Pique Newsmagazine 3105

FEBRUARY 2, 2024 ISSUE 31.05

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The mental-health challenges of elite youth athletes

14

JOIN THE FIGHT RMOW plans to fully staff Fire Hall No. 3

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STAY SAFE Calls for assistance to WSAR picking up

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HEART AND SOUL Photographer David Yarrow to speak in Whistler

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

28

26

34

Big dreams and high demands The mental-health challenges of elite youth athletes. - By By Katherine Tamminen, Courtney C. Walton, and Jordan Sutcliffe

14 JOIN THE FIGHT

The Resort Municipality of

22 WATERS RISING

The Village of Pemberton

Whistler plans to fully staff Fire Hall No. 3 south of the village—which will

declared a state of local emergency this week, as rising waters threatened

have tax implications for residents moving forward.

people’s safety and property.

15 STAY SAFE

28 MAKING GAIRNS

Calls for assistance to Whistler Search

and Rescue have picked up as of late, after a quiet start to the 2023-24

Whistler-based ski-cross

national teamer Tiana Gairns is learning to trust the process.

ski season.

17 AT YOUR SERVICE

Local non-profits will see

34 HEART AND SOUL

Renowned Scottish photog-

a little extra in the way of Fee For Service funding from the Resort Munici-

rapher David Yarrow brings his future-facing ethos to a talk at the Whis-

pality of Whistler this year.

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Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@piquenewsmagazine.com Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@piquenewsmagazine.com Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@piquenewsmagazine.com Advertising Representatives TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com GEORGIA BUTLER - gbutler@wplpmedia.com Digital/Sales Coordinator KATIE DOUGLAS - kbechtel@wplpmedia.com Production - production@piquenewsmagazine.com Arts Editor ALYSSA NOEL - arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

NEW

NEW

THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Weekend Forecast Inside

Weekend Forec Ins

SEE PAGE 36 >>

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS

With each falling raindrop it gets harder to deny—the early opening act

of spring is underway in Whistler (for now at least).

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers weigh in on everything from ski alternatives in the Sea to Sky corridor to greenwashing and rail revival.

13 SKI-TOWN RUNDOWN Winter arrived, for a spell, and then receded—but Whistler is still faring better than many other ski areas near and far.

46 MAXED OUT Max waxes poetic about the first real skis he ever owned—a mustard-yellow pair of Völkl Renntigers.

Environment & Adventure

23 THE OUTSIDER Columnist Vince Shuley explores the practicality of electric vehicles in a mountainresort setting.

Reporters SCOTT TIBBALLS - stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com RÓISÍN CULLEN - rcullen@wplpmedia.com DAVID SONG - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com ALYSSA NOEL - arts@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,

Lifestyle & Arts

32 EPICURIOUS The new-and-improved Alpine Café is open to visitors, and getting a great response from locals.

36 MUSEUM MUSINGS Revisiting the early days of cross-country skiing in Whistler.

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OPENING REMARKS

The early opening act of spring NO MATTER WHERE I went or who I spoke with this week, a common thread seemed to weave its way through my conversations.

Up the mountain for the Whistler Pride parade; in the queues of drunk Aussies celebrating Australia Day in Whistler

BY BRADEN DUPUIS Village; and even passing by a conference of otolaryngologists at the Hilton as I searched in vain for a free table at the Cinnamon Bear.

An eclectic bunch, to say the least, but all spouting some version of the same refrain: sure feels like spring out here, eh?

As much as I’d like to, it’s hard to deny it. As the rain methodically washes away the snow in my yard; as my thoughts turn to bike rides by sprouting skunk cabbage and hungry, under-hibernated bears; as I eye the winterized barbecue by my door, I start to accept the early opening act of spring may be officially, if prematurely, underway, whether we’re ready or not.

And then I start to wonder about the longer-term impacts all this rain is having on Whistler’s forests and ecosystems.

According to local biologist and founder of the Whistler Naturalists, Bob Brett, Whistler has seen a big change in summer creek flows in places such as the River of Golden Dreams (ROGD) in the past couple years.

“That’s consistent with glacial melt: there’s less total meltwater, and it doesn’t extend as far into the summer,” Brett said in an email.

“With lower water levels, water temperatures can be expected to increase.

These changes affect fish and also, in the case of the ROGD, recreation.”

As of Tuesday, Jan. 30, Whistler Blackcomb had a base depth of about 143 centimetres, up from the 99 cm measured at the beginning of January, but well below where things should typically stand in late January (read more about that on page 13).

A low snowpack only compounds the issues with water levels, Brett noted.

“Many of the forests in Whistler established in wetter conditions, especially subalpine forests that support ancient yellow cedars and other species. Soils in those forests would have remained moist well into the growing season, partly due to precipitation but also due to delayed snowmelt,” he said.

“The sub-surface movement of rainfall and snowmelt through the soil is much slower than when water is channelized in streams or ditches. (One hidden impact of logging is that the criss-cross of roads brings sub-surface drainage to the surface, and thereby helps to

At that point, WB was able to open and maintain key alpine routes, with the exception of Showcase T-bar and lift access to the Blackcomb Glacier.

“Additionally, the warmer-than-average temperatures limited our ability to produce artificial snow at times in November and December. We worked strategically with our snow-producing equipment to maximize periods of favourable temperatures as they developed,” Francis said.

“The arrival of arctic outflow conditions the first week of January provided an optimal period for us. During that 11-day span, we were able to convert 97 million gallons of water to snow production, building and locking in all four ski-outs and our Valley Kids carpets, while delivering various training venues to local clubs for athlete development.”

WB is currently directing snowcat resources nightly to help prepare the Showcase

Historically, WB would be 100-per-cent open at this point—but the mountain operator isn’t losing hope for the remainder of the 202324 ski season. “[W]ith favourable weather conditions we can catch up rapidly with both artificial snow production and natural snowfall—as we were able to do earlier in this month,” Francis said.

As always, safety remains top of mind for all guests at Whistler Blackcomb (find more safety tips on page 16).

“As we have done all season, we will continue to manage all of our terrain safely and as conditions permit, so that guests can enjoy the mountain to its fullest,” Francis said.

“This has been an abnormal season, and we appreciate our guests’ patience and understanding as our teams navigate its challenges.”

So with any luck, spring’s early arrival will amount to an abnormal blip; a footnote in the

“Recent conditions have changed some lower-mountain terrain statuses, but we anticipate recovering sufficiently with our snow plant and run-rebuilding capabilities from our snowcat crews once temperatures drop later this week.”

- ADAM FRANCIS

dry the soil.) It thereby helps regulate water flows so that they are less ‘flashy.’”

So the lack of snow and increased rainfall has clear knock-on effects in the valley—how is it impacting things up top?

According to Adam Francis, director of mountain operations for Whistler Blackcomb (WB), the current El Niño weather pattern is producing higher-than-normal freezing levels, and contributed to a delayed opening of the high alpine until just prior to New Year’s.

T-bar trackline to open that terrain as soon as possible, he added.

Before the most recent wave of rain, WB was about 95 per cent open, with 7,800 acres of terrain accessible to skiers and snowboarders.

“Recent conditions have changed some lower-mountain terrain statuses, but we anticipate recovering sufficiently with our snow plant and run-rebuilding capabilities from our snowcat crews once temperatures drop later this week,” Francis said Jan. 29.

eventual retrospective of the strange, wet ski season that was.

In the meantime, there are actions to take on the ground to ward off spring’s early advances, Brett said.

“One way we can delay snowmelt is to have more closed forest,” he said. “Clearcuts and other open areas accumulate more snow (due to less canopy interception), but also melt much more quickly.”

Food for thought. ■

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8 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Powder to the peeps, revisited What a great article in a short amount of space (Pique, Jan. 26, “Powder to the peeps”). Among other ideas, I was particularly interested in “Can we add a third mountain somewhere?”

In the past, Whistler Blackcomb and other local stakeholders were opposed to this idea, and even publicly lobbied against the proposed Garibaldi at Squamish ski resort.

A resort between Squamish and Whistler would help the overcrowding situation, would help environmentally, and would lessen the burden of the highway system to Whistler.

Its time has probably come, and it would be similar to Nakiska between Calgary and Banff.

Jim Pipe // Whistler

Doubling down on fracking and LNG is ‘absurd’ Last year was the hottest year on record, worldwide. I couldn’t see Mount Currie for part of the summer because of the smoke from wildfires.

Ivey creek near my house was dried out all summer and fall until the end of November. Gun Lake cabins and houses burned down.

Scientists have warned for decades that overheating the planet with fossil fuels would

cause climate chaos—not just extreme heat, but also extreme cold, even as winters warm overall. It is making life less safe and more volatile for British Columbians. Doubling down on fracking for gas and LNG, like our B.C. government is promoting, is absurd.

But I have some hope. Thanks to huge advances in recent years, a transition away from fossil fuel is now possible. Cheap, clean, renewable energy is the key to a better future.

Governments must invest in a green grid that is resilient to extremes, reliable and

affordable for everyday people, and free of carbon pollution. This will create good jobs across the country and make sure no one gets left behind. Let’s demand nothing less.

Erich Baumann // Pemberton

Whistler lives in a fantasy corporate world In the beginning, the Resort Municipality of Whistler operated in the real world. Whistler served the public. Whistler’s employees

were public servants. Since service was the only product Whistler offered, staff were committed to making Whistler the best. Since many of Whistler’s clients were weekenders, the building department was open on weekends. During the peak of construction, some staff were in lockstep with the builders and made themselves available 24/7. Staff strived to improve the service to the public. Efforts were made to reduce permit processing time. At one point, a counter service initiative was developed, which equated with customer-to-door service. Had the initiative gone forward, it could have been called Permit Dash. But it never happened, because the foundations of Whistler’s public service was crumbling.

In the mid ’90s, Whistler began to transition away from the real world of public service into the fantasy corporate world.

Staff went from servers of the public to corporate executives who see their role as not listening to the public who pays their

FOR THE RECORD/ In last week’s cover feature, an avalanche forecaster was quoted as saying Whistler Blackcomb has “no tolerance for going out of bounds.”

In fact, going out of bounds is permitted—but skiing in avalanche closure zones is strictly forbidden. n

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NATIONWIDE EXPOSURE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR salaries, but executives who decide what is good for the public whether the public likes it or not.

David MacPhail // Maple Ridge

Thomas the Tank Engine to the rescue I must wade into the recent discussion for the concept of Whistler train transportation (Pique, Jan. 19, “Let’s reactivate rail in the Sea to Sky”). For disclosure, my only expertise is that my legal name is in fact “Thomas.”

But just imagine a narrow-gauge electric train laid within the existing (underutilized) trail bed between the communities of CalCheak and Wedgewoods, with a spur line from Mons running street level adjacent to Fitzsimmons Creek and right up the middle of Blackcomb Way to the existing bus loop.

I have penciled a plausible rail grade route connecting the Cheakamus-Function community to lower Whistler Mountain. A restrictive four grade is feasible up the West Cheakamus Forest Service Road, above Tunnel Vision and through the Northwest Passage to mid-load village gondola.

Who knows? Maybe even an eventual extension to Pemberton or Brackendale would follow once a spur line is built up to Whistler Olympic Park.

What would this accomplish other than just tourist appeal? Well, it would certainly remove car congestion. Day trippers would have an option to park at Cal-Cheak and

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hop on the train. It may well require the construction of a Westside Road bypass first, and then instituting a congestion charge zone not unlike London, U.K. Exactly how to pay for it? I will leave that to the politicians. Perhaps a P3 is out there with Bombardier, or perhaps BC Hydro would see the opportunity, as it has always had expansion dreams for an upgrade to the valley’s transmission lines, and recently renewed the call for the expansion of additional run-of-river hydro.

Think big, I say!

Thomas “the Tank Engine” Cole // Whistler

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Most Whistler seniors are not rich I remember seven years ago, I was talking to a friend at the swimming pool—he was in his late 70’s. He was complaining there was no discount for seniors at the Meadow Park Sports Centre. He didn’t own a house, and was still working at Ski School to supplement his pension. He was not rich. He asked the municipality why, and was reportedly told seniors in Whistler are wealthy.

Now I am a senior, too. I own an old house, bought when it was affordable. I have to supplement my pension by working part time, too. I can’t afford restaurants in Whistler, but going to Meadow Park helps me stay healthy.

I asked a councillor the same question as my friend, and received the same answer—

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Backcountry Update AS OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31

This winter has been one of extremes, and that is set to continue. Just as the frigid arctic air from earlier in the month was beginning to fade from memory, we were met with unseasonably warm temperatures and heavy rain that reached well into the alpine. Widespread natural avalanche activity was reported during the rain event, including numerous avalanches that ran their full path to valley bottoms.

Gradually decreasing freezing levels through this week will lower avalanche activity significantly. Cooler temperatures have allowed the previously wet, saturated snowpack to refreeze and stabilize—leaving a substantial crust on nearly all aspects and elevations.

While ski quality has suffered, the recently formed crust has positively impacted avalanche hazard. Any layers deep in the snowpack that previously posed a problem are now protected by the crust. This will make them unlikely to be triggerable by anything but the largest of

triggers, such as explosives. It’s as though the snowpack can now start fresh, allowing deeper weak layers to remain undisturbed for the foreseeable future.

As we approach the weekend, dry snow has started to accumulate over the crust at higher elevations, accompanied by the continuing gradual decrease in freezing levels. While the change may not happen quickly, riding conditions should only get better over the coming days.

As conditions slowly improve and people start to venture into avalanche terrain, it is important to do so gradually. Monitoring the bond between any new snow and the crust will be essential, as will keeping a close watch on snow accumulations and identifying the tipping point for new snow problems like storm or wind slabs. Given the lingering uncertainty regarding the strength of the crust and the bond between the new snow and the crust, it is important to stay updated by checking the latest avalanche forecast at avalanche.ca. ■

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

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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.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Whistler should stop ‘greenwashing’ with carbon credits

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

Call at 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca

Pique’s reporting on March 31, 2023, offered a glimmer of hope that the Cheakamus Community Forest’s Carbon Credit scheme “would not be exploited by large corporations for greenwashing.”

Greenwashing is defined as behaviour or activities that make people believe a company is more environmentally friendly than it actually is.

The liquefied fossil gas plant being constructed in Squamish claims to achieve “net-zero” emissions by purchasing carbon credits from the Cheakamus Community Forest.

This situation uses the growth of trees in

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only slightly different, because I was told they’ll consider it when they will retire!

It’s time for the Resort Municipality of Whistler to change its way of thinking on the subject, because it is not true.

I know there are a lot of seniors who think the same. Especially now with the cost of living skyrocketing and our pensions stagnant.

Why is it other municipalities give a discount, even in West Vancouver, what is considered a very wealthy municipality?

I guess they are more considerate with their senior citizens. Would a signed petition do the trick?

Philippe Hairay // Whistler

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Whistler to justify a fossil-fuel megaproject, with the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) directly supporting fracking and fossil-gas expansion. This stance is in stark contrast to the values of a community known for its natural beauty and commitment to conservation.

Fossil gas, unlike our old-growth forests, is neither green nor a solution to climate change.

Methane that leaks from fossil gas warms the climate 86 times faster than carbon dioxide.

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for fossil-gas extraction pierces aquifers and contaminates groundwater.

Fossil gas contains carcinogenic compounds such as benzene and toluene, which are piped directly into people’s homes.

Burning fossil gas indoors for cooking releases significant amounts of SOx and NOx, increasing the risk of asthma in children.

Fossil gas exacerbates climate change and threatens the winter sports ecosystem vital to Whistler’s identity and economy.

Selling “carbon credits” to fossil gas companies so they can claim “net-zero” status is unequivocally greenwashing, and a disgrace to our community. This decision was made without my consent, and I demand transparency and accountability.

I urge the RMOW and the Cheakamus Community Forest to halt the sale of carbon credits to fossil gas projects and to publicly denounce a project that contradicts the environmental principles they profess to uphold.

Edgar Dearden // Whistler n

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12 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

SKI-TOWN RUNDOWN

Ski-Town Rundown: Rain, rain, go away WELL, WINTER ARRIVED in Whistler and B.C. in the form of three or four good snowstorms… before the rain returned to push a hard restart on the snowy season.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 30, Whistler Blackcomb had a base depth of about 143 centimetres, up from the 99 cm measured at the beginning of January, but well below where things should typically stand in late January.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS The B.C. government’s Feb. 1 snow and water bulletin won’t be posted until Feb. 8, but as of Pique’s weekly deadline, the provincial average for all snow weather stations in the province was just 66 per cent of median, up slightly from 65 per cent on Jan. 1.

In the Lower Fraser Basin, which includes Whistler, the snow basin index was just 35 per cent of normal, compared to 86 per cent at the same time last year.

Here’s the lay of the land at ski resorts near and far as of Tuesday, Jan. 30.

LONG LIVE THE KING

According to onthesnow.com, as of Jan. 30, there were three B.C. ski areas considered

100-per-cent open: Mt. Baldy, Powder King and Sun Peaks.

Not to be outdone, a fourth, Whitewater Ski Resort near Nelson, was reportedly 137-per-cent open—and math isn’t our strong suit, so let’s just go with that.

Whitewater was reporting a base depth of about 147 cm on Jan. 30, with 97 of 97 trails open and five of five lifts operating (which really sounds more like 100-per-cent open,

start to the season, we will not be opening for the 23-24 ski/board season,” reads a post on the resort’s website.

Old Timothy is not alone in his plight— mountains on Vancouver’s North Shore are also bearing the brunt of the soggy start to winter.

Mt. Seymour in North Vancouver was closed this weekend due to the heavy rain, and as of Jan. 30, the resort was reportedly just seven per cent open, with three trails, one lift, and a

“[D]ue to lack of snow, continued warm temperatures, no precipitation in the forecast and what would already be a very late start to the season, we will not be opening...”

- MOUNT TIMOTHY RECREATIONAL RESORT

but what do we know?).

While some B.C. resorts are making the best of a wet winter, others aren’t faring so well.

Mount Timothy Recreational Resort in Lac La Hache, north of Kamloops, will not open this year.

“The owners of Mount Timothy have made a very difficult decision and are sad to announce that due to lack of snow, continued warm temperatures, no precipitation in the forecast and what would already be a very late

base depth ranging from 43 to 165 cm.

Who’s got the deepest base? Long live the king—Powder King, that is, which is reporting a base depth up to 190 cm as of Jan. 30.

FURTHER AFIELD

Turning our attention south of the border, Vail Ski Resort in Colorado is reporting a base depth of 127 centimetres, with all 275 trails open and 31 lifts running.

At the nearby Aspen-Snowmass, officials are reporting a base depth up to 129 cm, with 345 of 366 trails open and 34 of 41 lifts operating.

On Jan. 22, tragedy struck AspenSnowmass, when a 22-year-old woman collided with a tree and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not been released.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time,” said Jeff Hanle, vice president of communications for the Aspen Skiing Company, in a press release.

WHO’S GETTING THE GOODS THIS WEEK?

According to snow-forecast.com, Canadian ski resorts will be left out in the rain when it comes to worldwide snowfall in the days ahead.

While more than a dozen North American ski resorts appeared on snow-forecast’s threeto-six-day snowfall outlook on Jan. 30, none are in Canada—and the top four are all located in Norway.

According to the eternal optimists at snow-forecast, Norway’s Fonna Glacier Ski Resort could see up to 119 centimetres of fresh snow this week.

If you’re not up for the long-haul flight, the closest ski areas with a good chance of seeing snow in the days ahead are Mammoth Mountain (72 cm), Kirkwood (66 cm) and June Mountain (64 cm)—all in California. ■

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13

NEWS WHISTLER

RMOW to staff Fire Hall No. 3 full-time THE INCREASE IN STAFFING WILL HAVE FLOW-ON IMPACTS ON TAXES, BUT GREATLY INCREASE WFRS CAPACITY

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) will pay to staff Fire Hall No. 3 as soon as practical to the tune of up to $555,000 in 2024, with that number rising to more than $2 million per year by 2026.

Fire Hall No. 3 is located at 1505 Spring Creek Drive, serving the southern part of the community, and is currently assigned a paidon-call crew, rather than full-time staff.

The change in staffing was initially requested as a late item during the 2024 budget process, but was pulled from the budget after council requested a more fulsome report, which was delivered at the Jan. 23 council meeting.

In a presentation giving background on the rationale for recommending the increase in firefighter staffing, the RMOW’s general manager of corporate services and public safety, Ted Battiston, explained the community has grown significantly since 2003, when Whistler last reviewed its “posture” of where firefighting resources were allocated between its three fire halls.

He said Whistler grew by more than 20 per cent between 2015 and 2020 alone, but the population estimate of the community doesn’t tell the complete story.

“We all know that Whistler operates in a way that’s not just informed by the

IN THE HALL Whistler will soon fully-staff Fire Hall No. 3 north of Cheakamus—a move that will have tax implications for residents.

PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

14 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

number of people who are resident in this community, but by those we call population equivalent (second homeowners, seasonal staff, commuters and day visitors)—and that number has now increased to an average annualized daily population of 42,000,” Battiston said.

And that number is also weighted heavily towards the south—within Fire Hall No. 3’s area.

“What’s important to understand about this growth is that it’s asymmetric within the community—the growth itself is weighted to the south end of the community, and it has

can also be improved with the change, and by having a team based out of Hall No. 3, the Whistler Fire Rescue Service (WFRS) could “meaningfully improve emergency response activities for the entire community” by freeing up capacity from the team based out of Fire Hall No. 1, Battiston said.

Currently, Fire Hall No. 1 is staffed 24 hours a day by career firefighters, with 23 full-time career firefighters on the payroll.

Fire Hall No. 1 also has a paid-on-call team that is called as needed. Both Fire Hall No. 2 and Fire Hall No. 3 have only paid-on-call responders (of which there are between 50

“What’s important to understand about this growth is that it’s asymmetric within the community—the growth itself is weighted to the south end of the community, and it has been for the last almost 20 years.”

- TED BATTISTON

been for the last almost 20 years,” Battiston said, explaining the change in staffing structure is about re-balancing firefighting capacity to ensure the same level of service across Whistler.

Along with the population growth, Battiston said call volumes are growing to the south (where more than half of all motor vehicle incidents are occurring), and there is opportunity to decrease fire insurance premiums by increasing staffing.

Whistler’s overall wildfire defense posture

and 60 with WFRS), but all three halls are fully equipped.

Battiston recommended the RMOW phase-in staffing over three years, beginning “as soon as practicable” in 2024 (forecast to be May) in a 12-hour shift model, followed by a full year of that model in 2025, and then 24-hour staffing from 2026 onwards.

The number of firefighters actually employed would be four permanent full-time plus a relief firefighter to cover 12-hour shifts for two people 365 days a year.

Costs covering payroll, training and uniforms were estimated to be up to $555,000, assuming staffing from May 1 through to the end of 2024, with that cost increasing to up to $1,071,200 in 2025 (due to the 12-month estimate), and then up to $2,206,672 in 2026 due to 24-hour staffing, and $2,272,872 from the next year onwards.

Overall, the number of full-time career staff with WFRS would increase to 28 with the staffing of Fire Hall No. 3.

Battiston reported the impact on taxes would be an additional one per cent in 2025, and 2.06 per cent in 2026 if the staffing model was adopted as proposed.

On an individual level, that washes out to an additional $13 per million dollars of assessed property value in 2025, and $30 per million dollars of assessed property in 2026, but Battiston added that from 2026 onwards, the RMOW expects there would be a reduction in fire insurance premiums “equal to 30 to 50 per cent of the increased property tax costs across the community.”

During questions and comments from council, the ongoing impact of such a change was noted, and weighed against the threat of wildfire and need for well-funded and resourced emergency services in the face of the rising number of calls, growing community population and the threat of wildfire.

Council voted to accept the staff recommendation as proposed, with an amendment that staff bring back a report on how the change in staffing is working before the end of the year. The changes will be incorporated into the five-year financial plan for 2024-2028. The full presentation can be watched on the RMOW website (beginning at 3:18:52). n

NEWS WHISTLER MARCH 1 & 2, 2024

Whistler Search and Rescue keeping busy after quiet end to 2023 WSAR HAS RESPONDED TO 13 CALLS SINCE JAN. 1

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

WHISTLER’S LEGENDARY FUNDRAISING EVENT!

IT HAS BEEN A BUSY year so far for Whistler Search and Rescue (SAR), with the local team responding to 13 calls since Jan. 1 after a quiet end to 2023.

“That’s certainly right up there with a quick-pace winter,” said Whistler SAR president, Brad Sills.

Sills said with such a damp and disappointing early season, what snow the area did get has everybody enthusiastic about heading into the hills.

Though Whistler got a healthy dump of snow over Christmas and at the beginning of the cold snap in January, conditions have remained below-average, and recent heavy rain and warm temperatures have made conditions worse by limiting the amount of terrain lost skiers and snowboarders can safely navigate across.

The unique conditions have made for a hectic few weeks for Whistler SAR. On Jan. 21, a group of six skiers put in a call to SAR after turning back from the Kees and Claire Hut, with one of them having sustained a serious knee injury.

“Her friends called to say they were in the process of extracting her, but they wanted to signal us to say they weren’t sure they would be able to do it,” said Sills.

“Anybody that’s familiar with the west side of Oboe knows that it’s a long haul back to Flute Summit to where we could get a toboggan in to her, and they did it with an impromptu sled they put together with her skis and ski poles.

“They had ropes, and the six of them joined together like a dogsled team and pulled her all the way back to where we could reach her.”

Sills said it was a good example of what SAR means when it encourages recreationalists to be prepared.

Two days before that, on Jan.19, SAR had to share some bad news with two skiers who skied out of bounds around the Khyber Cliffs on their way to the Microwave Road, but ended up too low on the mountain and were exhausted.

“They put out a call for assistance and were waiting in a large opening for a helicopter rescue… but that was the night of the freezing rain episode, and there’s no helicopter in the world that’s going to fly in freezing rain,” said Sills, pointing out a previous airlift extraction from the Fitzsimmons Creek area was made possible due to ideal conditions.

“It was a bit of a challenging conversation, but they were encouraged to keep moving downhill,” said Sills.

The two were recovered and off the mountain by 9:30 that night, after SAR tracked their descent and managed to rendezvous with them further down the mountain.

“I caution people who think that they can get rescued by helicopter at night,” Sills said.

“I would say that during the winter months in the coast mountains, this is more unlikely than it is likely.”

On Jan. 25, 15 members of Whistler SAR

Come celebrate 31 years of making a difference.

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MUSH A group of skiers fashioned an impromptu sled to haul their injured friend to safety in the Whistler backcountry on Jan. 21.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WHISTLER SEARCH AND RESCUE

were needed to extract five people to safety in what ended up being an “epic” night, with two calls coming in at once.

The first call was from three skiers who went below Piccolo and called for help halfway down. Two patrollers skied down to them, and decided to ski them out to Cheakamus Lake and then walk the rest of the way.

“There wasn’t much of an option in that there’s no snow at lower elevations … so we had two patrollers and three subjects having to walk seven kilometres in ski boots in really shitty conditions,” Sills said.

“Adding to that, we got a call from two more people in the cake hole (on the backside of Whistler Mountain) that had no safety equipment, nothing. The other three were used to skiing in Europe, they had all the safety equipment, some food, some water … they weren’t as big a concern as the next two that had nothing.”

More SAR members had to climb up the cake hole to find the two without gear, which made for a long night.

“It took 15 of our search-and-rescue members to affect that. The call came in at 1:20 p.m. and we finished at 11:30 p.m.”

Notably, Sills said the lack of snow at lower elevations is causing some trouble for lost skiers, including on Jan. 10, when a skier was lost below Disease Ridge.

“He was a tough one—his instinct was to keep going down towards Fitzsimmons Creek … one of the cautionary notes to Whistler residents is there is very little snow at lower elevations, and you will not be able to navigate your way out on skis,” he said.

“Your only option is to go back up. This gentleman did that, and it took him quite a while, about six hours. We were able to track him and position a snowcat in the ski area where he came out. He was brought out much later in the evening by a snowcat.”

Another three came upon the same issue on Jan. 21, after getting lost below Piccolo and becoming exhausted on their way back up the mountain in what turned into another latenight recovery.

As always, SAR encourages those heading up the mountain to be prepared with safety gear, food and water, know the terrain, let others know they are going to be recreating and where, and know the appropriate emergency numbers to call if in need. n

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7:30pm | Main Event - $95 (incl. tax) A unique wine tasting event with live entertainment and an extensive collection of wine, beer, spirits and delectable appetizers from local restaurants including Portobello, Bearfoot Bistro, Quattro, Sidecut, Purebread and more.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

ASCEND GALA PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG Roundhouse Lodge, Whistler Mountain

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FEBRUARY 2, 2024

15

NEWS WHISTLER

On-mountain deaths at Whistler prompt safety reminder NATURAL HAZARDS PERSIST ON BOTH WHISTLER AND BLACKCOMB

BY BRADEN DUPUIS THE NEW YEAR IS OFF to a tragic start on Whistler’s slopes, after two skiers died in separate incidents on Blackcomb Mountain in January.

On Jan. 10, a 42-year-old B.C. man was found unresponsive in a gladed area near 7th Avenue and Expressway on Blackcomb.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released.

The cause of death was snow immersion.

Just over a week later, on Jan. 19, 62-year-old Vancouver resident Ron Stuber died after what was described as a “serious incident” in Sapphire Bowl, an expertdesignated area in Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park.

“After emergency care and evaluation was performed by an on-duty physician at the site of the incident, the guest was pronounced deceased and transported off Blackcomb Mountain,” WB said in a statement.

“Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Blackcomb Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends,” added Belinda

STAY SAFE A pair of on-mountain deaths on Blackcomb Mountain in January serve as a tragic safety reminder for skiers and snowboarders.

PHOTO BY VISUALCOMMUNICATIONS / E+ / GETTY IMAGES

Trembath, Whistler Blackcomb’s COO. The tragic incidents serve as a reminder of the inherent dangers of the sport.

“Everything we do is founded in safety.

We do not open up the mountains until

Patrol and Mountain Operations deem it safe to do so,” said Whistler Blackcomb’s senior manager of communications, Dane Gergovich, in an email.

“That said, despite the recent snowfall,

which has allowed us to open the alpine, there are still concerns about natural hazards including rocks, crevasses, other features that haven’t been covered yet and instability beneath the snow surfaces. Given this, we will continue to advise guests to stay in bounds, and stick to groomed and open trails within their ability levels.”

As of Tuesday, Jan. 30, Whistler Blackcomb had a base depth of about 143 centimetres, up from the 99 cm measured at the beginning of January, but well below where things should typically stand in late January.

When tree-skiing, preparedness and awareness are key, Gergovich added.

• Always be on the lookout for tree wells — a hollow pocket that can surround trees after snowfall events.

• Always ski with a buddy (or buddies!) when entering a tree run and lookout for each other.

• Keep a whistle attached to the zipper of your jacket.

• Keep your eyes up and focused on where you’re going to avoid hitting tree trunks or branches.

Find more safety tips at deepsnowsafety. org. n

NOTICE

2024 COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

FIRE&ICE OLD FASHIONED COCKTAIL PROGRAM

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) will be accepting Community Enrichment Program (CEP) applications from community groups looking for financial assistance for 2024. The application period runs from January 25 to February 15, 2024.

The CEP provides funding to not-for-profit organizations or societies based within Whistler that are considered by Council to be contributing to the general interest and advantage of the municipality. The categories include ‘Environment’, ‘Social Services’, ‘Community Services, ‘Recreation and Sport’ or ‘Arts and Culture’.

Each interested community group is required to complete a Grant Application Form and present to Council at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on March 5, 2024. All approved funding will be issued no later than April 30, 2024.

Grant Application Forms are available at www.whistler.ca/cep or at the reception desk of the Whistler Municipal Hall, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please submit applications to: Legislative Services Department, RMOW, 4325 Blackcomb Way Whistler, BC V8E 0X5 Phone: 604-935-8117 Email: corporate@whistler.ca Completed applications must be received by 4 p.m., February 15, 2024. No late applications will be accepted.

To learn more, visit whistler.ca/cep.

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16 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler allocates $1.2M in Fee For Service funds FIVE LOCAL NON-PROFITS WILL BENEFIT FROM A 5% BOOST IN MUNICIPAL FUNDING

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) has signed off on its Fee For Service (FFS) fund allocations for 2024.

At the Jan. 23 council meeting, mayor and council voted for the municipality to vend out as much as $1,272,600 to five communitybased not-for-profit organizations that do work in line with the RMOW’s Official Community Plan.

The five groups—The Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC), Whistler Animals Galore (WAG), Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA), Whistler Museum, and Arts Whistler—will collectively receive almost $61,000 more than they did in 2023 as part of the FFS, or a five-per-cent boost.

The FFS funding is critical for the operation of the five groups, with the funds making up a large chunk of their annual operating costs. In presenting the rationale for the funding allocation, the RMOW’s general manager of community engagement and cultural services, Karen Elliott, said each group worked hard to apply all the funds efficiently and for the good of the community.

The funds come from the RMOW’s MRDT allocation (taxes from overnight stays at

RAISE THE ROOF An artist’s rendering of a proposed new building for the Whistler Museum and Archives Society.

The Museum will get $218,400 in municipal Fee For Service funding in 2024 to help with operations.

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES SOCIETY

hotels in the community) and the general operations fund (property taxes).

The top recipient, Arts Whistler, put in an ask for $800,000 and will receive $577,500, of which $572,000 is from MRDT funds. In addition to FFS funds, Arts Whistler also benefited from Value In Kind (VIK) contributions from the RMOW to the tune of $871,833 in 2023. VIK contributions come in the form of rental subsidies.

Arts Whistler uses the funds to operate the Maury Young Arts Centre, cover staffing costs, and produce events.

The next largest recipient was WORCA, which asked for $282,750 and received $282,450, of which $279,760 comes from MRDT funds. WORCA uses its FFS funding for trail maintenance.

The last three recipients had all of their funding come from the RMOW general operating fund, meaning property taxes.

The Whistler Museum and Archives Society received $218,400—less than what it asked for, but $10,000 more than it received in 2023 and more than $20,000 above its 2022 funding.

The Museum also received a large chunk of VIK contributions from the RMOW in the previous year, including rental subsidies, gas fees, and project funding adding up to about $148,231.

WAG, which seeks to support and re-home lost dogs and cats, asked for $200,000 and got $120,750, but in 2023 received about $90,000 of VIK. Finally, the SSISC asked for and received $73,500. The SSISC delivers services by the RMOW as critical to protecting Whistler’s biodiversity and ecosystems by minimizing the threat of invasive species that negatively impact the environment, the economy and human health.

SSISC funds go to program development, training, outreach, an invasive plant eradication field program, and more. Of all five groups to receive FFS funding, its share makes up the smallest percentage of its operating costs, at only 10.5 per cent.

As part of the FFS agreement, all five groups must allow an RMOW appointee to their board, must publicly acknowledge the funding, and report back on funding use.

Their inclusion in the funding stream also limits their eligibility for other grants from the RMOW. All funds from the FFS must be spent within municipal boundaries.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the funding allocation. n

Embrace relaxation together this Valentine’s Day

SCANDINAVE.COM FEBRUARY 2, 2024

17

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler child porn possession nets conditional sentence CROWN PROSECUTOR SAID IMAGES DEPICTED ‘EXTREMELY DEPRAVED ACTS’

BY JEREMY HAINSWORTH A MAN WHO PLEADED guilty to child pornography offences that occurred in Whistler will serve a conditional sentence but won’t go on Canada’s sex offender registry, a judge ruled Jan. 24.

Nicholas Kyle David Symons, 29, was charged with two counts of importing and/ or distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography when he appeared in North Vancouver Provincial Court.

On Jan. 26, 2023, Symons pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.

Symons appeared before Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Reginald Harris for sentencing on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

“It is a serious offence,” Harris said. “It cannot be understated or overstated.”

Police found Symons had 48 images and 28 videos that Crown prosecutor Kevin Masse said depicted some “extremely depraved acts.”

“Those who wish to possess child pornography encourage sexual abuse of children,” Harris said.

“The possession of child pornography must be considered a very serious offence.”

The conditional sentence includes a year’s house arrest during which time Symons must be at home except for attending school and running personal errands at specific times.

The following three months would see him have a curfew, after which conditions would relax further.

Defence lawyer Tony Tso argued against putting Symons on the federal sex offender registry under the Sex Offender Information Registry Act. Tso said Symons was remorseful for his actions and has been deemed a low risk to re-offend.

“He recognizes the moral wrongfulness of his behaviour,” he told the judge.

Harris said the registry is not about helping the offer, but to help police in investigating sex-offence cases.

He added the charges before him were signposts for possible future predatory behaviour that could lead to sexual interference.

Sea to Sky RCMP media relations officer

Const. Katrina Boehmer confirmed Whistler’s detachment received information from B.C. RCMP’s Integrated Child Exploitation Team in July of 2021 about a Whistler individual caught “uploading child exploitation materials” between October 2020 and September 2021.

Whistler RCMP then took charge and forwarded information to the BC Prosecution Service for charge assessment. n

Whistler Health Care Foundation doubles grant funding program DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FEB. 20 THE WHISTLER Health Care Foundation is doubling the intake for its Grant Funding Program in 2024.

The program provides grants for healthcare-related projects and initiatives benefiting the Sea to Sky. “We are very excited to increase the reach of the WHCF Grant Funding Program” said Carol Leacy, chair of the WHCF, in a release. “We have supported many health-care-related initiatives since we started the funding program in 2022, and to be able to double the financial backing will allow the Foundation to have a greater impact in bringing improvements to healthcare in our community.”

The program has been supported by

the Goudge Family Foundation since its inception two years ago, and this year welcomes support from the Touchet Family for the 2024 funding program.

“We were inspired by the Goudge Family Foundation’s support of the WHCF grant funding program,” said Jayne Touchet, in the release. “The positive benefits of supporting local groups to bring new healthcare initiatives or expand existing ones is crucial. Our family is dedicated to help support the improvement of health-care in our community and we are honoured to support this amazing work.”

The Goudge family was inspired to get involved with local health-care after David

Goudge had a run-in with a very sharp knife, and found himself in Whistler’s emergency room. Goudge was so grateful for the care he received he donated $50,000 in seed funding to the WHCF. “We are very pleased to support local initiatives that often struggle to find funding to continue their dedication towards healthcare in Whistler and our neighbouring communities in the Sea to Sky Corridor,” Goudge said in the release.

Qualified applicants can apply for funding through the WHCF website before Feb. 20. Read more at whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org.

- Braden Dupuis n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler Summer Concert Series contract renewed for 2024 COUNCIL BRIEFS: TRANSFER STATION CONTRACT AWARDED; LOT 5 GETS A HOUSING AGREEMENT

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS WHISTLER OLYMPIC PLAZA will once again be rocking this summer, after the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) renewed its contract on Jan. 23 with Whistler-based Kristen Robinson Productions for the popular Whistler Summer Concert Series (WSCS).

The WSCS was described in a staff report as a value-adding project that is “a lot of fun for locals and visitors [and] achieves positive outcomes,” so a renewal of the contract awarded for the 2023 season was recommended.

The 2024 contract covers programming, performer services, administration, and technical and production services, and comes in at $805,000 for 2024—a four-per-cent increase over 2023.

Funded entirely through the RMOW’s MRDT allocation (meaning funded by hotel stays in the community), staff said there will likely be 13 or 14 show dates similar to last year, between late June through to Labour Day, though times, dates, and performers are TBD. After the presentation, Councillor Jessie Morden asked whether the WSCS will consider booking more local bands, and was told the RMOW provides other venues over the summer for local bands to perform. The WSCS, held in Olympic Plaza, usually has more well-known, out-of-town bands and groups booked, with local DJs providing the opening entertainment.

TRANSFER STATION CONTRACT AWARDED

The RMOW awarded a contract to Whistlerbased Coastal Mountain Excavations to replace the vehicle scale at the Whistler Transfer Station on Callaghan Road on Jan. 23.

The contract, worth $1,013,237, involves the removal of the existing vehicle scale, and the installation of two new scales.

“The existing scale has reached the end of its useful service life,” reads the staff report, which explained it was corroding due to heavy use and local weather conditions.

Purchased second-hand in 2008, the scale met the industry standard life expectancy of 20 to 25 years.

Two new scales will be built at the Transfer Station in order to improve the user experience by shortening wait times and introducing redundancy.

A new scale will be operational before the old scale is removed, with work to be carried out in 2024 with no interruption in services.

The project is funded through the RMOW’s solid waste reserve. The transfer station generates enough revenue to contribute to the reserve, rather than simply recover costs, hence the large contract award.

LOT 5 HOUSING AGREEMENT

Mayor and council also signed off on a housing agreement for Cheakamus Crossing Phase 2’s Lot 5 development on Jan. 23, which is working its way through the bureaucracy.

The housing agreement allows the RMOW to “establish occupancy and eligibility restrictions, initial maximum rental rates, sale price and sale restrictions, and administration and management restrictions of the dwelling units that reflect current municipal employee housing standards,” according to a staff report.

Lot 5, otherwise known as 1475 Mount Fee Road, will be made up of two new fourstorey, employee-restricted rental apartment buildings made up of 104 units.

It is being developed by the Whistler 2020 Development Corp, and will be managed by the Whistler Housing Authority.

While actual rental amounts will be calculated by tenant income (at 30 per cent of overall tenant income), the maximums as set out in the agreement are: $2,009.09 per month for a studio, $2,437.24 per month for a one-bedroom, $3,400 per month for a twobedroom, and $4,093.00 for a three-bedroom.

All units will be filled by applicants on the WHA waitlist. Monthly rent is inclusive of utilities, apart from electricity. The housing agreement sets a maximum rate of $100 per month to rent a parking stall.

RMOW TINKERS WITH CEP

Whistler’s popular and over-subscribed Community Enrichment Program (CEP) is getting a (minor) overhaul, and the RMOW will explore offering scholarships to graduating students of Lil’wat Nation, the Squamish Nation, and Whistler Waldorf School for the 2025 graduating class in a first for the program.

The CEP is an annual program funded with 0.18 per cent of the RMOW’s budget (for 2024, $180,504) that provides a chunk of annual funding to not-for-profit organizations in Whistler doing work that benefits the community. It also offers six $1,000 scholarships to students from local schools.

The program was first introduced in 2005, and is now over-subscribed both in applicants and funds requested.

Under the changes introduced at the Jan. 23 meeting, staff recommended eight amendments to the relevant policy to make the application and reporting process more streamlined and less time-intensive for qualifying applicants, and three amendments to the scholarship portion to provide more flexibility to the program.

Staff also requested council allow them to pursue options in extending the scholarship program to graduating students of the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations in the 2025 graduating class, as well as the Whistler Waldorf School.

Whistler Waldorf will be made eligible under the current program, while staff would consult with the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations on how to proceed with an appropriate format. A report will come back to council at a future meeting. n

NKWUKWMA Benchlands Public Information Meeting Thursday, February 8, 2024 6:30pm - 8:00pm Presentation at 7pm Location: Pemberton Secondary School The Village and applicants will share the latest draft of the NKWUKWMA Sub Area Plan and draft bylaws.

Visit HaveYourSay.Pemberton.ca to learn more!

Questions? Contact Scott McRae, Manager of Development Services at smcrae@pemberton.ca haveyoursay.pemberton.ca FEBRUARY 2, 2024

19

ANNUAL VALENTINE'S DAY WRITING CONTEST

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BESTFIRSTDATE Valentine’s day is around the corner – to celebrate, tell us about the best, most memorable first date you’ve ever been on as part of Pique’s annual Valentine’s contest, and win some fabulous prizes.

In 300 words or less, tell us what made it memorable – the company, the conversation, the outcome – all the juicy details that warm the heart or make you laugh. Maybe you might inspire the rest of us to pick up our game.

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NEWS PEMBERTON

Pemberton declares state of local emergency due to flooding SEVERAL PROPERTIES WERE UNDER EVACUATION ALERT OR ORDER AS WATER LEVELS ROSE THIS WEEK

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter IT WAS A HECTIC WEEK in Pemberton, as several days of rain pushed river levels past the brink, flooding several areas of the valley and leading to dozens of properties being under either evacuation order or alert.

The Village of Pemberton (VOP) declared a state of local emergency on Jan. 30, “in response to the current flood hazard and risk to life and property.” The order will remain in effect until Feb. 13, unless otherwise advised.

As of Pique’s weekly deadline, more than three-dozen low-lying properties adjacent to the Arn Canal, Vine Road, and Highway 99 Mobile Home Park were on evacuation alert, while an evacuation order was issued for six properties on Airport Road.

Shannon Story’s home was put on evacuation alert the evening of Jan. 30. She immediately started to prepare.

“I have packed a to-go bag for myself and my kid. I have the cat carrier at the front door and the dog’s leash. I have packed food and water for them. I have also moved some stuff that I care about in my crawl space to higher ground,” Story said on the morning of Jan. 31.

Story has lived in Pemberton since 2000, and has seen how weather events can change

RAGING RIVER Nairn Falls just south of Pemberton was rocking on Jan. 30.

PHOTO BY PHIL MIDDLETON

22 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

incredibly quickly.

“I’m pretty used to this,” she said.

“Flooding is part of life living in the valley.”

The Pemberton Valley Dyking District (PVDD) said the situation on Jan. 31 was very different to the one residents faced on Monday, Jan. 29.

“When we started the rain event on Monday we had optimal conditions,” the PVDD posted on Facebook. “Lillooet Lake was empty and all ditches were empty as well.

Residents in need of Emergency Support Services can contact the Red Cross at 1-888800-6493. If you require transportation assistance from the area, or any other information from the Village of Pemberton, call 604-894-6135.

The VOP strongly encourages all residents to subscribe to Pemberton Alert to receive emergency notifications (preparepemberton.ca).

But it’s not just humans at risk from

“In these trying times, the support of businesses and individuals in our community is what makes our work possible.”

- PEMBERTON ANIMAL WELLBEING SOCIETY

All of the rivers were starting from as low as they can be. Today (Jan. 31) is much different.

We are starting with a full lake. It is only one metre below the high we hit during the heat dome and all rivers are starting from a much higher state than Monday. All of the canals and ditches are still full.”

Locals voiced appreciation for the work of the PVDD, praising its communication efforts in the Pemberton Community Forum on Facebook.

Mother Nature.

On the morning of Jan. 30, a quickthinking employee of Blackcomb Helicopters came to the rescue of several puppies in the care of the Pemberton Animal Wellbeing Society (PAWS).

According to a post on PAWS’ Facebook page, the employee made the decision to break into the shelter and rescue six dogs—a mom and her five puppies—from rising floodwaters.

The team at Blackcomb Helicopters then

helped provide crucial care for the animals, while a PAWS volunteer braved the icy waters to rescue other animals and secure emergency supplies from the shelter.

PAWS said it is unsure when normal services can resume, and asked for help from foster homes in the area.

“As we navigate this challenging time, our immediate need is for local, previously vetted foster homes for our displaced animals,” PAWS wrote on Facebook. “We are immensely grateful for the community’s willingness to help and ask for your patience and understanding. If you are in the immediate local area and have previously applied to foster, please contact us at pawspemberton@ gmail.com.”

A lot of PAWS’ supplies were damaged by the flooding.

“In these trying times, the support of businesses and individuals in our community is what makes our work possible. We will need to replace a lot of damaged supplies,” the post said. “If you are able to donate to the ongoing efforts of the Pemberton Animal Wellbeing Society, please visit our website and head to the ‘Help Pitch In’ section. Every bit of support helps us continue our mission.”

The organization thanked the brave heroes who saved the day.

“Thank you, Tia from Blackcomb Helicopters, the entire Blackcomb Helicopter team, Marieke, and everyone who is reaching out to support us. Your actions exemplify the strength and compassion of our community,” the post said. ■

THE OUTSIDER

Are EVs practical for the mountain lifestyle (yet)?

LIKE A LOT OF CANADIANS , I’m still a ways from making the shift to a fully electric vehicle. It’s not for lack of wanting to lower my transportation emissions; I’m all for reducing my dependence on petroleum. But in my household, in the current economic climate, the numbers aren’t adding up. Not yet, anyway.

The federal government has a particularly

BY VINCE SHULEY ambitious zero-emission vehicle sales target, specifically, 100-per-cent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 for all new lightduty vehicles (light-duty vehicles being all passenger vehicles including cars, SUVs and pickup trucks).

Many people—including economists and consultants at automotive research firms— don’t believe this target is realistic. The biggest barrier is that EVs are too expensive and are skewed to the luxury market. Seeing Teslas parked in the driveways of secondhome mansions around Whistler supports this hypothesis.

The other concern is charging infrastructure. Whistler has 42 charging spots

NOT SO LI’L LIGHTNIN’ The Ford F-150 Lightning is currently one of the strongest offerings for electric trucks.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FORD

in eight locations around town, plus a bunch of spots around businesses and hotels. So it looks like we’re reasonably well-supported for our visiting EVs. But as soon as you get off the beaten track of B.C.’s major highways, the pickings get much more sparse. I wouldn’t expect a charging station halfway over the Hurley, but it would be nice to get to the Chilcotin backcountry and back without the dreaded range anxiety.

Let’s get back to the practicalities. If I want to keep hauling a snowmobile around

for that. Then factor in the winter driving conditions. We don’t really get crazy, extended cold spells on the West Coast very often, but let’s imagine my fictitious F-150 Lightning needs to do some driving in our recent -25 C cold snap. A writer for driving.ca reviewed the F-150 Lightning (platinum trim with extended range) in Ontario winter conditions and—like every EV—put down its fluctuating range to the outside temperature, how warm occupants like their cabin temperature (heating an EV is a lot more energy intensive, given the motor

I’m still hopeful EVs can eventually get to where they need to be; cheaper, with faster-charging batteries, and enough charging stations... on certain days of the winter, I’m going to need an electric truck. This category of EVs is especially sparse with offerings, and nothing really that affordable. The most approachable is the F-150 Lightning, which retails for just under $60,000. From there, brands like Cybertruck and Rivian start to approach the silly price range of about $100,000.

The F-150 Lightning seems a solid choice, though if you intend to drive into the boonies on a regular basis you’d probably want the version with the big battery to extend the “ideal conditions” advertised range from 386 kilometres to 515 km. So add another $16,000

does not produce much heat at all), and what you’re hauling. The tester’s experience at -12 C with that big battery was a reduction from the advertised range of 515 km down to 320 km— fine for getting to Vancouver and back on a single charge, but if I wanted to ski in Fernie on a winter road trip, that’s a lot of charging stops. If you want to haul trailers full of toys, that range decreases even further.

Not everyone needs a truck, but lots of people prefer the safer handling of allwheel drive (AWD) on winter roads. Those EV options aren’t especially cheap, either, with models like the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro starting

at just under $60,000 (the rear-wheel drive version is about $10,000 less, for comparison).

Models like the Subaru Solterra, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are all in the same price ballpark. If AWD isn’t a deciding factor, there are plenty of 2WD electric options out there, with many hitting the used market. But the rebates are considerably less for used EVs, and consumers need to be wary of battery health.

Then there’s the issue of getting an EV charger installed in my residence. I don’t own the home I live in, so if my landlord isn’t interested in future-proofing their property, I may have to make that investment on my own and leave the charger behind if I move in the next few years. Strata buildings in Whistler can get EV charging infrastructure going, but that sort of expenditure often needs to pass with a vote from a majority of owners. Good luck with that.

This all might sound pessimistic, but I’m still hopeful EVs can eventually get to where they need to be; cheaper, with faster-charging batteries, and enough charging stations to quell a non-metropolitan Canadian’s range anxiety. Technology like solid-state batteries I find particularly exciting given the claimed range and quick charge time, but that tech isn’t slated to arrive to the mass market until at least the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, I’ll keep riding my e-bike for short trips and use the gas guzzler as sparingly as possible. More on that soon.

Vince Shuley is feeling like it’s winter again.

For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

23

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How is Weatherhood different than what you use today?

Today, Environment Canada (EC) along with radar and satellite readings are used by all major weather services. What most people don’t realize is that EC doesn’t have any weather stations in Vancouver, Surrey, or North Vancouver and in most other regions the only weather station is at the airport. Weatherhood has worked hard to partner with great organizations in your area to strategically place weather stations where we live.

Environment Canada only has ~20 stations between Sechelt and Chilliwack using grid modeling, which doesn’t take realtime conditions into account.

Weatherhood’s network includes 300% more sensors between Sechelt and Chilliwack than were previously in place, and updates forecast six times more often throughout the day.

FEATURE STORY

BIG DRE AMS & HIGH DEMANDS The mental-health challenges of elite youth athletes

By Katherine Tamminen, Courtney C. Walton, and Jordan Sutcliffe // The Conversation

E

lite sport poses several unique pressures that can impact athletes’ mental health.

Demanding travel schedules and intense competition pressures can lead to negative emotional experiences. Athletes can become injured, or they may be uncertain about their future career in sport.

Unfortunately, some athletes may also face physical, psychological or sexual abuse in their sport.

PRESSURES OF ELITE SPORT

Research has shown elite athletes can experience mental-health issues at rates equal to or higher than the general population. A recent study found that 41 per cent of Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes surveyed met the criteria for one or more mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety or eating disorders.

Another study involving Australian elite athletes revealed that they were nearly twice as likely to experience significant psychological distress compared to the broader community.

Even though elite athletes often have many resources to support them, they may feel it is hard to reach out and ask for help. When left untreated, mental-health challenges and performance pressures can lead to athletes feeling burned out or wanting to drop out of their sport, and they may even experience feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.

Young people engaged in elite sport might be at even Amalia Pelchat greater risk.

WHO ARE ELITE YOUTH ATHLETES? Reaching the highest levels of performance often requires athletes to specialize in their sport during their teenage years, and several athletes competing at the Olympic Games are adolescents. There are numerous clubs, leagues and schools that focus on elite youth sport specialization, and there will be 1,900 athletes taking part in the Youth Olympic Games Jan. 19 to Feb. 1.

Clearly, youth athletes are already competing at elite levels or hope to reach elite levels in their sport.

While the term “elite youth athlete” can be tricky to define, we use the term to describe youth athletes who are training in sport settings that have a primary focus on achieving superior Anne-Marie Joncas performance, with the explicit or implicit goal of moving to adult elite, collegiate or professional sports.

Elite youth sport environments may prioritize spending time on sport activities instead of school or relationships with friends outside of sport. These settings can provide the training and specialized skills needed to become an elite performer, but they may also pose risks to the mental health of young athletes.

MENTAL HEALTH AMONG ELITE YOUTH ATHLETES Some pressures that are unique to elite youth athletes include early specialization and over-training, having critical or demanding coaches and parents, poor sleep, and trying to balance educational and social needs with increasingly professionalized sporting demands. These factors can all affect the well-being of youth elite athletes.

Perhaps especially related to elite sport, young people around the world are reporting

26 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

FEATURE STORY unprecedented levels of perfectionism. Perfectionism is common among athletes, and strongly linked with poor mental-health outcomes.

Anthony Shelly Beyond the pressures of elite sport environments, young people experience the heaviest burden of mental ill-health. For young people around the world, the peak age at onset for a mental-health disorder is 15, and approximately half of these disorders occur before the age of 18. There are many reasons why young people’s mental health is at such high risk, including increasingly troubling global conflicts and climate change, parental unemployment, and economic prospects.

Compared to the body of research on mental health among adult athletes, there is limited research exploring this issue among elite youth athletes. Currently, we do not have adequate data to reliably report on the prevalence of mental-health disorders among elite youth athletes.

One exception is the topic of eating disorders, with a recent review suggesting that elite youth athletes may be at increased risk compared to non-elite youth athletes, and compared to young people more broadly.

Considering the unique challenges faced by adolescents in elite sport, there is a pressing need to support the mental health of elite youth athletes.

CLOSING THE GAP: SUPPORTING ELITE YOUTH ATHLETES A key focus for supporting the mental health of elite youth athletes involves creating youth sport contexts that are protective for mental health. Elite youth sports environments need to be psychologically safe and free from abuse and harassment.

A large responsibility sits with parents and coaches, who must avoid overly critical or demanding behaviours and instead engage with young people in supportive ways. Sport organizations should prioritize well-being and healthy development among youth athletes.

Early detection is important to help elite youth athletes get the support they need. Warning signs of mental-health concerns can include changes in an athlete’s emotions, mood, behaviours, sleep and appetite. Coaches and parents play important roles in noticing changes in athletes’ mental health, and they can help by opening up conversations about mental health among youth athletes.

Listening without judgment, asking athletes what they think they might need, and offering to help them find places to seek support are all helpful strategies when talking about mental-health concerns.

Elite youth athletes and their parents may benefit Talia Melun by seeking support from a psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist who specializes in working with athletes.

Much more work is needed to understand the nature of mental-health concerns among elite youth athletes. Given the unique demands and pressures of competing in elite sport environments and the challenges that youth face, it is imperative that we pay attention to the mental-health needs of these young performers.

Katherine Tamminen is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and a Registered Psychotherapist. Her research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Sport Canada, the Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Research Fund.

Courtney Walton receives funding through an MSPS Academic Fellowship at the University of Melbourne. He has advised a number of elite sports codes and organisations nationally.

Jordan Sutcliffe is an Assistant Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada. Some of his past research has been supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and he is currently involved on a project funded by the Tannenbuam Institute for Science in Sport.

WHISTLERITES AT THE YOUTH WINTER OLYMPICS The 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in South Korea wrapped Feb. 1, and a number of Whistler-area athletes donned the Maple Leaf on the international stage.

AMALIA PELCHAT was in the mix for snowboard slopestyle and big air, while Hannah Turkington and Anthony Shelly dropped in for boardercross.

Over on the ski-cross side, ANNE-MARIE JONCAS made the cut after earning silver and bronze at a December qualifying event in Nakiska, Alta.

TALIA MELUN was one of two Canadian bobsledders in Gangwon, the other being Isaak Ulmer.

Four lugers based out of the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC) also took part in the festivities.

AVA LUCIA HUERTA, MAYA YUEN and BASTIAN VAN WOUW represented Canada, as KAIA HATTON made her international debut for Great Britain.

HATTON isn’t the only British athlete based in the corridor either. Sea to Sky Nordics members

GRAHAM BENSON and JOSIE CLIFFORD also made it onto Team GB for biathlon.

Like other elite youth athletes, Whistler’s young stars are not immune to mental-health struggles.

“I think you have to find a little bit of balance,” Joncas told Pique.

“For me, [in 2023] I ended up getting injured.

Even before I got injured, I was really off balance with school and everything, and I think this year has really helped me find a balance between school, sport and mental health. That way I’ve been able to give my best self to skiing, and I think that’s been really great.”

Find the original story here: theconversation.com/big-dreams-and-high-demands-the-mental-healthchallenges-of-elite-youth-athletes-217040. ■

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

27

SPORTS THE SCORE

Tiana Gairns learning to trust the process THE WHISTLER-BASED SKI-CROSS NATIONAL TEAMER IS CLOSE TO RETURNING FROM A KNEE INJURY

BY DAVID SONG THE ROAD TO RECOVERY isn’t always straight and smooth for athletes who get hurt. Instead it can be circuitous, not unlike Highway 99 snaking its way from Cache Creek down to British Columbia’s border with Washington state. At times, there’s not even a clear roadmap to follow—instead there are delays and surprise detours which make the rehab process feel like using a GPS that is constantly recalculating.

If you’ve lived through such an experience, Tiana Gairns can empathize with you.

Gairns, a member of Canada’s national ski-cross team, missed the beginning of this season after her knee started bothering her. She raced to her first career World Cup medal—a bronze—back in March 2023, but began feeling what she calls “a decent amount of pain” in the offseason. Said pain did not go away, and Gairns realized she needed to do something about it.

The Prince George native, who now lives in Whistler, has rebounded from injury before.

A shoulder ailment kept her out of action in 2018-19, and she also blew her knee out at the end of 2019. But this time was different.

“I didn’t have a process in place, like the other injuries, and it was not nearly as straightforward,” Gairns said. “I had a lot of bumps in the road, a lot of things that didn’t work, and way more setbacks. In the past, I

OUT FRONT Tiana Gairns (middle) leads the pack during a ski-cross race in Idre Fjäll, Norway.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIS FREESTYLE

28 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

often look back at how far I’ve come in rehab to gain motivation and optimism, and that didn’t really work for me because each time I looked back, it just felt like I hadn’t moved forward very much.

“So this rehab has really taught me patience over anything else: trusting the process, even when you can’t see the process working.”

That very saying—trust the process—has become a familiar rallying cry amidst both Canadian skiers and the wider sports world.

Marielle Thompson battled multiple ACL tears en route to two Olympic medals, three World Championship podiums and three Crystal Globes. 2018 Olympic silver medallist Brittany Phelan suffered major lower body injuries as both a slalom skier and a ski-cross athlete. One thing Gairns shares with them is a passion for her sport, which drives her to return stronger than ever.

Yet passion alone is not her only fuel source.

KEEPING THE FAITH

Throughout her life, on and off the racecourse, Gairns cites faith in Jesus Christ as her ultimate foundation.

“Ski cross isn’t my be-all and end-all,” she explained. “God is my be-all and endall, and even though I ski race, I really try not to do it for myself. I think that there’s a bigger purpose in life and try to keep myself grounded in that.”

Anyone who has competed at a high level could tell you how all-consuming sport can be. Results, awards and besting one’s opponents often dominate an athlete’s mental space, but months of downtime allowed Gairns the opportunity to re-centre

herself, not only in her faith but in many other aspects of life as well.

“I had some big life questions to ask myself and to go through, so it feels like I’ve done a lot of maturing over the last year,” she said. “One of the biggest things I learned is that you’re constantly maturing, and you’re constantly changing. As life goes on and as you encounter different things, you change as a person, and that is just the way life is.”

Now, Gairns is able to return to ski cross as a wiser and more resilient version of herself.

Her love for the discipline is multi-faceted: as a highly competitive person, she loves being able to push herself while enjoying the outdoors. She also appreciates the culture found on Canada’s national team, which— cliché as it may sound—she likens to a family.

The 25-year-old has been quite a cheerleader from afar as her teammates opened this present campaign on fire. Jared Schmidt ripped off three straight World Cup victories last December, becoming the first Canadian man to achieve such a feat.

His sister, Hannah, recently managed two consecutive wins in Nakiska—the first Canuck on the women’s roster since Thompson to do so on home soil.

“Being Team Canada really means something, and I think one of the first things that I learned when I started skiing World Cups was that when a Canadian does well, you all do well,” Gairns said.

“When you show up to a race, everyone has a chance of winning that day … and seeing all my teammates do well—that’s the best motivation you can give me. I’m so happy for them, and I’m so proud of them.”

When asked who has had a particularly salient impact on her career, Gairns identified

Phelan, whom she calls “a rock” with loads of wisdom and knowledge to impart.

OLYMPIC DREAMS

Perhaps it was inevitable Gairns would become some kind of top-flight skier. Her dad Stuart raced back in his heyday, and she spent five years of her youth living in Austria—a nation where skiing is king. Both of Gairns’ siblings, Mikayla and Lucas, also competed, though neither went as far as she did.

Most ski-cross athletes get their start in alpine, and Gairns was no exception. Yet she began distinguishing herself at ski-cross events that were added into her alpine circuit as a teenager, and took part in the 2016 ski-cross nationals in Smithers, B.C. Her dedication to the sport grew until she earned a berth on the NextGen roster, and eventually the senior national team.

Gairns was once very adamant the Olympics were no big deal to her. Back then, she felt World Cup success was just as important as winning medals under the five rings.

That perspective evolved after she, as Canada’s first alternate, did not see action at Beijing 2022. Instead, she watched from the sideline as Thompson locked down silver.

“I believe in [the Games] as an event that brings people together from all different countries and all different sports,” Gairns opined. “It is a show of what our world can do when we’re interacting with each other in a peaceful way.

“If we put politics aside, the Olympics can show how people from different cultures, different backgrounds and different countries can come together and celebrate each other.

I’ve never been part of that, and I would really love to be.” n

SPORTS THE SCORE

GOLDEN GIRL Marielle Thompson (middle) raises her arms after winning the World Cup ski-cross race in St. Moritz, Switzerland on Jan. 28.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALPINE CANADA

Marielle Thompson grabs first win of 2024 in St. Moritz JACK CRAWFORD FIFTH IN WORLD CUP SUPER-G AT GARMISCHPARTENKIRCHEN

BY DAVID SONG AFTER A SOMEWHAT SLOW start to 2023-24 by her own high standards, Marielle Thompson is back on top.

Thompson raced like the two-time Olympic medallist and three-time Crystal Globe champ she is on Sunday, Jan. 28 in St. Moritz, Switzerland, prevailing in each of her heats en route to the 26th World Cup triumph of her career. It is the 62nd medal on the Whistlerite’s decorated ski-cross resume (achieved in 128 starts) and her first gold of the present campaign.

Thompson now occupies third spot in FIS season rankings, 62 points behind overall points leader Hannah Schmidt, who earned bronze in St. Moritz. Earlier this month, Ottawa native Schmidt became the first Canadian woman since Thompson to put together consecutive victories on home snow in Nakiska.

“I’m super excited to be on top of the podium,” said Thompson in a press release. “It’s been a tough season as I just haven’t had the results that I’m looking for, even though my skiing has been there all year. This brings me some confidence and I’m stoked to come back here for World Championships.”

Brittany Phelan (Mont-Tremblant, Que.) took the small final to end up fifth. Abby McEwen (Edmonton, Alta.) finished seventh, India Sherret (Cranbrook) 12th and Emeline Bennett (North Vancouver) 13th.

Meanwhile, Reece Howden led Canada in men’s ski cross. The Chilliwack resident’s fourth-place effort grants him runner-up position in FIS standings behind compatriot Jared Schmidt (Ottawa).

Whistler’s own Nicholas Katrusiak delivered a career-best 15th in just his third World Cup event, while Gavin Rowell (Prince George) was 30th and Carson Cook (Edmonton) found himself in 32nd.

“I went in with no expectations and came out with a new personal best that I am very proud of,” said Katrusiak on social media.

“Thank you everyone!”

JACK CRAWFORD FIFTH IN WORLD CUP SUPER-G AT GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN

Jack Crawford led Team Canada’s alpine speed squad once again with his fifthplace performance on Jan. 28 at the World Cup super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. It is the third top-five of the Whistler-based athlete’s season and the tenth top-10 of his career.

Breaking the line in a time of one minute and 10.89 seconds, Crawford just missed out on podium position but achieved a lifetime best on the challenging Kandahar course.

Swiss star Marco Odermatt locked up gold (1:10.13), while Raphael Haaser of Austria grabbed silver (1:10.43) and Odermatt’s countryman Franjo von Allmen went home with bronze (1:10.74).

“Really happy with today’s race,” Crawford told reporters after the fact. “I’ve been struggling for the last little while and it’s been a road to get back to form. Over the last week of training, we figured out a few things and today I felt confident racing. And now I’m feeling good for the rest of the season.”

Canada had four men in the points with Jeffrey Read (Canmore, Alta.) finishing 15th for consecutive top-20s in Garmisch.

Cameron Alexander wound up 24th, just ahead of his younger brother and fellow North Vancouverite Kyle Alexander in 30th.

Two other Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) brothers saw action as well. Riley Seger landed just outside the points in 34th and Brodie Seger did not finish his run.

At the women’s super-G in Cortina d’Ampezzo Italy, Cassidy Gray was top Canadian with a career-best 29th while Valérie Grenier crashed out and was assisted off the mountain. ■

Cheryl Morningstar

LOST LAKE LOPPET & SOCIAL SKI SUNDAY

18

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29

SLRD PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DRAFT ELECTORAL AREA A OCP BYLAW NO. 1822-2023 Provide your input into the new proposed Electoral Area A Official Community Plan (OCP) as part of Phase 4 of the Electoral Area A OCP Review and Update Project Review the DRAFT OCP here: getinvolved.slrd.bc.ca/draftareaaocp

1. OPEN HOUSE

2. SURVEY

Join us via Zoom for an interactive presentation on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 6pm

Complete the online survey February 6-20, 2024 at getinvolvedslrd.bc.ca/draftareaaocp

Details will be posted to: getinvolvedslrd.bc.ca/draftareaaocp

Did we get it right?

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Area A OCP Project Team 604-894-6371 ext. 264 areaaocp@slrd.bc.ca www.slrd.bc.ca/AreaAOCPUpdate

Notice of Intention to Consider Issuance of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for Cannabis Retail The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) gives Notice of Intention to consider issuance of a TUP for Cannabis Retail at its Regular Meeting of Council on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. This is rescheduled from the Regular Meeting of Council on January 9, 2024.

The purpose of the TUP is to allow a cannabis retail business in a designated location. In addition to bylaw requirements, TUP for cannabis retail applicants must demonstrate alignment with the Cannabis Retail Policy and be approved

by Council.

TUP for Cannabis Retail Application - Nesters Plaza TUP00116

The Nest

#103– 7015 Nesters Road

To learn more: A copy of the application materials are available for review: • In-person: at Municipal Hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) • Online: on the RMOW website at whistler.ca/TUP00116 How to provide input: Written comments must be received by 5:00 pm on February 5, 2024, to cannabis@whistler.ca, or to the RMOW Planning Department, 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V8E 0X5. Include “TUP00116 TUP for ‘The Nest’” in the subject line, your name and mailing address.

Written comments received by January 26, 2024, will be included in the Council package and published on February 2, 2024. Any written comments received after January 26, 2024 but no later than February 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. will be distributed to Council in a late correspondence package.

Attend the meeting: All are welcome to attend the Council meeting on February 6, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.: • In-person: at the Franz Wilhelmsen Theatre in the Maury Young Arts Centre at 4335 Blackcomb Way • Online: via digital broadcast available at whistler.ca/council

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/CannabisRetail

30 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

SPORTS THE SCORE

Axemen Rugby Club thriving in return to Division 2 play DESPITE A DIVISION 1 PLAYOFF TRIUMPH IN 2023, THE SEA TO SKY TEAM WENT DOWN A LEVEL TO ACCOMMODATE ITS MEMBERS

BY DAVID SONG

Chilliwack 37-5 last November for their firstever victory.

BLAKE MAHOVIC and his fellow Axemen Rugby Club members have never prioritized athletic excellence at all costs.

That’s not to say they’re lackadaisical in their approach to sport. The Axemen are passionate about what they do, which is reflected in their work ethic at practice.

A stunning 24-21 playoff upset of heavilyfavoured Burnaby Lake last April proved the Squamish-based club can compete with top talent—but at the end of the day, accessibility trumps accolades.

That’s why team leaders chose to drop back down into BC Rugby’s Division 2 in spite of a confidence and character-building Division 1 experience in 2022-23.

COME FOR THE SKIING, STAY FOR THE RUGBY

A STEP BACK

The Axemen would love to keep playing against some of British Columbia’s top squads... but not if that means excluding some of its membership.

“Travel commitments for the first division took us to Vancouver Island and the Interior quite a lot,” Mahovic explained. “We weren’t able to offer rugby to as many people, because they weren’t able to make those travel commitments, so we really took a step back.

We know we can compete in [Division 1], but … our ethos as a club is to get more people involved in our community.”

A downgrade in competition proved the best way to achieve that goal. Division 2 teams need only play in Squamish and the Lower Mainland, whereas the Axemen’s schedule last season included three or four overnight trips—a hefty amount of mileage for an amateur organization that only practices once a week. Plus, the team is familiar with seconddivision success, having won a May 2022 title over Surrey.

The Axemen have at times been getting up to 50 players at practice, which is unheard of compared to previous years. Its Division 2 squad boasts an undefeated season as of this writing, while the Division 3 boys are also having one of their best campaigns to date with wins over Capilano and Scribes RFC. Furthermore, Mahovic has again been named to Team Canada’s rugby league roster alongside teammates Josh Michalik and Gus Murphy. They will suit up for a March 1 exhibition game in Las Vegas against the USA Hawks.

The newly-relaunched Axemen women’s branch has also grown at a rapid pace, combining with the Vancouver Rowers to jump into action sooner than expected.

Coached by former Abbotsford RFC member Lauren Arthur, the Axes and Oars downed

Not everything has gone to plan, however.

The 2023 closure of Quest University forced Axemen leaders to seek an alternative to training on the now-shuttered campus.

Things got worse when the club found itself unable to book time at Brennan Park Recreation Centre for any of its men’s, women’s or youth programs.

“There has been no solution. We’re facing the same problems that we always have,” said Mahovic. “The way that it’s set up right now— not to get into too many technicalities—is that a single user group, if they meet a certain criteria, can book the entire Brennan Park facility for all the hours. There are definitely other small sports organizations in the same boat as us, being unable to secure time.

“Ultimately, it comes down to asking districts and municipalities to take a look at their policies, which are 40 years old now and designed for a completely different ecosystem, and asking: are they equitable?”

The District of Squamish told the Squamish Chief last September it hopes to address some of these issues in 2024.

In the meantime, the Axemen are doing what they can to keep everyone together.

The club pays for gym classes for all its adult members—women and men alike have an opportunity to join group sessions in Whistler and Squamish. Various social events, recreational touch rugby games and an annual potluck also go a long way towards fostering unit cohesion.

It’s not just about recruitment, either. The Axemen strive to be contributing members of their community, whether it’s donating potluck food to the Squamish Helping Hands Society or volunteering for various non-profit organizations throughout the Sea to Sky area.

“The club acts as a huge social safety net for a bunch of our members, so that’s something we’ve been really conscious about,” explained Mahovic. “A lot of people came here to ski, but they stayed for rugby, which to me is exactly what amateur sport should be: there’s a place for everyone and everyone feels included. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been playing, or who you are, or what your background is.

“We have no real interest in becoming the best rugby team in B.C., but we are really interested in becoming a pillar of the community.”

The Axemen returned to competitive play at January’s end and will continue until May, with plenty of home games in Squamish on the schedule. Learn more at axemenrugbyclub.com. n

Learn more at whistler.arcteryxacademy.com

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EPICURIOUS

New-and-improved Alpine Café garnering ‘fantastic response’ LONGSTANDING LOCALS’ HAUNT REINVENTS ITSELF FOR THE TIMES

BY BRADEN DUPUIS MANY A MUSICAL ACT has graced the stage at Whistler’s Alpine Café in its more than 20-year history—but none more famous than Gene Simmons.

The KISS frontman and part-time Whistler resident delighted patrons back in 2020, when he joined a local band for a jam on the Alpine Café patio.

The longstanding neighbourhood fan favourite was closed for a spell for renovations, but reopened its doors on Dec. 28—and the musicians are already lining up to take the stage.

“The music program, run by Cat, is already booking ahead, and people can expect

ALPINE VIEWS Alpine Café owners Martini Bart and Kevin Wood say the response to the recently renovated business has been fantastic.

PHOTO BY SUSAN HUTCHINSON

performances once or twice a week,” said Kevin Wood, who co-owns Alpine Café with Martini Bart.

“In addition to local musicians such as Don, KostaMan and Monty, the cafe will once again be a great place to see and purchase work from local artists as we throw the invitation out to talented locals wishing to display and exhibit.”

The new-look café opened to a “fantastic response from the local community,” Wood said, adding the change was “long overdue.”

The original Alpine Café building opened in 1986, when it was operated by Harry McKeever as McKeever’s General Store and Dirty Harry’s (a laundromat).

Both business and building sold in 1996, and rebranded as Alpine Meadows Market.

In February 2003, Wood and Bart opened Gone Alpine Café in the space in partnership with Bob Lorriman.

Lorriman sold his interests in 2004, after which Gone Alpine was renamed Alpine Café.

Wood and Bart subsequently purchased the market portion of the building in 2012.

But with the opening of the Your

Independent Grocer and Green Lake Station in Rainbow in recent years, the market aspect of the café proved redundant, Wood said.

“What was really needed was more seating for the café and a more spacious hub for the neighbourhood to gather, celebrate, eat, drink and commune,” he said. “A community needs its centre, where people can come together, and that is the vision behind this expansion.”

The new-look Alpine Café does maintain some retail—such as hot and cold grab-andgo options, and convenience essentials such as milk, eggs and bread—as well as takeout options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“All this comes with the offer of wine, spirits and cocktails, plus five draft beer and cider options on tap to choose from,” Wood said. “The café has retained much of the old menu, and daily specials are a feature that are posted weekly on social media. The kitchen team are hoping to add in more dishes and old favourites once they find their feet in the new space and get back up to speed.”

One of the biggest challenges Wood and

Bart faced was retaining the cosy, welcoming feel the café is known for—essentially trying to maintain and recreate that vibe in a bigger space.

“Based on the first weeks of feedback, we have achieved that,” Wood said. “There’s no doubt the space needed some TLC, and required some upgrading to meet new building codes. The benefits people can expect to see are inside toilets—finally, after 20 years of trailing round the back of the building—that and a fabulous new heating system that means you don’t have to wear your puffy jacket to dine anymore!”

While Wood and Bart maintain ownership, Wood lauded the café’s “fantastic” managing team as well: Cat Montague, Julie-Anne Roy, and new kitchen manager Ethan Baguley.

“We are really happy with our new space and can’t wait to welcome everyone in,” he said.

“We are already getting booking requests from locals for everything from pre-wedding dinners and birthday parties to event requests from local community groups. It’s an exciting time. See you in the Alpine.”

Read more at alpinecafe.ca. n

NEW WINTER WHISTLER MAGAZINE IS OUT! Get your new edition in hotel rooms and select locations around Whistler.

32 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

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ARTS SCENE

‘I’m interested in tomorrow’ RENOWNED SCOTTISH PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID YARROW WILL SPEAK AT THE FOUR SEASONS WHISTLER ON FEB. 23

BY DAVID SONG DAVID YARROW has been around the block, to say the least.

One of the Glasgow native’s first major gigs was the 1986 FIFA World Cup Final in Mexico City, where he snapped a famous shot of Argentinian star Diego Maradona hoisting the trophy. Since then, he’s travelled across continents documenting athletic icons, supermodels, wildlife and much more. Fifty-odd galleries around the world showcase his stuff.

Yarrow’s most recent Sea to Sky trip took place last January. He’s back at the Whistler Contemporary Gallery at the Four Seasons Whistler on Feb. 23 to speak and meet with collectors. A display of Yarrow’s eye-catching monochrome images will go up at the gallery from Feb. 21 to 25.

The acclaimed photographer tends to visit a lot of ski resorts, having recently been to Aspen, Colo. and St. Moritz, Switzerland. So how does Whistler stand out to him?

“The strange thing about Whistler is that even though it’s quite a long way from the U.K., there’s a lot of British people there, so I feel quite at home amidst the culture,” Yarrow says. “The TV screens all show football. I know far more people in Whistler than I do in a lot of Colorado ski resorts. I enjoy the culture, the place and the bars. I’ve

FUTURE FACING Acclaimed Scottish photographer David Yarrow is an adventurous soul.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAM YARROW

34 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

got good friends there.”

The Scotsman also believes his work lends itself well to affluent ski resorts.

He had initial difficulty breaking into the Canadian market some nine or 10 years ago in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver— despite having covered the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. One of his professional contacts recommended he try Whistler due to its similarity to the profitable Colorado market.

FROM SAVANNAS TO STORYTELLING

Although many might know him for his pictures of nature, it’s been a while since Yarrow has focused on that realm.

“I think that the key to art is authenticity and originality, and photography is the most accessible art form in the world,” he says.

“When I had a bit of success photographing the natural world, I think it’s fair to say a few people tried to copy a little bit of what I was doing in terms of immersive, close-up photography with a sort of intimacy to it.

“Now there are a lot of people in that crowded wildlife space, and it’s questionable whether wildlife photography is art because it’s recording reality. Therefore, it’s something that everyone can do. I don’t really see why someone in Whistler would want a picture of an elephant on their wall … but I do enjoy the storytelling side of things now. It’s less easy to imitate, it’s interpretive, it’s more creative and more challenging.”

Yarrow has captured the stories of an impressive celebrity lineup, including Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, NFL greats Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach,

and supermodels Cara Delevingne and Cindy Crawford. That’s in addition to his work documenting landscapes, natural disasters, and Indigenous peoples. His ambassadorial commitments have included Nikon, WildArk and the Kevin Richardson Foundation.

He’s pretty much seen and done it all in his field, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind.

‘WHAT HAS CHANGED’

Cameraman, author and conservationist he may be, but Yarrow can also be quite the giver of hot takes if you invite him to do so.

“I think there is a lot of nonsense spoken about photography right now, and the first one is that it’s becoming more accepted into the art world,” he opines. “If you go to places like Art Basel in Miami Beach—and I’ve been going for a long time—photography was maybe five per cent of the work on show 10 years ago, and it hasn’t really moved.

“What has changed is that everyone now is a photographer. There were more pictures taken in the last three days than in the whole history of film. We live in an era where there is so much content—too much content—and therefore the price of that content is falling.”

To underscore his point, Yarrow cites the precipitous decline of Sports Illustrated. The 70-year-old publication, once revered as the gospel and benchmark of sports journalism itself, is on life support after publisher The Arena Group announced it was laying off the majority of its staff. Digital media, with its immediate gratification and ability to cater to short attention spans, continues to threaten its traditional print counterpart at all levels of the industry.

Yarrow would also argue today’s prevailing

social attitudes stand in direct opposition to what he views as the principal genres of fine art photography.

“Thirty years ago, the two main forms of fine art photography were the female form—a sort of semi-eroticism—and a wider objectification of women. Now, both of those areas could conceivably get you cancelled,” he remarks. “If [acclaimed fashion photographer] Helmut Newton was 18 years old now, I don’t think he’d have quite as good a career as he did 50 years ago.

“The photography industry is, I would say, under a little bit of pressure. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I think it’s where [my team and I] have been quite smart, because … we photograph women fully-clothed, and we make women the centrepieces of a lot of our work.”

The veteran shooter doesn’t plan to hang up his camera anytime soon. Perhaps he may never retire, at least not in the traditional sense of lounging around drinking margaritas on a beach. He loves what he does too much to consider it “work,” and his desire to get better remains ever bright.

“I think my character is one where I’m not really that interested in yesterday. In life, I’m really more interested in tomorrow,” Yarrow explains. “As a photographer, you should get better, so you’ve got to believe that your best pictures haven’t been taken yet. I think as you grow older, you realize that the best parts of your life in some areas are going to be behind you, but the better photographs can be ahead.”

Learn more about Yarrow’s next visit to Whistler at whistlerart.com/show/ whistler-contemporary-gallery-david-yarrowwhistler-exhibition. n

ARTS SCENE

Tara Lilly and Steve Stemmler win International Wedding Photo competition THE WHISTLER-BASED PHOTOGRAPHERS CAPTURED A WHISKY JACK LANDING ON A BRIDE’S HEAD ON BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN

BY DAVID SONG TARA LILLY and her husband Steve Stemmler have documented more than 600 weddings around the world since launching their first business, Tara Lilly Photography, in 2010. Last year, the local shooters added quite an accolade to their resume: grand prize at the International Wedding Photographer of the Year (IWPOTY) contest.

The crowning moment occurred on the day two folks named Mitch and Mikaela planned to tie the knot. They booked a date through Lilly and Stemmler’s sister company, Whistler Elopements, and were ferried up into the Blackcomb alpine by Canadian Wilderness Adventures. As the couple began to exchange vows in the meadows of 7th Heaven, an inquisitive whisky jack decided to check things out, landing directly on Mikaela’s head.

“While she was definitely surprised, Mikaela loved it, allowing the bird to remain on its perch,” Lilly recalls. “Shortly after it flew away, Mikaela exclaimed that she felt like Snow White!”

Lilly and Stemmler decided to submit the Disney-esque moment for consideration at IWPOTY, which draws material from hundreds of photographers across the globe.

Judges were impressed enough to award the Whistlerites top spot—as well as finalist berths for six other shots—and they’ve received lots of recognition since.

“With more than 1,700 images submitted, it is incredible to be recognized amongst some of the best wedding photographers in the world,” says Lilly. “Since the award announcement, we have garnered international recognition, with features in several magazines such as People, Business Insider, Yahoo, and Daily Mail. I love being able to showcase Whistler weddings on a world stage. Hopefully, it inspires other couples to come elope in our beautiful backyard.”

Lilly thinks the Sea to Sky corridor boasts a uniquely stunning natural landscape—and who could blame her?.She and Stemmler have been able to offer couples all kinds of adventures to mark their special day, from intimate oceanside ceremonies to heli-elopements. They work to make mountain weddings accessible to all, in a place that combines natural splendour with five-star resort amenities.

Lilly and Stemmler have lived quite the love story themselves. The two began dating at 17 years of age and have spent much of the ensuing two decades building their business together. Whistler Elopements first launched in January 2020, and endured the pandemic to become a thriving operation that leverages the complementary dispositions of its frontpeople.

“As a couple we are the epitome of ‘opposites attract,’ and our business skill sets are complementary,” Lilly explains. “On a

DISNEY MOMENT This image, captured at 7th Heaven on Blackcomb Mountain, won top prize at the 2023 International Wedding Photographer of the Year contest.

PHOTO BY TARA LILLY PHOTOGRAPHY

wedding day, Steve has a big personality; he loves to give direction and be the centre of attention, while I thrive in capturing the more intimate moments. I do love that as different as we are, our values align.

“In 2019, Steve became an ordained wedding celebrant so that we could create Whistler Elopements as an inclusive and accessible way for couples to elope in the mountains, with intersectional environmentalism at its core.”

Lilly’s interest in photography was sparked in high school, when her dad taught her to shoot film on a Nikon FE camera during a family ski trip to Whistler. She and Stemmler—both Ontario natives—put down roots in the Sea to Sky in 2016 and haven’t looked back.

“What I enjoy most about photographing weddings is the mix of candid imagery and creative portraits of the couple,” reveals Lilly. “Capturing those fleeting moments—a touch, a laugh—can transport someone back to how they felt, allowing them to relive their wedding day. I believe the value of photographs increases over time, especially as our memories of events start to fade.

“When it comes to elopements, I love when our couples are willing to venture out in inclement weather. Some of my favourite images have come from a thick fog nestled in the trees, the peak of a mountain breaking though the cloud cover, or the vibrancy of a mossy forest after a heavy rain. I love being able to share some of our favourite locations in Whistler with our couples on their wedding day.” n

Snowflake reflectors have arrived in Whistler.

Ask your transit driver for a snowflake.

Also available at Municipal Hall, Meadow Park Sports Centre, or at the Library.

Extra buses Saturdays 2:14-5:30pm to Alpine/Rainbow/Emerald Subscribe to Route Alerts at bctransit.com/Whistler/Alerts Peak Winter Service through March 31 Resort Municipality of Whistler Whistler.ca/transit FEBRUARY 2, 2024

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COUNTRY MILE Competitors in the Labatt race cross the bridge on the Lost Lake Trail course in February 1980.

WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION

Whistler’s cross-country roots

BY ALLYN PRINGLE WHILE THE ALTA LAKE Sports Club (ALSC) was founded in 1975 to “organize and encourage participation in outdoor sports at all levels of ability in the Whistler area and beyond,” in the winter months, the ALSC was all about cross-country skiing. Members organized events in Whistler and competed in races with other clubs around the province, although they got off to a rocky start in 197677, when a particularly mild winter forced one event after another to be cancelled or moved to Manning Park. By 1980, however, the ALSC was consistently hosting multiple races each season, and the first few months of the year were busy ones for members.

In January 1980, members of the ALSC travelled to 100 Mile House to take part in the Cariboo Marathon, a 50-kilometre race with 1,500 competitors that took place in “extremely cold” and “frigid” temperatures, according to a report in the Whistler Question. The ALSC was well-represented in the women’s division of the Marathon, with members Joan McGrath, Loreen Barnett and Betty Ann Hopner taking first, second and fourth places, respectively. Catherine Gaarder and Jenny Busdon, both ALSC members, provided a picture-perfect finish after they met at the 15-km mark and crossed the finish line with their hands together after five hours and 10 minutes.

ALSC members did not fare so well in the men’s division, where the Finlandia Club from Vancouver swept the first five spots.

Some members were out with injuries or working out of the country, while others ran into difficulties during the race. Al Fisher, the ALSC coach, ended up in the trees around the 20-km mark, was knocked unconscious, broke his nose, recovered… and made it to the finish line in 13th place. Both he and Nello Busdon ended up at the hospital with frostbite.

On Feb. 10, the ALSC and Labatt hosted their annual meet on the trails around Lost Lake with a 25-km course for racers and a 12-km course for tourers and “youngsters.”

The ALSC was well-represented in both divisions this time, with McGrath again coming first in her category and Dan McDonald placing third in his, behind two members of the Finlandia Club.

Later that month, ALSC members competed at the BC Championship CrossCountry Ski meet held in Manning Park, where they came second in the 3x5-km relay (coming in just behind the Finlandia Club team).

The last big race that year for the ALSC was the 4th Annual Fischer Cup, again held around Lost Lake. The rain and warm weather before the race had some members wondering if the race would go ahead, but according to Jenny Busdon, “we are an optimistic bunch and one thing our club never does is give up!”

The race director, Jim Bishop, took three days off from his work in the city and spent two days shovelling with other members to build a new course that eliminated previous problem areas that caused “scenes of absolute bedlam” whenever one skier went down. In the end, the 15-km course was in “fantastic” condition for the race.

At this last race of the season, McDonald took first, finally coming ahead of the “seemingly unbeatable Finns.” The event also included an elementary-age race where new ALSC skiers, some of whom had only tried the sport a few times before, got a taste of competition over five km. The Fischer Cup was followed by a medals ceremony, prizes from Fischer, Labatt, Andres Wine, the Highland Lodge, and Molson, and a dance at the school, where the social aspects of belonging to a club took precedence over the competition.

Through the 1980s, the ALSC hosted fewer skiing events as the newly formed Whistler Nordic Ski Club grew. On Monday, Feb. 5, we’ll be joined at the Lost Lake PassivHaus

by Tom Barratt, Keith Bennett and Stephanie Sloan to learn more about how Nordic skiing developed in the area, how the Whistler Nordic Ski Club came to be, and more at our first Speaker Series of 2024.

Find more information at whistlermuseum.org/events. n

PARTIAL RECALL

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1 OUT AND ABOUT The Whistler Pride and Ski Festival held its annual ski-out/pride parade on the slopes of Whistler Mountain and through Whistler Village on Friday, Jan. 26. The fest wrapped with the fan-favourite Snowball on Jan. 27.

DAMP DAYS The Sea to Sky got extra soggy this week, as rainfall warnings led to raging rivers and flooding in certain areas of the corridor. PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS 3 NEWS YOU CAN USE Whistler expats Andy Dittrich and John Brown enjoying the consistent blue bird weather in the Cariboos—while catching up on the local headlines from Whistler. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY DITTRICH 4 ON THE EDGE Whistler’s “Mountain Edges” Adult Synchro Team practiced last Thursday, Jan. 25, for its upcoming BC/Yukon skating competition. Good luck synchro stars! PHOTO BY DIANNE DIAMOND 5 HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Geri Turchet captured this foggy shot riding the Emerald Chair on Jan. 26. “By the way, once we got through that cloud the sun was still nowhere to be found,” Turchet adds. “Oh well, we still skied!” PHOTO BY GERI TURCHET PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS 2

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Send your recent snaps to edit@piquenewsmagazine.com

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Resort Municipality of Whistler

NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE

In accordance with section 24 of the Community Charter, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) hereby gives notice that: The RMOW intends to provide assistance through partnering agreements for 2024 in accordance with the Council Policy A-39 - Fee for Service (FFS) to: • Whistler Arts Council (dba Arts Whistler) up to the amount of $577,500 to operate Maury Young Arts Centre and develop, produce and promote arts programming in Whistler; • Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council up to the amount of $73,500 to provide invasive species expertise, program development, training and education in Whistler; • Whistler Animals Galore Society up to the amount of $120,750 to operate an animal shelter in Whistler; • Whistler Museum and Archives Society up to the amount of $218,400 to operate the Whistler Museum; and • Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association up to the amount of $282,450 to maintain the existing off-road trail network within Whistler (together the FFS Recipients).

On January 23, 2024 Council passed a resolution approving the above-listed funding amounts to the FFS Recipients at a Regular Meeting of Council. All of the FFS Recipients are providing important services to the Whistler community and Council has determined that the assistance being provided by the RMOW furthers the goals of the Whistler community as identified in Whistler’s Official Community Plan. All funding under these agreements is due to be paid in 2024 subject to the FFS Recipients satisfying milestones throughout 2024 and continued availability of funding.

Pauline Lysaght Resort Municipality of Whistler Corporate Officer

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

NOTICE

2024 COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) will be accepting Community Enrichment Program (CEP) applications from community groups looking for financial assistance for 2024. The application period runs from January 25 to February 15, 2024.

The CEP provides funding to not-for-profit organizations or societies based within Whistler that are considered by Council to be contributing to the general interest and advantage of the municipality. The categories include ‘Environment’, ‘Social Services’, ‘Community Services, ‘Recreation and Sport’ or ‘Arts and Culture’.

Each interested community group is required to complete a Grant Application Form and present to Council at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on March 5, 2024. All approved funding will be issued no later than April 30, 2024.

Grant Application Forms are available at www.whistler.ca/cep or at the reception desk of the Whistler Municipal Hall, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please submit applications to: Legislative Services Department, RMOW, 4325 Blackcomb Way Whistler, BC V8E 0X5 Phone: 604-935-8117 Email: corporate@whistler.ca Completed applications must be received by 4 p.m., February 15, 2024. No late applications will be accepted.

To learn more, visit whistler.ca/cep.

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca 38 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

ASTROLOGY

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2 BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Happiness” is an amorphous term with a different meaning for everyone.

What makes me feel happy may be unlike what works for you. Besides that, any kind of perfect happiness is impossible to achieve. However we define it, we are always a mix of being happy and unhappy. Nevertheless, I invite you to ruminate about the subject in the coming days. I believe you are primed to arrive at a realistic new understanding of your personal version of happiness— and raise your happiness levels by at least 15 per cent.

Maybe more! Now here are helpful clues from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: “Precisely the least thing, the gentlest, lightest thing, the rustling of a lizard, a breath, a whisk, a twinkling of the eye—what’s little makes up the quality of the best happiness. Soft!”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I invite you to take an inventory of your taboos, inhibitions, and restrictions.

Meditate on why you originally adopted them. Evaluate how well they have served you and whether they are still meaningful. If you find any of them have become unnecessary or even injurious, jettison them. And be excited and happy about being free of them. If you decide that some taboos, inhibitions, and restrictions are still wise for you to maintain, thank them for their service and honour the self-protection they provide.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini novelist Gregory Maguire says there are a “thousand ways people shrink from life, as if chance and change are by their nature toxic and disfiguring.” Your assignment in the coming weeks is to contradict his theory. I’m hoping you will interpret all chance and change as potentially expansive, redemptive, and interesting. You will never shrink from life, but will boldly meet challenges and embrace twists of fate as interesting opportunities. I have abundant faith in your ability to carry out this vigorous project!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You could be a masterful eliminator of toxins and wastes in the coming weeks. Do it both for yourself and for those you care about. Start by purging nonessentials that obstruct the flow of the good life. These might include defunct fantasies, mistaken understandings, apathetic attitudes, and unloving approaches. Among the other dross or dreck you could root out is any clutter that’s making familiar environments feel oppressive. By the way, fellow Cancerian, this should be fun. If it’s not, you’re doing it wrong.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): My goals right now are to inspire you in the following three ways: 1. to be full of love for your daily life; 2. to adore yourself exactly as you are; 3. to shed any numbness or boredom you feel and replace them with alert aliveness. To help you in this exalted effort, I offer the inspiration of three quotes. 1. “The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson. 2. “The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” –Eden Phillpotts. 3. “I have the mysterious feeling of seeing for the first time something I have always known.” –Bernardo Bertolucci.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the coming weeks, I hope you avoid sucking up to egotistical manipulators.

Please also refrain from being an unappreciated beast of burden and a half-willing pawn in boring games. If you are interested in paying off karmic debts, make sure they are yours, not anyone else’s. If you plan to work hard to lay the foundation for a future liberation, get a guarantee that YOU will be one of the liberated people. PS: I’m fine with you doing unselfish things as long as they will also have selfish benefits.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): One of the great maladies affecting modern people is the atrophy of the soul. It’s related to another affliction: the apathy of the soul. A key contributor to these misfortunes is the entertainment industry. Its shallow and artificial stimuli are engineered to overfeed our egos, leaving our poor souls malnourished.

Please note that I have no problem with our egos. They are an important part of our make-up and are essential for healthy functioning. But it’s a shame they hog all the glory and sustenance. Now here’s my climactic message for you, Libra: It’s high time to celebrate a holiday I call Nurture the Soul. Make it last at least three weeks. Homework: Identify three actions you will take to excite, cherish, and enhance your soul.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In myth and legend, pregnancies don’t always begin with two humans having sexual communion. The well-known story of the Virgin Mary tells us she was impregnated when the Holy Spirit, disguised as a dove, whispered in her ear. The Roman goddess Juno conceived her son Mars solely with the help of an enchanted lily flower. The Greek hero Attis germinated inside his virgin mother Nana after she placed a pomegranate in her lap. This might sound outlandish, but I foresee you having a metaphorically comparable experience. Do you believe in the possibility of being fertilized by miraculous magic or a divine spirit? Might you be dramatically awakened or inspired by a very subtle influence? I think it will happen even if you don’t believe.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian computer scientist Grace Hopper (1906–1992) wrote, “The most damaging phrase in the language is: ‘It’s always been done that way.’” I will expand on that wisdom. The most obvious meaning is that we risk ignoring our individualized needs and suppressing our creative inspirations if we mindlessly conform to the habits of society. But it’s equally important not to mindlessly repeat our own longstanding ways of doing things. Maybe they were brilliant and appropriate in the past, but there’s no guarantee they will always be so. In conclusion, Sagittarius, I recommend you rebel against your own personal “it’s always been done that way,” as well as everyone else’s.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Being in love is as desirable for you Capricorns as it is for everyone else.

You may be less open and dramatic than the rest of us in expressing your yearnings, but they are still a driving force.

Here’s an important point: Even if you are not constantly chattering to others about your urges to give and receive intimate care, it’s crucial that you acknowledge them to yourself. To keep your soul healthy, you must be in close touch with this core fuel. You must love your need for love.

Now is an excellent time to deepen your appreciation for these truths.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It’s the fifth annual Brag Therapy Holiday—for you Aquarians only. During this celebration, we expect you—indeed we want you—to boast with panache. Tell us all in exquisite detail why you are such a marvellous creation. Explain how you have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to transform yourself into a masterpiece of intuitive intelligence. Regale us with stories of your winsome qualities, your heroic triumphs, and your hilarious and poignant adventures on the edge of reality. Make sure we understand how educational and healing it can be to bask in your influence.

Show us why we should regard you as a role model.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I invite you to resolve old business, draw unrewarding projects to a close, and finish your lessons at the School of Tough Love. You don’t have to carry out my next proposal, but if you do, I will be glad: Politely and quietly scream, “Get out of my life” at anyone who doesn’t give you the respect and kindness you deserve.

I also recommend that you do a Wrap-It-Up Ritual. Start by making an altar that pleases you with its beauty. Take scraps of paper and write on each one a description of an influence or experience you want to purge from your life. As you rip each scrap into bits, say this: “I’m grateful for what I have learned from you, but now I am leaving you behind.”

Homework: Read and hear free excerpts from my new book: https://tinyurl.com/BraveBliss.

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

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

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SEEKING ACCOMMODATION WANTED 35yo woman looking for housing (local of 16 years) Mature German female seeking private, safe home. I’m very quiet, study and hike during the day. I keep my space spotless. (had a cleaning business) I have good references (been in my current Whistler address 10years) I own a car and a calm 7yr old dog (he only sleeps when indoors). I don’t smoke, vape, party or create noise.

Never in my life missed a bill or caused harm to anyone and their belongings. Please text (I don’t use my phone at work) if you have something affordable and want a trustworthy long term tenant.

60four 388 four88four Couple looking for 1 or 2 Bedroom unit in Whistler from April or May 2024- LONG TERM Hello, we moved to Whistler 6 years ago and are Canadian Citizens. Jakub owns plumbing company Check Mechanical and Iveta is finishing Massage Therapy program at VCMT. We are active couple who likes to spend free time outside.

Non smokers, no pets Can provide references form previous landlords Need parking spot and storage for sports equipment Iveta and Jakub 778-522-7060 j.pyrochta@gmail.com

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

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

Ray Wiebe 604.935.2432 Pat Wiebe 604.902.9300 raymondo99.69@gmail.com MOVING AND STORAGE

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See our full page schedule ad in this issue of Pique for details

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

39

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Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/careers Page 8 of 25

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4/11/2005

Tired of sniffing PL Premium and wood dust?

Being just another wood tick in town?

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Wide Open Welding

We’re Hiring! Experienced Carpenters

Skill set we’re after….

• Not afraid of heights • Able to read a tape measure • Basic layout skills • Mechanical aptitude • Ready and willing to learn a new trade • Positive attitude • Not made of sugar

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION? WANT TO COME AND WORK FOR A GREAT TEAM WITH LOTS OF ROOM FOR CAREER GROWTH? APPLY TO CONNECT@TMBUILDERS.CA BENEFITS, FULL TIME WORK, WAGES $30-$45 BASED ON EXPERIENCE

$25-$38 per hour – negotiable upon experience contactus@wideopenwelding.com

We’re Hiring!

Structural Steel Project Manager Squamish Based Ironworker

We've Got You Covered

VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 FREE

SHARE YOUR PASSION HEAD GARDENER

Full Time, Summer Seasonal Experience a summer like no other in Whistler!

The Whistler Golf Club is an Arnold Palmer designed course, situated just a short walk from Whistler Village. In concert with Mr. Palmer’s “go for it” attitude when he played, we believe the golf experience we provide should be fun, entertaining, accessible, and memorable. To that end, we are looking for employees who have an engaging and outgoing personality and can get truly “cranked up” everyday to deliver our branded service experience.

We are currently seeking an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to join our Golf Maintenance team. The Head Gardener is responsible for assisting with the design and maintenance of all beds at the Whistler Golf Club, and the agronomy within the turf maintenance department.

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

The starting wage range for this role is $21 - $24 per hour.

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

These are rewarding career opportunities in the structural steel industry.

Both positions are integral members of the project team.

PM is responsible for all stages of structural projects of varying size and complexity.

Ironworker will assist senior installer and crews on various Squamish sites.

Full-time permanent positions, competitive wage & benefits package.

Send Application to - info@wwswelding.ca

Come build with the best team.

Our team of people is what sets us apart from other builders. As we continue to grow as the leader in luxury projects in Whistler, our team needs to expand with us.

We are currently hiring: Experienced Carpenters $30 - $45.50/hourly. Wage based on experience. Red Seal is a bonus, but not mandatory.

EVR is committed to the long-term retention and skills development of our team. We are passionate about investing in our team’s future.

We offer: • Top Wages • Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?)

• $500 Annual Tool Allowance • Extended Health and Dental Benefits (Also includes Family Benefits.)

• Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance. (We get it. We love to ski and bike too.)

• Assistance with Work Visa and Permanent Residency (We can help.)

• Positive Work Environment We promote from within and are looking to strengthen our amazing team. Opportunities for advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able to build with the team that builds the most significant projects in Whistler.

Send your resume to info@evrfinehomes.com We look forward to hearing from you!

www.evrfinehomes.com FEBRUARY 2, 2024

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Lil’wat Nation

Employment Opportunities Ullus Community Centre • Food Centre assistant ($20.90 - $29.45 per hour) • Advanced Education Registrar ($38,038 - $53,599 per year) • Administrative Assistant, Language and Culture ($38,038 - $53,599 per year) • Financial Reporting Manager ($93,475.20 - $101,556 per year) • Transition House Support Worker ($20.90 -$29.45 per hour) • Administrative Assistant, Lands and Resources ($38,038 - $53,599 per year)

Xet’òlacw Community School • Substitute Teacher( $32.02 - $58.36 per hour) • Social Worker/ Counsellor ($80,371.20 -$91,673.40 per year)

Lil’wat Health & Healing • Nurse Manager ($59,878 - $99,717.80 per year) • Assistant Health Director ($93,475.20 - $101,556 per year) • Homemaker ($20.90 - $29.45 per hour)

Lil’wat Business Group • Geographic Information Systems Technician ($52,000.00 - $99,840.00 per year)

Benefits Pension Plan • Employee Assistance Program • Gym facility • Extended Health Benefits • Professional Development Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/

Vacasa’s forward-thinking approach and industry-leading technology help set us apart as the largest full-service vacation rental company in North America.

We are seeking individuals with a passion for providing exceptional vacation experiences for our Owners and Guests.

• • • •

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

Owner Relations Manager $55,000 per year

Full Time all year round Apply online today! https://www.vacasa.com/careers/positions or email: paul.globisch@vacasa.com or call to find out more details at 604-698-0520 We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

42 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

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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.

CIVIL CONSTRUCTION AND SNOW SERVICES BUILDING AN EXCELLENT COMPANY, PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIPS, AND RESULTS

PROFESSIONALISM

RELIABLE AND HONEST

PROBLEM SOLVERS

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

STRONG WORK ETHIC

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES HYDROVAC OPERATOR, Squamish - Valid Class 1 or Class 3 with air brakes required.

Manual transmission. 2 years experience preferred. $32-$37 per hour.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Squamish - Minimum 5 years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$42 per hour.

HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, Whistler – Red Seal Certified, Commercial Truck & Transport, Transport Trailer required. CVSE Inspector’s ticket, Air Conditioning ticket, Class 1 or 3 with air brakes, and several years’ experience preferred. $37.70-$39.80 per hour.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST – Keen eye for detail and proficiency in data entry and management required. Completion of accounting courses preferred. $24-$28 per hour.

ACCOUNTANT – Prepare financial information, statements, reports and develop internal control procedures. CPA or working towards designation preferred. $26-$32 per hour.

Y APPL

coastalmountain.ca/careers instagram.com/coastalmountainexcavations

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

D E L T A

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.

Part-time or Full-time positions available.

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

W H I S T L E R

V I L L A G E

S U I T E S

WE'RE HIRING DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

(The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $111,000 annually)

SHUTTLE BUS DRIVER (The hourly range for this position is $27.00 to $30.00 per hour)

HOUSEKEEPING (The hourly range for this position is $21.98 to $24.26 per hour)

STAFF HOUSING AVAILABLE.COMPETITIVE RATES & BENEFITS.GLOBAL DISCOUNTS.GLOBAL CAREER.

Join the #1 Global Leader in Hospitality. Apply at Jobs.Marriott.com.

Contact Adela.Celustkova@deltahotels.com for more information, or drop by and talk to us - we love to meet new people.

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

43

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 10 15 18 19 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 35 37 38 39 40 42 43 44 46 47 48 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 60 62 63

Comedian -- Burnett Official records Jeweler’s glass Letter after phi In flames Exacting City in Germany What a person bowls on Expenses Anger Rows Anglo-Saxon laborer Garden tool Menace -- Pendragon, father of Arthur Better organized Lab burner Northerner Aspersion Food factory Chicks’ cries Of the Pope River crossings Memorizes “Cry Me a --” Notoriety “Jane --” Goddess of the hearth Doctrine Withdraw from a union Gloomy -- -- crow flies Castle protection Wine type Fashion Sculptor’s medium Neighborhood watch

65 66 67 68 69 71 73 75 76 77 78 82 84 85 86 87 90 91 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 102 104 105 107 108 109 110 112 113 114 117 118 119 123

Top Unconventional Box of parts Simple dwellings Related Boston player Pip Pindaric Very serious Fish eggs Family guys Proprietor -- of passage Broker’s advice Break down Pooch Feather scarf Bring to mind Bundle Loafer “In God We --” Enthusiastic Costly fur Old French coin Moral philosophy Fabric Arrest Ship staff Oil lamp part Support Hunter at sea Skirt shape (hyph.)

Skirmish Stopping device Exalt Upholstered piece San -- Obispo Scarlett’s home Turn back

2 4

3 9

7 8

124 125 127 128 129 131 133 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142

Hammerhead Flitted London’s Big -Racetrack shape George or T.S. “No more, please!”

Poetry Muse Facet Wash cycle Brainteaser Destined Sound stage Velocity Sit for a painter Motif

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 23 30 32

1 2

4

1 5

6 3

Hidden store On the move Ascended Table scrap For fear that Mediterranean capital Speak hoarsely Go at full -High card Deadly Willow rod Help desk client According to Captured Purify Hurry Toward the center Discards Brass instrument Not of this world “Laughing” animal Salty drop

3 8

6

1

4 6

1

6 2

2 7

HARD

34 36 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 58 59 61 63 64 66 70 71 72 74 76 79 80 81 83 85 87 88 89 90 92

3 9

4 2 # 29

Tip Lack of interest Except Orbiting object Cleveland’s waters Spotted horse Confront Actor -- Nielsen Landed property Raises Nourish River in Belgium -- and file Circular current Chops Go unsteadily Porcine creatures Needlecase Bea Arthur role Splinter Peel Make a call Lasso Put down Krazy -- of old comics Inhalation Bakery items Venetian magistrate A dozen dozen Fit for crops Diplomacy type Direct Filament Horny plate Frisbee shape Reputation Adhesive Male animal Grandson of Adam

93 95 96 98 101 102 103 104 106 108 109 111 112 113 114 115

Dance performance “To -- own self be true” Kind of pudding Steep Chirping sounds Saltine Whip Try to catch Ripple Make indistinct Twist and turn Household god Covered Enter and steal Love personified Some jeans

116 117 118 120 121 122 124 125 126 130 132 134

Sidestep Elected Praises Become less severe Biblical plant Cell terminal Trig function Long-gone bird Skillful Cup edge Bite Cheer

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

9

4

7 2 5 9 6 2 8 4

7 8 7

6 5 9 5 7 4 2 8

6 2 7 8

HARD

1 # 30

Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: HARD

4

HARD

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

6

2 8 3

4 1

8

5 2 5 6

1

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

# 31

HARD # 32 Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

ANSWERS ON PAGE 40

44 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

7 2

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45

MAXED OUT

Choose your weapon I BELIEVE I have what can best be described as an unnatural relationship with things I own.

Not that kind of unnatural relationship; get your mind out of the gutter.

When I discover I own something that works well, does the job it was designed to do, gives me great pleasure, I tend to hold on to it, use it, wear it, drive it, whatever, well past the time I should have relegated it to the scrap heap. I’m pretty sure it stems

BY G.D. MAXWELL from a paralyzing fear that whatever I get to replace it will fail to give me the same kick, the same warm, growing relationship.

Doesn’t always work that way, of course. For example, the first skis I ever owned were made of wood. They went nicely with the leather boots that fit into their cable bindings.

I never fell in love with them because I never skied on them. A non-ski accident so bizarre— and woefully indicative of my utter lack of coordination—left me limping pretty much the whole winter I bought them from a friend.

By the time the next winter rolled around, I couldn’t remember where I’d put them and had moved on to other diversions.

But the first real skis I ever owned and used were a mustard-yellow pair of Völkl Renntigers. I bought them when I realized the addiction of sliding down snowy hills had me firmly in its grip and wasn’t going to let go and the cost of renting skis was quickly surpassing the cost of owning.

Faced with the myriad brands and models, my ocean of ignorance of all things skiing, and my mental immobility when faced with too many choices, I might have soldiered on with rental skis for a lot longer. But an opportunity to demo about eight pairs of Völkls one day on the icy slopes of a ski club overlooking the equally icy expanse of Georgian Bay in frozen Ontario changed all that.

The Völkls, more so than other skis I’d injured myself on, seemed to blend precise, German engineering with my own incompetence in an alchemical combination that let me very nearly conquer the ice people in Ontario have to ski on and fooled me into thinking I might get better. It wasn’t so much that I could hold an edge with those skis—or even understood the concept of holding an edge at that time—but when I was sliding head first down the slope and managed to flop around and get the ski in front of me, that fine German steel actually seemed to chatter me to a stop before I reached the bottom of the hill or the nearest unpadded lift tower. What more could I ask for in a ski?

The shop I purchased them from didn’t have the model I’d demoed and really liked, but the salesman, perhaps remembering he’d conned me into buying rear-entry boots and therefore knew nothing about skiing, managed to convince me the Renntigers were an even better choice for a discerning skier such as myself. Especially the 205s, which was all he had left. Needless to say, they were several orders of magnitude more ski than I

46 FEBRUARY 2, 2024

PHOTO BY ASCENTXMEDIA / E+ / GETTY IMAGES

could even begin to manage and, once I moved to Whistler, led me to quickly develop a close and lasting relationship with Allison McLean, whose physiotherapeutic fingers exorcised my numerous injuries... and continue to work their magic today.

I finally, painfully, replaced those skis, many years later than I should have. After having been abused for more days than I’d care

skis, but those are conditions where people expect you to fall more often than they do on, say, Pony Trail. For that reason alone, I endeavoured to spend most of my time there.

They were replacements for a red, white and blue pair of K2 something-or-others I’d rescued from Lost and Found. Like the Renntigers, I skied on them well beyond their useful life. By the time I got rid of them,

When I discover I own something that works well, does the job it was designed to do, gives me great pleasure, I tend to hold on to it… to admit, they had all the camber of wet pasta.

Their topcoat was almost unrecognizable due to the amazing number of times it took to convince me I couldn’t stay upright with my tips crossed. They were more notched than a gunfighter’s six-shooters, and replacing them was more an act of mercy killing than opportunity.

I’ve only bought new skis once since then... and they were disappointing. A single arrow in the quiver model from K2, they gave me the illusion of being good in bumps, powder and off-piste crud—not that I could ski bumps, powder and off-piste crud very well on any

they seemed like an appendage, a part of me.

That I hated their brand-new replacements cemented my relationship with new skis.

While my head can be turned by the racks of shiny, new, shapely skis in every shop in town, my natural inclination is to buy inexpensive, second-hand skis. That’s “buy.”

I no longer shop at the racks outside the Longhorn.

But here I am again. Pondering the useful life of my current favourite skis. Well, not so much pondering, but wondering how long I can continue to enjoy them when I see models a decade or more newer attached to the fence

at the Re-Build-It Centre in Function.

They, too, are Völkls. I’m not sure what model, since not even the Völkl website delves that far back into the company’s history. I bought them for $60 maybe 10 years ago from a ski instructor who was leaving to head back home to some Scandinavian country.

The first time I skied on them it was a revelation. Like driving a sports car, they handled everything like they knew how to ski well even if I didn’t. Fast and responsive, they carved turns like they had power steering—think turn, make turn. Perfect skis for everything except Wet Coast cementitious powder.

My friends have had multiple new pairs of skis while I’ve used them, day in and day out. Some look at what I’m still skiing on and I can see both pity and ridicule in their eyes.

But still, I tune them, wax them, care for them, and already grieve their eventual retirement.

I picked up a new-to-me pair of somewhat wider, all-mountain skis the end of last season. More an act of desperation than design, they were, of course, demos on sale for the modern day equivalent of the 60 bucks the Völkls cost.

I’ve skied them two or three times.

They’re competent, but they don’t move my soul. They don’t make me feel like a better skier than I probably am. But they’ll do until something better comes along. Assuming I finally ever give up on the Völkls... which will probably be when they actually break. ■

N

EW

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AR

KE

T

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