on participating in the RMOW’s electronic public hearings is available here: https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/council/public-hearings Members of the public can also view the Live Stream of the Public Hearing at: https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/council/watch-council-meetings
ZONING AMENDMENT AND LAND USE CONTRACT DISCHARGE BYLAW (4700 GLACIER DRIVE) NO. 2322, 2021 Map showing Subject Lands
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SPORTS THE SCORE
d’Artois looks to cap off Olympic career with gold LOCAL HALFPIPE HERO TAKING THE HIGHS WITH THE LOWS EN ROUTE TO HIS SECOND OLYMPIC APPEARANCE NEXT MONTH
BY HARRISON BROOKS “WITH THE LOWS come the highs, and with the highs come the lows.” That’s how Whistler halfpipe skier Simon d’Artois describes his up and down career—one that has seen him feel the elation of reaching the very top of the sport, but also the despondency that comes when things aren’t going to plan. But despite all the ups and downs that come with a career in halfpipe, at nearly 30 years old, d’Artois is still as invigorated by the sport as he was at 13 walking into Glacier Lodge, excitedly staring up at all the pictures of the pro athletes that came before and foreseeing where he would one day be. “The park scene at Whistler Blackcomb was always really captivating for me and that included the halfpipe … I would get in there and just kind of learn how to ride transition, learn how to ride the pipe and catch air. So that was kind of my first exposure to half pipe skiing, was just that legendary park that Whistler Blackcomb had and how it drew all these amazing athletes to it,” d’Artois said. “Now, I think a lot of the drive comes from just the progressions, seeing what I can do still. I’m still able to push myself and push the sport of halfpipe skiing and be innovative and do tricks that I’ve never done before—and do tricks that have never been done before by anybody—and there are still a few huge levels to unlock or just possibilities in the halfpipe world.” The first high point of d’Artois’ career came in 2012, when he was named to the Canadian National Team. And after two years
HALFPIPE HOPES Simon d’Artois feels he’s ready to compete for the gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing next month. PHOTO SUBMITTED
38 JANUARY 20, 2022
of learning and improving his skills to what he believed to be an Olympic level, d’Artois hit the first low point of his career, when he missed the cut for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. “I guess it was a blessing in disguise, because I wasn’t necessarily ready to go and take the gold. I definitely had some work to do. It’s disappointing, but it kind of re-lit the fire under the bum and made me work that much harder, and it kind of showed,” said d’Artois about winning a gold medal at the X Games the very next year in Aspen. “That was kind of proving myself to everybody in the industry, because that was my first result that was not just a second place, not just a third place, not just somebody sitting in the middle of the pack—now it’s somebody who’s taking first place. So that changed a lot for me just in terms of how people accepted my halfpipe skiing, so that was really big for me.” The next two years after his X Games gold were spent recovering from a torn ACL followed by a broken ankle. While he said
South Korea the following year, d’Artois still didn’t feel like he was fully back, saying he felt “somewhat prepared, but still had room for improvement.” So with the goal of winning gold top of mind and a desire to ski his best at the Olympics, d’Artois describes not making it through qualifiers and finishing 13th in 2018 as “devastating.” The only silver lining to the experience was him being able to sneak in some practice runs the following day, where he threw down some runs that he believed
“It’s disappointing, but it kind of re-lit the fire under the bum and made me work that much harder.” - SIMON D’ARTOIS
it was good to be able to give the body a break after multiple years of high-intensity training, the timing couldn’t have been worse for d’Artois, who had just put himself on the halfpipe map. But once again, he was motivated to get back on top, and coming off the injury he managed to win three World Cup medals in 2017, something he had never done before. However, despite carrying that into his first Olympic appearance in PyeongChang,
were as good as anybody there, even if they didn’t count towards the podium. “Not feeling like that work that you put in—not that it didn’t pay off, but it’s like instead of seeing something good come from it, it was like ‘damn, I didn’t make it and I didn’t put down the best that I could have done,’” he said. “So to come back the next day and just do a few laps of the best skiing I’ve ever done in the best halfpipe that we’ve ever
ridden was kind of, to a certain extent, that Olympic gold for myself. And also [fulfilled] that goal of skiing my best at the Olympics, even if it wasn’t in competition. “So it was a big loss, but also a little win in there as well.” Despite the disappointment, d’Artois was able to once again come back strong the following year, when he won the 2019 Crystal Globe as the overall World Cup leader, which he says was a “good way to start off another four-year cycle.” Fast forward to today, with what he believes will most likely be his last Olympic Games coming up in less than a month, d’Artois’ goal is a simple one: just win. And while these Games won’t mark the end of his career, he says he doesn’t have another four-year cycle in him. So to cap off his Olympic resume on a high note would be the sweetest way to end his rollercoaster halfpipe career. “I don’t know, man. I don’t think [the 2026 Olympics] is going to happen, but I might continue to ski halfpipe for another year or two, maybe. But I would love to transition into more local skiing and kind of enjoy what I have around me instead of always leaving when it gets good,” said d’Artois. “It’ll just make it all the better to get the podium, so I’m just trying not to think about that stuff too much, and put in the work so that when I get into halfpipe it feels like I can do whatever I want to do.” n
SPORTS THE SCORE
Whistler athletes tapped for 2022 Natural Selection Tour SPORTS BRIEFS: LOCAL ATHLETE RESULTS ROUNDUP; WHISTLER YOUTH SHINE AT MULTIPLE COMPETITIONS
BY HARRISON BROOKS THE SECOND ANNUAL Yeti Natural Selection Tour is set to kick off with its first stop in Jackson Hole, Wyo. from Jan. 25 to 31. B.C. snowboarders will be well represented at the tour with the Sea to Sky’s Leanne Pelosi, Marie-France Roy, Chris Rasman and Spencer O’Brien, as well as Vancouver Island’s Robin Van Gyn—the defending champ—and Revelstoke’s Dustin Craven, joining 16 others from around the world for the competition. The tour is the brainchild of snowboarder Travis Rice and aims to showcase some of the world’s top riders from Olympians to film icons competing on some of the most exciting natural terrain North America has to offer. After the first stop in Jackson Hole, the top half of the riders will set off to Baldface Lodge near Nelson, B.C. for the second leg of the tour on Feb. 20 to 27. The men’s and women’s champions will be named after the third leg of the competition taking place in the Tordrillo Mountains in Alaska. Riders were invited to compete based on “time-tested backcountry riding, past event finishes, video parts and the entire breadth of each riders’ career,” according to a press release. For those interested in tuning in, the event will be livestreamed at naturalselectiontour.com.
LOCAL RESULTS ROUNDUP Whistler and West Vancouver Paralympian Mollie Jepsen extended her streak to eight straight podiums to start the year. The most recent podium finishes came at the World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer, Norway last week, where Jepsen took home a bronze medal in downhill on Jan. 14. The following day the Whistler part-timer was able to capture silver in super-G, finishing just 0.45 seconds off the top spot. With her two podium finishes already in Lillehammer, Jepsen’s medal count is now at two gold, two silver and four bronze medals this season. Jepsen wasn’t the only Sea to Sky athlete to put up some good finishes over the past week. Whistler resident Teal Harle narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish at the Slopestyle World Cup in Font Romeu, France on Jan. 16. It’s the second top-five finish of Harle’s season. The first came back in November when he took a silver medal in Chur, Switzerland.
Get noticed! BIG AIR Natural Selection Tour founder Travis Rice at the 2021 Natural Selection Tour in Jackson Hole, Wyo. PHOTO BY DEAN BLOTTO GRAY/NATURAL SELECTION TOUR
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And after finishing 26th on Jan. 13 at the World Cup stop in Deer Valley, Utah, Pemberton native and freestyle skier Brenden Kelly bounced back in a big way the following day with a ninth-place finish.
WHISTLER YOUTH SHINE AT MULTIPLE COMPETITIONS Some of Whistler’s best young athletes put their skills to the test over the past week across B.C. and Alberta. Last weekend Whistler hosted the U16 Teck Coast Zone Race—the first in 18 months due to the pandemic. More than 80 athletes from ski clubs across the coastal region competed in the two-day event, which included both slalom and giant slalom races. On the women’s side, the Whistler Mountain Ski Club owned the podium across the two days with Vanessa Young, Marlo Parkhill and Viveka Deck Stang finishing one, two and three in giant slalom on Jan. 15 and Nicole Webb and Hannah Jensen grabbing the top two spots in slalom on Jan. 16. While the men didn’t have quite the same success, Thomas Legg was able to snag second-place in slalom with Archie Clarke following right behind in third. Meanwhile, at the Snowboard Cross Nor-Am Cup at Sunshine Village in Banff, Alta. On Jan. 12 and 13, Pemberton native Oscar Denessen rode to a sixth-place finish in his first ever FIS race. Fellow Whistler Valley Snowboard Club alum Kai Hooper also had a solid finish coming in two spots behind Denessen for eighth. On the women’s side, Kennedy Justinen managed to grab the two best results of the Whistler riders with a fourth-place finish on Jan. 12 and a second-place finish the following day. n
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2022 COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM The Resort Municipality of Whistler will be accepting Community Enrichment Program (CEP) applications from community groups looking for financial assistance for 2022. The application period runs from January 25 to February 15, 2022. The CEP provides funding to not-for-profit organizations or societies based within Whistler that are considered by Council to be contributing to the general interest and advantage of the municipality. The categories include ‘Environment’, ‘Community and Social Services’, ‘Recreation and Sport’ and ‘Arts and Culture’. Each interested community group is required to complete a Grant Application Form and present to Council at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on March 22, 2022. All approved funding will be issued no later than April 30, 2022. Grant Application Forms are available at www.whistler.ca/cep or at the reception desk of the Whistler Municipal Hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, B.C., Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Please submit applications to: Legislative Services Department Resort Municipality of Whistler 4325 Blackcomb Way Whistler, BC V8E 0X5 Phone: 604-935-8117 Email: corporate@whistler.ca Completed applications must be received by 4 p.m., February 15, 2022. No late applications will be accepted. To learn more, visit whistler.ca/cep.
Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca JANUARY 20, 2022
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EPICURIOUS
For those with disabilities, Joe’s Table Café offers more than a paycheque QUEST U COFFEE SHOP EMPLOYS STAFF WITH COGNITIVE DISABILITIES, CONTINUING LEGACY OF JOSEPH CHUNG
BY BRANDON BARRETT JOSEPH CHUNG lived with a form of autism that made it difficult for him to hold a conversation for long. But that doesn’t mean he was shy about introducing himself to new people. “He loved to meet people and to greet people,” recalled his father, Dr. Peter Chung. “Because of his limited language capabilities, he would say, ‘Hi, my name is Joe. What is your name?’ He would say that perfectly.’” After years of struggling to find a job that could accommodate Joseph’s needs, Chung and his wife Stephanie had the idea to create a workplace of their own that spoke to their son’s strengths. “We thought it’d be nice to build a coffee shop where he could work and he could greet people, so that’s how the concept started,” Chung explained. Thus, Joe’s Table Café, an inclusive coffee shop that provides meaningful employment to the disabled, was born. But six months before the original Burnaby location was set to open in 2013, tragedy
LEGACY LIVES ON Joe’s Table Café opened on the Quest University campus last September. PHOTOS BY SEE MEDIA
40 JANUARY 20, 2022
stuck when Joseph died after an epileptic seizure he suffered while swimming. He was 32. “Your son or your daughter dying before you, it’s a horrible, unnatural thing. It stays in your heart,” Chung said. In their lowest moments, the Chungs questioned whether to move forward with the café without their son. Faithful
Charlotte, N.C. “Well, to me, obviously it’s an honour. You never forget your son’s life until you die,” Chung said of seeing his son’s name live on through the cafés dotted around the world. “Having that legacy and then also Joseph contributing to the special community and giving them employment, that’s what is really exciting for us.”
“Having that legacy and then also Joseph contributing to the special community and giving them employment, that’s what is really exciting for us.” - DR. PETER CHUNG
Christians, it was Stephanie who, in a moment of prayer, realized the café could be a source of good for others like Joseph. Today, there are several Joe’s Café locations around the world, including its most recent one, which opened in September on the campus of Squamish’s Quest University. That’s in addition to the original Burnaby shop, several cafés in South Korea, and one in the Billy Graham Library on the late minister’s estate in
The Quest U café employs two staff members with cognitive challenges, plus a manager who oversees operations. Chung said while there are of course certain accommodations to be made when employing people with disabilities, it is a business run like any other. “You don’t want people to come for sympathy. We want to make sure we are like any other coffee shop, and, actually, try to make it better,” said Chung. “Our model
always is that we’re the second best coffee shop in the world so that we can go after the first and always improve on it.” As has been proven time and again at the other Joe’s Table Cafés, the staff is typically in it for the long haul, thriving on the day-in, day-out routine of a coffee shop. “One thing that I find is once you train these employees properly, they’ll make the perfect coffee every time,” Chung said. “People with autism, they’re not good with variation or changing things here and there, but if you teach them one thing the same way every time, they’ll be the best. They do not get bored.” In an industry that was already weathering a growing labour crisis before the pandemic hit, Chung believes employers in food-services would do well to recruit people with disabilities because they’re likely to get back a dependable, long-term worker who isn’t going to quit at the first sign of a challenge. “I think it’s worthwhile for everybody, especially nowadays,” Chung said. “They’re talking about a shortage in the hospitality industry. This is a great opportunity for them to rethink their model. And one thing’s for sure, these guys aren’t going to quit. They’re going to work there and they’ll be a permanent employee for a long, long time.” To learn more, visit joestablecafe.com. n
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The fitness centre is scheduled to By order of theJanuary Provincial re-open on Friday, 21, as staff are working to re-implement Health Officer, the fitnessthe booking system to manage centre will be closedcapacity, and as per the allupdated group Provincial fitness Health Orders (PHOs). until classes cancelled
Alphabet Soup WHISTLER’S GROUP FOR LGBTQ2S+ INDIVIDUALS, FRIENDS, FAMILY AND ALLIES
Starting January 9 for adults aged 18+
Thursday 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
January 18, 2022.
Group fitness classes are
The pool, arena and scheduled to resume with reduced squash/basketball courts capacities on January 21. remain open. The online booking requirements remain the same. Learn more at All passes will be extended for thewhistler.ca/fitness full duration of the closure.
Existing MPSC Thank youmemberships for your have been for the to patience asextended we continue duration of the closure. adapt to changing public All passeshealth will be orders. active January 21. Visit whistler.ca/notices Visit whistler.ca/notices for for further details.
further details.
THU 20 THU 13 Drop-In
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ARTS SCENE
Canadian comedy star Debra DiGiovanni feels the fear again ONTARIO COMIC AND HER SNOWED IN COMEDY TOUR COMPADRES ARE ITCHING TO GET BACK IN FRONT OF LIVE AUDIENCES
BY BRANDON BARRETT WHEN YOU’VE been performing for as long as Debra DiGiovanni has, the stage fright that comes from getting in front of live audiences tends to melt away. After all, the 49-year-old, multi-awardwinning Toronto stand-up and TV star has pretty much done it all in the comedy world. She’s a four-time Canadian Comedy Award winner, counts specials on Netflix and Crave, was a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, has performed on Conan, and her 2018 album, Lady Jazz, earned her a Juno nod, among a litany of other accolades. But with her first shows in front of actual people in months coming up as part of the Snowed in Comedy Tour, DiGiovanni is feeling that familiar feeling once again. “That terror goes away and now it’s back—and wow, it’s fun,” she says. “I feel like a young girl of 37. It’s all new again.” Like so many other performers that watched gigs dry up in the blink of an eye at the start of the pandemic, DiGiovanni went through something of an existential crisis early on. “It just crumbled. The entire calendar year of 2020 disappeared in an afternoon,” she recalls. “Not performing like that, your
SNOWED IN L to R: Stand-ups Pete Zedlacher, Paul Myrehaug, Debra DiGiovanni and Dan Quinn will be performing in Whistler on Jan. 24 and 26 as part of the annual Snowed in Comedy Tour. PHOTO SUBMITTED
42 JANUARY 20, 2022
brain is like, ‘what am I doing? What else do I do?’” There is perhaps no art form more interactive than stand-up. Comics hone their sets through the reactions of live audiences, and although DiGiovanni kept busy doing corporate gigs over Zoom, without the constant feedback loop she used to rely on, doubt began to creep in. “Here’s the thing: fine, great, I’m a professional and I am able to do a 30-minute set to nobody [in-person]. Literally nobody.
an ad campaign for a menopause drug— “Don’t be jealous,” she says. “This is where I’m at. No longer the ingénue.”). “Things still happened and I was very, very grateful. Because of where I’m at, I was able to still work over the last year and a half,” DiGiovanni says. “It was interesting to see the things that we could still do remotely and the way people made things happen regardless of what was happening in the world. It’s kinda nice, too, because you have that moment where you’re like,
“I feel like a young girl of 37. It’s all new again.” - DEBRA DIGIOVANNI
But is it good? I’m not sure. I can’t tell. I just spoke and there was no feedback at all. I don’t know if everyone’s logged off. I have no idea,” she says. “I can do it but I don’t know if it helps me as a comedian or as a person. It’s very strange … At least my laptop thinks it’s funny.” Fortunately, DiGiovanni has established herself to the point where losing the lion’s share of her live gigs didn’t set her back too much. Along with the online shows, she used the pandemic to set up a makeshift recording booth out of her L.A. home, which allowed her to land more voiceover work (including
‘Why am I leaving my house? Do I ever have to leave my house again?’” Five years ago, DiGiovanni was living the life of a homebody, yet for a very different reason. This was around the time when California had legalized weed for recreational use (“I walked out of my apartment on Day 1 and some kid went by on a skateboard smoking a joint and I was like, ‘Here we go!’”), and with her career at a stage where she no longer had to work a 9-to-5, it wasn’t uncommon for her to smoke from morning until she had to leave for a show. “I didn’t have to get up and go to a day
job anymore, so it was like, why not? It’s 10:30 in the morning. Why not? That’s when it got to the level that it became an all-day thing,” she recalls. DiGiovanni recognizes marijuana doesn’t have the same addictive traits as hard drugs, but for her, it was a means of escape, and she began cancelling gigs left and right. “I think probably 90 per cent of the world that smokes pot will smoke it normally and never have to worry about it. But there are some of us that do. It just became everything. I think it was a real symptom of not being happy,” she says. “Then the cancelling started to turn into a bigger beef than I thought. I was cancelling festivals. I remember once I was at the airport and I cancelled and turned around and went home. That was the real thing for me when I was like, ‘OK, this can’t continue.’” Ditching weed came with the silver lining of making DiGiovanni a better comic, she believes, flying in the face of that old showbiz myth that substances are essential to keeping the creative juices flowing. “I think a lot of people believe that’s how they’re funny or that’s where their creativity comes from. Anyone who’s like, ‘I’m scared I won’t be funny.’ You’re funnier without it, trust me,” she says. “Now I like everything better.” The Snowed in Comedy Tour returns to Whistler with a pair of shows at the Maury Young Arts Centre on Jan. 24 and 26 at 8 p.m. Alongside DiGiovanni will be tour regulars Dan Quinn, Pete Zedlacher and Paul Myrehaug. Tickets are available at snowedincomedytour.com. n
MUSEUM MUSINGS
MOUNTAIN MEMORIES Some on-mountain revellers at the 2018 Whistler Pride Festival. WHISTLER PRIDE COLLECTION
Whistler Pride has grown from humble beginnings BY CHRIS MONAGHAN THE 29TH ANNUAL Whistler Pride and Ski Festival is right around the corner! The week of January 23 to 30 will be chock-full of events dedicated to diversity, inclusion and fun. Coinciding with this year’s festivities, the museum is pleased to announce the launch of a new temporary exhibit titled Pride & Progress: From the Grassroots Altitude to the Fearless Whistler Pride and Ski Festival. Opening to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 25, the exhibit will take visitors through a visual and descriptive history of Whistler Pride. The challenges and triumphs leading up to the world-renowned festival we know today weave a fascinating narrative. The story begins in 1992, when Altitude— as it was known then—covertly hosted about 70 participants for a gay ski week at Whistler Mountain. From these humble beginnings, the festival continued to grow, welcoming more guests and hosting increasingly renowned performers with each year, all the while working to create a safe space for the LGBTQ2S+ community in our mountain town. The story of Whistler Pride wouldn’t be complete without an exploration of the relationship between the LGBTQ2S+ community and mountain sports. Much of that narrative centres around Pride House, the LGBTQ2S+ pavilion established during the 2010 Winter Olympics, which was a beacon of courage, visibility, and support for queer athletes to be their authentic selves. As the struggle for acceptance continues, this section of the exhibit invites visitors to reflect on the
presence of homophobia in sport, and the importance of safe spaces to create awareness and encourage important conversations. The exhibit will also feature artifacts, photographs and films from the past 29 years of the festival in its various forms that will give insight to these historic Pride events. Thanks to Dean Nelson, former festival director (2008-2018), for donating many of the artifacts and archival materials being used for the exhibit. We’re also happy to announce that our extensive collection of Whistler Pride records and materials have now been officially catalogued, rehoused, and published on our online database. Here you can find descriptions on various events, promotions, photographs, audiovisuals and more. Please browse through at your leisure for more information on the history of the festival. We will be celebrating opening night of Pride & Progress: From the Grassroots Altitude to the Fearless Whistler Pride and Ski Festival on Jan. 25, with evening hours from 6 to 9 p.m. We will also be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26. As always, entry is by donation and masks are required for all visitors to the museum—we hope to see you all here! Otherwise, the exhibit will be on display during our normal operating hours until April 19. Not quite ready for an in-person event? Our 2021 Speaker Series conversation with Dean Nelson is also available to watch on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/ whistlermuseum. Chris Monaghan is the assistant archivist at the Whistler Museum and Archives. He has been here on a Young Canada Works contract through the fall and winter. n
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ASTROLOGY
Free Will Astrology WEEK OF JANUARY 20 BY ROB BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In October 2021, the Vancouver Canucks hockey team played the Seattle Kraken team in a Seattle arena. A fan named Nadia Popovici noticed that the Canucks’ equipment manager Brian Hamilton had an irregular mole on the back of his neck—possibly cancerous. She found a way to communicate her observation to him, urging him to see a doctor. In the ensuing days, Hamilton sought medical care and discovered that the mole was indeed in an early stage of melanoma. He had it removed. In the spirit of this inspiring story, Aries, I invite you to tell the people in your life things they should know but don’t know yet—not just what might be challenging, but also what’s energizing and interesting. Be their compassionate advisor, their agent for divine intervention. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Canadian-Jamaican songwriter and recording artist Kreesha Turner isn’t a mega-star like Beyoncé or Rihanna, but she has had a successful music career. What’s the secret to her constant creative output? Here’s what she has said: “I love to surround myself with people who are the best at what they do. My idea is I want to be a sponge and absorb everything they teach, experience their energy, view them in their element, and have the opportunity to ask them questions.” The coming year will be one of the best times ever for you to emulate her strategy, Taurus. And now is a perfect moment for formulating plans to make it happen. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini author Lisa Cron says that when we’re telling a story, we should give each successive scene “new information, rather than rehashing things we already know. Never tell us the same fact twice. Because it’s boring and stops the flow of the story. Never tell us the same fact twice. Because it’s boring and stops the flow of the story.” In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I suggest you apply this counsel to everything you say and do in the next three weeks. Don’t repeat yourself. Keep moving right along. Invite novelty. Cultivate surprises and unpredictability. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Years ago, I reluctantly gave up my music career. To do so was sad and hard. But it enabled me to devote far more time and energy to improving my writing skills. I published books and developed a big audience. I’m glad I did it. Here’s another redemptive sacrifice I made earlier in my life: I renounced the chaotic pleasure of seeking endless new romantic adventures so I could commit myself to a relationship with one particular woman. In so doing, I learned a lot more about how to be a soulful human. I’m glad I did it. Is there potentially a comparable pivot in your life, my fellow Cancerian? If so, the coming weeks and months will be a favourable time to make a move. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo actor Claudia Christian has appeared in more than 50 films, including many in the science fiction genre. She has played a variety of roles in movies with more conventional themes. But as for the sci-fi stuff? She says, “Apparently, I’ve been typecast: I’m a Russian bisexual telepathic Jew.” If Christian came to me for astrological advice right now, I would suggest that the coming months will be an excellent time for her and all of you Leos to slip free of any pigeonholes you’ve been stuck in. Escape the mould! Create niches for yourself that enable you to express your full repertoire. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The coming weeks will be a favourable time to meditate on your job and your calling—as well as the differences there may be between your job and your calling. In fact, I regard this as a phase when you can summon transformative epiphanies about the way you earn a living and the useful services you provide to your fellow humans. For inspiration, read this quote from photographer Margaret Bourke-White: “Even while you’re in dead earnest about your work, you must approach it with a feeling of freedom and joy; you must be loose-jointed, like a relaxed athlete.”
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Marguerite Yourcenar wrote, “All happiness is a work of art: The smallest error falsifies it, the slightest hesitation alters it, the least heaviness spoils it, the slightest stupidity brutalizes it.” If what she says is true, it’s bad news, isn’t it? She makes it seem like cultivating joy and well-being is a superhuman skill that few of us can hope to master. Personally, I am not as stringent as Yourcenar in my ideas about what’s required to generate happiness. But like her, I believe you have to work at it. It doesn’t necessarily come easily and naturally. Most of us have never been taught how to cultivate happiness, so we must train ourselves to do it and practice diligently. The good news, Libra, is that the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to upgrade your happiness skills. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 1891, a cultural organization commissioned Scorpio sculptor Auguste Rodin to create a statue of beloved French author Honoré de Balzac. The piece was supposed to be done in 18 months, but it wasn’t. For seven years, Rodin toiled, producing more than 50 studies before finally finishing the piece. We shouldn’t be surprised, then, that one of his mottoes was “Patience is also a form of action.” I’m recommending Rodin-like patience to you in the coming weeks, Scorpio. Yours will be rewarded long before seven years go by. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “I am ashamed of confessing that I have nothing to confess,” wrote author Fanny Burney. Actor Jennifer Lawrence said, “I started to write an apology, but I don’t have anything to say I’m sorry for.” I nominate these two souls to be your role models for the coming weeks. In my astrological opinion, you are currently as immune to karmic boomerangs as it’s possible to be. Your guilt levels are abnormally low. As far as I can determine, you are relatively free from having to answer to the past or defend your actions. How do you plan to make maximum use of this grace period? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “New truths become evident when new tools become available,” declared Nobel Prize-winning medical physicist Rosalyn Sussman Yalow (1921–2011). She was referring to developments in science and technology, but I think her idea applies to our personal lives, too. And it so happens, in my astrological opinion, that the coming weeks will be a favourable time for you to acquire new tools that will ultimately lead you to discover new truths. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Self-help teachers and New Age gurus are fond of using metaphors about opening doors. They provide a lot of advice that encourages us to knock on doors, scout around for doors that are open just a crack, find keys to unlock doors, and even kick down doors. I will not be following their lead in this horoscope. In my opinion, the coming days are an excellent time for you to heed the contrary counsel of author Paulo Coelho: “Close some doors today. Not because of pride, incapacity, or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere.” Once you carry out this assignment, Aquarius, I believe you’ll start finding interesting new doors to open. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 2017, Piscean film director Jordan Peele released his debut film, Get Out. It was a success with both critics and audiences. A year later, Peele became the first Black screenwriter to win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. As he accepted the Oscar, he said, “I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was impossible.” Personally, I’m glad Peele didn’t give up his dream. Here’s one reason why: He will serve as an excellent role model for you throughout 2022. As you reinvent yourself, Pisces, don’t give up pushing ahead with persistence, courage, and a quest for what’s most fun. Homework: What’s the best blessing you could bestow on yourself right now? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.
In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates
EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com
44 JANUARY 20, 2022
PARTIAL RECALL
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APRÈS BACK Even from two metres apart, the après crowd at Dusty’s was stoked when The Hairfarmers took to the Creekside stage on Tuesday, Jan. 18. PHOTO BY MEGAN LALONDE. 2 COOL AS ICE A snow-covered Nita Lake Lodge looked like SNOW BOW An inversion and rainbow made for a special sight in Whistler Mountain’s Symphony Bowl on Friday, Jan. 14. PHOTO BY RACHEL SHERWOOD. 4 NORDIC NIGHTS Over 40 kids and club members took to the Lost Lake trails—after being greeted with pizza—on Thursday, Jan. 13 for Whistler Nordics’ first live Toonie. It was the club’s first time skiing as a group after a long two-year break. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 5 MIRACLE IN WHISTLER Baby Kinsley Munroe Clegg—born prematurely on Jan. 17, 2021, at 25 weeks gestation, and weighing only 835g—is “a testament of strength and resilience,” says her mother Katherine 1
a scene from Frozen on a bluebird day earlier this month. PHOTO BY RACHEL SHERWOOD. 3
Clegg. “She is thriving at home and is the sweetest and happiest baby.” Happy birthday Kinsley! PHOTO SUBMITTED.
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embarc_hr@diamondresorts.com Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) acquired Diamond Resorts International (DRI), and its subsidiary companies, such as Diamond Resorts Canada, Ltd. (DRCL), as of August 02, 2021. If you apply to work at Embarc, 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 Embarc as well as from HGV and related entities. *Eligibility and conditions based on DRCL policies and practices set out in general terms and conditions of employment. 2112-1001
big or small we do it all! Call 604-902-MOVE www.alltimemoving.ca
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Currently seeking a full time Quality Assurance Representative to explain contracts to potential & existing Embarc Members at time of purchase. $25.00 per hour plus bonus Eligible successful candidates may receive*: • Extensive benefits package which may include; ski pass or wellness allowance, disability coverage, travel insurance and extended health and dental. • 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.
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You may view his full obituary at Myalternatives.ca or Castanet.net.
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Dad is survived by his son Christopher, daughter Carmen, son-in-law and friend Jim, grand-daughter Camille and her husband Micah, grand-daughter Maya and her partner Eboni, great-grandson Wells James, great-granddaughter Nola Wren, sisters Bonny (Ed) and Deborra (Roger), nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, his beloved golden doodle Benjamin, and many dear friends. You were loved by so many!
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It is with deep sadness that we share the news of our Dad’s passing in the early morning of January 11, 2022 at the age of 83.
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Dogs and pick-up trucks don’t mix! Dogs who are riding in the backs of pickup trucks may look like they’re having fun, but they are not safe. When you transport your dog in the open bed of your pickup, you endanger both your dog and other motorists. If your truck hits a bump or if you step on the brakes suddenly or swerve to avoid an obstacle, your dog can easily be thrown from the truck bed and onto the road. Even with a restraint your dog may be seriously injured or killed riding in the back of a pickup. Why risk your dog’s life? Put him in the cab with you in a travel crate, or if you have an extended cab, have your pet ride in the back portion of the cab where he will be away from the front windshield.
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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. PLEASE APPLY VIA OUR WEBSITE:
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At the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) our vision of ‘Service. Relationships. Results.’ is all about providing a valued service, building strong relationships with our stakeholders, and achieving greater results for the province.
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The LDB is one of two branches of government responsible for the cannabis and liquor industry of B.C. We operate the wholesale distribution of beverage alcohol within the province, as well as the household retail brand of BC Liquor Stores.
Seeking a reliable individual to oversee the dispatching and package distribution for a large Seeking reliable individuals delivery operation in Function Junction.
We employ nearly 5,000 people in over 200 communities and have been named one of BC’s Top Employers 13 times over for offering exceptional places to work rooted in values of fairness and respect, work-life balance, and inclusion and diversity. We believe that our people are our greatest asset. Being a reputable employer with programs of skills training and professional development are what attract candidates to BC Liquor Stores, while our progressive, forward-thinking culture is why employees with a growth mindset thrive.
Has a positive attitude Whistler available immediately.
Auxiliary positions are on-call, meaning hours of work are not guaranteed and subject to availability. Some auxiliary employees may not initially work a full 35-hour week, but with more hours worked and more seniority gained, more opportunities for more hours of work will follow. Auxiliary positions are not permanent full-time but can lead to permanent full-time opportunities with a very competitive total compensation package, including a comprehensive pension plan, medical and dental coverage (including massage and physiotherapy), tuition reimbursement and scholarship programs, and access to public service employee benefits including career support services, financial and legal services, and employee and family counselling. We are dedicated to the highest quality of customer service, delivered with friendliness, individual pride, initiative, and retail passion! If you fit this description and you are prepared to work in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply to become a part of the Whistler area BC Liquor Stores.
for package Seeking reliabledelivery individualsservice The person best suited for the position… for Whistler package delivery service in in and Pemberton. is a fast-paced multi-tasker
Must be available year-round Opportunity year-round and Always Reliableisand available year-round work is 3-5 days per week. and able Can work a 4to or 5work day weeka minimum including Friday - Sunday 3-5 days per week. Potential to have a driver route as well, with reliable vehicle
Email Sarah/Denise at
Call or email mail@wplpmedia.com Email Kyle at lunalogistics20@gmail.com mail@piquenewsmagazine.com or 604-815-3685 to see if this is the right or call at 604-938-0202 604-902-1237 x44223 opportunity for you.
for more more information information and to apply. for
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following qualification requirements: • Be at least 19 years of age • Be able to legally work in Canada • Be able to provide excellent customer service • Be able to communicate effectively and professionally with the public • Be able to demonstrate aptitude for cashier and related duties, including calculations • Be able to perform physically demanding work, including lifting 20-25 kg boxes • Have a valid Serving It Right Certificate™ • A Criminal Record Check is required. BC Liquor Store Sales Associates may be required to operate a variety of mechanical and hand-operated equipment, in addition to handling large volumes of bottles as part of the LDB’s recycling program. Rate of Pay (as of April 11, 2021): Auxiliary Sales Associate - $19.45 per hour For exciting and challenging retail opportunities, please apply online at: http://bcliquorstores.prevueaps.ca/pages/openings/ Or apply in person at: Whistler Marketplace 101-4360 Lorimer Rd, Whistler On November 1, 2021 the BC Public Service announced the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that defines the conditions and expectations for BC Public Service employees regarding vaccination against COVID-19. Among other possible measures, proof of vaccination will be required by November 22, 2021. It is a term of acceptance of employment that you agree to comply with all vaccination requirements that apply to the public service. More information can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/careers-myhr/all-employees/safety-health-well-being/health/ covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-policy-for-bc-public-service-employees
There’s a place for you here.
Overnight Bell Attendant Fairmont Chateau Whistler
YOUR EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
• Class 5 BC Drivers License with clean abstract • Ability to drive standard is required • Service focused personality is essential
• Assisting with arriving and departing guests • Loading and unloading of luggage from cars to room • Providing excellent guest service
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU: • Ski-in, ski-out staff accommodation • Employee discounts on hotel stays and Food & Beverage
APPLY HERE
52 JANUARY 20, 2022
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4 6 7 8 3 9 7 4 6 2 9 to help us end youth homelessness 6 7 3 1 4 1 8 2 9 5 1 6 7 3 4 5 INCLUDED IN YOUR HIRING PACKAGE! 8 5 6 8 8 5 9 6 1 6 3 2 5 we also provide our staff 9 with: 4 7 6 Competitive Wages, Health Benefits, Gratuities, 8 2 1 8 and Staff5Housing2 Employee Discounts 7 1 4 5 7
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5 1 5 on 9 experience 4 6 2 7 8 3 • Competitive wage – #Depending 8 benefits 3 2 9 1for7 full 5 time 4 6 • Access to medical and dental 6 4 7 8 5 3 1 9 2 applicants 9 2 bought 8 7 3 goods 4 6 5 1 • Percentage discount from store • Flexible and set schedule 7 1 3 5 8 6 9 2 4 5 6 4 1 2 9 3 7 8 • Relative training
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Whistler Mechanical Ltd. is hiring plumbers and gas fitters. Applicants must have completed 1st and 2nd year Canadian Red Seal training. Applications are also accepted if you have an out of country journeyman qualification. 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.
Please e-mail your resume to whistlermech@hotmail.com or call the office (604)932-6219 and ask for Sandy. Valid B.C. Drivers license is required. We offer competitive wages, use of company vehicle, gas, tools, phone, extended health benefits etc.
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 27, 2022
WHISTLER PUBLISHING Limited Partnership
54 JANUARY 20, 2022
Vacasa Whistler is currently hiring:
• Room attendants Wages starting from $21.75 to $23.00 • Housekeeping Assistant Manager $50K and Housekeeping Coordinator $21.00 • Maintenance Tech $23.50 Various Front Desk Positions (Day or Night Shifts) Wages starting from $19.50 to $23 Flexible schedule, variable shifts available including possible night shift • Travel allowance for Squamish and Pemberton based employees OR activity/ski pass allowance. Signing bonus of $500. Extended medical and dental coverage. To apply for this opportunity, please specify the position and email your resume and cover letter to: paul.globisch@vacasa.com We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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Part-time Labourers and Full-time Scaffolder/Carpenter • Great working atmosphere with a fun crew operating in the Sea to Sky corridor • Competitive wage negotiable based on experience • Experience preferred but not mandatory for Labourer position • Internal paid training
Be a part of an amazing team as our newest Digital Account Representative!
• Physical ability to complete the tasks; heavy lifting, bending, reaching etc. is required on a daily basis
We have a rare opportunity to work at one of Canada’s best-read online newsmedia companies, Glacier Media.
• Schedule is typically Monday – Friday 7am-3pm
Send cover letter and resume to admin@alpinescaffolding.com
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
VISITOR CENTRE AGENT
Full Time & Part Time, Year Round Visitor Centre Agents act as Tourism Whistler ambassadors, living our purpose and vision with passion & energy, achievement and respect. Agents provide superior guest service to visitors and locals by providing information and insights about the resort of Whistler and the province of British Columbia. What we offer: wellness benefit, extended health benefits for full time employees, and a great team environment. What we’re looking for: knowledge of Whistler and the Sea to Sky Corridor, and excellent communication and guest service skills. We’re also recruiting for: Conference Services Coordinator.
TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
• • •
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: Open until filled.
JANUARY 20, 2022
55
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Residential/Commercial Heat Pumps Boilers-Furnaces-Chillers Design Build Call us today! 778-994-3159 www.westerntechnical.net
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DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 30
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Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY
6
3
6
2 4 1 6 7 3
9 4 8 2 4 5 9
8 5 9 9 4 8 5 7
6 1 3 7 6 2 7 4
EASY Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com # 6
ANSWERS ON PAGE 53
JANUARY 20, 2022
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MAXED OUT
The customer is always right WELL, NOW THAT the Australian government has sent Novax Djokovic back to Serbia to whack tennis balls and spread his uncaring palaver to those who believe words of wisdom come from mouths of celebrities, I could turn my attention to the upcoming winter Olympics™. I could muse about the clash between the lofty ideals espoused by the Fundamental Principles of the Olympic™ Charter and the totalitarian obliteration of fundamental human rights practiced by the Chinese government. Or I could feign shock and surprise in the discovery by Citizen Lab—a non-profit group based at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto—of a security flaw in the MY2022
BY G.D. MAXWELL app that’s mandatory for all participants at the Games that easily converts the innocentlooking app into a Spy-in-Your-Pocket operative for the Chinese government. It’s potentially threatening enough the Canadian Olympic Committee has suggested this country’s athletes leave their phones at home and bring bare-bones devices to Beijing. No suggestion whether they should drop them in the trash compactor on the way home, but it would probably be a good idea. If you’re interested, you can read all about it here: citizenlab.ca/2022/01/ cross-country-exposure-analysis-my2022olympics-app. I could even suggest, once again, anyone who feels strongly about how corrupt the International Olympic Committee is and is disgusted by what the Games have become simply ignore them. But such is the pull of sports and national pride I know that’s pointless, notwithstanding cutting off the flow of money is the only way things will ever change. Instead, I’m more interested right now in the importance of good customer service. You remember that quaint idea, don’t you? It’s something this town used to be known for. It’s something quite a few people still believe is important. And, unfortunately, it’s a foreign concept to too many others. Chances are pretty good, if you’ve purchased anything recently, you’ve been sent a survey or asked to take a minute to answer a few computer-voiced questions about a recent purchase. One of those questions was probably something along the lines of, “How likely are you—on a 10-point scale with 10 being very likely and one being not likely at all—to recommend this company to a friend or colleague?” It’s a question you didn’t see until the mid 2000s. That’s when Harvard-educated business consultant, Frederick Reichheld, started talking about customer loyalty and came up with the Net Promoter System of management in his 2006 book, The Ultimate Question: Driving Good Profits and
58 JANUARY 20, 2022
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True Growth. Bear with me while I air out my wonkishness. His work took a deeper dive into the well-established Pareto principle, the 80-20 rule. That insight posited that 80 per cent of outputs result from 20 per cent of inputs. More popularly, that 80 per cent of your profits resulted from 20 per cent of your customers, the loyal promoters of your company and products. Mr. Reichheld’s amplification was to quantify the impact satisfied—loyal— customers have on a business’ bottom line. Simplistically, if I’m really happy with the widget I bought from you or the service you provided, I’m far more likely to tell other people what a great product you have or how awesome you were to work with.
“out-service” them. He didn’t have the terrain, didn’t have the lifts, didn’t have the clientele. But he did have some ideas and he had faith in the people working for him who also had some ideas. Whether it was Sniffle Stations, Hugh and his managers out cleaning guest’s windshields on snowy days, or other things people weren’t used to from a ski-hill operator, it eventually resulted in what only a few diehards still call the Dark Side. It made Whistler Mountain pull up its socks and resulted in Whistler resort becoming the No. 1 ski destination in North America. Good products and good services generate a loyal customer base that ensures success. This was brought home to me recently when I tested the “Lifetime
I said thanks, but no thanks. If they’d have done that in the beginning, I’d have been a promoter of their products. Now? Meh.
There were, of course, businesses and managers who were organically aware of that importance without the bonus of quantifying the results. Locally, Hugh Smythe was a true believer. In the early days of Blackcomb, when the nascent ski mountain was a joke in the eyes of Franz Wilhelmsen, who was running Whistler at the time, Hugh realized the best avenue available to him to compete against the, by then, well-established Whistler was to
Guarantee” offered on a product I’d purchased a few years back on Amazon. The details aren’t particularly important and neither is the product. But the company’s response is important. They took the position there was no guarantee, lifetime or not, because the product wasn’t purchased directly from them and as far as they were concerned could well have been counterfeit. After a number of email vollies between us, I gave up, but left them with a parable
about customer service and loyalty. I told them about an old Buck knife I’d owned for 20-plus years, loved and, admittedly, abused. It was a hunting knife and I’d not infrequently used it to split kindling while camping. Its phenolic handle developed hairline cracks and ultimately started shedding shards of plastic. I sent it to Buck, admitting I’d treated it badly notwithstanding loving it, and asked if they could fix the handle and charge me accordingly. Two weeks later, a new replacement arrived with a note apologizing for any inconvenience I’d experienced as a result of their product’s failure. I can’t count the number of Buck knives I’ve bought since then. There are other companies who have earned my loyalty in the same way. By contrast, I won’t touch a HewlettPackard product or General Motors vehicle. Both companies refused to even budge when their products failed a few weeks and kilometres out of warranty. Both have missed out on numerous purchases since then. Ironically, after relating these experiences, the company relented and offered me a replacement. I said thanks, but no thanks. If they’d have done that in the beginning, I’d have been a promoter of their products. Now? Meh. Most recently, I was asked if I’d recommend a company to a friend or colleague. Chances are you were too. It seems to happen frequently after a day’s skiing. It’s a two-part question: Would I recommend Whistler Blackcomb to a friend? Will I ski at Whistler Blackcomb next season? My scores are zero and 10. Not only would I not recommend WB, I’ve actually suggested to friends they’d probably be happier elsewhere. But I live here. I’ll buy a pass for next year. I live with hope... or denial. Can’t be sure which. ■
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PEMBERTON 1414 Pemberton Farm Rd W Beautiful country estate home, just at the edge of town. South facing private flat lot with a large square foot 5bed/4bath home. Excellent for entertaining with 2 living rooms, dining room, huge basement, plus an inground pool. $3,140,000
778-318-5900 Suzanne Wilson
NORTH VANCOUVER 112-649 East 3rd Street This is 1405 sq.ft. of LEED Gold certified luxury living. Open concept design. Gourmet kitchen with high-end Bosch appliances. 2 BR, 1.5 bath, 3 decks, AC, UG parking, close to everything. Full site: http://1.digitalopenhou.se $1,249,000 GST included.
604-966-8454 Ken Achenbach
Whistler Village Shop
Whistler Creekside Shop
Squamish Station Shop
36-4314 Main Street · Whistler BC V8E 1A8 · Phone +1 604-932-1875
325-2063 Lake Placid Road · Whistler BC V8E 0B6 · Phone +1 604-932-1875
150-1200 Hunter Place · Squamish BC V8B 0G8 · Phone +1 778-733-0611
whistler.evrealestate.com
whistler.evrealestate.com
whistler.evrealestate.com
Engel & Völkers Whistler *PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION ©2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
604-966-7640
3D Tour - rem.ax/510pan
4874 Casabella Crescent
$895,000
Enjoy owning a 1/4 share in this 2204 sqf. beautiful 3 bedroom and family room townhome. It comes with 3 bathrooms and a powder room, as well as a 2 car garage. It has absolutely great views of Blackcomb mountain. You get 1 week every 4 weeks. After a hard day on the ski hill, you can enjoy relaxing in your own private hot tub.
Michael Nauss
3
604.932.9586
#510 - 4320 Sundial Crescent
Sally Warner*
$3,850,000
4
604.905.0737
.5
604.905.6326
#540 - 4899 Painted Cliff Rd.
6252 Palmer Drive
Ursula Morel*
604.905.8855
604.932.8629
.5
3D Tour - rem.ax/208snowbird
$5,649,998
Enjoy a short stroll to Whistler Village from this desirable Whistler Cay Heights location. Gather around the outdoor fire or relax and soak in the mountain views from your private hot tub. An excellent floor plan with 4 bedrooms, den, a spacious media and entertainment lower level plus double garage.
Dave Beattie*
$319,000
Spectacular top floor, refurbished, lodge style fully equipped PREMIUM studio suite with vaulted ceilings (sleeps 4), with private deck tucked away on Blackcomb Mountain at the Blackcomb Springs Resort by Clique. This is the ultimate ski in, ski out lodging!
3D Tour - rem.ax/6252palmer
This One-Of-A-Kind Mountain Home is located in the exclusive Spring Creek residential neighborhood and shows off its quality with soaring vaulted ceilings accented with large heatsaving low e windows. The open floor plan and large deck invite you to enjoy a cozy feeling while entertaining or just relaxing at home.
Bruce Watt
$495,000
This is a fabulous recreational property with exceptional rental performance. This 5th floor studio has a fully equipped kitchen, living/dining area, gas fireplace, sundeck, beautiful bathroom and sleeps 4 comfortably with a queen size murphy bed and queen size pull-out couch.
3D Tour - rem.ax/1565khyber
1565 Khyber Lane
3D Tour - rem.ax/540springs
4.5
#208 - 4865 Painted Cliff Rd
$149,000
Owning a 1/10th share in the 1350 square ft condominium on the Benchlands near Blackcomb is great way to insure that you family has year round access to Whistler and an Ownership position that will last in perpetuity. Each year you have access to 2-3 ski weeks and/ or 2 or more summer weeks.
Dave Sharpe
604.902.2779
2
3D Tour - rem.ax/305fourseasons
#318 - 4315 Northlands Boulevard
$365,700
#305/306 - 4591 Blackcomb Way
$1,625,000
#249 - 4340 Lorimer Road
$1,299,000
Right at the entrance of Whistler Village - a spacious 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom 566 sf hotel suite that has rare views over the pool looking at Blackcomb Mountain. Fully furnished and equipped for a night or a week of fun in Whistler both summer and winter. This is a handsoff rental management situation where you lock-and-leave after your stay, just like a guest.
This luxurious 2 bedroom suite is an end unit featuring two spacious, ensuited master bedrooms. Two private patios to enjoy a main living area with a pull-out sofa. Enjoy the Four Seasons Resort Whistler including 9000 square foot spa, outdoor pool, health club, in-house restaurant and lounge, room service, and ski concierge.
THIS IS IT!! What a functional floor plan and bold design with custom wood feature walls, 3D tiles, and modern fixtures throughout. This unit is dressed to impress and ready for your rentals or personal use, with “worry free” upgrades including WIFI heating and cooling, recessed sprinkler heads, and durable epoxy flooring.
Denise Brown*
Doug Treleaven
Laura Barkman
1
604.902.2033
99 Highway 99
$4,500,000
604.905.8626
#413 - 4369 Main Street
2
$449,000
A very rare, once in a lifetime opportunity to own a legacy estate property within the RMOW. This 26.2 acre parcel along the Cheakamus River is for sale for the first time ever. Bring your vision for the future, because this large property is the perfect place for your dream home. The location is just off the Maguire Service Road right off Highway 99 across from the Callaghan.
Best Price in Alpenglow! This 4th floor studio with views of Sproat Mountain is a perfect little getaway and revenue generator. Located in the middle of Whistler Village, steps from Olympic Plaza, food and shopping, and a short walk from the ski hill. Complex includes a pool, hot tub and exercise room, and secure underground parking.
Madison Perry
Matt Chiasson
778.919.7653
WHISTLER OFFICE 106 - 7015 Nesters Road, Whistler, BC V8E 0X1 604.932.2300 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070 *PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
If you are a home owner, buyer, tenant, landlord, or small business in need of help during this time, please see our updated list of resources at: remax-whistler.com/resources
604.935.9171
.5
604.905.8777
#719 - 4090 Whistler Way
1.5
$408,000
The Westin Resort & Spa is adjacent to the Gondola Base in Whistler Village. This multi star hotel is consistently the best revenue generating condo/hotel in Whistler. A quality full service resort includes an indoor /outdoor swimming pool, 2 hot tubs, large exercise facility, spa and a mall for browsing and dining.
Michael d’Artois
604.905.9337
.5
PEMBERTON OFFICE 1411 Portage Road, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L1 604.894.6616 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070