Pique Newsmagazine 3029

38 34

Crank it up

Crankworx Whistler is set to deliver new venues and ascendant riders in the same fan-friendly package bike aficionados know and love. - By

David Song

14 FRAGILE ROCK

A proposal to extend a mining permit for the quarry in Cheakamus isn’t compatible with the fast-growing neighbourhood, according to the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

15 NO BROWN BAGGERS Ottawa wants to grow tourism revenue 40 per cent by 2030—and it’s looking to attract “high-value guests” to do so.

17 BLITZKRIEG BOP Whistler BioBlitz returns to the resort for its 17th year of species surveys and science talks on July 25.

26 HIT THE GAS

The Village of Pemberton approved a new Housing Accelerator Fund action plan ahead of next month’s application deadline—with some amendments.

34 WORK IT

Georgia Astle is back in the saddle for the “unbeatable vibes” of Crankworx Whistler.

38

FROM THE WRECKAGE

The work of Japanese artist Manabu Ikeda is now on display at the Audain Art Museum until Oct. 9.

COVER It’s not hard to see how Stevie Smith’s legacy has influenced the athletes in this town. I hope I’m not the only one who still thinks that we can be both rowdy and humble. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art

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

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

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.

08 OPENING REMARKS Lightning is playing an increasing role in wildfire starts—and racking up a rotating playlist of earworms in editor Braden Dupuis’ head.

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers float new ideas for safety on both Black Tusk and the Valley Trail, while also weighing in on drug decriminalization.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST When choosing role models, fame and talent are poor substitutes for integrity and character, writes columnist David Song.

58 MAXED OUT In reading comments from Canada’s tourism minister, Max is reminded of similar remarks from a former Whistler mayor.

28 THE OUTSIDER Vince Shuley poses a pertinent question for many in the Sea to Sky: Are lift-free ski areas commercially viable?

40 FORK IN THE ROAD The underdog of the veggie world is a top dog in disguise, writes Glenda Bartosh.

42 MUSEUM MUSINGS One bike-related event that you’re unlikely to come across at Crankworx this year is mountain bike polo.

Ride the lightning

IT HAPPENS to all of us.

A song wriggles into your brain and just sort of sticks there, refusing to leave for whatever reason.

Maybe you even hum it and sing it softly to yourself until it annoys everyone around you (yourself included).

These earworms can seemingly come from anywhere—but lately all of mine have been unearthed by work.

For instance, when Pemberton’s Mark Mendonca shared a photo of some bears using the crosswalk at Pemberton Portage Road with

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

the caption “Abbey Road,” I was stuck humming “Come Together”—the opening track of that famous Beatles album—for two days straight.

A couple weeks prior, it was a cover feature written by Alyssa Noel, which doomed me to sing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to myself for two solid weeks because of its headline alone (“Mountain Mamas Keep on Moving”… oh no it’s happening again).

But this week, my research is driving an altogether different genre into my brain—classic Aussie rock, and the iconic, unmistakeable opening riff to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.”

(I’ll pause here to allow sufficient time for you to hear it in your mind’s ear yourself. It’s still pretty badass, even after all these years, eh?)

That classic AC/DC riff made its home in my head on the evening of July 12, when a lightning storm passed over the Sea to Sky sparking a series of small blazes.

No fewer than six ignited in the Pemberton area, and one north of Whistler—all of which were contained and/or snuffed out in a matter of days (thank you, attentive fire-spotters and courageous BC Wildfire Service members).

“Lightning has posed a serious challenge for us so far this summer, much more so than human-caused starts … The recent convective

activity across the province underscores just how impactful lightning can be when we have experienced prolonged drought conditions,” said Sarah Budd, provincial wildfire info officer with the BC Wildfire Service.

From July 6 to 13, B.C. saw more than 51,000 lightning strikes, she added—posing a major challenge for firefighters in B.C.

To that end, the province has made significant investments in recent years for work on fuel treatments, preparedness, and cultural and prescribed fire, Budd said.

“We work closely with communities, First Nations, industry, and stakeholders to reduce wildfire risks and help keep people and communities safe by promoting the Community Resiliency Investment program,” she said.

“We also recognize fire as a natural ecological process on the landbase. In collaboration with partners, we use cultural and prescribed fire as an essential part of reducing wildfire risk to communities, sustaining biodiversity, maintaining productive and adaptive ecosystems, and supporting the cultural practices of Indigenous peoples.”

Mitigating risk is a shared responsibility,

As this article was being written, 2023 officially became the worst wildfire season on record in B.C., and the province’s four worst wildfire seasons have come in the last six years—the other three being 2021 (1,647 fires, burning 869,300 hectares; 59 per cent lightning-caused); 2017 (1,353 and 1,216,053 hectares; 57 per cent); and 2018 (2,117 and 1,354,284; 70 per cent).

As of July 13, about 61 per cent of 2023’s fires were suspected to be naturallycaused, slightly above the 10-year average of 58 per cent.

But as the climate changes, lightning is a growing concern as it relates to wildfire, in Whistler and across Canada.

Mike Flannigan, then-University of Alberta professor and director of the Canadian Partnership for Wildland Fire Science, touched on the topic at a wildfire conference Pique attended in Nelson in 2018.

“Work done in the U.S. suggests for every degree of warming, there’s an increase of about 12 per cent in lightning activity,” Flannigan said, noting that similar studies hadn’t been done for Canada, but would likely produce similar numbers.

fire seasons,” he said.

“And from what we’ve seen that’s not going to happen.”

Then there’s the fun phenomenon known as pyrocummulus thunderstorms, in which a wildfire generates its own weather, and creates its own lightning—in turn triggering more fire starts.

According to the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Canada has had at least 90 of those so far this year. The previous record was reportedly 102 for the entire globe.

So mitigation and preparation are crucial. As is reducing human-caused ignitions to the best of our collective ability.

That means adhering to local and regional fire bans, being responsible with smoking materials, and reporting all fires by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

In the meantime, there are a small handful of websites and apps you can use to track suspected lightning-strikes. A fun game to play during a storm is to watch the dots pop up on the map and worry about which ones might lead to a fire in our bone-dry forests.

While you do that, you can listen to

Budd added, noting that individual residents can help by ensuring their properties are FireSmart.

In Whistler, wildfire mitigation is guided by the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, which was adopted in April 2022 and lays out an extensive list of 32 recommendations focusing on several areas, including: education, community planning, development considerations, interagency cooperation, FireSmart training, emergency planning, and vegetation management (read more at whistler.ca/wildfire).

Warming temperatures also increase the atmosphere’s ability to suck moisture from forest fuels.

“Now, unless there’s an increase in precipitation, which can compensate for this, our fuels will be drier,” Flannigan said, adding that studies show that, for every degree of warming, you would need about 15-percent more precipitation to keep the forests sufficiently wet.

“So let’s say this region warms two, three degrees, that means you need a 30- to 45-percent increase of precipitation during the

quintessentially ’90s band Live, and their hit “Lightning Crashes.”

It’s not as iconic as “Thunderstruck,” but some might say it hits just as hard when the bassline drops and the chorus comes in.

Other lightning-related songs that got stuck in the author’s head during the writing of this column include “Crying Lightning,” by Arctic Monkeys, and of course, “Ride the Lightning,” by Metallica. An honourable mention to Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road,” which might have also got stuck if only it were a bit more electric (sorry). ■

Dinny to those that k new him, was a force of nature and was taken suddenly by those ver y forces.

On Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

Dinny was involved in a unfor tunate marine incident near his island off the shores of Salt Spring Island. Originally form Australia he had found home in Canada

For those interested there will be a memorial gathering at the Pember ton Legion Friday, July 28th at 6pm

As this article was being written, 2023 officially became the worst wildfire season on record in B.C., and the province’s four worst wildfire seasons have come in the last six years.

Dinny Corcoran

Incredible oppor tunity to own a lakeside condo in the highly sought-after Green Lake Estates neighborhood Unit #303 in the prestigious Nicklaus Nor th Clubhouse is one of only six units with breathtaking views of Green Lake, the 16th tee box, and the majestic surrounding mountains Direct access to biking, hiking Nordic skiing, paddle boarding, and more. World-class golf course, renowned lakeside eater y, and float plane dock nearby GST exempt, nightly rental zoning

You’re goi n g to lose access to loca l news on Face book a n d Google.

D ea r reader s ,

Yo u r a cce s s to l o c a l , p rov i n cia l a n d nat i o na l n ew s i s go i n g to b e revo ke d o n G o o g l e, Fa ce b o o k a n d I n s t a g r a m .

A n d i t ’s n ot b e c a u s e of a ny t h i n g we ’ ve d o n e

Re ce n t l y, C a na da p a s s e d t h e O n li n e N ew s Ac t , a l s o k n ow n a s B ill C-18 , w h i ch ha s l e d to a s t a n d off b e t we e n t h e gove r n m e n t , G o o g l e a n d M e t a t h e p a re n t co m p a ny b e h i n d Fa ce b o o k a n d I n s t a g r a m

B ot h G o o g l e a n d M e t a have s a i d t h ey p la n to cu t t i e s w i t h t h e n ew s i n d u s t r y i n C a na da a s a re su l t .

T h i s m ea n s M e t a w ill b l o ck t h e p o s t i n g a n d s ha r i n g of o u r n ew s a r t i cl e s o n Fa ce b o o k a n d I n s t a g r a m G o o g l e w ill a l s o re m ove li n k s to o u r s i te s a n d a r t i cl e s i n G o o g l e N ew s , D i s cove r a n d s ea rch re su l t s .

T h ey ’ll a l s o c a n ce l s i g n i fi c a n t co n te n t li ce n s i n g a g re e m e n t s a l rea d y i n p la ce w i t h o u r p a re n t co m p a ny, G la ci e r M e d ia

U n d o u b te d l y, t h i s w ill have a h u ge i m p a c t n ot s o l e l y o n u s b u t , m o re i m p o r t a n t l y, o n p e o p l e like yo u r s e l f w h o may u s e t h e s e p l at fo r m s to d i s cove r w hat ’s ha p p e n i n g i n yo u r co m m u n i t y a n d to ge t co n tex t to eve n t s ha p p e n i n g i n yo u r ow n b a ck y a rd .

We ’re n ot p la n n i n g o n go i n g a ny w h e re, b u t h e re ’s h ow yo u c a n h e lp:

1. Sign up for our free daily newsletter by scanning the QR code. (And encourage your family and friends to do the same )

2 . Fo l l ow u s o n Twit te r.

3 . B oo k m a rk o u r we b s ite a s th e h o m e pa ge o n yo u r d evi ces.

4 Consider becoming a member if you aren’t already Your suppor t will help us continue to cover local stories, by locals.

5 I f yo u own/o p e rate a l oc a l b u s i n ess , co n s i d e r s u p p o r ti n g l oc a l by p laci n g ad s with 100% C a nad i a nown e d m e d i a o utl et s , l i ke u s .

W i t h yo u r h e lp, m o re p e o p l e w ill b e a b l e to ge t t h e i r l o c a l n ew s fro m a t r u s te d s o u rce I n to day ’s a ge of m i s i n fo r mat i o n , t hat ’s m o re i m p o r t a n t t ha n eve r.

T ha n k yo u We a p p re ciate yo u

Si n ce re l y,

T h e Pi q u e N ew s ma g a zi n e tea m

Can safety be improved on Black Tusk?

After reading the story [about a death on Black Tusk] today it made me think (see Pique , July 11). A lot of parks have ladders and chains in dangerous or difficult portions of hikes. Having lived in the Sea to Sky for many years, I’ve done the Black Tusk hike multiple times, one time summiting the Chimney, one time I just waited for my friends at the bottom as I didn’t feel it was worth the risk, and the third time I climbed up with a helmet (while being showered with rocks from above). The helmet may have given a false sense of security, but that’s beside the point.

Regardless, after this incident I think it’s worth a discussion of whether chains or steel ladders should be installed on the Chimney. I believe this would require more work than your average rock bolts due to the rock type, being heavily fracture, soft and jointed rock. It would likely involve drilling deeper holes and installing resin rebar, which could be done, but would require more time and money.

This would increase the safety of the Chimney exponentially. However, it would also make climbing it more accessible, which then adds potentially more exposure and subsequent

risk as less experienced people may feel emboldened to climb it with assistance when they otherwise wouldn’t.

I think it’s worth a discussion, as this likely won’t be the last person to get injured as hiking in Garibaldi Provincial Park continues to grow in popularity.

Jake Gram // Whistler

[Editor’s Note: There is a lack of consensus on where the hiker actually fell off Black Tusk. Police maintain it was from the Chimney, while Whistler Search and Rescue said it was the summit area, based on where her body was recovered.]

Walk left, wheels right on Whistler’s Valley Trail?

In Canada, we tend to walk on sidewalks on the left side of the street so that we face towards oncoming traffic.

Yet, on the Valley Trail in Whistler, we are encouraged to walk on the right, exposing us to the danger of being struck in the back by those on wheels.

Observe people with children on any street and you will notice that attentive and caring parents protect their child by holding the child’s right hand in their (the parent’s) left hand with the oncoming traffic to the

parent’s right.

Dogs are similarly walked on the handler’s left.

This automatic/learned behaviour in North America leads to issues on the Valley Trail when people walk on the right. Their toddlers and dogs, still on their left, tend to be vulnerable to oncoming “traffic,” i.e. people on wheels, as kids and dogs tend to wander over the dividing line and into the path of oncoming pedestrians and more dangerously, those on wheels.

Imagine, for a moment, how you will feel when you can see wheeled traffic approaching you instead of tensing as you sense them approaching you from behind where you can’t see them but know they are there and may soon be upon you.

Will the Resort Municipality of Whistler adopt and champion this change with new and improved signage on the path and at entrances to the Valley Trail?

This will not lead to increased congestion —pedestrians and those on wheels will see each other approaching and take the necessary action to maintain safe passage.

Keith Fernandes // Whistler

On provincial drug policies

On Sunday, July 16, my daughter and I were in Vancouver for work and stopped off at the Starbucks on Main and Broadway. There was open drug use in the parking lot by numerous individuals. Two were passed out.

WHISTLER · PEMBERTON · SQUAMISH

$749,000

Downtown Squamish

2 BED I 2 BATH I 859 SQFT Whistler Creekside

Short description of property listing - no more than 30 words. Git, tem am ea sant omnis alitio de sa es quis maios eate dolupti quid quatumendus, ut excerferiae ommostori cum quaecep tatibus.

Short description of property listing - no more than 30 words. Git, tem am ea sant omnis alitio de sa es quis maios eate dolupti quid quatumendus, ut excerferiae ommostori cum quaecep tatibus.

Whistler

1 BED I 1 BATH I 537 SQFT Whistler Upper Village

MARION ANDERSON

Personal Real Estate Corporation manderson@sutton.com 604-938-3885

1 BED I 1 BATH I 517 SQFT Whistler Village

2 BED+den | 1.5 BATH | 819 SQFT

Short description of property listing - no more than 30 words. Git, tem am ea sant omnis alitio de sa es quis maios eate dolupti quid quatumendus, ut excerferiae ommostori cum quaecep tatibus.

#203 - 1080 Millar Creek Road, Whistler British Columbia, V8E0S7

• The Luxurious Amaji in Downtown Squamish

• Extra storage room

• Views of the Tantalus Range

Short description of property listing - no more than 30 words. Git, tem am ea sant omnis alitio de sa es quis maios eate dolupti quid quatumendus, ut excerferiae ommostori cum quaecep tatibus.

Squamish

SHAUN

GREENAWAY

Personal Real Estate Corporation shaunggreenaway@gmail.com 604-902-3888

2 BED I 2 BATH I 958 SQFT Whistler

Village

The Starbucks had no items on the shelves, instead being replaced by pictures of items. No condiments or even napkins on display. A clerk told me that every time they put things out, they would be stolen by the likes of those we witnessed in the parking lot.

Clearly decriminalization is working.

Patrick Smyth // Whistler

dining with Big Love singing and playing all night long with crowd pleasing favourites. Special thanks to Sonia, Jamie and Shea at the WRC for providing the excellent venue and organization, Bruce at Nesters for sponsoring all of the tasty food for the barbecue, and Big Love for making it such a wonderful night.

MAC, a non-profit volunteer-run organization, is committed to connecting,

2281 BRANDYWINE WAY

Beautiful

$2,599,000

MAC thanks ‘wonderful’ community partners

On behalf of the Whistler Mature Action Community (MAC) 55-plus group I would like to thank our wonderful community partners the Whistler Racket Club (WRC) and Nesters Market for supporting our annual Summer BBQ. There were 100 MAC’ers who turned out on a gorgeous summer evening for some pickleball, axe-throwing, socializing and

engaging and advocating for Whistler seniors, 55 and older, to ensure we can all age in the community we all love to call home. We welcome new members to register at whistlermac.org or email us at info@ whistlermac.org to learn more about our FUN social and educational events, community engagement and much more.

Kathy White // Chair of Whistler Mature Community n

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. Send them to edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com before 11 a.m. on Tuesday for consideration in that week’s paper.

7205

7205

Alta

• Own multiple estate lots on iconic Whistler Mountain

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION Register at marshallviner.com to receive weekly real estate updates T 604.935.2287 E marshall@marshallviner.com marshallviner.com

2501 Gondola Way

Vista 2

• Unique, iconic Whistler cabin with tree top living

3 Bed / 2 Bath + 1 Bdrm Suite.

• This multi-generational, prized 9.8 acres lot is subdivided into 5 new estate homes, or kept as one family compound with multiple homes/guest cabins.

Beautiful home, treed and landscaped private lot, wrap around deck with mountain views – truly a rare and exceptional property.

• Private deck that looks onto Valley Trail

• Private, quiet land offering sweeping Coastal Mountain views.

Views, Views!

• High above the quiet Emerald neighborhood with amazing views

• Quiet and well maintained complex, walking distance to Alta Lake & Lakeside Park.

White Gold is a highly coveted neighborhood, walking distance to the village, valley trail, cross-country skiing and hiking trails around Lost Lake. $6,249,000

• Main House 3 bdrms + Studio suites

End of cul-de-sac, hidden gem, sunlight, privacy $3,999,000 Emerald Drive

$799,000 Viner & Associates 604-935-6287 marshall@marshallviner.com 20% 3% 29% Friday Saturday Sunday For your up-to-date forecast visit: piquenewsmagazine.com/weather W h i s t l e r High 25° Low 12° High 22° Low 11° High 21° Low 10° SCAN ME

604.935.2287 E marshall@marshallviner.com marshallviner.com

“There were 100 MAC’ers who turned out on a gorgeous summer evening...”

- KATHY WHITE

Nick Davies, Whistler local and exper ienced family lawyer pr actising across BC and Yukon Call at 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca Maclean Law is

NEW PRICE - $1,899,000

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

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

Should we really look to athletes as our role models?

WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER , I thought Olympians were essentially superhuman. To be fair, I thought that about a lot of pro athletes, but the sight of a Canadian on a podium at the world’s largest and (in my biased opinion, most awesome) sporting event always hit different. Super Bowls and Stanley Cups are great, but Olympic gold? That’s the ultimate prize.

FALLING FROM GRACE

Don’t get me wrong: there are athletes out there worth rooting for. Some truly use their platforms to positively impact others. Yet time and again, a certain kind of headline enters into our collective consciousness: Famous Person X Caught Doing Objectionable Thing Y.

BY DAVID SONG

dsong@piquenewsmagazine.com

It wasn’t just about the end results for me, though. Most Canadian Olympians I’ve watched or met seemed to be genuinely affable, down-toEarth people. Say what you want about CBC, but their story-driven coverage of the Summer and Winter Olympics helped me discover my own passion for sports journalism.

I nearly died of happiness in 2014, when Team Canada visited my hometown of Calgary for a post-Olympic parade. There I got to meet many of my heroes, from ice dance icons Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir to Whistler’s own Marielle Thompson to Rosalind Groenewoud, the halfpipe skiing OG who—like myself— once attended Queen Elizabeth High School.

I spent much of my life idolizing athletes, as do many young boys and girls from coast to coast. It’s a practice that we, as a society, ought to reconsider.

Take NBA star Ja Morant and NHL player William Karlsson as two relatively recent examples. Morant faces a 25-game suspension after openly brandishing a firearm in an Instagram Live video, apologizing for his behaviour, and then doing it again. Karlsson went viral for a drunken, expletive-laced rant he delivered at the Vegas Golden Knights championship parade earlier this summer.

As of this writing, the Morant drama has yet to unfold completely, while Karlsson’s antics are hopefully a one-off. I’ve no interest in chronicling such drivel. My interest, however, is to remind us that fame and talent should not be the main criteria we consider when choosing our role models.

Morant is electrifying on the court, a two-time NBA All-Star with nearly 10 million Instagram followers. Many will give him a pass for his pattern of childish recklessness due in part to his highlight-reel dunks. Karlsson’s not a top-echelon NHL player and his social media following is accordingly more modest (104,000), but he’s gained plenty of notoriety for his intoxicated tirade.

This isn’t new—lots of heralded sportspeople have fallen from grace in

various ways. O.J. Simpson is known more for his infamous murder trial than for his decorated NFL career. Ben Roethlisberger and Deshaun Watson have reprehensible sexual assault allegations in their pasts. Ime Udoka cheated on his fiancée with a member of the Boston Celtics staff while he coached the team. His 11-year-old son has to live with the consequences.

Celebrities outside of sport, from Amber Heard to Kevin Spacey and beyond, are equally capable of such shameful conduct.

MONEY AND FAME

I’m not directly comparing Morant and Karlsson’s actions to those of killers and sex offenders. Yet, what frustrates me is how fickle people can be in their response to incriminating news about celebrities. Some, like Heard and Simpson, lose much of their public standing, but others continue to be revered.

Most Pittsburgh Steelers fans love Roethlisberger. There are people who still think Watson is innocent, even though 24 women have filed sexual assault lawsuits against him. ESPN reporter Malika Andrews caught all sorts of social media flak for essentially holding Udoka accountable on live TV.

I can already hear the flood of misguided criticism coming, especially were I to post this article on a more… unfiltered platform

like Reddit or Barstool Sports. In fact, a Barstool contributor known mononymously as “Jordie” wrote that: “[Karlsson] laid the foundation [for the Golden Knights’ Cup run], so now this man can do or say whatever the hell he wants for as long as he wants up on that stage.”

False. When people build up and profit off of their own public image, their conduct likewise becomes public. Their mistakes affect not only themselves and their immediate circles, but everyone whom they’ve impacted during their careers. Highprofile athletes represent teams that pay them tens of millions of dollars a year, and they inevitably become the public faces of sports played by hundreds of millions.

It should go without saying that the actions of celebrities will and should be scrutinized more closely than those of laymen. With great power comes great responsibility.

Plus, Morant and Karlsson are both fathers. They should ask themselves whether or not they’d like their children to see them doing or saying “whatever the hell they want for as long as they want.”

At the same time, perhaps we should try to change the paradigm. Perhaps we should raise our kids and exhort our friends to admire those who deserve it, rather than those who happen to splash across our television screens and social media feeds. In the end, fame and talent are poor substitutes for integrity and character. n

RMOW recommends against 30-year extension of mining permit for Cheakamus quarry

MUNICIPALITY SAYS APPLICATION TO EXTEND MINING PERMIT AND EXPAND MINING AREA NEAR CONTENTIOUS ASPHALT PLANT NOT COMPATIBLE WITH GROWING CHEAKAMUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

BY BRANDON BARRETT

AN APPLICATION to the province to significantly extend the mining permit and expand the mining area at a quarry in Cheakamus Crossing isn’t compatible with the fast-growing neighbourhood, according to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).

On May 17, B.C.’s Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation referred a permit amendment application to municipal staff from Whistler Aggregates Ltd., operators of the so-called W6 quarry, which is primarily mined for construction aggregate. There is also an affiliated asphalt plant on the site operated by Alpine Paving Ltd.

Whistler Aggregates applied to increase its proposed mining permit timeline to 30 years from the date of issuance, and to allow for the future expansion of the quarry area within the current Crown land tenure for extractions. If approved, the quarry would be developed in phases, and, after approximately 12 years, mining would expand beyond the current active quarry area, encompassing a total area of 7.39 hectares. The current quarry area is 3.17 ha. in size. (See map.)

The maximum annual tonnage extraction is proposed to remain essentially the same, at 99,999 tonnes per year.

Both municipal staff and council agreed the proposal doesn’t align with the needs of Whistler’s southernmost neighbourhood, the centrepiece of the RMOW’s current and longterm plans for affordable housing.

“There is a better use of that location: I think it’s community, I think it’s housing, I think it’s a place for families to be, and I hope we can find an alternative with the province and the operator,” said Mayor Jack Crompton.

On top of the hundreds of housing units already developed in Cheakamus, the construction of roughly 350 new employee units is being expedited on Lots 2, 3, and 5. Planner Joanna Rees also noted the potential for 500 additional units in the neighbourhood’s Lower Lands, as well as “potential to establish a complete community, with considerations for commercial space and institutional uses,” including schools and daycare.

Ultimately, council voted in favour of

aggregate and asphalt needs,” the report said. That request is not without precedent. The asphalt plant has been a sore spot for previous councils and Cheakamus residents, who have raised concerns over its impact on air quality, noise levels, and industrial traffic on the one access road in and out of the neighbourhood.

In 2012, B.C.’s Supreme Court ruled in favour of Whistler Aggregates, allowing ownership to move ahead with plans to replace its aging asphalt plant with a new, modern facility, after the RMOW had sought a permanent injunction to force the plant out of its location in Cheakamus.

Around that time, the municipality had identified eight possible alternative locations

win—where we move in favour of the livability of residents that live close by, by finding another site, but not at a distance that we raise our carbon footprint? The third one would be so that it’s doable for the operator because I appreciate there is substantial cost to this,” said De Jong.

In 2020, the RMOW signed an agreement with Alpine Paving to work together to make safety improvements, as well as noise and dust reductions along the site access road, which included paving the road and installing a vegetated berm. The following year, the RMOW presented air-quality monitoring results from the neighbourhood, which met provincial standards on all days that were assessed, outside of periods when major forest fires burned near the resort.

staff’s recommendation that, if the province does extend the Mines Act permit, the maximum permitted time should match the current occupation licence, which is expected to expire in 2027, or, notwithstanding, to a maximum of five years.

“There clearly has to be a timeline; 30 years is not reasonable. What we have here is reasonable,” said Councillor Arthur De Jong.

The RMOW is also looking to work with Victoria and Whistler Aggregates to review alternate locations within municipal boundaries for the W6 quarry and asphalt plant “to support current and future local

for the plant, said RMOW staff, but Whistler Aggregates were not open to moving, citing, in part, the steep cost to relocate the facility. However, in 2017, when Whistler Aggregates first applied for a 30-year extension to its mining permit, a request that was denied by the province in favour of the current 10-year licence set to expire in 2027, RMOW staff indicated the company seemed more amenable to relocation.

“I don’t want this to be linear or heavyhanded because we need a quarry close in terms of climate,” said De Jong. “Is there a place we can land where we have a win, win,

As part of its comments to Victoria, the RMOW is seeking provincial support to complete an analysis of local aggregate supply and demand to meet the long-term needs of the community, including consideration of opportunities with the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations. It has also asked that Whistler Aggregates be required to undertake an environmental assessment of the impacts from the proposed expanded quarry area, something that, to staff’s knowledge, has never been done.

Council also passed an amendment at Tuesday’s meeting asking the province to update the distances listed in the application from the quarry to the nearest residential buildings on Cloudburst Drive, which officials believe to be inaccurate.

Although the RMOW has the opportunity to comment on the application, in the end, the decision will be left with the provincial ministry overseeing mine activity. After a requested extension, the municipality has until July 21 to provide feedback. ■

DIG PLANS A map of the W6 quarry in Cheakamus Crossing.

COURTESY OF THE RMOW

“There is a better use of that location: I think it’s community, I think it’s housing...”

- JACK CROMPTON

How does Whistler fit into Canada’s ambitious new tourism strategy?

OTTAWA WANTS TO GROW TOURISM REVENUE 40% BY 2030—AND IT’S LOOKING TO ATTRACT ‘HIGH-VALUE GUESTS’ TO DO SO

BY BRANDON BARRETT

THE FIRST THING you notice about Canada’s Minister of Tourism Randy Boissonault, besides his vibrantly coloured, patterned button-up, is his unrelenting enthusiasm. Ottawa’s megaphone for a sector that contributed $38 billion to the national GDP last year, the minister is tasked with helping shift the narrative around Canada’s tourism landscape, after the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the industry.

“OK, enough focus on the pandemic; let’s focus on growth,” said Boissonault in a visit to Whistler last week.

Approximately 70 Tourism Whistler and Whistler Chamber of Commerce members met with Boissonault and Sea to Sky MP Patrick Weiler in the Whistler Conference Centre’s Rainbow Theatre last Wednesday, July 12, to discuss issues facing the local tourism sector as well as Canada 365, the Liberals’ sweeping federal tourism strategy first unveiled earlier this month.

“It was the most engaging townhall we’ve had across the country,” Boissonault said in a sitdown with  Pique following the meeting, which was closed to media. “[I heard about] everything from labour to housing to micro-dips in bookings, which was really interesting.”

Canada’s ambitious new strategy aims to grow tourism’s contribution to the national GDP by 40 per cent in the next seven years, resulting in an estimated additional 85,000 direct jobs, while at the same time creating a more sustainable, regenerative tourism landscape.

“Canada, for too long, took a passive approach to tourism. The thought was, people are just going to come because we’re so great and we’re so nice here,” said Boissonault. “Then the rest of the world woke up to the fact that the visitor economy is found money. You bring people into your community or your province and it gets on your books as an export, and it supports local communities.”

Whistlerites concerned with overtourism and its impact on the character of an already rapidly changing community may bristle at the thought of growing the resort’s visitation, but Boissonault was quick to note the new national strategy places significant emphasis on attracting a certain type of guest that will respect the land, the local community, and, to put it bluntly, will pay a premium to be here.

“We’re going to be mindful about who we invite, and we want more high-value guests, so that they’re not overly bothered by paying what the sector needs so that people can actually make a living wage and have a long-term career here,” Boissonault said. “Tourism, for a lot of people, is a great career, and before the pandemic, we were starting to see some cracks in the labour system, because it was hard to make ends meet. So, we have to make sure that we’re

positioning for this growth spurt that we want to see, this growth phase for Canada, with an action strategy that is intentional about growing tourism, that the workforce is there and that we can house them.”

For years now, Tourism Whistler has sought to strike a better balance in Whistler’s tourism landscape, driving visitors to midweek and other non-peak periods, while also incentivizing longer lengths of stay.

“It is growth when it comes to need periods,” said Barrett Fisher, Tourism Whistler’s president and CEO. “For Whistler, that’s bringing a destination guest who stays for five or seven or 10 nights, or that’s bringing a shoulder-season conference group or event, which is part of [the national] strategy. Our piece isn’t about mass volume and pedal to the metal in highseason months when we don’t need it. It’s really about finding that balanced strategy and working collectively in partnership.”

725/727

4050 WHISTLER WAY

Hilton Hotel - W histler Village

1 bed, 2 bath, 1146 sqft – INVESTMENT PROPERTY! The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa offers the perfect mix of personal usage and revenue This “1 bed lock off suite” which is 2 separate units (#725 and #727) can be used separately or used together One side has 2 queen beds and the other has 1 king and a full kitchen. Use one side and collect the revenue on the other or use both, it’s up to you. Located at the base of Whistler Blackcomb with all the amenities you would expect from the Hilton brand. Get in touch today for revenue potential and owning in the heart of Whistler Village $939,000

Asked how to grow tourism without sacrificing the character of the communities that drew visitors there in the first place, Boissonault said, while municipalities have an important role to play, it’s up to the various levels of government and industry stakeholders to work better together to address the wideranging issues facing the sector.

“This is why I like what has been built pre-pandemic, through the pandemic, and now … you have Destination Canada, which markets Canada, you have [Destination] BC, you have Tourism Whistler, you have the municipal council, you have the province, First Nations and the feds, and finally we’re all playing together in a way that wasn’t the case before,” he said.

REBUILDING THE TOURISM WORKFORCE

Whistler is of course not the only tourism destination suffering from a years-long labour shortage that worsened exponentially in the pandemic. A key tenet of Canada 365

SEE PAGE 16 >>

“We’re going to be mindful of who we invite, and we want more highvalue guests, so that they’re not overly bothered by paying what the sector needs...”

- RANDY BOISSONAULT

is rebuilding the tourism sector’s workforce, which, by the end of last year, had recovered to 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, supporting roughly 1.9 million jobs across the country.

The national plan noted a suite of programs intended, in part, to create a more robust tourism workforce. Among those are investments of $197.7 million into Canada’s student work placement program, $123.2 million to boost Francophone immigration to Canada, and $100 million to support the implementation of a 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. The Liberals have also committed to continue making improvements to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which resort businesses significantly rely on.

The minister also hinted that Whistler has a case to make for special consideration of its distinct labour needs when advocating to senior levels of government for temporary foreign workers, as the resort’s estimated three-per-cent unemployment rate gets lumped in with the Lower Mainland, which sat at 5.2 per cent in May of this year.

“I do think that we can make the case for Whistler—and this is why the data that we get from the Chamber [and] that we get from Tourism Whistler is so important, because I can’t move federal officials, and even my colleagues, on anecdotes,” Boissonault said. “I need the data.”

The data, as it were, has been hard to come by. For years, Weiler has pushed Statistics Canada to get Whistler-specific labour figures, and said the latest he heard, the agency was

working to determine the appropriate borders of the new labour catchment area.

Along with shifting the narrative around tourism to Canada in general, federal officials are also hopeful to change prospective workers’ view on tourism “as an industry of last resort to an industry of first resort,” Boissonault said.

“When tourism is atomized to the local bar, the local restaurant, the local ski slope, then it’s easy to write it off as a summer job,” he added. “But when you take all of that in the aggregate and add it up, and realize that our sector is the No. 1 service export for the country, then [it becomes more attractive] … We’re on a journey so that moms and dads, aunts and uncles and young people themselves can see the future. They can see themselves making money. They can see themselves having a family. They can see themselves owning a home as a part of the tourism sector.”

NATIONAL TRAILS STRATEGY

A key component of Canada 365 is a new National Trails Tourism Strategy aimed at further developing the country’s trail infrastructure and boosting visitation to these areas.

Ottawa has committed $55 million over five years for network maintenance and enhancement on the Trans Canada Trail, and a further $108 million for local community projects that promote recreational tourism, particularly through investments in trail inventory and infrastructure.

Boissonault looked to France, where he

said an estimated 22 million people embark on a cycling holiday of some sort every year, as inspiration.

“Think of those numbers. That would be like 13 million Canadians deciding to spend a week or two on their bike for their holidays. Why? Because they get their backpacks, they get their bikes, they know that there are no barriers along the way. They know there are inns, there are places they can stop for food,” he said. “The entire trail system is beautiful and stunning and also has amenities along the way. We haven’t mastered that yet.”

MODERNIZING THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

Canada 365 pledges to invest in tourism infrastructure and transportation to help modernize the travel experience and better connect visitors to far-flung destinations. Part of that effort is an emphasis on a “multimodal transportation framework” and opening “efficient and affordable” air access to key markets.

“You want to make it easy and not sticky for people to get to where they want to [go], and multiple flights or spending three hours in a bus is less [desirable] than a direct flight,” Boissonault said.

Given the steep price of flights and airline worker shortages that have led to persistent delays and cancellations in airports across the country, it’s, at present, difficult to imagine how swaths of international visitors would choose remote Canadian destinations compared to, say, Europe, with

its comparatively compact geography and robust, affordable transportation networks.

In Whistler and the Sea to Sky, there have been calls to the province for years from local leaders for a regional transit system that connects Mount Currie to the rest of the corridor and beyond.

“I don’t know if it’s cold comfort, but this conversation is taking place in provinces across the country, particularly with the demise of intra-regional transportation, like Greyhound and others,” Boissonault said. “What’s the answer to get people to and from? If it’s not trains, then it’s got to be bussing, and then that’s got to come up from the local communities.”

Asked if Ottawa’s dual goals of bringing in so-called “high-value” visitors from afar, with all the associated emissions they create, along with developing a more sustainable approach to tourism, were compatible, Boissonault said they are, “particularly if we take a regenerative approach.

“Sustainability is like the milestone to regenerative tourism. And we know that, and this is why we’re working so hard to find alternative and renewable jet fuel sources. It’s why the hydrogen economy is so important. I think there’s great work being done on biofuel additives into the airline sector,” he added. “The travelling public that we want to track to Canada are going to respect the land, they’re going to do their offsets, and they’re going to understand that when they come here, they’re going to do so in a responsible way.”

To read Canada’s national growth strategy in full, visit ised-isde.canada.ca. n

• C o n te m p o ra r y d e s i g n m e e t s m o u n t a i n l u x u r y

• N ew l y co n st r u c te d c h a l e t l o c ate d i n A l p i n e M e a d ows

• S o a r i n g ce i l i n g s , e n te r t a i n e r s k i tc h e n , l a rg e re a r ya rd

• S e l f co n t a i n e d 2 b e d ro o m / 2 b at h ro o m s u i te

o d fi re p l a ce a n d ex p a n s i ve p at i o

• U n l i m i te d p e r s o n a l u s e a n d n i g h t l y o r l o n g te r m re n t a l s

$949,000

1 1 SQFT: 546

• We l co m e to t h e e p i to m e o f m o u n t a i n l i v i n g i n Wh i st l e r

• C o r n e r s u i te g a s fi re p l a ce b a l co ny a n d i n - s u i te l a u n d r y

• Ste p s to s h o p s , re st a u ra n t s , l a ke s , t ra i l s a n d g o n d o l a s

• U n l i m i te d p e r s o n a l u s e o r n i g h t l y o r l o n g - te r m re n t a

SADIE BRUBAKER

604 907 1400

Whistler BioBlitz returns for 17th year of species surveys and science talks

AFTER PRESENTING TO HUNDREDS OF WHISTLER STUDENTS IN JUNE, VOLUNTEER SCIENTISTS ARE SLATED TO SCOUR THE ALPINE FROM JULY 25 TO 27

BY MEGAN LALONDE species,” he explained.

What was previously described as a 24-hour race against the clock to count as many species as possible eventually expanded

students helped provincial wildlife health biologists perform wildlife necropsies, or autopsies, on deer and black bear carcasses to learn about wildlife anatomy

About 25 more scientists will be back in Whistler next week to conduct species surveys in alpine terrain near Black Tusk and within Whistler Blackcomb’s tenure

thoughtful is

achieving new heights

DAVID LEWIS – RENNIE ADVISOR - WHISTLER

Whistler’s environmental non-profit wants more predictable, long-term funding from RMOW

BY BRANDON BARRETT

EVERY WEEK, Whistler Councillor Jen Ford gets more than a dozen zucchinis from the Cheakamus Community Garden, one of four garden and greenhouse sites around town operated by the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE).

“That’s too many zucchinis,” she joked at Tuesday, July 18’s Committee of the Whole presentation, at which Whistler’s environmental non-profit presented to elected officials. “Don’t leave your car unlocked because I’ll leave a zucchini on your front seat.”

This abundance of locally grown produce is a tangible representation of how far AWARE’s GROW program has come over the years. Since AWARE took over in 2017 from the Whistler Community Services Society, the program has seen more than 400 locals grow their own organic veggies in more than 220 garden boxes, reducing carbon footprints and the amount of packaging required by growing food close to home.

Despite its popularity, the GROW program, historically, has barely broke even for the organization, with its relatively high overhead.

“For a non-profit to run [a program] at a

loss tells you how important it is for us,” said AWARE president Paul Dorland. “But it also tells you, how long can non-profits run great programs in the community of Whistler at a loss? It’s a challenge.”

That challenge speaks to a wider consideration at AWARE, as the organization gets set to undertake a thorough strategic review. One of the persistent factors hampering the organization is the uncertainty it has around program funding. Currently, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) supports the GROW program through the use of the land, and some in-kind services.

“You should know that we won’t be able to run GROW next year; we can’t afford to,” Dorland continued. “So, what are the options?”

Dorland mentioned the possibility of another non-profit taking over the gardens, although he noted there wasn’t an obvious candidate locally. The municipality could run the program, as local governments do with similar programs across B.C., or, Dorland suggested, AWARE could continue at the reins and scale up the program—with dedicated municipal funding. AWARE estimates there is capacity to double or even triple the program’s scope.

“On our end, scaling up could be really helpful. Obviously [Cheakamus Crossing] is slated for more units to go in, more condos,

and we’ve added 40 boxes into a space that was 150 previously, even in the last few years, and our waitlist is still at 50 people,” said AWARE executive director Claire Ruddy. “I think it’s a build-it-and-they-will-come scenario in that program.”

The GROW program is, in some ways, a microcosm of the funding uncertainty AWARE deals with every budget season, something the board of directors is eager to change. In recent years, the organization’s annual revenues have hovered around the $300,000 mark—roughly $325,000 in 2022—with nearly half of that made up of government and non-government grants. According to Ruddy, however, AWARE has “kind of reached a cap for long grants from non-government sources.” Now, the organization is calling on the RMOW to consider a more secure, predictable funding base for the non-profit.

“We go into every year without a single dollar of secured funding,” Ruddy said. “We’re really looking at new ways to partner … and moving forward in ways that increase our security as an organization and our ability to deliver climate projects by focusing on multiyear program delivery and timescales.”

In response, Mayor Jack Crompton said the municipality and AWARE’s priorities “very much align,” particularly on climate

action, but he stopped short of committing to multi-year funding for the non-profit.

“Council has prioritized climate and AWARE is actively engaged in that work. It’ll be work I expect our team to do with AWARE to understand how we best address those shared challenges. It may be multi-year plans—but that’s a decision that’s in our future,” he said.

NO PLANS FOR BAYLY PARK JUST YET

With the BMX track in Cheakamus Crossing being decommissioned this year, there has been some speculation in the neighbourhood over what that means for Bayly Park, including rumours about the relocation of the GROW community garden.

According to the RMOW, engagement and planning for Bayly’s long-term future is still a long ways off.

“There are no plans to change anything now,” said Crompton, adding that public engagement likely won’t happen until 2025 at the earliest.

Plans for the Whistler BMX Track will likely be considered on a shorter timeline, however.

“If the BMX track is going to be unused, we may have to put some planning to it [sooner],” Crompton added. n

‘WE GO INTO EVERY YEAR WITHOUT A SINGLE DOLLAR OF SECURED FUNDING,’ SAYS AWARE DIRECTOR

STUNNING ACREAGES. RESOR T LIVING. COMMERCIAL VENTURES.

DISCOVER THE BEST OF PEMBER TO N AND WHISTLER .

Whistlerite finds missing wedding ring lost nearly 30 years ago

NOW LIVING IN SWEDEN, LOTTIE JANGDAL MOVED BY EFFORTS TO RETURN RING FROM HALF A WORLD AWAY

BY BRANDON BARRETT

IT’S A CLEAR, SUNNY DAY in 1995, when Lottie Jangdal and her then-husband, Jan, are enjoying a rousing game of volleyball in the garden of their Tapley’s Farm home. Jan takes off his wedding band, inscribed with Lottie’s name, and places it on a deck railing.

By the time the game is finished, the ring is nowhere to be found. The couple figures a bird took it, attracted to the white-gold ring’s gleam, and don’t think much more about it.

“I don’t think we searched at all, because it was on the deck and then all of a sudden it was missing,” said Jangdal, over the phone from Latvia, where she is on a motorcycle tour.

FRANK INGHAM FEATURE PROPERTIES

NEW 3 bd 2 ba home on golf course #2-4636 Blackcomb Way

NEW 20 acr. prime location 1426 Pemberton Farm Rd West

NEW .75 acr. commercial lot on Hwy 99 1940 Artisan Way

NEW 1.8 acr. 3 bd 2 ba home 9702 Devine St

• 127 acr w. home, trees/fields, epic views 1691 Hwy 99

• 126 acr w. home, barns/shops 8573 Pemb. Meadows Rd

• 115 acr w. trees/fields, river front 813 Pemb. Meadows Rd

• Development site on 1.34 acr 7398-7402 Cottonwood St

• 71 acr w. pasture, views, river front 1692 Hwy 99

• Hitching Post Motel, revenue property 2040 Hwy 99

• 17.6 acr w. trees/fields, river front Pemb. Farm Rd East

FRANK INGHAM RECENT SALES

• #7-4676 Blackcomb Way, Whistler

• 1936 Artisan Way, Pemberton

• 7558 Oberson Rd., Pemberton

• 1357 Elmwood St., Pemberton

6 04. 230.8167

Frank@FrankIngham.com

“Frank is the ultimate local expert for investing in Pemberton and Whistler real estate and an invaluable resource to help you gain an edge in the market.”

As of 2023, it isn’t a curious crow in possession of the ring, but Mechthild “Mecki” Facundo, a longtime Whistlerite who, with her husband, purchased Jangdal’s former home on Balsam Way in 1998.

Earlier this month, Facundo’s husband was turning over some soil in the very same garden where the newlyweds played that volleyball game nearly 30 years ago, when he noticed something shiny in the dirt.

“Of course, it was a little bit dark and dusty, and when I polished it, we noticed the beautiful pattern on it and we saw the engraving,” Facundo explained. “We hadn’t touched that patch of soil since we bought the house.”

With the relatively uncommon name engraved inside, Facundo thought there was a slim chance at returning the ring to its rightful owner, so she posted to social media asking if anyone knew of a Lottie missing a wedding band.

“You think about the emotional reaction that must’ve happened when someone loses a ring like this. It reinforced to me I had to put it on Facebook and try my best to get it back to the owner,” Facundo said.

Another longtime local, Janalee Budge, thought it might belong to the same Lottie she befriended soon after first landing

in Whistler in the early ’90s, and, lo and behold, she was right.

“I only know one Lottie, and Mecki had mentioned it had been there for a long time, and I knew that Lottie lived here in the ’90s when I first moved here, and I knew she lived in Tapley’s somewhere,” said Budge.

Unfortunately for the hopeless romantics out there, Jangdal’s marriage didn’t stand the same test of time the wayward wedding band did: she and her husband divorced in 2006, and while Jangdal said the ring doesn’t hold the same significance to her it once did, she knows someone who may get meaning out of it.

“I just thought it was a fun thing to hear of. It has not much importance to me, but maybe to our son,” she said. “It would be neat for him to get that back and be able to do something with it. It was also a fun reminder from the past to get that Whistler connection again.”

Although it’s been a quarter-century since she called Whistler home, Jangdal, now 56 and living back in her native Sweden, recognizes how her five years in the resort shaped who she became.

“It helped me appreciate the small things— everyday life and the joy of living. There are so many things in Whistler that bind people together and I feel very fortunate to have had that time in my life and the friendships that I acquired at that time—and still have,” she said, explaining that she remains close friends with several fellow Swedes she first met in Whistler all those years ago.

While she acknowledges the huge role social media played in getting her ring back, Jangdal also believes there is something distinct about the community of Whistler that ushered it back to her, from half a world away.

“I think that Whistler spirit is something unique,” she said. “It struck me that there is a genuine feeling and concern about other people that was very obvious to me in the early ’90s and many of us who stayed ski bums at that point in time really formed a connection to Whistler.” n

MY PRECIOUS A white-gold wedding ring that was lost nearly 30 years ago was recently discovered in the garden of a Tapley’s Farm home and is now set to be returned to its owner in Sweden.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

New luxury lodge opening in Whistler this fall

WEDGE MOUNTAIN LODGE & SPA TO OFFER FULLY-STAFFED, PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION IN WEDGEWOODS FOR FAMILY GETAWAYS, WEDDINGS AND CORPORATE RETREATS

BY MEGAN LALONDE

ONE THING WHISTLER isn’t lacking is a wide range of tourist accommodations.

Still, whether you’ve booked one bed at a small boutique property or a spacious suite in a towering resort, staying at a hotel typically means having to share amenities with your fellow guests. Groups looking for a more private experience will have another option available to choose from when the resort’s newest accommodation offering opens north of the village this fall.

Falling somewhere in between a four-star hotel and a luxury vacation rental, Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa caters to groups of up to 20 guests for overnight stays, or 50 for receptions. The two-storey, 12,000-squarefoot lodge is located in the peaceful WedgeWoods development, about 15 minutes north of Whistler Village by car.

The modern, newly-built space was designed with events like corporate retreats, weddings and family getaways in mind.

The lodge contains 10 guest bedrooms, each outfitted with a king bed and en-suite bathroom. Two “family-friendly” rooms also include bunk beds to accommodate younger

guests.

Guests can plan to unwind in Wedge Mountain’s private spa facility, featuring a sauna, steam room, gym, yoga studio, massage rooms, hot tub, cold plunge, and a 30-foot heated pool. The lodge also boasts a conference room, 18-seat movie theatre, wine cellar stocked by local sommeliers, bar, games room for poker, pool and ping-pong, and dedicated kids’ play areas.

Unlike standard homestay rentals where visitors are generally left to fend for themselves, this staffed lodge intends to provide its guests with the same level of hospitality travellers might find at a high-end hotel or bed-andbreakfast. “Wedge Mountain’s full-service

experience from arrival to departure includes a live-in housekeeper, concierge and additional support staff on hand and available whenever needed,” according to a release. That means private transportation, champagne sabering upon arrival, and a private chef to whipup personalized breakfasts, après snacks and dinners is included with each stay.

The Whistler locals who developed the lodge put just as much effort into accommodating those employees as they did into dreaming up guest amenities. The property includes a five-bedroom staff wing attached to the main building, with two large en-suite rooms and three smaller bedrooms whose occupants will share two bathrooms,

plus a garage for ski and bike storage.

“It’s thoughtfully designed, offering staff privacy from the guests ([and] vice versa), and as much secluded outdoor space as we could,” explained Keltie Holdsworth, one of Wedge Mountain Lodge’s owners and operators, in an email.

“We intended to have [five] staff on site, all with a private bedroom; but we have the capacity to offer a shared bedroom if couples wish to apply,” she added.

Wedge Mountain Lodge employees will also have an electric vehicle at their disposal to travel to and from the village, “so our staff don’t feel isolated out here on their days off,” Holdsworth wrote.

Though Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa is new to Whistler’s accommodation landscape, the family behind the space isn’t.

The Holdsworths—Keltie, her husband Dan and his sister Anna—have more than a decade of experience developing and managing vacation properties in the Sea to Sky corridor.

According to the Holdsworths, the concept for Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa grew out of countless discussions during their own large family gatherings about what the perfect

LUXE LODGE A rendering of Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa’s exterior. The private, 10-bedroom WedgeWoods property will begin welcoming groups for corporate retreats, weddings and family getaways this fall.

IMAGE SUBMITTED

Whistler tourism revenue soars thanks to busy ski season

RMOW Q1 FINANCIAL REPORT DETAILS BUSY START TO 2023

BY ROBERT WISLA

WHISTLER EXPERIENCED one of its busiest winters on record last year, according to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) first-quarter financial report, presented to council on July 4.

In her presentation, the RMOW’s director of finance Carlee Price explained the resort saw a significant increase in visitors in Q1, from the beginning of the year to the end of March, bringing in substantial Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) revenue.

“[In the first quarter] I know that parking and MRDT [revenues] continued to grow,” Price said.

“This reflects an ongoing interest in visiting our community both on [the] part of day trippers and overnight visitors.”

According to a staff report, in Q1, MRDT was 40.3 per cent above Q1 2022 levels, and 32.8 per cent above Q1 2019.

Together, Resort Municipality Initiative funding and MRDT revenue accounted for $7.2 million in Q1—a 198-per-cent increase over last year, and well above the $5 million budgeted for both in Q1 2023.

Price said MRDT revenue from online accommodation providers, which comes from nightly rental services like Airbnb, also

saw significant growth in Q1, to the tune of $922,000, with that additional income going towards Whistler events and RMOW-led affordable housing projects.

“So good news for MRDT is good news for the Summer Concert Series and also good news for employee housing,” she said.

The RMOW again saw notable growth in parking revenue, which was up 23.8 per cent compared to Q1 2022, and 95.1 per cent compared to 2019 levels.

Earlier this year the RMOW opted to raise parking rates on several municipally-owned parking lots; however, those changes took effect on April 3, and were not reflected in Q1.

Revenue was strong in Lost Lake Cross Country skiing and Whistler Olympic Park ice rink operations (up 10.9 and 20.9 per cent, respectively), while Meadow Park Sports

Centre also saw a very busy Q1, with passes and admissions sales up 67.6 per cent compared to Q1 2022 and up 14.9 per cent versus 2019. However, programs like swimming lessons declined as the RMOW struggled to find qualified lifeguards.

Investment revenue was up substantially, climbing 177 per cent compared to Q1 last year, as rising interest rates helped the RMOW bring in stronger returns. However, the $541,541 in Q1 investment revenue was still below the $812,154 budgeted for the quarter.

Rising interest rates also present a doubleedged sword for the RMOW, as rate increases affect borrowing for large projects such as employee housing in Cheakamus Crossing, increasing project costs.

Expenditures-wise, the RMOW’s chief

WEDGE MOUNTAIN LODGE FROM PAGE 24

Whistler vacation property would entail.

“We are thrilled to witness the realization of our long-held vision for the Lodge,” said Keltie in a release. “It has been a dream of our family for many years. Our enthusiasm stems from a passion for showcasing the wonders of Whistler. We firmly believe that the guest experience at the Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa will be an extraordinary and truly

GO WhISTLER TOURS APP DISCOVER THE

Choose your own adventure this summer with the free Go Whistler Tours app A curated series of self-guided tours that allow you to dive deeper, taking you on cultural journeys and nature explorations.

SELF-GUIDED TOURS INCLUDE:

◆ Art & Storytelling of the Skwxwú7mesh and Lílwat7úl

◆ Craft Beer

◆ Lost Lake Nature Walk

◆ Natural Wonders via Bike

◆ Weird & Wonderful Trees

◆ Whistler ’s Cultural Connector

WHISTLER.COM/SELF-GUIDED-TOURS

exceptional affair.”

To that end, an extraordinary experience in an already-world-class mountain resort doesn’t come cheap: full-service rates at Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa range from $12,500 per night in the off-season to $26,450 per night during the holidays, with a threenight minimum stay required.

Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa is slated

administrative officer (CAO) office was the only department to see an overall spending decline in Q1, decreasing 4.8 per cent compared to 2022, primarily due to pandemic-related communications and collaborations ending.

The mayor and council department saw the biggest increase in year-over-year expenditures, at 36.6 per cent. The increase is due to a pay raise for mayor and council— which was approved by the previous council—coming into effect at the beginning of the year.

The climate action, planning and development department saw the second biggest increase in expenditures, at 32.3 per cent, followed by community engagement and cultural services at 30.9 per cent.

Find the full report at whistler.ca/budget. n

to kick off full-service operations in midNovember, but is currently accepting bookings for more traditional vacation rentalstyle stays in September, October and early November at a discounted rate. “We would be delighted to host a few groups in the fall [and] hope we can bring some locals in to experience the space,” Holdsworth added in her email. n

Village of Pemberton approves Housing Accelerator Fund action plan ahead of application deadline— with some amendments

A SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICATION COULD MEAN MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HOUSING-RELATED INITIATIVES IN SPUD VALLEY

BY MEGAN LALONDE

IF ALL GOES ACCORDING to plan, the Village of Pemberton (VOP) could soon see millions of federal dollars flowing in to help ease the community’s ongoing housing crisis.

At a Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday afternoon, July 18, Pemberton’s mayor and council endorsed a grant application for Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) ahead of next month’s deadline— but not before hammering out a couple of amendments to the contents of the application VOP staff proposed.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) HAF is a grant program aiming to help municipalities like the VOP increase housing supply over a three-year period. The federal government launched the $4-billion HAF earlier this year to support “the development of complete, low-carbon and climate-resilient communities that are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse,” according to CMHC’s website.

The CMHC requires each local government to include an action plan in its HAF application, outlining specific steps the municipality intends to take to meet its housing demands.

To be eligible for funding, applications from small, rural, northern, Indigenous communities like Pemberton must contain a recent housing needs assessment, a commitment to submit periodic reports to CMHC, a housing supply growth target, and at least five initiatives the municipality will undertake to help meet those targets.

Pemberton’s mayor and council got their first look at that proposed action plan at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, when VOP sought support for the plan ahead of the HAF’s fast-approaching application deadline on Aug. 18.

The total number of dwelling units in Pemberton currently sits at 1,390. The VOP

predicts 308 new housing units will be added to its supply within the next three years, without any outside help from the HAF. With a HAF grant, however, the VOP projects that number would rise to 508 new permitted housing units available within three years. VOP staff estimate a successful HAF application could earn the Village about $6.67 million in grant revenue.

The HAF isn’t intended to fund specific housing projects. Rather, the incentive funding could help municipalities like Pemberton pay for everything from construction of affordable housing to drinking water infrastructure, public transit, and disaster mitigation.

The robust, 23-page action plan brought to VOP council on July 18 partly builds off the Age-Friendly Affordable Action Plan the Village completed in 2019, as well as the Housing Needs Assessment Pemberton’s elected officials received last month.

Though HAF applicants can include as many initiatives as they like in their action

plans, CMHC has made it clear it will evaluate funding eligibility through a scoring system that only takes into account the first five initiatives listed.

The top-five initiatives laid out in the VOP’s proposed plan are: creating a new housing strategy; investigating opportunities for infill housing; updating development approval processes (including waiving public hearings on all affordable housing projects that conform to Pemberton’s Official Community Plan); allowing increased housing density by eliminating rezoning requirements for multi-storey housing located within walking distance of transit stops; and finally, incentivizing and encouraging the development of new purpose-built rental units.

Those five initiatives are “not necessarily representative of a list of priorities for housing in Pemberton—this is what staff [believe] is the best way to position ourselves to be successful for this program,” VOP planner

Colin Brown told committee members at Tuesday’s meeting.

Other proposed initiatives on the action plan’s list include updating infrastructure; promoting “innovative housing types;” implementing new processes and systems; enabling mixed-use development or redevelopment of Village-owned properties; and studying the feasibility of a potential housing authority in Pemberton.

The Village’s elected officials appeared supportive of some initiatives outlined in the proposed plan, but skeptical of others.

Councillor Katrina Nightingale took particular issue with the elimination of some public hearings suggested in the third initiative. “I think transparency and accountability right now is paramount to good government, and I personally am uncomfortable with that,” she said following staff’s presentation.

HOUSING HUDDLE Pemberton’s Committee of the Whole on July 18 dove into an action plan that could earn the Village millions in grant revenue for housing initiatives.

PHOTO BY BENEDEK / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Lil’wat Nation elects new council

THE RESULTS ARE IN: GÉLPCAL ASHLEY JOSEPH RE-ELECTED CULTURAL CHIEF; FIVE INCUMBENTS AND SIX NEW OFFICIALS NAMED TO COUNCIL

BY MEGAN LALONDE

SIX NEW NAMES  will appear alongside some familiar faces at the Lil’wat Nation council table this summer.

With polls closed and the hundreds of ballots cast during the First Nation’s 2023 election on Saturday, July 15 now counted, the new councillors will officially serve alongside five incumbents and two returning chiefs for the next four years.

Voters in Mount Currie re-elected artist Gélpcal Ashley Joseph as Cultural Chief, after he was first elected to the position in 2019. Joseph won by a wide margin: he earned 293 votes this time around, compared to the 44 ballots cast for Cultural Chief candidate Maureen Andy and 120 for Vaughan Gabriel.

Community members also voted to re-elect councillors Kík7ak Helena Edmonds, Lhpatq Maxine Joseph Bruce, Saw ’ t Martina A. Pierre, Háma7 Alphonse Wallace and Renee Wallace. Joining the incumbents on the 11-member council are newcomers Stksik Joshua Anderson, Troy Leonard Bikadi, Xzumalúmalus  Roxanne Joe, Rilla Sampson, Christopher Wells and James Williams.

With 256 votes, Anderson earned the most support out of the nearly three-dozen council hopefuls on the ballot. Thirty-five candidates initially accepted council nominations in June of this year. By voting day, only one of those candidates had withdrawn, while another, Eagle Leo, was listed as deceased. Mámaya7 Lois Joseph was the sole incumbent candidate who was not voted in for another council term in 2023.

The election results come after Skalúlmecw Dean Nelson was acclaimed as Lil’wat Nation Political Chief last month. He was the only candidate in the running for the position following a nomination meeting at U ’ ll ’ us Community Complex on June 1.

LEADING ON Lil’wat Nation members re-elected Gélpcal Ashley Joseph—seen here delivering a TEDxWhistler talk at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in 2021—as Cultural Chief on Saturday, July 15. SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF TEDX TALKS/YOUTUBE

The former Xet ’ ólacw Community School P.E. teacher served two terms on council before he was elected Political Chief in March 2015—a decision confirmed in a re-election that July, and again in 2019. That made Nelson Lil’wat Nation’s first Political Chief elected under a new provision allowing for a four-year term in office, and under a new two-chief leadership structure. Prior to 2015, Lil’wat Nation operated under the governance of one chief and 12 councillors.

Voters cast a total of 463 ballots for both Cultural Chief and council this year, compared to the 575 tallied during Lil’wat Nation’s last election in 2019.

Lil’wat Nation counted a total registered population of 2,274 members as of June 2023. About 1,488 of those individuals live on-reserve in Mount Currie, making the Lil’wat the third largest First Nation in British Columbia.

The community is invited to bring their drums and join Lil’wat Nation’s newlyelected chiefs and council for an inauguration celebration at U ’ ll ’ us Community Complex on Tuesday, July 25 at 6 p.m. n

HOUSING ACCELERATOR FUND FROM PAGE 26

Coun. Jennie Helmer echoed those concerns, and also acknowledged a need to carefully structure any increases to Pemberton’s housing supply in light of the sky-high population growth Spud Valley has seen in recent years.

“I think we did an excellent housing needs report that points to the needs of the community, but we’re not able to appropriately match that through development because we can’t control who buys the units that we build— so we’re building a lot of market housing and incentivizing people to move here, but we still haven’t solved that problem,” she said.

Mayor Mike Richman countered that perspective. “I would say the HAF isn’t just encouraging us to grow, it’s encouraging us

to provide housing to manage the growth that we’re already experiencing,” he said.

“I don’t think that by subscribing to this, it’s saying, ‘OK, now go out and build as much as you can so that you can keep going as fast as you can to catch up.’ This is a way to help fund some of the initiatives that are identified through our housing strategy and our housing needs assessment … This is a way to get funds, perhaps, to support some of those initiatives.”

Ultimately, Pemberton’s Committee of the Whole moved to approve the action plan and direct staff to submit the application, with the caveats that the third initiative— encompassing the waiving of some public hearings—be removed and replaced with the infrastructure updates initiative. n

Are lift-free ski areas commercially viable?

ON JULY 10 , Bluebird Backcountry—the liftfree, human-powered ski area situated on Bear Mountain, Colo.—announced the operation’s permanent closure after running out of funding and failed attempts to secure a longterm investor.

Bluebird first opened as a Kickstarterfunded pilot project in 2019, and operated on

BY VINCE SHULEY

private land with minimal infrastructure of tents and yurts for its base area. A variety of no-frills accommodation was available, from car camping to cabins and on-hill “domes.” Bluebird had a total of more than 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres) of skiable terrain, with 485 ha (1,200 acres) of that area avalanchecontrolled and ski-patrolled. The peak elevation of Bear Mountain is 3,000 metres (9,845 feet) with a skiable vertical of 379 m (1,245 ft). From the photos and maps I looked at, the entire area is treeline with a handful of double-black runs.

Skiers would pay US$50 for a ticket to access the terrain and another $50 for twohour backcountry lessons from guides and instructors. Backcountry gear rentals and intro safety clinics were readily available, with an emphasis on education and letting aspiring

ski-tourers learn with confidence. Perhaps most attractive of all, everyone could bring their dogs.

Co-founders Jeff Woodward and Erik Lambert were motivated by what they saw as a growing market of entry-level backcountry enthusiasts. People were tired of both the congested traffic on Colorado’s infamous I-70 highway and also tired of the infamous lift lines that plague Colorado’s “front range” ski areas.

And for the most part, Woodward and Lambert were right. Bluebird was popular, and it opened at a time when pandemic

applies to any business: you have to spend money to make money. For Bluebird, the money dried up before the operation could turn profitable. High interest rates, fears of a recession, and general economic belttightening meant investors were less likely to back startups.

I was personally over the moon when Bluebird opened. It was the next logical step after a hybrid model like Silverton Mountain (also in Colorado), which offers backcountry skiing via a single lift, then hiking or touring into neighbouring bowls and chutes. But the comparison of the two is one of apples and

Backcountry Recreation area, located 45 minutes from Smithers. Hankin-Evelyn is more or less volunteer-run (with little in the way of commercial interest), and is the perfect place to learn how to ski tour.

The saddest thing about Bluebird’s closure is that it has set a precedent in the ski industry that will make other entrepreneurs think twice about attempting the same model of human-powered ski areas in their own regions. Mega-resort consolidations will continue to erode the alpine ski resort experience with cost-cutting measures. The option of heading straight to the backcountry is becoming more and more of a stress for search-and-rescue organizations.

demand for outdoor recreation was at its peak, with ski touring as one of the fastest-growing niches. Visits climbed every season and the accommodations were booked up every winter weekend. The Colorado Sun reported that sales climbed 22 per cent and visits were up 36 per cent in 2022-23 compared to the 2021-22 season.

So why did Bluebird fail? The first reason is an age-old recipe for the economic failure of ski areas: location. The three-hour drive from metropolitan Denver—which accounted for approximately 60 per cent of Bluebird’s business—was a strong deterrent for repeat visits despite the affordable options for multiday stays.

The second reason is just as familiar, and

oranges. Silverton also has a heli operation and a lot more expert terrain adding to its attraction for destination visitors. Bluebird was moreso helping to fill the ever-widening gap between beginner backcountry skiers and experienced and knowledgeable backcountry skiers with a safe environment in which to learn.

“The backcountry segment is growing rapidly, despite all the barriers to entry,” Lambert told the Sun in 2019, the summer before Bluebird opened. “We hope that we can revolutionize education by filling those gaps, and revolutionize the culture of skiing here in Colorado by giving people more options.”

The closest we have to Bluebird’s model here in B.C. is the Hankin-Evelyn

I’ve brought up the Hankin-Evelyn model before as a possible concept in the Sea to Sky to attract beginner ski-tourers and give them a safer place to learn, rather than cutting suicide skin tracks across the open avalanche slopes in the Musical Bumps. Operations like Bluebird prided themselves on fostering mentorship among up-and-coming ski tourers, which is severely lacking in our own ski-touring community. Volunteer organizations like Mountain Mentors do a great job of getting young women safely initiated into mountain environments, but the demand far eclipses the number of new candidates they’re able to accept.

What other options exist to make ski touring safer and less cowboy in the Sea to Sky? I’m not sure yet. Let me get back to you in a future column.

Vince Shuley is trying not to think too much about winter right now. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

Mega-resort consolidations will continue to erode the alpine ski resort experience with cost-cutting measures.

NEED A

Silverton Mountain Ski Area in Colorado offers backcountry skiing via a single lift, then hiking or touring into bowls and chutes.

CRANK IT UP

One year since its return, Crankworx Whistler is set to deliver new venues and ascendant riders in the same fan-friendly package bike aficionados know and love

By David Song

The bicycle’s earliest ancestor dates back to 1817, when German baron Karl von Drais unveiled a steerable, two-wheeled rig known as the “velocipede.” Contrary to its name (which may conjure up nightmarish visions of a swift arthropod perfectly adapted to kill humans), von Drais’ machine was awkward and impractical. It quickly fell out of favour—but the idea behind it did not.

up a awkward fell did by pedals for was name: how

By the 1860s, a number of Frenchmen innovated upon the velocipede by attaching pedals to the front wheel for increased locomotion. This particular model was also known by a rather gnarly name: “bone-shaker,” because that’s how unpleasant the ride was. Today, some sources estimate there could be as many as 2 billion bicycles on Earth, and that more than half of humanity knows how to ride one. Most do so for transportation, getting from point A to point B without the luxury, expense or greenhouse gas emissions of a car. Some, however, choose to ride for sport and leisure, and that’s where the fun really begins.

Since its inaugural season in 2004, Crankworx has grown into a world-class showcase for the sport of mountain biking. The Crankworx World Tour (CWT) features stops in Rotorua, Cairns and Innsbruck, inviting elite athletes from various disciplines to test their mettle at breathtaking venues around the globe. Yet most summers, Crankworx returns to the riding mecca where it all began: Whistler.

Riders from around the world will take to the highly anticipated 1199 track at Crankworx Whistler in 2023.

The 1199

The 1199

COVID-19 threw a wrench into the gears for two long years—pun intended—during which the Sea to Sky longed for the return of one of its favourite blockbusters. Athletes and fans re-emerged in full force when it finally did in 2022, causing Crankworx managing director Darren Kinnaird to remark it was like “hosting the world’s largest mountain biking family reunion.”

This year’s festival, scheduled from July 21 to 30, could reach even greater heights, he believes.

“We’re really looking forward to this year,” Kinnaird says. “I think last year was a ‘comeback from COVID’-type scenario, and this year, we’ve got a much longer runway to plan the event. There’s quite a few things that we’re working on that will be new.”

Chief among them is the launch of the highly anticipated 1199 track, named in honour of late Canadian downhiller Stevie Smith who racked up 1199 points to win the 2013 UCI World Cup overall title. It is approximately 2.4 kilometres in length and includes 500 metres of elevation change as it winds from near the top of the Creekside Gondola to just above Creekside Village.

According to Whistler Blackcomb’s mountain operations team, the 1199 is rated as a “Technical Proline’’ with natural and artificial features, boasting the largest drops and most committing lines in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Its upper section was featured as part of last year’s Enduro World Series (EWS) race in Whistler—itself a Crankworx event—as a teaser for what athletes and fans can look forward to come July.

“It’s going to be awesome,” says Kinnaird. “[The 1199] is a truly incredible track that the Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail crew has been working on for years, and so we’re really excited to unveil that to the world.”

Accordingly, Creekside will become more of a festival hotspot than it has been in years past. Several core events, including the dual slalom, pump track challenge, as well as the speed and style, will return to the Boneyard venue at the base of Whistler Mountain, making them more accessible for fans.

Local mountain biker Georgia Astle is excited for what’s ahead.

“I am a big fan of the Creekside zone from growing up on the south side of town and being there when it first opened up to riding,” she says. “I’m really looking forward to seeing it continue to expand and maximize the terrain we have to offer. Fitzsimmons zone is getting tired and busy; we love the spread.”

PHOTO BY CLINT TRAHAN

Giving Back

Giving back

By and large, the riders themselves are also very accessible. Elite professionals are known for taking time out of their busy weeks to sign autographs, pose for pictures and greet starstruck young children who could one day join them on the world stage.

Enduro star Jesse Melamed is one among many invested in the future of his sport. He coached mountain biking in Whistler for more than 10 years and is delighted to see some of the young guns he once mentored thriving on two wheels. Athletes such as Wei Tien Ho, Marcus Goguen and Finn Iles brushed shoulders with Melamed in their youth before establishing themselves as top-flight riders.

“I think it’s really cool to see Canada stepping up and having a lot of fast riders,” says Melamed. “I was always inspired and motivated by seeing Canadians on the World Cup circuit so, yeah, it’s cool to have maybe played a part in that for the younger generation.

“Mountain biking and sport in general is just so good for developing people into the best version of themselves.”

Astle concurs. “The fans bring the hype, so we love and really appreciate everyone out cheering on the sidelines,” she says. “It’s really cool to meet the folks of Crankworx and hand out jerseys to the kids. I remember all of my positive interactions with pro skiers and boarders as a kid, and they’ve stuck with me.”

Just like Melamed, Astle gives back to the community that shows her love. She’s coached some promising pupils, including Whistler teen Cami Bragg. Though just 14 years old, Bragg routinely holds her own in U19 events and is already a veteran of Crankworx races around the world.

“Georgia is awesome,” Bragg says of her mentor. “So many of the local girls look up to her and she helps everyone out in so many ways.”

Pembertonian Lucas Cruz is another homegrown talent who had a career-altering encounter at Crankworx. He met Smith years ago in the bike shop of his first sponsor, Evolution Whistler—a memory he’ll never forget.

“[Smith] is such an inspiration to all Canadian downhillers, and the legacy he has left behind is something very special,” says Lucas. “The new era of Canadian World Cup racers has become a part of his legacy, and I hope we can do the same by inspiring people to get out there and go fast!

“Crankworx is a special time when you can get up close and personal with fans, friends and family, so it’s important we take advantage of that. This is our time to put on a show but also give back to the community that shows us so much love and support. Plus, I used to be one of those fans, so I have to put it into perspective and enjoy the position I’m in!”

Enter the next generation

Enter the next generation

Grassroots youngsters like Bragg, Lucas and his brother Tegan again will join hundreds of internationally recognized names over the course of the 10-day festival.

Bragg reached Crankworx Whistler’s U15 podium three times in 2022, winning both downhill and air downhill and placing second in dual slalom. She admits to feeling some heat going into this year.

“Yes, there is definitely pressure,” Bragg says. “I’m fortunate to have the best support from YT Industries—their bikes give so much confidence—and locally from Evolution Whistler and NS Billet, which enables me to focus on racing. I’m also really excited to race the new 1199 track.”

Though they are a bit older, the Cruz brothers are just as thrilled to return to Crankworx on home soil.

Lucas missed last year’s downhill podium by roughly twotenths of a second as a pro, but does own two victories from 2019 in the downhill and air downhill. He’s grateful organizers scheduled the upcoming festival for July to accommodate World Cup riders like himself.

“The times were very tight between the top six or seven guys [in 2022’s downhill], so it’s always really good to have that kind of competition,” Lucas says. “And it’s kind of an even playing field this year because of a brand-new track, a very different track than the last race. I’m looking forward to it.” Meanwhile, Tegan has a DH silver medal from last summer in the U19 age category. He got to stand on the podium with his friend Jackson Goldstone, who won that day, and he’s no doubt looking to ride even faster this time around.

The Cruz brothers haven’t gotten to do many Crankworx events over the last few years due to their busy World Cup itineraries, but they always look forward to coming home where the sidelines are packed with loved ones and start lists are riddled with heroes of the sport.

“Everyone knows Whistler. Everyone thinks of it as one of the best places to ride mountain bikes in the world,” said Tegan. “And when you put a full-size event like Crankworx into the mix, it’s pretty amazing.

“You never see so many professional athletes and people who just love to ride their bikes up the mountain at the same time.”

Indeed, there will be many big names putting on a show this month. Bas van Steenbergen of Vernon looks to defend his King of Crankworx title from last year, as does reigning Queen of Crankworx Caroline Buchanan from Australia.

Meanwhile, the enduro universe looks to dethrone incumbent EWS overall champion Melamed, including his former Rocky Mountain Race Face teammate Remi Gauvin. On the women’s side, Andreane Lanthier Nadeau has waited an entire year to avenge her disappointing fifth-place result last time out.

For more information, and the full schedule of events, visit crankworx.com/whistler. You can also find the official Crankworx event guide on newsstands across town. ■

Cami Bragg of Whistler looks forward to defending home turf at Crankworx Whistler in 2023.

Georgia Astle launches herself at a Crankworx Whip-off event in 2022.

PHOTO BY BORIS BEYER

VIP @ RED BULL JOYRIDE

Want to experience high-flying slopestyle action up close?

Red Bull Joyride is the premier event in slopestyle mountain biking! This is where careers are made, champions are crowned and legends are born. The Red Bull Joyride VIP Pass is your ticket to the center stage! As a VIP pass holder, you’ll have exclusive access to the Red Bull Joyride VIP Pass zone on Saturday, July 29th, 2023. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy two refreshing beverages and an assortment of tasty appetizers.

Your Red Bull Joyride VIP Pass includes:

Exclusive VIP viewing area

2 drink tickets

Passed appetizers

Access to full-service bar

$199 CAD

SATURDAY, JULY 29

CREEKSIDE VIP @ ROCKSHOX CANADIAN OPEN DH

Downhill fans rejoice!

On opening weekend, we are offering front row seats to witness the RockShox Canadian Open DH with our Creekside VIP pass. Enjoy the best seats in the house for all the action from the all-new “1199” downhill track inspired by late Canadian downhill legend, Stevie Smith. Featuring boulder fields, rock gardens, old growth trees, cliffs, and beautiful, fastrolling dirt– this is one gnarly track you truly have to see to appreciate.

Your Creekside VIP Pass includes:

Premier seating for Canadian Open DH

Brunch/Lunch at Nita Lake Lodge

2 drink tickets

Catered food options

Shuttle service to/from event finish area (located at the Creekside Timing Flats)

$159 CAD

$189

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Georgia Astle back in the saddle for Crankworx Whistler

THE LOCAL CONTENDER PRAISES SEA TO SKY BIKE FANS FOR BRINGING ‘UNBEATABLE’ VIBES TO HER FAVOURITE EVENT

BY DAVID SONG

DESPITE BEING born and raised in one of the world’s great mountain biking paradises, Georgia Astle did not spend as much of her childhood on two wheels as one might expect. In fact, her competition days didn’t begin until she joined her high school mountain bike team and realized that downhill—rather than cross-country—was her discipline of choice.

It took a little while, however, for Astle to bring her gear up to snuff.

“I didn’t have a mechanic or anyone to educate me on bike setup at that point, so I just had no clue what was the right stuff to run,” she admitted. “I remember riding ‘Hey Bud’ for the first time on a 120-millimetre travel bike that I raced the local cross-country races on. The seat tube was so high that I probably went over the bars six times.

“I was instantly sold on the steeps and saved up to upgrade to a slightly more capable trail machine. Coming from skiing and boarding, I already had the foundation of liking to go downhill fast.”

‘IT WOULD BE PRETTY SPECIAL’ Astle’s family spent most summers out of town, which meant she rarely got to take part when Crankworx rolled around. Her first true taste of the beloved festival came in 2014: as a 16-yearold athlete, she rode in the Open Women’s category before U21 existed as its own age bracket.

Courageously (and perhaps a bit cluelessly), Astle stepped into the arena astride a short travel bike with thin crosscountry sidewalls on her tires.

“This was the year of the infamous Crankzilla course,” she recalled. “Thirtytwo-degree heat, over 65 kilometres and four flat tires later, I limped into the finish line.”

Far from being deterred, Astle has participated in every edition of Crankworx Whistler since then. Her kit has improved considerably, as have her skills.

In addition to a pair of Crankworx Whip-Off medals earlier this year—silver in Rotorua and bronze in Innsbruck—the 26-year-old has experienced success on home turf. She took second in the 2019 air downhill and third in that same event last year.

Said third-place finish did not come easily, for Astle had competed in the 2022 EWS race just a day prior. It was the first time in eight years that she’d done any enduro under the Crankworx banner, and she wound up 15th after a difficult day.

“It was so tough and I was physically

drained at the start of the week, but pulled through for a podium [in the air downhill]— which I was pretty surprised by, to be honest,” Astle said. “It’s always a nice reminder while going through those big days how far I can actually push myself, both mentally and physically.

“I always come out the other side feeling accomplished and relieved to be done.”

Astle appreciates the social aspect of enduro, but isn’t sure if she’ll try it this time around. This time, it will be the final race on the Crankworx Whistler calendar, and she plans to be cognizant of her physical and mental state throughout the week. Enduro presents a different challenge from the more sprint-oriented disciplines: one must play the long game, mitigate the risk of crashes or mechanical issues, and find top speed while keeping energy in reserve throughout the day.

In downhill, though, Astle is a proven contender with the resume to back up her high hopes.

“It would be pretty special to take the win on my favourite track in the world this year,” she said. “It’s also one of the most competitive and tightest to clinch, though.”

NOTHING BETTER

Despite having been around the globe for all manner of competitions, Astle is hard-pressed to find an event that can top Crankworx in her

backyard. In her opinion, the hometown fans bring “unbeatable” vibes and it is hard to top being cheered on by swaths of loved ones.

“The bike community is worldwide, but mostly everyone comes to hang or at least wishes they could be around for Crankworx,” Astle said. “The Sea to Sky hosts a lot of passionate people that make absolute magic happen in this beautiful place. That means there’s a lot of respect and acknowledgement for the land we live on, the sense of community and helping each other out to get everyone stoked for being outside.”

Astle herself holds great respect for the land, the sport and the community. Past interactions with professional skiers and snowboarders stand out in her mind, and her fan-friendly nature is an acknowledgement of the platform she now has. The Whistlerite gives back by coaching new waves of mountain bikers with organizations like TaG Cycling, the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) and Ride Like a Girl.

“Coaching kids that already have a baseline love for sports is so fun,” Astle said. “All the talent is there, and you just have to harness the stoke and pass on your bits of knowledge to them. I can’t wait to get back into coaching properly when I have a bit more time to give.”

Crankworx Whistler runs from July 21 to 30. Keep it locked to Pique Newsmagazine for coverage of your favourite riders and events throughout the festival. ■

CRANK IT UP Georgia Astle on her bike during Crankworx enduro action in 2022.

PHOTO BY BORIS BEYER

Lucinda Jagger named Canada Snowboard’s new vice president of sport

JAGGER HAS SPENT THE LAST NINE YEARS AS A VP WITH WHISTLER SPORT LEGACIES

BY DAVID SONG

AFTER NINE YEARS with Whistler Sport Legacies (WSL), longtime local Lucinda Jagger has been named the new vice president of sport for Canada Snowboard.

“I think what really jazzes me about this opportunity is that [Canada Snowboard] is a really progressive organization that wants to lead with values and people and culture first,” she said. “I’m so passionate about the power of sport, but the power of sport [is unlocked] when sport is done well, and it’s peoplecentric, and that’s what the organization for me represents.”

The organization, in turn, is glad to have her.

“What an amazing opportunity for Canada Snowboard to have such a strong leader, mentor, and sport visionary join our team as the VP of sport,” said Canada Snowboard CEO Dustin Heise in a press release. “Lucinda Jagger will undoubtedly bring a great deal of sophistication and leadership to Canada Snowboard’s high-performance systems while ensuring a connection to each stage of the snowboard pathway.”

In her new role, Jagger will serve as highperformance advisor to six Olympic and Paralympic snowboard programs, and as an athlete development advisor working with 10 provincial and two territorial snowboard programs. It’s a lofty set of responsibilities, but one that she is equipped for.

A DECORATED RESUME

In 2014, Jagger became WSL’s own vice president of sport—back then a brand-new role. In conjunction with WSL president and CEO Roger Soane and other directors, Jagger helmed the growth of athletics in the Sea to Sky corridor across multiple realms, including the Whistler Nordic Development Centre, BC Sliding Development Centre and Whistler Olympic Park. In total, she has spent more than 30 years contributing to Canadian athletics at various levels.

One of the largest feathers in Jagger’s cap is the key position she filled in training the 2006 Chinese Olympic aerials team, leading them to that country’s first snowsport gold medal and the first gold medal ever won by a Chinese man (Xiaopeng Han) at the Olympic Winter Games.

Also on Jagger’s resume are stints on the board of the Canadian Luge Association, the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, and Own the Podium. She has collaborated with major players like Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and Canadian Paralympic Committee to arrange funding and other types of support for athletes across varied disciplines.

“My biggest takeaway [from those

experiences] is how passionate people are about the opportunity to pursue mastery,” she said. “Once you get to a team of people who have that level of dedication and passion, you can do some pretty phenomenal things.”

Originally from a small town in rural Alberta, Jagger moved to Whistler with her family in 1981. Trading in her 4H cow for a pair of Crazy Canuck skis, she quickly found a place in the Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) under Nancy Greene’s tutelage.

Jagger competed in various provincial and national-level races in high school before coaching for 11 years. She holds the distinction of being the WMSC’s first female

or

Children are welcome until 10pm ever y day, kids menu for 12 years old and under available.

FIS coach and has worked with local athletic organizations like the BC Luge Association and Whistler Adaptive Sports Program in addition to WSL.

SPORT AS A CONTINUUM

Along the way, Jagger watched Whistler blossom from a small ski town into a diverse hotbed for all kinds of sports: skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hockey and more.

“A really important part of my sport philosophy is that sport exists on a continuum, and everyone deserves access to a quality sport experience,” Jagger explained. “Young athletes come from somewhere, and giving youngsters the opportunity to grow themselves and learn about themselves is really important for me.”

In return, most athletes hold great respect for Jagger and what she brings to the table.

“On behalf of Canada Snowboard’s Athlete Council, we were delighted to be part of the VP of sport interview panel and ultimately having Lucinda Jagger demonstrate she is the right person for VP of sport,” said Canadian Olympic snowboard cross racer Zoe Bergermann in a release. “We are excited to welcome her to the CS family and see the great work she will lead in collaborating with the highperformance snowboard athletes on each team as they become the best snowboarders on the planet.” n

“[G]iving youngsters the opportunity to grow themselves ... is really important for me.”

- LUCINDA JAGGER

Let us eat lettuce!

THE UNDERDOG OF THE VEGGIE WORLD IS A TOP DOG IN DISGUISE

YOU USE it in nearly every salad you make. Burgers—and most sandwiches—wouldn’t be the same without it. Or, if you’re like me, and simply love eating leaves, you’ll grab it just for snacking. Better than chips!

Some people call lettuce the un-sexiest veg on the plant, or at least an underdog. As for me, I love it and have always thought it’s vastly overlooked. Then I loved it even more once I started researching this column.

The name “lettuce” is from Middle English via the Latin lactuca, with lac

BY GLENDA BARTOSH

meaning “milk,” because of its milky juice. But the more surprising bits are embedded in its provenance.

Lettuce has probably been cultivated for at least 5,000 years, first by the ancient Ancient Egyptians for the oil from its seed. It can handle bio-geoclimatic zones from the tropics to the Arctic. And early documentation from the late 1800s shows an amazing array of more than 1,000 different types of named lettuces, even back then, with maybe 140 true types in seven different cultivars or varieties. Like leaf or bunching lettuce; romaine or cos (for the

Greek island of Kos); and crisphead or iceberg (the best-selling lettuce in the U.S., one originally transported in crushed ice, ergo the name). Butterheads like Boston and Bibb, plus celtuce grown for its stalks in Asia, oilseed lettuces still used for their oil, and more.

Turks enjoy their fine Maruli lettuce, and Koreans their sang-chi-sam (lettuce lunch). Still, lettuce seldom ranks high on most people’s food-radar unless, like I did, you get your hands on an amazing sample, which means a locally grown one.

My lovely lettuce came from Ice Cap Organics. It was so beautiful (a perfect fan of deep green ruffled leaves with slight seablue notes), and delicious (tasty and crunchy, without being bitter or tough) that I dialed up Delaney Zayac. He and his wife, Alisha, have owned and operated their five-acre farm in Pemberton for 15 years, after they both were tree planters.

First thing Delaney asked for was a photo. Dang! It was so yummy we’d gobbled it up in one go, so he had to rely on my verbal description. But he’s pretty sure it was the Tropicana variety from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, a non-GMO supplier in Maine.

“It’s a pretty classic green-leaf variety but I don’t see it in the grocery stores a lot,” Delaney says. Keep in mind that lettuce grown in California or Mexico, where most of B.C.’s produce comes from, especially in winter, may spend up to four weeks, or more, in cold storage before it hits a store shelf!

things like the crazy heat and drought farmers everywhere have been dealing with as the climate crisis worsens. Ice Cap fields hit temperatures over 50 C more than once two summers ago, when Lytton burned down, and already they’ve faced several 40-plus C days this year.

“The thing is, when you grow stuff you have to choose what grows well in your location and it’s different everywhere,” he says. “Even in different parts of Pemberton, people will choose different varieties for

ALL HAIL CAESAR!

different reasons.”

Then there are differences in farmers’ habits and the ways they manage their fields, plus the Zayacs know what their customers want. Probably most people in Sea to Sky know them for their CSA (Community Sustained Agriculture) harvest boxes, where you sign up online for a full or half-season and pay in advance to enjoy their 100-plus varieties of fresh, organic produce delivered to your door. But, surprisingly, Ice Cap’s biggest market is the West End Farmers’ Market, where I bought my spectacular lettuce, so they choose varieties that suit those customers.

Tropicana may be beautiful in their hands—see those gorgeous heads, above? Those were started in the greenhouse then transplanted as seedlings into the ground about a month ago. But that’s just the start. They also grow green butterhead; red butterhead; green and red leaf lettuces; a French variety called panisse, which is a lighter green, and very lobed; and, of course, romaine, which everyone loves in Caesar salads (see sidebar), including the Zayacs. Even their kids, Ira, 13, and Annika, 11, have loved lettuce since they were young.

“Every day we eat salad for at least one of our meals, and usually there’s a lettuce involved... We eat all the different ones, because they’re all there, so we probably go through at least four heads of lettuce a week,” Delaney says.

BIGGER THAN

YOUR

HEAD With all the sun and good irrigation,

amazing heads of Tropicana leaf

“As you say, it gets really big and thick and crunchy, but it doesn’t get tough or bitter. And it handles heat really well…”

Heat, moisture levels, soil type and conditions—all of these factor into what farmers like Delaney and Alisha have to consider when choosing their crops. Especially

Who doesn’t love a Caesar salad, starring crispy romaine lettuce? Count me in, especially after living in San Diego for years. We’d often visit the greyhound racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, and one night after the races we hit Caesar’s Restaurante-Bar. There the first Caesar salad was created in 1924, by Caesar (Cesare) Cardini, an Italian immigrant who moved his business across the border when Prohibition hit. Hollywood stars loved Tijuana in the ’20s, and the story in San Diego was a couple of glitzy couples waltzed in afterhours demanding something to eat after the kitchen—and racetrack—were closed. Creative Caesar whipped up the first Caesar salad, using cut-up toast for croutons. The more official version says he made it after the kitchen ran out of ingredients. So, no, the Caesar salad is not from Rome. BTW, you should use lime, not lemon juice, for the dressing. n

Something we all could take a lesson from. Experts and non-experts alike are telling us to eat ourselves “younger” by eating way more fresh greens—and lettuce is right up there.

first Caesar salad at the Beverly Hills Hotel. n

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who ate her

these

lettuce Delaney Zayac harvested at Ice Cap Organics are as big as a small backpack and weigh about two pounds.

PHOTO BY IRA ZAYAC

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE

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

IN PERSON REGISTRATION JULY 17-31 AT MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE -PARENT/GUARDIAN REQUIRED

• July 17 - registration opens for resident beginner youth (aged 13-18)

• July 24 – registration opens for all Sea to Sky youth residents (aged 13-18)

• $50 deposit per day required to register but refunded after participation (Credit card only) REGISTER FOR ONE OR BOTH DAYS. PRIORITY GIVEN TO RESIDENT BEGINNER YOUTH.

Audain Art Museum hosting Flowers from the Wreckage exhibit

THE WORK OF JAPANESE ARTIST MANABU IKEDA WILL BE ON DISPLAY UNTIL OCT. 9 IN THE TOM AND TERESA GAUTREAU GALLERIES

BY DAVID SONG

SEA TO SKY art enthusiasts have something new to feast their eyes on this summer as the Audain Art Museum unveils Manabu Ikeda: Flowers from the Wreckage. The exhibition will be on display until Oct. 9, and showcases the rich and detailed work of Manabu Ikeda. Born in Saga, Japan in 1973, Ikeda has travelled extensively throughout Asia and North America, with stints in Vancouver and Madison, Wis. under his belt.

Unlike some artists who dabble in multiple mediums, Ikeda has remained stylistically consistent throughout his career, drawing on paper with pen and acrylic ink. Over time, he has branched out from using solely black ink to incorporate more diverse and complex techniques into his repertoire.

“[Ikeda’s] work really speaks to humanity at large,” remarks Audain curator Kiriko Watanabe. “He expresses a number of issues associated with living on the Earth.”

FROM THE ASHES

Central to many of Ikeda’s drawings are themes of nature, grief, resilience, and the dynamic relationships between human civilization and the natural world. Such metaphors are especially prevalent in three

of the exhibition’s most notable pieces: Foretoken, Meltdown, and Rebirth. Together, they relate to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and their impacts on the collective Japanese psyche.

The first of the trio, Foretoken, was conceptualized in 2008 and depicts a giant, intricate wave. Said wave is not one of water, but ice, with people enjoying various winter sports upon it—reflecting in part Ikeda’s own love of skiing. Needless to say, his view of the painting and that of others irrevocably changed three years later, when Japan was rocked by the most powerful earthquake in its history.

“That work is derived from the earthquake and the subsequent nuclear disaster in Japan, but his messages are not just for people in Japan,” Watanabe comments. “The reason that he incorporates elements from different places is because these disasters could really happen anywhere.”

Ikeda’s masterpiece, Rebirth, took more than three full years (2013 to 2016) to complete. True to its name, the three-by-four-metre drawing—which incorporates transparent watercolour in addition to pen and acrylic ink—embodies an optimistic message that life is cyclical and that humanity can rise above even the greatest calamities.

The mighty tree dominating the piece

meticulously-drawn detail that he delivers,” says Watanabe. “Because they’re so small, so microscopic, even the viewer will have to work quite hard to … comprehend what it is that they’re looking at.

“From a distance, you may see a wrecked ship or an old tree, and that’s the larger image of the artwork. Then when you start to observe details, you realize what you’re looking at may not be what you originally thought it was.”

Outside of drawing and skiing, Ikeda enjoys fishing, hiking, and catching insects, but nature is not his sole source of inspiration. He is also influenced by elements of Japanese culture, particularly from the 1970s and 1980s—the heyday of anime. Ikeda has enjoyed a variety of anime shows and mangas from Dragon Ball to Captain Tsubasa, and his approach to drawing is at times reminiscent of a manga artist.

Ikeda was in Vancouver at the time. According to Watanabe, he was afflicted with emotional turmoil upon learning of the tragedy, and struggled for a while to make new art. Newfound inspiration arose from visits to Banff and Jasper, which spurred Ikeda in 2013 to create Meltdown, which depicts a sprawling, industrial metroplex suspended above a lake by a gargantuan block of ice.

The theme is poignant: byproducts of human habitation and innovation will eventually melt the ice, causing everything to plummet into a previously-calm lake and trigger ecological catastrophe.

was inspired by a visit Ikeda took to Japan’s disaster-stricken areas after the earthquake. While there, Ikeda remembered seeing one skinny tree that remained standing amidst a tsunami-devastated landscape. It was a stark symbol of resilience that he won’t soon forget.

IN THE DETAILS

As patient as he is detail-oriented, Ikeda does not cut corners in the creative process, and many of his drawings contain more than meets the eye.

“The main characteristic of his work is the

Though he hasn’t experienced hardship on the level of the Tōhoku earthquake, Ikeda has faced adversity in his own career. He broke his right arm skiing in the mid-2010s and was forced to teach himself how to draw with his left hand. In fact, he managed to illustrate the upper left portion of Rebirth as a southpaw.

According to Watanabe, Flowers from the Wreckage is a survey of Ikeda’s work that spans 20 years, with the oldest piece in the exhibition dated 1998 and the most recent from 2021. Until Aug. 30, Audain guests will also be able to witness the artist progress on his latest (currently untitled) drawing and learn more about his techniques during studio hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the museum’s Upper Galleries. n

MAJOR DRAW Manabu Ikeda standing in front of his currently-untitled new work in progress.

PHOTO BY ERIC BAILLIES/COURTESY OF MANABU IKEDA AND THE MIZUMA ART GALLERY

“The main characteristic of his work is the meticulously-drawn detail that he delivers.”

- KIRIKO WATANABE

World-class photographer Max Steven Grossman to visit Four Seasons Whistler

GROSSMAN’S WORK IS FEATURED ACROSS THE GLOBE, FROM SPAIN TO HIS NATIVE COLOMBIA TO THE WHISTLER CONTEMPORARY GALLERY

BY DAVID SONG

INTERNATIONALLY recognized photographer

Max Steven Grossman is to grace the Four Seasons Resort Whistler on Monday, July 24 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for a meet-and-greet in the Lower Gallery.

Grossman is truly a global citizen: he was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and has studied in New York City and Philadelphia. Life has taken him across many borders to nations such as India, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, Canada and the United States. His work can likewise be found in galleries around the world, including Los Angeles, Miami, Long Island, Palm Springs, Hong Kong, Argentina, and Spain, as well as the Colombian cities of Bogota, Cartagena and Barranquilla.

Local art enthusiasts may have seen his photographs on display in the Whistler Contemporary Gallery.

PARADIGM SHIFT

One of Grossman’s signature series is “Bookscapes”: kaleidoscopic collages of books from different stores and settings arranged around a particular topic. As a passionate reader, Grossman feels that electronic media cannot fully replace the experience of turning a physical page, and his images capture a poignant sense of what once was.

“It’s kind of like a nostalgic reminder of the things that we lose,” he explains. “I have a daughter. Of course, I try to read to her and show her the importance of books, but every class that she goes to [as she gets older], they have less books in their bags, and they have just an iPad or some electronic device that you can access all the information through.

“Things are shifting, and there are fewer and fewer bookstores every year.”

Grossman’s entire photography career was borne of a paradigm shift in his own life. He is the son of a textile company owner, and studied textile engineering as a young adult. In that regard, he was not so different from other residents of Barranquilla, where taking the path of least resistance is common.

“I grew up in a very close community where it was like: you just follow your path and you’ll be secure in that little path,” Grossman says. “You just stay confined in the town, and you go to work, and you get married, and you have kids, and life goes on.

“But I had always something in me that was making me look for other ways and try different things.”

Travelling the world opened Grossman’s eyes to myriad differing cultures, beliefs and ways of life. Years after completing his engineering degree from a university in Philadelphia and taking a job in his native country, he realized the corporate world of cubicles and quarterly reports simply wasn’t

EL PATIO THURSDAYS

for him.

Ironically, he found the key to his future in his former office: an old-school, Canon A-1 analog camera that no one else took ownership of.

HIS TRUE CALLING

Grossman had little to no photography experience at this point, but he quickly signed up for a course. His first mentor impressed upon him the value of travelling, not just for leisure and life experience, but also to sharpen his picture-taking skills. Grossman’s first assignment was a trip down the Magdalena River, and before long he found himself in Israel and Jordan.

The former engineer had discovered his calling.

In 2000, Grossman graduated from New York University’s International Center of Photography with a master of arts. Studying in the Big Apple helped him learn to shoot buildings and architectural features in addition to the nature photos and geometric images he was already proficient in. Today, Grossman has 10 galleries in Canada and the United States alone.

Now firmly entrenched in the realm of visual arts, the Colombian nonetheless feels his first career has lessons to teach him.

“What I really liked about engineering is that they teach you to think of a problem, and you have to find the [right] tool,” he says. “There are many tools to solve the same problem, so with this engineering background, I can access many tools.”

Grossman’s proverbial toolbox equips him to make the most out of each source of inspiration. Nature continues to provide all kinds of creative stimuli for him, whether it comes in the form of a snow-capped mountain, a pristine, glacier-fed river, or a serene hike through old-growth forests. Whistler, of course, has all of these things and more, and Grossman knows it: years ago he dropped by for a ski trip with a friend.

“It was fantastic,” he recalls. “I think: all the ideas that you have, they are already in nature. You just have to look at them, to take them from there.”  n

the spirit of Spanish gatherings

Kirk Hulse

(1948 — 2023)

Adventurer, Explorer, Leader

Kirk Hulse, devoted father, loving husband, cherished brother, and generous friend, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2023 in Squamish, BC. Kirk was born in Dallas, Texas in 1948, yet spent most of his life in California and Asia. Kirk had an affinity for leadership, passion for giving back to his community, and a love for adventure. Kirk’s professional career in technology took him to bustling locales like Singapore and Japan. Kirk’s enthusiasm for the outdoors never waned; he sailed, ran marathons, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, and was an avid skier.

Kirk moved to Whistler with his wife, Janice, in 2011, where he continued his adventure. Over the years, he shared the majesty of the mountains with family, friends, and visitors from across the world. Off the slopes, Kirk served as a community-at-large member for Whistler city council. He was honored with a civic service award for his contributions. As a cornerstone of his home and community, Kirk contributed over 2,000 hours volunteering—supporting all that Whistler has to offer including Village Hosting, Mountain Hosting, Cornucopia, the Sliding Centre, and IronMan.

Always the learner and explorer, Kirk coupled his love of travel with wine. As a certified sommelier, he was a welcome addition to any social gathering or time with friends. His generosity, kindness, and determined sense of adventure will always be remembered.

A celebration of life will be planned in the coming months. For those wishing to honor Kirk, donations to the BC Parkinson’s Society would be appreciated. Notes of condolence can be made through Squamish Funeral Chapel website.

Kirk is survived by his wife, Janice, his two sons, Mitch and Matthew, and his sister, Vicki.

GREAT ESCAPE Internationally renowned photographer Max Steven Grossman is visiting the Four Seasons Resort Whistler on July 24.

PHOTO SUBMITTED.

Tamarisk

FP3 1400 Al ta Lake Road

• 912 sq feet 2 bed/2 bath with 2 parking spots

• Prime location at Alpha Lake

• New appliances, windows roof and membranes

• Private dock with plenty of storage for bikes, canoes, etc

$949,000

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

Pember ton

208-1436 Por tage Road

• Spacious 2 bed, 2 bath at 1061 sq feet

• Steps to One Mile Lake, restaurants and shops

• Underground parking in-suite laundry & storage

• South facing balcony with lots of light

$610,000

CRANKWORX

Whistler

202 2007 Nordic Place

• Ground level 1 bed + den/ 1 bathroom

• Centrally located between Creekside and Whistler Village

• Easy access to Valley Trail and nearby lakes Private balcony and storage

$7 19,000

JUL 21 AUG 5

CRANKWORX

A world-famous festival celebrating the heart and soul of gravity-fuelled mountain biking, Crankworx Whistler brings together the best riders and biggest bike fans in the world for 10 days of racing, slopestyle competitions, Kidsworx events, bike demos and the chance to shred Whistler’s trails with other like-minded bike fans. Find full event listing at crankworx.com.

> July 21 to 30

> Whistler

Pember ton

1406 Poplar Street

• 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 2058 sq ft

• Additional 1 bed/1 bath suite

• Short walk to downtown Pemberton and High School

• Fantastic views and ample parking

$952,500

> Prices vary

HEAR AND NOW: IN THE PARK

Join us for a live and local music series every Sunday until September 3 in Rebagliati Park. Immerse yourself in diverse genres, connect with fellow music lovers, and let the melodies transport you to a world of sonic delight. Don’t miss this vibrant community experience where live music meets the beauty of nature. These concerts are free and everyone is welcome. Catch Stephen Vogler & The West Coast Front on July 23.

> Every Sunday until Sept. 3, 1 to 3 p.m.

> Rebagliati Park

> Free

WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET

A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities. Markets happen every Sunday until Thanksgiving on October 8, with the addition of Saturday markets on July 1, August 5, September 2 and October 7.

> Sunday, July 23

> Upper Village

> Free

SUCCESS WITH FAILURE: STRATEGIES FOR THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE

A conference for continuing medical education. New diagnostic tools, drugs, and devices will be reviewed along with their role in specific clinical situations. Integration of guidelines and clinical management will be highlighted. The program format includes interactive, case-based discussions, surgical and medical perspectives to ensure a lively and relevant educational opportunity for all participants. Email ctri@mayo.edu for more info.

> Aug. 3 to 5

> Fairmont Chateau Whistler

> $900

PHOTO BY CHRIS PILLING

Sea to Sky Locals SAVE 15% off all treatments at The Spa at Nita Lake Lodge.

*Excludes RMT - locals flat rate of $155 available

Swapping horses for bikes

BY ALLYN PRINGLE

www nitalakelodge com/spa @spaatnita 604-966-5715

PUBLIC INFORMATION

OPEN HOUSE

Where: Pemberton Community Centre

When: Saturday, July 22nd, 2 - 5 pm

Prospect Place Pemberton Townhomes Ltd

Prospect Place Pemberton is a 59-unit townhome proposal located a short walk from the downtown amenities and businesses in Pemberton. Our proposal contemplates a mix of 3 Bedroom + Den, 3 Bedroom, and 2 Bedroom units, The land encompassing Prospect Place Pemberton is identified within the Village of Pemberton Official Community Plan as Residential Zoning

If you can’t make one of the information sessions, check us out on our website at Prospectplacepemberton.ca, send us an email, we want to hear your thoughts and answer your questions

Developer contact: Hannah van Mook Hcvanmook@gmail.com

THERE ARE many competitions and races that take place during Crankworx, which is back in Whistler for the end of July, however, one bike-related event that you’re unlikely to come across is mountain bike polo. While bike polo is not overwhelmingly popular in the area today, in 1989 there were mountain bike polo championships held in Whistler.

Although the horses are replaced by bikes, bike polo is similar to the traditional sport of polo, in which the aim is to drive a ball through the goal of the opposing team using mallets. Traditionally, bike polo is played on grass courts, but over time hardcourt bike polo has become more popular. Though the rules vary depending on where the game is played, it appears to be consistent that players

Mountain bike polo came to Whistler in the summer of 1988. Games were played on Sunday evenings at Myrtle Philip School (then still located in Whistler Village) and there were plans to form a local league. That first summer must have gone well, because they were still playing in 1989 and even had plans to host a championship tournament.

The “World Mountain Bike Polo Championships” came to Whistler from Aug. 17 to 20, 1989, coinciding with Labatt’s CanAm Challenge held on Blackcomb Mountain. There was some controversy between the organizers from Quebec, who wanted to hold the matches on a gravel field at the bottom of the Wizard Chair, and the local players, who preferred the grass at Myrtle Philip School where they had been playing each Sunday. The local players won out, and eight teams competed for the top spot on the school field. Though most of the teams came from Canada

The “World Mountain Bike Polo Championships” came to Whistler from Aug. 17 to 20, 1989, coinciding with Labatt’s CanAm Challenge held on Blackcomb Mountain.

must hold the mallet in the right hand and their handlebar in their left and have no parts of their body touching the ground in order to touch the ball or attack an opponent.

The Whistler Question provided two different accounts of how the sport began: in the June 16, 1988 edition, it claimed that the sport was invented in 1987 at a mountain bike competition in Colorado; in the August 3, 1989 edition, the Question reported that a group of windsurfers from Quebec created the sport when there was no wind and they came across some friends playing croquet.

The more widely accepted history of bike or cycle polo is that it was adapted by a retired cyclist named Richard J. Mecredy in Ireland in 1891. It was a demonstration sport at the 1908 Olympics in London, and saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1980s.

and the U.S., there was reportedly one team from Australia, kind of—it was made up of Australians who were living in Whistler.

In the end, Whistler’s Mountain Mutants placed first, winning various prizes including a mountain bike, a pair of television sets, answering machines and, of course, PoloRalph Lauren gift certificates. According to Neil Collins of the Mountain Mutants, “Everyone had fun, but it was pretty competitive; we trashed a fair number of wheels, bikes and bodies.”

Bike polo is still played in cities around the world today, though its popularity waned again after its 1980s surge. There are currently (as far as we are aware) no mountain bike polo teams in Whistler, and it seems unlikely that it will be featured in Crankworx anytime soon. n

POLO POSITION Eric Crowe (left) and Jim Warren fight for control of the ball during a mountain bike polo game at Myrtle Philip School.

WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION, MIKE YOUDS, 1988

*Proof of full-time residency in the Sea to Sky (Squamish to Pemberton) required

Free Will Astrology

WEEK OF JULY 21 BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your deep psyche will soon well up with extra creativity and fertility. I hope you will eagerly tap into these gifts. You should assume that you will be more imaginative and ingenious than usual. You will have an enhanced ability to solve problems with vigour and flair. In what areas of your life would you love to gently erupt with a burst of reinvention? Which of your habits might benefit from being cheerfully disrupted? Give yourself permission to change whatever bores you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): My teacher Paul Foster Case said the colour yellow is midway between warm, exciting red and cool, calming blue. “Yellow has an equilibrating influence,” he wrote. “It stimulates the finer functions of the brain, is of assistance in developing alertness and discrimination, and helps to establish emotional balance.” According to my astrological analysis, Taurus, you should emphasize this hue in the coming days. If you call on yellow to help strengthen the qualities Case describes, you will place yourself in sweet alignment with cosmic rhythms.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Because I enjoy joking with you, I am slightly tempted right now to give you one of the following nicknames: Fidgety, Twitch, Jittery, Quivers, or Shakes. But I will take a more serious tack. Let’s instead see if we can influence you to slow down, stabilize your rhythm, get really steady and secure, and stand strong in your foundational power spot. Would you consider adopting any of the following nicknames? Anchor, Unshakeable, Sturdy, Rock Solid, Staunch, Steadfast, Resolute.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The sometimes overly clever author Oscar Wilde said, “When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.” I reject that warped view of reality and assure you it will have no bearing on your life in the coming weeks. If you formulate your prayers with care and discernment, they will lead you to rewards, not problems. Maybe not the exact rewards you imagined, but still close to your hopes and helpful in the next chapter of your life story. (PS: No sloppy, lazy, careless prayers, please. Be precise and clear.)

Eagle Leo Abbott

December 14, 1978 - July 3, 2023

It is with the utmost regret and unfathomable loss that this muthaship announces the death of son, Dad, Uncle, brother, cousin and Bro Eagle Leo Abbott aka Running Buffalo. Eagle is loved by all of us. We gathered to ease his pain of leaving this world. He fought to the very end to remain here for the 100 years he promised us. Born December 14, 1978 - left us July 3, 2023.

Barely Surviving are his Mom Maureen Andy, Wife Shannon Williams, Son Jayden, Daughter Cherese, beloved nephew and Sisters Raven & Cha. His passion was cooking, snowboarding, and developing friendships everywhere he went. He bled Black & Silver as a Raiders fan. His favorite sayings:

"To the East" and "It ain't easy having pals" We love you sohn.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo theologian Bernard McGinn defines mysticism as “the consciousness of the immediate presence of God.” In other words, people having a mystic experience are filled with a visceral sensation of the divine intelligence. It’s not just an idea or concept; it’s a deeply felt communion infused with intimate tenderness. You Leos will be more likely than usual to have such contact in the coming weeks—if you want it. If you don’t want it, or don’t believe it’s real, or don’t think it’s possible, well, then, you can of course resist it. But why not give it a whirl? There’s nothing to lose, and it could be fun.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Here’s a parable for you. Once upon a time, there was a woman who could read the future in the night sky. She regarded the planets and stars as her divine informants. On one moonless evening, she took a walk down a dirt road near her home. It was so dark she could barely see two feet ahead of her. Oops! She should have brought a flashlight. Lost in wonder, she gazed up at the heavenly bodies, watching and listening for revelations they might have for her. Then one of the lights, the planet Saturn, whispered, “Stop and look down, friend.” The woman turned her eyes from the sky to the ground just in time to find she was two strides away from stepping into a deep, muddy hole. What’s the moral of the tale? Here are some possibilities. 1. Sometimes the heights provide useful information about the depths. 2. Soaring visions may help you tune in to practical details. 3. To become aware of important facts you’ve overlooked in your daily rhythm, consult your higher mind.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A Libran writer I know received many rejection notices when he launched his career. I was amazed at how undaunted he was. In fact, he was the opposite of undaunted. He taped copies of his rejection notices to his bedroom wall. Seeing the evidence

of his failures motivated him. It drove him to improve his writing and churn out even more articles. It fuelled his search for a wider array of publications that might host his work. During the fourth year of this approach, luck and fate turned in his favour. Within the next eight months, 12 of his pieces appeared in print. My muses tell me, Libra, that you need to hear this story right now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The cartoon character Bart Simpson is one of the stars of The Simpsons animated TV show. According to him, “Life is a paradox. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” While that principle may sometimes be true, I believe you will be exempt from it in the coming weeks. In fact, I suspect you will be as free as it’s possible for a human to be of gruelling contradictions, frustrating oppositions, clashing truths, and paralyzing contraries. There’s a good chance you will also outwit and avoid annoying incongruities and silly arguments. Congratulations in advance, Scorpio! Take full advantage of this phase of simple clarity.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The dragon has appeared in the myths and legends of many cultures. Europe, China, and Mesoamerica are just a few places where the fire-breathing flying reptiles have fascinated the human imagination. In some traditions, they are dangerous and predatory. In China, though, they have been harbingers of good fortune and symbols of great power. Emperors claimed the dragon as their special emblem. In assigning the dragon to be your soul creature, Sagittarius, I am drawing from Chinese lore. What would you like to accomplish that would benefit from you having access to fierce, dynamic, indomitable energy? Call on the dragon for help and power.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “There is a world of people who will love you for who you are,” writes author Cheryl Strayed. “A whole, vibrant, fucked-up, happy, conflicted, joyous, and depressed mass of people.” In the coming months, one of your prime tasks is to specialize in communing with these folks. Make it your intention to surround yourself more and more with interesting, imperfect, ever-changing life-lovers who appreciate you for exactly who you are—and who inspire you to grow more and more into the full idiosyncratic glory of your authentic self.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): What psychic or prophet is most popular with A-list celebrities? I can assure you it’s not me. Few of my millions of readers are world-famous. What about the planet’s most scientifically accurate astrologer? Who might that be? It ain’t me. I don’t regard astrology as a science, and I mistrust those who say it is. In my view, astrology is a mythopoetic language and psychospiritual system that nurtures our souls and helps liberate us from our conditioning. We shouldn’t try to get “scientifically accurate” information from it. Now I encourage you to do what I just did, Aquarius. Have fun telling people who you are not, what you don’t believe in, and which goals you aren’t interested in pursuing.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): To come up with your astrological reports, I study the positions of the sun, moon, and planets in relation to your sign. That’s the technical part of the work, the framework within which I unleash my intuition and imagination. To augment this work, I meditate and pray, asking higher powers to guide me in providing useful information for you. I often consult books written by my favourite astrology writers. (Currently reading Steven Forrest’s The Elements series ) I also ask my deep mind to slip me info that might not be accounted for by traditional factors. How about you, Pisces? How do you do the work that you love and care about? Now is a good time to take inventory and make necessary adjustments.

Homework: Is there anyone you love that you could or should love better? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

In-depth

Youth Summer Workshop Series

Carving with Gwaliga Hart | July 24 - 28 | 10am - 3pm

Carve your own masterpiece with Haida carver, Gwaliga Hart! In this week-long workshop, students will learn about Haida carving traditions, appreciation for the art, the materials and tools used to carve, and receive instruction on different carving techniques.

$250 per person

Members save 10%

Next month’s workshop is Architecture with the Zenga Brothers from August 7-11. Learn more at audainartmuseum.com/upcoming-events-engagement.

Designed for students ages 11-18.

HOME SERVICES

WHISTLER CAY HEIGHTS

Victoria Shilston

SharedAccommodation1bdin4bd house Owneroccasionallythere.Idealfor singleperson.Useofallcommon areas,furnished,fullyequipped,hot tub,views.5minwalktovillage. Parkingindriveway.1yearlease.All utilities,technologiesandlaundry available.AvailableSept1,2023604657-1008weden@telus.net MULTIPLE

E victoria@mountaincountry.ca T 604-932-0677 x4 PROPERTY

604-932-0677

Ray Wiebe 604.935.2432

Pat Wiebe 604.902.9300 raymondo99.69@gmail.com HANDYPERSON

Woodworker&Handyman

.Updatingkitchencabinet,Vanity .RepairsandReno .Casing

.Finishing

Services

HEALTH & WELLBEING

FullTime

SeekingLaborer,apprenticesand carpentersforfulltimeposition buildingcustomhomesinWhistler BCandarea.Noexperiencenecessary,willprovidetraining.Competitivewagesandgreatbenefit packageavailableafter3month probation.Dental/extendedmedical,RRSPcontribution,gasallowances.Ifinterested,pleasefeel freetocontactthroughemailor callAlanat604-849-1304604-849 -1304 bmakconstruction@gmail.com

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District seeks quotations for miscellaneous services including moving of boxes and basic carpentry (including building and assembling shelves) at our Pemberton office. A minimum of two people are required for this work (one day).

Please email quotes, including August availability, to: planning@slrd.bc.ca with Moving/ Carpentry Assistance in the subject line.

Deadline July 31, 2023 @ 4:30pm.

Howe Sound Women’s Centre–Whistler Women’s Centre location is Hiring!

COMMUNITY PROGRAM MANAGER - 40hrs/wk, 12 Month Maternity Leave Contract Position

Closing Date: July 28, 2023.

For more information and job description, please visit https://hswc.ca/careers/ Facebook: @HoweSoundWomensCentre

Please direct your inquiries, cover letter and resume to: Christina Walsh • cwalsh@hswc.ca

We are looking to hire another member to our team at Straightline. Experience in Plumbing is required. Gas Fitting and HVAC would be preferred but not essential. Wages are based on experience, Starting between $44-52/hr.

Part-time or Full-time positions available. Accommodations are available.

Please call 604-935-8771 or email straightlineplumbingandheating@gmail.com for more information.

IS HIRING

Part Time & Full-Time Cooks

• Set schedule

• 8hr day shifts only

• Minimal experience required

• Start immediately, permanent position

• Beer perks

• $18-22/hr depending on experience

• 3% tip out on food & draft

• Must be 19+ & Valid Food safe required Full Benefits Package & RRSP Matching for Full time

Email jenniek@whistlerbeer.com

Whistler’s only dedicated wedding magazine.

AVAILABLE ON STANDS IN THE SEA TO SKY

Free Housing

Join our team of Plumbers and Gas Fitters Hiring 3rd and 4th year apprentice or journeyman candidates with experience in service/repair work.

• Offering competitive wages

• Providing fully stocked truck, tools, and phone

• Extended health plan available.

• We can hire skilled foreign workers and support permanent residency applications.

• Short-term accommodation availablefree of charge. Long term housing options available as well.

Send your resume to: Dough@spearheadsph.com

WE ARE HIRING W H I S T L E R

•

Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Operator Full Time, Permanent (CUPE 2010)

Responsible for the operation and maintenance of our Class II Waste Water Treatment facility, we’re looking for candidates who are comfortable working independently and understand the health and safety measures related to WWTP operations.

Join the Village of Pemberton team and give back to this incredible community by being a part of the exciting projects taking place throughout the Village. In addition to the satisfaction of giving back to the community, take a look at what our benefit package has to offer for all full time, permanent staff:

9-Day Fortnight - BC Municipal Pension Plan - Extended Medical Benefits - Dental Coverage - Vision Benefits - Free Fitness Centre access - Keeping it Active Allowance

Interested? Send your resume to recruiting@pemberton.ca. For a full job description or to learn more, visit pemberton.ca/employment

WE’RE HIRING

Labourer needed to help on the ground: holding lasers, shoveling, spotting excavators etc. Knowledge in mechanics to help with small servicing jobs on trucks and machines while slow an asset.

C-Mac Contracting Ltd is a company based out of Pemberton.

Experience with site prep excavating and service installs on residential homes a plus.

Compensation: Negotiable upon experience

Employment type: Full-time

Please email resume to: cmac.cont@gmail.com

WE ARE GROWING....SO WE ARE HIRING!

Our team is expanding and so we are looking for a Certified Dental Assistant and a Registered Dental Hygienist (Full or Part Time).

NEW GRADS WELCOME! COMPETITIVE WAGES BASED ON EXPERIENCE.

NO EVENINGS OR WEEKENDS! Great extended benefit package and uniform allowance (after 3 months of employment) & free parking!

We pride on being a supportive and positive work family while always providing honest, quality dental care for all our patients. We are locally owned and operated. Our staff are long term residents of Whistler, Pemberton & Squamish. Is this you too?

If so, we want to hear from you!

Please send your resume and a little about yourself to: managercreeksidedentalwhistler@gmail.com.

Manager

Status

: Director of Finance

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

Status : Full Time – Permanent Reporting to : Health Director Salary : $93,475.20 - $101,556 annually

The Assistant Health Director is responsible for providing the overall leadership, direction, and management for the planning, development, implementation and administration of Maternal Child Health, Patient Travel, Assisting Living, Pq’usnalcw Health Center and Lil’wat Health and Healing Center, Programs and Services.

Closing Date: July 26, 2023

For more information, or to apply for this position please visit our careers page https://lilwat.ca/careers/

•

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

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.

www.whistlerwag.com Protect

increasing temperatures, it is far too dangerous for dogs to be left in vehicles. Heat stroke, coma and death can result even with the windows left open. Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/careers Resort Municipality of Whistler Employment Opportunities · Lifeguard/Swim Instructor · Skate Host · Wastewater Treatment Plant Process Supervisor · Labourer I – Village Maintenance · Youth and Public Services Specialist · Legislative and Privacy Coordinator · Program Leader · Lifeguard/Swim Instructor · Solid Waste Technician · Accountant • Assistant Festival, Events and Animation Coordinator • Human Resources Coordinator • Lifeguard/Swim Instructor • Program Leader - Myrtle Philip Community Centre Resort Municipality of Whistler Employment Opportunities

Please email resume to  info@rolandswhistler.com

HIRING WE ARE

Why work for us?

Bylaw Enforcement & Animal Control

Community Planning

Economic Development

Engineering

Facilities

Public Works

RCMP

Recreation

Senior Management

Legislative Services

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

• Community Patrol Officer – Casual/On-Call (Multiple Positions)

• Plan Examiner 2 – Regular Full-Time

• Business Development Specialist – Regular Part-Time

• Manager of Environment - Regular Full-Time

• Engineering Technician – Regular Full-Time

• Custodian – Regular Full-Time

• Utilities Technologist – Regular Full-Time

• Utilities Operator In Training (OIT) – Temporary FullTime (2 positions)

• Detachment Clerk – Casual/On-Call

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

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

• Director of Human Resources – Regular Full-Time

• Clerk 2 – Casual/ On-Call

• Clerk 4 – 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

NESTERS MARKET & WELLNESS CENTRE NOW

HIRING

Deli, Bakery, Produce, Grocery and Meat Clerks.

Cashiers

Journeyman Meat Cutter

Nutritionist

Full or Part Time

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

PERKS

• Competitive wage – Depending on experience

• Flexible and set schedule

• Relative training

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.

**SIGNING BONUS** $1000 (FT)

Guest Service Agent

Night Auditor

Assistant Housekeeping Manager

Lead Housekeeper PLAY

Full Time all year round

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

piquenewsmagazine.com/jobs

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

BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS DISPATCH & CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT

ABOUT US

Blackcomb Helicopters is the leading helicopter tour and utilities company in the Pacific Northwest. In operation for over 30 years, we offer helicopter tourism and adventures like Sightseeing, Hiking, Picnics, Biking, Proposals, Weddings and more from our Whistler base. We also offer a wide range of utility and civil services including searchand-rescue, heli-skiing, medevac for our partner Whistler-Blackcomb, utility, mining, film, and fire-fighting. Blackcomb Helicopters has bases in Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, Sechelt, Lillooet, the Bridge River Valley, Metro Vancouver and Calgary to serve Western Canada and beyond. Blackcomb Helicopters is proud to be a 100% Carbon Neutral Company.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Dispatch & Customer Service Agent will be the first point of contact for customer calling or entering the Blackcomb base. This role is responsible for the check-in and processing of payments for all of helicopter customers, answering phones and ensuring precise and professional communication in directing calls or requests, taking reservations for tour bookings, flight following, and assisting various managers in day-to-day operations of the base.

YOU WILL

• Book and schedule tourism flights, provide quotes to customers, flight follow and prepare flight reports;

• Arrange couriers between our bases for managers and other employees;

• Perform general office administration such as ordering new office supplies and other related duties;

• Assist managers on various administrative tasks and other duties;

• Assist Marketing and Sales with marketing initiatives and other tourism related work.

YOU HAVE

• Minimum 2 years of office/administration experience;

• Firm knowledge of Microsoft Office and Word programs;

• Excellent interpersonal skills and superior customer service skills;

• The ability to multi-task and shift focus quickly;

• Strong organization and time management skills;

• An energetic and warm personality.

THE FINE PRINT

Blackcomb Helicopters is dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer and to that end, want all barriers removed to ensure a fair screening process for all candidates. We ask all applicants to ensure you do not include any personal information on your application and remove pictures from your resume if you have them.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to attention to: Human Resources at mcleanhr@mcleangroup.com noting “Dispatch & CSA Application” in your subject header

321 IR10 Road, Mount Currie, B.C., V0N 2K0 p: +604-894-0151

fax: +604-894-0152 | e: info@sshs.ca

JOB POSTING: PROGRAM AND CONTRACTS MANAGER

Position Title: Program and Contracts Manager

Location: Mount Currie, BC (Hybrid negotiable)

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $65,000 to $75,000 (Based on experience)

Other Benefits: SSHS offers a competitive benefits and employment package for full-time staff

Closing Date: July 31, 2023

Position Overview: Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society (SSHS) is seeking a highly motivated and skilled full-time Program and Contracts Manager to join our Indigenous non-profit health organization. The Program and Contracts Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing various programs and contracts and agreements aimed at improving the health and well-being of the four communities that SSHS serves: N’Quatqua, Samahquam, Skatin, and Xa’xtsa First Nations. This position requires exceptional organizational skills, strong leadership abilities, and an in-depth understanding of Indigenous culture and health issues. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of programs, managing contracts, agreements, and partnerships, and supporting the organization’s mission “to honour the health of The People by working together to deliver holistic health services”.

JOB POSTING: BOOKKEEPER

Position Title: Bookkeeper

Location: Mount Currie, BC (Virtual or Hybrid negotiable)

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $48,000 to $52,000 (Based on experience)

Other Benefits: SSHS offers a competitive benefits and employment package for full-time staff

Closing Date: July 31, 2023

Position Overview: We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Bookkeeper to join our team. As the Bookkeeper, you will be responsible for helping manage the financial records and transactions of our organization, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and financial stability.

About Us: SSHS is a non-profit Indigenous Health Organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. Our organization provides culturally appropriate healthcare services, programs, and initiatives to support the holistic health of Indigenous individuals and families.

For a detailed version of the job postings please contact Julia Schneider or visit our Facebook page: Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society

Please submit resume and cover letter by email to Julia Schneider, Executive Assistant to the Interim Health Director, at julia.schneider@ sshs.ca. Please include in the subject line your name and the position you are applying for.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!

Journalist

Pique Newsmagazine has a rare opportunity for an experienced and committed journalist to cover local news, politics and First Nations issues while working with a team based in North America’s premier mountain resort.

The successful candidate will be tasked with covering the Lil’wat Nation and the Village of Pemberton—neighbouring communities with a unique relationship, both of which are growing substantially year over year.

The candidate will produce 8-10 relevant news stories per week, as well as at least four cover features during an initial one-year term of employment. The role includes some evening and weekend coverage, and the successful candidate will be required to be in the Mount Currie and Pemberton area regularly.

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

Ideally, you have experience in covering First Nations, municipal council, elections, and governments at all levels. Other relevant skills include copy editing, long-form feature writing, video editing, and Instagram posting and story creation.

The stories you produce will be shared on Pique Newsmagazine’s website and social channels, as well as those of our sister publications and through other news outlets as part of the federal government’s Local Journalism Initiative.

This is a 12-month position funded through the federal government’s Local Journalism Initiative.

Located in the mountain resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, Pique Newsmagazine is the unequivocal leader in reporting, interpreting and understanding the culture of the Coast Mountains and what it means to those who live, work and play in Whistler. At 29 years young, we’ve established ourselves as the locals’ publication that is inquisitive and edgy, provoking conversation and building community. With our peers we’re acknowledged perennial winners at the BC & Yukon Community Newsmedia Awards (BCYCNA) and Canadian Community Newsmedia Awards (CCNA) for general excellence and reporting categories, as well as several Webster Awards honours over the years.

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

To apply, send your resume, clippings, or other relevant materials, as well as a cover letter making the case for why we should hire you, by 4 p.m. on July 28 to: Braden Dupuis at bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com

Full-time & part-time

LOOKING FOR A FRESH START?

Get involved in something new and different for Whistler dining!

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

JOIN

TRAVEL CONSULTANT

Full Time, Year Round

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

Our Travel Consultant team sells entire Whistler vacation packages to guests via online chat, phone, and email. The Travel Consultant role requires a positive team player with excellent communication skills and knowledge of Whistler, and an enthusiasm for customer service.

What we offer: a flexible schedule (4 x 10 hour days) offering work-life balance, a commitment to health and wellness, competitive compensation and benefits package, and a fun team environment.

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

MAINTENANCE

TECHNICIAN/CLEANER

Full Time, Year Round

*LIMITED HOUSING AVAILABLE*

Love a good challenge? Passionate about the place you call home? Tourism Whistler is looking for community-loving, mountainappreciating, environment-respecting people to join our Building Operations team.

The Maintenance Technician/Cleaner, along with the other Building Operations team members, is responsible for the general cleaning, beautification, and minor repairs of the Whistler Conference Centre, Tourism Whistler administration offices, and the Whistler Golf Club. This role requires a positive team player with cleaning/ maintenance experience.

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

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

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

Deciphering the delusions of Canada’s new tourism strategy

VINDICATION? Or just magical thinking?

I suspect the latter. And given the source of the comments, I’m not sure the former will register with the many, many people who took umbrage with the more, how shall I put this, blunt version of the statement uttered by Whistler’s former mayor.

A number of years ago—I could be more specific if I had a better memory or Pique had a better search function*—Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden made an off-thecuff comment about Whistler needing fewer brown-baggers visiting town. That is to say, tourists doing Whistler on the cheap,

BY G.D. MAXWELL

not contributing to the town’s well-being by spending a lot of money while they were here. Low-rent tourists.

In her defence, she was being typically facetious. Hyperbolic. It is one of her more endearing personality quirks. But a quirk best shared with friends over drinks, not with media who’d report it as though it were a call to keep the barbarians at the gates and not let them in.

The ensuing firestorm of righteous indignation from people who either were brown-baggers themselves or stood in solidarity with their parsimonious brothers and sisters was foreseeable. “I’ll be taking my brown bag somewhere else... so there!” was the least obnoxious of the sentiments hurled against Her Worship.

Understandable, as it played into the myth of Whistler being a town of the rich and fatuous, a myth on-target with some segment of the people who visit here and way off the mark for most of the people who live here.

But memory, particularly political memory, being what it is—which is to say limited and generally short-sighted—I’m wondering how many who read it might have simultaneously translated Minister Randy Boissonault’s comments, “We’re going to be mindful about who we invite, and we want more high-value guests, so that they’re not overly bothered by paying...” as a more polite way of saying, Brown-Baggers Stay Home! (See related stoy on page 15.)

It’s understandable the Minister would have no knowledge of our last attempt at winnowing the well-heeled from the BYO crowd. And as much as I’d like to think everyone reads Pique, I won’t be surprised if his comments fly under the radar of the formerly indignant.

That said, much of the rest of what Minister Boissonault was reported as saying clearly falls under the category of magical thinking. Not surprising, considering the current Liberal government has confused magical thinking with science-based decisionmaking again and again, but disconcerting

nonetheless.

According to Minister Boissonault, “Canada, for too long, took a passive approach to tourism. The thought was, people are just going to come because we’re so great and we’re so nice here. Then the rest of the world woke up to the fact that the visitor economy is found money. You bring people into your community or your province and it gets on your books as an export, and it supports local communities.”

Found money? What does that mean? Tourism as an industry is about as far from found money as you can get. Want an example of found money? Think logging. Logging companies didn’t plant the trees, although they’ve been forced to plant replacements.

Years ago it took lots of men with strong

who know what they’re doing, profile, and support to be successful.

You don’t just “bring people to your community.” You have to make them want to come. And you have to make it easy for them to come.

It’s pretty easy for tourists to get to Whistler. Vancouver is only two hours away— six if there are problems crossing a bridge or transiting the Sea to Sky Highway. Ironically, it’s much harder for employees to get to Whistler thanks to short-sighted decisions by successive provincial governments who consider regional transit a third rail.

But when the new federal tourism growth strategy, Canada 365, talks about “Improving infrastructure and modernizing the travel

world than it is to safe and reliable. Add to that an obscenely high cost of flying anywhere within the country except from and to major urban centres, and it’s clear the vast majority of tourism will continue to shadow the vast majority of Canada’s population... located on a narrow strip of land close to the U.S. border.

But it’s the remainder of the sentence initially quoted above that makes me wonder where the Minister keeps his magic wand: “... not overly bothered by paying what the sector needs so that people can actually make a living wage and have a long-term career here.” Italics mine.

Virtually no one—even those pulling down enough to make the SOFI list, a mere $75,000 annually—makes a “living wage” in a town where an efficiency condo in Creekside sells for $700,000 and a single-family teardown will run multiple millions. The only way most people who make a wage, living or not, can afford to live in this town, stay in this town, and even contemplate raising a family in this town, is if they’ve been lucky enough to secure housing through the Whistler Housing Authority, have a robust trust fund, enjoy housing that’s been in their family since Whistler was a pipe dream, or won a lottery.

arms and backs to fell a tree. Lots more to get it out of the forest. Now it takes a huge machine and one operator to harvest more trees in a day than used to be cut down in a week. That’s found money.

It still takes the same number of underpaid—and too frequently exploited— people to cook tourists breakfasts, serve them and clean up after them as it did 100 years ago. Tourism is not only labour intensive, it has to, increasingly, offer something people can’t get as easily or can’t get as good as what they can get here. It takes vision, infrastructure, people

experience,” I have to wonder what country they’re talking about. “Inter-provincial motorcoach services, high-frequency rail between urban centres and light-rail transit within urban centres, as well as safe and reliable road infrastructure all provide the foundations for a seamless visitor experience in Canada.”

Canada fails on three out of four of those modes of transportation. No inter-provincial motorcoach service, little high-frequency rail between even urban centres, and a road infrastructure that is closer to the developing

Sadly, no matter how many wellheeled visitors Whistler attracts in the future, that calculus isn’t going to change. If accommodation were 100-per-cent full at double the current prices, if restaurants were fully staffed and prices were double, if everyone left town with bags of logowear, we’d still be left with workerbees who weren’t sharing in the benefits. To believe otherwise is, well, magical. Okay, delusional.

*(Editor’s note: a very quick Google-assisted search of Pique’s engaging and must-see website confirms it was 2017.) ■

You don’t just “bring people to your community.” You have to make them want to come. And you have to make it easy for them to come.

STOCKSTUDIOX / GETTY IMAGES

4660-325 Blackcomb Way, Lost Lake Lodge : Move-in ready 2br end-suite in Lost Lake Lodge with a private deck. Amenities include a heated pool, hot tub, exercise room, and owner lockers. Conveniently located. Use it year-round or earn from nightly rentals. $1,625,000

Sam Surowy

604-902-9754

843-4591 Blackcomb Way: Perfectly positioned at the base of Blackcomb Mountain; a truly picturesque setting you will find The Four Seasons Resort - a one of a kind Whistler offering that is absolutely in a class of its own. $975,000

Maggi Thornhill PREC*

604-905-8199

307 – 2109 Whistler Rd: Top floor end unit with multiple storage areas. Walking distance to Creekside Gondola. Zoned for full-time owner use or nightly rentals. Generate significant income through AirBnB or similar with no Tourism Whistler fees or GST! $583,000

Allyson Sutton PREC*

NEWTOMARKET

604-932-7609

2928 Big Timber Court: One of the last large lots over 27,000 sq.ft. / 2,500 sq.m. in this exclusive neighbourhood. Kadenwood offers Whistler mountain ski-in / ski-out and nearby access to private gondola. Build your legacy home or phase 1 nightly rental residence. $4,490,000 (GST exempt / sample homeplan)

Kathy White PREC*

604-616-6933

1721 River Run Place: Vacant building lot in the desirable new community of River Run along the Lower Cheakmus River. Being sold with building plans and building permit in hand. Build this summer! GST is paid. $1,799,000

Kerry Batt PREC*

604-902-5422

2016 Tiyata Boulevard, Pemberton: . This newer home, completed in 2020, comes with the balance of a new home warranty and the benefit of numerous owner upgrades. This 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom floor plan comes with several flexible living space configuration options. $1,559,000

Maddi MacDonald

NEWTOMARKET

604-313-2029

1307 Eagle Drive, Pemberton: A masterfully built 4br/6ba home with unobstructed views across the Pemberton Valley. Roof top deck, ready for gardens, hot tub and entertaining; 1br suite, large flex room, radiant heating, workshop, double garage and much more! Call today to view. $2,900,000

Ken Achenbach

604-966-7640

10-39758 Government Rd, Squamish: 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 1/2 duplex. Centrally located in the Arbour Woods complex. Over 1,600 sq ft, open layout with post & beam features, high ceilings, fir staircase, hardwood floors, gas fireplace, huge double car garage and 3 decks. $1,189,000

Kathryn Marsh

Follow

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

whistler.evrealestate.com

604-902-9505

2645 Rhum & Eigg Drive, Squamish: Situated on an RS-2 zoned 10,000+ sq.ft., lot this property boasts a south-facing backyard, an oversized garage, a legal revenue suite, a nanny suite, ample parking, an open floor plan on the main floor which flows seamlessly to the back deck. $2,295,000

Angie Vazquez PREC*

778-318-5900

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