Pique Newsmagazine 3026

Canada Day Quiz

Back by popular (?) demand—can you best Pique’s annual trivia challenge? - By Pique staff

14 SUMMER

OPS

Whistler Blackcomb offers a behindthe-scenes tour of summer operations on the mountain, complete with safety tips for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

15 WAITING

FOR WEED

Whistler’s newly approved cannabis retail operators are anxious to get started—but none have a firm idea of when they’ll open their doors.

22

FIRE SEASON

A string of small fire starts in quick succession in the Whistler area serve as a timely reminder for the resort and its guests.

32 OVER THE HILL

With plenty of development in the works, the Village of Pemberton is launching a comprehensive planning study for the town’s Hillside neighbourhood.

48 SEA

CHANGE

At just 16 years old, Whistler downhill mountain biker Dylan Marino is already making himself known overseas.

52 ROCK ROYALTY

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are set to kick off Whistler’s free Summer Concert Series with a show on Canada Day.

COVER Art is the focus, painting is the tool, good vibes are the message! - By KUPS // kupspaint.com // @Kups_paint

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com

Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com

Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@wplpmedia.com

Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@wplpmedia.com

Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@wplpmedia.com

Advertising Representatives

TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com

GEORGIA BUTLER - gbutler@wplpmedia.com

Digital/Sales Coordinator AMELA DIZDARIC - traffic@wplpmedia.com

Production production@piquenewsmagazine.com

Features Editor BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com

Arts Editor ALYSSA NOEL - arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

Social Media Editor MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@piquenewsmagazine.com

Reporters

BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com

MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@piquenewsmagazine.com

ALYSSA NOEL arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

ROBERT WISLA - rwisla@piquenewsmagazine.com

DAVID SONG - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

Classifieds and Reception mail@piquenewsmagazine.com

Office and Accounts Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com

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 From its drawn-out cannabis retail process to its confusing communications efforts, it’s time to talk about efficiency at Whistler’s municipal hall, writes editor Braden Dupuis.

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers say thanks for a successful fundraiser and advocate for volunteerism, while others weigh in on Rainbow Park’s closure and housing in Pemberton.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Whether it’s biking, skiing, rope swings or trying to jump onto that little rock in the creek outside the Brewhouse, playing it safe is not Whistler’s thing, writes Andrew Mitchell.

reject any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine

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

This organization replaces the BC Press council (and any mention of it).

ISSN #1206-2022

Subscriptions: $76.70/yr. within Canada, $136.60/yr. courier within Canada. $605.80/ yr. courier to USA. GST included. GST Reg. #R139517908. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40016549.

Environment & Adventure

39 RANGE ROVER Leslie Anthony chronicles the never-ending battle against invasive species like burdock, which has been present in the Whistler Valley since the early days of the resort.

Lifestyle & Arts

50 EPICURIOUS Whistler local Natalie Kingi wants to start a non-profit community kitchen—but first she needs to find the space for it.

56 MUSEUM MUSINGS The UBC Varsity Outdoor Club’s Whistler cabin—still in operation today as a hostel—has an interesting legal history.

70 MAXED OUT With another Canada Day upon us, Max reflects on his early days in the Great White North. 50

It’s time to talk about efficiency at the Resort Municipality of Whistler

LEAFING THROUGH the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) 36-page cannabis retail application report in the June 20 council agenda felt almost like an epic, absurdist prank of sorts.

Here we are, five years removed from legalization, muddling through pages and pages of jargon, checking a series of boxes that never needed to be checked.

Even worse—we invented the boxes for the sole purpose of checking them.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

One has to ask: how many hours of valuable staff time went into this exercise? Nearly every other municipality in B.C., and indeed Canada, has had pot shops for years. One could argue Whistler’s careful approach was time and money well spent—but where is the evidence that the relatively hands-off approach taken by other municipalities would have produced anything less desirable?

There have been few, if any, serious documented issues with cannabis retail in Canada that Pique could find evidence of. And so it comes back to a core tenet of the RMOW: A desire to exert complete control over everything occurring within municipal boundaries.

The multi-year effort to finally bring cannabis retail to Whistler is a make-work project if there ever was one. It’s hard to see how this process was necessary in any sense.

But this kind of roundabout, over-produced method is not uncommon at Whistler’s town hall.

The question of efficiency is impossible to ignore when you look at the RMOW’s annual Statement of Financial Information (SOFI) report, presented on the same June 20 agenda.

The number of municipal employees making more than $75K hit 169 in 2022—an 8.3-per-cent increase from the 156 on the list in 2021, which itself was 22-per-cent higher than the 128 in 2020.

From 2014 to 2017, the RMOW’s payroll

largely stayed stagnant, hovering around the $29.5 million mark, with about 105 employees making more than $75,000 (give or take a few each year).

In 2018 that number jumped to 113 (total payroll: $32.7 million); and it jumped again in 2019 to 127 (total payroll: $33 million).

In 2020, plagued by COVID rollbacks and temporary layoffs, both numbers stayed flat at 128 and $32.9 million.

In 2021, the number of employees making more than $75,000 jumped again, to 156, and in 2022 it hit a record high of 169.

Mercifully, total payroll costs have held mostly steady since 2018, at about $32 million per year. It should also be noted that inflation and the general cost of living is still on the rise, and the RMOW is not immune to those pressures.

With the RMOW making big changes internally this year, shuffling responsibilities amongst divisions and adding new senior management roles, we will be paying close attention to what next year’s SOFI report contains in terms of payroll totals.

Ever-climbing dollar figures and endless staff reports would be easier to digest if we were getting proven value for our money in each case. But in some instances that is just simply not happening.

Case in point: Does anyone you know personally (who doesn’t work for municipal hall) know what The Whistler Sessions is? Have you spoken with anyone who does know what it is that thinks it was a good way to spend our time and money? I can’t answer yes to either of those questions.

Again, it can be argued that this was a valuable exercise—we should always be looking to the future, after all—but there is also an argument to be made that The Whistler Sessions amounts to little more than a $200,000 art project. Did we really need to invest countless hours and dump hundreds of thousands of dollars into another consultant’s bank account so they can tell us that, in the future, things will either be very good, very bad, or somewhere in the middle? Isn’t the Balance Model Initiative doing this same work?

Whatever the result, this project was a luxury

that most communities would never consider (or have the means to even entertain the idea).

Another glaring example of things perhaps not operating as they should is the municipal communications department, which has a budget of $749,758 in 2023.

RMOW communications can sometimes take weeks to produce answers to even seemingly straightforward questions—and sometimes you won’t get a response at all.

Pique has made the point for years that the entire process would be much smoother for all involved if reporters could engage directly with staff—you know, the ones in the SOFI report with all the knowledge, getting paid so much money—as they are allowed to do in many other jurisdictions.

The excuse is that they’re busy doing their jobs. Well, one might argue we pay them enough that sharing their expertise with reporters—and in so doing, the community— should be part of their jobs, too.

But then the RMOW loses its vice-like grip on its messaging. Can’t have that.

As for communications, sometimes it has the effect of actively working against getting timely and useful info out to the community.

Take the most recent reports of a grizzly in Rainbow, for which the RMOW issued alerts on its social channels on the morning of June 18. The RMOW said it was sharing the info on behalf of the Conservation Officer Service (COS).

Pique reported on the posts that morning, and late that afternoon, a communications official reached out to say the RMOW “incorrectly put up a social post” about the grizzly, but that it didn’t intend to.

OK. So how did your messaging get mixed up? Was there a grizzly in Rainbow on June 18 or not?

Pique didn’t get a response until late the next morning, which said the info about the grizzly bear accidentally got “loaded” from a previous wildlife alert.

But, Pique pointed out, that doesn’t make any sense—the post in question was tailormade by someone in the communications department, and there were no recent, comparable grizzly bear reports that it could have been “pulled” from.

The next day, June 20, the RMOW responded again, saying it did not “receive a grizzly bear alert” from the COS. OK, Pique said again—that may technically be true, but did the COS receive reports of a grizzly bear in Rainbow or not?

The RMOW would not answer that question directly, no matter how many times Pique asked, saying it could not speak for the COS. The COS, likewise, did not respond.

So was a grizzly reported in Rainbow on June 18? Reading between the lines, we believe there was. But we will have to wait for the results of a Freedom of Information request to tell you with any certainty (assuming the whole thing isn’t redacted).

For context, Pique emailed the Town of Banff to ask about its grizzly policy, and how it communicates with the public.

The town issues alerts if there is immediate danger, but only as a last resort, said communications manager Jason Darrah.

“Notification online or other mass communications methods is proven to attract more sight-seekers to the area, which will usually hinder control measures and may increase hazard risks,” Darrah said in an email. “We have means of communicating to specific businesses, organizations or event organizers, if needed, rather than mass communications that include locations.”

Look at that—direct, straightforward communication, received within two hours of the question being posed.

It is telling that Pique had to get this information from a town in another province. But it is par for the course with Whistler’s upside-down relationship with transparency.

This is not meant to paint the RMOW as the incompetent bad guy. Municipal staffers work hard every day to make this place as great as it is. Nobody wants to see people lose their jobs, or local services cut.

But by the same token, in many cases, taxpayers are very clearly not getting good value for their money—as all of the above points illustrate.

Who will tighten up this massive and evergrowing ship? We wait patiently, as always, for answers. ■

Hike for Health a huge success

The Whistler community has done it again! The Hike for Health on Sunday, June 18 was a huge success, raising more than $85,000 with more than 200 participants hiking up the stunning Ascent Trails in the cold, snowy weather on Blackcomb Mountain. All money raised is going directly to the Dr. Rob Burgess Primary Care Fund in support of the Whistler 360 Health Collaborative.

This event would not have been possible without the enormous generosity of our community. Thank you to Whistler Blackcomb for hosting us on the Ascent Trails. Thank you to our Title Sponsor the Touchet family. Thank you to our Trailblazers, new this year. Trailblazers are individuals or families who donated $500, $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000 to the cause.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers, including Dave Clark and Ryan for their DJ skills, Meaghan Sutter from Peak Training for the pre-hike warm up, Nesters for our sustenance, Gatorade for the fuel that kept us going, Whistler Search and Rescue for watching out for our safety, Jasmine Robinson of Quiver Creative for her amazing graphic design skills, and so many others who quietly worked behind the scenes to make this event possible.

Once again, I am humbled and grateful to

be a part of this truly special community. See you all next year as we set our sights again on the Rendezvous!

Jen Black // Chair of the Hike for Health Committee

Congrats to Mount Currie students

While flipping through your newspaper I happened to read the “In their own words” piece this evening (see Pique, June 22). We are here for a mountain bike event, and I shared it with my athlete. I have never read such a powerful collection of articles.

Katie gave us understanding through

examples of the strength of the Lil’wat Nation. Kevin, with his comment that “the government may get suspicious if we do form one” was incredibly insightful. Kory’s hope for more sports and Charlie’s description of what a “rez” is demonstrated that there is so much work yet to do in Canada’s Indigenous communities.

Congratulations to all of the writers.

Mark Brown // Ontario

Valley Trail closure at Rainbow Park a ‘great inconvenience’

Now that summer is here and I’m riding more, I know I’m not alone in thinking the closure of

the Valley Trail at Rainbow Park created a great inconvenience for many, many people. Surely with a $4.6-million budget, the cost to put in a temporary connection from the lower parking lot could have been justified.

In fact, a permanent connection would eliminate a lot of the bike/pedestrian problem at the entrance to the park.

Jim Kennedy // Whistler

Pemberton housing report missing an ‘important piece’

I eagerly dove in to the Pique article on the Housing Needs Survey recently completed by the Village of Pemberton (see Pique, June 22).

I was curious to learn how anecdotal evidence of our rental housing crisis would translate into a data-driven, government-mandated report.

The Village of Pemberton’s (VOP) mayor and council have identified housing affordability as a top priority during their mandate. For single households, this affordable median rent was reported to be $973. The report then states the median average rent paid in Pemberton is $1,560.

In order for this to be deemed affordable, a one-person household (or single person, or senior, or young adult) needs a minimum net income of $4,800 per month. It is no wonder the report identifies that Pemberton “has a very dynamic population” with “a 20-per-cent turnover rate.” If we do not have housing for those leaving home after graduation, or

for those raising families or those trying to age in place in a community they are deeply connected to, people will continue to leave.

The population of the Pemberton Valley has seen explosive growth, with rental housing costs continuing to soar alongside property prices. One-bedroom rental suites are listing for $1,850 to $2,600 on Craigslist. Newly built townhomes are listing for $1.1 million. There is a bleak financial future here for low- to middle-income earners, and this stark reality is starting to outweigh the amazing benefits of living in our valley. They are moving to other communities where they can get ahead, plan for their future, and comfortably retire. Our community needs people of all income levels and lived experience to function as a modern society.

The report found Pemberton currently lacks at least 139 rental units. This means that there are many in our community who are currently underhoused or even unhoused. This means our local businesses and community services

co-existing in healthy and vibrant communities where we can happily live, play and work.

But how do we nourish and sustain ourselves in that regard?

The “secret sauce” in community-building must surely be the giving of one’s time, talent and resources for the betterment of our society, without expectation of direct gain or reward.

Yet with that satisfaction of making a positive and lasting contribution through volunteering comes the personal benefit of a significant boost in mental health.

That “feel-good” sensation from higher serotonin and dopamine levels stayed with me long after my weekly low-income community law clinics.

I also cannot count the number of lifelong friendships I have forged through my volunteer involvement over the last 30 years in Whistler.

These deep relationships have enhanced my sense of belonging and have made me proud to be part of community-building.

The wonderful opportunities to share ideas

will continue to suffer from staff shortages and staff burnout. This means a less-than-stellar experience for those visiting our village this summer, and into the winter.

Mayor and council’s commitment to affordable housing is laudable. I understand this is meant to be a data collection tool and benchmark for the VOP to apply these statistics to new developments or rezoning requests. However, I am curious to know if there was any consultation with those seeking housing. This report seems to be missing an important piece: the voice of the very people they are trying to help.

Tania Chiasson // Pemberton

Whistler locals ‘prime the pump’ of tourism

To follow up on last week’s Pique article on my volunteering award (see Pique, June 22), I have been encouraged to share some thoughts on the importance of volunteerism in general, as well as to me personally.

If our main economic engine in the Sea to Sky corridor is tourism, thanks in large part to our amazing natural environment, then it is we locals who prime the pump and keep that engine in great running condition.

We get involved and stay energized by

and engage meaningfully with other volunteers have enhanced my feeling of self-worth.

The professional and personal development associated with such activities is incalculable.

The “one-stop non-profit shops” of our local community foundations in the corridor are great umbrella organizations to find ways to volunteer, join or donate.

There are countless exciting opportunities with our diverse sports and recreational associations, as well as in our schools.

Our local governments and ski area operators have many interesting programs for volunteers.

There are frequent community fundraisers, and of course special events which attract a range of volunteer needs.

Start on a small project, join a committee, then get invited or apply to the non-profit’s board.

You will be surrounding yourself with dynamic and engaged individuals, most of whom have very busy lives but know the priceless value of volunteering.

The oft-quoted Churchillian saying is worth repeating:

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 450 words. Pique Newsmagazine reserves the right to edit, condense or refrain from publishing any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. The deadline to submit letters for consideration each week is 11 a.m. on Tuesdays.

Happy Canada Day

47 4000 Sunstone Way

$1,459,000

This spacious duplex is located in Elevate complex in Pemberton’s new Sunstone neighbourhood. Newly built in 2021 with designer finishes including gourmet kitchen with Blomberg & Panasonic stainless appliances, custom cabinetry & stone countertops. Bathrooms feature heated floors, custom tile, stone countertops and Riobel fixtures. Open living plan is perfect for entertaining, with expansive windows & large south facing deck with stunning mountain views. A double garage provides ample parking and is fully outfitted to organize all your tools and toys. Designed to meet BC Energy Code Step 4 standards, with forced air/heat pump providing air conditioning & heating. Upgrades include hot tub rough-in, patio fence & induction range. Covered under new home warranty

Janet Brown

Engel & Völkers Whistler

Phone: 604-935-0700

Email: janet brown@evrealestate com Web: janetbrownrealtor com

JANET BROWN

Peter Shrimpton // Whistler n

“There is a bleak financial future here for low- to middle-income earners, and this stark reality is starting to outweigh the amazing benefits of living in our valley.”

- TANIA CHIASSON

Calculated risks

AS MY COLUMN deadline neared, I had the rare dilemma of having too many things to write about—a majority of council members voting down the Canada Day parade, council rocketing Whistler into the year 2018 by considering four applications for legal weed stores, grizzly bear(s) setting up shop uncomfortably close to where we work and play...

BY ANDREW MITCHELL

Then it happened: A tiny, untested, DIY sub disappeared off the coast of Newfoundland last week carrying five people hoping for a glimpse of the Titanic—something fewer people have seen than the Earth from low orbit. As adventures go, it doesn’t get much riskier.

Leaving the details of the tragedy aside, the episode got me thinking about the idea of calculated risk, which is really the whole reason Whistler exists. Whether it’s biking, skiing, rope swings or trying to jump onto that little rock in the creek outside the Brewhouse, playing it safe is not our thing.

It’s obvious that a lot of people don’t understand why people take risks at all. As soon as word came down about the missing Titanic submersible and its wealthy occupants, online

comment sections lit up with the usual rush to judgment about what kind of idiots would wager their lives to get a glimpse of a 111-yearold wreck sitting in twelve and a half thousand feet of water—like the question doesn’t answer itself. It’s the same kind of people that brigade every avalanche story, mountaineering tragedy or wild animal attack, questioning the sanity, judgment and intelligence of anyone selfish enough to get themselves injured or killed doing something even slightly out of the ordinary.

past four summers—I will avoid the area for a while. It’s not because I’m being cautious or that I’m afraid, but because I’m thinking about the headline and comment section, and how an incident might look to others. I don’t want to be remembered as the freaking idiot who knew there was a big-ass bear in an area and went there anyway, armed with nothing but a blunt folding knife and a can of bear spray that probably should be more accessible. Somehow, knowing that strangers will call me a moron

communities in the entire province to license marijuana sales, as even stodgy West Vancouver beat us to the punch.

But we’re finally there, or almost there, which makes me wonder what other calculated risks we’re prepared to accept. For example, a few years ago the idea came up to allow some controlled drinking at various public parks and beaches, recognizing that it was going on anyway. Vancouver, Vernon, Penticton and Kelowna have all voted to allow some limited public drinking, and as far as I know all of those cities are still standing.

Once upon a time, an idea was also floated that would allow alcohol consumption on the Village Stroll—people could buy special mugs/ cups they could only refill by showing ID at local bars. The goal was to create more animation and fun in the Village until the patios closed and it was time to move inside.

It’s something I think about quite often. I spend a lot of my summers trail running and mountain biking, often by my lonesome for the simple reason that I’m not great at either. I see black bears and coyotes fairly regularly, and I’ve been in areas within hours of cougar sightings. I now know that there’s one and maybe more grizzlies hanging out around town, but as long as I’m not sure where they are then I will continue to accept the calculated risk of going into the forest.

However, whenever there is a recent grizzly sighting—like on Lord of the Squirrels the

who got what he deserved—a candidate for a Darwin Award—makes it harder to take the risk than the nature of the risk itself.

Calculated risk is also at the heart of Canada’s marijuana legalization strategy. With the War on Drugs failing miserably on all fronts, the nation’s focus turned to harm reduction and creating a safe and legal supply—one you need a government ID to purchase and where a portion of taxes go towards education and addiction programs. Presumably, safety and controlling the risks also has something to do with the fact that Whistler is one of the last

And although I appreciate that this idea is an extreme longshot, along with the night skiing I refuse to shut up about, the core idea of creating some life and giving adults fun things to do is sound. If European ski resorts, and even a handful of American resorts, can take that risk and trust most people to behave, then maybe we could give it a try as well.

Which brings me to Canada Day. In this case, the calculated risk is deciding whether to share what I think about parades in general and this one parade in particular. It turns out that I’m not that crazy after all. n

I don’t want to be remembered as the freaking idiot who knew there was a big-ass bear in an area and went there anyway…

Here’s how Whistler Blackcomb is approaching safety in the bike park this summer

PIQUE HIT THE DOWNHILL TRAILS FOR AN UPDATE ON SUMMER SAFETY OPS, LIFT CONSTRUCTION AND HOW THE RESORT IS WORKING TO HELP GUESTS HAVE THE BEST DAY POSSIBLE

BY MEGAN LALONDE

THERE’S NO DENYING IT: rocks, roots and hard-packed dirt are less forgiving than 20 centimetres of powder, even if it’s of the West Coast concrete variety.

That’s likely part of the reason the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s (WMBP) 2012 injury rate of about five accidents per 1,000 rider days, according to data published by the Vancouver Sun that year, was more than double the 2.4 accidents per 1,000 visits Whistler Blackcomb (WB) cited for skiers and snowboarders.

Most of those bike park incidents involved “fairly minor injuries,” WB said at the time.

The mountain operator no longer shares injury rates publicly. Although WMBP senior manager Pierre Ringuette usually relates that statistic to the number of patrol callouts—“so any type of injury, or sometimes even just a call to a flat tire”—he estimated the resort is “pretty much on par to where we were previously.”

WB aims to mitigate those call-outs with education, Ringuette said Friday morning, July 23, while behind the wheel of a pickup making its way down Whistler Mountain’s gravel access roads.

“I wouldn’t say that there’s one group that’s more apt to hurting themselves over another. It’s all about decision-making,” he said.

“Inexperienced riders will go into something not knowing that they weren’t ready for it, and they panic and lock something up, but a lot of the times injuries happen due to complacency. Good riders don’t typically hurt themselves when they’re in the moment, and really focused on paying attention to what they need to do. It’s when they arrive onto that green or blue run out that they just become

complacent.”

So yes, downhill mountain biking has its risks. It’s also a blast.

With that in mind, there are a wide range of initiatives and messaging underway at WB aimed at helping guests strike the right balance between stoke and safety. Ringuette shared a few of them when the resort invited Pique to the bike park last week for a first-hand look at how WB is approaching on-mountain safety this summer.

PROGRESSION

Whether you’re used to shredding A-Line or gearing up for your first-ever ride down a beginner trail, Ringuette recommends starting your day with a warm-up lap. It’s part of the pre-, re- and free-ride mentality WB promotes.

The resort released a detailed WMBP Orientation Guide in 2015 that it encourages all bikers to check out before visiting the park. It includes an ability level guide and a trail progression scale that ranks WMBP trails by difficulty, beyond the standard green circle, blue square, black diamond classifications.

A massive, blown-up version is one of the first sights guests will see upon entering the rental outlet at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola, but it’s also available online, and near the Whistler Village Gondola’s midstation terminal. A bike guide is also usually stationed at the top of the WMBP’s Fitzsimmons Zone to direct guests to the appropriate trails for their ability.

WB staff also tout the benefits of a lesson, including the $250 Intro to Bike Park package that includes a lift ticket, equipment rentals, and a three-hour lesson with a certified instructor that will run you through the basic techniques.

“We know from the winter our guest satisfaction scores are better from a guest who’s been with an instructor than somebody who’s just experiencing it on their own,” said Ringuette.

“We know that they’re having a safer time if they have that guidance.”

TRAIL MAINTENANCE

These days, those downhill-specific bikes are designed to roll over pretty much any rock, root, or other obstacle with ease. In other words, on-trail hazards are part of the fun. Still, the patrol team’s days in the bike park start much like they do in the winter.

“We check all the trails by zone as we open up,” Ringuette explained. The first crew up is always patrol. After their morning meeting, “they descend through certain zones and they do trail check, where they’re looking for a few different things, like whether the signage is all up, the right ropes to deflect people from taking the wrong turn, or closed signs up if they need to be.”

The trail crew is “pretty focused” on preparing the brand-new 1199 downhill trail in Creekside ahead of Crankworx, Ringuette admitted, “but we’re still addressing all of the needs in the rest of the park.”

Trail, patrol and bike school crews all use the Trello project-management app to track shared priorities, he explained. For example, “Bike School might say, ‘There’s a big hole on Crank It Up that’s eating up tires,’ and we don’t want that to get worse, so that’s where we go, ‘That’s top priority, we’ll go do that first thing this morning before we go do anything else.’”

WEATHER

As in winter, trail crews need to adapt their approach to Mother Nature’s whims.

“We have challenges with either trying to repair things when it’s too dry or too wet,” Ringuette said. “When it’s too dusty, you need moisture for the dirt to pack, so they can’t really do much maintenance.” That said, repurposed snowmaking irrigation systems “really help us sometimes to make fixes,” he explained.

In extreme situations, crews will also close steep trails that are super wet and muddy, “for people’s safety and also protection of the trail,” said Ringuette. As for the dry days, irrigation

systems installed on WMBP’s busiest trails work to keep trails damp and prevent “braking bumps” from forming.

Summer also brings another hazard that some riders might be familiar with if their attempts to upload were interrupted last week: lightning.

As the resort shared in an Instagram post earlier this month, staff swing into action whenever a strike is recorded within 100 kilometres of the resort. “We react with a phased approach that prioritizes mitigating risk from higher elevations downward. Our approach differs depending on how far away the most recent strike was,” the post read. Strikes at 100 km, 60 km, 30 km and 20 km carry different operational implications, ranging from putting Peak Chair on stand-by and pausing gondola uploads from the Valley, to terrain sweeps and encouraging guests to take shelter indoors.

LIFT CONSTRUCTION

Now standing at the base of the WMBP is a shiny new terminal for the new Fitzsimmons Express chairlift.

Construction is about one week ahead of schedule, Ringuette said as he drove past the top of the Fitz lift, next to midstation. Work on the top terminal should be wrapped up by Aug. 1, he added.

As construction on the lift’s replacement continues, WMBP regulars might notice a few new barriers or redirected trails compared to previous summers—there’s also a new bottom section of the Singing Pass hiking trail winding its way up through the trees, as Ringuette pointed out, while WB staff served as flaggers at new crossings in the construction zone during the first few weekends of WMBP ops. But crews have so far managed to limit construction’s impacts on the bike park. “For the most part, we haven’t had to close too many trails,” Ringuette said.

Still, “I didn’t sleep much in March,” he added with a laugh. n

CONCRETE PLANS Work on the top terminal of Whistler Mountain’s new Fitzsimmons Express lift, as seen on Friday, June 23, is reportedly on track to wrap up by Aug. 1.

PHOTO BY MEGAN LALONDE

Whistler cannabis shops eye fall opening—with no guarantees

PERMITTING, RENOVATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE FOUR APPROVED STORES CAN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

BY ROBERT WISLA

WHISTLER WILL SOON welcome its first legal cannabis retail stores—but none of the municipally approved vendors have a clear idea of when exactly that will be.

On June 20, the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) mayor and council followed staff’s recommendations and voted to approve four temporary use permit (TUP) cannabis retail applications: two in Whistler Village and one each in Function Junction and Creekside.

However, patrons will have to wait a little longer for these stores to open, as renovations and minor permits must be approved before sales begin. If all goes well, the first stores could open in time for the 2023-24 winter ski season.

Companies with successful applications include This is Cannabis at 201-4293 Mountain Square in the Village Centre; Main Street THC Canada at 115-4368 Main Street in Village North; Spiritleaf Whistler at 1032011 Innsbruck Drive in Creekside; and A Little Bud at 1-1050 Millar Creek Road in Function Junction.

According to This is Cannabis owner Cody Les, the company is working closely with the RMOW to understand the municipality’s timelines, procedures and application process.

“We’re working hard to open as efficiently as we can, but also following staff direction, so that we’re doing everything that they’re asking of us, making sure we’re checking all the boxes and working at a pace they’re comfortable with,” Les said.

Les didn’t have an exact timeline for his store’s opening, but noted the approved cannabis shops will likely open at different times depending on permitting, renovations and other processes.

“I think you’ll see a bit of a disparity when these doors open. Obviously, everybody wants to hit their [opening] targets, but following the actual permitting process we have to follow now to open is not exactly an easy task, either,” Les said.

“I don’t think you’ll see all four open in a week, for example; I think they’ll be a little bit spread out, but time will tell if that prediction is accurate or not.”

A Little Bud’s marketing director, Nick Swanson, echoed this sentiment, saying the company is unsure when its Function Junction location will open to the public, as it requires renovations to be completed.

“For us … it’s construction. Whistler received our plans the same way they received them for Spiritleaf, This is Cannabis and THC. So now we just begin on the process and eagerly await the day they tell us we can open the doors,” Swanson said.

“They could send out an email tomorrow and say, ‘here’s your TUPs.’ As soon as it’s built, inspected and ready to go, open the

Great Views!

Offering owners unlimited use of their apartment, this popular 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom floor plan in the Hilton Whistler hotel is perfect for couples or families. Full kitchen, fireplace, balcony, owners-storage, convenient location at the base of Whistler Mountain, with heated pool, gym, shuttle, concierge and 5-star service.

PERMIT,

IMAGE SUBMITTED

doors… There’s a lot of incentive for it to be open sooner rather than later because right now there are four businesses in Whistler sitting empty.”

Spiritleaf Cannabis owner Jeff Sweetnam said the goal is to open this fall. However, that timeline depends on permitting approvals and completing renovations that are more complex for larger locations such as Spiritleaf’s Creekside shop.

“We are currently in the build-out phase. As of July 1, our general contractor will be getting all of the permits for demolition and construction,” Sweetnam said. “So we’re hoping to be open at or around ski season. It’s going to be difficult, right? It’s going to take four to six months. I’m hoping at the end of October we’re open, but that, of course, is all depending on their permitting process.”

While the remaining permitting process and renovations may slow things down, once open, the businesses must navigate a challenging labour landscape as Whistler continues to face a worker shortage.

The companies expect to hire between nine and 15 employees, and wages for the four approved stores are well within Whistler’s living wage, one of the main commitments the RMOW expected applicants to adhere to in their applications.

While there may be challenges with finding employees due to the lack of available housing in Whistler, cannabis shop owners are optimistic they will find the right staff and are eager to begin operating in the community.

“We’re really excited to show Whistler what we can do; we’ve got a really great staff,” Sweetnam said.

“We’ve got a great store, and we can’t wait to open.” n

702-704 Hilton Whistler

Nick Swinburne

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Engel & Völkers Whistler

Phone: +1 (604) 932-8899

Email: connect@whistlerforsale com

LET’S CONNECT TO DISCUSS YOUR WHISTLER REAL ESTATE PLANS

E $ 1 , 3 1 8 , 0 0 0 + G S T

• Fantastic ski-in, ski-out slopeside location

• 1 bed/1 bath with stylish fur nishings

• Full size pool, hot tubs and gym

• Zoning allows for personal use or nightly rentals

• Secure underground parking, bike & ski storage

W h i s t l e r V i l l a g e # 3 3 0 - 4 3 1 4 M A I N S T R E E T $ 1 , 4 2 5 , 0 0 0 + G S T

• Perfectly located in the heart of Whistler

• Beautifully finished 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo

• Zoning allows for personal use or nightly rentals

• Air conditioning, gas fireplace, hot tub, bike/ski storage

• Close to shops, restaurants, and mountain access

W h i s t l e r C r e e k s i d e

2 1 9 - 2 0 5 0

5 9 9

• 1 minute walk to Creekside Gondola • 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom newly renovated

• Walking distance to restaurants, shops and lakes

• Heated outdoor pool & hot tub year round

• Unlimited owner use & great nightly rental option

Kathy White

Engel and Völkers Whistler

604-616-6933 kathy.white@evrealestate.com

Carmyn Marcano

Engel and Völkers Whistler

604-719-7646

carmyn.marcano@evrealestate.com

PLEASE An artist’s rendering of This is Cannabis’ planned cannabis shop in Whistler Village.

RMOW aims to significantly increase cemetery fees

RISING CEMETERY FEES DESIGNED TO HELP WITH LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OF THE FACILITY

BY ROBERT WISLA

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN once said there are only two things for certain in this world: death and taxes. In the case of Whistler’s cemetery, you get a bit of both.

On June 20, the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) mayor and council gave first three readings to a new Cemetery Management Bylaw that will raise the cemetery’s fees and add new end-of-life interment options.

According to manager of legislative services Pauline Lysaght, the bylaw modifications will bring cemetery fees into parity with comparative municipalities and is needed due to the significant time that has passed since the RMOW last updated the bylaw.

“In 2006, we adopted the current bylaw and fee schedule for the cemetery, and that has stayed in place since that day,” Lysaght said in a presentation to council. “In 2022 ... staff identified that there was a need for additional plots in the cemetery and that we were well overdue for an updated bylaw and fee schedule. So we began this work.”

The planned fee changes are substantial, with all interment options nearly doubling in price. Under the new bylaw, a single, adult burial lot will increase in price from $1,100

to $2,000 for residents and from $2,201.69 to $4,000 for non-residents.

Infant burial lots will rise in cost from $642.16 to $1,000 for residents ($1,500 non-residents); in-ground cremation lots from $458.69 to $1,500 ($2,250 for non-residents); columbarium niche lots from $917.37 to $1,500 ($2,250 for nonresidents); and the scattering garden rising from $119.26 to $350 ($500 for non-residents).

cemetery in perpetuity.

“Currently, we have $37,000 sitting in our care fund. So it is an area where we have identified we are not in a position right now to be able to maintain the cemetery with the amount of money that we have collected. So one of the key changes to the schedule is to add a more robust care fund portion to the fees,” Lysaght said.

bylaw enforcement tool.

From April 14 to 28, the RMOW surveyed the community regarding the new Cemetery Master Plan. Approximately 100 individuals participated in the survey, and the results indicate that residents are interested in having more choices for the disposition of their remains.

Permanent residents made up the majority of respondents at 98 per cent, with about 60 per cent of the respondents 55 years or older. The survey found that of the existing interment options, in-ground cremation plots were the most desired at 15 per cent; scattered gardens at 12 per cent; columbarium niches at 11 per cent; and traditional and ground burial at eight per cent.

The fees will continue to rise over the coming years as the RMOW plans to add a threeper-cent per annum inflation rate increase to the interment costs and add a new administrative fee. The planned fee increases in the bylaw will stay in place until 2025, after which the annual three-per-cent increase will kick in.

Lysaght said that the automatic fee increase would help the RMOW keep up with inflation and ensure staff don’t have to return to council to update the annual fee. The rising prices aim to build up the care fund reserve, the primary revenue source to upkeep the

The new bylaw adds two new interment options, including a double cremation burial plot and a child category for all interment options, which will reduce the cost of interment of a child, which the RMOW defines as children between the ages of two and 12.

Other changes in the new bylaw include the addition of a customized inscription fee, an updated definition of residents to include people who left Whistler for medical or palliative reasons, a limit on how many plots people can purchase, a procedure for disinterment, and an offence section and

Natural green burial took the top spot of the interment options not currently offered in the cemetery, with 33 per cent of people wanting that alternative, followed by memorial walls at 25 per cent and family columbarium at 15 and multiple interment lots also at 15 per cent. The creation of an infant and child area in the cemetery came last at six per cent.

The RMOW will incorporate the feedback into the draft master planning process, with staff aiming to present the final draft to council in September.

Learn more about the Whistler Cemetery at whistler.ca/services/cemetery-and-tributes.

“[W]e are not in a position right now to be able to maintain the cemetery with the amount of money that we have collected.”

- PAULINE LYSAGHT

River Run Place

‘It’s a big victory’: Feds pass update to Environmental Protection Act

AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE RECOGNITION OF THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

BY MEGAN LALONDE

FOR THE FIRST TIME, the federal government has recognized Canadians’ right to a healthy environment.

It’s one of several sweeping amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) that became law when Bill S-5, the Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, received royal assent on June 13. Its passing marks the first update to Canada’s primary piece of environmental legislation since 1999.

One of those amendments proposed by West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler defines a healthy environment as one that is “clean, healthy and sustainable.”

In recognizing that right, Canada joins “about 160 other countries around the world that already have this,” said Weiler, “so it was very long overdue.” The broader definition aligns with international best practices, he added.

The CEPA amendments were already years in the making when the bill was brought forward in the Senate in February 2022. A 2017 parliamentary review of CEPA resulted in 87 recommendations for strengthening the act, which regulates topics ranging

from air and water quality, toxic substance management, and biodiversity protections to greenhouse gas emissions, plastic pollution, and animal testing, among others.

Elaine MacDonald, healthy communities program director with environmental law charity Ecojustice, worked alongside stakeholders from organizations such as the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and Breast Cancer Action Quebec, to advocate for changes included in the legislation. She described the CEPA update as “a big victory.”

Advocates “definitely got a lot of the improvements we wanted, but not everything,” she said. “There’s certainly some things that are outstanding that we still believe need to be strengthened.”

Both MacDonald and Weiler named air quality regulations as one area where they were disappointed to see proposed amendments left on the cutting room floor.

The broad legislation does lay out stronger chemical assessment and management protocols, including a new requirement to consider the cumulative effects of toxic chemicals on the environment and human health, rather than potential impacts of each individual substance. The amended CEPA also establishes new timelines for toxin assessments, and provides Canadians with

the ability to request a particular chemical be reviewed by the Ministry of Environment, which will be obligated to provide a response.

Additionally, the act includes several provisions aimed at replacing, reducing or refining animal use in toxicity testing.

Under the umbrella of the right to a healthy environment—and the government’s duty to protect it—Bill S-5 also includes commitments to uphold environmental justice, acknowledge vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately affected by adverse environmental impacts, and ensure intergenerational equity when considering that right.

“So when we’re thinking about how we’re going to regulate toxins in the environment, we’re thinking about not just current, but future generations, as well,” Weiler explained.

The act specifies that right cannot be regressed—“which means environmental laws should not weaken over time, they should only be strengthened,” MacDonald explained—but carries the caveat that lawmakers may need to balance an individual’s right to a healthy environment with other relevant considerations, like social, economic, health and scientific factors.

How exactly the right to a healthy environment will be protected, however, remains to be seen. The clock has already

started ticking on the government’s twoyear deadline to develop an implementation framework detailing how the act will operate. The Ministry of Environment will likely invite both the general public and experts to weigh in on what that framework should include.

The CEPA section regulating enforcement remains unchanged from the original version, leading to questions about how enforceable that new right will be in practice.

“It’s kind of a missing piece,” said MacDonald.

Ecojustice had pressed the government to update CEPA’s existing “citizen enforcement” provisions, to decrease legal limitations and cost barriers currently preventing citizens from taking action against polluters. But in the final bill, “there was no inclusion of any updates to the sections around citizen enforcement and environmental protection actions, which are some of the earlier sections of CEPA,” said MacDonald. “We were disappointed with that. That’s a major gap.”

She added: “We need to make sure that they actually do a good job of implementing this new legislation and actually use it to strengthen protections from chemicals and toxic pollutants, and that it not just be sitting as a straw dog with no teeth.” n

Four wildfires near Whistler in 24 hours spark timely reminder WITH FIRE SEASON RAMPING UP IN THE RESORT, A FIRE BAN REMAINS IN PLACE

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

THIS YEAR IS ALREADY being called the worst wildfire season in Canada’s history— and fire season appears to be just now ramping up in the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).

In the span of less than 24 hours, from June 26 to June 27, four different fires appeared in the Whistler region on the BC Wildfire Service’s map showing new fires of note.

The first, found southwest of the resort near Carol Creek in the Elaho Valley, close to where the Shovelnose Creek fire started last month, was brought under control before the end of the day on Tuesday, June 27, and never exceeded 0.009 hectares in size.

A second fire was reported on the Lillooet West FSR on the other side of Garibaldi Provincial Park at around the same time, but was removed from the BC Wildfire Service map on June 27.

Then, after a lightning storm rolled through Whistler, two more blazes were reported, this time within municipal boundaries.

One of the fires was just off the end of Stonebridge Drive, near Millar Creek on Mount Sproatt, while the other was found north of Green Lake on 16 Mile Creek.

In all four instances, the fires were

suspected to be lightning-caused.

As of Pique’s weekly press deadline on Wednesday, June 28, the two newest fires were “both coming at less than 0.01 hectares,” said Sam Bellion, fire info assistant with the BC Wildfire Service. “We have an initial attack crew and helicopter responding, and given the fire behaviour and resources we’re comfortable that crews will be able to effectively suppress these fires.”

Meanwhile, a grass fire near Horseshoe Bay on June 26 also hampered traffic on Highway 99, resulting in a northbound detour

down the old highway for some drivers.

The fires serve as a timely reminder to stay vigilant in and around Whistler’s forests, as temperatures are expected to spike ahead of the Canada Day long weekend.

Residents and guests to the resort are reminded that a fire ban remains in place for Whistler, despite what may be happening in other jurisdictions.

After several days of lightning, it’s possible more new fires pop up in the days ahead, as sometimes lightning-induced wildfires can smoulder underground for

days before truly igniting.

With that in mind, residents should keep their eyes open for new smoke columns, and report all wildfires by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

According to a 2021 survey, 61 per cent of Whistler residents felt the resort is at high risk from wildfire, with the greatest risks coming from human carelessness (53 per cent); climate change (26 per cent); and lightning (16 per cent).

Seventy six per cent of respondents said they support wildfire forest thinning projects on Crown land, and most were aware of community programs like fuel thinning, FireSmart home assessments, and the FireSmart community wood chipper program.

Just over 41 per cent said they do not have a household evacuation plan.

Whistler’s mayor and council adopted a new Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan in April, which includes 32 recommendations to make the community more resilient to wildfire.

“It’s not a question of if we have a fire. It’s more a question of when, which is why we need to have plans for the worst-case scenarios,” said Whistler Councillor Arthur De Jong, at the time. “Out of all the issues and things that I deal with, especially environmentally and public safety, the risk of wildfire is in a league of its own. It is by far our biggest threat.” n

Perched up on Whistler Mountain is the premier skiin/out property “Lookout at Taluswood” This duplex enjoys a bright, open floor plan with afternoon sun and views plus it is a Phase I property allowing unlimited owner use and nightly rentals

SPOT THE FIRE? Though the BC Wildfire Service confirmed it had crews responding to a small spot fire near Stonebridge on June 28, there were no visible signs of it from Lakeside Park that morning.

PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS

Experts push back on Woodfibre LNG’s flaring claims

COMPANY SAYS IT’S UNFAIR TO COMPARE SQUAMISH PLANT TO THE OIL-AND-GAS HUB OF TEXAS’S EAGLE FORD SHALE

BY BRANDON BARRETT

EARLIER THIS MONTH, the BC Greens called for a halt to Woodfibre LNG’s Squamish plans, after research into the potential health risks gas flaring poses to pregnant women came to light.

That joint University of Southern California-University of California, Los Angeles study, originally published in 2020 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives , examined 23,487 live births between 2012 and 2015 to women living near natural gas and oil wells in Texas’s Eagle Ford region that use flaring to burn off excess gas. It showed the pre-term birth rate was 14 per cent among pregnant women exposed to a “high number” of flares, while babies born prematurely could suffer complications such as immature lungs, difficulty regulating body temperature, poor feeding, and slow weight gain.

The study noted that pregnant women regularly exposed to flaring at fossil-fuel facilities are also at a 50-per-cent higher risk of premature birth.

In a statement, Woodfibre LNG countered the Greens’ warnings, saying it is unfair to compare the Eagle Ford Shale, “an upstream resource extraction area with

a significant concentration of gas wells in the area,” to Woodfibre’s planned single liquefaction facility, “designed to only flare in emergency situations or during certain maintenance procedures.”

While it’s true Eagle Ford, a fracking hub, is the most active shale play in the world, with more than 100 rigs running, the study defined a high amount of flaring as 10 or more nightly flare events from a single flare stack within five kilometres of the pregnant person’s home. The planned facility is being built roughly seven kilometres southwest of Squamish.

“[W]e also considered 3 km and 10 km buffers since studies of flaring are limited and the distance at which flares may result in potentially harmful exposures to nearby populations is not well understood,” wrote study co-author and UCLA assistant professor Dr. Lara Cushing, in a subsequent 2021 paper.

Woodfibre LNG has previously said it believes flaring would be used less than three per cent of the time, roughly equating to 11 full days a year. But oil and gas and LNG producers routinely underestimate the amount of flaring that occurs at their facilities, said Tim Doty, environmental consultant and retired manager of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

“What they’re describing is an emergency

flare,” he said. “That three per cent, that’s just a guesstimate depending on how they operate the plant. That’s not necessarily the reality that will happen. Facilities tend to flare more than they usually estimate.”

Even a single flaring event can make already poor air quality that much worse, something that should be taken into account given how the climate is changing in the region, said Dr. Tim Takaro, professor emeritus in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University.

“If you’ve got a stretch of hot weather, and there’s an inversion in place over Howe Sound, and the air is not moving, the last thing you want is a flaring event,” he said. “They say they only do this for maintenance or in emergencies, so if you’re having a bad air week and they have an emergency, that’s a bad thing. That can be very significant. You don’t need to do it. This sort of thing is preventable. Don’t build it.”

Flaring—the breakdown of methane into water vapour and carbon dioxide—is only one form of emissions associated with LNG plants.

“What [Woodfibre would] like to do is pretend like there’s not a connection between their operation and the big picture,” said Takaro. “They ignore all the connections they have to everything that is not green, everything that is contributing. Methane,

which is a gas they call ‘natural,’ is an even worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.”

According to a 2022 NASA study, methane was found to trap about 35 times more heat than carbon dioxide.

The consequences of Woodfibre’s Squamish facility, Takaro added, will be felt for decades to come.

“We’re building this plant now … when we know we’re in a climate emergency,” he said. “The damage from this plant will be felt by future generations more than it will be by people making the decisions now, and that, to me, is a real problem.”

Given an opportunity to respond to some of the statements in this follow-up story, a Woodfibre LNG spokesperson sent the following via email to The Squamish Chief: “We have nothing further to add beyond our previous statement. As we noted previously, comparisons of flaring between very active resource extraction areas and a single liquefaction facility, designed only to flare in extremely limited situations, are not fair or valid. As determined in the regulatory process, there will be no significant impact to local air quality due to the operation of the Woodfibre LNG facility,” said Sean Beardow, WLNG director of communications planning and media relations.

- With files from Jennifer Thuncher/The Squamish Chief. n

Available every Sunday

$49 per person / $19 per child (12 and under)

Featuring a 'build your own caesar bar' (+$10)

+

New Summer Dinner Menu

Available daily from 5:00 - 9:30 pm

Fresh summer men featuring char-broiled plants + proteins

Whistler's favourite lakeside patio

OPENHOUSE JULY1,12-3PM

Peaceful 10-Acre Country Retreat

1360 Collin Rd, Pemberton BC Price - $3,999,900

KEY FEATURES:

• 10 Acres of farmland

• Stunning Mt. Currie views

• 3 bedrooms, 4 baths plus office

• Mature landscaping and trees for privacy

• 2 car garage

• 3 story chalet

4404 sq ft built in 2003

604-719-7646

Happy Canada Day!

• Post and Beam timeless construction with all required permit

• Zoned and has valid B&B permit Potential for second residence

• Zoned for horticulture, equestrian pursuits, agri-tourism business ventures

• Ability to host weddings/events

Carmyn Marcano Engel & Völkers Whistler carmyn marcano@evrealestate com •

Suzanne Wilson PREC Engel & Völkers Whistler suzannewilson@shaw ca • 604-966-8454

Zero Ceiling announces new co-executive director

LONGTIME STAFFER LIZI MCLOUGHLIN JOINS SEAN EASTON IN CO-LEADERSHIP ROLE

BY ROBERT WISLA

ONE OF WHISTLER’S favourite charities has a new leader.

On June 27, Zero Ceiling officially announced that development manager Lizi McLoughlin is taking on the role of co-executive director, beginning July 17, replacing longtime co-executive director Chris Wrightson, who announced her departure in May.

McLoughlin said she is enthusiastic about continuing to work with the youth advocacy organization, having personally seen the success of the Zero Ceiling model, and how it has helped young adults.

Building relationships is at the heart of everything the non-profit does, be it with employers, other social service agencies or ski instructors on the mountain, she said.

“I’ve just seen it work … I see people get a sense of belonging and a sense of selfconfidence and a sense of a place where they can build their lives and they can belong,” McLoughlin said.

“I want to keep building on what Chris has been [building] for the last seven years and what she and [co-executive director] Sean [Easton] have been building together; I feel really honoured to be able to play upon that.”

While McLoughlin arrived in Whistler in

2016, planning to stay for a ski season, it was her work with Zero Ceiling that eventually kept her here.

“Like so many people, I moved here to ski and stayed for more than that,” she said. “Really, my role at Zero Ceiling was a huge part of what made me feel part of this community and feel like I can have a future here, and specifically the people I met, and the mentorship I had from Chris and Sean and all the participants, volunteers and staff.”

McLoughlin joined Zero Ceiling as a

volunteer in 2017 and quickly became part of its communications team; in 2020, as the nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness grew, her role evolved from program and development officer into development manager, in which she coordinated fundraising, partnerships and events.

Over her time with the organization,

the capacity of the non-profit increased considerably. It currently has about 20 staff, with most of that growth coming during the pandemic years.

McLoughlin said one of the challenges facing the non-profit is keeping up with the increasingly complex needs of the community.

“We made a ton of changes internally to expand the services that we’re providing to provide much more adequate care, to build more partnerships to be able to provide things like mental-health care and cultural support in a really accessible way,” she said.

“What we’re seeing now is, the pandemic may be over, but the external challenges and the ones communities are facing are really hitting, too … People are stretched, businesses are stretched, individuals are stretched. It’s more difficult to fundraise. It’s more difficult to sustain our programs.”

In her new position, McLoughlin intends to build on the organization’s accomplishments by enhancing its sustainability, finding ways to better retain staff, aiding more young people, and forging more partnerships.

Easton, Zero Ceiling’s other co-executive director, said he is excited about working with McLoughlin in her new capacity.

“I’m confident in her abilities to build on what Chris has done and bring fresh perspectives to Zero Ceiling’s approach to our work,” Easton said in a release. “Lizi’s previous experience in being able to bring a critical lens to the education system, watching her grow in her role as a manager and now witnessing her rise as a leader is a wonderful experience.”

For more information and to donate, visit zeroceiling.org. n

PEMBERTON + DISTRICT CHAMBER & ROTARY CLUB OF PEMBERTON WISH TO SAY

THANK YOU!

TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THE 18TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT POSSIBLE A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR TITLE SPONSOR: PEMBERTON CONCRETE INC.

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO DONATED A SILENT AUCTION ITEM AND TO OUR GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE SPONSORS: GOLD: INNERGEX, PEMBERTON VALLEY BUILDING CENTRE LTD., PEMBERTON VALLEY SUPERMARKET, SABRE RENTALS, SILVHORN AUTOMOTIVE, SQUAMISH LILLOOET REGIONAL DISTRICT, WHISTLER WELDING

SILVER: BACKCOUNTRY MOTORSPORTS, BAKER HUGHES, BLUESHORE FINANCIAL, EDWARD JONES, GFL

ENVIRONMENTAL INC., HEDCO GROUP, MEAGER CREEK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, ON SIDE RESTORATIONS

BRONZE: DANIELLE MENZEL PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION, FREYBE, LISA HILTON PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION, MOUNTAINVIEW STORAGE, PIQUE NEWSMAGAZINE, VILLAGE OF PEMBERTON, WALSH RESTORATIONS, WHISTLER REAL ESTATE CO., WHISTLER RESORT MANAGEMENT, POCKETFUL PRODUCTIONS

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AT BIG SKY GOLF CLUB AND ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE GOLF TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THEIR SPIRIT AND HARD WORK!

RAISE THE ROOF Zero Ceiling’s new co-executive director Lizi McLoughlin.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

“I want to keep building on what Chris has been [building]...”

- LIZI MCLOUGHLIN

WB Foundation grants more than $430K to Sea to Sky non-profits

$75K WILL FUND PLAYGROUND UPDATE AT MOUNT CURRIE’S XET’OLACW COMMUNITY SCHOOL; MORE THAN $100K DIRECTED TO FIREFIGHTING CREWS IN WHISTLER AND PEMBERTON

BY MEGAN LALONDE

SUMMER IS OFF to a strong start for a long list of Sea to Sky-based organizations.

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation (WBF) announced earlier this month it has awarded more than $430,000 in charitable grants to 18 wide-ranging community initiatives across the corridor.

It marks the second spring since WBF returned to its usual schedule of twice-yearly grant application intake periods—open to local non-profits each April and October—in 2022, after two years of pandemic-induced schedule interruptions.

“The Foundation is committed to helping organizations that benefit residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor. It is truly rewarding to get back to our normal funding cycles and disburse these funds to some amazing local non-profits,” WBF executive director Mei Madden explained in a release.

The largest grant in this round goes to Lil’wat Nation’s Xet’olacw Community School in Mount Currie. The school received $75,000 to fund a “much-needed” playground update for local families. “The playground upgrade will not only provide a safe and vibrant space

for the school’s K-7 students but will also provide safe places for all of the Nation’s families and their visitors,” the WBF stated in the release. “This will be a recreational space that the community can be proud of.”

The foundation has also directed more than $100,000 to Sea to Sky fire crews. A grant of just over $53,700 will help the Whistler Professional Firefighters Association pay for an AutoPulse CPR Device, intended to help first responders fill a gap in patients’ pre-hospital care, according to the release. Pemberton Fire Rescue, meanwhile, received nearly $49,000 to enhance the department’s off-road wildfire response capabilities. The funds will allow Pemberton Fire Rescue to completely retrofit and revitalize one of its fire engines—a crucial piece of equipment for a town that lies within wildland urban interface risk class 1, the highest wildfire risk class in B.C.

The Whistler Mountain Ski Club is celebrating a $45,000 grant to fund the completion of its Timing Hut project, while the Howe Sound Women’s Centre welcomed $30,000 to support two new programs: a Counselling Assistance Program that aims to provide clinical counselling subsidies to violence survivors in need of support; and a Practicum Student Program that will allow

HSWC to support more children, youth and families experiencing violence through its existing services.

The WBF also matched donations Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) gathered during its food bank fundraising campaign, to the tune of $25,000. There’s no question that grant will be put to good use: WCSS recorded its busiest day in food bank history on June 5, when it served 84 households in the span of just three hours. As Pique recently reported, Whistler’s food bank tallied 13,633 visits in 2022, representing a 36-per-cent increase over the last four years. Pre-pandemic, the food bank typically counted about 2,500 visits a year.

Anyone who’s ever spent a night lost in the backcountry will appreciate WBF’s $23,000 grant to the Whistler Search and Rescue Society to fund the purchase of five night-vision helmets, specially designed to support after-dark helicopter rescue operations.

Squamish schools also made the list of WBF grant recipients this spring, with nearly $19,000 directed to Valleycliffe Elementary School to support a playground makeover project, and $17,000 to Howe Sound Secondary School to help furnish

its revitalized courtyard.

Since its inception in 1992, the WBF has raised close to $20 million for registered Sea to Sky charities. The bulk of WBF’s funding now stems from its Founders Pass sales: the program permanently doubled in December, bringing the number of $10,000 VIP ski passes available each year from 50 to 100. That expansion means WBF Founders Passes now yield $1 million in annual funding for Sea to Sky communities. WBF opted to direct the $500,000 generated by the 50 new passes in 2022 to the Whistler 360 Health Collaborative Society, which opened a new primary care clinic space in March.

WBF’s other fundraising vehicles include its annual Telus Winter Classic charity ski weekend and gala—which this year raised more than $400,000—and the upcoming Telus Golf Classic, set to take place this year on Friday, Sept. 8. The foundation also saw a significant influx of capital in the last year from the sale of used Creekside Gondola cabins, Red and Fitzsimmons chairs that Whistler Blackcomb donated ahead of those lifts’ replacements, plus last month’s auction of historic ski-run signs.

Head to whistlerblackcombfoundation. com for more info. n

Canada’s infrastructure leaders meet in Whistler

FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL MINISTERS TALK GROWTH, FUNDING—AND REGIONAL TRANSIT IN THE SEA TO SKY

BY ROBERT WISLA

IN THE MOST RECENT CENSUS , Whistler,

to ensure that we’re responding to [growth pressures],” said Dominic LeBlanc, federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, at a press conference after the meeting.

As it relates to increasing active transportation and reducing congestion, provincial Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming said the province is “working closely” with Whistler’s mayor

a regional transit service connecting Mount Currie to the Lower Mainland—a project Fleming acknowledged is “in process.”

“We continue to look at inter-community links, as well as the private operators that are

Expect more police on the Valley Trail: Whistler RCMP

LOCAL POLICE SHARE FOUR KEY SAFETY TIPS FOR CYCLING IN THE RESORT

BY ROBERT WISLA

FOLLOWING A WAVE of concern around cycling safety in recent weeks, the Whistler RCMP is reminding residents that helmets are mandatory; to reduce speeds on the Valley Trail; and to utilize bells or your voice when passing others.

Residents and guests to the resort can also expect more police utilizing bikes for enforcement this summer.

According to Cst. Katrina Boehmer, Whistler RCMP is working with the Resort Municipality of Whistler, as well as local bylaw officers and schools, to provide education on the laws and responsibilities of cycling in the resort.

“The goal of this education will be to ensure the safety of both the bicycling public and the pedestrian and animal traffic that utilize the amazing trail and road network systems in Whistler,” Boehmer said in an email.

Boehmer shared four safety tips and reminders for residents to keep in mind for cycling in the resort.

HELMETS ARE THE LAW

The law in British Columbia is that helmets must be worn when travelling on roadways, and parents cannot allow a child under 16 to operate a bicycle without a helmet.

“Helmets are boring, you say? Or perhaps hot and sweaty? They might wreck your hair… What if we said that helmets can reduce the severity of head and face injuries after a crash, they can protect your eyes and, with reflective material, make you more visible to vehicles on the roadway?” Boehmer said.

“We think these are pretty good reasons to sport a bad hair day after you reach your destination.”

Failure to wear a helmet on roadways can result in a fine. However, there are a handful of exceptions, details of which can be found on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s website.

SAFE PASSING

Whistler RCMP encourages cyclists to use a bell or your voice to alert pedestrians

before passing.

“Let’s face it, everyone could use a cool bicycle bell, but if you can’t afford to buy one, using your voice to call out to others using the roadway or trail is just as cool as a bell!” Boehmer said.

“This can be especially important when passing pedestrians with mobility or hearing challenges, pedestrians using mobility devices, pedestrians walking dogs (or cats— your preference!), small children, or large groups of people travelling together.”

SPEED

The third safety tip is to avoid travelling at high speeds. While there is currently no speed limit on the Valley Trail, the RCMP encourages cyclists to be courteous of others on the resort’s pathways.

“Can speed be fun? Yes. Is it more fun to be courteous and considerate to others using the trails and pathways? Absolutely!” Boehmer said.

“The Valley Trail network and

connecting roads are utilized by all forms of pedestrian traffic, and this includes people who may not immediately see or hear you. An unpredictable reaction from being passed unexpectedly could cause an unnecessary crash and injury to both the pedestrian/animal and cyclist.”

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

The Whistler RCMP is requesting parents help kids avoid biking injuries by following the safety tips mentioned above, but most importantly, by setting a positive example by wearing their own helmets.

“You can expect to see our very own Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP bicycle officers out on the local trails in the near future, helping to educate those who haven’t read the safety tips provided here,” Boehmer said.

The Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP encourages all parents and youth operating bicycles in the municipality to refer to this information to ensure they are safe on the roadways, bike trails, and networks around town.

Learn more about biking in the resort at whistler.ca/services/transportation/ cycling. n

“An unpredictable reaction from being passed unexpectedly could cause an unnecessary crash and injury to both the pedestrian/animal and cyclist.”

- KATRINA BOEHMER

Village of Pemberton launches comprehensive planning study for Hillside neighbourhood

COORDINATED CONSIDERATION OF THREE SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS SHOULD PAINT CLEARER PICTURE OF ‘HOW THIS WHOLE AREA IS GOING TO COME TOGETHER,’ SAYS VOP

BY MEGAN LALONDE

LONG-AWAITED PLANS to expand Pemberton’s Hillside neighbourhood are gaining traction, but three separate residential developments proposed for the area still face a long, winding road before developers can break ground.

At a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on June 20, Village of Pemberton (VOP) mayor and council directed municipal staff to proceed with an accelerated, comprehensive and holistic neighbourhood planning process for the parcels of land surrounding Spud Valley’s existing Sunstone development, adjacent to Den Duyf Park.

In a presentation to the committee, VOP manager of development services Scott McRae identified three “substantial” development applications currently in the works for Hillside.

The municipality has already received applications for the Parkside development, which proposes a new subdivision of 34 singlefamily residential lots and one commercial lot at 7362 Pemberton Farm Road East; and for Redwoods, where developers are seeking council’s approval to build 134 townhouse units at 7374 Pemberton Farm Road East. The Village also expects to see an application for

STAFF

Sunstone Phase 4 “imminently,” McRae said.

Despite the fact all three developers are at different stages of the application process, it makes sense to review their proposals in a coordinated manner, McRae explained, especially considering all three require amendments to Pemberton’s Official Community Plan (OCP) in order to move forward. “Some of the applications have been with us for some time and other applications we’re still waiting for, but we see an opportunity in moving them all together at the same time, and … addressing these issues all at once rather than three times individually,” he said.

Surveying of the Hillside lands began in the mid-2000s, shortly before the south-facing terrain five kilometres east of downtown Pemberton became the subject of an agreement between private developers and the Lil’wat Nation, on whose unceded territory the land sits. A boundary expansion brought Hillside into the VOP’s fold—and its newly-adopted OCP—in 2011, earmarking the site for future community growth.

That was years before Pemberton’s population started skyrocketing. A recent housing needs report projected the VOP could count 5,295 residents by 2028, if the trend that saw Pemberton’s population rise 32 per cent in just five years—reaching 3,407 as of 2021 from 2,574 in 2016—continues. To accommodate all of those new residents, the report found Pemberton would require 847 new dwellings within the next five years.

But despite well-established demand for housing across the Sea to Sky corridor and extensive studies into Hillside’s

development potential over the last two decades, a brief mention of Hillside land use designations in Pemberton’s OCP fails to lay out the specific policies or guidelines municipal officials typically consult when regulating development.

“The general approach of this Hillside Planning Study, which is what we’re calling it tentatively, essentially is going to build on the history that has been presented and is available, take that history and consolidate it into one place, and then look through it and identify areas where [the information] needs to be updated,” McRae explained.

The study aims to inform a policy framework, development permit area guidelines, and, ultimately, a draft neighbourhood plan that would be subject to community consultation before the VOP proceeds with any OCP or rezoning bylaw amendments for Hillside. Meanwhile, the VOP is currently in the midst of a two-yearlong OCP Review slated to wrap up in January.

“Staff feel that this is an opportunity to really get a good sense of what is happening on Hillside; looking at each of these applications and then looking at how they will interact as a whole on the Hillside,” McRae explained. “By undertaking this planning study, we’ll have the opportunity to give council a better sense of how this whole area is going to come together.”

The impetus for a comprehensive Hillside Planning Study was a discussion at Pemberton’s April 25 COW meeting, following staff’s report about the proposed Parkside subdivision.

“What I’m concerned about is that if we

[build] a bit here, a bit here, and a bit there, the importance of greenspace and community gardens and all of those things, aren’t—as a whole entire concept and vision—being incorporated,” Coun. Katrina Nightingale expressed at the time.

She added: “I’m pulling back and I’m looking to the future and I’m imagining that whole space, and I feel uncomfortable looking at a tiny piece, not knowing what the entire vision is.”

Planner Colin Brown acknowledged the importance of “getting it right,” as Nightingale phrased it, but said widening the scope to focus on the entire Hillside neighbourhood rather than individual developments would create a significantly larger project.

“To bring in a new framework for everyone is something that, if council chose to go that route, is certainly something we can explore, but it’s by no means a small or simple process,” he explained in April.

Last month, VOP councillors directed staff at municipal hall to review possible nonresidential land uses for the entire Hillside area, and return to the council table with a clearer picture of how proposed developments could integrate greenspace, commercial developments, recreation assets and other community amenities.

“[The] committee expressed some thoughts around this in the last couple of meetings and I appreciate staff’s response to those concerns in bringing this report forward,” noted Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman following McRae’s June 20 presentation. “I think it reflects what council was grappling with.” ■

BUILDING UP Three separate development proposals are currently in the works for Pemberton’s Hillside neighbourhood.

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF PEMBERTON

EL PATIO THURSDAYS

the spirit of Spanish gatherings

Feel more in control of your future with sound financial advice. Talk to an RBC advisor.

SLRD elected representatives’ expenses tripled

in 2022 EXPENSES, SUPPLIER COSTS, AND WAGES ALL INCREASED AT THE SQUAMISH-LILLOOET REGIONAL DISTRICT IN 2022

BY ROBERT WISLA

VillageofPemberton

PEMBERTON VALLEY DYKING DISTRICT

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

THURSDAY, July 13, 2023 @ 7:00 pm 7390 Cottonwood Street, Pemberton, BC

The Pemberton Valley Dyking District (PVDD) will be holding its 76th Annual General Meeting, and you are invited to attend this event. You will gain a great overview of what the PVDD does, see what projects have been completed and what projects are in progress for 2023/2024.

At the Thursday, July 13, 2023 AGM, the PVDD will be electing one Trustee to the Board for a term of approximately 3 years – terms end on the date of the election held in the 3rd year Landowners to also approve Trustee honorarium at this meeting.

Voter Eligibility: (ID must be presented)

Only persons attending the election and meeting the following eligibility requirements are entitled to vote:

• A Canadian Citizen.

• Eighteen years of age, or older

• An owner of land within the Pemberton Valley Dyking District boundaries.

• A resident of the province of British Columbia for the prior six months.

• Legal representative of an owner of land within the Pemberton Valley Dyking District boundaries.

• Authorized agent of a corporation or board that owns land within the Pemberton Valley Dyking District boundaries The authorized agent must deliver a letter in writing on company letterhead before the election begins. That authorized agent must sign a Statutory Declaration Form prior to voting.

Trustee Eligibility:

• Every person who is qualified to be an elector is also qualified to be a Trustee.

• The spouse of a qualified elector may also hold the office of Trustee. For further details, please go onto the Pemberton Valley Dyking District’s website: www.pvdd.ca

Pemberton Valley Dyking District

PO Box 235

• Pemberton, B.C.

Phone: (604) 894-6632

• V0N 2L0

• Fax: (604) 894-5271

Email: trustees@pvdd.ca

THE SQUAMISH-LILLOOET Regional District’s (SLRD) annual Statement of Financial Information report detailing the district’s top earners and payments made to suppliers in the previous year is being presented to the SLRD board this week.

According to the report, in 2022, the regional district spent considerably more on remuneration for staff and expenses for elected representatives, and more than $1 million more on payments to suppliers.

The SLRD board is made up of 10 elected representatives from the region’s four member municipalities (Whistler, Squamish, Lillooet and Pemberton) and four electoral areas.

Last year, the board accounted for $259,429 in wages and $30,680 in expenses (which were up from $9,634 in 2021). The highest expenditures came from the four area representatives, with Area A Director Sal DeMare accounting for the most significant portion at $12,357, followed by Area D’s Tony Rainbow ($6,652), Area C’s Russell Mack ($4,816), and Area B’s Vivian Birch-Jones ($3,994).

DeMare said his higher expenses were due to his commute to board meetings from his home at Gun Lake in the Upper Bridge River Valley to Pemberton via the long and rough Road 40 to Lillooet, and then the Duffey Lake portion of Highway 99.

The trip from Gun Lake to Pemberton is about 200 kilometres one-way and requires driving over significant portions of gravel roads—which the SLRD calculates at a higher mileage rate in its expensing formula.

“This year, I have also picked up the mayor of Lillooet and SLRD Area B Director in Lillooet and returned them. This saves the SLRD expense funding by carpooling. When the Hurley FSR is open for approximately four months, I use it as it is shorter,” DeMare said in an email.

Other contributing factors to DeMare’s

expenses include regular overnight stays in Pemberton for director meetings, and attendance at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention, Southern Interior Local Government AGM, and Local Government Leadership Academy’s yearly session.

Meanwhile, the SOFI report also shows that the number of SLRD employees earning more than $75,000 rose in 2022 from 18 to 22.

The top five earners, including expenses, were chief administrative officer (CAO) Craig Dalton ($219,998); CAO Melany Helmer ($202,078); director of finance Suzanne Lafrance ($170,554); director of legislative and corporate services Kristen Clark ($163,506); and director of planning and development Kimberly Needham ($142,084).

The total spent on staffing in 2022 was $3,491,342—up from $2,842,409 in 2021. Employees earning more than $75,000 accounted for $2,408,776, with employees earning less than $75,000 making up the remainder.

Payments to suppliers were also up, from $8,233,487 in 2021 to $9,435,962 in 2022. In 2020, the SLRD spent $7,382,393 on suppliers.

The top supplier payments were to Lizzie Bay Logging ($1,406,301), followed by the Receiver General of Canada ($1,081,754—for policing costs); GFL Environmental ($597,175); Municipal Pension Plan ($501,770); and Keats Island Construction Services ($479,297).

The regional district distributed $4,308,277 in grants and contributions in 2022. The top grant recipients were the Squamish Public Library ($75,000); Bridge River Valley Community Association ($63,178); Squamish Climate Action Network ($40,000); and Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society ($32,000).

The largest contributions in 2022 went to the District of Squamish ($1,407,120); the Village of Pemberton ($1,106,350); the Pemberton and District Library Board ($342,485); Lillooet and Area Library Association ($312,793); and the District of Lillooet ($169,949).  n

DISTRICT DOLLARS The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District’s Statement of Financial Information report is being presented to the district’s board of directors this week.

FILE PHOTO BY ROBERT WISLA

This is a perfect family home on a flat lot in a quiet cul-de-sac. With its wood finished walls and floors, it has a warm ski chalet feel.

This residence o ers the perfect combination of privacy and tranquility. Discover the ultimate alpine lifestyle situated in the exclusive enclave at Snow Crest on Blackcomb Benchlands.

Two building lots available. Build your dream mountain escape surrounded by trees and stunning mountain views. These lots provide space for your vision to come to life.

Discover the tranquil beauty of this 5-acre property nestled in a quiet rural subdivision, o the main road, o ering an idyllic retreat. Also has 1,000 sq.ft. storage building on-site.

Welcome to your own slice of paradise, where nature and comfort meet in perfect harmony. This stunning property boasts a large, newer 5-bedroom home with plenty of space.

Looking to establish your commercial or industrial business? Look no further than the Pemberton Industrial Park! Fully fenced and ready for construction.

This spacious, elegant duplex features an open-concept layout complete with designer finishes and expansive deck to enjoy unobstructed mountain views. Ideal for growing families or the perfect weekend home with plenty of room to entertain. Move in Fall 2023.

Enjoy spectacular views from this large single-family lot in Pemberton’s premier Sunstone neighbourhood. Enjoy convenient access to endless recreational opportunities including hiking and biking trails out your back door. Zoning allows for a carriage house and nightly rentals.

Reserved

ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING?

Timing in Real estate is crucial, times have changed since last year, and the seller is not necessarily in the driver’s seat. Contact me to find out more on how to navigate the changing landscape of the Whistler Real Estate Market. Call me for a market evaluation.

Family home on almost 2.5 acres with beautiful large cedars, an in-ground pool, and an 18 hole Wi le golf course! The attached 1 bedroom suite has its own garage.

Stylish studio situated less than a 5-minute walk from Creekside gondola. Fine dining, retail and groceries within walking distance . Zoned for unlimited owner usage or nightly rentals!

Situated on the top floor, this home is flooded with natural sunlight and has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Includes two secured under building parking stalls.

40min north from Pemberton, located just o of the main Portage road, you will find this 1.8 acre property, perfect for a small hobby farm. wrap around deck skirts

A stunning parcel situated along the Lillooet River and just steps from downtown Pemberton. This gem of a property is a very unique and rare o ering.

Absolutely stunning 180° views from this modern home with impressive interior and exterior spaces, a butler’s pantry, surround sound, gourmet kitchen for the chef, and more! The extra 2-bedroom revenue suite makes a great mortgage helper or home o ice.

Bike In/Bike Out from this gorgeous home in the luxurious First Tracks Lodge. This spacious home features two decks with views overlooking the pool and surrounding mountains. Just steps to shops, restaurants and lakes! Nightly rental zoned, great storage and parking.

This

lot boasts an impressive 13,455 square feet of space, providing ample room for your dream home, garden, and more. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Currie and plenty of sunshine all year round. GST has been paid.

Centrally located in Nordic Estates, this home has amazing mountain views, ideal layout for family + friends, wrap-around deck, 1 car garage and a two-sided wood-burning fireplace.

A spacious and inviting townhome located on the Blackcomb Benchlands, steps to the ski hill. Nightly rentals are permitted here and there is excellent revenue potential.

This stunning new home in Sunstone has non-stop Mount Currie views, a spacious and elegant design, high-end custom kitchen, heat pump with A/C and a 1 bedroom suite.

incredible south-facing building

With an unparalleled ski-in/ski-out location, this extra large floor plan o ers vaulted ceilings, a cozy gas fireplace, and a covered balcony with stunning views of Rainbow

Nestled in a tranquil cul-de-sac, this magnificent home site boasts breathtaking view potential of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, providing the perfect backdrop for your dream home.

An abundance of mountain views & natural light starts your day with morning sun and finishes it with the surrounding glaciers’ alpenglow. Steps to Nicklaus North Golf Course and legendary patio!

This expansive 12,000 square foot lot is surrounded by Crown Land and with no through road, ensures a quiet setting for your new home. Alpine Meadows voted favourite neighbourhood year after year, o ers easy access to trails. Rec centre and more!

Mountain.

Perched on the slopes of Whistler Mountain with a ski-in trail next door, this magnificent 3-bedroom townhome is the ultimate Whistler residence with vaulted ceilings and flared log beams.

Welcome to your dream home in the highly desirable “Treeline” complex, nestled in the breathtaking Benchlands of Whistler, BC. This stunning fully furnished residence o ers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience.

Banishing burdock

I HAVEN’T TALKED about invasive species in this space for a while. And not because I got sick of them after writing a popular-science book on the subject back in 2017. In fact, I think about them more than ever, because once you recognize a particular invasive, you literally

BY LESLIE ANTHONY

can’t stop noticing it. Double down on that if it’s ecologically, visually or personally disruptive, triple if it’s all three, and multiply by an order of magnitude if you understand how it wreaks havoc.

That’s me and burdock.

It wasn’t always that way. Like most, I grew up with burdock on the landscape, ignoring it save for learning to carve a wide berth around mature, burr-draped plants in the fall when I was wearing a sweater or walking a dog. Oh, and I knew those nasty burrs were also the inspiration for Velcro. Other than that, meh.

Flash forward a few decades to living in Whistler and volunteering on a Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) burdock pull along the Valley Trail. My eyes are opened. These plants are big and burly, their forearmlength taproots even more so; they’re difficult enough to get out of the ground that the work

involves heavy-duty tools. Our crew drags a half-tonne out on tarps. The next year I join a pull in the Alpha Lake dog park; less biomass but I start to notice things—where and how burdock grows, how it excludes some plants but facilitates others. Some of the big ones seem far older than the two years that book descriptions attribute to them—suggesting that if they’re cut out by the Muni’s landscaping machinery and aren’t allowed to mature, they’ll keep coming back for as many years as it takes. I become intrigued and join the SSISC’s Adopt-a-Trail (since morphed to Banish Burdock ssisc.ca/ banish-burdock) program, in which I sign up to keep a section of Valley Trail clear. I pick the messiest one, where burdock forms a wall up and down both sides, and start by removing my own half-tonne. To reduce the seedbank, I also pick up and bag all the burrs I can find. Then I start on the immature plants. I go back every few weeks to see if new ones have sprouted, continuing to remove plants until native vegetation grows back in. It takes me three years and dozens of visits. But like every invasive-species fighter, I’m determined. I learn a ton from the plant about not only its own colonization abilities but those of other invaders.

I expand my removal program to other parts of the trail, the 20 kilometres of highway between Function and Emerald, a dozen neighbourhoods and schools. I remove literal tonnes each year. It’s my daily workout from March to November. Some say I’m obsessed, but it’s something else; I can drive past a burdock in Pemberton (which has a huge problem) with zero urge to dig it up. But if I see a patch in Whistler, it’s immediately on my mental bit-map. I figure if everyone pitched in to reduce the biomass of burdock

in Whistler by 50 per cent every year, within five years we’d only be doing spot control. That’s because if I’m obsessed with anything, it’s the science of it.

Occasionally cultivated for food in its home range, burdock is a robust Eurasian biennial classed as a noxious weed across North America and listed in Schedule A of the BC Weed Control Act. The name is inclusive of greater burdock, Arctium lappa, common burdock, A. minus, and a range of hybrids. Burdock in Whistler is probably all three.

Oh, you mean those big leaves that grow kind of like a clump of rhubarb? Yup, that’s burdock. And those head-high plants with the purple flowers that look like small thistles? Yup, burdock, too. The brown, dried-out weepy things you see in the fall? Also burdock.

Burdock is a good invader: it’s highly adaptable and grows in any well-drained substrate, even those of low nutrient value (e.g., gravel—they love snow-dump areas) in full to partial sun (its preference). It got to Whistler in the early days (there are 60-year-old forests growing around patches of it) and became widespread in vacant lots, landfills, right-of-ways, around pumphouses and electrical boxes, and road- and trailsides. Its sticky seed burrs, each of which contains about 80 seeds, are moved around by walkers, bikers, dogs, bears (a lot—see photo above) and Muni workers going from job to job. As a problematic weed, burdock is understood to impact local plant biodiversity through nutrient and light competition, and creation of dense monocultures, and its seed burrs have demonstrable negative effects on livestock and wildlife like bears and bats (Google this if you want to see dead, dried-out bats caught on burrs).

Observations of burdock playing both nasty and nice with other Whistler plants follows research that shows it to be strongly allelopathic—producing phytochemicals that inhibit growth in some plants but stimulate others; most native plants are strongly inhibited in a cumulative fashion (more burdock + more time = more inhibition), while the growth of fellow Eurasian invasives like bitter dock appear to be facilitated by burdock-induced changes to soil chemistry. This latter relationship suggests a role for burdock in “Invasional Meltdown”—the ability of one invasive to perpetuate invasion by another. Indeed, burdock facilitates a range of invasive Eurasian invertebrates in Whistler, from earthworms (several species) to molluscs (European black slug; chocolate arion slug; brown-lipped snail) and insects (black aphid; Eurasian seed-head moth). Although these organisms contribute to population control by feeding on burdock, the plant represents a reservoir on which these creatures multiply to attack both native and garden species.

My beef with burdock grew as the science showed it to be more problematic than previously thought—but I still don’t like getting burrs on my socks or seeing pets and wildlife compromised. I’m not alone, as others have joined the SSISC’s Banish Burdock program, where you choose your own chunk of Whistler real estate for free and learn how and when to remove plants, deal with burrs, and dispose of all of it.

If the program fills up, I promise to stop writing about invasive plants!

Leslie Anthony is a biologist, writer and author of several popular books on environmental science. ■

BURR IN THE FUR Those pesky burdock burrs don’t just annoy us humans.

PHOTO BY LESLIE ANTHONY

Canada Day Quiz

By Pique Staff

WHISTLER

1) Whistler will soon see its first cannabis retail shops open in the resort, more than five years after legalization. In what year did drug prohibition begin in Canada?

A) 1968 B) 1997 C) 1867 D) 1908

2) The Resort Municipality of Whistler is undertaking a major upgrade of the resort’s beloved Rainbow Park. For how much did the RMOW originally expropriate the land in question in 1987?

A) $367,000 B) $1.3 million C) $1 D) $781,000

3) Whistler’s Canada Day parade will not return to the resort this year. When was the last time it was held?

A) 2018 B) 2021 C) 2019 D) 2010

4) Grizzly bear sightings in the Whistler Valley have increased in recent years, as backcountry recreation ramps up and both human and bear populations grow. Grizzly bears are discernible by the big humps on their backs. But what is inside the hump?

A) Bone B) Baby grizzlies C) Fat D) Muscle

5) The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Balance Model Initiative is confronting some hard truths about the resort’s potential future. By how much does the model anticipate Whistler’s population will grow by 2040?

A) 165 per cent B) 57 per cent C) 32 per cent D) 84 per cent

6) Whistler housing is notoriously expensive, whether you’re buying or renting. According to a recent report, what percentage of Whistler households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on lodging?

A) Just over 15 per cent B) Just below 75 per cent C) Nearly 30 per cent D) 100 per cent

7) Whistler pioneer and Freedom of the Municipality holder Garry Watson passed away in April. How many people hold Freedom of the Municipality in Whistler?

A) 14 B) 12 C) 8 D) 22

8) An enhanced rezoning is underway for Whistler’s Northlands development, leaving the fate of the Whistler Racket Club, which currently sits on the land in question, up in the air. Which famous sports superstar has NOT been linked to a development in Whistler?

A) Golfer Jack Nicklaus B) Snowboarder Ross Rebagliati C) Tennis phenom Björn Borg D) Vancouver Canucks legend Roberto Luongo

9) The Whistler 360 Health Collaborative is now connecting Whistlerites with their new family doctor. Approximately how many people had signed up for the non-profit’s patient registry waitlist as of May 2023?

A) 700 B) 1,000 C) 1,500 D) 2,000

10) Whistler and Vancouver will host the Invictus Games in 2025. Which member of the British Royal Family is behind the Games?

A) Prince Harry B) Prince William C) King Charles III D) Queen Elizabeth II

ANSWERS

1) D. Drug prohibition in Canada began in 1908, a project of Mackenzie King before he became Canada’s 10th prime minister. 2) A. The RMOW paid the Saxton family, owners of the land, $367,000. In 2012, a judge valued the land significantly higher, and ordered the municipality to pay an additional $2.4 million. 3) C. 4) D. According to bearsmart.com, the grizzly bear’s hump is actually a large muscle. 5) B. The Balance Model predicts a total population of about 22,000 people by 2040, a 57-per-cent increase over its current population of nearly 14,000. 6) C. According to a provincially mandated housing needs report, 1,360 Whistler households—or nearly 30 per cent—reported spending 30 per cent or more on housing in the 2016 Census (a number that has likely gone up since then). 7) A. The Freedom of the Municipality is the highest honour a council can bestow, and it honours citizens for their outstanding contributions to the community. In practical terms, it gives the recipient the right to vote in Whistler elections regardless of property ownership or residency in Whistler. 8) D. There’s the Nicklas North Golf Course, Rebagliati Park, and the ill-fated Björn Borg Whistler Resort… but no Luongo Lounge (as far as we know). 9) D. More than 2,000 locals had added their name to Whistler 360’s patient registry as of May. Of those, 650 had been booked for patient-intake appointments with their new doctor. 10) A. The Games were founded by the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, in 2014. The 2025 instalment marks the first time they will be held in British Columbia, and the first to include winter sports.

RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER NOTICE OF MEETING ON ANNUAL REPORT

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 starting at 5:30 p.m.

At Maury Young Arts Centre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler BC in the Franz Wilhelmsen Theatre

NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Section 99 of the Community Char ter that the Council of the Resor t Municipality of Whistler will be considering the annual repor t at the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

INSPECTION OF ANNUAL REPORT: A copy of the annu al repor t is available for public inspection on our website at www whistler ca /corporateplan or at the Customer Service Desk of Municipal Hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC , during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Please send submissions or comments on the annual repor t prior to noon (12 :00 p m ) on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 to:

Email: corporate@whistler ca

Fax: 604-935-8109

Mail: A ttention: Legislative Services 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC , V8E 0X5

Please address your correspondence to Mayor and Council.

PHOTO COURTESY WMAS

PHOTO BY TAYLOR GREEN

CANADIANA

1) What year did “O Canada” officially become the national anthem?

A) 1980 B) 1867 C) 1906 D) 1880

2) Which Canadian region boasts the tallest vertical drop on Earth?

A) B.C. B) Alberta C) Yukon D) Nunavut

3) What percentage of Canada’s population is foreign-born, as per the 2021 census?

A) 11 per cent B) 23 per cent C) 18 per cent D) 31 per cent

4) Roughly how many Indigenous communities are there in Canada?

A) 125 B) 470 C) 630 D) 850

5) Canadian engineer John Hopps created what important piece of medical equipment?

A) The stethoscope B) The MRI machine C) The hearing aid D) The pacemaker

6) Sticking with the medical theme, Toronto doctors Frederick Banting and John Macleod won the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for what discovery?

A) Insulin B) The electrocardiogram C) Human blood groups D) Penicillin

7) Canada’s Hudson’s Bay region has less of what than anywhere else in the world?

A) Palm trees B) Gravity C) Family doctors D) Rats

8) ‘Eh’ is listed as a word in the dictionary.

A) True B) False

9) Which Canadian town will soon lose its status as home to the world’s largest hockey stick?

A) Sudbury, Ont. B) Duncan, B.C. C) Swift Current, Sask. D) Prince George, B.C.

10) Canada has 2,860 of these, more than any other country in the world.

A) Tim Hortons B) Polar bears C) Hockey rinks D) Cannabis stores

ANSWERS

1) A. Although ‘O Canada’ was first composed in 1880, it wasn’t until a century later that it was officially proclaimed the national anthem. 2) D. Nunavut’s Baffin Island is home to Mount Thor, which features the world’s tallest vertical drop at 1.25 kilometres (or 4,100 feet). The granite mountain’s 105-degree overhang technically means its slope is even steeper than vertical. 3) B. According to the 2021 Census, 8,361,505 people living in Canada are immigrants. 4) C. The more than 630 communities in Canada represent more than 50 First Nations and 50 Indigenous languages. 5) D. 6) A. 7) B. Technically, if you were to visit Canada’s Hudson Bay region, you would weigh slightly less than you would anywhere else in the world (only about 0.006 of a pound less, so don’t book your flights just yet). 8) A. According to Merriam-Webster, “Eh” is an interjection “used to ask for confirmation or repetition or to express inquiry, used especially in Canadian English in anticipation of the listener’s or reader’s agreement.” 9)

C. The 66-metre hockey stick made out of steel and Douglas fir is set to be dethroned by Lockport, Ill., once construction of a new rink gets and 76-m hockey stick are completed. 10) C.

POLITICS

1) What Canadian Prime Minister once lived in Whistler?

A) Stephen Harper B) Justin Trudeau

C) Kim Campbell D) John Turner

2) How many Canadian premiers are women?

A) None B) Three C) Five D) Seven

3) Which settlement was B.C.’s first capital?

A) Victoria B) New Westminster C) Fort St. James D) Fort Langley

4) How many new ridings will B.C. have heading into the next provincial election?

A) Zero B) Six C) Eight D) 10

5) How many Canadian provinces have elected openly separatist representatives?

A) None B) One C) Three D) All

6) In 2023, the BC Liberal Party changed its name to what?

A) BC United Party B) United Conservative Party

C) BC Party D) Neo-Liberal Party

7) Which Canadian Prime Minister brought in the Indian Act?

A) John A. Macdonald B) Alexander Mackenzie

C) Pierre Trudeau D) Charles Tupper

8) Which former governor general is being criticized for their close relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa’s probe of foreign election interference?

A) David Johnston B) Adrienne Clarkson

C) Mary Simon D) Julie Payette

9) How many times has Canada’s new King, Charles III, visited Canada?

A) Zero B) Five C) 18 D) 24

10) Which Canadian province or territory saw the most growth in the last census?

A) Yukon B) British Columbia

C) Prince Edward Island D) Ontario

ANSWERS

1) B. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau grew up visiting Whistler with his family; he would come back in his 20s to work as a snowboard instructor at Blackcomb Mountain. His brother Michel Trudeau also worked as a lift attendant at Whistler Blackcomb. 2) B. There are currently three female first ministers in Canada: Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories; Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba; and Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta. 3) D. Fort Langley was the original provisional capital of the colony. New Westminster took the position a few years later. 4) B. Due to British Columbia’s rapid growth over

the last census, the province will receive six new ridings: four in the Lower Mainland, one on Vancouver Island, and one in the Interior. 5) C. Throughout Canada’s history, only Nova Scotia, Alberta, and Quebec have elected representatives that advocated for leaving Canada. 6) A. 7) B. Liberal Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie officially brought in the Indian Act in 1876, aimed at consolidating various pieces of pre-Confederation legislation and forcing the country’s Indigenous population to abandon their respective language and culture. 8) A. 9) C. Charles III has made 18 official trips to Canada, though none since becoming King last year. 10) A. Between 2016 and 2021, Yukon’s population grew by 12.6 per cent.

ARTS

1) Who was the first Canadian female solo artist to reach No. 1 on the U.S. charts?

A) Celine Dion B) Anne Murray C) Avril Lavigne D) Alanis Morissette

2) Which B.C. carver who traces his ancestry to the Tahltan and Tlingit peoples had his first-ever career retrospective at Whistler’s Audain Art Museum last year?

A) Dempsey Bob B) Xwalacktun (Rick Harry) C) Neil Baker D) Joe Campbell

3) What was the first Canadian TV series to win an Emmy, taking home a whopping nine awards at the 2020 event?

A) Reservation Dogs B) Orphan Black C) The Handmaid’s Tale D) Schitt’s Creek

4) What long-running comedy series starring Canadians Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles shot its final season in early 2023?

A) The Drew Carey Show B) Abbott Elementary

C) The Goldbergs D) Whose Line Is It Anyway?

5) Canadian megastar Ryan Reynolds purchased the previously down-and-out Welsh soccer club, Wrexham, in 2021, with which fellow actor?

A) Glenn Howerton B) Charlie Day C) Rob McElhenney D) Danny DeVito

6) Which Canadian tech company was dramatized in a 2023 film starring the aforementioned Glenn Howerton and Canadian Jay Baruchel?

A) Shopify B) Hootsuite C) Bitbuy D) Blackberry

PHOTO BY SCOTT BRAMMERAUDAIN ART MUSEUM

7) The Red River Jig is a traditional folk dance from what Canadian Indigenous community?

A) The Inuit B) The Métis C) The Mi’kmaq D) The Haida

8) Late rapper Tupac Shakur counted this Canadian as his favourite actor, who sent Shakur letters while he was in prison to keep his spirits up.

A) Jim Carrey B) Catherine O’Hara C) Keanu Reeves D) Michael J. Fox

9) This Canadian musical icon appeared on a commemorative $1 coin last year.

A) Lenny Breau B) Diana Krall

C) Nelly Furtado D) Oscar Peterson

10) This Sri Lankan-born Canadian author of numerous books, including The English Patient, has a species of spider named after them.

A) Margaret Atwood B) Joseph Boyden

C) Michael Ondaatje D) Alice Munro

ANSWERS

1) B. Murray earned the accolade for her 1970 song, “Snowbird.” 2) A. Bob’s exhibit, Wolves, featured a selection of masks, panels, wall sculptures, vessels and regalia. 3) D. The show was also the first comedy or drama series to sweep all four Emmy acting categories. 4) D. 5) C. The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star purchased the club with Reynolds for $2.5 million, helping lead the team to the Vanarama National League championship in April. 6) D. 7) B. 8) A. 9) D. 10) C. In 2016, a new species of spider, Brignolia ondaatjei, discovered in Sri Lanka, was named after the writer.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1) What animal, which used to roam the prairies, is making a comeback as an alternative to beef?

A) Deer B) Ox C) Bison D) Caribou

2) What comes before ‘Gundy’ in the name of a Nova Scotian fish dish?

A) Morrison B) Solomon C) Ocean D) Lunenberg

3) What number is used in Labatt’s beer brand celebrating the company’s anniversary?

A) 25 B) 50 C) 100 D) 150

4) Which of the following sushi rolls was invented in Vancouver in the 1970s?

A) California roll B) Philadelphia roll C) Alaska roll D) Spider roll

5) Canada produces roughly what percentage of the world’s maple syrup?

A) 25 B) 40 C) 50 D) 70

6) This Canadian treat originated in the late 1970s at a community fair near Ottawa, based on a cherished family recipe.

A) Butter tarts B) Nanaimo bars C) Flapper pie D) BeaverTails

7) The hearty Newfie feast called Jigg’s Dinner typically features which of the following proteins?

A) Salt beef B) Cod C) Roast pork D) Crab

8) This thick-crust pizza, featuring hefty layers of meat and vegetable toppings, with baked cheese melted over top, originated in what Canadian city?

A) Halifax B) Toronto C) Victoria D) Regina

9) This savoury pie is commonly found at celebrations in Québecois households.

A) Shepherd’s pie B) Tourtière C) Country mince pie D) Pigeon pie

10) Last year, Vancouver saw its first entries in the esteemed Michelin Guide. How many restaurants earned their first Michelin star?

A) 4 B) 8 C) 12 D) 15

ANSWERS

1) C. 2) B. Solomon Gundy is a sort of catchall name for pickled herring—including in Jamaica, which counts a similar dish of the same name. 3) B.

4) A. Invented by famed sushi chef and restaurateur Hidekazu Tojo, the California roll was named thus because of its use of avocado and crab. 5) D. 6) D. Pam and Grant Hooker began selling the pastries at a fair in Killaloe, west of Ottawa, in 1978. 7) A. Jigg’s Dinner also typically includes potatoes, vegetables and dumplings. 8) D. 9) B. 10) B. The Vancouver restaurants that made the list are: AnnaLena; Barbara; Burdock & Co; Kissa Tanto; Masayoshi; Published on Main; iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House; and St. Lawrence.

SPORTS

1) Which was the last Canadian NHL team to win the Stanley Cup?

A) Montreal Canadiens B) Quebec Nordiques C) Edmonton Oilers D) Calgary Flames

2) What was the name of the Montreal Expos’ first home field?

A) Jarry Field B) Hiram Bithorn Stadium

C) Olympic Stadium D) Percival Molson Memorial Stadium

FACEBOOK PHOTO COURTESY OF ATLAS HOTEL PHOTO SUBMITTED

PHOTO BY SMALL SCALES WORDPRESS

PHOTO BY BUIO ASSIS-COURTESY OF MANITO AHBEE FESTIVAL

FULLY FURNISHED 1/4 OWNERSHIP CONDO/HOTELS IN WHISTLER CREEKSIDE

CONTACT JAMES FOR AVAILABILITY

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? CALL JAMES FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ANDERSON LAKE

DL 451, BLK A+B

• Unparalleled water front property, accessible by boat.

• Two separate cabins with solar system, internet, hot tub and sauna.

• Private bay, just a few minutes from D'Arcy.

JAMES COLLINGRIDGE

CALL JAMES, THE LEGENDS & EVOLUTION SPECIALIST

Direct: 604-902-0132

Toll Free: 1-888-689-0070

james@whistlerrealestate.net www.whistlerrealestate.net

FEATURE STORY

3) At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Russian figure skater Anna Shcherbakova won gold in women’s singles amidst a drug scandal involving her teammate, Kamila Valieva. Who was the highest-placing Canadian in that event?

A) Piper Gilles B) Madeline Schizas C) Kaetlyn Osmond D) Tessa Virtue

4) Alexandria Loutitt (who competed in Whistler this February) is the most recent ski jumper to win gold for Canada on the FIS World Cup circuit. Who was the last Canadian to achieve this feat before her?

A) Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes B) Steve Collins C) Horst Bulau D) Taylor Henrich

5) Andre de Grasse is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 200-metre sprint. How fast did he run to claim gold during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games?

A) 19.80 seconds  B) 19.62 seconds  C) 19.41 seconds  D) 20.05 seconds

6) Which Sea to Sky mountain biker finished second in the U19 age category of 2022’s Canadian Open DH race at Crankworx Whistler?

A) Marcus Goguen B) Jackson Goldstone C) Lucas Cruz D) Tegan Cruz

7) Whistler freestyle skier Jude Oliver names Alex Hall as one of his role models. What is Alex Hall best known for in the freestyle community?

A) Being the first athlete ever to land a 2160 in official big air competition

B) Being the defending Olympic champion in men’s ski big air

C) Winning a World Cup medal in all three freestyle ski disciplines: halfpipe, big air and slopestyle

D) Being the inaugural Olympic champion in men’s ski slopestyle

$1,249,000 BUY BARNEY BAY

DAVE HALLIWELL

Personal Real Estate Corporation 604 932 7727 dave@davehalliwell com

8) Former BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke signed in the NFL after throwing 25 touchdown passes in just 10 CFL regular-season games last year. Which of the following BC Lions alumni have been named to the NFL’s AllPro team?

A) Doug Flutie B) Cameron Wake

C) Mervyn Fernandez

D) Geroy Simon

9) Whistler snowboarder Jasmine Baird took gold in the first FIS World Cup big air contest ever held in a stadium. Which stadium was it?

A) Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton, Alta.)

B) McMahon Stadium (Calgary, Alta.)

C) “The Big House” (Ann Arbour, Mich.)

D) BMO Field (Toronto, Ont.)

$1,999,000

2 3 C L O U D B U R S T R O A D

Bl a c k Tu s k Vi l l a g e

2 bed • 2 bath • 1332 sqft

We l co m e to P i p e r s Pe a k ! a n exq u i s i te l y re n ovate d m a ste r p i e ce i n t h e p re m i e r g ate d co m m u n i t y o f B l a c k Tu s k Vi l l a g e j u st 1 2 m i n s s o u t h o f W h i st l e r Co m p l e te l y re d o n e a n d fi n i s h e d i n J u n e 2 02 3 P i p e r s Pe a k i s fo r t h e d i s ce r n i n g b u ye r w h o a p p re c i ate s q u a l i t y c ra f t s m a n s h i p a n d fi n e d e t a i l s O f fe re d t u r n key t h i s h o m e b o a st s v i ews o f B l a c k Tu s k w i t h p l e n t y o f s u n s h i n e o n a g e n e ro u s s i ze d l o t A s h o r t wa l k i n t h e b a c kya rd j u st p a st t h e c u sto m s a u n a b r i n g s yo u to t h e n o r t h e n d o f t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d ’s p r i vate l a ke i d e a l fo r c a n o e i n g , p a d d l e b o a rd i n g a n d sw i m m i n g Fe at u re s i n c l u d e, n ew re c l a i m e d h e a r t p i n e h a rd wo o d fl o o r i n g , wo o l c a r p e t i n g , c u sto m s o l i d -wo o d m i l l wo r k f ro m E l mwo o d K i tc h e n s i n c l u d i n g : e n t r y c a b i n e t , m a i n fl o o r b at h ro o m c a b i n e t r y a n d k i tc h e n w i t h b u i l t - i n s a n d h i d d e n a p p l i a n ce s co m p l e te l i st ava i l a b l e

10) On Jan. 13, 2020, Shai GilgeousAlexander became the second Canadian NBA player to ever post a triple-double (20 points, a career-high 20 rebounds and 10 assists). Who are the only other players in NBA history to achieve a 20-20 triple double in their second year?

A) LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Wilt Chamberlain

B) Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

C) Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Oscar Robertson

D) LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson

ANSWERS

1) ) A. The Montreal Canadiens last won the Stanley Cup in 1993. 2) A. 3) B. Madeline Schizas of Oakville, Ont. wound up 19th as top Canadian. Piper Gilles and Tessa Virtue are both ice dancers, while Kaetlyn Osmond earned bronze in 2018. 4) C. Horst Bulau won World Cup ski jumping gold in 1983. Taylor Henrich was the last Canadian woman to win a World Cup medal with two bronzes in 2015. 5) B. Andre de Grasse ran 200 metres in a personal best and Canadian record time of 19.62 seconds. 6) D. Tegan Cruz of Pemberton claimed silver in the event—Jackson Goldstone won and Marcus Goguen came third. Lucas Cruz, Tegan’s older brother, ended up fourth in the Pro division. 7) A. Park City, Utah’s Alex Hall became the first freestyle skier to stomp a 2160 (i.e. six full rotations in the air) at the 2022 Winter X Games. 8) B. Edge rusher Cameron Wake was selected to a total of four All-Pro teams in his NFL career, including First-Team All-Pro in 2012 when he was considered the best player at his position. 9) A. Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton hosted some of the world’s top freestyle snowboarders on Dec. 10, 2022—when Jasmine Baird prevailed with a score of 159.50. 10) C.

PHOTO BY MARTIN RULSCHWIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PHOTO BY CHRIS PILLING

ResultswillbepublishedinourAugust4thissue.Deadlineforsubmissionsis11:59pmonSunday,July2nd2023.Onlyonlinesubmissions willbeaccepted.Nophotocopies,faxesormailedentries.Onlyoneentryperemailaddresswillbeused.Pleasenotewetrackuser registrationfromindividualIPaddresses.Wereservetherighttoeliminatecontestentrantsiffraudissuspected.Piquemakesevery efforttocreateaconciselistofPembertonbusinessesinthemultiplechoicedropdowns.IfyouareabusinessownerinPembertonwe encourageyoutocheckthedetailsandemailuswithcorrectionsandomissionsuggestions.Emailtraffic@wplpmedia.com.

Whistler downhill biker Dylan Marino making himself known overseas

MARINO PLACED SIXTH ON THE WORLD CUP CIRCUIT AND HAS TWO TOP-FIVE RESULTS AT CRANKWORX INNSBRUCK

BY DAVID SONG

JUST LIKE MANY WHISTLER boys who ride bikes, Dylan Marino grew up idolizing Finn Iles—and why wouldn’t he? Iles is an established international star who opened his World Cup season this year with two topfive results in Lenzerheide, Switzerland and Leogang, Austria.

Now that he’s 16 years of age, Marino is finally old enough to join the UCI World Cup circuit. While he’s a few years away from head-to-head competition against his hero Iles, the young man is off to a solid start.

HELLO, WORLD

Growing up in the Sea to Sky was a perfect fit for Marino. He’s always been surrounded by avid mountain bikers of all ages as they cut their teeth in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park and the area’s expansive trail network together. Crankworx is one of his favourite events, and one where he loves strutting his stuff in front of the home crowd.

Marino is introducing himself to a more global audience as well. On June 17 in Leogang, he rode to sixth in just the second

World Cup race of his life. He was the secondfastest Canadian in the men’s junior field behind Rossland, B.C. native Bodhi Kuhn.

“It’s pretty unreal,” said Marino. “I really just felt like everything was starting to click that weekend. I knew the track suited me and as soon as I got up for my first day of practice, I was just dialed in.”

The Whistlerite’s first goal for his milestone season was simply to qualify for a World Cup race. He’s two for two so far,

style. World Cup tracks, despite their overall difficulty level and the fear factor it adds, can be a good fit for him.

FROM THE RINK TO THE TRAIL

A dedicated and versatile athlete, Marino wants to see just how far he can go in sport. He plays competitive hockey on the Sea to Sky Bears’ U18 A2 roster, leading his teammates from the

hockey team, I need to lift everybody else up as well as myself.”

Such poise helped him remain calm when the injury bug struck on May 1, throwing his summer plans into the air. Marino broke his middle metacarpal playing football in gym class, and for a time he did not know if he would be able to make his World Cup debut. Fortunately, the hand injury healed well and he was able to depart on June 3 as intended.

His mother, Caronne, and father, David, have been in his corner all the way.

“I couldn’t be here without them, for sure,” Marino said. “They are my main sponsorship right now, and they’ve supported me through all of it. Ever since I was young, they paid for me to travel around B.C. to pursue my passion and race my bike. They were there to make meals, book accommodation, all of it.”

plus two fifth-place showings at Crankworx Innsbruck’s U19 dual slalom and downhill. Marino feels he learned a lot from his inaugural event in Lenzerheide—that week was “a huge shock to the system” as he faced a deeper field and a gnarlier track than anything he’s ever seen before.

Marino wound up 19th, but came away feeling more confident in his abilities. He tends to be a precise, technically sound athlete who keeps needless mistakes to a minimum, as opposed to some of his peers and their higher-risk, higher-reward riding

left wing. His 5-11, 175-pound frame translates well to both hockey and biking, which enable him to keep fit throughout the year.

Plus, filling a key leadership role on his hockey team helps Marino develop the poise, maturity and perspective needed to be an elite downhill racer.

“Honestly, the mentality it takes to be a mountain bike athlete is really difficult,” he admitted. “I was talking to my bike company rep about this the other day, and he really thinks that [playing hockey] helps as well. Because I was captain of my

Others have showed their support as well. Marino’s fellow hockey and biking friends gave him a warm send-off before he headed overseas. His Instagram account really blew up after he placed sixth in Leogang.

Knowing now that he can hang with the best, Marino has his sights set on the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Scotland. He’ll have to level up his game in order to get there, but the anticipation is something he relishes.

“You can have your own style [in mountain biking],” he said. “It’s an individual sport and it’s kind of all on you, which adds pressure, but I feel like the rewards are bigger. It’s honestly just such an amazing sport and an amazing vibe.”  n

AGAINST THE WORLD Whistler mountain biker Dylan Marino in action during his first World Cup season in 2023.

PHOTO BY TORSTEN KUMPF

“[T]he mentality it takes to be a mountain bike athlete is really difficult.”

- DYLAN MARINO

Caileigh Koppang is a rising star on the Sea to Sky mountain bike scene

KOPPANG OPENED HER YOUNG CAREER WITH FIVE PODIUM RESULTS IN AS MANY RACES

BY DAVID SONG

CAILEIGH KOPPANG’S inaugural mountain bike ride did not go according to plan.

Koppang splits her time between Whistler and North Vancouver and, like many of us, had plenty of free time on her hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. With most indoor activities still shuttered at the time, she longed to join her friends on the trails of Mount Seymour. The only problem? Her old bike wasn’t suited for anything gnarlier than a tame dirt road.

She went anyway, and the results were… less than ideal.

“I went off a small drop and the forks literally fell apart, sending me over the handlebars and I face-planted,” Koppang recalled of her first foray into the wild in 2021. “I got up and laughed so hard at the sight of the bike laying there in pieces.”

FINDING HER PASSION

The very next day, Koppang’s family took her to buy a proper vehicle in Whistler. It was nothing too fancy: a used downhill rental bike from FanatykCo. But it was a game-changer, and she was hooked.

As of this writing, Koppang has five podium finishes in as many races during her nascent career. She’s just 14 years old, but possesses a level of independence well beyond her youth.

Not everyone picks up a new sport as a preteen and takes to it like a fish to water, but that is the case for Koppang. Undeterred by the difficulty in finding other girls her age, she has trained diligently to build her skill set. Koppang’s family members noticed she had a knack for downhill mountain biking and encouraged her to sign up for a BC Cup race last year.

Despite her lack of experience, Koppang finished third.

“Caileigh is naturally athletic and has the drive to stay active,” said her mother, Ashleigh. “She is very dedicated to the sport and rode Seymour daily all winter just to stay active and practice. Caileigh will go off into the mountains solo to continuously challenge herself and improve her skills without any guidance or coaching.”

That’s not to say young Koppang hasn’t been supported in her endeavours. She credits both parents for taking her to contests and venues, as well as her friends for riding alongside.

“I love the sport for a lot of reasons,” Koppang said. “It gets me outdoors and keeps me active. Why I focus on downhill is because I love the speed and adrenaline, and the constant, unpredictable change the trails provide.”

Koppang is part of an oncoming wave of young female talent in the Sea to Sky corridor. Others like Cami Bragg and Mhairi Smart have been making noise on the competitive

scene for a while, and she’s wasted no time in joining them. Koppang finished first and third in the opening two Phat Wednesdays races of the year and no doubt hopes to keep up her torrid pace.

MAKING HER OWN PATH

Moreover, Koppang is proud to be a girl in a historically male-dominated sport. It isn’t always easy, but she takes it in stride with a positive attitude and enjoys making a difference.

“It’s super cool to share the podium with other female athletes,” she said. “It’s definitely a difficult sport to integrate into, but I’m trying to make my own path to get there.”

Whistler has played a crucial role in forging that path. Koppang’s family has owned a home here since the 1980s—unsurprisingly, she grew up skiing and enjoying the outdoors. Nowadays, she enjoys the Sea to Sky in a different way—a way that Mount Seymour can’t necessarily replicate.

“Riding in Whistler brings that bigmountain feel!” Koppang explained. “There is so much more terrain to explore. Having the lifts to take you up the mountain versus shuttling up in a car allows you to get so much more riding in a day.

“Being that Whistler is a world-class destination resort, you get the opportunity to meet so many people from all over the place and it is so much more interesting than shuttling up in my mom’s car. Whistler has a definite vibe and I feel at home when I’m here.  Riding at Whistler makes me feel like I’m part of something.”

Though she derives motivation from most any downhill racer, the late Stevie Smith is one of Koppang’s more important idols. His historic achievements sharpen her focus to win, while his underdog career trajectory of starting from the bottom and overcoming much en route to the top is an inspiration.

Look for this surging newcomer to continue making her mark at BC Cup and Crankworx races throughout the season.  n

Werner drif ted off on his own terms; no doubt dreaming of mountains to c limb and slopes to ski 91yrs young, he took the Sasquatch Zipline for his 90th birthday. Forever looking for excitement, he was planning to paraglide the valley in his final days, but sad ly that didn’t work out. However, he and his family were treated to a final trip to W histler peak on a beautiful sunny day, regaling us with his c limbing and trekking stories. We will forever remember this excursion, and the kin dness of Cathy, Keely, Seamus, Mountain Ski Patrol, and W histler Blackcomb A big thank you to all involved

Werner emigrated to Vancouver in 1955 from Germany where he trained as a cabinet maker, quickly becoming involved with mountain rescue and BCMC, with many c limbing accomplishments in BC, and the first Canadian ascent of Mt. McKinley. He helped to build several mountain huts, inc luding the Wedgemont hut amongst many, and the Himmelsbach Hut, originally situated in S inging Pass He and his family built a cabin in W histler in 1965 and spent weekends and holidays skiing and hiking, retiring there ~1988 to ski fulltime and continue to make beautiful furniture He has held a pass from 1965 right up to 2023, skiing until 2020. Werner of ten c laimed that if he wasn’t at the front of the ski line when it opened, it wasn’t worth skiing!

At his request, there will be no formal gathering, but encourage meeting in small groups to remember him and his contributions to the W histler Mountain community

TORRID START Caileigh Koppang opened her downhill racing career with five podium finishes in as many events.

PHOTO BY RAFEL OZDARSKY

Whistler local eyes

non-profit community kitchen—but needs to find the space for it

KIWI NATIVE NATALIE KINGI WANTS TO ESTABLISH KITCHEN SPACE WHERE YOUNG RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES COULD HAVE NUTRITIOUS MEALS PREPARED FOR THEM

BY BRANDON BARRETT

LIKE SO MANY WHISTLER LOCALS, Natalie Kingi watched as demand for the local food bank shot to record highs in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing the demographics of Whistler, with its youngleaning populace, a not insignificant portion of which is far away from home and family for the first time, Kingi had an idea: a non-profit community kitchen where locals could have filling and nutritious meals prepared for them.

“There’s one thing receiving food and there’s another thing knowing what to

do with it, knowing how to make three random ingredients into a meal,” said the New Zealand native and avid home cook. “I make everything from scratch, and to me, it’s easy, but other people don’t know how to do it. When the food bank has, for example, an excess of chickpeas, what do people who don’t know how to cook chickpeas do with it?”

Between the 20-something Whistlerites without much experience in the kitchen and the local families contending with the rising cost of living across the board, Kingi saw a niche that needed filling.

“Food insecurity is a real thing. I grew up pretty poor in New Zealand, so I get that side of it. I get not knowing where your next meal is coming from,” she said. “Imagine a place where you can feed a family of four [with a meal] you don’t have to prepare yourself, for $40. It’s not free and it’s not restaurant-quality, but it is filling.”

Kingi envisions the kitchen as a “community space where people can come and learn how to cook, hang out, and

maybe rent the place and learn how to cook for themselves, or rent it for when their families come to visit.”

The problem, as is often the case in Whistler’s drum-tight commercial real estate market, is securing an affordable space. Kingi is keen to invest her own money into a permanent brick-and-mortar space, but friends in the industry have advised her to start small. With that in mind, Kingi has approached the owners of Chirp Co-Kitchen in Function Junction about renting the commissary kitchen part-time to get the venture going. She has also met with staff from the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS), operators of the Whistler Food Bank as well as a range of other local food programs, such as the school program stocking communal fridges with healthy snacks available to local students.

“That’s the long-term plan: to work with WCSS to offer that third element [after food recovery and distribution]. It’s hot meals,” Kingi said. “The concept would be to work with the food bank and the restaurants

and supermarkets to recover the food, and say one night there’s an abundance of chickpeas, vegetables and bread, then you recover that, get the balance of the ingredients you need to make a meal … and then you can make a curry that night, or some sort of meal, and then the next day put it in a wrap. It’s also so any leftovers can go to the [WCSS] fridge program they have at the schools.”

Ultimately, Kingi sees the concept based around a community more so than simply an affordable kitchen space.

“You can talk about things like having a culinary school there or having people just come and hang out and learn how to cook or getting teenagers in there learning how to cook food that’s not Kraft Dinner and ramen noodles,” she said. “You can do anything for a quarter of the cost, with a few key tools and the right attitude.” At present, Kingi is hoping to gauge interest in the concept and secure volunteers.

Anyone interested in the concept can email Kingi at hello.natalie.kingi@gmail.com. n

COMMUNITY KITCHEN Kiwi native and longtime Whistlerite Natalie Kingi is looking for a commercial space to house her concept for a non-profit community kitchen where locals could have nutritious meals prepared for cheap.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH

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

ARENA SCHEDULE

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

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings headline Canada Day in Whistler

PIQUE CHATS WITH BAND MEMBER TOM WILSON ABOUT MUSIC, RECONCILIATION AND THE VALUE OF SHARED EXPERIENCES

BY DAVID SONG

WHISTLER’S SUMMER CONCERT Series is kicking off with a visit from royalty—musical royalty, that is.

On July 1, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings will bring their critically acclaimed act to Olympic Plaza with longtime friends Daniel Lanois and Terra Lightfoot in tow.

The Rodeo Kings have one Juno award and 10 albums on their collective resume, and are viewed by many as one of Canada’s most renowned bands. Lanois and Lightfoot are accomplished musicians as well: the former owns seven Grammy awards, while the latter has toured with Blue Rodeo, Willie Nelson, Bruce Cockburn and the late, great Gordon Lightfoot.

‘AN OTHERWORLDLY EXPERIENCE’

When asked what interests him about performing in the Sea to Sky, veteran singer-songwriter Tom Wilson quipped, “the money,” before adding: “Whistler is a beautiful place—one of the most beautiful places in the world. The fact that it’s been gentrified for my tender city feet to be able to go into and look at those mountains, that’s a good thing for me. It’s such a fantastic destination.”

Wilson visited Whistler in the 1990s, both with the Rodeo Kings and with a now-defunct rock band called Junkhouse. People from all over North America and the Commonwealth gathered back then to seek employment and leisure—much the same as today. It felt to Wilson like a time when people were hungry for entertainment.

“The mountains and the dwarfing effect they have somehow calms us, I believe,” Wilson reminisced. “It’s not just the high altitude, it’s knowing that there’s something so much bigger than us, and the people who we played for were there to honour the land, I think. They were also there to drink and do a lot of drugs, so they were usually a pretty good audience.”

Having performed for many good audiences over the years, Wilson is known for his solo works in addition to combining with Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing to form the Rodeo Kings. The multi-talented Hamilton, Ont. native also published a memoir of his life in 2017 titled Beautiful Scars, in which he explores his Mohawk heritage and life in the blue-collar place they call “Steeltown.”

Wilson holds particularly high praise for Lanois, and the two have known each other since the ’70s. He credits Lanois and his Grant Avenue Studio for birthing the genre of ambient music “as we know it today.” In his collaborations with icons like U2, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris and Brian Eno, Lanois displayed a rare ability to assess the energy in a room and turn it into a creative force.

Lightfoot, much like Wilson and Lanois, is a Hamiltonian. Wilson calls her a giant in her own world, having been acquainted with

her for the last 20 years or so. “She and Lanois have had all kinds of great influence on me, and they have also inspired Blackie and the Rodeo Kings to the point where we want them to be in our band,” he said.

“Even our rehearsals with Dan and Terra are inspiring. They bring together an otherworldly experience from Hamilton, Ont. that couldn’t possibly come from anywhere else in the world.”

MUSIC AND RECONCILIATION

The fact that the Rodeo Kings are performing on Canada Day isn’t lost on Wilson—but not for the reason you might expect.

In 2015, the rocker discovered that Janie Lazare, a Mohawk woman he’d long believed to be his cousin, was in fact his birth mother. Eventually, he found out that his father, too, was Mohawk—a man by the name of Louis Beauvais.

Raised by a white couple, Wilson was unaware of his First Nations ancestry until the age of 53. He doesn’t mind Canada Day, per se, but his true interest lies within June: National Indigenous History Month.

After all, there’s no denying the sordid legacy of residential schools, which Wilson refers to as “one of the grossest and most inhumane sagas in the history of the planet.” While he wants people to celebrate, he thinks the traditional fireworks and parades of Canada Day have often wiped all reflection on First Nations history from the public conscience.

“We have to fight. The fight is not a physical fight, necessarily—it’s a fight to keep people aware,” he said. “People need to be acknowledging what went on in this country.”

The lifelong artist does not expect anyone today to personally feel guilt over the sins of yesterday. Nonetheless, the question remains: how do we as Canadians expect to move forward in a respectful, loving way?

One thing is certain: there are no shortcuts on the road to reconciliation.

“This is as hard as trying to pull a submersible off the bottom of the ocean,” Wilson continued. “We have been conned by culture to believe that life is easy, that things we want can be achieved by just putting the right blocks in the right order, when in fact, the work that has to be done in this country and as individuals is massive.

“So, let’s just really focus on doing hard work in the future to make this a better place.”

Music can’t solve every problem. Even so, Wilson believes that nothing else can unite people quite as effectively. He is used to others asking him and his wife what shows they’ve been watching on Crave or Netflix—a symptom of the regrettable fact that many have learned to live in isolation.

Not so on the musical scene. Wilson recently attended a live show by Broken Social Scene and Boygenius in Toronto with his wife and son, and they did not hear anyone talking about Netflix. Instead, it was all about unity and a shared love for music, which can be more powerful than our TVs, computers and phones.

“We’re missing out on shared experiences in our world,” said Wilson. “That’s why Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Daniel Lanois and Terra Lightfoot are coming to Whistler.”

Catch their free show at Whistler Olympic Plaza on Sat., July 1. Opening act DJ ShotSki kicks things off at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Rodeo Kings at 7:30. n

PAINT IT BLACK Blackie and the Rodeo Kings: Tom Wilson (left), Colin Linden (middle) and Stephen Fearing.

PHOTO BY MARK MARYANOVICH

Lazy Syrup Orchestra and Ashleigh Ball play Whistler Olympic Plaza July 6

BAND FRONTMAN DUNCAN SMITH DESCRIBES HIS GROUP AS ORGANIC AND SPONTANEOUS

BY DAVID SONG

IN DUNCAN SMITH’S opinion, live music can at times become too formulaic. He doesn’t mean any disrespect, especially not to any particular artist or group, but he does believe that an overly-rehearsed set is not always a good thing. Instead, Smith and his Lazy Syrup Orchestra aim to bring distinctiveness and spontaneity to each of their performances— including on July 6 when they’ll grace the Great Lawn at Whistler Olympic Plaza as part of the Whistler Summer Concert Series.

Hitting the stage alongside Smith and company will be Ashleigh Ball, known for fronting the indie band Hey Ocean! and for her voice acting in the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic franchise.

Smith has a foot in multiple worlds as well. He and Nick Middleton combine to form electronic duo The Funk Hunters, and they’ve lit up Whistler Village many times before with all kinds of party and dance music. The Lazy Syrup Orchestra aims to accomplish something different, interlacing electronica with live instruments and vocals.

The result, according to Smith, spans a variety of genres from hip hop and house to jazz and funk.

GETTING THE BAND TOGETHER

In 2015, Smith pitched a few names for his then-nascent project to the organizer of the Bass Coast Electronic Music and Art Festival. It was supposed to be a DJ-oriented venture, not dissimilar to The Funk Hunters. Yet when Bass Coast’s organizer fell in love with the “orchestra” moniker, Smith knew he had to diversify his band.

MC and percussionist Thomas Workshop joined trumpet player Cole Graham and Smith to form the Lazy Syrup Orchestra’s original lineup. After a successful debut at Bass Coast, they appeared at various gigs across Western Canada including the Shambhala Music Festival near Nelson. Mark Woodyard, a guitarist, vocalist and live looper, signed on in the late-2010s, completing Lazy Syrup as it is known today.

Ball first collaborated with Smith et al. in the summer of 2020 during a livestream event on the Gulf Islands—an electronic fusion session filmed with drones and multiple cameras. She joined them again on the main stage of last year’s Bass Coast Festival, and Smith was effusive in praising her.

“[Ball] is just hands down one of the most incredible, diverse talents I’ve ever met,” he said. “She has just such an infectious energy and phenomenal voice, and she’s a great instrumentalist too. She plays the flute, the piano, the ukulele and the guitar.

“I had the opportunity to see Hey Ocean! a couple of times when she used to sing with them, and I was just always blown away.”

PLAYING FROM THE HIP

The Lazy Syrup Orchestra is not your everyday musical act. They’re certainly cut from a different cloth than the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) kicking off this year’s Summer Concert Series on June 29. In fact, Smith doesn’t consider his outfit to be a regular band at all.

“Our group really is, I would say, very unconventional in how we share our music and how we perform,” he explained. “The whole project’s really been built around improvisation and collaboration. We’ll often bring guests up on stage without a lot of rehearsal or planning.”

In April 2022, Smith and his crew put on a 7.5-hour livestream with “absolutely no” preparation. Other than bringing in a few DJs to mix things up now and again, band members set up their equipment, turned their cameras on and just began playing to see where the day would lead them. Ball matches their free-spirited energy, which can certainly come across as refreshing.

Although they’ve played in Whistler before, this will be the first time the Lazy Syrup Orchestra features in the Summer Concert Series. Smith lived here for a few years after graduating from high school, and it’s always been a backyard escape for him. Even though music has taken the former Vancouverite across many borders, from Florida to Costa Rica, no place will have his heart quite like the Sea to Sky.

“I’ve toured the entire world and there’s not many more beautiful places in Whistler,” Smith said. “From things like the Ski and Snowboard Festival to this Summer Concert Series, [Whistler] has always brought a lot of amazing arts and culture to the Sea to Sky region.”

Fans who can’t wait for the Lazy Syrup Orchestra to take the stage next week can tide themselves over by listening to their new single, “Mellow Kinda Hype.” Produced in conjunction with Slynk, it’s a throwback to nostalgic ’90s feel-good hip hop and a microcosm of the group’s organic, downtempo vibe.

The Lazy Syrup Orchestra takes the stage at Whistler Olympic Plaza at 7:30 p.m. on July 6. An opening set

DJ Praiz kicks things off at 6:30. n

For

from

GET LAZY Members of the Lazy Syrup Orchestra, a band founded by Duncan Smith. PHOTO SUBMITTED

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

LAST REMINISCED HEROES

JUN30-AUG 6

MCGILL@WHISTLER IMPLANT SYMPOSIUM

Join McGill University’s Continuing Dental Education program for an August long-weekend symposium featuring a range of expert speakers.

Topics to be covered include (but are not limited to):

Implant planning and surgical principles; demystifying partial extraction therapies; and complex restorative treatment and implant surgery. Also available as a webinar. Email conted.dentistry@ mcgill.ca for more info.

> Aug. 4 to 6

> Whistler Conference Centre

> Tickets starting at $999

EVOLVE CAMPS SKATEBOARD AND SCOOTER CAMP

Evolve’s Whistler Drop Off Skateboard and Scooter Camp Program is a drop-off only day camp operating out of the Whistler Skatepark located at 4330 Blackcomb Way in Whistler.

Campers are dropped off each morning at the park to receive personalized instruction and work side-by-side with our qualified coaches on their skateboarding skills!

Email info@evolvecamps.com or head to evolvecamps. com for more info.

> July 10 to Aug. 11

> Whistler Skate Park

> $395

SAMANTHA WILLIAMSCHAPELSKY ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

We are thrilled to be showcasing a new collection from talented Alberta artist Samantha Williams-Chapelsky entitled “West Coast Wanderings.”

The artist spotlight will be available to view hanging at the Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery from Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 9. We hope you can stop by the gallery for a visit or browse the show online during this time.

> June 30 to July 9

> Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery

> Free

LAST REMINISCED HEROES ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY

Crabapple Hits Music presents Last Reminisced Heroes’ album launch party for their new album “Too Much of a Good Thing!”

Join us for an evening of live music with punk and punk adjacent vibes!

Tickets are $15 online presale and $20 on the door. The last event sold out, so make sure to buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment!

Think Blink 182 meets MxPx meets Alkaline Trio but in Manila.

> Friday, July 14

> Après Après

> $15

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The rise and fall of the Varsity Outdoor Club’s Whistler cabin

BY CRISPIN WELLBURN

ESTABLISHED IN 1917 , the University of British Columbia’s Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC) set about climbing, hiking and skiing the many mountain ranges surrounding Vancouver. It was only a matter of time before the VOC’s quest for adventure led them onto the slopes of Whistler and the surrounding region.

Prior to the proposal of a new cabin near Whistler, VOC members were already travelling to the Whistler region. During the mid-1950s the VOC’s infamous “longhike,” a mandatory trek that initiated new members into the club’s ranks, began to be held in the Garibaldi region. Garibaldi Provincial Park was also becoming increasingly popular among VOC members, for its (then) remote location. In 1964, VOC members completed the first successful recorded ascent of the Spearhead Traverse. Also in that year, the VOC declared its intention to build a new club cabin a short distance from Whistler Mountain. The new location promised to compensate for the inadequacies of the VOC’s Mount Seymour cabin; namely, overcrowding and minimal ski development. Additionally, club members would often return to Vancouver after a day of skiing rather than use the cabin overnight, which the VOC executives cited as diminishing club spirit. Cabin construction in Whistler began in 1964 and was completed by Christmas 1965; for a detailed account of the building process, see previous Whistorical articles “Constructing a Cabin” and “Origins – UBC VOC Lodge” on the Whistler Museum’s website. Unfortunately, the Whistler cabin developed similar problems that had plagued the older Seymour cabin. Rapid commercial development of Whistler in the early 1970s alienated many members of the VOC, who felt that the location now ran contrary to the club’s ethos. The cabin, rather than being a focal point for VOC outings, was now divisive, as the club’s

more hardcore members and those who weren’t interested in downhill skiing saw little reason to utilize the facility. With club spirit divided and maintenance costs rising, something had to be done.

In 1974, an early solution was found in the UBC Ski Club (formed from VOC members). The VOC’s executive team hoped to transfer the management costs of the cabin to the Ski Club, avoiding further financial hardship for the VOC and maintaining club unity. By 1975, the Ski Club offered to purchase the cabin, a proposition viewed favourably by both clubs. This is when UBC’s student government, the Alma Mater Society (AMS), stepped in to block the sale, claiming legal ownership of the cabin. The AMS was also unwilling to facilitate the arrangement between the Ski Club and the VOC. Another agreement was drawn up, only to be shot down by the AMS, on the grounds that it was too favourable for the VOC.

The growing animosity between the VOC and the AMS culminated in the spring of 1975. A final, desperate arrangement, proposed by the VOC and Ski Club, was promptly turned down by the AMS, which restated its claims of ownership to the cabin and that any sale would happen on its terms. In 1977, a legal battle ensued, and the VOC took the AMS to student court. The court ruled that, despite legal ownership, the AMS still had to compensate the VOC for the material and labour cost of the cabin, totalling $30,000. The AMS refused to pay, stating that the student court had exceeded its jurisdiction; the VOC responded in 1979 by threatening the AMS with legal action at the provincial level. Only then did the AMS agree to out-of-court negotiations, and paid out the $30,000.

Despite a legal victory, the VOC lost its taste for club cabins, and the Whistler cabin was the last of its kind. With its hardearned assets, the VOC instead invested in three new mountaineering huts. The AMS sold the Whistler cabin in 2014, and it now serves as an independent hostel in Nordic. n

CABIN FEVER The Varsity Outdoor Club’s Whistler cabin under construction in the mid-1960s.

Celebrate Summer

Keep cool with new summer styles

Across from the Olympic Plaza 604-905-0084 oraclewhistler.com

Free Will Astrology

WEEK OF JUNE 30

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Visionary author Peter McWilliams wrote, “One of the most enjoyable aspects of solitude is doing what you want when you want to do it, with the absolute freedom to change what you’re doing at will. Solitude removes all the ‘negotiating’ we need to do when we’re with others.” I’ll add a caveat: Some of us have more to learn about enjoying solitude. We may experience it as a loss or deprivation. But here’s the good news, Aries: In the coming weeks, you will be extra inspired to cultivate the benefits that come from being alone.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The 18th-century French engineer Étienne Bottineau invented nauscopy, the art of detecting sailing ships at a great distance, well beyond the horizon. This was before the invention of radar. Bottineau said his skill was not rooted in sorcery or luck, but from his careful study of changes in the atmosphere, wind, and sea. Did you guess that Bottineau was a Taurus? Your tribe has a special capacity for arriving at seemingly magical understandings by harnessing your sensitivity to natural signals. Your intuition thrives as you closely observe the practical details of how the world works. This superpower will be at a peak in the coming weeks.

Join us for brunch on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am - 2pm.

Children are welcome every night until 10pm.

The Patio is open!

Cold Beer & Wine Store open every day until 11pm

Congratulations Whistler

Graduates 2023

The Resor t Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) would like to recognize the recipients of our graduate awards for Whistler Secondary’s 27th Graduating Class.

• Jannah Selena Quintanilla

• Jayden Inniss

• Lean Gregory Yulo Loren

• Lochlan Harvey

• Mardi Williamson

• Shanniah Marasigan

Congratulations to all of you and best wishes for your journey ahead.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): According to a Welsh proverb, “Three fears weaken the heart: fear of the truth; fear of the devil; fear of poverty.” I suspect the first of those three is most likely to worm its way into your awareness during the coming weeks. So let’s see what we can do to diminish its power over you. Here’s one possibility: Believe me when I tell you that even if the truth’s arrival is initially disturbing or disruptive, it will ultimately be healing and liberating. It should be welcomed, not feared.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Hexes nullified! Jinxes abolished! Demons banished! Adversaries outwitted! Liabilities diminished! Bad habits replaced with good habits! These are some of the glorious developments possible for you in the coming months, Cancerian. Am I exaggerating? Maybe a little. But if so, not much. In my vision of your future, you will be the embodiment of a lucky charm and a repository of blessed mojo. You are embarking on a phase when it will make logical sense to be an optimist. Can you sweep all the dross and mess out of your sphere? No, but I bet you can do at least 80 per cent.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In the book Curious Facts in the History of Insects, Frank Cowan tells a perhaps legendary story about how mayors were selected in the medieval Swedish town of Hurdenburg. The candidates would set their chins on a table with their long beards spread out in front of them. A louse, a tiny parasitic insect, would be put in the middle of the table. Whichever beard the creature crawled to and chose as its new landing spot would reveal the man who would become the town’s new leader. I beg you not to do anything like this, Leo. The decisions you and your allies make should be grounded in good evidence and sound reason, not blind chance. And please avoid parasitical influences completely.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I rebel against the gurus and teachers who tell us our stories are delusional indulgences that interfere with our enlightenment. I reject their insistence that our personal tales are distractions from our spiritual work. Virgo author A. S. Byatt speaks for me: “Narration is as much a part of human nature as breath and the circulation of the blood.” I love and honour the stories of my own destiny, and I encourage you to love and honour yours. Having said that, I will let you know that now is an excellent time to jettison the stories that feel demoralizing and draining—even as you celebrate the stories that embody your genuine beauty. For extra credit: Tell the soulful stories of your life to anyone who is receptive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the Mayan calendar, each of the 20 day names is associated with a natural phenomenon. The day called Kawak is paired with rainstorms. Ik’ is connected with wind and breath. Kab’an

BY ROB BREZSNY

is earth, Manik’ is deer, and Chikchan is the snake. Now would be a great time for you to engage in an imaginative exercise inspired by the Mayans. Why? Because this is an ideal phase of your cycle to break up your routine, to reinvent the regular rhythm, to introduce innovations in how you experience the flow of the time. Just for fun, why not give each of the next 14 days a playful nickname or descriptor? This Friday could be Crescent Moon, for example. Saturday might be Wonderment, Sunday can be Dazzle Sweet, and Monday Good Darkness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): From 998 till 1030, Scorpioborn leader Mahmud Ghaznavi ruled the vast Ghaznavid empire, which stretched from current-day Iran to central Asia and northwestern India. Like so many of history’s strong men, he was obsessed with military conquest. Unlike many others, though, he treasured culture and learning. You’ve heard of poet laureates? He had 400 of them. According to some tales, he rewarded one wordsmith with a mouthful of pearls. In accordance with astrological omens, I encourage you to be more like the Mahmud who loved beauty and art and less like the Mahmud who enjoyed fighting. The coming weeks will be a favourable time to fill your world with grace and elegance and magnificence.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): About 1,740 years ago, before she became a Catholic saint, Margaret of Antioch got swallowed whole by Satan, who was disguised as a dragon. Or so the old story goes. But Margaret was undaunted. There in the beast’s innards, Margaret calmly made the sign of the cross over and over with her right hand. Meanwhile, the wooden cross in her left hand magically swelled to an enormous size that ruptured the beast, enabling her to escape. After that, because of her triumph, expectant mothers and women in labour regarded Margaret as their patron saint. Your upcoming test won’t be anywhere near as demanding as hers, Sagittarius, but I bet you will ace it—and ultimately garner sweet rewards.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn-born Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) was an astronomer and mathematician who was an instrumental innovator in the Scientific Revolution. Among his many breakthrough accomplishments were his insights about the laws of planetary motion. Books he wrote were crucial forerunners of Isaac Newton’s theories about gravitation. But here’s an unexpected twist: Kepler was also a practicing astrologer who interpreted the charts of many people, including three emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. In the spirit of Kepler’s ability to bridge seemingly opposing perspectives, Capricorn, I invite you to be a paragon of mediation and conciliation in the coming weeks. Always be looking for ways to heal splits and forge connections. Assume you have an extraordinary power to blend elements that no one can else can.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Dear Restless Runaway: During the next 10 months, life will offer you these invitations: 1. Identify the land that excites you and stabilizes you. 2. Spend lots of relaxing time on that land.

3. Define the exact nature of the niche or situation where your talents and desires will be most gracefully expressed.

4. Take steps to create or gather the family you want. 5. Take steps to create or gather the community you want. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I’d love you to be a deepfeeling, free-thinker in the coming weeks. I will cheer you on if you nurture your emotional intelligence as you liberate yourself from outmoded beliefs and opinions. Celebrate your precious sensitivity, dear Pisces, even as you use your fine mind to reevaluate your vision of what the future holds. It’s a perfect time to glory in rich sentiments and exult in creative ideas.

Homework: Find a way to sing as loudly and passionately as possible sometime soon. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.

In-depth

Renovated1bedroomplusloft-

BUILDING AND RENOVATIONS

• Full Service House Cleaning

• Carpet Cleaning

• Window Washing

• Pressure Washing ...and more!

604 902 0989 604 902 1679 blackdiamondhomeservices@gmail.com

Brightlarge1bedroomplusloftarea(2 level)suite,locatedinTapleys/ WhistlerCay

10-15minutewalktoVillageandon busroute

Woodandheatedslatefloors

Jacuzzi;GasFireplace

Washer/Dryer

Fullkitchenwithdishwasher(stainless steelappliances)

PrivatebackyardanddeckandBBQ

Separateentrance.Highcathedral ceiling

Quitesuitewithnolivingquarters aboveorbelow.Nopets/nosmoking Perfectforacouple AvailabletillNov15604-902-3900 rsproule@telus.net

•

WeareOceaneandMatt,28yearsold, lookingforalong-termhome.Oceane isafull-timeteacherintownandIam anACMGskiguide&seakayakguide. Wearewell-versedinbeingrespectful tenantsandwouldappreciateany opportunitytoconnecttoseewhat youmayhaveavailable.604-907-1116 mcraematt1@gmail.com

enteringinreservations. christina@mvawhistler.com

WhistlerPersonnelSolutions

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

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

local-events/

We offer:

• Immediate Whistler housing available

• Extended Health and Dental benefits for you and your family

• 20cm snow rule & mental-health bike days

• Flexible schedule & awesome staff parties!

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

CRANKWORX EVENT SURVEYORS

Temporary Contract

(July 20 – July 30)

The people make the place, and in Whistler’s case that couldn’t be more true. Tourism Whistler is looking for people passionate about mountain culture and sharing this special place we get to call home.

The Mallard Lounge is hiring an

Assistant Food & Beverage Manager

YOUR EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• Minimum 2 years food & beverage leadership experience

• University/College degree in related discipline an asset

• Thorough knowledge of wines, liqueurs and other beverages

• Sommelier designation an asset

• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment

• Assist in positioning the Mallard Lounge as one of the top dining choices in Whistler

• Have full knowledge of all restaurant and bar menus

• Create unforgettable experiences for our guests and colleagues

• Assist in achieving financial goals through revenue maximization and managing expenses

LOVE WHERE YOU WORK! JOIN OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS

Amazing opportunities available:

Certified Dental Assistant

Competitive Wages | Hiring Bonus | Relocation Bonus

APPLY TODAY:

liz@whistlerdental.co

whistlerdental.com/

• Competitive Benefits

• Career Growth Opportunities

• Extensive Travel Perks

As a Crankworx Event Surveyor, you will gather key insights into the visitor experience during Crankworx. Surveyors must have a passion for Whistler, be outgoing, collect data responsibly and independently, and work in all weather conditions.

What we offer: work a minimum of six shifts during Crankworx and receive a competitive hourly wage PLUS two VIP tickets to Redbull Joyride on July 29!

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

http://bit.ly/3YSxxOM

ADMINISTRATOR,

Full Time, Year Round

Work, play, and grow a career in Whistler. With plenty of perks (benefits, anyone?) and a group of passionate people, Whistler.com is looking to expand its team.

The Administrator, Sales Operations & Finance is responsible for the daily administration tasks and sales fulfillment within the Whistler.com Sales Operations & Finance teams. This role requires an individual who is highly organized, has excellent communication skills, and the ability to develop and maintain working relationships.

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

We’re also recruiting for: Travel Consultant (Full Time, Year Round).

TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT: WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.

For an updated list of who is available, check out our website.

www.whistlerwag.com

Roland’s Pub is looking for a Kitchen Manager

Position is full time, 40-50 hours per week. Must have line cooking experience in a fast paced kitchen, Food Safe Level 1, and some ordering & food costing experience. Salary is minimum $60,000/year to start or negotiable for qualified applicants, plus medical & dental benefits, gas allowance, phone allowance, ski or golf pass, and other perks.

Please email resume to  info@rolandswhistler.com Staff accommodation available.

Red Door Bistro is Seeking a full time line/grill cook.

1-2 years experience working in a similar station an asset.

• Duties include prepping/portioning/cooking steaks, seafood and pan cooking.

• Imagine working in a well respected fine dining bistro which is well run, fun, and does 80 covers a night.

• Salary based on experience, plus tips. Medical & Dental benefits and staff discounts in Roland's Pub. Email resume to info@reddoorbistro.ca

The Pinnacle Hotel Whistler has the following positions available:

• ROOM ATTENDANTS

• HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR

• HOUSEMAN AM/PM

Please reply by email: parmstrong@pinnaclehotels.ca

HIRING WE ARE

Why work for us?

Building Services

Bylaw

Enforcement & Animal Control

Economic Development

Resort Municipality of Whistler Employment Opportunities

·

·

·

·

•

·

·

·

·

We offer competitive wages, comprehensive pension plan and health benefits, and we are driven by our passion to serve community.

• Plan Examiner 2 – Regular Full-Time

• Bylaw and Animal Control Officer – Regular Full-Time

• Community Patrol Officer – Casual/On-Call (multiple positions)

• Business Development Specialist – Regular Part-Time

• Utilities Technologist - Regular Full Time

• Labourer 1 – Temporary Full-Time (multiple positions)

• Labourer 2 – Temporary Full-Time (multiple positions)

Public Works

• Labourer 2 – Regular Full-Time

• Utilities Operator In Training – Temporary Full-Time (2 positions)

• Utility Operator 1 – Wastewater Collections – Regular Full-Time

RCMP

• Detachment Clerk – Casual/On-Call

• Lifeguard 1 – Regular Part-Time (20-30 hours)

• Recreation Program Leader- Biking - Temporary Part-Time (4 positions)

Recreation

• Recreation Program Instructor 1 – Biking – Temporary Part-Time 3 positions)

• Recreation Program Leader - Temporary Part-Time (multiple positions)

• Recreation Program Instructor 1 – Biking – Casual/On-Call (multiple positions)

Senior Management

• Director of Human Resources – Regular Full-Time

As an equitable and inclusive employer, we value diversity of people to best represent the community we serve and provide excellent services to our citizens. We strive to attract and retain passionate and talented individuals of all backgrounds, demographics, and life experiences.

squamish.ca/careers

- Competitive Wage ($20-$25 per hour based on experience/performance)

- Wage Review After 1 Month

·

WE ARE HIRING!

DHD CONSTRUCTION LTD., a Squamish-based, full-service construction and development company is HIRING THE FOLLOWING POSITION: PROJECT MANAGER

COMPETITIVE SALARY | PERFORMANCE BONUSES EXTENDED HEALTH & DENTAL BENEFITS

FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

Be a part of the DHD team and our next exciting project

– Finch Drive. A 20 acre, master-planned community using modern building technologies to achieve some of Squamish’s most energy efficient, multi-family homes.

For more information about DHD, full job description and how to apply, visit www.dhdev.ca.

Pique Newsmagazine is seeking a Sales Coordinator.

Pique Newsmagazine is looking to fill a focal role of sales coordinator in our advertising sales department. The chosen candidate will possess uncompromising customer service and work well under pressure while thriving in a fast-paced deadline driven news media environment. The ideal applicant will have previous experience working with a print/ digital media sales team. Strong administrative and communication skills are essential in this role, and attention to detail is a must. You will be highly organized and able to act as a liaison between departments, as well as possess a high level of professionalism when dealing with clients. We offer an excellent remuneration package as well as a benefits plan.

Located in the mountain resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, Pique Newsmagazine is the unequivocal leader in reporting, interpreting and understanding the culture of the Coast Mountains and what it means to those who live, work and play in Whistler.

Interested candidates should forward their resume and a cover letter to Susan Hutchinson at: shutchinson@wplpmedia.com

Deadline is July, 7th 2023.

No phone calls please.

SERVER & SERVER SUPPORT

LOOKING FOR A FRESH START?

Get involved in something new and different for Whistler dining!

Opening July 1, Mekong offers a Thai fine dining experience, with a menu created by renowned Chef Angus An, in a brand new space designed by award-winning designer Daniel Meloché.

Apply to: careers@infinityenterprises.ca

@MekongWhistler 88mekong.ca

Vacasa’s forward-thinking approach and industryleading 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.

ACROSS

139 Hosp. scan

140 Fought with (2 wds.)

142 Underwater shocker

144 Loses control (2 wds.)

148 Ship of 1492

150 Eaves hanger

153 “--

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

We have much to celebrate this Canada Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CANADA. Squeaked through another year, didn’t we?

With Canada Day falling on Saturday—the perfect setup for a three-day weekend—by the time you read this, most of the grocery stores in town will be sold out of hotdogs, burgers and the buns in which to hold them. Every campsite and picnic table within a two-hour drive will be taken and, once again, there will be no national pride parade through the village to spoil the holiday.

Why? The reasons, or reasoning, is a bit murky. Supply-chain problems, staffing problems, municipal staff too busy figuring

BY G.D. MAXWELL

out new ways to squeeze fees, fines and taxes out of us—and with the announced higher costs to spend eternity in Whistler’s cemetery, they’ve even upped the cost of dying—or just a general sense of anomie has led to the cancellation of Saturday’s parade.

Or maybe there was a rip in the temporal fabric at muni hall and they just forgot it was coming up until it was too late.

It brings to mind my brother’s faux pas one Valentine’s Day. Being, for reasons that escape me, a hockey fan—they escape me because other than me he has no connection to Canada and he lives in the desert—he had two tickets to the Coyotes game. On Feb. 14. He planned to go with a buddy. Until his wife informed him the 14th was Valentine’s Day.

The smart move would have been to claim temporary amnesia, give the tickets away and quickly whip up something suitably romantic... perhaps staying home and watching the game on TV. Did he? No. Perhaps conflating Valentine’s Day with Easter, he said, “How am I supposed to know what day it falls on?”

When it was explained the day wasn’t, in fact, a moveable feast, he backpedalled, cancelled his buddy and took his wife to the game. I guess that counts for something. More than the lame excuses we’ve heard about why the Canada Day parade was cancelled.

But let us be positive, if for no other reason than to not further upset our visitors who can’t find hotdogs at the store.

I am, and have been for some time now, Canadian. Which is to say I’m no longer American. I never imagined when I moved to Canada it would become my forever home. I’d have scoffed at the suggestion. Actually, I’d probably not have responded at all, because it was -40 C outside when I moved to Canada. I’d never experienced -40 C, but I knew that was the point where it didn’t matter whether it was measured in Celsius

or Fahrenheit. Cold is cold.

But I found some alluring things in Canada. The first thing I liked about Canada when I moved here 50 years ago was stubby beer bottles. You remember them, don’t you? Short, squat, brown, no neck to speak of. All beer, at least in Quebec, came in them. All the breweries used them. It didn’t matter which beer had been previously bottled in them when it came time for a refill. Some of them were so old they looked like pieces of glass that had been drifting in the ocean for years and had washed up on shore, sandblasted and opaque. The only difference between

who’d been born here was unerringly optimistic. I realized this during the first month I was in Montreal. That would be the month it was -40 C. To a person, every Canadian, upon stepping out of their heated homes into the deep freeze would, within about 10 seconds, say, “It’s not so cold out.”

I thought they were a hearty breed. Hearty and optimistic. Slowly I came to realize they were either slow to register just how bonechilling cold it was or, and I suspect this was the case, they simply lived in denial, waiting for the week they’d too fly somewhere south to the sun and warmth, unwilling to vocalize

I experienced several things later that first year I’d never imagined possible and learned a great deal about the spirit, grit and collective weirdness of the people who, even after conducting an investigation into my background, had welcomed me into their country. I watched grown men gather around a barbecue and diligently sear hamburgers and hotdogs to the point of immolation… notwithstanding a persistent drizzle of rain that threatened to douse their coals. I nearly froze to death—on the first day of July! I listened with rapt fascination to a group of intelligent people earnestly discuss what it means to be Canadian, without ever reaching a conclusion. I saw a woman eat a hamburger with a fork and knife. I exploded my first “safety” firework. I was admonished with ostracizing stares when I yelled loudly at an umpire at an Expos’ game.

one beer and another, to my uneducated palate, was the label on the bottle.

So environmentally friendly. So easy to recycle. I thought it was Canadian brilliance. I didn’t realize it was just an outward manifestation of the fact Canadian brewers were way behind the curve when it came to product differentiation. When they finally figured out how infatuated people were with different shapes and colours of bottles, stubbies disappeared. But I let that slide. I was still impressed.

I was overwhelmed by Canadian optimism. Every single person who I met

their enduring despair of winter.

Yet, even in those sub-arctic temperatures, Canadians dutifully lined up—queued, as I learned—in an orderly single file for busses. Shifting from frozen foot to equally frozen foot, they waited patiently, mumbling, “Not so cold,” to no one in particular. I thought it was quaint, until a precocious 12-year-old poindexter in posh, private school uniform let me know I shouldn’t be wandering around but, instead, patiently keep my place in the queue. I suggested he might benefit from more bran in his diet. He didn’t understand what that had to do with anything.

But even with all that, I still imagined my stay in Canada wouldn’t be a lifelong adventure. It wasn’t until my second year in Canada I began to realize I might never leave. Ironically, the defining moment in what would become my pathway to Canadianness had nothing whatsoever to do with Canada.

It was the election of Ronald Reagan as president of the U.S.

It was, what I thought at the time, a low point for the country. Were I prone to nostalgia, I’d probably paint it with the soft light of the good old days, given all that has followed.

So parade or no parade, local or visitor, Canadian or other, Saturday we’re all Canadians. And we have much to celebrate... even though we lose sight of it with all that’s going on. ■

I was overwhelmed by Canadian optimism. Every single person who I met who’d been born here was unerringly optimistic.

PHOTO BY MIHAIL // ADOBE STOCK

8148 Muirfield Cres. : This beautiful home at the Nicklaus North Golf Course has 4 bedrooms in the main house and a one-bedroom suite. AirBnB or owner’s personal use is allowed $5,690,000

Ruby Jiang

778-834-2002

204 - 4360 Lorimer Road : Superb location, excellent investment! This one bdrm plus den in Marketplace Lodge offers two bathrooms, an open floorplan, gas fireplace and south facing deck. Flexible zoning allows nightly rental, full time rental and unlimited owner use. No GST! $1,339,000 Laura Wetaski 604-938-3798

7308

just

short

is this 11,000 lot with an older but solid 3br house. Great opportunity to hold and redevelop when the time is right. $2,650,000

Rob Boyd – Boyd Team

604-935-9172

325 - 4660 Blackcomb Way: Charming two-bedroom endsuite in Lost Lake Lodge. Enjoy resort amenities like a heated pool, hot tub, exercise room, and owner lockers. Convenient access to Lost Lake, Whistler Village, and Fairmont Chateau

Whistler Golf Course.$1,625,000

Sam Surowy

604-902-9754

7471 Urdal Road,

Nestled in the

of

this remarkable 10-acre property boasts a prime location, convenience, breathtaking 360-degree views, and endless possibilities. $6,495,000

Steve Legge PREC*

604-902-3335

314 - 4368 Main Street: Fantastic location, stroll to shops, retaurants & free village bus to ski slopes in winter. Top Floor cozy studio with 2 storage areas & balcony. Enjoy this condo as your Whistler getaway or rental investment option, great bike storage / UG parking. $845,000 + GST Kathy White PREC*

702 & 704 - 4050 Whistler Way: Hilton Owners enjoy unlimited stays and a central village location offering all the amenities of a resort hotel. This lock-off 2 bed, 2 bathroom, with storage may also be rented nightly though the Hilton full-service, rental management program. $949,000

604-616-6933

Nick Swinburne PREC*

604-932-8899

1360 Collins Rd, Pemberton: 10-acre peaceful country retreat. Custom 4,404 sqft estate home with stunning views of Mt. Currie and mature landscaping. Zoned for B&B, horse riding academy, brewery/cidery, garden nursery.$3,999,900

Carmyn Marcano

Suzanne Wilson PREC*

604-719-7646

604-966-8454

38880 Gambier Avenue, Squamish: COZY RANCHER ON A DUPLEX LOT! 3 bed/2 bath bungalow situated close to downtown. Interior features a bright living room with a bay window and a gas fireplace. With District approval, there is potential for a carriage house. $1,450,000

Angie Vazquez PREC*

778-318-5900

Pemberton:

heart

Pemberton,

Fitzsimmons S Rd: Hidden in the trees, next to Lost Lake parklands,

a

walk to the village amenities