Pique Newsmagazine 3009

Into the light

As a tourism hotspot, Whistler increasingly relies on an “invisible” immigrant population to function. -

14 WARNING SIGNS

The Whistler Community Foundation’s latest Vital Signs report, released March 3, highlights the resort’s ongoing challenges with affordability.

16 SOCIAL TIES

The Resort Municipality of Whistler wants to strengthen Whistler’s social fabric—and has created an entire new department to do it.

18 CHICKS

DIG IT

Pemberton’s Chicks With Picks are celebrating two decades of guitar-fuelled good times with a show marking International Women’s Day on March 5.

By Gurbani Kaur

24 TRICKLE DOWN

A restoration project at Mount Meager, site of Canada’s largest landslide, aims to reduce flood risk downstream.

32 STAYING FOCUSED Whistler

Olympian Brodie

Seger is motivated to get back on his skis after tearing his ACL at the 2023 World Championships.

36 HIDDEN GEMS

The Mathieu-Chua Duo champion unsung classical composers from the past and present in their show at the Maury Young Arts Centre on March 5.

COVER This week marks my 20th anniversary working for Pique Newsmagazine. It’s been a journey full of highs and lows, but none of it could compare with the journey many others have taken to get here. Most of us come from somewhere else, not all of us act like it. While sliding down mountains brought me here, the community is why I stayed. We are all beautiful flowers in the community garden of life—let’s all keep acting like it. - By

Jon Parris

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com

Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com

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Reporters

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Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY

President, Whistler Publishing LP

SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com

Opinion & Columns

08 OPENING REMARKS

Whistler isn’t alone in trying to find a path to sustainable tourism, as officials in Banff recently began their own 10-year journey.

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

This week’s letter writers weigh in on the designs for Rainbow Park and the Northlands rezoning, and float the concept of “micro villages” for Pemberton.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST

What role does technology play in deciding our interests, hobbies, and favourite TV shows?

58 MAXED OUT Numbers in the latest census paint a picture of Whistlerites being anything but fat cats, writes G.D. Maxwell—more like alley cats.

Environment & Adventure

27 THE OUTSIDER Vince Shuley details the latest in the world of helmet technology.

Lifestyle & Arts

34 FORK IN THE ROAD As food costs soar, Glenda Bartosh is revisiting some traditional recipes from the prairies.

40 MUSEUM MUSINGS Whistler’s early snowboard shops were instrumental in supporting local boarders and growing the sport in its early days.

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A tale of two (over)tourism towns

REGULAR PIQUE READERS may recall an anecdote, which has appeared in these pages on at least two occasions, about a former municipal councillor and a suddenly irrelevant book.

The councillor was John Grills, and the book was something to do with overtourism— still a hot topic and going concern in late 2019 and the first few months of 2020.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

And then… well, you know the rest. COVID happened, and the book gathered dust. With last fall’s election, Grills retired from local government.

But with COVID seemingly now little more than a miserable afterthought, at least as far as restrictions and border closures go, the issue of overtourism has come roaring back—much to the chagrin of elected officials near and far.

Like in Banff, which, like Whistler, has had its own well-documented struggle with increasing visitation in recent years.

The Alberta tourism mecca hosts about 4 million visitors every year, and in July 2022 it welcomed just under 700,000 guests—the most it has seen in any single month since 2013.

In response, Parks Canada announced last month it will restrict parking for most visitors at the mega popular Moraine Lake. According to a news release, the national parks organization required flaggers onsite at all times during peak periods in 2022, and at summer’s busiest peaks, the parking lot remained full nearly 24 hours a day.

Visitors looking to take in Moraine’s picture-perfect views will have to take a shuttle or public transit from now on.

As in Whistler, Banff locals have been

ringing the alarm bells of overtourism for some time.

“We have been trying to sound the alarm on ever increasing visitation and the accompanying lack of planning foresight for well over a decade,” said Reg Bunyan, vice-president of the Bow Valley Naturalists, in a 2020 interview with the Rocky Mountain Outlook. “We suspect we are close to a tipping point.”

Now, it would seem, the call is being answered.

Last month, officials in Banff unveiled a new 10-year vision for tourism in Banff and Lake Louise.

The vision, titled Lead Tourism for Good, will serve as a “guidepost” for community leaders and organizations as they guide the region through the next decade.

“The document itself addresses environmental sustainability, community well-being, cultural integrity, and economic

continuously changing and adapting tourism for good because, in a place which is proudly 97-per-cent wilderness, we must be wildly innovative within the limits of the remaining 3 per cent,” the plan reads.

“It means collaboratively creating a future where Indigenous Peoples and businesses are present and thriving within the park. It means championing an industry and community that is welcoming, safe and inclusive for those living, working and playing here. A future where this awe-inspiring place continues to be shared in transformative ways that bring out the best in each of us and inspires stewardship in all of us—and in generations to come.”

It’s a laudable mission statement, to be sure, and not unlike the discussion taking place around visitation in Whistler in recent years.

Here in our own desirable little corner of the world, Tourism Whistler is undertaking

culture and environment”) as well as its vision (“To be the most valued, respected and regenerative mountain resort-community”).

TW’s engagement and research efforts have also informed the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) Official Community Plan, adopted at long last in 2020, with its wonderfully succinct guiding vision statement: “Whistler—A place where our community thrives, nature is protected, and guests are inspired.”

In 2021 and 2022, the RMOW also engaged the community through its “Whistler Sessions” planning exercise, which envisioned five potential scenarios for the future of Whistler— and how the community might respond.

“We have much more work to do as a community, but all of the above has been in motion since 2017, with the pandemic creating a challenging interlude, but also a lightning rod for a better future,” said TW’s president

prosperity,” reads the preamble on the plan’s website, tourismtogether.ca. “The Vision is intended to complement other long-range plans; such as the Parks Management Plan and municipal plans.”

The overall thrust of the plan is to, (spoiler alert), “lead tourism”—both for the good of people and the park itself.

“This means developing and inspiring new and meaningful ways to enjoy this place and leave it even better than it is now. It means

a similar journey, which began with a community-wide engagement process in 2019.

Through that process, officials asked many of the same questions being explored in the new Banff plan: What makes us special or unique? What do we want to protect for generations to come? What does ideal tourism look like in the future?

That engagement had a direct influence on TW’s strategic purpose (“To honour, protect and celebrate Whistler’s unique mountain

and CEO, Barrett Fisher, in an email.

“We are also planning a joint community engagement session with resort partners, residents and businesses in future.”

It’s encouraging to read about all the different ways officials, both here in Whistler and elsewhere, are working to deal with everincreasing visitor numbers.

Because the problem of overtourism is not unique to Whistler—and it’s not going away anytime soon. ■

[T]he national parks organization required flaggers onsite [at Moraine Lake] at all times during peak periods in 2022, and at summer’s busiest peaks, the parking lot remained full nearly 24 hours a day.

Please reconsider Rainbow Park plans

This letter was sent to mayor and council and shared with Pique.

I listened to the presentation to the Resort Municipality of Whistler as to the new Rainbow Park plans and am not convinced. Please reconsider.

On a quiet day (about 200 days a year), I enjoy the natural setting of beach, grass and dock. I will now be denied access for months, and then look at many new structures and an asphalt bike path close to the water. On medium days (about 11), we will create biker/ walker/swimmer interaction at more places than the entrance point and water fountain. On busy days (less than 30), far fewer people will be able to enjoy the grass, as it will be much reduced by asphalt and sit-down structures.

The needed improvements could be done for much less, leaving B.C.’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) tourist dollars available to build a new outdoor-indoor racket sports facility at Spruce Grove or Meadow Park, over a paved parking lot 7 and 8, or in the empty Village 8 Cinemas space.

Also, we could do the reduced work in the spring and fall and avoid a Rainbow Park

closure for a year. So sad and disappointing!

Michael Blaxland // Whistler

[Editor’s Note: While the closure timeline has yet to be finalized, the RMOW indicated construction would likely last either from this spring to the fall, or the fall until spring 2024.]

Is demand for recreation being accurately represented in Northlands discussion?

The article that appeared in last week’s Pique titled “Enhanced rezoning process for Northlands moving ahead…” (Pique, Feb. 24) did an excellent job of summarizing the key choices that are at stake, and the exhaustive

feedback that has been collected in this important redevelopment process over the past two years.

The Whistler Tennis Association (WTA) is pleased to see this issue get an appropriate level of exposure in the local media. However, we feel that it is important to clarify the report’s key conclusion that the Pique expressed in this article.

A bar graph on page 9 of the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) Northlands Phase 2 Report shows housing as the respondents’ top priority in the survey. Based on this information, the newspaper article concluded that, “Employee housing was the clear winner when it came to priority land use,

followed by a large-scale recreation facility.”

An initial interpretation of these results does suggest that housing was the clear winner, with 65-per-cent support from the total number of respondents. However, the questionnaire effectively split the community’s support for a multi-use racket centre into two separate categories.

The WTA has completed its own analysis of the Phase 2 report and has drawn a different, yet equally compelling conclusion: that a largescale recreation facility is the clear winner in the survey, followed by employee housing.

The question was, “What land uses do you feel are best-suited and should be prioritized for this site. Select the uses that should be included. Check all that apply.”

In total, 237 respondents prioritized “employee housing;” 189 respondents prioritized a “large-scale recreation facility (including tennis and pickleball);” 120 respondents prioritize a “world-class tennis facility.”

The combined number of supporters for a “large-scale recreation facility (including tennis and pickleball)” and a “world-class tennis facility” is 309 of the 365 respondents. Eighty-five per cent expressed that a multi-use racket centre should be the priority for the redevelopment of the Northlands site. Although this is not a contest, from this perspective recreation is the clear winner!

Although there is significant support from within the community, the WTA is not

advocating for the 16-court “world-class tennis facility” that was promised by another developer more than 30 years ago. The WTA is advocating for an inclusive, multi-use racket centre that provides the community with no fewer tennis courts than what we had when the WRC originally opened in 1993. We also support our racket sport partners, pickleball, in their quest for a robust pickleball presence. The current Whistler Racket Club proves that the vibrant social component is very highly valued by the community. The future facility needs to be of sufficient scale to be financially viable and to successfully accommodate different user groups.

Importantly, the WTA also recognizes

that employee housing is a critical issue for the community. While we are therefore very supportive of any initiative that addresses this problem through the Northlands rezoning process, we feel strongly that it should not be realized through the elimination of an existing recreational and social amenity that has served the community for more than 30 years. The support that was expressed in the Northlands Phase 2 Report for recreation as the top priority echoes this position. We believe it is important that the RMOW hears the voice of the community clearly and represents it accurately throughout the remainder of the engagement process.

John Konig // Whistler Tennis Association board of directors

Backcountry Update

AS OF TUESDAY, FEB. 28

It’s been a stormy week, with cold temperatures and snow to the valley bottom. Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 60 centimetres to the Sea to Sky region and has been accompanied by strong wind from various directions. Another storm cycle is expected to hit on Thursday, which will bring additional snow (forecasts are calling for up to 20 cm) and wind. Reactive storm slabs, wind slabs, and cornice fall have been the name of the game and will likely persist through the weekend. The weather outlook shows continued cold temperatures, reverse winds from the east, and periods of sunshine.

This may create new avalanche problems in unexpected terrain. Wind slabs could form on opposite slopes, catching you by surprise. Periods of sun may trigger loose dry and loose wet surface avalanches from steeper terrain features. The March sun can weaken

and change the snow surface rapidly, even if the air temperature remains cold. Watch out for wind-loaded areas and continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

It’s also important to remember that this is not a typical coastal snowpack. A persistent slab problem is lingering in areas west of the Sea to Sky highway. A persistent slab problem can catch backcountry recreationists by surprise, because the hazard is not always obvious. Select more conservative terrain and practice good travel techniques, like not having your whole group on a slope and planning your escape route. Larger triggers like cornice falls or smaller surface avalanches may be enough to step down to the deeper layers, initiating very large and destructive slab avalanches.

As always, be sure to track the forecasts and guidance at avalanche.ca to get the most up-to-date information before heading out for the weekend. ■

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Would ‘micro villages’ fit with Pemberton?

This letter was sent to Pemberton’s mayor and council, and shared with Pique.

The rental housing shortage is worsening monthly and local businesses continue to suffer from a lack of staff. The housing crisis and worker shortage are intertwined. We as a community need to act on immediate solutions. I respectfully suggest the mayor and council of the Village of

surrounded by hiking trails, fishing holes and several lakes. And, we feel so grateful to have a diverse group of tenants who share their unique gifts and skills with the community.

“In 2015, Terrace, B.C. was facing a rental crisis with zero occupancy. Residents of Terrace were looking for more home rental options as well as attainable home ownership. From this feedback, we developed Canada’s first micro community on 31 private acres of beautiful, wild land skirting the Kalum River.”

Pemberton look to the town of Terrace, B.C. and its Bluegrass Meadows micro village. A quick descriptor from its website (bluegrassmeadows.com): “We currently have 33 rented cabins/tiny homes, soon to be 45, and six tiny home sites with four more under construction, a common building with laundry, a recycling/compost and waste program… and we are excited to have built a community garden in the spring of 2019. The village is

Frankly, this is exactly the kind of forward thinking the Village of Pemberton should be engaging in. Instead of accepting the lack of rental housing as an inevitability of life in the Sea to Sky, and again insisting short-term rentals are not affecting our rental stock; what a change it would be for mayor and council to act decisively and make progressive decisions to improve the lives of those who elected them.

Tania Chiasson // Pemberton n

“Frankly, this is exactly the kind of forward thinking the Village of Pemberton should be engaging in.”

- TANIA CHIASSON

The tech effect

THE SPRING SUNDAYS of my childhood were usually marked by one of two soundtracks coming from the living room TV: the hushed voices of golf announcers followed by polite applause, or animated British men speaking over the sound of whizzing tires; usually talking gibberish

BY MEGAN LALONDE

about tigers and irons and greens, or formulas and a shoemaker named Michael going outside, or something like that.

Even if my dad was only watching between trips to the garage or backyard, those Sundays were the only days where the answer to “can we watch something less boring?” was a hard no.

Sometimes I’d stop and try to figure out the appeal, asking questions like “What’s a caddy?” or “So they just drive around in a circle, like, 50 times?”

No, there’s a strategy, my dad would say, trying in vain to explain the importance of pit stops and tire compounds and why the cars looked funny.

I inherited many things from both of my parents—things like my eye colour, my mannerisms, the way I take my coffee; my dad’s

taste in music and my mom’s love for animals.

My dad’s interests in the PGA Tour and motor racing are not included on that list.

That is, until March of 2020 rolled around and there were no more episodes of Tiger King left to distract me from the pandemic. Approximately five minutes after pressing play on Drive to Survive, I was hooked— something no amount of Sunday race broadcasts playing in my living room had ever managed to achieve.

It’s debatable how much of the Netflix docu-series is truly reality, but there’s no denying Formula 1 has all the makings of interesting TV. There’s glamour and rivalries and egos and humour and high stakes and underdogs and objectively good-looking drivers, and to cap it all off, the slightest risk one of them could perish in a fiery crash at any moment. It’s a dramatized-but-intimate peek behind the scenes that, to me, makes any controversy or victory happening on the track far more interesting. Turns out they don’t just drive in circles after all.

I’m not the only susceptible viewer to fall victim to the streaming giant’s marketing prowess, or as The New Yorker’s Carrie Battan wrote, the “broken fourth wall between the world of sports and entertainment” Netflix helped pioneer.

According to that 2022 article, Formula 1’s global viewership spiked almost 50 per cent in the three years since the show debuted. Alongside the Austin, Texas Grand Prix that

was F1’s sole U.S. stop until 2022, races in Miami and Las Vegas now appear on the schedule. Drive to Survive’s newly-released fifth season is, as I write this, Netflix’s secondmost viewed series in Canada.

Both golf and tennis are hoping Netflix will have the same effect on those sports as it did for Formula 1, endearing their athletes to entirely new demographics with the Full Swing and Break Point documentary series that premiered earlier this year. Meanwhile, Drive to Survive producers are reapplying the same successful formula (no pun intended, I swear) to the World Surf League for Apple TV’s Make or Break, which just released a second season.

Hitting the “next episode” button while watching that aforementioned golf series a couple of weeks ago, I thought: “How is Netflix responsible for making me invested in my dad’s favourite sports?”

It wasn’t dissimilar to another realization I was recently confronted with after an entirely-too-long trip down the TikTok rabbit hole. Video after video popping up on my For You Page—an endless stream curated by a “recommendation system that delivers content to each user that is likely to be of interest to that particular user,” as the app describes it—that all had to do with one particular band. I knew who they were; a song of theirs might appear from time to time in one of the daily playlists Spotify’s algorithm curates for me, but that was the

extent of my awareness.

Within days, I knew every band member’s full name, about the frontman’s previous struggles with heroin, and most of the words to an album I’m still not even sure if I like— information I learned almost completely against my will.

When it comes to our interests, hobbies, or taste in music and TV shows, why do we like what we like in the first place? Is it nature or nurture? A combination of genetic predispositions and the people or places you grew up around? A result of the personal or social identities we’ve built?

Tough to say, but I’m pretty confident that, like any other aspect of our lives, technology is playing an increasingly significant role. Highly manipulative algorithms can boost a band or a sport’s popularity, but it gets dicey when you apply those same practices to something like politics or conspiracy theories. (Head back to Netflix and pop on The Social Dilemma if you need a refresher on how that works.)

But, like any other aspect of our lives, duality exists. How many great songs would I have never heard if they weren’t served up on a silver platter in the form of a Spotify playlist? How priceless is the memory of the disbelief in my dad’s voice when I asked if he wanted to watch the F1 finals during a visit home last year? It’s something to think about. For now, excuse me while I finish watching season five of Drive To Survive. ■

Is everyone in Whistler thriving? Not exactly, according to latest Vital Signs report

DATA INCLUDED IN WHISTLER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S LATEST COMMUNITY CHECK-UP HIGHLIGHTS AFFORDABILITY STRUGGLES, AMONG OTHER CHALLENGES

BY MEGAN LALONDE

FOR MOST, life in Whistler comes with a particular set of challenges. But what exactly are those challenges, and how dire are they, really?

In a nutshell, that’s what the Whistler Community Foundation (WCF) attempts to define in its latest Vital Signs report, a 13-page document officially released to the public on Friday, March 3.

The annual Vital Signs report functions as a “community check-up,” or a snapshot leaning on robust data sets from numerous sources to paint as full a picture as possible of how Whistler is faring overall. Vital Signs is a global program intended to turn community knowledge into positive local impacts. It began as a Toronto Foundation initiative in 2001.

In addition to offering a general rundown of Whistler’s community demographics, this year’s report sought to answer three distinct questions: Does Whistler have a sustainable future? Is our community liveable? And, finally, is everyone thriving?

The data was compiled from sources like Statistics Canada, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), and local non-profits

throughout the last year, said WCF executive director Claire Mozes. This year’s report is a particularly important one, considering Statistics Canada’s 2021 census data was available to draw from, she explained. It was the first full-scale census conducted since 2016.

“It’s a combination of looking at the data, and then continuing to ask questions about what is actually happening in Whistler—what are we hearing? What are we seeing?—and then really starting to narrow down the data,” into those three themes, she said.

The report touches on a wide variety of topics ranging from transit, mental-health services and childcare access to crime rates, GHG emissions and housing affordability, to name just a few of them. But figuring out which of the three questions to assign these data sets to wasn’t an easy task.

“Everything is so intersectional,” Mozes explained. “It’s really impossible to think about something like mental health and then not relate it to things like affordability, or living conditions like housing. We really recognized that there was a lot of overlap between themes … it all is very interrelated.”

ARE WHISTLERITES EARNING A LIVING WAGE?

The Vital Signs report defines a living wage as the hourly rate required to live a “bare-bones” life—for example, room for a contingency fund, but none for loan or

interest payments, retirement savings, home ownership, or much extra spending beyond basic living expenses.

According to a 2019 presentation from the RMOW’s Economic Development Team, Whistler’s living wage was set that year at $25.37 per hour, per adult working 35 hours a week for 52 weeks a year, based on a twoincome family with two children.

That figure hasn’t been updated since before the pandemic, but if Whistler’s living wage assessment grew at a similar pace to Vancouver’s, that would mean a 17.3-per-cent increase over the last year, for an estimated hourly rate of $30.18 per adult, according to the report.

In 2020, women in Whistler made a median annual wage of $41,200, or about $22.64 hourly, while local men earned a median total income of $47,600, or $26.15 per hour. About 56 per cent of Whistler’s population of 13,983 took home a total annual income of $50,000 or less in 2021, or $27 per hour with a 35-hour workweek.

With those figures in mind, a major theme that emerged throughout the report was Whistlerites’ increased reliance on community services in recent years.

The Whistler Food Bank, for example, saw a record 9,365 visits in 2021, compared to 5,782 in 2020; 3,005 in 2019; and 2,773 in 2018. Whistler Community Services Society’s outreach services, meanwhile, served an alltime high of 6,128 visitors seeking mental and

emotional support in 2021, compared to 4,922 in 2020; 3,233 in 2019; and 2,040 in 2018.

“That’s massive,” said Mozes, pointing out that the number of outreach visits just about doubled every two years.

WHAT ABOUT HOUSING?

The Vital Signs report found that, for a B.C. household with a total income of $100,000, the purchase price for an affordable home would come in at about $201,938.

That stands in stark contrast to not only the sky-high median purchase prices of market housing in Whistler in 2021 ($3.3 million for a single-family home, $1.306 million for a townhouse and $770,000 for an apartment), but to Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) sale prices as well.

The median WHA resale price was $276,326 in 2022, while the prices for a newbuild, two-bedroom WHA apartment ranged from $405,000 to $460,000, according to the Vital Signs report.

When it comes to rent, however, the WHA’s median monthly rate for a one-bedroom unit, occupied by a couple or single with a total household income of $60,000, was set at $1,500, which the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation agreed is an affordable rate for that income level, as long as nonhousing expenses can be kept under $2,000.

“It just really puts into perspective how little some people are making, compared to

COMMUNITY CHECK-UP More than half of Whistler’s population earned less than $50K in 2021.

PHOTO BY MIKE CRANE / GETTY IMAGES

Whistler Blackcomb COO Geoff Buchheister leaving Vail Resorts

BUCHHEISTER NAMED NEW CEO OF ASPEN SNOWMASS

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB’S (WB) chief operating officer and vice president Geoff Buchheister is leaving the resort, WB’s parent company Vail Resorts announced on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

“We are incredibly grateful to Geoff and everything he’s contributed over the last eight years at Vail Resorts, and certainly for the impact he’s had at Whistler Blackcomb over the last four years,” said Doug Pierini, COO and SVP for Vail Resorts, in a statement shared with Pique

“Geoff has been an influential leader and we have no doubt he will continue to be successful in this new chapter. We are proud to build such great leaders across our company and it is a core value of ours to support these leaders throughout their journey while at Vail Resorts and beyond. We remain deeply committed to the continued success of Whistler Blackcomb, to delivering an excellent experience for our employees and guests, and to being productive partners to our community in Whistler.”

Buchheister will assume the role of chief executive officer of Aspen Snowmass—Vail Resorts’ direct competition—the company announced in its own release on Feb. 28.

“I’m incredibly excited to be returning to Colorado and joining the Aspen Skiing Company,” Buchheister said in the release. “I feel a strong connection to the values that the Crown family brings to this organization, and I look forward to being part of this team. Aspen has such deep history, built by a community that loves and celebrates its unique mountain culture. I’m humbled to have the opportunity to listen and learn as I integrate into the company and the community.”

Buchheister will lead Aspen’s Mountain Division and will begin onboarding March 1, the release said. His first priority will be to spend the next two months learning and transitioning responsibilities from current

VITAL SIGNS FROM PAGE 14

how much things like housing actually cost,” said Mozes. “Even with affordable [options], and programs that have done a fantastic job housing so many employees, it’s still out of reach for people.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

With the disparity between wages and affordability clearly laid out in the Vital Signs report, what are Whistler’s next steps?

“I don’t have an answer,” said Mozes. “We don’t create programs out of this document, but it is definitely our hope that it calls for some conversation at different levels … whether it’s local or provincial or even federal, potentially, there’s an opportunity to look at some of these stats and think about people’s lived experience and then try to come up with some solutions, or at least continue to support

Aspen CEO Mike Kaplan, who officially retires on April 30.

“While this process took longer than expected, we firmly believe it was worth the wait. In the end, we found the ideal candidate to lead our ski and summer-time mountain operations into the future,” said Aspen owner Jim Crown, in the release. “Geoff has a long history in the industry, a true passion for the sport and understands the importance of long-term planning, community relations, and the role employees play in delivering guests a world-class experience.”

The announcement was first shared in an email with Vail Resorts employees.

Buchheister assumed the role of WB COO in November 2019, arriving in Whistler from Keystone Ski Resort in Colo., having previously worked in Park City, Utah.

With Buchheister’s departure, Vail Resorts will be looking to hire his replacement, with more expected on that in the coming weeks.

Pierini will step into the COO role at Whistler Blackcomb on an interim basis in the meantime.

Buchheister’s last day is Friday, March 3. n

things that are working, or move away from things that aren’t working as well as possible.

“There’s no magic answer in here, that’s for sure.”

That said, the Vital Signs report does help identify some of the bigger issues impacting Whistler’s community, which will in turn factor in when the WCF decides where to direct its funding, Mozes explained.

With the WCF now accepting applications for its spring grant cycle, “we’re hoping that non-profits and charities do use this [report] as a tool to see if there’s some programming that they’re already doing, or if there’s some programming that they could be doing that would help support and impact the community’s well-being in a positive way,” she said.

Find this year’s Vital Signs report at whistlerfoundation.com/work/vital-signs. n

ASPEN BOUND Outgoing Whistler Blackcomb COO Geoff Buchheister.

The RMOW wants to strengthen Whistler’s social fabric—and has created an entire new department to do it

THEMSELVES,’ THE MUNICIPALITY SAYS

BY BRANDON BARRETT

THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) is creating a new division at municipal hall dedicated to strengthening Whistler’s social fabric and enhancing engagement with the community, a key part of the local government’s recently unveiled four-year strategic plan.

At the regular meeting of council on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the RMOW offered further insight into its overarching 2023-26 Strategic Plan, which sets high-level priorities and initiatives for council’s term in office.

The Strategic Plan is divided into four main priorities: housing, climate action, community engagement and smart tourism. In the first of Pique’s series delving further into the strategic plan, we hone in on community engagement, and, specifically, the RMOW’s plans for a new Community Engagement and Cultural Services division.

In its report this week, the municipality pointed to the outcomes of last year’s Whistler Sessions scenario planning—which took a sober look at what the resort could look like

in 15 to 20 years if current trends persist— as an indicator of the need to enhance its engagement with the public.

“There exists a real potential that as housing and affordability challenges increase, so does division and fracturing within the community fabric,” the report stated. “If this community fabric begins to come apart, the rich Whistler culture that locals contribute to and visitors seek out will start to dissolve.”

The RMOW views robust community engagement as “one of the best ways to build and strengthen connections between the RMOW and residents as well as residents themselves,” the report went on.

Along with its new division, the municipality has several ideas to enhance engagement. Among the initiatives identified in the report are plans to expand its communication channels; to update its website; to improve real-time information sharing; to develop content targeted at young demographics in the community, an historically underrepresented group in local politics; and to review existing council procedures to find ways to reduce barriers for public input.

As part of that process, the RMOW will

conduct an in-depth review of its current committees of council, “an optimization exercise” intended to ensure “we don’t have big overlaps with the work that’s being done and that we’re getting the most value out of the process that we possibly can,” explained Mayor Jack Crompton following the Feb. 21 meeting.

The RMOW lists 17 select committees on its website, although not all are currently active. Each committee includes municipal staff and appointed councillors, and, commonly, resort stakeholders as well as community members at large. Part of the committee review process is to ensure “every time the RMOW convenes a group of residents and stakeholders for input, there is clarity around the purpose of the discussion, the participants feel valued for their contribution and are able to clearly see where their feedback has been captured and considered in the municipality’s work,” the report stated.

Meanwhile, a new general manager position has been created to oversee the Community Engagement and Cultural Services division, following a restructuring of the RMOW’s organization.Municipal CAO Ginny Cullen said the new division won’t require the hiring of additional staff positions, though a new staff

member is being recruited to fill the role.

“We took manager positions that were retirements and we added them together and made a GM,” she said. “We’re pretty careful to not add staff. We tried to rearrange it to optimize our staff.”

While the division’s day-to-day responsibilities are still being ironed out, part of the goal is to “bring key community-facing facilities and teams alongside departments tasked with visitor-facing programming and tourism development work,” the report noted. “This change compliments council’s new priority area and will elevate community considerations in the design and implementation of projects supporting tourism.”

Cullen said it will be important to clearly define the division’s scope.

“We’re still working through the strategy of that department. Because it’s such a big mandate, we have to be really careful about where we draw the fence around what we can and cannot do, because you can call anything ‘community engagement,’” she said. “But it will start by streamlining what we’re doing internally, and then we’ll be looking at what the key projects that we need to be engaging on. But then also things we haven’t seen yet.” n

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS ‘ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE RMOW AND RESIDENTS AS WELL AS BETWEEN RESIDENTS

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land

Take notice that the Pemberton Valley Dyking District of 1381 Aster St, Pemberton, BC have applied to British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRORD), Surrey, for institutional purpose situated on Provincial Crown land located at that part of E1/2 of SE1/4, District Lot 203, together with that part of Dyke Reserve as shown on Plan 5957, District Lot 204, Lillooet District, Containing 1.02 hectares, more or less.

The Lands File Number for this application is 2412423. Comments on this application may be submitted in two ways:

1) Online via the Applications and Reasons for Decision Database website at: https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications

2) By mail to Senior Land Officer at 200-10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1 Comments will be received by FLNRORD until April 14, 2023. FLNRORD may not be able to consider comments received after this date

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

Pemberton’s Chicks With Picks celebrating two decades of guitar-fuelled good times

THE LOCAL MUSICIANS WILL MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH A SHOW AT GRIMM’S GOURMET & DELI IN PEMBERTON ON MARCH 5

BY MEGAN LALONDE

LIKE ANY GOOD Canadian origin story, it started around a campfire. One in a backyard in Pemberton in June 2002, to be more specific.

Barbara Brooks and her neighbour were strumming their guitars and singing a few campfire songs when they got to chatting with Sue Stearns. Brooks was taking group guitar lessons, but wasn’t exactly progressing at the rate she’d hoped to. Stearns knew a few chords. Could she teach her?

Arrangements were made to launch a series of women-only guitar classes out of Pemberton’s high school that fall.

And that was how Chicks With Picks started.

Well, kind of. Also like any good origin story, it took a little longer than expected for the wheels to start turning. The fall session was cancelled when only one student signed up, before a second attempt in February 2003 proved more successful.

“It was just beginner guitar lessons for women,” remembered Chicks With Picks founder Stearns.

In the two decades since, Chicks With Picks has welcomed about 800 students ranging in age from 11 to 82 to its classes in Pemberton (and Whistler from 2013 to 2019), through the eight-week group sessions Stearns continues to teach each spring and fall.

“You can always learn something from playing with other people no matter what level you are,” said Stearns. “And I think that the camaraderie is also something that was a bit of a bonus.”

Those lessons expanded into the Chicks With Picks Performing Ensemble, an allwomen group of guitar players (ranging from six to 12, depending who’s available) that rehearses most Sundays. It’s not just acoustic guitars onstage anymore, either, with some group members expanding their musical horizons to include everything from the bass and the ukulele to, in one case, the banjo.

Though the group has more than 150 shows under its belt to date, its first

performance—a school fundraising event at the restaurant that’s now home to The Pony— is a particularly fond memory for Stearns. “That was the first thing that sort of sparked the opportunity that maybe we could perform outside of class,” she recalled.

Looking back, “we’ve really come a long way from just being a group of girls that jam together to actually performing the songs. Not just playing them but adding our little shtick to it and adding our own flavour,” she added.

“There’s always nerves before you perform and there’s always little mistakes and things that we have to deal with, but overall, you look at the expression on the faces and it’s just magic.”

Their next performance will see the

Chicks celebrate both their 20th anniversary and International Women’s Day (IWD) with a performance at Grimm’s Gourmet & Deli in Pemberton on Sunday afternoon, March 5 from 2 to 4 p.m.

With a carefully curated setlist filled with hits from every decade from the 1910s to the 2000s, there’s sure to be something for everyone. It might be IWD, but the setlist doesn’t discriminate, with songs by the Beatles mixed in with ABBA and Zac Brown Band, Blue Rodeo, Green Day and Willie Nelson.

The show will be by donation, with all funds raised going towards Sea to Sky Community Services’ Pemberton-based programs.

Can’t make it to Sunday’s performances? Stay tuned for more appearances from

Chicks With Picks across Spud Valley in the coming months. The group plans to host a 20th-anniversary party later this summer (specifics to come), and is also scheduled to play at venues like the Pemberton Women’s Institute Annual Plant Sale, a preMother’s Day event at Happi Life Farm, the Pemberton Farmers’ Market and the Copper Cayuse Outfitters Women’s Retreat, to name just a few.

“It’s just really been a special thing that’s just kind of grown, and it still amazes me to this day, the dedication of everyone, no matter the venue, no matter what the occasion is— everyone rises up and just gives it their best and it’s just a wonderful, special feeling to be at 20 years and still doing it,” said Stearns. n

GUITAR GALS The local group will rock out in honour of International Women’s Day with a Pemberton performance on March 5. Pictured: (front row) Barbara Brooks, Shawn Wallace; (back row) Nathalie Klein, Pippa Hodge, Shirley Kernaghan, Meredith Gardner, Sue Stearns.

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RMOW issues wildlife alert after black bear encounter in Lost Lake Park

CONSERVATION OFFICERS SAY THEY RECEIVED AT LEAST EIGHT REPORTS OF BEAR SIGHTINGS IN WHISTLER LAST MONTH

BY MEGAN LALONDE

USUALLY, THE BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) will receive one or two reports of bear sightings in Whistler throughout the winter months, “and that would be it,” according to Sea to Sky-based conservation officer Brittany Mueller.

Between Feb. 1 and 24 this year, it received eight.

“In coastal areas that are quite temperate, it’s normal to have bears coming in and out of hibernation, but for Whistler, I would say this is definitely an abnormal year,” Mueller explained.

One of those reports stemmed from a black bear encounter in the Lost Lake Park area on Saturday, Feb. 18, where a mature black bear approached trail users and their leashed dog on the White Gold Traverse trail. The encounter prompted the Resort Municipality of Whistler to issue a wildlife alert for the community several days later.

Mueller said the animal initially appeared behind the trail user and their dog, and seemed to be curious.

“It stood momentarily, which we know bears do not for aggressive behaviour, but

they do that to try to get a scent,” she said. The bear reportedly walked in the trail users’ direction before passing by the group.

“They backed up out of the way and then the bear continued on,” Mueller said. “It didn’t bluff-charge, it didn’t vocalize; it looked like it was more of a curious behaviour … but they were yelling at it and trying to deter it from approaching.”

Conservation officers attended the site following the encounter and placed signage in the area to warn others.

“I think it shows us that … these encounters can happen anytime of the year now,” Mueller added. “I think we need to be aware that there is a bear out and about.”

Though officials can’t be sure whether the higher-than-usual number of sightings this winter are linked to one or several bears, Mueller said it’s more than likely the bear spotted near Lost Lake did go into den, but has been going in and out of hibernation after accessing available food sources amid generally mild temperatures this winter.

Bears have been observed accessing bird feeders and sniffing around barbecues in recent months, while most of the bear sightings and activity reported to COS this winter have taken place in and around the

village area, Mueller said.

In terms of the Lost Lake encounter, where conservation officers’ concern lies “is that this bear’s behaviour may escalate because it doesn’t have any other natural food sources through the winter,” said Mueller.

She stressed the importance of removing

or securing attractants like bird feeders and pet food, keeping barbecues clean or out of reach of wildlife and being “extra-cautious” about garbage storage, “which we should be doing anytime of the year, really,” she said.

“If the bears aren’t in it, it’s the raccoons— all other predators would be attracted to it.”

Mueller also praised the trail user involved in the Lost Lake-area encounter for keeping their dog on a leash. “The dog didn’t pursue the bear—it didn’t have the opportunity because it was on a leash,” she said. “So it was a very controlled encounter, on the human side.”

In December, local conservation officers killed a male black bear after weeks of unsuccessful efforts to haze the animal out of Whistler Village. The bear’s behaviour was deemed to be a public safety risk after it began approaching people for food.

“We are asking the public to not be naive, to not assume that bears are in den and start to be negligent in terms of attractant management,” COS Sgt. Simon Gravel noted at the time.

“Attractant management in a place like Whistler needs to be 12 months a year.”

The RMOW is asking locals and visitors to respect any wildlife signage posted in the Lost Lake area and report bear sightings to the COS by phone at 1-877-952-7277. n

BEAR AWARE A black bear (not the same animal pictured) reportedly approached a trail user and their leashed dog near Whistler’s Lost Lake Park on Saturday, Feb. 18.

IBRAHIM SUHA DERBENT / GETTY IMAGES

Whistler 360 Health Collaborative patient registry now

ARE YOU A LOCAL WITHOUT A FAMILY DOCTOR?

BY MEGAN LALONDE

THE WHISTLER 360 Health Care Collaborative Society previously estimated that about half of Whistler residents do not have a family physician.

The organization can expect to have a more exact figure soon, after officially opening up a patient registry to the community earlier this month.

The Google Form prompts any Whistler resident without a primary care provider to register that status, adding their name (or a family member’s) to the list of locals seeking a family physician or nurse practitioner. Whistler 360 will contact prospective patients on the list once space becomes available.

Hundreds of Whistlerites have already added their names to the registry since it opened about three weeks ago, said Whistler 360 chair Carol Leacy. The organization posted links to the registry in the Whistler Health Care Centre emergency room and through Whistler Community Services Society’s channels before announcing it to the wider community.

“We started with that to try and get to people who were probably most in need, and then now we’re just trying to get the word out to everyone” she explained.

“It’s been great just to really figure out what the true demand is in Whistler,” Leacy added. “We’re really hoping to spread the word about that, because we do want to build that list to understand the demand, and then it gives us a way to start contacting people when we do have new [health-care practitioners] starting.”

Opening the registry is Whistler 360’s latest step toward its goal of improving patients’ access to care within the community. Whistler

open

that will provide longitudinal care to more patients, while addressing many of the issues that discourage physicians from pursuing careers in family practice in the first place.

Renovations are currently underway on two new primary care rooms within the Whistler Health Care Centre, donated to Whistler 360 by Vancouver Coastal Health, as well as on a new satellite space in the Main Street location that previously housed Town Plaza Medical Clinic.

Those renovations are on track to be complete by about the end of March, said Leacy.

“In the meantime, we’re just securing some new doctors and nurse practitioners,” she added. “Nothing’s final on that yet, but we do hope in the next coming months that we’ll have lots more to share and, hopefully, some staff that we could introduce to people.”

360 officially merged with the Whistler Medical Clinic on Jan. 1, transitioning the resort’s last remaining and longest-standing family medicine practice to a non-profit financial model. The society grew out of a Primary Care Task Force established in 2019 to help address Whistler’s family physician shortage, and was incorporated under the Societies Act in 2021.

The group’s ultimate goal is to establish a community-governed, team-based clinic

For now, patients without a family doctor can still call the Whistler Medical Clinic on Saturday and Sunday mornings to book sameday walk-in appointments. The clinic has also been experimenting with extended hours during the week, Leacy added.

“That’s gone over really well, because a lot of people seem to prefer the post-work [appointments], and anytime we add a second provider on the weekends, it just fills right up,” she said. “We’re going to continue trying to do that, so people, even when we can’t attach new patients, we’ll be able to at least serve their immediate primary care needs.” n

OPEN SPACE Renovations are underway on two additional exam rooms within the Whistler Health Care Centre, donated to Whistler 360 by Vancouver Coastal Health.

FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH

Local scientists, fishermen laud decision to shut down ‘problematic’ Discovery Islands fish farms

FISHERIES MINISTER JOYCE MURRAY REAFFIRMED A PRIOR DECISION LAST MONTH NOT TO RENEW 15 OPEN-NET SALMON FARM LICENSES IN THE REGION

BY BRANDON BARRETT

J IM HORNER has caught a lot of fish in his day. Call it the natural consequence of spending 30 summers on a commercial fishing trawler in the pristine waters of Haida Gwaii.

“Pretty much everything I have today I owe to salmon,” he said.

For decades now, Horner has tried to repay that debt by speaking out against what he calls “the cancer” of open-net Atlantic salmon farms located off the coast of B.C. and their harmful impacts on migrating wild salmon.

“I watched this incredible resource that was so abundant, and I saw it crash and burn,” he recalled. “It was pretty obvious to me what the problem was.”

So, to say that Horner was thrilled by the announcement, last month, that the federal government will not be renewing licenses for more than a dozen fish farms in the Discovery Islands, would be a vast understatement.

“I drank a bottle of scotch, to be honest with you,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve done what I can to try to support these great minds for the cause, and we’re getting to the point now where it looks like the tide has turned and we’re starting to gain some headway, finally, after 40

years, which puts a real smile on my face.”

Last month, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Joyce Murray reaffirmed her predecessor’s decision not to renew the licenses of 15 salmon farms in the Discovery Islands. The original decision to evict all open-net salmon farms by June 2022 was made in 2020 by former fisheries minister, Bernadette Jordan.

While salmon farmers have mostly complied with the order, they won a judicial review last year that challenged the original directive from 2020 after a federal court found Jordan’s order lacked procedural fairness. Murray was then tasked with reviewing the decision, and held a round of consultation with the salmon farming industry, First Nations and stakeholders.

“I thought it was spectacular,” Stan Proboszcz, senior scientist for the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, said of the decision. “I think it’s a lot of a different things, but I think this aquaculture industry is so problematic for so many reasons it has become a political liability for any sort of government to support. I think that’s the realization that’s happening now.”

The decision to phase out salmon farms in the Discovery Islands was based on a recommendation from the landmark Cohen Commission, established in 2010 to investigate the collapse of Fraser River sockeye returns,

and vigorous opposition to the industry from First Nations.

The commission acknowledged opennet salmon farms could pose a risk to wild salmon through the transmission of diseases, particularly in the Discovery Islands, and recommended that all open-net farms be removed from the region by 2022, unless science could demonstrate they posed no more than a minimal risk.

Prior to Jordan’s original decision not to renew the federal licenses, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) released a widely criticized report that analyzed nine fish pathogens, concluding that open-net salmon farms posed no more than a minimal risk to wild salmon.

More recently, the DFO released a report that found “no statistically significant association” between infested salmon farms and sea lice in nearby wild salmon, prompting 16 of Canada’s leading fish scientists to sign a letter calling out the study’s “serious scientific failings,” including cherry-picked data that ignored the scientific consensus and a lack of consultation with experts outside of the DFO.

Proboszcz, who has served as a steering committee member on five of the DFO’s previous fish pathogen risk assessments, believes the sea-lice report to be another example of a fisheries department that has

been roundly criticized for its close ties to commercial fish farms.

“It paints this picture of two sides of the DFO, with the minister on one side and her promise around salmon farms, and the bureaucracy and what they have been thinking about salmon farms on the other,” he said. “The bureaucracy, the people that work in DFO on aquaculture, their jobs are dependent on an aquaculture industry, so there is that potential conflict of interest that may be affecting how they operate and what they do.”

While scientists and conservationists applauded Murray’s decision to keep the Discovery Islands farms closed, representatives from the seafood industry have warned of the “devastating” economic impacts the closure would have. The Discovery Islands produce about a quarter of B.C.’s annual farmed salmon, and there remain about 70 fish farms along B.C’s coast.

“They’re going to fight tooth and nail to maintain those farms,” said Dave Brown, Whistler fisherman and longtime member of the Squamish-Lillooet Sportfish Advisory Committee. “If we have more salmon in our waters that are wild, I think that the social, economic, and environmental benefits far outweigh whatever the fish farms contributed to the economy and people of B.C.” n

Backto the Whistler Chamber for 2023 are our valued in-person events. Recurring events such as the monthly Chamber Après networking meetups and quarterly Power Lunches featuring speakers and panels should be highlights on everyone’s calendar! Our regular workshops on foodsafe and customer service continue, with exciting new training sessions coming soon. In addition, we have been working hard toward finalizing the Whistler Talent Plan, an integrated plan to address the current and future workforce needs. We are gathering Member and partner feedback. Keep an eye out for member engagement opportunities and we’ll be proud to share it with you soon.

With spring on the horizon, the team at the Whistler Chamber has been thrilled to welcome many new Members to our community. We’d like to welcome you, too! Here’s just a few of the many reasons local businesses can benefit from membership with the Chamber.

• Events and Training: Whether you’re looking for training opportunities, educational speakers & discussions, or just a fun time, we’ve got events and workshops to suit your needs!

• Advocacy: We work with all levels of government to address business challenges in our community. The Whistler Chamber has a track record of moving the dial on local,

provincial and national issues. Whether it’s lobbying for business support programs or speaking up on National immigration reform, the Chamber champions your interests.

• Connections / Networking: Whistler businesses make up a community. We provide opportunities to network and build relationships that can open doors to new opportunities.

• Whistler Experience: Combine affordable training opportunities with local discounts and perks (including the Spirit Pass, transit discounts, and recreation / gym offers) to provide your staff an unforgettable experience.

• Exposure: Get your name out there! Members are highlighted in the Chamber newsletter, business directory, social media, at events and are eligible to be nominated for the annual Whistler Excellence Awards.

We’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s available to Members, and our tiered membership structure ensures we’ll have a membership package that suits your needs. When you support the Whistler Chamber, you are investing in the Whistler business community, gaining credibility and enhancing your business’ reputation as a community leader. Thank you to all our members for your continued support over the last few years.

Apres Networking at The Adventure Group

The Whistler Chamber has seen some exciting changes over the past few months, as we ramp up our programming and grow back our team.

Whistler businesses concerned about rising costs

THE RMOW REQUIRES COMPANIES TO PAY FOR MULTIPLE BUSINESS LICENCES IF THEY OPERATE MULTIPLE UNITS

BY ROBERT WISLA

RECENTLY, RDC Fine Homes, an awardwinning local construction company, found itself blindsided by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) after obtaining additional space across from its offices in Function Junction. Shortly after a fire inspection on the auxiliary unit it acquired, the municipality demanded the company pay for the fire inspection and an additional business licence for the extra space.

Bob Deeks, owner of RDC Fine Homes, accepts the additional fire inspection fee, but believes charging for multiple business licences for the same business is not logical.

“It doesn’t make any sense to me at all,” Deeks said. “Why would they require multiple business licences for the same business to operate in the same community?”

According to Whistler Chamber of Commerce (WCC) executive director Louise Walker, Deeks is not alone in experiencing licensing issues, as a few local businesses have reported experiencing a similar problem.

“We have heard some reports of unexpected changes to business licences and associated fees, including the need for multiple licences,” Walker said in an email. “If policies and fees have changed, it would be useful to better understand the changes and how the increased revenue will be used to support the business community.”

The average cost of a business licence in Whistler is between $190 and $200, although this ranges depending on the type of commercial enterprise. The licence price is meant to cover RMOW staff processing time, and hasn’t changed since 2019.

IS THIS A NEW POLICY?

According to an RMOW spokesperson, the municipality always required businesses with multiple units to pay for business licences on every commercial unit they occupy.

The licensing requirement includes if a business rents space in a building which can be used for storage, but isn’t a dedicated

storage business. It requires a separate business licence from the main business and a separate fire inspection and fee.

The RMOW did note that a new fire inspection fee was adopted in 2019, but not charged to businesses until 2023 due to the pandemic. On average, an annual fire inspection costs $125 per unit.

“What has changed is that starting this year, there’s now an annual fire inspection fee added to the annual business licence fee invoice,” the spokesperson said in an email. “Fire inspections are important for life safety, and the fee applies to all commercial locations and home-based businesses that invite customers into their space.”

BUSINESS COMMUNITY CONCERNED ABOUT EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

With rising costs for municipal permits, licensing fees, and ongoing staffing challenges brought on by the housing crisis, the Whistler business community is increasingly concerned about the ease and cost of operating in the resort.

“Businesses are facing increasing costs across many areas, including labour, rent, supplier costs, and various taxes/fees, including an increase in property tax and business licence fees,” Walker said.

“With the cost of business increasing across a number of areas, the combined impact is a concern, especially at a time when we should be focusing on recovery for our business community.”

According to a recently conducted survey by the WCC, 67 per cent of Whistler businesses believe that the ease and costs of doing business in Whistler will worsen over the next four years. While nearly all surveyed (83 per cent) were concerned about local businesses closing due to rising costs.

Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton noted the business community’s concerns regarding the rising costs of doing business in the resort.

“We’re always looking for ways to work with business,” Crompton said. “I look forward to hearing from the business community on the ways that we can do that even better.” n

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Meager debris restoration project receives $150K grant

THE GOAL IS TO BUILD A NEW ECOSYSTEM ATOP THE SITE OF CANADA’S LARGEST LANDSLIDE THAT COULD REDUCE FLOOD RISK DOWNSTREAM

BY MEGAN LALONDE

DURING THE DISASTROUS flood of record that wreaked havoc in Pemberton in October 2003, flow rates on the Lillooet River peaked at about 1,490 cubic metres per second.

The June 2021 heat dome, meanwhile, saw the river’s flow rate sit above 600 m3/s for six consecutive days. Still, the event managed to cause significant flooding, mass sandbagging efforts and even evacuation orders in the area.

Basically, the Pemberton Valley’s risk of suffering the adverse effects of flooding is going up, even if the river’s flow rate doesn’t, explained Veronica Woodruff, senior project manager and principal with Clear Course Consulting and founder of the Pemberton Stewardship Society. “You’re seeing the flood levels be much higher at a lower discharge,” she said.

One reason for that? A 12-and-a-half-yearold landslide debris field on nearby Mount Meager.

The entire southern peak slid down the side of the volcano in August of 2010, bringing an estimated 50 million cubic metres of debris down onto Capricorn Creek and into the Lillooet River Valley along with it. It’s considered to be the largest landslide ever recorded in Canada. Sediment from the remaining four-square-kilometre debris

field has been slowly but steadily working its way into the waterway ever since.

The Pemberton Valley Diking District has been working to remove that sediment from the river annually in an effort to maintain its capacity to handle high-water events, Woodruff explained. “They take up to 60,000 cubic metres [of gravel] a year,” she said. “That’s quite a lot—I think that’s like 6,000 dump trucks.”

That work is typically carried out in February or March, when water levels are low, she continued. The problem? “Usually

was our idea to not only improve habitat at the site, because it is still quite devoid of vegetation, but to reduce the amount of sediment that’s moving down the river.”

by September, October, that gravel they’ve removed is already back,” she said. “It’s not a long-term solution and it has to be done every year, otherwise that flood risk is even higher.”

Floodplain mapping suggests erosion off the landslide debris could continue for decades, but Woodruff has an idea that might just clear things up in a shorter timeframe: ecologically restoring the site.

“One of the ways to reduce erosion, when you look at a site like landslide debris, is to have a working ecosystem—so trees that hold all the sand and gravel in place,” she explained. “That

Last month, the restoration project Woodruff helped spearhead alongside Lil’wat Nation’s Troy Bikadi in 2019 received $150,000 from B.C.’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. The funding is provided by the provincial government and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities, intended to support communities to better prepare for, mitigate and respond to climate-related emergencies.

The funding will pay for engineering and geomorphology input needed to assess the landslide debris field and develop a planting plan, said Woodruff. “Those kinds of professionals are just generally expensive,” she explained. Plus, “what we learned in 2021 is that it’s actually not as simple as planting trees,” she added.

During 2021’s heat dome, researchers were confronted with just how unconfined the flow of Meager Creek is through the slide debris, particularly during flood events.

“The stream just goes everywhere,” Woodruff said. “So if we planted trees … and then you have a high event like in 2021, basically, the water would have wiped everything out.” With that in mind, project leaders are considering a few ways of managing the reforestation area.

“One of the ideas is, potentially, to build a setback berm that would exclude Meager Creek from accessing a portion of the slide debris that we can work on to restore,” Woodruff said.

Work could include “really innovative restoration techniques” like incorporating different species of plants and shrubs, conducting ground treatments or even introducing mycelium.

Woodruff was on hand during an event at the Ullus Banquet Hall in Mount Currie on Thursday evening, Feb. 23 to discuss the newlyfunded project, alongside Glyn Williams-Jones, a volcanologist and Earth sciences professor at Vancouver’s Simon Fraser University, who presented his seismic research findings at Meager to an audience of about 40.

That raises another question: what happens to the ecological work in the event of another incident on the notoriously unstable massif?

“There’s so much uncertainty when you’re looking at risks like volcanoes,” said Woodruff. “Like, ‘is it going to erupt?’ or, ‘Is there going to be another landslide?’ The truthful answer is I have no idea.

“Meager is Canada’s most active volcano, but it is still considered dormant. The risk from a volcanic eruption at Meager is incredibly low probability, but of course high consequence—and not only for our site.” n

ROCKY MOUNTAIN The massive landslide debris field at Mount Meager, pictured in 2010.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VERONICA WOODRUFF

“There’s so much uncertainty when you’re looking at risks like volcanoes.”

- VERONICA WOODRUFF

Builders'

Breakfast

LOCAVORE 1861 MAMQUAM RD, SQUAMISH

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

7:15-8:30 am

Home Retrofit Rebate Programs: What contractors & their customers need to know

Karine Le Du, Senior Energy Specialist, District of Squamish and Greg Bloom, Manager of Industry Relations, HPSC /HPCN will be speaking on the following topics: Canada Greener Homes Initiative, CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Programs and the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN)

FREE for MEMBERS

$5 non members

Pre-registration required

Pending approval for 1 CPD Point

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: BUILDERS, GENER AL CONTR AC TORS, TR ADES & RENOVATION CONTR AC TORS (AIR SEALING & INSUL ATION, WINDOWS & DOORS, HVAC & AIR BAL ANCING), ENERGY ADVISORS & BUILDING OFFICIAL S Register at: www.seatoskychba.com under events

Open House

Pemberton and District Community Centre, Monday, March 6, 2023 at 4:30pm-7:30pm

Agenda

4:30pm - Display Boards* 5:00pm - Presentation

5:30pm - Small Group Discussions

Please join us to gain a better understanding of the federal, provincial, and municipal home renovation rebate programs. Our presenters will explain contractor requirements for the various programs, including product selection requirements and specific contractor qualification requirements. By understanding the differences between the federal and provincial programs and how they can be stacked, contractors in the renovation sector will be better positioned to suppor t homeowners in the Sea to Sky on their retrofit journeys We will also provide contractors information about HPCN, value of membership to ‘your company and your customer’. pemberton.ca

*Drop in anytime to view and provide your comments on the Display Boards.

CALL FOR FUNDING APPLICATIONS

Applications are now being accepted for our April 1st, 2023 Spring Funding Deadline.

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support to community groups and charities whose activities provide benefit to residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts & culture and the environment. Special emphasis is placed on children, youth and family programs For more information, eligibility requirements and to complete an application, please visit our website at whistlerblackcombfoundation.com. Or contact Mei Madden, Executive Director at mmadden@whistlerblackcombfoundation com

We must stop rewarding destroyers and punishing defenders

AS OF EARLY FEBRUARY , police have “made more than 90 arrests and dozens of detentions” to facilitate construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C., “running up a taxpayer tab of more than $25 million,” according to the Narwhal. François Poirier, president and CEO of TC Energy, which owns the project, was rewarded with “$9.81-million in his first full year as CEO, including a $1.1-million bonus and share and stock option awards valued at $6-million,” the Globe and Mail reported.

Regular Meeting

Tuesday March 14, 2023, commencing at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers 7400 Prospect Street or via Zoom Webinar, Meeting ID: 840 0997 7920

How do I get more information?

Copies of the proposed Development Variance

Permit application may be inspected at online at www pemberton ca under the current applications webpage or at the Village of Pemberton Office, 7400 Prospect Street during office hours from Monday February 27th to Tuesday March 14

Scan the QR Code below to view the application

NOTICE OF COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF AN APPLICATION TO VARY ZONING BYLAW NO 832, 2018 7340 Crabapple Court - Lot 3, DL203, KAP72731 DVP #131

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 499 of the Local Government Act, R S B C 2015, that the Village of Pemberton will consider a variance to Zoning Bylaw No 832, 2018 at its Regular Meeting scheduled on Tuesday March 14, 2023, commencing at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers or via Zoom Webinar, Meeting ID: 840 0997 7920

Variance Requested:

Jake McEwan, Agent for the landowner on behalf of Pemberton Gateway Limited Partnership has applied for a Development Variance Permit to amend section 8 3 of the Village of Pemberton Zoning Bylaw No 832, 2018

Required Parking stalls: 63 off-street parking stalls

Variance Requested: 21 Dedicated Residential Stalls, 16 Shared Parking Stalls, and 4 Visitor Parking Stalls for a total of 41 parking stalls

During the November COP27 climate talks in Egypt, more than 30 climate protesters were jailed in the U.K., adding to more than 2,000

BY DAVID SUZUKI

arrests in a campaign that began in April. On January 17, climate activist Greta Thunberg and others were arrested for protesting the demolition of a German village for a coal mine expansion. On the same day, a Reuters headline read, “Big Oil’s good times set to roll on after record 2022 profits.”

Worldwide, climate activists—and journalists and scientists—have been arrested, jailed, silenced and even killed for protesting to keep the planet livable for humans. Meanwhile, “the top executives at seven big energy companies had an average increase in their compensation of more than 21 per cent in 2021, compared with the prior year. In dollar terms, that was an extra $2.3-million for each, bringing the average pay package to $13.4-million,” the Globe and Mail reported.

For decades, oil companies covered up their own and other scientific evidence that

dismissed evidence about climate change from his and other company’s scientists, was appointed secretary of state in the Trump administration.

Under our outdated economic systems, those who knowingly fuel a crisis that threatens human health and survival are richly rewarded, while those who try to halt the destruction—often young people whose future is most at stake—are punished.

Governments aren’t just subsidizing coal, oil and gas companies with tax and royalty breaks, loans and direct financing; they’re also using tax dollars to provide security for these companies through aggressive policing and enforcement.

The same is true of companies destroying forests and other natural areas critical to life on Earth, and the courageous people standing up to them. The latter often includes Indigenous Peoples, whose rights are being trampled as their knowledge of the function and importance of ecosystems is ignored. Many have paid with their lives.

It makes no sense. But it’s all considered reasonable in the context of global systems that prioritize wealth accumulation and rampant consumerism over everything else.

The problems won’t go away by stopping a pipeline project, coal mine, old-growth clearcut, oilsands operation or massive dam. That’s just playing “Whac-A-Mole.”

Governments should be working for the best interests of all people, not just wealthy corporations. If protecting the systems our health and survival depend on—from carbon and water cycles to forests, wetlands and more—isn’t in the public interest, what is?

Even the false promise of “jobs, jobs, jobs” is an anachronistic method of trapping working people in a system that does far more harm than good. If we were to reimagine our economic systems as ways to improve human

Where is the subject property?

The variance request considers the subject property located at 7340 Crabapple Court having the legal description of Lot 3, DL203, KAP72731, PID 025-587-897

How Can I provide Feedback?

If you would like to provide feedback at the March 14th Regular Council Meeting, please log-in to the ZOOM Webinar as an Attendee Following the presentation of the DVP application by staff the meeting will be opened for public comment

Written submissions pertaining to the application may be submitted to the attention of Sheena Fraser, Manager of Corporate & Legislative Services, in person at 7400 Prospect Street, via email at admin@pemberton ca, by mail at PO Box 100, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0 or by fax at 604-894-6136 prior to Monday, March 13th at 4:00 pm

Sheena Fraser Corporate Officer

their products could cause catastrophic climate disruption. Not only have they faced no consequences, they’ve reaped massive benefits.

New evidence shows the lengths to which they’ll go to enrich themselves and shareholders—even if it means supporting brutal governments. The world’s largest oil and gas service companies have been raking in enormous profits in Myanmar, propping up a murderous military regime. In 2021, oil giant Chevron lobbied against proposed sanctions that would hinder operations in the country.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is driving fossil fuel profits to record highs—as global average temperatures also break records.

The rewards aren’t just monetary; former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has

health, well-being and happiness, we’d all be enjoying more leisure time—time with families and friends, time in nature, time pursuing education and interests. Instead, we’re caught in a seemingly endless vortex of working, consuming and spending.

We need to change our ways of thinking and acting. It’s not too late, but every delay increases the challenges and costs. A better world is possible. We just need to imagine it and make it real.

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. ■

Governments should be working for the best interests of all people, not just wealthy corporations.

Where is helmet technology going?

ONE OF THE MANY great print ads from the heyday of ’90s mountain bike magazines was a double-page spread from Bell Helmets. It was a photo of a young girl around the age of 10 or 12 sitting on a stool, leaning forward looking expressionless at the camera. On her feet were a pair of bright and expensive-looking

BY VINCE SHULEY

basketball sneakers. The headline, in big, bold all caps (as was the style at the time), read: “Does your kid have hundred dollar feet and a ten dollar head?”

I was probably around 13 when I saw this ad, still rocking a styrofoam Target special like most of the other kids. I showed the ad to my parents, but they weren’t going to hand over cash for a new helmet. I was less than a year into this new mountain bike thing, and certainly didn’t have $100 shoes on my feet. And kids like to try sports and don’t always stick with them. A piece of advice I got from my father when I showed him the magazine was, “Don’t believe everything they tell you in the ads, Vince,” (as someone who now works in marketing and advertising, I cannot

disagree with that statement). Regardless, I saved up my paper route money and bought myself that Bell helmet.

Australia was the first country in the world to introduce uniform national mandatory bicycle helmet legislation, beginning in 1990 (for reference, British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia did not pass their own laws for riders under 18 until 1995 to 1997.

Protection System)—developed by, who else, the Swedes—a selling feature in dozens of brands of helmets in cycling, motorsports, snowsports and even equestrian. MIPS works by reducing rotational forces on the head, and features a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows multi-directional movement of 10 to 15 millimetres on certain angled impacts. From the MIPS website: “The brain is more

Koroyd, the technology in Smith helmets, is very similar. The only distinct form of helmet tech I could find (in a few hours of online research) was Canadian-developed Fluid Inside. This helmet liner uses viscous liquid pods to “make the helmet effectively float on your head on impact, acting like a reinforcement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) inside your head to protect against both linear and rotational forces.” Fluid Inside was acquired by MIPS in 2019, so we’ll see if they use the technology or simply bury their competition.

Alberta followed in 2002).

Helmets are different from all the other stuff in the bike shop. They’re not some shiny, frivolous upgrade to your bike or fancy apparel that matches the colour palette of your carbon bike frame. Helmets protect your brain, and the only photos I’ve seen of offroad cyclists riding without this essential piece of headgear are from the Klunkerz days.

Companies like Bell, POC, Troy Lee Designs and Smith all have a significant market share of mountain bike helmet sales. But is there any technology that’s making helmets safer? One of the most important advances was MIPS (Multi-directional Impact

sensitive to rotational motion than linear motion because it has shear properties similar to water or gel. When different parts of the brain move relative to each other as a result of rotational motion, the tissues can stretch, which can cause concussions or other brain injuries.”

Think about how many times you’ve come off your bike, skis or board and how many times your helmet had an angled impact rather than a direct, perpendicular impact (I’ve suffered the latter once, and it is also not fun). MIPS has all the science and testing to back up its claims, as does Bontrager’s WaveCel, a rigid plastic matrix made to “flex, crumple and glide” during an angled impact.

An interesting piece of helmet tech that surfaced in the last few years isn’t actually a helmet at all, it’s an airbag for your head. And yes, of course, it’s developed in Sweden. Hövding makes a wearable airbag collar (that stylish, urban European cyclists can wear instead of a helmet) and in the event of a crash, the airbag deploys by sensing rapid acceleration. It isn’t perfect, with plenty of user complaints about battery charging issues, shipping challenges (due to the small explosive charge that triggers the airbag) and, most embarrassing of all, accidental deployments when you don’t actually crash. This tech doesn’t have a place in mountain biking yet, but it probably won’t be too long before we have safety airbags in our riding gear like we do in our cars. Having taken way too many hits getting thrown from my bike over the years, I would definitely consider all options on the table when shopping for head protection.

Vince Shuley is hoping to limit the number of blows to his head in 2023. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@ gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

Helmets are different from all the other stuff in the bike shop. They’re not some shiny, frivolous upgrade to your bike or fancy apparel that matches the colour palette of your carbon bike frame. Helmets protect your brain...

HARD HATS Helmet technology has come a long way, but the next breakthrough in head protection is still a few years off.

PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY

Into the light

As a tourism hotspot, Whistler increasingly relies on an ‘invisible’ immigrant population to function; meet the people working to increase that visibility

SLRD Farmland Special Events

The use of agricultural land for events such as weddings, music festivals, and retreats, is regulated by the ALC and requires a permit from the SLRD.

Key considerations:

By Gurbani Kaur

Ina town like Whistler, it can be difficult to differentiate the local from the tourist or the hotel clerk from the skilled snowboarder. These permeable boundaries are easily blurred by the ebbs and flows of a seasonal workforce, and not much feels static. But this leaves the picture incomplete; some colours are missing in the depiction of this community.

Amidst the influx and outflow of people and snow, some very pertinent gaps in the fabric of resort towns’ social structures remain: unaffordable housing, workers from diverse backgrounds veiled in the ‘backcountry’ of hotels and restaurants. It is difficult to maintain heterogeneous cultural practices in homogenized spaces, and societal acceptance of diversity takes different forms, the ambiguity of which can sometimes be more destructive than transformative.

It seems obvious that towns like Whistler need immigrant workers to support the economy as much as immigrant workers need these towns. There is a blanket of tolerance, but now more than ever it feels like the scales are tipping. Tipping those scales upwards will certainly require effort—welcoming newcomers and sensitizing ourselves to the diverse array of backgrounds and realities that now live in town. Things can go bad just as easily; simply acknowledging that we are different does not hold any ambition for a common project or goal. As Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel said, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.”

[Editor’s Note: For the purposes of this article, when speaking of immigrants, Pique is referring broadly to first-generation, non-Canadian citizens who have moved here primarily for reasons other than short-term recreation. Pique intentionally interviewed immigrants from cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds that are both geographically and traditions-wise more distant from Canada and its customs.

Pique would also like to acknowledge that the vast majority of people who call the Sea to Sky home are immigrants and settlers on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. As such, this story does not intend to promote an incomplete history of unwanted settling on Indigenous lands, but rather explore one type of relationality between immigrants and locals by shedding light on some of the lived realities of individuals crossing borders and cultures.]

Gaps in the net

Since 2018, Joel Chevalier, founder and owner of Whistler-based Culinary Recruitment International (CRI), has helped recruit more than 200 chefs to the Sea to Sky in an effort to fill the shortage of skilled and critical workers. “The busier communities like Whistler get, the more adaptive employers will need to be towards a diverse group of employees,” he believes.

Recruiting skilled workers primarily through Canada’s Francophone Mobility Program, CRI has brought in workers from countries including Morocco, Cameroon, Tunisia, Algeria and Senegal.

The demand for skilled foreign workers is inevitable in a tourism destination such as Whistler. Indeed, the 2021 census report on the resort’s immigrant community totalled 3,320, or 23.7 per cent of the permanent population (13,982).

That growing diversity comes as systemic pressures continue to bear down on Whistler, like they have in resort communities across the globe, threatening to fray the social fabric that ties the community together.

Kira Grachev, community outreach coordinator at the Whistler Multicultural Society (WMS), aptly puts it: “As the economic pressure of Whistler has increased, so too has the disintegration of the community.”

It is undeniably harder to foster a sense of community when you are living paycheque to paycheque, the cost of living continues to escalate, and the housing market is as tight as it’s ever been. Navigating this crossroad is not an isolated Whistler problem, but there is more to be done to support the so-called “invisible immigrants” and newcomers, working behind the scenes as hotel maids and chefs and home cleaners, that allow Whistler to function.

“Without them, there would be no Whistler,’’ says WMS programs and managing director Carole Stretch.

At the end of the day, immigrants and newcomers are, like anyone, trying to make a home for themselves, and a ski pass may not always be enough for them to acclimatize. Far from

• Gathering for an event on land in the ALR is only permitted if the property has farm class as assigned by BC Assessment.

• The farm must produce a minimum of $10,000 of gross annual income

• No permanent facilities can be constructed or erected in connection with the event

• Parking must be provided, but must not be permanent or interfere with agricultural productivity

• The event must not be more than 24 hours in duration.

• Maximum of 150 guests

• No more than 10 gatherings for an event of any type may occur on the farm within a single calendar year

How to Apply for a Permit (where required):

1 Ensure you meet the above conditions for eligibility

2 Fill out the “Special Events Permit Application” found on the SLRD website

3 Be sure to submit the application along with proof of Commercial General Liabilty insurance, a detailed site plan, and a statement describing all event details such as the number of attendees, date and time, and how the neighours will be notified

home and family, people can feel alone without a strong social network and community to belong to, and mental health and well-being can deteriorate as a result.

As Stretch explains, there are definitely “gaps through the net for people to fall through.”

Luckily, some of these gaps are being filled. Khadija Oubihi immigrated from Morocco to Whistler in 2018 as a chef for the Fairmont Chateau. If voices could smile, hers definitely did as she recounted her journey. “It was not in my plan to come to Canada, but I think it was my destiny. I have found myself here,” she says.

Everything was new, but she was up for the adventure. At the Fairmont, she found an employer who guaranteed her housing with two other Moroccans, security and familiarity that has allowed her to continue thriving in her new home. She made new friends, got into the prototypical Whistler activities, and found her voice, adapting to this changing landscape.

“The hotel is run by immigrants,” she says of the Fairmont. “There are Koreans, Indians, Filipinos, Australians, Japanese, Nepali, Spanish, Mexican. And of the people I work with, two people are from Canada.”

Such is true in other resort businesses, too. Head to the bank, the grocery store, the restaurants, and chances are high you will interact with someone who is a local now but has not always been. With a multiplicity of people comes a sundry concoction of experiences, some positive, such as Oubihi’s, others perhaps not.

Kapil Chopra came to Whistler in 2019 to work at the Four Seasons, after having worked at other Four Seasons hotels in Ireland and England prior to that. No stranger to working abroad, he highlighted housing instability as a central difficulty in his transition to Canada.

“There was no way I could afford a flat or apartment there with my family, so I came here five months before my wife and daughter to look for a place,” he says.

Fortunately, Chopra got lucky.

“As per my contract, I was supposed to get accommodation for two weeks, but they gave me three months for free. There were always more employees than rooms, and it was a very transient population of people, especially from the Commonwealth countries—English, Australian, New Zealand—probably because it was easy to get a visa—so we had to change rooms sometimes, but we still got housing,” he says. “It was very kind of them and I feel very lucky.”

Housing is challenging for virtually

everyone in this part of the world. But, of course, a home is not limited to a roof and a place to sleep; it also encapsulates the community we interact with. Feeling at home will require more than just housing policy; it will require curiosity and sensitivity.

To help smooth the transition, the WMS team offers settlement services and communityinclusion initiatives to immigrants and the wider resort. In a town where housing is tight, the population is transient, and there are few places of worship for non-Christians, it often “becomes up to the immigrants and newcomers to create a space for themselves,” says Grachev.

When I asked Oubihi what advice she had for newcomers integrating into the community, she had a simple and efficient response: “Don’t be shy. Be brave and say what you want to say. I was shy in the beginning but then I noticed that it was not working, so I just started talking. Also, give yourself a chance to live here and try to be open, make new friendships.” A little self-confidence and a lot of courage can go a long way.

When I asked Chopra his advice on immigrating, he says to make sure you “do your homework” before you come. “Canada is very far from everything, so you cannot just hop over and then hop back if you don’t like it. It is not cheap, and flights are long,” he says.

Chopra recalled a story of a co-worker at the Four Seasons who left shortly after starting the job due to depression, homesickness, and “not being able to connect with anyone.

“It is absolutely beautiful to be here if you are an outdoor person, but if you are a city person, maybe think about what kind of activities you want to build your life around,” he adds.

Oubihi also had some advice for visitors who depend on immigrants to make their stay here a memorable one.

“We are workers providing you with a service. We work hard to satisfy our clients, and that is normal. But some customers do not think twice when they interact with us, and it becomes only about money and a service. Ask gently—a nice please or thank you makes a big difference,” she says.

Given the tourism rebound emerging out of the pandemic and the longstanding labour shortage that has impacted Whistler, often there isn’t time for frontline workers to forge the kind of community connections that would lend them a stronger sense of belonging.

Chopra, who describes himself as a “people person,” says he has felt a lack of emotional connection to his peers.

Joel Chevalier, back right, has helped numerous immigrants land in Whistler through his company, Culinary Recruitment International. He is pictured with two chefs from Morocco.

A past Whistler Mulitcultural Society workshop at the library.

FILE PHOTO

PHOTO SUBMITTED

“You cannot really control who comes and goes, but if you find your people and you feel like you belong, you often stay for them. It is hard to do this here because there is no time,” he says. “I cannot attend all the community events or attend all my cultural festivities because I have responsibilities that I cannot just leave. They are relying on me.”

These gaps are where, as a community, we can pay more attention. As Oubihi says, “Some more respect, some more appreciation, this helps more than you know.”

The WMS recently published the results of its 2022 Anti-Racism, Bias and Discrimination survey for the Sea to Sky, showing that no community is immune to the prevalence of racist or biased attitudes. The scope of the study extended across the corridor, with 43.5 per cent of respondents living in Whistler. Racism is defined in the study as “unfair or harmful assumptions, beliefs, actions, behaviours, policies and/or practices that target and/or disadvantage you based on your race, ethnicity, or status as a person of colour.”

Overall, 39 per cent of respondents reported experiencing racism, bias and discrimination in the time they’ve lived in the Sea to Sky, and that number goes up once broken down into subgroups. Seventy-two per cent of those who identified as racialized reported experiencing incidents of racism, bias and discrimination. All of those identifying as Black or of African descent reported experiencing racism, bias and discrimination, and 94 per cent of those identifying as Indigenous. Eighteen per cent of those identifying as white said they had experienced the same.

Seventy-two per cent of non-white respondents said they had been subject to racism, bias and discrimination in the Sea to Sky, while every respondent who identified as Black and 94 per cent of Indigenous participants answered “yes” when asked if they had experienced racism.

The survey found the most common type of racism reported was verbal (i.e. racist comments, questions, microaggressions), followed by institutional racism, non-verbal and virtual (online) racism. Twenty-three per cent of respondents shared that they would not report the incident, which is not surprising given that the post-reporting sentiment is so often that, “nothing was done to investigate or move [me] to a safer environment,” according to one anonymous respondent.

“Sometimes it’s best to ignore,” said another respondent when asked who they would feel safer reporting incidents to. Another anonymous interviewee of the WMS survey shared, “I’m sick of the lack of diversity in Whistler. There are no black or brown teachers or principals, we just need to start hiring and centreing more people of colour.” As per the report, further education, reviewing laws and legislation, building awareness and understanding, restorative justice, criminal penalties and police involvement should be prioritized when creating protocol to respond to incidents of racism in the Sea to Sky region.

One of the takeaways from the survey was the need for more formalized channels for people to report instances of racism and discrimination locally beyond the police, and the WMS is now at work developing guiding protocols that could support both individuals and service providers in the wake of racist incidents.

Fortunately, there are several stakeholders and local organizations working to create a stronger sense of belonging for immigrants, newcomers and longtime residents alike: the local government, which recently announced the creation of a new municipal division dedicated to strengthening Whistler’s social fabric; for-immigrant organizations like the CRI, and community builders like the WMS. Amongst the array of initiatives the society offers newcomers are the Immigrant Peer Educator and the Parenting in Another Culture programs. The WMS also recently secured funding to work with employers and temporary foreign workers to educate them on their rights and freedoms as new members of their communities.

But with Whistler’s invisible immigrant community, Stretch foresees a challenge in “finding a way to reach people outside of their workplaces, the ones who are hidden, and especially reaching the ones who are not aware of their rights.”

It’s by no means easy or simple work, but if, as a community we can strive to open our arms wider to newcomers like Oubihi and Chopra, they hopefully won’t have to grapple so hard with their triple-black diamond runs into social inclusion.

For more information on WMS programming, and to find the results of its recent anti-racism survey, visit wms.wmsociety.ca. n

“We are workers providing you with a service. We work hard to satisfy our clients, and that is normal. But some customers do not think twice when they interact with us, and it becomes only about money and a service. Ask gently—a nice please or thank you makes a big difference,”

Khadija Oubihi

Khadija Oubihi is a Moroccan chef who has been living in Whistler since 2018.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Brodie Seger confident latest injury is just a bump in the road

THE WHISTLER MOUNTAIN SKI CLUB ALUM AND BEIJING OLYMPIAN IS MOTIVATED TO COME BACK AFTER TEARING HIS ACL AT THE 2023 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY DAVID SONG

BRODIE SEGER didn’t feel much physical pain when he ruptured his right ACL and tore his lateral meniscus at the 2023 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Instead, the knowledge of his season’s abrupt and unceremonious end was what bothered him.

Seger had placed second in the final downhill training run of February’s World Championships in Courchevel, France. He was confident about his chances, and for good reason. After all, fellow Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) contender Jack Crawford had just become the super-G world champion earlier that week.

Crawford had proved once again that Canadians could hold their own against the European giants of alpine skiing, and his teammates were raring to go.

WMSC’s streak of success did continue on Feb. 12, as Cameron Alexander fought his way to the first World Championships medal of his life. Crawford placed a respectable fifth. Seger wasn’t so fortunate.

Instead, the 27-year-old landed awkwardly on a jump during his attempt down the l’Éclipse track, and in an instant, his right knee buckled.

“I [wasn’t] even in pain, like, my knee didn’t even hurt. I just felt the ligaments pop and they were gone,” Seger recalled.

The 2022 Beijing Olympian knows that his odds of making it through an entire career without serious injury were always slim. That’s the chance that he and many other professional skiers take in order to be great. Even so, he described the accident as “heartbreaking.” He wanted to accomplish more this season.

Nonetheless, Seger is resilient. He didn’t cry out in anger or sadness as medical authorities flew him off the ski hill. He kept his composure in the finish area, where it dawned on him that his season was over.

Yet, when Seger watched Alexander receive a bronze medal after the same race that laid him low, he couldn’t help but get emotional. The two brothers-in-arms embraced after the award ceremony, and Seger credits his teammate for showing him that bouncing back from a major injury is more than possible.

THE TIES THAT BIND

Seger and Alexander have much in common. They are both WMSC success stories and mainstays on the Canadian national ski team. They know each other extremely well, often playing summer sports or going out for dinner with their teammates. They also injured themselves at the same downhill race in France more than two years ago.

On Dec. 13, 2020, many of Earth’s best alpine speed merchants took to the slopes in Val-d’Isère during a stop on the World Cup circuit. Alexander was slated to go 35th,

and Seger 10 spots behind him. Seger prefers to focus on his own race prep instead of watching his teammates perform, so he wasn’t paying attention when Alexander demolished his knee midway through the event.

Seger had an inkling that one of his teammates might have gone down, for he noticed Alpine Canada personnel paying close attention to radio chatter in the distance. Regardless, he completed his own pre-race rituals, launched himself out of the start gate… and caught an edge near the finish line.

After tumbling into the finish area at high speed, Seger was quickly taken into the medical tent. His coach at the time, Agneta Platter, informed him that he’d have to wait for the ambulance to return to the venue. That’s when he found out that Alexander had already been injured.

Eventually, Seger joined his compatriot at a local hospital to receive treatment for a separated AC joint in his shoulder. For some reason, the Canadian team doctor was agitated that day.

Seger remembers the doctor asking him to put an IV needle into his arm. He complied, only for the doctor to leave the room because he’d forgotten something else, possibly another piece of equipment.

The ensuing events were a comedy of errors.

Seger continued to sit in the waiting room and hold a needle in his arm—a needle that had begun to drip his blood all over the clinic floor. Local French nurses were (understandably) none too pleased. More importantly, Seger realized that it had been several hours since he’d last eaten.

“I was totally aware of what was happening,” he recalls. “I’m holding this needle and I [say to our doctor]: ‘hey, I’m feeling kind of woozy.’ The next thing I know, I start to pass out, leaning back in this chair.”

According to Seger’s memory, the team doctor tried to keep him awake by slapping him on the cheek. “Stay with me, Brodie!” the man exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Alexander was lying on the X-ray table across the hall with painkillers running through his veins. The door was slightly ajar, allowing him to catch a glimpse of Seger slumped against the wall with a doctor frantically trying to keep him conscious.

At that moment, from his limited vantage point, Alexander genuinely believed that his good friend was dying.

Seger struggles not to laugh, retelling the anecdote today. “It was a comedy, and it was a tragedy at the same time, but it was definitely a bonding moment,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

The bizarre story does have a happy ending. On March 4, 2022, Alexander marched into Kvitfjell and won Canada’s first World Cup downhill gold since Erik Guay did so in 2014 on that same Norwegian course. Today, he is a World Championship bronze medallist, and you couldn’t tell by watching him that he has a reconstructed knee.

“Alexander had a long road coming back from his injury,” Seger said. “He had two follow-up surgeries for that, and [he’s made it back]. The fact that I [hurt my knee] on a day when Cam Alexander took home a World Championships medal has set me on the right foot in so many ways for my recovery.”

EAGER SEGER Canadian Olympian Brodie Seger races in  Kitzbühel, Austria during the 2023 World Cup season.

PHOTO BY GEPA PICTURES/COURTESY OF ALPINE CANADA ALPIN

JOURNEY TO THE TOP

Truth be told, Seger has been set on the right foot since the day he joined WMSC as a nineyear-old who was clueless about ski racing.

The Seger brothers, Brodie and Riley, were born in North Vancouver. Their parents do not come from a high-performance background— enjoying a good powder day is just a weekend passion for them. However, Patricia Seger’s cousins, Joey, Carmine and Paul Boskovich, are former ski racers—and before long they were recommending that Patricia and her husband Mark enrol their boys in racing.

“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I was a good enough skier to have some success early on,” Seger recounted. “Plus, I’m definitely the type of person who doesn’t want to be bad at something. I want to show that I’m giving my best effort and that I can … really refine a skill, so I think that’s where [ski racing] sort of became a passion for me.”

After years of junior skiing with WMSC, Seger began his first season of FIS competition at 15 years old. From there, he quickly qualified for BC Alpine and spent three years with the provincial team before making his way into Canada’s national development pipeline.

Riley nipped at his heels the entire way.

“When [Riley] came into racing, he was kind of like, ‘I want to beat my big brother,’” Seger said. “Nick Cooper, who was our BC Team coach and is now the national technical team coach, used to poke fun at me and say, ‘the younger sibling’s always better.’ I definitely felt driven by that as well—I [wasn’t] going to let Riley beat me. We probably were a little bit more at each other’s throats when we were younger.”

Yet, the brothers’ relationship mellowed with time, and now they cherish their shared opportunity to represent the Maple Leaf together.

“When I was on the BC Team, I started travelling more and I didn’t see [Riley] nearly as much,” said Seger. “Then, he was on the BC Team when I moved on to the national team, and so for a while there, we were totally on different schedules.

“The next thing you know, we’re both on the national team, living and travelling together for a lot of the year. It was a cool experience to be back together like that, and I felt like it was good for us. We’re closer than ever because of that.”

Seger was named to Team Canada in 2016 and had his first full-time World Cup campaign in 2019-20. His first breakout moment came at the 2021 World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, where he finished fourth in super-G less than two months after separating his shoulder in France.

A year later, Seger joined fellow Whistlerites Crawford and Broderick Thompson at the Beijing Winter Olympics. There, they learned to face the pressure that comes with competing on the world’s grandest stage.

“When we first showed up there, we all kind of felt like, ‘this is amazing, we made it here,’ and the pressure was taken off because just making it to the Olympics is big,” said Seger. “But as the race days crept closer, it felt inevitable that the pressure would build back up again because then, I started to realize that this was something I’ve worked my whole life towards.

“This is something I really, really wanted on a personal level.”

SETTING AN EXAMPLE

Alas, the results didn’t come. Seger placed 22nd in Olympic downhill and failed to complete his super-G run at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre. He could have allowed those disappointing performances to fluster him, but he understands that every world-class skier must be able to let go of the things he or she cannot control.

Standing in the start gate for the downhill portion of his final Olympic event, alpine combined, Seger allowed himself to relax. He wanted to have some fun.

Afterwards, CBC commentator and 2006 Canadian Olympian Kelly VanderBeek informed Seger in the media zone that he had put himself into third place. “It didn’t even occur to me that I was sitting in medal contention [going into the slalom part of the event],” the Whistlerite said.

Unlike Crawford and Thompson, Seger has pretty much phased slalom out of his career. After all, combined events are becoming increasingly rare in alpine skiing, and generally only feature at the Olympics and World Championships. Seger had not been on slalom skis in two years prior to the Beijing Winter Games, but facing the chance to win a medal, he did what any champion would do.

He took to Instagram to seek advice.

“I didn’t really have a big chance in the slalom, so it was just about enjoying the fact that I was doing it again for the first time in a while, and trying to make it down with a relatively clean run, and not totally embarrassing myself,” Seger said.

Again, he approached the challenge with a fresh, loose mindset. It was by no means an elite slalom run, and it wasn’t enough for Olympic hardware, but it did net Seger a ninth-place result among 26 of the best skiers on Earth.

Any young athlete would do well to learn from Seger’s skills, his resilience and his ability to maintain sight of the big picture. Even more so, they can look up to the man he is.

“Kids are fortunate to learn from [Seger] because of the person that he is,” said WMSC executive director Michael Janyk, a threetime Olympian. “Look at the person behind the athlete. When kids see him going out there, being charitable and doing extra stuff, I think that paints a really nice, well-rounded human for them to follow.”

“My parents instilled that in me,” Seger explained. “They didn’t necessarily care what I ended up doing in life. What they cared about most was making sure that their kids were good members of society, giving back to the world around them. I naturally care about being an example to the younger kids.

“I feel like ski racing has given me so much in terms of personal development, never mind athletic achievement, and that’s why I would encourage anybody to get into the sport if they can. It makes me want to pass on the things that I’ve learned.”

Now facing the road to recovery once more, Seger trusts the plan that his team has outlined for him. He knows that others, like Alexander and Thompson, have thrown down some of their best career performances after a debilitating injury.

Most of all, he doesn’t question for one second the motivation he has to come back stronger than ever. n

Whistler Nordic Ski Club

Final Toonie of the season!

March 2nd at Lost Lake

Register: 6:00pm at the Passive House Race Start: 6:30pm

Bring a headlamp and $2

Thanks to our sponsors and to everyone who participated!

Membership is required, please visit www whistlernordics com

Yoga Teacher Training Whistler

April 17 - 30

www.katecovello.com

Online Yoga Classes

EVERY Tuesday/Thursday 5:30AM

Thank you, prairie women, for good food—cheap

AS FOOD COSTS SOAR, TRADITIONAL RECIPES COME TO THE RESCUE

IN THE U.K., about a third of people surveyed recently were considering giving up that bastion of British domesticity, Sunday roasts. Not because eating beef is a kick in the pants for the environment, or it’s too expensive, but because energy bills are through the roof.

With Canadian food prices up another 10.4 per cent in January after a similar hike

BY GLENDA BARTOSH

in December, you may well be considering something similar, what with sirloin steaks hitting 22 bucks apiece, lettuce up 35 per cent… The list goes on.

Food is costing us more and more, and aside from eating less and less of it—one of my best pals lost weight just by trying to eat 10 per cent less—the only way around it all is to use our smarts, or at least a few tips from those practical stalwart Canadians who have been there, done that many times before.

In the 1960s, a good friend of my mom’s from Edmonton bought all the gal-pals in her circle a copy of the Josephburg Ladies’ Aid Society Cookbook. Like so many cookbooks of the time, it was a fundraiser, the second one the society had put out from the tiny rural hamlet (current population, 117) east of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.

The whole thing is a work of wonder. Not only is it full of easy, down-to-Earth recipes, you’re also entertained by all kinds of ads supporting the fundraising effort, from the Alberta Wheat Pool (think of all that flour!); Canada Packers (shortening); and local businesses like Flo’s Beauty Lounge, Quick Clean Coin Laundry and Clarkson’s Groceteria & Men’s Wear (“We Deliver”). Now there’s a combo you seldom stumble on these days!

Yes, food styles—and business models—

PUMPKIN MUFFINS

1 c. tinned pumpkin

1/4 tsp. soda

come and go, but I have to say that over my years of cooking and feeding myself— well, I might add, and often on a very low budget—I’ve often found that the kind of practical recipes made with nutritional, lowcost and, often overlooked, ingredients like those in the Josephburg cookbook aren’t only easy and fast to make (think of all the things farmwomen had to tend to!), they’re also plain good and tasty.

They had to be. There was nary a convenience store or Blenz in sight, and no

1/2 c. canola oil (a good Canadian prairie product. The original recipe calls for shortening.)

3/4 c. sugar (I use raw sugar but any will do. The original recipe calls for 1 1/4 c. sugar, but 3/4 c. is plenty, especially when adding chocolate chips)

2 eggs

2 c. flour (we prefer unbleached, but all-purpose is fine)

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp EACH of nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon

Throw in a handful of raisins, nuts or chocolate chips, as you like.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Stir the soda into tinned pumpkin in the measuring cup. In a big bowl, mix the sugar and oil. Crack the eggs into a small cup and beat lightly with a fork. Add to the sugar/oil. Mix well. In a separate small bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together lightly with a fork after sprinkling the spices and salt across the top of the flour. (The original recipe says to sift them, but I doubt anyone has a sifter now.) Starting with about 1/2 cup of flour mixture, mix the dry ingredients into the sugar/oil/eggs, alternating with about 1/2 c. of pumpkin until you use it all up. Mix as little as possible. (That’s the secret of light muffins! Don’t overmix them.) Add extras, as above. Line your muffin tins with papers; fill about 2/3 full. Bake at 375 for 15–20 minutes, until a toothpick or straw comes out clean. When done, move your muffins onto a cooling rack, or cock them up sideways in the tin so their bottoms don’t steam. n

prairie woman in her right mind would want to displease her hard-working husband, or any of the (99-per-cent male) farmhands.

On that note, here’s a muffin recipe from my dear 95-year-old mom, still the best, and healthiest, baker and cook on the planet. It’s one she’s made for 60 years and I’ve just made for the first time, with perfect results—they disappeared in 48 hours!

So a big thanks to Mrs. Stewart Becker. (Yes, that’s how women of that era identified themselves in public—by their husband’s first and last names, shielded from any possible identity of their own.) She provided the original recipe for these lovely pumpkin muffins that I figure cost a couple of bucks to make for a full dozen—enough to share with pals.

Note, this recipe has adjustments my mom figured out over the years, like less sugar, and oil instead of shortening (I told you she was healthy!), but I’ve noted the originals, too.

Beyond muffins and Thanksgiving, plain tinned pumpkin is a lifesaver, one often overlooked. It’s cheap, substantial, tasty and high in vitamins A and K, iron, potassium, and fibre. One 796-milliletre tin is enough for three batches. Or freeze what you don’t use for delicious soups (ask ChatGPT for a recipe) or a side dish using mashed carrot and parsnip—more overlooked veggies—with a dash of nutmeg, orange zest, salt and butter.

Cook diced carrot and parsnip in as little water as possible (save energy; see above). Drain and save the pot liquor and mash it back in with the pumpkin as needed, or drink it as a tonic, like pioneers used to give to pregnant women as a nutrition-rich pick-me-up.

journalist who is excited to discover tinned pumpkin outside of pie. n

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning

SMART EATING With food costing more and more, the only way around it is to use our smarts.

PHOTO BY OLEG BRESLAVTSEV /

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH

OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Get Your Game On: Drop-In Adult

Sports Nigh�·

-�-.,

January 8 -mid April (TBD)

Soccer Sunday 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Myrtle Philip Community Centre

Basketball Tuesday 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Whistler Senior Secondary

Badminton Thursday 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Myrtle Philip Community Centre

Volleyball Friday 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Myrtle Phillip Community Centre

Pre-registration is recommended and available up to 72 hours in advance.

ARENA SCHEDULE

Please see whistler.ca/recreation for the daily arena hours or call 604-935- PLAY (7529)

whistler.ca/ adultsports WHISTLER

The Mathieu-Chua Duo unearth women composers’ ‘Hidden Gems’ for Whistler concert

CANADIAN VIOLINIST VÉRONIQUE MATHIEU AND PIANIST STEPHANIE CHUA HAVE MADE IT THEIR MISSION TO CHAMPION UNSUNG CLASSICAL COMPOSERS FROM THE PAST AND PRESENT

BY BRANDON BARRETT

IN THE BUTTONED-UP world of classical music, women composers past and present have not only had to fight for their share of recognition compared to their male counterparts, but they’ve also had to contend with the giants of the genre—the Mozarts and Beethovens and Tchaikovskys—whose outsized orbits no single classical musician or composer can seem to escape from.

“There is still a lot of catching up to do,” says Véronique Mathieu, Saskatoon-based classical violinist and one half of the MathieuChua Duo alongside Toronto pianist Stephanie Chua, who will be performing a selection of pieces by woman composers in Whistler this weekend for a concert dubbed, “Hidden Gems” to mark International Women’s Day. “I would say that presenters and series are really interested in bringing balance to the concert hall,” Mathieu says. “There are so many overlooked men composers, too, that are overshadowed by Mozart and Beethoven. I think there is an interest to bring to life these great works that didn’t get to be performed or didn’t get the recognition they deserved when they were composed.”

An in-depth review of 100 of the world’s

top orchestras’ 2020-21 seasons carried out by the Donne Foundation revealed the troubling level of gender and racial inequality that still persists in classical music, with only five per cent of the music scheduled in their concerts composed by women, and a staggering 88 per cent of concerts featuring only music written by men. The results were similarly stark when analyzing race: just one per cent of the pieces programmed were composed by Black and Asian women, and just over two per cent by Black and Asian men.

with an audience and some we feel more strongly about. We rotate based on audiences’ reactions and we also want to make sure we have a program that’s well-balanced.”

For the Whistler concert, slated for the Maury Young Arts Centre, the chosen repertoire spans more than 300 years and an array of styles, from French Baroque to Italian sonnets to more contemporary work.

“I think the program we will be performing is really diverse. There is something for everyone,” Mathieu says.

major orchestra, in 1933.

“Her pieces really show her African roots, mixed with some European impressionism, so it’s a very interesting blend of the two styles she brings in the compositions,” Mathieu says.

Probably the best-known composer on the bill is Germany’s Clara Schumann, whose piece, “Romances,” will be performed at the Whistler show.

“People are familiar with her husband’s work, Robert Schumann, but Clara was a wonderful concert pianist and composer in her own right, and she wrote the piece for violin and piano that we will be playing for the concert,” Mathieu says.

On the contemporary side of things, the duo will take on Canadian composer Alice Ping Yee Ho’s dynamic crowd-pleaser, “Éxtasis.”

“It features different harmonies and it’s a piece that has a lot of energy and one that audiences really enjoy hearing,” says Mathieu, who relishes the chance to perform a living composer’s work.

That’s what makes the work that Mathieu and Chua do beyond the concert hall so important. The duo, who first met in 2012 preparing for a competition, have been researching female composers—and bringing their work to life onstage—for the better part of a decade.

“I think it’s probably been eight or nine years that we’ve looked for new work to feature, and, since then, we’ve performed over 60 works by women composers,” Mathieu explains. “Some work is better

The first number on the program is “Sonata No. 6,” a piece by 18th-century French composer Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, followed by a short, romantic sonatina by Pauline Viardot, a 19th-century composer as well as mezzo-soprano who had a long and illustrious career as a performer. Another highlight for Mathieu are the two pieces in the program by composer and pianist Florence Price, the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer, and the first to have a composition played by a

“It’s really rewarding to work with living composers so we don’t have to assume what they meant with their score, but we actually get to interact with them and understand the meaning of their pieces.”

Presented by the Whistler Chamber Music Society, Hidden Gems: Music by Women Composers is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 5 at the Maury Young Arts Centre. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for youth under 20, available at the door and online at whistlerchambermusic.ca or artswhistler.com.

Learn more about the performers at veroniquemathieu.net and stephaniechua.com. n

CLASSICAL VIBES Pianist Stephanie Chua (left) and violinist Véronique Mathieu play the Maury Young Arts Centre on March 5.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

“I think there is an interest to bring to life these great works that didn’t get to be performed or didn’t get the recognition they deserved when they were composed.”

- VÉRONIQUE MATHIEU

Philanthropist Terry Salman’s memoir chronicles war, business, and a tie to Whistler

WHAT WE GIVE: FROM MARINE TO PHILANTHROPIST FEATURED IN READING AND Q&A AT WHISTLER PUBLIC LIBRARY ON MARCH 9

BY ALYSSA NOEL

AFTER THE TRAUMA he experienced fighting in the Vietnam War, Terry Salman stayed away from planes and helicopters for nearly a decade.

But instead of letting that phobia hold him back for the rest of his life, he decided to face his fear head on and learn to fly himself.

“I learned to fly out of Squamish,” he says. “They say if you can learn to fly out of Squamish, you can learn to fly anywhere. You have wind, mountains, and a small runway … But it was such a sense of accomplishment.”

Salman, originally a Montrealer who joined the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War before becoming a major player in the world of Canadian mining finance, as well as a philanthropist, says he deliberately chose uplifting stories like this to fill his memoir, What We Give, which released last November.

“What inspired me was something positive I could write about that people would maybe appreciate—or, if nothing else, maybe my family would appreciate,” says Salman, who was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2020.

The book delves into different chapters of his life, from humble beginnings in Quebec to his time in the war, and his climb up the ladder of the Canadian business world to developing social responsibility and dedicating himself to causes like the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation—primarily funding a hospice for AIDS patients—and more.

Some reviews of the book—which became a Globe and Mail bestseller—complain he

glossed over details of divorce, business struggles, and interactions with well-known players in the mining industry. But, Salman says, he chose to focus on the positive and, besides, more life stories could emerge in a blog he’s working on (whatwegivebook.com).

“I don’t like to talk about negative things,” he adds. “There were tragic things I didn’t talk about.”

But one thing that made it into the book is his deep ties to Whistler. In his younger years, Salman—now based in West Vancouver— would travel up for a day of skiing from the city and, sometimes, drive right back up the next day to do it all again. He eventually bought a one-bedroom place, and currently has a second home in Blueberry, where he did much of the writing for the book. (He’s also a big supporter of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.)

“So much of writing a book is where you actually write it,” he says. “I wrote at Whistler and my house in West Vancouver, working away downstairs.”

Back in December 2021, as Singapore’s Honorary Consul-General in Vancouver, he also had a hand in mobilizing RCMP and Whistler Search and Rescue to help find lost snowboarder Wen Yi—a story that made it into the book.

“It’s a great Whistler story,” he says. “When I went to Singapore recently I met up with him, the snowboarder.”

Looking ahead, Salman is set to take part in a conversation, audience Q&A, and reading at the Whistler Public Library on March 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (Registration is encouraged at publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca.)

“The moral of the story is it’s fine to have a good education, but you have to work at it, too,” he says. “It won’t happen instantly. [It’s about] accepting the challenge.” n

GIVING SPIRIT Terry Salman will read from his memoir, What We Give, at the Whistler Public Library on March 9.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Friends of the Whistler Public Library

50/50 RAFFLE 2023

PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE

Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events

Buy a Ticket to support the purchase of digital whiteboards for the upcoming small meeting rooms!

Spread the Word to help us build a big jackpot! Scan the QR code to get started or visit tinyurl.com/mw4sps5x

Tickets are available from February 13 to March 30 Draw at 2 p m on March 30 at the library!

ALTA LAKE BIRD WALK

MAR3-5

COMMUNITY

ALTA LAKE BIRD WALK

Join the Whistler Naturalists on the first Saturday of the month for a walk to Rainbow Park from the bottom of Lorimer Rd. Open to anyone interested in learning about birds. There will be experienced birders on hand who are happy to share their knowledge while monitoring bird activity. More information at whistlernaturalists.ca/birding.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PERMANENT CHANGE TO A LIQUOR LICENCE

ESTABLISHMENT LOCATION: 1045 Millar Creek Road

LICENSE TYPE: Manufacturing Licence - Brewery

APPLICANT: Whistler Brewing Company

Whistler Brewing Company is a manufacturing licensed establishment with a brewery lounge endorsement with hours of service of 11 a.m. -1 a.m. Monday through Sunday. The licensee has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to permanently change the brewery lounge endorsement to add a 15 person capacity outdoor patio

Residents and owners of businesses may comment by writing to:

Resort Experience, Planning Department

Resort Municipality of Whistler

4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0X5

planning@whistler ca

PETITIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

To ensure the consideration of your views, your written comments must be received on or before Saturday March 25th 2023. Your name(s) and residence address (or business address if applicable) must be included

Please note that your comments may be made available to the applicant and local gover nment officials as required to administer the license process

> March 4, 8 a.m.

> At the bottom of Lorimer Rd. by the Catholic church

> Free

FOREST THERAPY IN FLORENCE PETERSEN PARK

Forest Therapy, also known as Forest Bathing, is a practice of mindful engagement with nature that restores us to a calm and connected state of being.

Certified Forest Therapy Guide from Society of Trees, Monica Sander Burns, offers guided techniques to engage the senses and settle the mind, allowing you to fully open to the magic, wonder and awe of the forest right outside your doorstep. Registration is required and space is limited!

> March 5, 1 to 3 p.m.

> Florence Petersen Park

> Email publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca to sign up. Max two spots per person. Please include your plus one’s name and email address if you plan to bring a friend ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

FIVE ALARM FUNK

Some bands want to change the world. Five Alarm Funk’s goal is much simpler. They want you to sweat. The iconic funk rockers return to the resort for a longoverdue night of wild debauchery at the Maury Young Arts Centre on Saturday, March 4.

> Saturday, March 4

> Maury Young Arts Centre

> $25

> Find tickets at showpass.com/aw-live-funk SPORTS

CANADIAN LUGE CHAMPIONSHIPS/BC LUGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Spectators are welcome to come and cheer on luge athletes as they compete on the fastest track in the world for the Canadian Luge Championships and BC Luge Championships at the Whistler Sliding Centre. Spectating is free!

> March 4 and 5

> Whistler Sliding Centre

> More info at whistlersportlegacies.com

Truth be told.

PHOTO BY ARTHUR MORRIS / GETTY IMAGES

Pemberton Visitor’s Map

The official map of Tourism Pemberton will be published in May 2023 and will include maps, attractions and popular hiking destinations that Pemberton has to offer year-round.

Booking Deadline: Thursday, April 6, 2023

Pemberton Visitor’s Guide

The official guide of Tourism Pemberton will be published May 19th, 2022 and will include editorial content on all four seasons, showcasing all that Pemberton has to offer year-round. Get a head-start on marketing your business for this summer and the year ahead.

Booking Deadline: Thursday, April 13th, 2023

Seeking Poetry

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and the Public Art Committee invite submissions of unpublished, original poems for the 2023 Poet’s Pause poetry competition.

The Resor t Municipality invites submissions of unpublished, original poems for the 2023 Poet’s Pause poetry competition

The poems will be displayed at the two Poet’s Pause sculpture sites in Alta Lake Park Writers are invited to submit poems for one or both of the display sites. The poems should respond to the theme selected for each site, listening and togetherness.

Poems are due Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 3:00pm and should be submitted to resortexperience@whistler.ca

Lear n more at whistler.ca/PoetryCompetition

Resor t Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

Fun Gifts and Home Decor

Statues

• Car vings

Jewelr y

• Textiles

• Wall Hangings

• Leather Journals

• Cr ystal Products

• Singing Bowls

Apparel .... and much more

Selling snowboards

BY JILLIAN ROBERTS

Across from the Olympic Plaza 604-905-0084

oraclewhistler.com

THE NATURAL terrain features, beginning of boarder cross, and the early adoption of a terrain park all helped cement Whistler’s important place in snowboard history. But the early snowboard shops in Whistler were also instrumental in supporting local snowboarders and the growing sport.

Speaker Series event last year, Achenbach said The Snoboard Shop had some of the highest sales of Sorels in the country. When the Canadian representative for Sorels visited The Snoboard Shop to learn more about its success, the rep was shocked to see that it was not an outdoor adventure store. Playing an integral part during the early years of snowboarding in the resort, The Snoboard Shop in Whistler closed in 1996, when the team behind it moving on to new ventures.

March

Once the work day is done head to one of these participating venues to experience an elevated happy hour Expect Vancouver Cocktail Week signature cocktails, appies and special programming Event times vary so please check thealchemistmagazine ca/vcw or the venue websites

The first snowboard shop to open in Whistler, known simply as The Snoboard Shop, was launched by Ken Achenbach. Achenbach got into snowboarding in 1980 after he quit ski racing and was looking for something else to do during the long winters. He bought a snowboard from Tom Sims and was immediately hooked. He was so confident that snowboarding would be the next big thing that he borrowed his mom’s credit card and bought six more boards, intending to sell them to local stores. Ahead of his time, none of the stores wanted them, and Achenbach started selling the snowboards out of his Calgary garage to pay his mom back. This grew into The Snoboard Shop in Calgary, often referred to as the first snowboard shop in Canada (and one of the first in the world).

Soon, Achenbach was at the centre of the snowboarding world, competing in the first Snowboard World Championship and appearing throughout snowsports media. He came to Whistler to film, fell in love with the mountains, and in 1988 he opened The Snoboard Shop in Whistler.

Down an alley and out of the way, The Snoboard Shop was an institution, and opened before snowboards were even allowed up Whistler Mountain. Making up a surprisingly large portion of the snowboard market, according to Ken, when Transworld Snowboarding magazine came out, the only snowboarding magazine at the time, The Snoboard Shop accounted for one fifth of the magazine’s total sales.

Likewise, before boots specific to snowboarding were widely available, Sorel’s regular snow boots were popular with snowboarders. Modified with a ski-boot liner inside, they were the best snowboard boots on the market at the time. In a Whistler Museum

Showcase was the second snowboard shop to open in the resort, and also holds an important place in Whistler hearts and history. Although today Showcase is known for snowboarding, when it opened in 1989, it was known as Showcase Tennis, as the Chateau Whistler Resort had just opened with six tennis courts, including two covered courts. However, not long after opening, management made the financial decision to pivot to snowboarding, which was blowing up, as both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains were now welcoming snowboarders. Blackcomb opened to snowboarders during the 1987-88 season, and Whistler opened the year after.

To properly cater to snowboarders, Showcase brought in Graham Turner as manager, who was a snowboard racer and Blackcomb Mountain employee. Turner was also early on the snowboard scene, making a snowboard in woodwork at school in the early 1980s before it was easy to buy one in Vancouver. Like so many others, he moved to Whistler to be closer to his favourite hobbies, snowboarding and mountain biking.

Showcase had events and marketing perfectly dialled, starting the Showcase Showdown, which is now touted as Canada’s longest-running snowboard competition. Fondly remembered by many, it sometimes seemed like half of Whistler was living on Kraft Dinner from Showcase thanks to its genius marketing ploy, selling three boxes for just 99 cents. Used as a “loss leader” to bring people into the store, the Kraft Dinner was excellent value even then. You can only imagine the lines out the door if that special came back today!

During Turner’s reign, Showcase became the biggest Burton dealer in North America, while growing the local snowboarding community. ■

STAR POWER Tom Sims, original snowboarding legend, signs posters during a Showcase event in 1994. Showcase Snowboards was well-known for big parties and bringing in celebrity riders.

WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION

Free Will Astrology

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 1993, I began work on my memoirish novel, The Televisionary Oracle. It took me seven years to finish. The early part of the process was tough. I generated a lot of material I didn’t like. Then one day, I discovered an approach that liberated me: I wrote about aspects of my character and behaviour that needed improvement. Suddenly everything clicked, and my fruitless adventure transformed into a fluidic joy. Soon I was writing about other themes and experiences. But dealing with self-correction was a key catalyst. Are there any such qualities in yourself you might benefit from tackling, Aries? If so, I recommend you try my approach.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Two Taurus readers complained that my horoscopes contain too much poetry and flair to be useful. In response, I’m offering you a prosaic message. It’s all true, though in a way that’s more like a typical horoscope. (I wonder if this approach will spur your emotional intelligence and your soul’s lust for life, which are crucial areas of growth for you these days.) Anyway, here’s the oracle: Take a risk and extend feelers to interesting people outside your usual sphere. But don’t let your social adventures distract you from your ambitions, which also need your wise attention. Your complex task: Mix work and play; synergize business and pleasure.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Astrologer Jessica Shepherd advises us to sidle up to the Infinite Source of Life and say, “Show me what you’ve got.” When we do, we often get lucky. That’s because the Infinite Source of Life delights in bringing us captivating paradoxes. Yes and no may both be true in enchanting ways. Independence and interdependence can interweave to provide us with brisk teachings. If we dare to experiment with organized wildness and aggressive receptivity, our awareness will expand, and our heart will open. What about it, Gemini? Are you interested in the charming power that comes from engaging with cosmic contradictions? Now’s a favourable time to do so. Go ahead and say, “Show me what you’ve got” to the Infinite Source of Life.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Only a lunatic would dance when sober,” declared the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero. As a musician who loves to dance, I reject that limiting idea—especially for you. In the upcoming weeks, I hope you will do a lot of dancingwhile-sober. Singing-while-sober, too. Maybe some crying-for-joy-while-sober, as well as freewheeling-yourway-through-unpredictable-conversations-while-sober and cavorting-and-revelling-while-sober. My point is that there is no need for you to be intoxicated as you engage in revelry. Even further: It will be better for your soul’s long-term health if you are lucid and clearheaded as you celebrate this liberating phase of extra joy and pleasure.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Poet Mary Oliver wondered whether the soul is solid and unbreakable, like an iron bar. Or is it tender and fragile, like a moth in an owl’s beak? She fantasized that maybe it’s shaped like an iceberg or a hummingbird’s eye. I am poetically inclined to imagine the soul as a silver diadem bedecked with emeralds, roses, and live butterflies. What about you, Leo? How do you experience your soul? The coming weeks will be a ripe time to home in on this treasured part of you. Feel it, consult with it, feed it. Ask it to surprise you!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): According to the colour consultant company Pantone, Viva Magenta is 2023’s colour of the year. According to me, Viva Magenta is the lucky hue and power pigment for you Virgos during the next 10 months. Designer Amber Guyton says that Viva Magenta “is a rich shade of red that is both daring and warm.” She adds that its “purple undertone gives it a warmth that sets it apart from mere red and makes it more versatile.” For your purposes, Virgo, Viva Magenta is earthy and exciting; nurturing and inspiring; soothing yet arousing. The coming weeks will be a good time to get the hang of incorporating its spirit into your life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you are not working to forge a gritty solution, you may be reinforcing a cozy predicament. If you’re not expanding your imagination to conjure up fresh perspectives, you could be contributing to some ignorance or repression. If you’re not pushing to expose dodgy secrets and secret agendas, you might be supporting the whitewash. Know what I’m saying, Libra? Here’s a further twist. If you’re not peeved about the times you have wielded your anger unproductively, you may not use it brilliantly in the near future. And I really hope you will use it brilliantly.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Storyteller Martin Shaw believes that logic and factual information are not enough to sustain us. To nourish our depths, we need the mysterious stories provided by myths and fairy tales. He also says that conventional hero sagas starring big, strong, violent men are outmoded. Going forward, we require wily, lyrical tales imbued with the spirit of the Greek word metis, meaning “divine cunning in service to wisdom.” That’s what I wish for you now, Scorpio. I hope you will tap into it abundantly. As you do, your creative struggles will lead to personal liberations. For inspiration, read myths and fairy tales.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Many astrologers don’t give enough encouragement to you Sagittarians on the subject of home. I will compensate for that. I believe it’s a perfect time to prioritize your feelings of belonging and your sense of security. I urge you to focus energy on creating serenity and stability for yourself. Honour the buildings and lands you rely on. Give extra appreciation to the people you regard as your family and tribe. Offer blessings to the community that supports you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you are like 95 per cent of the population, you weren’t given all the love and care you needed as a child. You may have made adaptations to partly compensate for this lack, but you are still running a deficit. That’s the bad news, Capricorn. The good news is that the coming weeks will be a favourable time to overcome at least some of the hurt and sadness caused by your original deprivation. Life will offer you experiences that make you feel more at home in the world and at peace with your destiny and in love with your body. Please help life help you! Make yourself receptive to kindness and charity and generosity.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The philosopher Aldous Huxley was ambitious and driven. Author of almost 50 books, he was a passionate pacifist and explorer of consciousness. He was a visionary who expressed both dystopian and utopian perspectives. Later in his life, though, his views softened. “Do not burn yourselves out,” he advised readers. “Be as I am: a part-time crusader, a halfhearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it.” Now I’m offering you Huxley’s counsel, Aquarius. As much as I love your zealous idealism and majestic quests, I hope that in the coming weeks, you will recharge yourself with creature comforts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean author and activist W. E. B. Dubois advised us to always be willing to give up what we are. Why? Because that’s how we transform into a deeper and stronger version of ourselves. I think you would benefit from using his strategy. My reading of the astrological omens tells me that you are primed to add through subtraction, to gain power by shedding what has become outworn and irrelevant. Suggested Step 1: Identify dispiriting self-images you can jettison. Step 2: Visualize a familiar burden you could live without. Step 3: Drop an activity that bores you. Step 4: Stop doing something that wastes your time.

Homework: What’s something you’d be wise to let go of? What’s something to hold on to tighter? Newsletter. FreeWillastrology.com.

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

In-depth

ACCOMMODATION

MARKETPLACE

Fairmont Chateau

Whistler Resort is growing its Housing portfolio and sourcing additional Chalet and Condo Rental contracts for our Hotel Team Members. Our leaders are mature, career driven drivers that know the word respect. Contract terms for property Owners are stress free with no commissions and includes representation from our 4 person fulltime Housing Department working with you 24/7; maintaining all aspects of the tenancy including quarterly inspections.

A great next move for Whistler property Owners that have tired with the Airbnb game or Property Fees. Let’s see if we can make a match and develop a long-term relationship here. General inquiries please email mark.munn@fairmont.com

PRE-LOVED RE-LOVED =

RE-USE-IT CENTRE

Donations daily

10 am to 4 pm

Accepting pre-loved clothing, gear and household items.

Shopping daily

10 am to 6 pm 8000 Nesters Road 604-932-1121

RE-BUILD-IT CENTRE

Donations daily

10 am to 5 pm

Accepting pre-loved furniture, tools and building supplies

Shopping daily

10 am to 5 pm 1003 Lynham Road 604-932-1125

Visit

Services

HEALTH & WELLBEING

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

Group Fitness Classes

Fridays – Kin Stretch

7:30-8:30 am w Elliot

Saturdays – Zumba

10:30-11:30 am w Susie

Mondays – Yin & Yang Yoga

9-10 am w Heidi

Tuesdays – Strength & Mobility

9-10 am w ROOS

Wednesdays – Girls Learn

2 Strength Train

3:45- 4:45 pm w Roos

Thursdays – Swim Fit

7:30-8:30 am with M-A

See

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

HopePointSummerCook

Privateestatewouldliketofillthefollowingpositionforthe2023season. SummerCook.JunethroughSeptember.Averaging40hoursperweek. Prepareorganic,wholesome,mealsincludingfamilypicnicsandbarbeques, fortheowners,theirfamilyandguests. Bakingasrequired.Keepthekitchen, pantryandfoodareascleanand stocked.Youwillalsooverseethe kitchensupportstaff.

Asyourworkhoursvaryfromdayto day,youwillbeprovidedroomand board.Youwillbeabletogooffpropertyforyourdaysoffandwewillprovideboattransportationtoandfrom theworkplace.hopepoint@gmail.com

HopePointDomesticHelp

Privateestatewouldliketofillthefollowingposition.JunethroughSeptember.Averaging40hoursperweek. Wearelookingforapersontoserve meals,washdishes,helpwithmeal prep,andallaspectsoflaundry,includingironing.Youwillhelpwithpicnicsandbarbeques.Lighthousework andoutdoorworkarealsopartofthis position.

Asyourworkhoursvaryfromdayto day,youwillbeprovidedroomand board.Youwillbeabletogooffpropertyforyourdaysoffandwewillprovideboattransportationtoandfrom theworkplace.hopepoint@gmail.com

RCMPDetentionGuardJobs

Seekingacasualemploymentopportunity?CommissionairesBCis lookingforcandidatesthathave the commitmentandflexibilitytofill casualpositionsasadetention guardwiththePembertonRCMP. Thispositionhasnofixedwork scheduleandguardsarecalledin toworkonanas-neededbasis.

ContactHeidiat hsnowdon@commbc.caorvisitus athttps://commissionaires.bc.ca/

FullTime

SouthVancouverIsland-SomethingDifferent!

workingwithourteamtomake yachtsshine,insideandoutsideexperiencenotrequired-enthusiasmis abilitytoworkatheights,inconfinedspaces,overthewater,in teamsorsolo,physicallydemanding,liftingofreasonableweight(50 lbs),communicatewellinEnglish, withbasiccomputerskills driver’slicense&PleasureCraft Operator’sCardassetsbutnot critical startingwage$22.00perhourwith benefitsafter3-months yachts@philbrooks.com https://philbrooks.com/

PembertonVeterinaryHospitalRegisteredVeterinaryTechnician ThePembertonVeterinaryHospitalis seekinganRVT(orequivalent)tojoin ourteam.Thepositionisparttime,but thereispotentialforfulltimeworkfor therightcandidate.Wecurrentlyhave asmallteambutthepracticeisgrowingwiththeadditionofanothervetthis year.Theidealcandidatewillbepassionateaboutveterinarymedicine, havetheabilitytoworkaspartofa teamandindependently,andthrivein abusyclinicenvironment.Wageand workscheduleisnegotiablebasedon experienceandthecandidate.Benefits includelicensingdues,CEallowance andmedical/dentalcoverage.604-894 -1119laura@pembertonvet.com www.pembertonvet.com

PersonalCaregiver/mentor

Longtermcaringforahighfunctioning 32yearoldcognitivelychallengedfemale.Rolewouldincludeactivities, mentoring,housekeepingandsome mealprep.includesroomandboard andsalary.Musthavepostsecondary educationwithsomebackgroundand workexperiencewithpersonswith disabilities.Mustbeasinglefemaleof similaragewithdriverslicenseand flexibleschedule.jesafood@shaw.ca

WhistlerPersonnelSolutions

Full-time,part-time&tempjobs. Nocost,nostrings.604-905-4194 www.whistler-jobs.com

NewImageTiling

Whistlerbasedcompanyfocusing oncommercialandresidential projects.Fromremodelingbathroomstobigfloorareasorjust quickkitchenbacksplash.Don’t hesitatetocall/textandgetyour freeestimatetoday.604-935-8575 nitwhistler@gmail.com

Amos&AndesSalesAssociate Wearelookingforapart-timeSales Associate(2daysperweek)inlocally ownedstorelocatedintheheartofthe WhistlerVillage.Weareoffering$19/h andstorediscounts. natalija@whistlersweatershop.com 6049327202

We’ve got a job you’ll love.

IS SEEKING A…

Board of Directors Co-Chair

Join our progressive, dynamic, and passionate Board of Directors as our Co-Chair. We are seeking an individual with experience as a Board Chair, with non-profit governance, and in leading a diverse team.

We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home. Zero Ceiling is a social service non-profit committed to ending youth homelessness. We provide young adults with housing, supportive employment placements, land-based programming, and individualized support. We strive to create an environment in which young people have a sense of belonging and are supported to heal and grow.

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to: info@zeroceiling.org

Deadline: Friday, March 24 at 11:59 PST

You will love volunteering with us! We provide:

• Training opportunities in Indigenous Cultural Safety, supportive employment, and supporting mental health

• An honorarium for folx who may face barriers to volunteering, including those with lived experience as a young person facing homelessness

We enthusiastically welcome applications from all qualified people, including those with lived experience, racialized people, people of all sexual orientations, women and trans* people, Indigenous peoples, those with diverse abilities, mental illness, and from all social strata.

Find job descriptions at zeroceiling.org/join-our-team

The Pinnacle Hotel Whistler has the following positions available:

Please reply by email: parmstrong@pinnaclehotels.ca

The Alpenglow Lodge

(a Phase 2 property) is accepting proposals for their Front Desk Management contract.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email info@avesta1.com for more information.

Proposals will be accepted until March 31, 2023 at 5:00pm.

is now hiring for

Night Auditor

This dynamic role includes the following Perks and Benefits:

• Year round position. 3 x 10 hour shifts/week

• Option for additional hours

• Wages starting from $23 per hour

• Up to $1100 seasonal bonuses

• Extended benefits

• $750 Signing Bonus

STAFF HOUSING AVAILABLE

Please reply with a cover letter and resume to hr@listelhotel.com

Thank you for your interest. Only those applicants being considered for an interview will be contacted.

BUILDING

–

School District No. 48 (Sea to Sky) is accepting applications for the following position:

• BUILDING TRADES – MECHANICAL (PEMBERTON/WHISTLER AREA)

This is a 8 hour per day position covered by our CUPE Collective Agreement and offers a competitive rate of pay and benefits package. Further information regarding this position and the School District can be found at https://www.makeafuture.ca/regions-districts/bc-public-school-districts/metro/sea-to-sky/

Guest Service Agent

•

•

Poulton Power LTD is Hiring

Electricians & Apprentices

Electrical work: Mainly Residential and Commercial, occasionally industrial.

Hydro services/Solar infrastructure & backup generators/Automated lighting control/Powered blinds/ Audio visual

BENEFITS:

Training: Continuous on job training

Hours: Full time starting Feb 1st 2023 Sun life plan (Dental/Medical/Eyes)

Travel to and from work: Personal vehicle required/ paid KM’s ($0.68/KM)

Tools supplied: Company supplied power tools, ladders, and safety gear

Tools required: Personal hand tools, work boots

Certification required for Electricians: Red seal electrical ticket. Drivers licence

Certification required for Apprentices: Registered with the ITA. Drivers licence.

Rates for electrician with up to 2 years of experience actively working with their red seal: STARTING AT $35

Rates for electrician with minimum 3years of experience actively working with their red seal: STARTING AT $40

Rates for apprentices will be based on level of school and level of training.

Candidates must reside in either Pemberton, Whistler, or Squamish. Please e-mail resume’s to: poultonpower@gmail.com

Vacasa’s forward-thinking approach and industry-leading technology help set us apart as the largest full-service vacation rental company in North America. We are seeking individuals with a passion for providing exceptional vacation experiences for our Owners and Guests.

We offer competitive wages and benefits: Travel allowance for Squamish/Pemberton-based employees OR Ski Pass/Activity allowance, Extended Medical, RRSP match, Fun & Safe Work Environment-Great Team, opportunities to grow and more.

**SIGNING BONUS** $1000 (FT)

Housekeeper (Cascade Lodge) - Full Time all year around Night Auditor - Full Time all year around Guest Service Agent - Full Time all year around Maintenance Technician - Full Time all year round

Apply online today!

https://www.vacasa.com/careers/positions or email: paul.globisch@vacasa.com or call to find out more details at 604-698-0520

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

•

•

•

• Work-life balance is as important to us as it is to you!

Assistant Director of Engineering

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler is seeking an Assistant Director of Engineering!

• Competitive Wage

• Monthly housing allowance

• Ski pass

• Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefit plans

• Global travel benefits with Four Seasons

• Fun, engaging work environment

If this exciting opportunity sounds like a fit for you, please apply directly on the Four Seasons website: https://jobs.fourseasons.com/

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

Finish Carpenters Apprentices

Labourers

For more information on all we have to offer, please visit www.evrfinehomes.com or send your resume to info@evr finehomes.com

NOW HIRING

Deli, Bakery, Produce, Grocery and Meat Clerks. Cashiers

Journeyman Meat Cutter Nutritionist

Full or Part Time

E-mail or drop in your resume to: rory_eunson@nestersmarket.com please cc ian_fairweather@nestersmarket.com or call us at 604-932-3545

PERKS

• Competitive Experience Based Wages

• Flexible Scheduling

• Relative Training

Roland’s Pub is looking for a new bar manager.

Must be a sports enthusiast and have bartending experience. Duties will include inventory and ordering of all alcoholic products as well as other items. Creating promotions with suppliers and other Pub events. A few bartending shifts and management shifts, a combination of days & nights. Salary will be based on experience, plus tips and staff meals. Extended medical & dental benefits, ski pass, and gas allowance. Please email resume to info@rolandswhistler.com

position

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

location: Whistler, B.C.

“Inspiring thought leadership and learning for life”

The Whistler Institute is an innovative not-for-profit that was created to support the development of educational programs and speaker events to support and enhance lifelong learning opportunities for the local community and resort guests. Programs are designed and offered in partnership with post-secondary institutions, training associations, Indigenous communities, independent educators, and thought leaders in the inspiring learning environment of Whistler.

The Whistler Institute is seeking a vibrant and energetic Executive Director, who, working closely with the Institute’s Board of Directors will have a mandate to elevate education through implementing the Whistler Institute’s Business Plan.

The ideal candidate brings an entrepreneurial approach with a proven track record of effectively managing a start-up or non-profit while building strong partnerships, and driving fundraising efforts. Experience working with postsecondary institutions would be an asset. View the full job description here: whistlerinstitute.com/ ed-2023/

To explore this opportunity further please submit your resume and contact details by email to employment@whistlerinstitute.com to Sue Adams, Chair of the Human Resources Committee.

HELI C O P TERS

BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS GROUND CREW

TITLE: Ground Crew

LOCATION: Whistler, B.C.

STATUS: Full-time, Temporary

ABOUT US

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

ABOUT THE JOB

Reporting to the Ground Crew Supervisor and Base Manager, this position will include:  facilities and ground crew support, equipment repair and upkeep, aircraft grooming, fueling and refueling of aircraft, and assisting with passengers. It is worth noting that this position will not lead to flying or engineering opportunities.

YOU WILL

• Facilities and ground support equipment repairs and upkeep;

• Aircraft grooming, preparation and clean-up;

• Pickup and delivery of parts and equipment;

• Hangar and hangar equipment cleaning and maintenance;

• Re-fueling of aircraft;

• Assisting with passengers and passenger equipment or luggage; And other duties as needed from time to time.

YOU HAVE

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a team framework;

• Basic computer skills (email, word processing);

• A driver’s license (ideally class 4);

• Good rapport with customers and excellent customer service skills, as well as a good attitude and superior work ethic.

THE FINE PRINT

Blackcomb Helicopters is an equal opportunity employer and to that end, we want all barriers removed to ensure a fair screening process for all candidates. All resumes will be reviewed with an eye to skill set and experience only, and are considered without attention to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. To this end, we ask all applicants to ensure you do not include any personal information on your application and remove pictures from your resume if you have them.

INTERESTED?

If you or someone you know would be a good fit for this role, please send a resume to: Fiona Cochrane, HR Manager fcochrane@mcleangroup.com

DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH

WE ARE HIRING

Labourer 2 – Regular Full-Time

Utility Operator 1 – Water Distribution – Regular Full-Time

Recreation Program Instructor 1 – Biking – Temporary Part-Time (4-19 hours) (2 Positions)

Recreation Program Instructor 1 – Biking – Casual/On-Call (Multiple Positions)

Building Official – Casual/On-Call

Labourer 2 (Multiple Positions) – Temporary Full-Time

Economic Development Specialist – Regular Full-Time

Small Equipment Operator and Winter Truck Driver 3 – Regular Full-Time

Executive Assistant to the General Manager, Community Planning and Infrastructure and Administrative Technical Coordinator – Regular Full-Time

General Manager of Community Planning and Sustainability – Regular

Full-Time

Recreation Facility Attendant 2 – Casual/On-Call

Recreation Facility Attendant 1 – Casual/On-Call

Custodian – Casual/On-Call

Municipal Engineer 1 – Regular Full-Time

Recreation Program Instructor 1 – Fitness – Casual/On-Call

Recreation Program Leader – Casual/On-Call

Lifeguard 1 – Casual/On-Call

Financial Services Specialist – Temporary Full-Time

Showroom coordinator needed

Position involves customer service and sales. Some computer and bookkeeping related tasks also required.

Looking for an individual who works well independently. Flexibility in work schedule and training is provided.

Located in Function Junction mariomarble@shaw.ca

We’re Hiring! Labourers, Carpenters, Foreman, Project Managers

ARE YOU A SELF-MOTIVATED INDIVIDUAL LOOKING TO GROW YOUR CAREER IN SQUAMISH?

Come be a part of our awesome team as The Squamish Chief’s new Media Account Manager.

If you don’t already live in Squamish, you should know it’s one of the most innovative and attractive communities on the West Coast just a short commute from the North Shore of Vancouver. It has a growing worldwide reputation for outdoor recreation with world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, water sports and skiing, boarding and the backcountry in the winter. We’re youthful, engaged and passionate about where we live!

And if you’re a local – well, you know you’re in the right place to forge a career and lucky to call Squamish home.

We’ve got an opportunity to work and truly be a part of this inspired community at its media hub, The Squamish Chief. We’re part of Glacier Media Group and Local News Network, the largest local digital network in Canada. We work with our clients to offer cutting edge solutions like programmatic, Social, SEO, sponsored content and community display advertising on our website – and yes, we reach customers through our trusted newspaper as well. We’ve got media opportunities covered.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• You have sales experience and 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.

Here’s the essentials of what we offer:

• Competitive salary + uncapped commission package.

• Comprehensive health and dental coverage and extended benefits.

• Extensive onboarding training and ongoing support.

Come join us!

Please submit your cover letter and resume in confidence to:

Cathie Greenlees cgreenlees@squamishchief.com

Closing date is March 3, 2023

Lil’wat Nation Employment Opportunities

Ullus Community Center

· Early Childhood Educator

· Director of Lands & Resources

· Director of Community Programs

· General Manager, Community Services

· Human Resources Generalist

· Finance Assistant

Ts’zil Learning Center

· Indigenous Advocate Supervisor

· Indigenous Support Worker – Culture & Language

· Receptionist

Lil’wat Health & Healing

· Homemaker

· Intake Coordinator

Xet’olacw Community School

· High School Math Teacher

· Bus Driver

· Custodian

· Prep Cook

Lil’wat Business Group

· Cashier

· Forestry Summer Students

· Junior Saw Labourer

· Senior Saw Labourer

SHARE YOUR PASSION

SUMMER SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Experience a summer like no other in Whistler! The Whistler Golf Club is an Arnold Palmer designed course, situated just a short walk from Whistler Village. In concert with Mr. Palmer’s “go for it” attitude when he played, we believe the golf experience we provide should be fun, entertaining, accessible and memorable. To that end, we are looking for employees who have an engaging and outgoing personality and can get truly “cranked up” everyday to deliver our branded service experience.

We are now hiring in the following departments for the 2023 summer season:

• Golf Maintenance: Grounds Maintenance & Irrigation

Technician

• Food & Beverage: Kitchen & Servers

• Guest Services & Golf Shop

• Driving Range

What we offer: a fun team and work environment, competitive compensation package, and free golf at our legendary course!

TO VIEW OUR OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT WHISTLERGOLF.COM/CAREERS.

SPECIALIST, MEMBER RELATIONS

Full Time, Contract (18 Months)

The Specialist, Member Relations is responsible for managing and engaging Tourism Whistler’s membership. The Specialist advocates for Tourism Whistler to build Member understanding and support for the organization’s purpose and initiatives, while consistently relaying the benefits of membership and representing Member interests in Tourism Whistler’s strategic planning.

This role requires a highly self-motivated individual with a customer service focus, a proven ability to build relationships, and extensive knowledge of Whistler and the resort’s business community.

What we offer: a flexible schedule offering work-life balance, a commitment to health and wellness, competitive compensation package, and a great team environment.

We’re also recruiting for: Coordinator, Ask Whistler, Maintenance Technician/ Cleaner, Visitor Centre Agent. TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.

ACROSS

DOWN

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

Whistlerites—fat cats or alley cats?

FAT CATS. Trust-fund babies. High rollers. That seems to be the image of, well, you and me... assuming you’re a local, a Whistleratic.

It’s a view held by many across the country who couldn’t find Whistler without the aid of GPS. Tragically, it’s also the view of more than one office holder in Victoria.

To be fair—not that it’s at all fair—it’s easy to understand where it comes from. All you have to do is read the page next to this one. Or turn it and read the back cover. A two-bedroom quarter share for $339,000. An

BY G.D. MAXWELL

800-square-foot, one-bedroom condo for $1.4 million. A building lot for $2.5 million. Fat cats indeed.

Or bear in mind the overarching relationship most people have with Whistler. Jet in for a week’s vacation, drop a bundle on accommodation, another on lift tickets, a third on restaurant meals, jet home, all the while feeling like the budget you’ve blown is chump change to a lot of the folks you’ve seen spending more for a bottle of good wine than you and your family spent for your entire meal.

The reality, of course, is far, far different. Few of us who live here, work here, and raise families here actually earn enough to vacation here, let alone buy anything listed in the real estate ads. We may not be the working poor, but sometimes it sure feels that way.

Bleak? No. The lifestyle we’ve found a way to access without actually being able to afford is hugely compensating. We clock more days on the mountains in any given season than most of the tourists rack up in a lifetime. We enjoy an embarrassment of trails to hike, ride, snowshoe and run all year long. We can cool off on the hottest day in a handful of lakes boasting clean water. We may call it just another day in paradise, but on some level we know that’s exactly what it is. Otherwise, we’d have long ago joined the majority of people who called Whistler home for a good time, not a long time.

But the numbers tumbling out of census data paint a picture of Whistlerites being far from fat cats. More like alley cats. Out of all of us who earn income, almost 79 per cent earn less than $70,000 per year. Gross. Only 12 per cent earn in excess of $100,000 per annum. And even $100K wouldn’t be nearly enough to swing a single-family home in this town without funding from 6/49.

Bleak? Probably. But it gets worse. Almost one-third, 31.7 per cent of us, are in what are considered our prime earning years, age 36 to 54. The closer you’re getting to that second number the closer you are to realizing what you’re earning now is about as good as it’s going to get.

Those numbers are all in the 2021 Census data. I wouldn’t recommend it as bedtime reading if you’re hoping for sweet dreams.

But perception is reality, and the

perception of Whistler persists. We’re fat cats. Milch cows. An endless source of income for the provincial government and other entities. And a town that has the audacity to ask for more.

The milkmaid-in-chief has always been the provincial government. Pre-pandemic, provincial tax revenue from tourism was about $1.2 billion dollars. It’s not a stretch to imagine once the covid-related distortions settle down that number will be bigger. But of that total, Whistler’s tax contribution was about $500 million.

While their milk pails overflowed, some

managed to mangle themselves playing in Whistler, particularly from out-of-country visitors. If you or I get hurt, the likelihood of us paying more than the charge for an ambulance ride is small—MSP, the province’s medical services plan, will cover the rest. But if you’re not from here, the shock you receive when you find out how much it’s going to cost to get fixed might feel worse than your injury.

Yet, for as long as those of us who have lived here the longest can recall, there has always seemed to be a need to fundraise amounts needed for basic infrastructure. The most recent example of this was last year’s

the genesis of the joke had to do with the outsized contribution Whistler made to the coffers of School District 48.

Don’t get me wrong. Schools are funded through property taxes, and Whistler’s property-tax base includes all those condos and all those homes owned by people who live elsewhere. As milk cows go, our property tax base is a big herd. And Whistler residents did get a break on school taxes back in 2003 that was not extended to non-resident property owners.

of that sloshes back to the town. This year, Whistler expects to receive $5.7 million in Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding. That’s where the $4.5 million the RMOW wants to spend renovating Rainbow Park is coming from.

Put into perspective, Whistler sends $5.7 million to Victoria before the end of the first week in January. But we are grateful. And happy to help.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) picks up a fair bit of its revenue from those who

new trauma unit opened at the Whistler Health Care Centre. The $1.5-million upgrade was fully funded by the Whistler Health Care Foundation’s largest-ever fundraising campaign. The need for the facility was acute. The funding from VCH—which should meet the needs—was zilch. Fat cats?

For as long as I’ve lived here, and for many years before that, according to those who preceded me, there was a joke about the schools in Squamish having gold-plated water fountains. They didn’t, of course, but

That said, our local school infrastructure has always lagged behind the needs of the school-age population, a condition that exists to this day. Whistler desperately needs a new school to keep up with the kids being spawned in town. The lack of one has repeatedly been cited as a significant factor in continuing to permit Whistler’s Waldorf School to operate at Spruce Grove instead of that community facility being available for the purposes it was intended. When asked, it has always been pointed out there is no room within Whistler’s existing schools to absorb the 150plus students at Waldorf, not that anyone’s suggesting that.

But with significant indications the Whistler Racket Club may have to look for a new home once the Northlands begins to be developed, it would be nice to have the purpose-built recreation and community hub of Spruce Grove available as a site. And it would be nicer to have the local school district’s help.

Heck, I’m not even sure we still put drinking fountains in public schools anymore. ■

Few of us who live here, work here, and raise families here actually earn enough to vacation here, let alone buy anything listed in the real estate ads.

GLOBAL REACH, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE FOLLOW YOUR DREAM, HOME

CREEKSIDE

4 – 2400 Cavendish Way WHISKI JACK Complex, near Creekside Gondola for skiing and summer mtn biking access. Cozy 2 bed, 1 bath townhouse just under 800 sq.ft. Enjoy this as your home or rental investment property. https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=fZw5jn6k2da $950,000

Kathy White prec*

604-616-6933

ALTA VISTA

3028 St. Anton Way LOCATION! Discover your Dream Home in Whistler’s Alta Vista Neighborhood. Fully renovated 4-bedroom with 2-bedroom suite, heated sheds, and yearround access to Alta Lake and Valley Trail. Listing courtesy of Carliegh Hofman. $2,999,000

Carmyn Marcano

604-719-7646

BLACK TUSK

73 Garibaldi Drive 73 Garibaldi Drive is a spacious 3,170 sq/ft home that is situated on a quiet 7,535 sq/ft lot within the quiet & serene Black Tusk development that is a short 15 minute drive to Whistler! $1,899,000

Maggi Thornhill prec*

604-905-8199

CREEKSIDE

CP2 1400 Alta Lake Rd Lakeside living! Spacious 1 bed/1 bath penthouse in Tamarisk, on the shores of Alpha Lake. All day sun, cozy wood fireplace and sauna! Canoe/kayak & bike storage, and large personal storage locker. No short term rentals, and no GST. $679,000

Janet Brown

604-935-0700

BENCHLANDS

4653 - 213 G2 Blackcomb Way Enjoy one week per month in Horstman House. This quiet one bedroom quarter-share, conveniently located on Blackcomb, offers owners everything they need for a relaxing vacation including heated outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, ski and bike storage. $219,900

Sam Surowy

604-902-9754

BRIO

3283 Arbutus Street Looking for an AMAZING INVESTMENT OR Whistler home with NO strata fees? Enjoy a private, large, fenced and bright back yard in this spacious 4 bed/3 bath duplex with mountain views. This property offers everything and is located a short walk to the Village. $2,099,000

Allyson Sutton prec* 604-932-7609

WHISTLER CAY ESTATES

6304 Lorimer Road Outstanding value in this 3 bdrm, 2 bath home in one of Whistler’s most desirable locations; on the Valley Trail, walk to schools, parks and the Whistler Village. The legal 2 bdrm suite is a great mortgage helper! $2,379,000

Laura Wetaski

604-938-3798

CONTRIBUTION AT CLOSING

SQUAMISH

Paradise Valley Road Escape to your 9-acre waterfront estate in Paradise Valley. Down valley living offers lot size & absolute privacy unavailable in Whistler. Live in the carriage home while building your 5,400 sq.ft. dream home. paradisevalleyestate.com $3,185,000

Ken Achenbach

604-966-7640

SQUAMISH

40846 The Crescent This University Heights dream home captures stunning mountain and valley views. Modern and sleek design throughout, the primary bedroom is equipped with its own balcony and jaw-dropping ensuite bathroom. Close to epic mountain trails and more. $1,899,000

Angie Vazquez prec* 778-318-5900

Engel & Völkers i s a proud c hampion of Special Olympics. Many o f our a dvisors donate a p or tion of t heir commissions to Special Olympics o n behalf o f their clients. This simple p rogram m eans t hat ever y time we help our c lients realize their real estate goals, we are helping a Special Olympian get j ust a bit closer to theirs.

Whistler Village Shop

36-4314 Main Street · Whistler BC V8E 1A8 · Phone +1 604-932-1875

whistler.evrealestate.com

Squamish Station Shop 150-1200 Hunter Place · Squamish BC V8B 0G8 · Phone +1 778-733-0611 squamish.evrealestate.com