Pique Newsmagazine 3107 by Pacific Coastal Publications LP

FEBRUARY 16, 2024 ISSUE 31.07

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PLAY NICE Council gets into the weeds on new code of conduct

RAGING IN PLACE Whistler seniors make case for dedicated seniors’ centre

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

42 Winter (cycling) is coming As winter cycling grows in popularity, the infrastructure and safety needs to grow with it. - By Vince Shuley

14 PLAY NICE

Whistler’s mayor and council delved into

the weeds during a discussion on a new code of conduct this month.

30 CORE ISSUES

Pemberton Councillor Ted Craddock

has identified his main priority for 2024—tackling public drinking and anti-social behaviour in downtown Pemberton.

17 RAGING IN PLACE

Whistler’s seniors rallied

48 SEE GREENE

The Fabulous Life of Nancy Greene

at the Feb. 6 council meeting to make their case for a dedicated seniors’

Raine—screening at the 2024 Vancouver International Mountain Film

centre in the resort.

Festival—takes a fast-paced look at the Whistler pioneer’s life.

20 EARLY ACCESS

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54 LIVE, LAUGH, LIVE!

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COVER My three favourite things: powder, surfing and e-bikes! Corrosion kills! At least that’s what my last two e-bike batteries taught me. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art 4 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

#202 -1390 ALPHA LAKE RD., FUNCTION JUNCTION, WHISTLER, B.C. V8E 0H9. PH: (604) 938-0202 FAX: (604) 938-0201 www.piquenewsmagazine.com

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 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,

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS

Whistler’s long-gestating growing pains are coming to a head, and fast,

writes editor Braden Dupuis. How will Whistler navigate its mid-life crisis?

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers question the need for regional transit in the Sea to Sky, and pen an ode to simple satisfaction in Whistler.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Taking care of the environment should not be a political issue, writes David Song—and we shouldn’t need an impending doomsday to want to take better care of our home.

70 MAXED OUT It takes money to make housing affordable, writes G.D. Maxwell. But who pays? Who should pay?

Environment & Adventure

40 THE OUTSIDER Vince Shuley breaks down why you need to watch Weak Layers, the new featurelength film from Katie Burrell.

Lifestyle & Arts

52 EPICURIOUS Catching up with Wild Blue chef de cuisine Jasper Cruickshank, winner of the 2024 Canadian Culinary Championships.

58 MUSEUM MUSINGS Looking back at the first Women’s World Cup in Whistler, which was almost derailed by unseasonably warm weather.

ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Pacific Coastal Publishing Limited Partnership, a division of Glacier Media) distributed to over 150 locations from Squamish to D’arcy. The entire contents of Pique Newsmagazine are copyright 2024 by Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of WPLP, a division of Glacier Media). No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher.

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In no event shall unsolicited material subject this publication to any claim or fees. Copyright in letters and other (unsolicited) materials submitted and accepted for publication remains with the author but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Letters to the Editor must contain the author’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 250 words. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Pique Newsmagazine is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact (edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com). If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil. ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information. This organization replaces the BC Press council (and any mention of it).

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OPENING REMARKS

Whistler’s mid-life crisis RECENTLY, AFTER A BIRTHDAY and some hard-earned revelations, I realized I may be experiencing a mid-life—if not a crisis, then at the very least a renaissance. At 36 years old, I posited, I am roughly halfway through my life on Earth. (Word to the wise: if you’re of a similar age, don’t mention this observation around any older coworkers, lest they pull up the stats for the average life expectancy in Canada in a desperate, vain attempt to cling to the

BY BRADEN DUPUIS last gasps of their own mid-life crisis… not that I’m speaking from experience of course. Hypothetical scenario). But yes, for the sake of discussion, let’s say 36 is the halfway point. As I contemplated the first half of my life, I stumbled on a stunning, if simple, realization: every high, every low; every success and every failure; every miserable, world-ending bout of depression and every last second of sublime understanding—it all existed somewhere inside those 36 years. Everything I’ve ever done, thought, known or felt—the entire depth of the universe and the human experience—all wrapped up there in a neat little box, tucked away in a dark corner of all existence. If we assume modern Homo sapiens emerged roughly 190,000 years or so, that would mean my entire understanding of the world and everything in it accounts for about 0.01 per cent of observed human history. A speck of dust in a never-ending sandstorm. Alas. It’s humbling, infantilizing, paralyzing, even—and also liberating. If that’s what I was able to squeeze into the first 36 years, what might the next 36 hold? Limitless possibilities. Master of my fate, captain of my soul. And so on. It’s also a whole heck of a lot of responsibility. Because while I packed a lot

of learning, growing, and experiencing into those first 36 years, it still feels like life is just beginning—and the decisions I make at this juncture will carry an inordinate amount of consequential weight into the future. It was in the context of these big, expansive thoughts I watched the Feb. 6 council meeting, at which more than 50 Whistler seniors showed up to advocate for a seniors’ centre. While some of the rhetoric was overblown—baselessly accusing council of wanting to push seniors out of town to “free up the housing for young people” is not overly helpful—the rush to the podium is indicative of Whistler’s own “mid-life crisis.” And that concept is worth exploring. In September 2025, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) will turn 50 years old—a relative youngster in the context of Confederation. Which means, much like myself after my 36th birthday, this town has some big, challenging questions to answer about what it wants to be going forward. Whistler is a desirable place, in which seemingly everyone wants to stay and build

growth pressures in the resort—predicts more visitors, more residents, increased workforce shortages and 50 per cent more traffic congestion by 2040. So, what are we doing about it? The last update on the Balance Model came in the summer of 2022. The part everyone is waiting for—strategies and actions to actually address the pressures of growth—was originally supposed to be presented to council in winter 2022-23. The RMOW webpage at whistler.ca/balancemodel has not been updated since June 2022. “We are continuing to work with a consultant, conducting methodological updates of the Balance Model,” a communications official said. “Currently this involves working with multiple internal subject matter experts, reviewing the updated methodology and assumptions, and making technical revisions.” The goal is to “ensure it is optimized for our current and future demands of the model, and how it supports our strategic planning and understanding of Whistler’s carrying capacity,” they added. “We must ensure the updated model is

The conversations ahead will be difficult and consequential, and, much like a real mid-life crisis, deeply existential. a life—the seniors who conceived of it, the newcomers who come for a season and fall in love, and everyone else in between. But, right now at least, Whistler cannot accommodate everyone who wants to live here. Does it want to? According to recent stats from the province, Whistler is projected to grow by more than 46 per cent by 2046, to a population of about 20,380. That doesn’t take daily visitation into account—or the municipality’s own projections. The RMOW’s Balance Model Initiative—a project to identify and address

complete and verified so that we can accurately inform and educate the community. We hope to be able to share updates by Q2 of this year.” The conversation about growth, overtourism, boundaries and bed caps is not new. But the tone and tenor appears to be changing. At one point, discussing boundary extension or raising the bed cap might have amounted to political suicide among longterm locals—in light of recent trends and projections, it would seem the discussion is not only inevitable, but crucial for securing a sustainable future for Whistler. “We need to prepare for [growth] whether

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expand the boundaries, and build, baby, build. Many will fall somewhere in between, just hoping to get their desired days on the hill, and still be home in time for dinner. The point is Whistler’s long-gestating growing pains are coming to a head, and fast. The conversations ahead will be difficult and consequential, and, much like a real mid-life crisis, deeply existential. It will be uncomfortable. Unpleasant. Awkward, even. But, like confronting the natural limits of our own mortality, it’s also unavoidable. So there’s no sense putting it off. ■

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or not we are ready for it. Whistler is a diverse community, so some of us resist that growth and I think some of us are eager for it,” said Mayor Jack Crompton, in a recent interview with Pique about population stats. “I moved here because I love so much about Whistler being a small town in the mountains—my hope is that we hang on to some of what has made Whistler so great as the province continues to grow.” That love for Whistler as we remember it, as it was when we came to know it, is part of what makes this place so special. It nurtures a protectionism that has served this town fabulously over its first five decades. Whistler should not dispose of what made it great in the first place. But in the above quote, the mayor cuts to the heart of Whistler’s mid-life crisis—and, perhaps subconsciously, sets the stage for the next municipal election in 2026. Some will bemoan and resist the forces of growth and change, dig their trenches, pull up their drawbridges, and stand steadfast in defiance of the universe and its intentions. Others will want to throw open the doors,

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What problems is regional transit looking to solve? “Reliable and affordable regional transit will reduce our auto-dependence, alleviate traffic congestion, shrink our carbon footprint, and make it easier for residents without cars to access employment, educational opportunities and other essential services,” –Mayor Jack Crompton I think most of these claims are false, and will not be solved with regional transit. What problems are we looking to solve? There are dozens of buses running scheduled service between Vancouver and Mount Currie every day, but these services are not overrun with customers. If anything, regional transit would take away revenue from the fantastic services that already exist. Too expensive? We already have free transit in Whistler every weekend, and that service is not overrun. If expense is a problem, then we should find a way to subsidize the existing services. Commuters to jobs? I just don’t see Squamish commuters ditching their cars, because you’d have to get from your house to the transit hub, and then wait for a bus to arrive in Whistler at inconvenient times—if the frequency of service was less than 10 minutes, then maybe… but there won’t be funding for that. Traffic on the roads? I think most calls

for regional transit are from people who want OTHERS to be on the bus so there’s less traffic. Buses will only be slower than driving, because there are no bus lanes and cars (a.k.a. mobile living rooms) are so comfortable. Won’t solve this. Access for First Nations from Mount Currie? There are already buses that connect to the awesome bus service that runs from Whistler if Vancouver is the ultimate destination. I know people cannot party late and ride the bus— but a full-fledged regional transit service seems like an overbuilt solution to what a few subsidized limos could accomplish. Improving safety on public buses? I don’t see how that is in the mandate of regional

transit—it’s just conflating regional transit as a solution for other systemic issues. When I hear claims like “I have friends who take the bus to Vancouver as often as possible,” I laugh in confusion: when has it been impossible to take the bus? This is not even a problem, let alone one that we need to find solutions for. We cannot find enough drivers for our local transit and school buses, a challenge that the private operators seem to have overcome, so this issue will only exasperate with regional transit. Now, if driving were more expensive—think road tolls (ideally wealth- and weight-based)— and more inconvenient (think indirect and

without much parking), then we would already see the existing services busier. This should be the first step towards building regional transit, using the bandwidth that’s currently available and discouraging driving. This won’t happen because our elected officials are so beholden to the status quo and our automobile-centric mindset—they cannot get elected by wielding a stick at car drivers. But I want to provide solutions that are proven to work, and I think our leaders should try leading us for a change. I do think regional transit is coming, and it will be a fraction of the cost anything a government official discusses. It will be in the form of Autonomous Electric Vehicles. There is an inflection point coming in the next few years when the cost of computing and the cost of EVs coincide (think smartphones in 2007) to offer trips for 10 cents per kilometre. I know there are lots of autonomous vehicle skeptics out there, but the tech will be so good, so safe and so affordable we will be compelled to use the services due to safety and price. Here is what our governments should be doing today to promote regional transit: 1: Subsidize existing private operators including buses and taxis; 2: Make driving more unpleasant, slower and more expensive—reflective of its true costs; 3: Build local mobility solutions (i.e. build for e-bikes) that will integrate with local and regional transit; 4: Designate the Sea to Sky as a multimodel and autonomous testing ground: want

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NATIONWIDE EXPOSURE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to beta test your new AV solutions? Do it in the Sea to Sky—to promote investment, innovation, and use it as a marketing tool. Big, empty BC Transit buses will not make a dent in our regional transit needs, and the logic is painfully outdated: it’s time to put this archaic talk to rest once and for all—it’s time to plan for the future. With an eye to the future, if most locals, commuters and visitors were to arrive by bus and autonomous vehicles, our multi-milliondollar Gateway Bus Loop would be overrun with people. That’s the goal—what a beautiful picture to paint. Brendan Ladner // Whistler

Simple enjoyment in Whistler A perky fascination with snow can be enough to land a job in Whistler. The sensation is plain. Unencumbered by any sort of challenge with destiny. Whatever might fit into a gap year. Decisions mark an extraordinary point of view in life so far measured without taking them seriously, but what fits here can simply be fun, with a bit of work. The perks are up there, just waiting for a run. Putting off a bit more education, or a life tossed completely into the working world, braces against the science of personality. The coin of privilege is rarely found without meeting a story told in keeping wit to the grind of economy. Where we have one sense of it in hand, surely there is a tale told beyond the

mention of the next. Enough said to complete a day, and imagine another. A bit of pride examined in simply knowing. It takes that to settle with the find of enjoyment. It reaches out ahead of us here, along the lines of a forecast. Lifted up and out of the way of a working day. There is surprise in being above it. Even when we take home the sense of persuasion that keeps out a bigger sense of responsibility. It can belong wherever we find play. There is a family waiting there, too. Just out there. It comes like a sense of tradition. There is a Canadian feel to it. Almost ancestral. It becomes a welcome to others, being a young nation, with lots of space. Here we know it well. We don’t put a gap between visitors. The job keeps them coming, and it is a bit of a responsibility. It ages well on the land. Every new sense of tradition should be enabled in the same way. Sending up a bit of pride acts as an invitation to more. To keep the young people coming here is important. They need time to work it out. Make some plain sense. Choices can get in the way of growing up. They divide our strength, and decide sometimes against opportunity. Knowing how to respond to that embraces a challenge in life. It is possible to go out of bounds, safely. It is better to stay in, though. So life is imagined out ahead of us, without a gap. Taken in fun. Irresistible, like the way up a mountain. A perky fascination with destiny. Roger Duddridge // Victoria ■

Backcountry Update AS OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14

Last weekend, we experienced a refresh with roughly 30 centimetres of new snowfall, but there has been minimal accumulation in the week following. Clear, sunny skies have dominated this week’s weather. As little to no snow is expected for another week, it will be worth tracking the surface conditions before everything is buried by future snowfall. Weak layers in the snowpack typically develop during periods of drought. Moving forward, potential layers we may encounter include sun crusts on south-facing slopes and surface hoar crystals in sheltered areas. As we transition into the later months of winter, it’s important to acknowledge the increasing daylight hours and higher sun angle, which will have a much more pronounced impact on snow surfaces compared to the earlier months of winter. Unlike the numerous rain crusts we have experienced this winter, sun crusts will primarily form on slopes that receive substantial sun exposure. These sun crusts can provide an ideal sliding layer for

future snow accumulations above, or they can become a troublesome weak layer themselves if facets or surface hoar form on top of the crust. On the other hand, surface hoar generally forms on terrain that differs from where sun crusts develop. Typically, surface hoar develops during clear, cool, and calm nights (a common pattern over the last week). While surface hoar is likely to break down in areas that receive daytime sun or wind, these weak crystals often persist in areas that are predominantly shady and sheltered from the wind. As we enter late winter and early spring, it is not uncommon for avalanche danger and associated problems to vary greatly across different aspects and elevations. This complexity adds to the challenge of safe backcountry travel. It’s wise to understand and start recognizing these potential problems early on, in order to mitigate the risk and reduce the likelihood of being caught off guard in the future. Enjoy the sunny weather and remember to stay informed about current conditions and any changes to the snowpack 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. FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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ANGELL HASMAN & ASSOCIATES REALTY LTD teamtreleaven.com Angell Hasman Whistler, 4314 Main St, Unit #20

Erin Mcardle Stiel

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Luxury Home, Ideal for Entertaining. 12 minutes north of Village Gate Blvd. lies the vibrant Mountain Estate community of Wedge Woods. Luxury living is seen throughout this spacious home with soaring vaulted ceilings and stunning window wall, perfect for entertaining. The lower level allows an owner to personalize the space for optimal usage, whether games room, theatre, or media. Includes large 2 car garage and care takers suite.

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12 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

PIQUE N’ YER INTEREST

Climate change shouldn’t be a political issue THE LAST OP-ED I read about climate change was penned by Dr. Trevor Hancock. Writing to the Victoria Times-Colonist, Hancock compared the fossil fuel industry to its tobacco counterpart in the sense that this industry “ruthlessly pursues profit regardless of the human cost.” Predictably, comments on this piece run the gamut from staunch agreement to

BY DAVID SONG dsong@piquenewsmagazine.com harsh criticism… and fortunately, at least one balanced take. “Just no compromise,” writes one individual under the username DMANP. “Each camp has been pushed to the point of warlike defense by their respective suitors. There is middle ground, people.” Time to stop overlooking that middle ground. There’s precious little I can add to the long-running scientific debate about anthropogenic climate change, and I have no interest in entering the political ring to support or excoriate the likes of Dr. Hancock. Rather, my stance is very straightforward. In the famous words of Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy, I want Earth to be

taken care of “because I’m one of the idiots who lives in it.” Two views tend to dominate this conversation. Either global warming will turn our planet into a Venus-like wasteland within our kids’ lifetimes, or it’s a hoax fabricated by left-wing malcontents who hate human prosperity. The truth is likely somewhere in between, and that’s where we should start. We all live in a yellow submarine on Earth, and thus we all have a vested interest in the continued health of said world.

CLIMATE CHANGE ISN’T BLACK AND WHITE…

Environmentalism should not be treated as a political issue that people accept or reject based on ideology. Instead, it’s a human issue that affects us all. No matter who you are: you need clean water, you benefit from a diverse biosphere and you probably don’t want to face natural disasters of increasing intensity. I have no idea how bad things could get, but we shouldn’t need confirmation of an impending doomsday to want to take better care of our home. What we do know for a fact is Earth’s warming has a salient effect on nature. Chances are you’ve heard the term “atmospheric river.” Well, warmer air can hold more moisture, so these occurrences will likely become more frequent and severe. A very similar meteorological principle drives the

formation of more powerful thunderstorms and tropical cyclones—again, not good news. Prairie denizens may scoff at the idea of “global warming” because they just experienced a deep freeze in the minus-40s or worse. That freeze occurred because of the polar vortex—an expanse of frigid air normally contained to Arctic latitudes by a strong band of wind called the jet stream. However, the polar jet stream can be disrupted by sudden stratospheric warmings: essentially temperature fluctuations in the

We’re not going to get off fossil fuels overnight. upper atmosphere. Ironically, these warming events can bring cold to some areas by weakening the jet stream and allowing the polar vortex to expand southward. Severe weather events are not necessarily a harbinger of Armageddon, but they remind us climate change is a more nuanced problem than its doubters would have you believe.

…BUT NEITHER IS THE WAY FORTH

There is another side to this problem.

We’re not going to get off fossil fuels overnight. They provide the most currentlyviable means of heating and travel, and so many things we use or rely on involve petroleum in their manufacture: everything from skis to eyeglasses. Solar, wind, hydro, et cetera, are definitely worth continued investment, but they each have their downsides as well. For now, we’re reliant on oil and gas to an extent, and there’s no sense virtue-signalling about it (or refusing to properly leverage the fossil fuels in our own backyards). Plus, not everyone has the means to only buy organic food or install solar panels in their house. Green options are frequently more expensive, and people shouldn’t be condemned for making ends meet. Some, moreover, are tired of hearing the world will absolutely, 100 per cent, end unless we reduce our global carbon footprint to zero tomorrow. I understand feeling a sense of urgency about climate change, but certain folks just aren’t swayed by the doomsaying anymore—if they ever were to begin with. Perhaps it would be more fruitful to tone down the apocalyptic predictions and try an approach that balances the realities of today with the hope of a better future. Ultimately, everyone should be able to agree stewarding the biosphere is important. We’ll need to keep figuring out optimal solutions, but we only have one planet. Let’s not waste it. n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler mulls new code of conduct for council members MAYOR AND COUNCIL GET ‘IN THE WEEDS’ DURING LENGTHY PRESENTATION

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS WHISTLER’S ELECTED OFFICIALS and top bureaucrats chewed over a draft code of conduct brought before the Feb. 6 committee of the whole meeting for an hour and a half last week, delving into the weeds for clarification and raising issues with the proposed rulebook elected officials would be expected to live by. The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) coordinator for special legal projects, Brooke Vagelatos, gave the lay of the land in presenting the rationale behind a new code of conduct for elected officials, explaining legislative changes from the province in 2021 (and guided by input from the Union of BC Municipalities) require municipalities to consider the implementation of changes to their existing codes of conduct. The RMOW has a code of conduct now, but according to Vagelatos it is an appendix to council’s governance manual, hasn’t been changed since it was introduced in 2005, and needs changes to bring it in line with the province’s expectations. “The goals of this bylaw if it were adopted would be to set out these behavioural expectations for our elected officials,” Vagelatos said. “It would establish both informal and formal resolution procedures, [and] it would

CODE MODE Whistler’s mayor and council discussed a revised code of conduct at the Feb. 6 committee of the whole meeting. SCREENSHOT

14 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

rely on an independent third-party investigator to investigate any complaints, and to provide a report regarding the alleged breach as well as recommending proportional remedies where those expectations are not met.” From there, Vagelatos threw it open to council members to raise questions. Some councilors rallied around concerns with the reporting process of a complaint, with Vagelatos responding to queries from Councillor Jen Ford to explain that even if a councillor was not found in breach of the code of conduct, a report would still be made public if an investigation was carried out. Ford’s line of questioning, which hinged on concerns about disproven accusations going to a public forum becoming a “circus” in and of themselves, were picked up and shared by Coun. Jessie Morden, who pressed Vagelatos on the issue. “I think in some cases a council member may want it to be known that, yes, there was an investigation, but [they weren’t] found to be at fault,” said Vagelatos, who added a report clearing someone’s name could also be regarded as a learning tool for other council members, members of the public, and candidates for public office. Her argument didn’t sway Ford, who said whether or not an accusation is vexatious, a report clearing someone of any wrongdoing is still worn by the accused. The RMOW’s chief administrative officer Ginny Cullen noted it would not be a fully detailed report of the alleged misconduct or investigation that is made public, but a summary. General manager of community

engagement and cultural services, Karen Elliott, pointed out accusations are often in the public realm from the outset. “One of the things we’re seeing across the province is that vexatious complaints from council member to council member often start in the public domain, and are shared on social media quite broadly, and then are brought in through the code of conduct complaint process,” she said. “It is certainly your discretion to put forward the code of conduct that you want, but one thing to remember is that sometimes, the complaint is made very publicly by a councillor, and the only way to clear that person’s name is for the investigator to publish a report.” Morden continued to press the issue, arguing a public accusation being taken into a formal process would likely cause interest to die down—but to return to it later would resurrect interest. “We all know that things pass and people take up new hobbies—so they don’t pay attention to that story, and then it comes out in public [again], then it’s being worn by that council member again … it’s just being perpetuated,” she said. Morden suggested if a council member was found not in breach, then council itself have a role in deciding if it should release the report, because otherwise, “once it goes public, anybody and their mother can make their own assumptions on that council member.” Ford dipped back in to add another two cents. “I would take it one step further and say if there was no breach, and the investigator

said no breach has been found … The council member who has been accused can choose to make it public or not based on their decision … There’s no advantage to someone saying ‘I’ve been accused of this and I’ve been cleared of all charges’—it doesn’t really help.” Coun. Arthur De Jong, when he spoke, indicated he was in agreement with Ford and Morden’s line of thinking. “If our hands are clean, being dragged through the public mud of perception is not exactly a recruitment tool for public office,” he said. While he commended staff’s work, De Jong relayed general discomfort with the entire process of forming a new code of conduct, adding he believes the province should have applied municipal codes of conduct from above. “I do find this process uncomfortable, hence I am quiet,” he said. “My expectation is that the province, through UBCM, hands a rulebook to everyone and we play by it … Here I find I have to be both a player and a referee. I have never been comfortable with that.” Other questions touched on remuneration being tied to remedial actions in the case of breaches of the bylaw; the process for appointing an independent investigator and how much it will cost (between $10,000 and $40,000, depending on the complexity of cases); and how much it would cost to reimburse a council that chose to have legal representation through the process (up to $10,000). Towards the end of discussions, following remarks from Coun. Ralph Forsyth about

SEE PAGE 16 >>

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler in line for a fifth cannabis retailer MAYOR AND COUNCIL VOTED TO SUPPORT AN APPLICATION FOR A NEW STORE AT NESTERS PLAZA ON FEB. 6

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS WHISTLER’S MAYOR and council granted assent to a fifth cannabis retailer on Feb. 6, signing off on a Temporary Use Permit for The Nest to operate in Nesters Plaza. Nesters Plaza is the one Temporary Use Permit area within the RMOW that does not yet have a cannabis retail store assigned to it. The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) cannabis policy permits one retailer to operate in each of five designated areas. The Nest will be located on the lower level of Nesters Plaza facing east, located next to a café and in close proximity to a liquor store and other retailers. The owners will be required to sign a “Good Neighbour Agreement,” which is a requirement of all cannabis retailers operating within the RMOW. In their community impact statement, the applicants said they are committing to giving seven per cent of their store’s annual net earnings to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) at the end of each year. The statement also mentioned outreach and discussions with the Lil’wat Business Group (LBG) on opportunities for investment, but late correspondence from the LBG appeared to negate those discussions.

16 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

When queried on the late correspondence by Councillor Cathy Jewett, staff said they evaluated the application within the scope of the bylaws, and noted there are no explicit guidelines on how businesses forward reconciliation through partnerships with First Nations (another requirement of Whistler’s cannabis retail policy). Staff also noted the Lil’wat Council is in support of the application. During discussion, Coun. Jessie Morden said she is excited to see local owners opening up a cannabis retail shop, and noted they committed to using EV modes of transportation for delivery in their application, “and I really hope they fulfil that.” Coun. Ralph Forsyth indicated he would vote against approving the application. “I’m not going to support this for the same reasons that I did last time,” he said, citing a

lack of financial benefit coming back to the RMOW through weed licenses and taxes due to gaps in the federal legislation that has that money congealing in provincial coffers, and not flowing to municipalities. “Municipalities get zero money from this, because when [the federal government] wrote the act they didn’t figure out they needed to tell the province that they must share the money with the municipalities, so the province doesn’t have to share it, so they don’t—why would they? So we get no benefit. I don’t think it makes our town a better place. I know the applicants, I wish them well, they’re lovely people, but I’m not supporting this.” Council voted six to one to support the application at the Feb. 6 meeting, with staff recommending its approval.

Council’s approval is required to go with the application to the province’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, which will issue a license to the operator if they are successful. From there, the application will come back to the RMOW for additional permits such as a business license. Meanwhile, Whistler’s second cannabis retail storefront—Spiritleaf Whistler—opened in Creekside in January, while its first, A Little Bud, has been operating in Function Junction since October. Whistler first moved to ban cannabis retail after federal legalization in 2018, aiming to exert more control over when and how pot shops appeared in the resort. The RMOW finalized its own cannabis retail in policy in 2022 before it began accepting applications. n

CODE OF CONDUCT FROM PAGE 14 sunk-cost fallacy and potentially leaving the existing code of conduct in place, Cullen warned against getting lost in the weeds. “At the end of the day, the highestranking piece is that everyone has a common understanding of the conduct and you hold each other accountable … what [staff] have done is an improvement on the existing code, and I think that should be taken into

account,” she said. Elliott, who served as the previous mayor of Squamish, also jumped in to stress the importance of having a robust code of conduct. “I can say from experience that there is a leap of faith in raising your hand and voting for your code of conduct, because you don’t know how it’s going to work until you have to

put it into practice … but I think having the comfort of knowing that there is a process and knowing that everyone’s clear on their roles is a huge advantage,” she said. Council voted unanimously to direct staff to bring the code of conduct to a regular council meeting with amendments. The full meeting can be watched on the RMOW website. n

NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler seniors state their case for a dedicated seniors’ centre SENIORS PROJECTED TO MAKE UP 33 PER CENT OF WHISTLER’S POPULATION BY 2031

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS MORE THAN 50 SENIORS turned out for Whistler’s latest council meeting on Feb. 6 to make the case for a dedicated space for seniors’ activities. They came in support of a letter submitted to council by Erika Durlacher, who spoke to her letter ahead of another six speakers who came to do the same. “Whistler seniors need a place to call home,” said Durlacher. “Most municipalities that I know of provide an accessible space to respond to the needs of their 55-plus citizens. At present, Whistler does not have one, yet our senior population has grown significantly in recent years.” Durlacher pointed to the support Whistler seniors have given to the community over the years through volunteering. “Just think if you had to pay for those man-hours,” she said. “We want to age in place, but to do so we need a facility where we can socialize, recreate, and take part in programs appropriate for our physical and mental well-being.” Durlacher argued very few programs are available to seniors in Whistler due to their irregular nature, with many run by volunteers and funded by grants. “A permanent home for seniors’ activities would of course be the best solution, but a temporary space is urgently needed,” she said. Charalyn Kriz, who serves as a director with Whistler’s Mature Action Committee (MAC), requested incorporating a seniors’ centre into the upcoming Northlands Boulevard development be considered a longterm goal, with a suitable space to be found among municipal assets in the meantime. Kriz said the demographic makeup of Whistler is all the more reason to invest, given seniors made up 25 per cent of the population in 2021, and are projected to number at 33 per cent by 2031. She cited a World Health Organization brief on loneliness among seniors, noting loneliness can damage mental and physical health, and lead to a decline in quality of life. “A contributing factor to loneliness and isolation of seniors in Whistler is the lack of available space where seniors can meet, socialize, and in which special programs and activities and seminars can be held,” she said. While the council table was all smiles and nodding for the entire 45 minutes the issue was being discussed, some remarks were more pointed, with local resident Cheryl Green asking why seniors are being ignored. “Is it because you don’t want the young, money-spending tourists to see us? … Or do you simply not want to spend the money that could be put elsewhere rather than into seniors? Or maybe … you just want us all to leave so that the housing becomes available for the younger residents of Whistler?” she asked, adding planning for an aging demographic “should have happened a long time ago.”

Janice Lloyd posited anyone who suggests those who don’t like the lay of the land in Whistler simply leave are insulting those who poured their lives into building it. “I’ve heard it also said that if you don’t like the way Whistler is, you should just move. And I know that that will resonate with some people at the council table, but I find that very insulting,” she said. “I really hope you can help the senior people of Whistler, not just assign them to little spaces here and there, which is very difficult to organize.” The reception from council was warm, despite the sharper remarks, with Mayor Jack Crompton prompting the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) general manager of community engagement and cultural services Karen Elliott to chime in. Elliott said the RMOW could do better to communicate with seniors on what spaces are suitable and how to book them at low or no cost. She added staff are considering the use of the RMOW’s Youth Centre at the Maury Young Arts Centre, noting it is available for certain times throughout the week.

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“Our staff are happy and interested in the conversation to make that available for seniors in the interim, or potentially a longerterm arrangement,” Elliott said. “There’s no reason that the facility has to sit idle.” The Northlands development came up again during councillor comments, with general manager of climate action, planning and development services Dale Mikkelsen saying there are ongoing consultations with the owner of that property that will open to public consultation in the near term in a process that will be well-advertised. He recommended members of the public engage fulsomely with that process, as the Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) will be a major focus. Mikkelsen talked more about the expected timeline for Northlands at a Committee of the Whole meeting at the beginning of 2024. Council voted to receive Durlacher’s letter and refer it to staff, with Councillor Arthur De Jong saying he hopes to see a report on the cost of providing the sort of facility envisioned by the seniors at the meeting. n

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AN EXCEPTIONAL LOCATION FOR WINTER & SUMMER ADVENTURES

FEBRUARY SURPRISE WORCA’s trails director, Ben Hryciw, and his trails assistant, Garbanzo, before heading off on some clear trails to do recon in the Cheakamus area. PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

Clear trails make for deep-winter mountain biking in Whistler WHAT’S NORMALLY A SUMMER ACTIVITY IS OPEN TO KEENERS IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER

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STUNNING VIEWS This luxurious townhome is nestled in the highly sought-after Goldenwood complex with a view that will leave you breathless. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by vaulted ceilings and a ﬂoor-to-ceiling ﬁreplace, perfect for cozy evenings and making memories. Perched overlooking the 18th green of the prestigious Nicklaus North Golf Course, imagine sipping coffee on your deck as you watch golfers tee off or in winter strapping on your skis and gilding away from your doorstep with the stunning Whistler Mountains and Green Lake as your backdrop. With a double garage, you’ll have ample space for your vehicles and all your summer and winter toys, making this property as practical as it is luxurious. 8378 Glen Abbey Lane, Whistler

20 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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than-usual number of one sort of recreationalist in Whistler this winter: Mountain bikers. “I was riding at the beginning of January, which was unusual,” said Ben Hryciw, who is the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association’s (WORCA) trails director. “The fact that at low elevations there’s still dirt to be had, as opposed to riding ice, makes it very different.” Whistler and the surrounding mountains have seen an unusually low snowpack, and only the occasional dumping of snow since winter locked in at the end of 2023. The most recent snow pack report from the province showed the Lower Fraser (which covers Whistler) is only 47 per cent of normal snowpack for this time of year, while the South Coast (which includes Squamish) was at 41 per cent. Those percentages are for higher up on the mountains, but for the Whistler Valley, there is meant to be more snow on the ground in February. The trail crews at WORCA were putting the trails to bed back in October, so for there to be trails free of snow presents a rare opportunity. “There’s been other years where there’s dirt this time of year, but it’s certainly unusual. I think it’s a nice treat to be able to come out a bit and do some riding here,” Hryciw said. Riders keen to go and explore the trails shouldn’t expect much in the way of downhill opportunities, however; expect the trails that are clear to be south-facing, in sections of forest that have seen tree-thinning, or along the bottom of the valley. So essentially, Cheakamus. “I can’t imagine there’s even 10 or 15 per

cent of trails good to ride right now overall, but there’s definitely a good selection of trails to ride,” said Hryciw. Plenty of riders are taking advantage, he added. “I’ve seen a lot more [bike] racks on peoples cars than normal for this time of year,” he said. If (and when) you do go riding on Whistler trails while the snow continues to hold back, be careful—as mentioned, WORCA’s trail crews have not worked on them for three months now. “You want to be cautious, because there’s going to be debris and damage that hasn’t been reported, that hasn’t been fixed,” Hryciw said. “So if you’re the only one riding a trail, you don’t want to be going at high speeds or sending it off a drop.” Another pointer for the keeners: Don’t shovel snow off the trail, as it creates channels for snowmelt that further damages them. “If you are out and you walk through a patch of snow pushing your bike, that’s fine, but don’t go back and try to dig it out, because that’s going to cause more problems,” Hryciw said. “Take what you can get, enjoy it while you can, be cautious, be safe out there. There’s definitely good riding to be had, and if you don’t mind pushing through the occasional snow patch, it’s nice to be able to keep your bike skills up in the winter without having to drive all the way to Squamish or out to the Island.” On that, if you do travel beyond Whistler to neighbouring communities with even less snow than here, make sure to flick a few dollars to the local trails associations—and always make sure to update Trailforks with trail conditions, as this helps local trail crews here and elsewhere when they start working on the trails in the spring. n

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Fire trucks can come in any colour you like—in Whistler it’s black INDUSTRY STANDARDS HAVE SHIFTED, BUT FIRE TRUCK COLOUR COMES DOWN TO PREFERENCE, ACCORDING TO WFRS

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS NEWER TRUCKS DELIVERED to the Whistler Fire Rescue Service (WFRS) are black and red—but why? That question was posed to WFRS at the Feb. 6 council meeting, when councillors were asked to sign off on two new rescue pumper trucks for more than $2.5 million, adding to an existing order. Councillor Jen Ford wanted to know why black was the colour of choice, when in other parts of the province, fire trucks are yellow or red. “A lot of the newer versions of the fire trucks that are being built are shifting to a black and red scheme, there’s quite a few like that,” said the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW)’s central services supervisor, Paul Klein. “We can negotiate a colour with the proponent probably at a cost—but that would be driven by [WFRS], and I would follow their direction.” Deputy fire chief, Mitch Hunter, explained the colour scheme is far from set, but industry standards are shifting. “Back in the day when I started here, our

BACK IN BLACK Whistler shifted to a black colour scheme for its fire trucks in 2017. PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

trucks were a lime-green colour with white on top,” he said, explaining it then shifted to red and white, before moving on to the red and black of today. “Black is actually becoming the industry standard out here—it is proven to be high visibility,” he said. “It actually shows up better at night when

you’re on the highway, so it’s kind of a safety perspective of why people are going to the black trucks. It sounds weird, but a black truck shows up way better at night with the lights and out on the highway.” The company contracted by the RMOW to build its three new incoming trucks delivers units around the continent, and while the

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lion’s share of deliveries going back to 2015 appear to be red and black, there is no industry standard: some of the recent deliveries for the company are to Telkwa (red and white), Fort MacLeod (red), Ermineskin Cree Nation (mostly white), Kimberley (red and black), Bouchie Lake (yellow) and Hogansburg Akwesasne (black and yellow). Black is the colour for Whistler, however. A communications official for the RMOW explained to Pique that “black is the new red … The reality is that fire trucks can be ordered in any colour, but safety plays a key role for us in the decision. “In the past there were studies done that said bright colours were better, which is why in Whistler we used to have fire trucks that were lime green. Later, based on new information, the industry shifted toward red. Black has since proven to stand out better during the daylight hours on scene, while reflective striping throughout the body and emergency lights help the truck stand out better at night.” Whistler shifted to a black scheme in 2017 when WFRS took delivery of a new truck that year—and the pattern is set to continue with deliveries going forward. The next delivery is expected later this year. n

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(604) 966-5711

NEWS WHISTLER

RMOW to spend big on popular tourism attraction THE RIVER OF GOLDEN DREAMS WILL GET MORE ATTENTION THROUGH 2024 TO IMPROVE FISH HABITAT above the highs of 2020 when it peaked at 116 users per hour, usage remains high in the summer months. The overall project is a pricey one, coming in at $350,000 from the general capital reserve. Of that, $40,000 was spent in 2022, while 2024’s budget line item has $190,000 allocated. “We are in the planning process and are optimistic the permit from the province will come in time for us to carry out the work this year, but until then we cannot say with 100-per-cent certainty that this is going ahead in 2024,” said the communications official. “If the permits come through in time, most of the work will take place in the first two weeks of August. The work can only be done at that time as it is provincially regulated to protect the fish and their habitat. We will share details once all is confirmed.” At the Jan. 9 committee of the whole, questions from council were minimal on the project, with only Councillor Cathy Jewett querying the light alarm system and whether it was for both high- and low-water levels (staff said yes), and whether there were still kokanee salmon spawning in the river (staff said they were unsure). You can watch the full report to the committee of the whole on the RMOW website. The River of Golden Dreams update begins at 17:32. n

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS WHISTLER’S MUCH-LOVED River of Golden Dreams will get a glow-up to improve safety for users and make it more fish-friendly. According to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) general manager of climate action, planning and development services Dale Mikkelsen, the river between Alta Lake and Green Lake, which has been due for attention for some time, could finally get that attention in 2024. “[There’s] a bunch of old log weirs that are really no longer viable. They’re actually impeding fish passage at this point in time, so we’ll be installing a new weir and fishway system just upstream of the 21 Mile Creek confluence,” said Mikkelsen at the Jan. 9 committee of the whole meeting in Whistler. “Obviously this fish ladder system will create much better fish habitat [and] support our fish highway up the stream, but also we’ll be installing new light alarm systems to inform users of river closures due to safety concerns, spawning fish or low water,” he said. “It’ll improve the overall River of Golden Dreams experience, not only for our little fishies, but for the humans that are floating down it in various ways.”

WATER WORKS Long-awaited improvements to Whistler’s River of Golden Dreams could finally take place in 2024. FILE PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS

The RMOW has $192,000 budgeted for the project under the 2024 budget, passed in December last year. The funding comes from the general capital reserve, which is sourced from municipal taxes. According to a communications official from the RMOW, the project aligns with two of the municipality’s strategic focuses: Addressing climate change, and smart tourism. The funds will go towards replacing the old log weirs with prefabricated concrete weirs that will hold more water in the section of river upstream of the 21 Mile

Creek confluence, keeping it open longer to shorten the need for a long portage season, with carrying and dragging watercraft across stretches of riverbank noted to damage the ecosystem for local flora and fauna. The five-kilometre stretch of river is a popular draw for visitors to Whistler, starting at Alta Lake and flowing down to Green Lake through wetlands along the valley floor. In 2022, municipal staff noted it was seeing increased usage, with numbers doubling between 2015 and 2020. Since then, while numbers have not risen

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler Institute welcomes new executive director MANDY ROUSSEAU TAKES THE REINS FROM SUKI CHEYNE; FIVE NEW NAMES JOIN ADMINISTRATIVE RANKS

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS THE WHISTLER INSTITUTE has a new top official, with Mandy Rousseau stepping up as executive director early in February. “The Whistler Institute has done great work developing education and thought leadership programming, and my vision is to build on their good work,” said Rousseau in a release. “I‘m a big fan of learning for life, and I believe education is our best avenue forward to creating more dynamic cohorts of thought. I am honoured to join the Whistler Institute where we inspire action and facilitate learning for life opportunities for the whole community.” Rousseau joins the Whistler Institute from Tourism Whistler, where she served as communications manager for a little over a year in 2022 and 2023. She also served as director of fundraising with the Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association for a year, and has experience with both the SquamishLillooet Regional District and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. The community will soon have an opportunity to meet Rousseau, who started in her new role on Feb. 1; She will be at the upcoming, recently-announced 2023-24

26 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

LEARN NOTICE Mandy Rousseau is the Whistler Institute’s new executive director. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER INSTITUTE

global perspectives speaker series to be held in Whistler in March and April. The speaker series includes two sessions on health-care. She steps into the role previously held by Suki Cheyne, who served as executive director for six years during which the Whistler Institute gained charitable status, rebranded, and signed memorandums of understanding with both the British

Columbia University of Technology and Capilano University to deliver postsecondary programming in Whistler. Cheyne has since left the Sea to Sky corridor to pursue other opportunities, and remains attached to the Whistler Institute in an advisory capacity. In other administrative news for the institution, it also announced the appointment

of four new directors to its board: Andrea Eby of Capilano University; Elyse Feaver of Audain Art Museum; Cynthia Higgins of the Sea to Sky School Board; and Adam Seedsman, who recently moved to Whistler and volunteers his extensive corporate expertise. “Looking ahead, our goal is to grow and diversify our programming over the next three years,” said Sue Adams, who is chair of the board. “The expertise our new executive director and board members bring to the table will be indispensable to attaining these goals. While plenty of work is ahead of us, I’m proud of how our outgoing directors have really set up the incoming team for success.” The Whistler Institute was formed from the Whistler Education Group that first appeared in 2012 to re-imagine how educational opportunities could enhance the local experience. It has an organizational agenda of identifying regional learning needs, and finding resources and partners to meet them. Through partnerships with other educational organizations, the Institute—which is without a physical, brick-and-mortar space—has delivered 48 courses and events to more than 2,700 people. It is funded through private donors, foundations, government grants and fees for service. n

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NEWS WHISTLER

Naturespeak: The Wild West—Chaos at the end of the Ice Age THE DEMISE OF THE CORDILLERAN ICE SHEET AND THE BIRTH OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AS WE KNOW IT

BY STEVE CARNEY THE LAST ICE AGE had a profound impact on the Western Canada we know today. For almost 2 million years, the Cordilleran ice sheet covered most of B.C. and the Yukon territory with a two- to three-kilometre-thick sheet of ice, which helped lower global sea levels and facilitated human migration into North America. Then, about 16,500 years ago, a period of global warming had a dramatic impact, sending the ice sheet into a rapid and terminal decline—and glaciers back into their mountain strongholds. The effects of this relatively sudden upheaval were epic in scope and scale. Besides the usual earthquakes, flooding, landslides and volcanicity associated with British Columbia, there were also incredible crustal readjustments as well as sea level and climate changes. The interaction of land uplift and sea-level change was complex, and changed the configuration of the Salish Sea coastline through time as new land was added or lost to the sea. Interestingly, in their oral history, the Coast Salish Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh) people refer to a period known as “sxwexwiyam,” the “Mythical Time” or “early time when things were in chaos.” Simon Fraser University professor

COLD CHAOS The Earth warmed and the ice sheets melted, pouring cold, fresh water into the sea—and forcing glaciers to retreat to their mountain strongholds where they are doggedly hanging on. Pictured is Wedgemount Glacier. PHOTO BY STEVE CARNEY

Rudy Reimer, himself a member of the Squamish Nation, and other academics have associated this period with these immediate post-glacial times. It must have been a wild ride as the ice melted, fresh water poured into the oceans, and global sea levels rose. At the same time, the land bounced back, rising quickly, free from the weight of the ice. In many places, this “isostatic rebound” outstripped the rising

sea levels, and in some parts of B.C., relative sea levels dropped rapidly at an impressive rate of one metre every 10 years. Sea-level rises also had a big impact, and about 12,000 years ago sea levels rose by about 200 metres in the Howe Sound (Átl’ka7tsem), causing the Squamish River delta to migrate 50 km up river, before eventually dropping down to the current level. Deglaciation also liberated a lot of

sediment off the continent, ground out by the glaciers over the millennia. Much of the heavily populated greater Vancouver land area did not exist 10,000 years ago before glacial melt water streams deposited sediment at the mouth of the Fraser River, creating the Fraser Delta in the Strait of Georgia. Climate did not change overnight, but rather stepped through a number of stages: from cool and moist, to warm and dry, and then a cooler period, before settling into something close to our current climate. This impacted post-glacial flora and fauna, creating a succession of plant and animal life and ecosystems changing through time in response to climate change. Finally, about 5,000 years ago, everything had settled down, major isostatic and sea level changes had ceased, and the climatic conditions were similar to today. As custodians of their land, the resilient Coast Salish people thrived in tune with their environment, adapting to the conditions in the mountains and at sea. In the oral history of the Squamish people, this period is known as the “xaay xays” or the “Age of Transformation,” when the contemporary Salish Sea landscapes formed and everything in the world was put right. Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists.ca. n

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28 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

NEWS PEMBERTON

Pemberton councillor singles out public drinking as ‘top priority’ this year COUNCILLOR TED CRADDOCK SAID LOCALS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AROUND BLACKBIRD BAKERY

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter PEMBERTON

COUNCILLOR Ted Craddock has identified his main priority for 2024—tackling public drinking and anti-social behaviour in downtown Pemberton. The public toilet beside Blackbird Bakery at the train station in Pemberton has faced ongoing challenges related to “misuse, inappropriate behaviour and vandalism,” according to the Village of Pemberton (VOP). At a council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23 Craddock said solving the issues will be top of his own agenda this year. “The No. 1 issue we have to deal with this year is the drinking problem in the downtown core. It’s going to be my top priority. It’s ruining our community,” he said. “It’s ruining businesses. It’s something that we have talked about. I’ve brought it to the table a number of times.” Craddock said he is concerned about the impression newcomers and tourists first get of Pemberton. “Tourists coming off the train here [riding the Rocky Mountaineer] were running into

SOCIAL CUES The train station in Pemberton is often the site of public intoxication and anti-social behaviour. PHOTO BY ROISIN CULLEN

30 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

people who were abusive and drunk. We can’t have that anymore,” he said. “We have to look for an alternative. I don’t think our downtown should be affected any longer. I don’t think the RCMP are giving out enough tickets. People are openly drinking around there. I’m concerned about what the downtown looks like when people come into our community.”

out in the past, and Pemberton RCMP does receive calls regarding this matter in the area mentioned.” Craddock expanded on his original comments in an interview with Pique, saying young families in the area are intimidated by the behaviour. “What I am hearing from the public

“Hopefully, if we get a bunch of agencies involved we can come up with a plan.” - TED CRADDOCK

Consistent public intoxication can be a “complex issue requiring a collaborative approach,” said Staff Sgt. Sascha Banks of the Sea to Sky RCMP, in an email, adding council members can reach out to the RCMP directly if they have concerns. “In regards to the intoxicated-in-public concerns, Pemberton RCMP members consistently patrol the downtown area of Pemberton, including the Blackbird Bakery,” Banks said. “Yes, tickets have been handed

is that there is a lot of open liquor being consumed. People are becoming loud and obnoxious and take up a lot of the seating around Blackbird Bakery,” he said. “Having to close the public washrooms because they had been vandalized is just not right. I am prepared to work with the community, the local RCMP and maybe the health unit to try and find a solution to this. It has been ongoing for a number of years.” Craddock believes several parties must

get together to help make things better. “There are parents with young kids who feel uncomfortable going down to the Blackbird Bakery now because of what is going on down there,” he said. “My plan is to bring it back to council and have this conversation. I’ve talked to the RCMP a number of times and they have been really good. I am just not too sure how we solve this. Hopefully, if we get a bunch of agencies involved we can come up with a plan.” Sea to Sky Community Services provides valuable resources for those struggling with addiction—read more at sscs.ca. The socialservice provider hopes its new development at Harrow Road will be an essential facility for locals. “Our vision for Pemberton Program House at Harrow Road is to be a resource for community referrals and supports for anyone in community who is looking for help, whether it be early interventions or meeting immediate needs,” said senior manager of communications and engagement, Megan Reynolds. “We are also exploring funding opportunities to enhance our service levels in this regard. The facility is scheduled to open in the spring of 2026, and we will begin our capital campaign to raise funds for the project later this year.” Vancouver Coastal Health did not respond to a request for comment before Pique’s deadline. n

A*....r_"'-PEMBERTON

Village of

Public Notice

Alternative Approval Process Opportunity for Village of Pemberton Electors The Village of Pemberton Council proposes to adopt the following bylaw: Triple Combination Pumper Truck LoanAuthorization Bylaw No. 954, 2023 This bylaw will authorize the Village of Pemberton to borrow up to $853,754 to be repaid over a maximum term of 20 years. The funds borrowed would be used to purchase a triple combination pumper truck to replace the Village's aging Engine Ten in alignment w�h National Fire Protection Association standards and Fire Underwr�ers Survey requirements. The estimated impact on a municipal taxpayer owning a $1,000,000 home would be up to $38.24 per year. The bylaw may be inspected at the Village office at 7400 Prospect Street during normal business hours from February16 to March 25, 2024, or on the Village webs�e at pemberton.ca. Council may proceed w�h the bylaw unless, by the deadline of 4:00pm on March 25, 2024, at least 10% of the eligible electors of the Village of Pemberton indicate that Council must obtain consent of the electors before proceeding. The number of elector responses that must be obtained to prevent Council from proceeding w�h the bylaw is 294. Elector responses must be given on the elector response form established by Council, available at pemberton.ca, at the Village office, or by sending a request by email to admin@pemberton.ca. Only eligible electors of the Village of Pemberton may sign the forms. An eligible elector is a person who meets the following cr�eria: is a Canadian citizen; is at least 18 years of age; has resided in Br�ish Columbia for at least six months; is not disqualified from voting; and resides in the Village of Pemberton or meets the qualifications of a non-resident property owner as set out in section 66 of the Local GovernmentAct. Gwendolyn Kennedy Corporate Officer

Questions? 604.894.6135 � admin@pemberton.ca dl'h w pemberton.ca We're Listening.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00 PM

at Pemberton Brewing Company, 1936 Stonecutter Place, Pemberton

Thank you to our returning and future members. Together, we support and advocate for sustainable and responsible tourism. We can’t wait to plan 2024 and the years to come with you. Inquire about our membership and joining the board CONNECT WITH OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND R S V P AT I N F O @ T O U R I S M P E M B E R T O N B C . C O M AL L AR E W ELCOM E! FEBRUARY 16, 2024

NEWS PEMBERTON

Pemberton’s mayor and council is looking to buy a new fire truck—but first it needs the approval of voters RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT WANT COUNCIL TO PROCEED WITH THE LOAN CAN HAVE THEIR SAY VIA ELECTORAL RESPONSE FORM UP UNTIL MARCH 25

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ON FEB. 13, PEMBERTON council moved forward with an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for a new fire truck, which means the Village of Pemberton (VOP) will petition members of the community over the next several weeks. The estimated cost of the new truck is $853,754. At a council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, councillors received a staff report outlining the steps to secure long-term borrowing for a triple combination pumper truck. The municipal Loan Authorization Bylaw has since been approved by the Inspector of Municipalities, and was given first three readings on Feb. 13. The AAP process means electors must be provided with an opportunity through an elector response form to indicate they do not support council proceeding with the borrowing. If the number of elector responses received is less than 10 per cent of the total number electors, approval is obtained. The forms will be available in the village office and by email from Wednesday, Feb. 14. Pemberton Fire Rescue Chief Cameron Adams stressed a new a triple combination pumper truck is desperately needed during the committee of the whole budgeting session on Tuesday, Feb. 13. “The equipment is getting to 30 years old. We are definitely seeing that it is aging. To be able to replace that with something that is a lot more reliable so we can continue our service standards is needed,” he said. “A 30-year vehicle looks like half of it is falling behind us as we drive. We have

“One of the reasons we do this is to ensure we keep people safe.” - MIKE RICHMAN

done very well in keeping our apparatus in good service for as long as it is. The recommendation is 20 years old, but we have been able to extend that life another 10 years.” Mayor Mike Richman confirmed there will be tax implications when asked about the effect the loan would have on the community. “The loan has payment implications that are being included in this year’s budget. It’s part of the operational budget for the fire service,” he said. “Everything that goes into the budget that isn’t funded through other sources goes back to taxation, so there

32 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

SURVEY SAYS Pemberton’s mayor and council is looking to purchase a new fire truck. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PEMBERTON FIRE RESCUE SERVICE

is a tax implication in that sense. We have a responsibility to change over our trucks generally after 20 years.” Pemberton’s 2024 tax implications will be determined through deliberations at council, and presented in the spring. The Fire Underwriter’s Survey (FUS) determines the community’s fire hall, apparatus and staffing needs. Richman explained if the fire hall’s apparatus is not up to snuff, it can affect people’s insurance, which can become a pricier affair. “They evaluate a bunch of our equipment against a bunch of other factors,” he said. “At the end of this, they give us a rating, and this rating gets applied to people’s insurance. If our trucks are beyond the service ages recommended for us, then our rating goes down and folks pay more for their insurance. “One of the reasons we do this is to ensure we keep people safe. The second reason is in the absence of this newer equipment, our FUS rating goes down, and people’s insurance will go up. This would probably be higher than the tax implication of the [loan].” Qualified electors signing a response form in opposition to the loan must meet all the following requirements on the day of registration: Be 18 or older; a Canadian citizen; a resident of British Columbia for at least six months; and a resident of Pemberton for at least 30 days. Council established a deadline of Monday, March 25 for receipt of signed elector response forms. The number of electors in Pemberton was determined to be approximately 2,940. Meanwhile, Lil’wat Nation’s volunteer fire department will also receive two new fire trucks this summer. The fire trucks will “enhance the firefighting capabilities and help the team serve the community better,” the Lil’wat Nation said in a statement on Facebook. ■

"Goodbye Dears"

Isobel MacLaurin June 17th 1931 - Feb 12th 2024 Funeral Service Friday, 23rd February 1 pm at Our Lady of the Mountains

NEWS PEMBERTON

‘Chair of the Next Generation’ allows Pemberton kids to discover their voice in local politics YOUNG PEOPLE DECORATE CHAIRS WITH THE TOPICS THAT MATTER MOST TO THEM—THEN PLACE IT AT THE TABLE WITH DECISION MAKERS

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A NEW INITIATIVE is helping political leaders reflect on the impact of their decisions—while also engaging young people in politics. The “Chair of the Next Generation” project helps young people discover their own voice within their community and further afield. The “Mères au front” (mothers at the front) originated in Quebec, and has now made its way to Pemberton. Students are asked to decorate an old chair to represent the topics they care about most. The chair is then moved into council buildings, a reminder of the up-and-coming generation and the problems they will have to face. Clément Laberge, creator of the initiative and chief of staff for Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand, explained the chair acts like a lighthouse for council. “In the very busy time, it is easy to forget what and for whom we are in politics,” he said. “Now the Chair is here to remind us of this. It is easy to lose sight of the consequences of our decisions for future generations. All it takes is one elected official around the table who refers to the Chair of the next generations. I

G LIN

SEAT AT THE TABLE The Pemberton Secondary School leadership team with Maude Cyr. PHOTO BY ROISIN CULLEN

think it happens more naturally because it’s there, in front of us. The chair facilitates the convergence of ideas. It brings us back to the essentials.” Pemberton mom Maude Cyr is working hard on Pemberton’s own chairs of the next generation.

“Youth are asked to decorate a chair with themes that affect them. It then goes to the municipal council,” she said. “For my part, I presented the project to schools in Pemberton. We are creating two chairs, one from Signal Hill and l’École la Valée. The Grade 10 leadership club in Pemberton Secondary

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34 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

School have also brainstormed what their chair is going to look like. The mayor also was able to answer any questions they had. “Council are super excited to accept the chairs. I got a $176 grant from Stewardship Pemberton for the materials.” Cyr believes the project comes at exactly the right time for local kids. “This will have a positive impact for the next generation,” she said. “This will help the kids to become future engaged citizens. It also helps with eco anxiety that children and youth now feel. There are a lot of young people worried about the future.” The leadership club in Pemberton Secondary School told Pique topics like climate change, women’s safety, truth and reconciliation, and a need for more transit options are the most important to them. They stressed the current “abnormal” weather has raised concerns about the consequences of global warming, particularly in the Pemberton Valley. The group has already worked with Mayor Mike Richman to fix a dodgy feminine hygiene products machine in the community centre, showing the girls just how much power they have to make change for the better. The chairs will officially be presented to council on Tuesday, April 9. ■

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This bright and airy unit would make a great full or part time home or rental investment. You’ll love living here along The the Valley Trail, within steps to Meadow Park Sports Centre.

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This fully renovated modern 1.5 bedroom/2 bathroom property is a top floor, east facing, corner unit offering views of Whistler Peak.

OPINION MARCH 1 & 2, 2024

Four policies to save journalism jobs in B.C. BY PAUL DEEGAN AND BRENT JOLLY LATE LAST WEEK, British Columbia Premier David Eby dropped some verbal firebombs as he went on a two-and-a-halfminute tirade blasting BCE, the parent of Bell Media, after its announcement of 4,800 job cuts and the sale of 45 radio stations across Canada. “The fact that they cannot find it possible with all of their MBAs to operate a few local news stations, in British Columbia, to ensure that people get accurate, impartial, reliable information in an age of disinformation and social media craziness is such an abandonment of any idea of corporate responsibility … I find it reprehensible … I think it’s appalling,” Eby said. “On behalf of all of the families, of the journalists, the media outlets, on behalf of all British Columbians that have watched their local news stations slowly turned to garbage by these companies, who now say, unsurprisingly, that there’s not a lot of support for them, I just want to say shame on you.” The premier’s outspoken support for local journalism was admirable. We hope that unwavering support and passion will continue into next week’s Speech from the Throne. There are four policies he can champion that will help support quality public service reporting in the province. First, B.C. should follow Ontario’s example and exempt newspapers from extended producer responsibility fees. The capture of newspapers in B.C.’s regulation fails to recognize that newspaper is the product, not the packaging, and effectively subsidizes actual waste producers. The B.C. government exempts paperback romance novels and single-use paper towels from the regulation, yet is trying to rope publishers into paying excessive fees to Recycle BC—a monopoly run by large retailers and packaged goods companies—which will most likely result in the direct loss of about 80 local journalism jobs in B.C. and the shuttering of some newspapers. Second, Eby should direct 25 per cent of the province’s domestic advertising spend to

support local news. B.C.’s news publishers and other local media organizations have earned the trust of millions of British Columbians by providing news and information that is relevant and reliable. Like many provincial and municipal governments, B.C. does not disclose where provincial ad dollars are spent. Looking at the federal government’s most recent advertising report, we know too many dollars are going to Facebook/Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok—social media giants that do little to combat misinformation and disinformation. Third, Eby can borrow a page from Quebec’s approach and introduce a 35-percent refundable news media labour tax credit. This credit has saved jobs and put journalism on a more sustainable footing in that province. Fourth, Victoria could introduce a provincial program similar to the federal government’s Local Journalism Initiative or the California Local News Fellowship. Funding journalist positions in areas of news poverty, particularly in remote areas in the province, would help keep communities informed and connected. To date, the federal government has adopted a suite of policies designed to support

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quality public-service journalism. Now is the time for other provincial governments, including British Columbia, to do the same. The Feb. 20 Speech from the Throne is the time to put Premier Eby’s passionate words into concrete action. Inaction will result in the loss of journalism jobs, the shuttering of local media outlets, and a less informed and less engaged citizenry.

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FEBRUARY 16, 2024

THE OUTSIDER

Why you need to watch Weak Layers WHEN YOU FIRST EXPERIENCE ski-town culture, it’s hard to imagine spending your life in any other place. The people you meet are active, all seem to have cool-sounding jobs, and are generally pretty nice. After spending a few years growing your social connections and figuring out how to get as many turns as

BY VINCE SHULEY possible on a pow day, you might even consider yourself a local. You start to meet other locals who’ve made the life choice to move here, graduating from your test phase of “working a season, maybe two” to actually putting down some roots. This is like the honeymoon period of ski-town life. You’ve been accepted by the community and you feel like you’ve always belonged here. At some point in the next few years, you start to notice some quirks about your chosen ski town. Egos take up an obstinate amount of space, talking your ear off at après about how much radder their day was than yours.

DON’T CALL ME WEAK Weak Layers follows the misadventures of three ski bums in Lake Tahoe. PHOTO COURTESY OF GREENWICH ENTERTAINMENT

40 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Relationships seem to start, finish, circulate, and start again. You start to notice how people you admired when you first moved here haven’t done much else with their lives since, except complain about how good it used to be. Then there’s the people who try a little too hard while seeking recognition (or sometimes validation) for how amazing their mountaincentric lives are. (On a personal note, it’s only in hindsight I realize how caught up I was in it all during my earlier Whistler years.)

inhabitants who don’t necessarily roll with the pros or who might struggle a bit to keep up on the skin track. In recent years, her hilarious, often self-deprecating videos have been featured in everything from destination tourism campaigns to Arcteryx-sponsored holiday short films. Her humorous approach to a pros-obsessed culture isn’t just a breath of fresh air, it holds up a mirror to ski-town elitism and pokes it right in the eye. Weak Layers is inspired by the classic mainstream

“Weak Layers speaks to the concept of the nobodies. We accept and embrace the community we have instead of this game of comparison” - KATIE BURRELL

Before long, it all feels like it would make the perfect setting for a comedy/drama, one that makes fun of all the ski-town tropes and people who take themselves way too seriously. Enter Katie Burrell and her first feature-length film, Weak Layers. You’ve probably seen Burrell’s work before. The Revelstoke-based filmmaker and self-proclaimed “leisure athlete” has mastered the ski-town mockumentary style, giving voice to the rank-and-file ski-town

ski films of yore like Aspen Extreme and Ski Patrol, but turns the archaic male bravado on its head with three women—including Burrell herself—in the leading roles. “Weak Layers speaks to the concept of the nobodies,” said Burrell in an interview with CBC’s Gloria Macarenko. “We accept and embrace the community we have instead of this game of comparison where we’re constantly trying to be something we’re not, or look at someone and say, ‘that’s better than

what I already have.’” Burrell plays the character of Cleo Brown, a 30-something ski-town local and aspiring filmmaker who is somewhat lost in life. After an out-of-hand house party leaves her and her roommates broke, homeless and living in a van, they enter an illustrious mountain film competition in the hopes the prize money will sustain them for a few more months of skiing. The film does feature great action footage, of course, filmed by some of the best cinematographers in the ski industry. But it’s not that type of ski movie. Weak Layers reminds us life in a ski town isn’t about how many “cool” people you know at the action sport photo competition or cliquey film premier. It’s celebrating those nobodies, the everyday folks in the community who simply love the mountains and love to go skiing. Burrell nailed it with her first feature film, both as a director and actor. The timing in her career was perfect to bring her “professional leisure athlete” voice to the big screen, and she put a production team together that kept her film looking and feeling authentic every step of the way. Of all the ski movies you watch in 2024, Weak Layers is one that will leave you feeling great about spending your life in a ski town. Weak Layers is available now on Apple TV. Vince Shuley gives Weak Layers two thumbs up. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

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FEBRUARY 16, 2024

FEATURE STORY

42 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

FEATURE STORY By Vince Shuley ycling to get around Whistler has been a local staple for decades. As an active recreation community, it’s no surprise during the summer months about a third of Whistler’s fulltime residents choose to commute by bicycle to their jobs, to school, and for all the other errands and social events dotting the calendar. Commuter e-bikes have made those trips faster and easier. But when temperatures drop and the winter snow flies, many of those bikes go into hibernation, not to be seen until the spring thaw. Today, a growing niche of riders is bucking that trend by winterizing their rigs and suiting up for the chilly commute. According to Whistler’s Community Life Survey, in 2020, just one per cent of the local population cycled to work during the winter months. By 2022 it had grown to between two and two-anda-half per cent. By 2023 it jumped to just over four per cent. For comparison, the fraction of people commuting to work by bike in the summer of 2023 was 34 per cent. “With the winter ridership hopefully getting up to around five per cent this year, it’s worth the municipality taking a look at how we can provide facilities to support that use,” says Dale Mikkelsen, the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) general manager of climate action, planning and development. “The (Climate Action Big Moves Strategy) is one of the most important policy objectives of the municipality. Active, low-carbon transportation is the biggest component of that. As we see these numbers grow, I think it becomes our collective responsibility to make sure the opportunity [to winter cycle] is as accessible and safe as possible.” Resources for winter cycling in Whistler currently consist of a lone information page on the RMOW website, which encourages the use of lights, fenders, panniers and, most importantly, studded tires. Riders curious to try winter cycling will often get most of their starter information from YouTube or asking questions in community groups. New winter cyclists in Whistler may wonder where all the bike racks go around the village (they are removed to allow for more efficient snow removal), but Mikkelsen says the RMOW is developing plans to add more covered bike racks around the village and near the Whistler Blackcomb gondolas. Secure underground parking is currently available for bikes in the winter under the library, and it’s very popular. “Once we know we have the infrastructure in place to support enhanced winter active commuting, we’d want to start communicating how to prepare for winter cycling, that not only you can do it, but how to do it,” he says.

Pathway to Pedalling The Valley Trail remains the safest route to get around Whistler by bike, even during the winter. On snow days, RMOW crews clear as much of the Valley Trail as quickly as possible to allow residents to get around. “There are a lot more walking commuters—as well as cyclists—using the Valley Trail in the winter than there used to be,” says Mikkelsen. “We’ve identified the priority areas for clearing, which is around the Village, around the schools, and the neighbourhoods adjacent to those schools. Our Valley Trail clearing vehicles used to leave the works yard at 6 a.m. and work their way south towards Cheakamus, but we realized that method would often miss clearing the key areas around schools during their commute hour. Now, we immediately deploy those clearing vehicles to the priority areas. We’ve also increased the number and quality of vehicles we [use to] clear the Valley Trail in order to do a better job, faster.” The section of Valley Trail along Green Lake between Rainbow and Emerald remains closed in the winter due to the heavy—and often dangerous—spray from highway snow plows. Highway 99 is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), so coordinating snow clearing of that section of highway and Valley Trail, while keeping Valley Trail users safe throughout a day of heavy snow, remains an unsolved challenge for the RMOW. One of the most diligent users of the Valley Trail year-round is Whistler resident Rod Nadeau. He commutes by e-bike from Rainbow to his office in Function Junction every day, in almost any condition, using neighbourhood side streets to link various sections of the Valley Trail. When he reaches Creekside on his way south, Nadeau will choose one of two routes depending on how deep the snow is. “The quickest way is to go through Alpha Lake Park. There’s a short section of doubletrack trail next to the lake that isn’t cleared, so depending how many people have walked on it to compact it down, I’ll have to get off and walk my bike through the snow on that section about 10 to 15 per cent of the time.” Once he makes it to the railroad tracks, he jumps on Old Gravel Road, pedals up the hill to Alta Lake Road, and then takes the unpaved track from Millar Creek to Function Junction. If that route is too snowed-in, from Creekside he’ll take the Valley Trail through Bayshores and Spring Creek. “The highway in the winter? That’s asking for it,” says Nadeau. “I used to ride my road bike on the highway in the summer and I stopped that and switched back to my mountain bike so I could take the safer route. It takes longer, but I’m OK with that.” Nadeau knows more than a few people who were lost to cycling accidents. “A driver in a raised pickup truck probably isn’t going to see you before they turn right in front of you and cut you off,” he says. “We have great, safe cycling infrastructure because we’re off the roads. We’re fully separated from traffic with a barrier, not a line. That’s the gold standard.” If the aim is to get more people out of their cars and onto e-bikes, having to ride alongside vehicles on the highway isn’t going to convince people who don’t have Nadeau’s experience of navigating urban traffic.

“If you make it easier, faster, and cheaper than driving, people will consider it,” he says. “But if you don’t make it as safe as possible with separated cycling infrastructure, you’re never going to convert the masses to biking.”

Is the highway a possible solution? Despite its hazardous nature, Highway 99 is far and away the quickest route for bikes, summer or winter. For cyclists looking to achieve commute times similar to driving to Whistler’s outlying neighbourhoods, the highway is currently the single express route. Eddie Dearden has committed to riding his e-bike year round, primarily for his commute to work in Function Junction from his home near the village, but also for errands such as dropping off and picking up his four-year-old daughter from ski school. In the last two years he has clocked approximately 8,000 kilometres on his e-bike, all in the Whistler Valley and in every possible weather condition. Dearden keeps a waterproof pannier on his bike with a bright yellow Helly Hansen rain suit inside, so he’s ready to go out no matter how much precipitation is in the forecast. “From the village, it takes me just over 13 minutes to get to my office on Alpha Lake Road in Function,” says Dearden. “Driving to work takes maybe 11 minutes, but when I head home on a Friday afternoon, I’ll sometimes pass hundreds of cars lined up to get into Whistler.” While Dearden is pretty comfortable riding on the highway, he understands the risks, especially during heavy snow events. “The highway snow plows don’t clear the bike lanes,” he says. “You end up with a roughly (1.2-metre-) wide bike lane that’s full of crud. To ride safely on the highway, you need to be able to see the tarmac under your tires, and that sometimes means you need to ride on the edge of the traffic lane. The traffic lane is quite wide, so there’s plenty of room for cars to pass me at 80-plus kilometres an hour. But I can see why that would be terrifying for some people.” Dearden thinks a good place to start is clearing the shoulder and bike lane on the 99 with the same priority as the vehicle lanes. Signage along the highway indicating regular cyclist traffic would also help motorists maintain their awareness and hopefully slow down a bit. As someone who has brought up the issues of cycling on roads at council meetings, Dearden gets frustrated that the RMOW pre-empts every discussion with the notion MOTI calls the shots on Highway 99. Any changes to its clearing road lines need to pass through the bureaucracy of the provincial government, which seems to happen at a glacial pace, or in a lot of cases, not at all. “If you slow down the cars, the biking gets safer. If we reduce the highway speed through Whistler down to 40 km/h, vehicles are more or less going the same speed as an e-bike. That feels really safe as a cyclist,” he says. “The cars wouldn’t need as wide lanes at that speed either, so you could give e-bikes much more room in their own lane. Add clear signage and you have a much more pleasant experience in Whistler for the people who are contributing to our climate goals.” Whistler is doing a reasonably good job at keeping options open for winter cyclists, but there is always room for improvement. One only needs to look at progressive, year-round cycling cities like Oulu, Finland to see how arctic temperatures and cycling can run like a well-oiled machine. Some of the methods the city employs include not letting daytime snow depths exceed four centimetres on cycle paths; the contracted snow-clearing companies not sub-contracting their work to ensure a high standard; and having snow-clearing crews contractually obligated to ride bikes on the paths they clear—also to ensure the quality of work. The more people who choose to commute by bikes and e-bike during the winter, the more likely the RMOW is to invest in more infrastructure. So suit up, get those bikes out of storage, and say no to small car trips, whatever the weather.

01 Eddie Dearden What made you want to try winter bike commuting and how long have you been doing it? I was inspired by several people I knew who biked through the winter, including my friend’s dad (Rod Nadeau) who would bike from Rainbow to Function daily all through winter. So when the bus strike happened, I thought if he can do it, then so can I.

What bike do you ride?

I ride the VoltBike Yukon, which is currently priced at CAD$1,899. In the winter I run 45NRTH Dillinger 4 studded fat bike tires. I wouldn’t dare bike in winter without studs, otherwise, you won’t make it home under certain conditions.

What’s your typical commuting route?

My daily commute is on the highway between the Village and Function Junction. I avoid the Valley Trail as much as possible, except when taking my daughter to school. Otherwise, I use my e-bike for all trips in Whistler: going skiing, to the gym, out for coffee or a drink with friends, and I can fit $140 worth of groceries nicely in my double-wide breadbasket.

Do you have any tips for people curious about starting to winter commute by e-bike?

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

FEATURE STORY

The right outerwear combination is crucial. I wear Helly Hansen rubber rain pants over whatever pants I’m wearing. For atmospheric rivers, a Helly rubber rain jacket is essential. Otherwise, GoreTex or just a puffy jacket suffices when the weather is nice but cold. I run neoprene handlebar mitts when it’s cold. I wear a ski helmet, clear glasses and 18-inch-high rubber boots that keep my feet toasty. Remember to store your battery indoors when not using the bike. You wouldn’t leave your phone outside overnight in winter!

What do you think would be the most beneficial infrastructure upgrades to support winter cycling in Whistler?

The best piece of infrastructure we have for e-biking is the Sea to Sky highway. It’s the straightest and fastest route between two points in Whistler, offering sunshine on my face and great views. The town is missing out on a fantastic experience by letting our major artery be a sacrificial zone for fossil cars and fossil trucks.

02 Will Stewart What made you want to try winter bike commuting and how long have you been doing it?

I started looking into e-bikes after we set up Coworking Whistler in the Village. My girlfriend works from home at the same time I’m in the Village, so 99 per cent of the day we don’t have an overlap on needing to drive our car. Our issue was more that our vehicle would always be where one of us needed it. Instead of adding a second vehicle for the odd trip, we bought our first e-bike as a substitute and it became my year-round daily commuter.

What bike do you ride?

Being a first-time purchase, we didn’t look for a specific make or model and kept our eyes out on the used market locally. We ended up getting an older VoltBike Yukon model for $800 cash with just 300 kilometres on the odometer. It’s one of the best purchases I’ve made in years, and I have put thousands of kilometres on it around the Valley Trail system alone. Now that we’ve tried e-bikes and proved their value, we are planning to buy a second one.

What’s your typical commuting route?

I commute from Alpine into the Coworking Whistler space in Village Square. The bike’s battery is removable, so in the winter I lock it outside and bring the battery in to stay at room temperature to avoid thermal shock to the battery. The daily rides usually include other errands like working out at Meadow Park, swimming at Green or Lost Lake, grabbing groceries, or meeting up with friends elsewhere around the Valley Trail network.

Do you have any tips for people curious about starting to winter commute by e-bike?

For anyone starting to ride in the winter for the first time, treat it like when you learned to drive a car in the snow as a learner. I’ve had a couple spills at the start of the winters by not being present and still riding like it was summer—you need to ride more defensively, especially on e-bikes.

What do you think would be the most beneficial infrastructure upgrades to support winter cycling in Whistler?

With parking already a major issue in peak season, anything the RMOW and Vail [Resorts] can do to help keep e-bikes safe and warm during the ski season would be a wise investment into infrastructure. Having fewer locals needing the roads and occupying parking spots is a better experience for everyone involved.

03 Kate Covello What made you want to try winter bike commuting and how long have you been doing it?

I started commuting by bike last winter and pedal into the village from Alpine almost every day. Previously I was relying on the bus to get around Whistler, but I didn’t particularly enjoy organizing my schedule around the bus timetable. The Valley Trail system is the sole reason I would call biking around Whistler “pleasant,” and I would absolutely not cycle on the highway! It takes me about 20 minutes to get from Alpine to the village in the winter, and on icy or snowy days, I give myself extra time. Biking in the winter is pleasant as long as I have extra time for the ride. Cornering and braking is to be avoided when the trail is slick with ice!

What bike do you ride?

I ride a Kona Smoke that I’ve had for 15-ish years. I’ve ridden this bike all over B.C. on summer bike trips like Whistler to Revelstoke and Whistler to Bella Coola. I’m an enthusiastic bike-tripper and bike commuter, but I try not to worry too much about having the “perfect” bike setup. I don’t have studded tires, but this is in part because Whistler’s Valley Trail is so well-maintained that I feel confident enough to ride around Whistler without them.

What’s your regular commuting route?

I live in Alpine, so I commute on the Valley Trail from Meadow Park to the village. I’ll also ride to Creekside or Function if I need anything. I don’t know the Valley Trail maintenance schedule, but the trail always seems to be cleared by 7:30 a.m. My weekly commute includes working in the village at Fanatyk Co., and one day a week I volunteer for ski patrol.

44 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

02 Do you have any tips for people curious about starting to winter commute by e-bike?

Fenders are the most important item on the bike. Fenders mean I can ride without wearing rain pants and feel confident that I’ll arrive at my destination without wet clothing. A headlamp and a red tail light are also really important. I’m really cautious about intersections where the Valley Trail crosses the highway and “being seen to be safe” is important. If it’s a busy morning on the highway, a hectic powder day, or there’s a lot of snow on the curb, I’ll walk my bike across the crosswalk. Drivers aren’t always expecting cyclists in the winter. Also, remember to regularly clean the chain and cassette to avoid the winter rust.

What do you think would be the most beneficial infrastructure upgrades to support winter cycling in Whistler?

Whistler gets an A+ in my books for biking infrastructure. The Valley Trail is a gift, and there always seems to be enough bike racks wherever I need one. I do not ride an e-bike, and unfortunately I see a lot of potential for conflict between e-bike riders and “acoustic bike” riders on the Valley Trail. This isn’t a problem in the winter because there’s less traffic on the Valley Trail, but in the summer I’ve had some near-misses with e-bikers going over 30 km/h. I don’t know what the solution for that is. Maybe if e-bikers want to ride that fast, they should ride on the highway? I know it’s a contentious topic, and I think everyone should feel confident enough to ride their bike of choice around Whistler.

FEATURE STORY

05 06

Making your ( e(-)bike winter ready Whether you choose a fat bike or a mountain bike with standard wheels. or whether you prefer a mid-drive, hub-drive, or good old fashioned human-powered motor, the essential accessories for successful winter cycling remain the same.

05 Full Fenders No, the little bendy sheet mud-guard you have ziptied to your mountain bike fork will not suffice. Full fenders cover about a third of the front wheel and about half of the rear wheel, and require secure mounting points to your fork and frame. Heading out in snow, slush or rain without them will make cold-weather cycling miserable. This is the first upgrade you should look at for winter cycling. When shopping for full fenders, make sure you have sufficient clearance for your tire width.

06 Studded Tires This is one of the pricier upgrades for true winter cycling capability, but you only need one ride on icy roads or compact snow to convince you they’re worth it. Expect to pay as much as—if not more than—a performance mountain bike tire. Quite a few fat bike riders I spoke with don’t necessarily upgrade to studs, because they feel they have adequate traction, even in icy conditions. The price of fat bike studded tires can be as high as quality winter car tires. Note that most studded tire manufacturers recommend up to 40 kilometres of riding on pavement to properly seat the studs, so factor that into your winter bike preparation.

07 Lights

In mid-winter darkness, a lack of proper lights can be extremely dangerous on both the roads and the Valley Trail. Make sure you don’t leave the house without a red light on the back for visibility and a handlebar-mounted headlight so you can see what’s coming up. If riding on the highway or crossing at busy intersections during the day, turn on your front headlights for additional visibility.

08 Pogies/Handlebar Mitts These are an optional accessory for very cold conditions. Properly installed handlebar mitts keep your hands shielded from the significant wind chill you experience when riding at speed. They let you use a lighter glove, allowing more dextrous control of brakes, shifters and e-bike handlebar controls.

09 Other Accessories

A rear luggage rack comes stock on many commuter bikes, but can be a bit trickier to fit to mountain bikes. Consider running a rack, a pannier bag (or two), or front/rear basket so you can haul your cargo around, or shed layers for the longer rides.

Proper Clothing

Old ski gear is perfect for winter cycling. A breathable, waterproof shell is great when it’s snowing or wet, but consider reaching for something rain-specific if you intend to keep riding through atmospheric river weather systems. Just like skiing, layer according to the conditions and your expected aerobic output. Winter boots are perfect for cycling, as they’ll keep your ankles warm and dry in all weather. A ski helmet and low-light goggles or clear glasses work great for keeping your head warm, and don’t forget the neck warmer on those cold days.

04 Brendan and Amanda Ladner

there is no Valley Trail option. The Valley Trail near Myrtle Philip school has too many pedestrians and off-leash dogs on it and the surface is less smooth, so we ride on the road. Taking the Valley Trail from Whistler Cay to Spring Creek daily is good, but not great, most of the time. Roads are always plowed before the Valley Trail, so on snow days we often find ourselves on the road.

What made you want to try winter bike commuting and how long have you been doing it?

Do you have any tips for people curious about starting to winter commute by e-bike?

We are in a climate emergency and we are disgusted by the use of fossil-fuel cars for even the shortest tasks, which we can chalk up as one reason we don’t have a ski season this year. Winter biking is faster and more comfortable than walking. Driving is insane with the emissions, traffic and parking. It’s often much slower than biking. This is our fourth ski season with no car and every single trip to the hill is by e-bike.

What bike do you ride?

We ride a VoltBike Kodiak, with a trailer for gear (our version of a pickup truck bed). This is our second winter with studded tires, which give us much more confidence riding in all conditions.

What’s your typical commuting route?

We ride our kids to school every day. We ride to work every day, which is a 15-kilometre round trip. Our commute is a combination of roads and Valley Trail. To school we have to ride the roads because

Get a trailer. Get neoprene bar mitts. Get studded tires. Put a dedicated outfit together with snow boots, waterproof insulated loose-fitting ski pants, sturdy insulated jacket (reflective workwear is best and safe), great gloves, eye protection (not tinted) and wear the same thing every time. If you don’t have to consider your outfit you’ll save time for your departure and arrival. For safety: take the lane or you will get passed dangerously close often. Ride in car tracks when it’s snowy and take corners slowly. Be visible and be obvious.

What do you think would be the most beneficial infrastructure upgrades to support winter cycling in Whistler?

We need a direct route parallel to the highway that is straight and cleared. Dedicated bike lanes that are not shared with cars or walkers. The village needs bike lanes—there is no safe route throughout the village (Whistler’s main attraction) for cycling. Imagine if we snow-cleared bike lanes with the same rigour as our streets! ■

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

50 FIRST DATES

WINNER

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It was 1995. I was riding the Red Chair with my best friend from Scotland when in came this English girl from the singles line. We chatted to her and invited her to do a run with us. Really we were just seeing if she was good enough to ski with us and have a laugh. Little did I know it would lead to a date the next day. We decided to go on the T-bar as there was so much powder and we could get fresh powder-lap runs there. She was killing me in powder, way faster and more confident than me. We both quizzed each other as to why we were single at 27. One first date lead to five days of skiing together and knowing that she was my person. She went back to England. Seven trips across the Atlantic for her ended in us getting married on the deck at Christine’s. My intention was to hike from the timing flats to the Red Chair to propose in the summer, but we only made it halfway when she touched my chest and felt the ring box. I got down on one knee, proposed, and broke open the bottle of champagne I had in my camelback. We had a magical wedding on a glorious sunny day, with an organ brought up on a snowcat, and our first run on Ridge Runner after getting off the chair and skiing through an arch made of ski poles. Many of the guys wore kilts, so there were plenty of bare bums to be seen getting air on the rollers on Ridge Runner. Twenty-seven years later we are so happy and grateful to call Whistler our home, having had four generations of family living here.

I first saw (my now husband) Tom through the Caramba Restaurant window. Was he really still wearing his bike clothes? The ones he’d been biking in the whole day? Yes, yes he was. Why did I waste my time doing my hair and squeezing into my outfit? And, I’d walked in the rain for this? Smile Emma, just SMILE. Tom had taken the liberty to order starters for us – spicy meatballs. Too bad I’m vegetarian! I watched him inhale them like a Labrador who’d missed a meal. Tom said he’d asked for a window table so he could keep an eye on his bike! How romantic. More small talk. How did we even get onto his mom’s flower garden? Think Em, think! Ask him something interesting. “So.. you’re an accountant?” Just as I asked, there was a terrible fart smell. Had the meatballs imploded into toxic waste? Dear God! Then, Tom proceeded to shout! He must have thought shouting would deflate the stench. It did not! When the bill came, Tom paid with no hesitation and asked if he could walk me to my car. He held his umbrella whilst pushing his bike, which was cute, but the umbrella ribs kept poking me in the head. But, I appreciated the gesture. When we got to my car, I had begun to see his sweetness instead of his flaws. I leaned in for a hug and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Suddenly, there was a loud beep. “Oh sorry, that’s my watch!” he said. Apparently, it warned him if a high heartbeat was detected. He was red-faced but I was flattered, and I laughed all the way home! We often reminisce about our first date, Tom no longer wears that watch and yes, spicy meatballs are banned!

BY JIM WALKER

BY VANESSA EMMA JENKINS

SPORTS THE SCORE

The Fabulous Life of Nancy Greene Raine to screen at 2024 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival THE ANDREA WING-HELMED SHORT TAKES A FAST-PACED LOOK AT GREENE RAINE’S LIFE

BY DAVID SONG IN FORMER WHISTLER Blackcomb president Hugh Smythe’s opinion, no one has done more for skiing in Canada than Nancy Greene Raine. The two-time Olympic medallist has made it to the ripe old age of 80, yet remains capable of getting down a mountain with the speed and dexterity of a woman decades younger. She’s sharp, vibrant, and the fire in her heart still burns. Andrea Wing is among the latest to pay tribute to N.G.R. in her new project: The Fabulous Life of Nancy Greene Raine. Combining iconic photographs and rarelyseen archival footage with snappy narration and crisp on-mountain footage shot at Sun Peaks, the mini-documentary allows guests at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) to appreciate what made Greene Raine tick in a fun and fastpaced format. The Canada Sports Hall of Famer has achieved much more in life than can be encapsulated within a 10-minute runtime. She’s got a pair of overall world titles and 13 World Cup victories in addition to her Olympic glory. The ski league bearing her name has nurtured many talents, from Ashleigh McIvor to Steve “The Young One” Podborski. Greene Raine even spent nearly

STILL FABULOUS A screenshot of the titular woman from the short film The Fabulous Life of Nancy Greene Raine directed by Andrea Wing. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIRAN BASRA/VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

48 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

a decade as a senator, using her political platform to advocate for health and fitness. “We really wanted to focus on her—not only career, but what she was like and the way that she gave back to her community, particularly the racing program,” explained Wing. “There are so many other details that we left out, but what we did was focus on those big tentpole moments … especially leaning into the moments where we had great supporting footage. “I grew up ski racing in Ottawa. Nancy’s name and programs were definitely a part of my childhood, and I think her legacy continues at a lot of these ski hills. I feel like what she has done is bring a very fun program to young skiers and really help them fall in love with the sport.” Other names dominate the women’s skiing airwaves of today: names like Mikaela Shriffrin, Petra Vlhova, Sandra Naeslund and, among Canadians, Valérie Grenier and Marielle Thompson. Yet Greene Raine’s impact continues to live on, including and especially in Whistler.

BIRTH OF A SKI RESORT

The entire Sea to Sky corridor owes Greene Raine and her husband Al a debt of gratitude. In 1970, the couple built their first cabin in Whistler, which became their summer home. Five years later, Al retired from coaching and they moved up north full-time, intending to mould the picturesque dot on the map into something special. “We loved our time in Whistler,” said Greene Raine. “Back then, there were probably less than 40 telephones in the whole

valley—a very small full-time population. We were involved in the Chamber of Commerce and all those things. It was really fun to be a part of Whistler growing.” Wing’s film notes Whistler was just “a twinkle in the eye of ski bums across the country” 50-plus years ago. Greene Raine and Al set out to establish a Europeanstyle pedestrian-friendly village connecting Blackcomb with Whistler Mountain, and they each brought a key piece to the table. Greene Raine leveraged her celebrity status as one of skiing’s best-known champions to become an ambassador and spokeswoman for the then-fledgling resort. Her name alone was often enough to convince bankers and power brokers to sit down for a meeting. Al, meanwhile, played a central role in the planning, design and construction of Blackcomb Mountain and Whistler Village. A remarkable transformation occurred, as a former garbage dump blossomed into a world-class snowsport destination. Eventually the couple departed to work their magic in Sun Peaks, but they retain fond memories of their era in the Sea to Sky.

CHASE OR BE CHASED

It may be curious to some that Greene Raine retired at the peak of her skiing powers: 24 years of age. No doubt she’s given her whole life to the advancement of sport and recreation in Canada, but you can’t help but wonder: did she have more in the tank as a competitor? She sure did, but there were other considerations on her mind—namely the amateur paradigm that prevented athletes

from earning money off their sports. During her nine-year national team career, Greene Raine lived at home and worked as a secretary each summer to help fund her athletic pursuits. There was no prize money and no sponsorships to be had. “If I won the races now that I won back then, I would have been making millions of bucks,” Greene Raine said. “Your career is much more extended now, but in those days, the driving force was your own desire to get to the top and be at the top. “Especially after the 1968 Olympics, I went on a string for a month and a half where I won every race—downhill, slalom, giant slalom—by big margins … but [I remember] standing at the bottom of the slalom hill in Sun Valley, looking at a young American coming from the back of the pack with a hot time and thinking: ‘jeez, I’m the target.’ Like I said in the film, it’s more fun chasing than being chased.” In the end, Greene Raine seized every opportunity that crossed her path and hopes today’s athletes will continue to do the same. “Honestly, I always think: ‘oh my God, what if your sport was the shot put? What would you do afterwards?’” she remarked. “But in skiing, whether you’re in alpine or freestyle skiing, you make all kinds of contacts all over the place if you become well-known. There are a lot of job opportunities in many, many fields, whether it’s hospitality, small business, or instructing and working in the ski industry itself.” The 2024 VIMFF runs from Feb. 23 to March 3. Learn more about The Fabulous Life of Nancy Greene Raine at vimff.org/film/thefabulous-life-of-nancy-greene-raine. ■

SPORTS THE SCORE

Pemberton’s Darkhorse is getting his time on the big screen JOE LAX IS THE SUBJECT OF A NEW DOCUMENTARY AT THE VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

BY DAVID SONG JOE LAX DOESN’T particularly enjoy the spotlight. Lax describes himself as “pretty lowkey” and “somewhat of an introvert.” He’s a very capable snowboarder, but not one to overly publicize his exploits. In fact, many who follow “whiskeytahoe” on Instagram don’t know the man behind the account— or even where his eyebrow-raising GoPro footage was captured. Even so, the spotlight has found Lax. The 45-year-old father of two is the central figure in an Arc’teryx-sponsored documentary titled Darkhorse, helmed by Bryan Smith and Cameron Sylvester. “I feel like it takes most people a few years to get in with Joe,” remarks carpenter and photographer Brad Slack in the opening seconds of the movie’s trailer. “He doesn’t like crowds, and he’s a man of few words. I don’t know if many people really get to see who the real Joe is.” The rest of the trailer juxtaposes breathtaking shots of pristine backcountry with stark images of fire consuming oncepristine forest. Lax is a 20-year veteran of the BC Wildfire Service, and his experiences make him intimately familiar with both sides of nature: its capacity for beauty and violence alike. “Seeing nature in its rawest form, you can’t help but be humbled in the presence of that,” Lax said. “I try to approach nature with a huge amount of respect, and I’ve seen a lot of wild things over the years, for sure. Mother Nature’s in charge, and when there’s a perfect storm of drought, atmospheric conditions and weather, anything can happen and it can be real bad.” Forest firefighting is Lax’s trade, and one in which he has climbed the ladder to become an operations chief. He knows, as many do, that fire seasons are growing longer, more intense and more dangerous, with blazes impacting communities at a concerning rate. These trends keep the Pembertonian and his crew busier than before, but once summers pass, he always makes time for the mountains.

‘IT’S BEEN AN OBSESSION’

Lax was born in Lumsden, Sask.: roughly a half hour’s drive north of where Mark McMorris grew up. The two men share a love of snowboarding and weren’t about to let a dearth of mountainous terrain on the Prairies stop them from going after their dreams. That, perhaps, is where the similarities between them end. McMorris is a three-time Olympic bronze medallist, the most decorated Winter X Games athlete in history and a heavily-sponsored, wildly popular professional. On the other end of the spectrum, Lax doesn’t necessarily use his board as a way to make money. To him, it

simply unlocks a sport that comes as naturally as breathing. “For me, snowboarding’s been a lifestyle for a long time,” he explained. “It’s been an obsession. It’s given me meaning. I think it really just comes to the feeling of chasing powder through all these years. That’s been my main motivator, for sure.” As a teenager, Lax knew he would someday move out West, and resolved to do so sooner rather than later. The Rocky Mountains were his first stop, and he reached Pemberton in the spring of 1998. The valley has more or less been his home since then. Lax saw the potential of big mountain and backcountry riding long before many of his peers did. He has spent virtually his entire adult life exploring the unrivaled natural playground that is the Sea to Sky corridor.

A BIGGER STORY

Despite his behind-the-scenes personality, Lax has dealt with Smith and Sylvester before. The first time was in Shaped by Wild, a celebrated feature from 2023 documenting British Columbia’s Coast Mountain Range. The filmmakers picked up something special in Lax’s story and later approached him with a

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“Seeing nature in its rawest form, you can’t help but be humbled in the presence of that.” - JOE LAX OPEN HOUSE Sat. Feb. 17 • 1pm - 4pm concept that became Darkhorse. “In our previous experience, we built a friendship and trust, and I think their intentions were good,” said Lax. “So, I decided to proceed. First and foremost, I like the idea of going on adventures in the mountains trying to capture some moments, but I think they saw a bigger story and I’m happy with how they told it.” These days, Lax loves nothing more than to go snowboarding with his wife and children. His daughters are 12 and seven years of age, old enough to really start chasing powder and catching air. He doesn’t know if he’d still live in Pemberton were his favourite pastime not a cornerstone of his family’s identity. Darkhorse will screen at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (WIMFF) from Feb. 23 to March 3. It promises to give the general public a closer look at a man one press release labelled “one of the most accomplished backcountry riders you’ve never heard of.” Learn more about the picture at vimff.org/film/darkhorse. n

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SPORTS THE SCORE

Marielle Thompson wins consecutive ski-cross races in Georgia JESSIE LINTON, MAYA MIKKELSEN TOTAL FOUR MEDALS AT NOR-AM SEASON OPENER

BY DAVID SONG AS MARIELLE THOMPSON’S fans and family have watched her race as of late, they’ve probably thought to themselves: now there’s the three-time Crystal Globe champion we know. Thompson is on fire, reinforcing her place atop FIS season standings with wins in four of her last five World Cup races. On Feb. 10, she and Brittany Phelan of Mont-Tremblant, Que. combined for a one-two Canadian finish, and the Whistlerite’s inaugural triumph in Bakuriani, Georgia. Marielle Berger Sabbatel found herself third for France. On Feb. 11, Thompson was even more dominant: victorious in all of her heats en route to the 29th World Cup gold medal and 65th podium of her career. Sabbatel clinched silver, and Talina Gantenbein of Switzerland earned bronze. India Sherret (Crankbrook, B.C.) and Phelan skied to fourth and sixth, respectively. “Stoked to be on the podium with Britt,” Thompson said in a press release. “It was super special to sing O Canada together. This course is fun to ski with lots of jumps and action, and you need to ski well to be fast. “I tried to be better each run and to ski clean the whole way down,” she added on Sunday. “I learned from last year at the

GOING STRONG Marielle Thompson (centre) and the Canadian ski-cross team at the World Cup race in Bakuriani, Georgia on Feb. 11. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALPINE CANADA

World Championships [in Bakuriani] that small mistakes can make you lose speed very quickly. The start was quite important, so I just did my best to be quick and powerful out of the gate and to go from there.” Commented Phelan, who has 16 medals in 70 World Cup appearances and sits fourth in season rankings: “It was a good day of racing [on Saturday] and I’m pumped to be on the podium, especially with Mar. It wasn’t easy out there, it was a real battle in the finals, but made it happen and looking forward to another shot at it.”

Canada’s men had some tougher luck in Georgia, with their best performance of the weekend being an 11th from Jared Schmidt (Ottawa, Ont.). The ski-cross squad next heads to Reiteralm, Austria, for events on Feb. 24 and 25.

LINTON, MIKKELSEN TOTAL FOUR MEDALS AT NOR-AM

Competitively speaking, Jessie Linton and Maya Mikkelsen practically grew up together. They cut their teeth as young moguls

athletes under the wing of veteran coach Jeff Fairbairn and burst onto Canada’s NextGen squad within a year of each other. The duo combined for four medals on Feb. 7 and 8 at the FIS Nor-Am Cup season opener in Deer Valley Resort, Utah. Linton’s 65.20 points in the single moguls contest were enough to secure her silver, with Mikkelsen (65.07) locking up bronze after pushing her teammate to the limit. American Kasey Hogg took gold (72.07). It was the exact same podium trio in the exact same order for dual moguls: Hogg first, Linton second and Mikkelsen a close third. “Came into this week really sick, but happy to have been able to get it together and get my first Nor-Am singles podium and a duals podium!” said Mikkelsen on social media. “Good week for the team!” Fellow Canadian Cole Carey triumphed at his first Nor-Am dual moguls event. The Panorama, B.C. native overcame runnerup compatriot Charles Beaulieu and bronze medallist George Murphy of Australia to knock down his milestone win. Two more Blackcomb Freestyle alumni saw action in Deer Valley. Sam Cordell cracked the top five in men’s moguls, but had to settle for 17th in the dual competition. Josh Maga finished 10th in dual moguls and 25th in singles. Full results are available at fis-ski.com. ■

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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

Annual Poetry Competition Returns The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and the Public Art Committee invite submissions of unpublished, original poems for the 2024 Poet’s Pause poetry competition. • The poems will be displayed at the two Poet’s Pause sculpture sites in Alta Lake Park. • Writers are invited to submit poems for one or both display sites. • The poems should respond to the theme selected for each site, listening and togetherness. Poems are due Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 3 p.m. and should be submitted to communications@whistler.ca.

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/PoetryCompetition

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

EPICURIOUS

‘I was just ecstatic’ WILD BLUE RESTAURANT + BAR CHEF DE CUISINE JASPER CRUICKSHANK WINS CANADIAN CULINARY CHAMPIONSHIP

BY BRADEN DUPUIS FOR WHISTLER CHEF Jasper Cruickshank, the love of cooking originated at the dinner table. “It was just something that brought our family together,” Cruickshank said. “So it was something that really made me want to be a part of cooking, and the joy it brought to people … it just felt natural.” Cruickshank’s passion never faltered—he joined culinary school at 17, fresh out of high school, “and never looked back,” he said. Seventeen years later, Cruickshank’s love of cooking has carried him all the way to a Canadian Culinary Championship. The Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar chef de cuisine took home the national championship in Ottawa after two days of intense competition on Feb. 2 and 3. “I’ve done competitions in the past, but nothing like this. This was a completely different scenario,” he said. “There is three

TOP CHEF Whistler chef Jasper Cruickshank of Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar at the Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa on Feb. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF WILD BLUE RESTAURANT + BAR

52 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

little competitions you have to do within a three-day period, so it was a lot to take in, and I just pushed through.” Given the intensity of it all, Cruickshank said he felt “a big sense of relief” upon learning he took home the crown. “It was a few days of very little sleep and very long days … at that point you’re kind of running on just fumes, so once I found out I

Roche Tradition Pinot Gris, featured a Side Stripe shrimp terrine with a daikon parcel filled with leek purée and a leek-wakame tuille; a Dungeness crab tartlet with delicate fuille de brick, poached Dungeness crab, crab espuma, and masago rice pearls,” read a release from Wild Blue. “A Geoduck reduction provided the perfect complement to the ensemble.”

“It was a few days of very little sleep and very long days...” - JASPER CRUICKSHANK

was just ecstatic,” he said. “It was a great experience, and the other chefs that were part of the competition, they were a great group of guys, so yeah, it was an all-around good environment to be in.” Cruickshank drew on his B.C. roots and a profound appreciation for local ingredients for his championship entry, the “Wild B.C. Experience.” “This award-winning dish, paired with

The two-day event started Friday, Feb. 2 with a Mystery Wine Competition, in which chefs were challenged to craft a dish (while staying within a budget of $550 for 250 servings) complimenting an unlabelled wine. The catch? They received the wine just 24 hours prior. Cruickshank’s winning creation, a pork terrine with pickled mustard seed, kohlrabi, caramelized parsnip puree, natural jus, and

chive oil, “perfectly harmonized with the wine later revealed to be Zweigelt from Lailey Winery Niagara River VQA,” the release said. The next day, the chefs competed in the Black Box Competition, followed by the event’s Grand Finale, in which Cruickshank emerged victorious. “I just wanted to showcase what we have [in B.C.],” Cruickshank said, adding he and his team planned for everything ahead of the competition—including having multiple dishes ready to go depending on the wine pairing. “We got the wine, it was red, and we tasted it, and it was like, yeah, it will go great with the pork terrine that I was trying,” he said. “So we went with that dish and it paid off.” Now, Cruickshank joins the ranks of Canada’s most esteemed chefs, including names like Roger Ma and Alex Chen (who is also partner and chef at Wild Blue), as well as Melissa Craig, formerly of the Bearfoot Bistro, who earned the honour in 2008. “Going forward, I don’t know what it exactly means, but it’s just a stepping stone, that’s how I look at it,” Cruickshank said. “It was a challenge, it was an experience, and we’ll go onto different things from there.” Cruickshank wanted to thank the team at Wild Blue “for all the support,” he added. “They have been great to me.” Read more at wildbluerestaurant.com. n

Check before you Recreate! Ensure you know the best times to visit Meadow Park Sports Centre to participate in your favourite activity. Visit whistler.ca/mpsc for regular activity schedules and daily notices. See you soon! 604-935-PLAY (7529)  RMOWRecreation

ARTS SCENE

Laugh Out LIVE! returns with exciting new offerings in 2024 THE GROUP’S NEXT SHOW TAKES PLACE FEB. 16 AND 17, WHILE A NEW IMPROV WORKSHOP IS SLATED FOR APRIL 8

BY DAVID SONG THE BRIGHT AND WACKY minds behind Laugh Out LIVE! are poised to deliver a full pull of content in 2024. For starters, they’ll return to the Maury Young Arts Centre on Feb. 16 and 17 with their next show, titled “Face Shots and Snow Jobs.” Familiar faces Rebecca Mason and Ira Pettle will be joined on stage by Jonny Fleet and Mark McIvor, as well as two Vancouver-based comedians named Colleen Thompson and Ryan Lee. “We really want to create an entity that performing artists can use as an opportunity, whether you are a comedian or not,” explains Mason. “We’re thinking of getting musicians into our show. We’ve got ideas of getting some dance performers into our show. Laugh Out LIVE! is this staple entity that we want to build up in Whistler. “We want to keep riding that wave where people are now coming to Whistler and associating it with events outside of skiing or mountain biking. You can come here and watch a comedy show or a great theatre

LIVE, LAUGH, LIVE! The members Laugh Out LIVE! have plenty of new ventures in store for 2024. PHOTO COURTESY OF REBECCA MASON

54 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

production, listen to some amazing music and those sorts of things.” The popular local comedy group is adding new branches to its programming tree, including doubling down on its warmlyreceived improv classes with a new April 8 event. “One Night Stand” is a two-hour workshop aimed at those looking to dip their toes into a new way of performing. After trying their

Laugh Out LIVE! also hopes to begin offering other types of courses on stand-up comedy, sketch writing or anything else Sea to Sky denizens might be interested in.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

If you’re a Laugh Out LIVE! fan, you may have noticed one conspicuous absence from the names mentioned up until this

“We really want to create an entity that performing artists can use as an opportunity, whether you are a comedian or not.” - REBECCA MASON

hand at the basics of the craft, attendees will also be treated to an improv-only show. “We’re excited about this concept,” Mason says. “We have our big marquee event, which is on a production stage. It’s got lights, it’s got audio … but we’re also excited about doing an improv-only format that maybe we can squeeze into smaller venues or do as private events. Improv is a comedy format that we just don’t get enough of anywhere in the world, if you ask me.”

point: Dave Francis. That’s because Francis, one of the troupe’s founding members, is stepping away. “Dave is taking a pause to refocus and rebalance,” Mason says. “We are a family at Laugh Out LIVE!, and we see incredible people coming and going all the time. We’re so lucky to have that structure, but it’s a ginormous project and it consumes the majority of our lives. “During his absence, Dave will be missed

greatly. I’m 99.9-per-cent certain that he has his own unique fan base. People love him. He’s got this wonderful energy onstage, and he’s brought that British humour that Ira and I can’t contribute. The fact that he can step away for now, and Laugh Out LIVE! can continue to thrive, [is a testament] to the incredible work the three of us have put in to build the brand. It can be a space for anyone to come and go.” Indeed, one of Laugh Out LIVE!’s core principles is it can transcend any particular assortment of people—even the trio who brought it to life. While Francis is always welcome to return to the group in any capacity, they are also equipped to move on without him. One more thing Mason looks forward to in the coming months is a planned shift towards private events—without, of course, compromising any of their other ventures. She and Pettle are in talks with hotels and various conferences about the idea of doing comedy shows of varying lengths and formats tailored to a specific audience. And while Mason doesn’t want to give away too much, the hockey player-turnedperformer promises there will be a few novel summer events to keep the good times rolling all year. Learn more about Laugh Out LIVE!’s upcoming programs at artswhistler. c o m /c a l e n d a r - u p c o m i n g / l a u g h - o u t live/2024-02-17. n

ARTS SCENE

Celebrate the season at The Point Artist-Run Centre’s 2024 Winter Carnival

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FULL SLATE OF FAMILY DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES ON TAP, INCLUDING DINNER, MUSIC, GAMES, CONTESTS AND MORE

BY DAVID SONG WHAT IS WINTER, anyway? In some parts of the world, winter is a pretty consistent phenomenon defined by subfreezing temperatures and steady snowfall. Then you’ve got the Sea to Sky corridor, an area where winter months can sometimes bring powder days, unseasonable warmth and dreary rain in almost-equal measure. Regardless, winter can be as worthy a time for celebration as any. That’s why The Point Artist-Run Centre (PARC) is bringing back its Winter Carnival during the Family Day long weekend. On Feb. 18, guests can enjoy a dinner show featuring hearty food and an opening act from local accordion wizard Thomas Studer. Fineart enthusiasts can make bids at the yearly Winter Art Auction, featuring work by Nafisa, Marcelle Armatage, Megan Burke and Nina Moore. The evening culminates in a lively performance by C.R. Avery and the Storm Collective. Then, on Feb. 19, community members of all ages are invited to a free afternoon of activities. The DJ Ira Dance Party is teaming up with Ace Mackay-Smith (a.k.a. Frosty) to keep spirits high, while Studer returns to play live campfire music alongside Greg Kelly. Events will include curling, shinny, and competitions in ice dance, snow-sculpting and donut-eating, as well as an assortment of costumed characters. There will be food along with hot and cold beverages at the Cypress Point Cafe and Harrop’s Bar. “We did miss a few years of [the Winter Carnival], and it was really fun to bring it back last year,” says PARC artistic director Stephen Vogler. “You never know what winter brings around here. We’ve had everything from two feet thick of ice to a polar bear swim one year when it was a warm February. “Every winter is so distinct here in the Coast Mountains. You just never quite know, and you have to be ready for anything. [Our goal is] to celebrate the season through the lens of the arts, involving and hiring as many artists as possible.”

SUNDAY NIGHT TALENT

Avery is one of the more eclectic musicians you’re likely to run into. The Ontario native has been spotted at piano bars, writers’ festivals, burlesque dances and poetry slams over the course of his colourful career, and he can use anything from a mixtape to a paintbrush to great effect. He’s always defied categorization into any one genre, instead making music that is uniquely his own. Then you add the Storm Collective, a fivepiece band that will help him bring the magic to life at this year’s Winter Carnival. Avery and his mates intend to throw harmonica

blues and beatboxing into a blender with rock, folk and hip hop, giving audiences plenty to groove to. “I’ve worked with C.R. Avery for probably a decade or so,” reveals Vogler. “I’ve had him up here for different acts, both at The Point and elsewhere when I used to do events in some other venues around town, and he happens to be our Artist-in-Residence right now. He does so many different things and— kind of like I was saying about winter—you never know quite what you’ll get. His show is always different.” Avery is one of the first to participate in PARC’s new winter artist residency program. He’ll stay at the facility’s on-site cabin for another two weeks or so, penning a novel and composing some new music. Meanwhile, Studer hails from a small village in Switzerland called Rothenburg. He discovered the accordion at 10 years old and has used it to liven up all kinds of settings, including weddings, birthday parties and corporate events. Like Avery, Studer is capable both as a solo performer and in tandem with other musicians.

“[T]his is a nice way to duck out of the busyness and connect with your friends...” - STEPHEN VOGLER “I just thought he would be a good starter [for the dinner show],” says Vogler. “It seems that he can bring a Winter Carnival-type of music to the show and be a nice opening to the evening when people are just having dinner.”

A BREAK FROM ‘BUSY’

Vogler would like to thank the event’s presenting sponsors: Nesters Market and the BC Arts Council, for their support, especially the Arts Council for providing a grant that allowed PARC to expand the carnival to two days. “I think it’s really important to foster good community and celebrations that bring people together,” he says. “Because we’re a resort town, the village is this big hubbub of activity. We’re all really busy in the winter and often don’t run into the locals we know. “So this is a nice way to duck out of the busyness and connect with your friends in the community—and you meet some new people, too.” Tickets for the dinner show on Sunday, Feb. 18 cost $45 plus tax ($20 for just the show) and are available at thepointartists. com/winter-carnival. Festivities on Monday, Feb. 19 run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. n

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FEBRUARY 16, 2024

ARTS SCENE

Leading bear expert pens novel after 40 years studying grizzlies from birth to death DR. BRUCE MCLELLAN AND HIS FAMILY LIVED ON THE BANK OF THE FLATHEAD RIVER WHERE HIS KIDS GREW UP AROUND GRIZZLY BEARS

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter DR. BRUCE MCLELLAN has spent his life trying to dispel misconceptions about grizzly bears. With his book, Grizzly Bear Science and the Art of a Wilderness Life: Forty Years of Research in the Flathead Valley, the renowned bear expert takes his passion for knowledgesharing one step further. Released Nov. 24, 2023, the book covers the expanding gap between what is known about grizzlies by the general public and what is known by scientists. A leading bear expert with 43 seasons in the field, McLellan’s book tells the story of 200 radio-collared bears, many of which had their lives cut short by humans. McLellan and his wife began the Flathead grizzly project when the couple were just in their mid-20s. They built a log cabin on the bank of the Flathead River, had kids, and raised them in the wilderness. “Once a grizzly bear gets to be about two years old, they end up being killed by people,” he said. “They very, very rarely die naturally. They mostly end up getting killed by people

in one way or another. Most bears die because people kill them.” The author originally started researching elk and mountain goats before taking the step up towards the slightly larger mammals. “I just liked wildlife and large mammals in wild places,” he said. “It ended up to be grizzlies because that’s what the job ended up to be for me in 1978 after I finished

once or twice. In general, when grizzly bears come near someone’s camp, they know they are near people. You can’t really surprise them. Even when they are surprised, they are almost always fairly tolerant. We never really had any issues.” The technology has also changed enormously since McLellan first started researching bears, he said—everything from

“[T]hey are not really that aggressive...” - BRUCE MCLELLAN

working with mountain goats. They are all interesting. Mountain goats are pretty fun too!” The McLellans loved the time they spent in the Flathead. Their kids eventually earned their own PhD and master’s degrees in the ecology of the amazing animals. “I look back on it very favourably, and so do my family. It wasn’t all easy,” said McLellan. “We had no attractants near our camp. We had bears come through our camp, but we only ever had concerning events

radio collars with satellite tracking and DNA sampling of hairs to simpler innovations like portable cameras. “We started using film cameras in the 1980’s. We were getting 36 pictures per roll,” he said. “Now, there are game cams. Laptops didn’t even exist.” McLellan said grizzly conflicts are far more rare than most people think. “Unless they are surprised, they are not really that aggressive of an animal,” he said. “They will get defensive over a kill if they

are surprised. I have chased grizzlies off kills many times. Females with cubs can get excited if you surprise them. It’s incredibly rare that grizzlies ever attack anyone if they are in a farmer’s field or near people. There are thousands of recorded interactions between people and grizzlies in Yellowstone but attacks are very, very rare.” McLellan understands Sea to Sky residents’ concerns around coexistence, and he knows the local bear population well, having started working in the area in about 2004. He said people living in the Sea to Sky can look at other parts of Canada for tips on living with grizzlies. “There are 15,000 people living in the Elk Valley,” he said. “They co-exist with 80 different grizzly bears in that valley. There are other places like that, too. Coexistence is definitely doable. It takes more effort and tolerance on people’s part. I think in 10 or 15 years from now, people won’t get quite as excited to see grizzly bears on the side of the road. We also have to be aware and manage these bears.” Grizzly Bear Science and the Art of a Wilderness Life: Forty Years of Research in the Flathead Valley is available through Whistler’s Armchair Books. ■

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ARTS SCENE PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events

Whistler Drop-in Centre 1519 Spring Creek Dr. Mo-Th 10am-4pm infowhistler@pearlspace.ca 604-962-8711

ELECTORAL AREA C

Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 7PM via Zoom

FILE PHOTO BY NICK VOUTOUR / COURTESY OF WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

FAMILY DAY WEEKEND AT SLCC THE PEOPLE’S FILM PRESENTS: Celebrate Family Day Weekend* on Sat., Feb. 17 at the WAYNE’S WORLD Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Join Ambassadors

BC FAMILY DAY KIDS APRÈS Bring the family and celebrate with free entry at the Whistler Museum over BC Family Day weekend at Kids Après. Learn something new about Whistler’s history, enjoy free hot chocolate, add your own colour to archival images, and take home a wintery craft! Date: Feb. 17 to 19, 2 to 5 p.m. Location: Whistler Museum Cost: Free

FIRE & ICE SHOW Where else but Whistler would performers entertain you with an electric mix of music, dance and spinning fire? Watch world-class athletes flip and twist through a burning ring of fire, then finish the night off with a first-class fireworks display. Date: Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Location: Skier’s Plaza Cost: Free

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FIRE & ICE SHOW for free family craft activities in the Istken Hall. Weave together a vibrant dreamcatcher with feathers, beads, sinew, and a suede-wrapped hoop. Limited supply, registration recommended. *Closed on B.C. Family Day, Monday, Feb. 19. Date: Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre Cost: Free

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The people have chosen! February’s edition of The People’s Film will be Wayne’s World. Packed with memorable one-liners, hilarious popculture references, and iconic scenes—including the infamous “Bohemian Rhapsody” car sing-along— Wayne’s World captures the spirit of ’90s youth culture with its irreverent humour and infectious energy. So start backcombing that ’90s hair*, slip into your favourite ripped blue jeans and get ready to “Party on, dudes.” This event is 19-plus. *Prizes up for grabs for best costumes. Date: Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m. Location: Maury Young Arts Centre Cost: $10

Public Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 466 of the Local Government Act that a public hearing will be held electronically regarding the following bylaws: 1. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area C Oﬃcial Community Plan Bylaw No. 689, 1999, Amendment Bylaw No. 1825-2023; and 2. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area C Zoning Bylaw No. 765, 2002, Amendment Bylaw No. 1826-2023. PURPOSE OF BYLAW 1825-2023 & BYLAW 1826-2023 The bylaws are associated with an application to amend the zoning and designation at 2559 Blackwater Road, a 4-ha parcel, to reduce minimum parcel size in order for future subdivision to be possible. The SLRD is proposing to rezone from Rural 1 (Resource Management) where the minimum parcel size is 40 ha, to Rural 3, where the minimum parcel size is 1.5 ha, as well as to re-designated from Resource Management to Rural Residential. These changes will enable a future subdivision into up to two lots. The area covered by Bylaw 1825-2023 and Bylaw 1826-2023 is 2559 Blackwater Rd - DISTRICT LOT 2160 LILLOOET DISTRICT as show on the map below:

SCENE STUDY WITH ANGIE NOLAN Actor, writer, and director Angie Nolan will guide you through a three-session acting intensive designed to help aspiring actors dig deeper into scene and character study. These sessions will be focused on uninhibited imagination work and will help actors dive deeper into aspects of scene work. Read more at thepointartists.com. Date: Feb. 21, 24 and 25 Location: The Point Artist-Run Centre Cost: $130

We’ve got you covered.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A copy of the proposed bylaw and relevant background documents may be inspected at the Regional District office, 1350 Aster Street, Pemberton, BC, during office hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm not including weekends and statutory holidays, or by requesting an electronic copy from planning@slrd.bc.ca. All persons who believe that their interest in the property is affected by the proposed bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present written submissions respecting matters contained in the bylaw. 1. Submit Written Comments to the Board: Written submissions must be addressed to “SLRD Board of Directors,” and include your name and community of residence. Until 4:00 pm on February 22, 2024, written submissions (mail or email) will be received at the following: Email:

planning@slrd.bc.ca

Hard Copy:

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Planning Department PO Box 219, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0

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2. Participate via Zoom: The public hearing will take place electronically on February 22, 2024, at 7PM via Zoom. Log-in details will be posted to the SLRD notice page: www.slrd.bc.ca/insideslrd/notices three days prior to the Public Hearing. You may also email the Planning Department three days prior to the Public Hearing at planning@slrd.bc.ca to request the Zoom hearing access information.

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

MUSEUM MUSINGS

TOP OF THE WORLD Canada’s Michelle Ruthven, Germany’s Katja Seizenger and Sweden’s Pernilla Wiberg share the podium after Whistler’s first Women’s World Cup Downhill race. PHOTO BY DOUG ALEXANDER / WHISTLER QUESTION COLLECTION

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Whistler’s first Women’s World Cup BY ALLYN PRINGLE THOUGH WHISTLER

began hosting World Cup races in 1982 (or 1979, depending on how you look at it), in early 1994, the resort was preparing to host its first Women’s World Cup downhill on March 5 and 6, followed a week later by a Men’s World Cup downhill and super-G. In January, volunteers were still being recruited to join the ranks of veteran Weasel Workers, and it was expected they would start setting up the course on Dave Murray Downhill by the end of the month. According to the Whistler Question, the Dave Murray Downhill course was considered “one of a few ‘classic’ downhill courses,” with jumps, flats, drop-offs, high-speed turns, and more. Some changes were made to the course in 1992 to make it more exciting for racers and more accessible for fans, including the addition of two off-camber turns below Coaches’ Corner and the Hot Air jump. As in many years, the weather was a popular topic in the lead-up to the World Cup races, and many were concerned about whether the races would be able to go ahead. January 1994 was unseasonably warm, prompting the Question to ask readers, “Is the recent warm weather giving you spring fever?” By the beginning of February, Whistler Mountain had to announce changes to the Peak to Valley race course, because there was not enough snow to ski down to the valley. Instead, the start of the race was moved higher up—to just below the Saddle entrance to the Glacier Bowl—and the course was shortened. Worries about the snow eased on Feb. 8, 1994, when 28 centimetres fell overnight. According to a report from Bonny Makarewicz, “Skiers and merchants woke up with smiles on their faces as the countdown to the World Cup has begun in earnest.” The snow continued to fall, and at the

end of February, the mountains received nine feet of snow in nine days. At the beginning of March, however, the weather had turned again, and planned training runs for the inaugural Warsteiner Women’s World Cup races were cancelled. When team captains examined the course on March 2, they found the snow was too soft to be safe for training runs, and volunteer crews were scheduled to work all day to re-anchor nets and fences left unsecure after the course lost 40 cm of snow overnight. Despite poor conditions, chief of race Joan Giannelli remained optimistic. The rest of her leadership team (which included Nancy Greene as race chair, Michelle Brown, Andrée Janyk in charge of gatekeepers, and Brenda Oakes as chief of timing) agreed, and their optimism was rewarded. Training runs were held on Friday, March 4, and the race was able to go ahead on the weekend. Katja Seizinger of Germany placed first, followed by Pernilla Wiberg of Sweden and Michelle Ruthven of Canada. World Cup events in Whistler included more than just the races. The Kokanee Rock N’ Ski Party featured eight different bands performing on a bar circuit, and the Whistler Village Art Gallery featured works of B.C. sports artists Dale Cooper, Brent Lynch and Ken Wesman in the second-annual World Cup Show. Other newsworthy events that took place during the World Cup races included the announcement by Canadian racer Kerrin LeeGartner of her retirement and the gathering of Canada’s Olympic and World Downhill gold medallists at a benefit dinner for the Whistler Health Care Centre. Despite continued uncertain weather, the Men’s World Cup downhill and super-G races were also able to go ahead the following week, and the 1994 World Cup in Whistler was considered a success. However, while the Men’s World Cup races did return in February 1995, the Women’s World Cup did not, and the Canadian stop of the tour was moved to December in Lake Louise. n

PARTIAL RECALL

1 PAUSE FOR APPLAUSE The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) 16th annual Poet’s Pause competition is officially underway. The RMOW invites poets to submit original, unpublished works for the competition, with the two winning poems displayed at the Poet’s Pause sculpture sites in Alta Lake Park: one at the large metal chimes titled “Lost in Sound” located in the north part of the park, and the other at the giant Adirondack chairs titled “Lakeside Couple” in the south end of the park. Find more info at whistler.ca/poetrycompetition. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RMOW 2 PAW PATROL Even the dogs in Whistler were ready for the recent snowfall! Pictured is Lucy the dog showing off her cool new googles in Whistler Village. PHOTO BY SUSAN HUTCHINSON 3 VIEW FROM ABOVE The Village of Pemberton rests at the foot of the majestic Mount Currie in this aerial shot captured recently. PHOTO BY DAVID LEWIS / @DAVID_LEWIS 4 GLOW FOR IT The evening alpenglow lit up the sky over Whistler last week. PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS 5 FEELING FINE The opening reception for the Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery’s new collection—Angela Morgan: A Solo Exhibition—on Feb. 10 was a fabulous affair. PHOTO COURTESY OF ADELE CAMPBELL FINE ART

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ASTROLOGY

Free Will Astrology WEEK OF FEBRUARY 16 BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Some stories don’t have

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a distinct and orderly beginning, middle, and end. At any one point, it may be hard to know where you are. Other tales have a clear beginning, middle, and end, but the parts occur out of order; maybe the middle happens first, then the end, followed by the beginning. Every other variation is possible, too. And then there’s the fact that the beginning of a new story is implied at the end of many stories, even stories with fuzzy plots and ambiguous endings. Keep these ruminations in mind during the coming weeks, Aries. You will be in a phase when it’s essential to know what story you are living in and where you are located in the plot’s unfoldment. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): As I meditate on your destiny in the near future, I sense you will summon extra courage, perhaps even fearless and heroic energy. I wonder if you will save a drowning person, or rescue a child from a burning building, or administer successful CPR to a stranger who has collapsed on the street. Although I suspect your adventures will be less dramatic than those, they may still be epic. Maybe you will audaciously expose corruption and deceit, or persuade a friend to not commit self-harm, or speak bold thoughts you haven’t had the daring to utter before. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Lately, you have been learning more than you thought possible. You have surpassed and transcended previous limits in your understanding of how the world works. Congratulations! I believe the numerous awakenings stem from your willingness to wander freely into the edgy frontier—and then stay there to gather in all the surprising discoveries and revelations flowing your way. I will love it if you continue your pilgrimage out there beyond the borders for a while longer. CANCER (June 21-July 22): As I study the astrological omens for the coming weeks, I suspect you will feel more at home in a situation that has previously felt unnerving or alien. Or you will expedite the arrival of the future by connecting more deeply with your roots. Or you will cultivate more peace and serenity by exploring exotic places. To be honest, though, the planetary configurations are half-mystifying me; I’m offering my best guesses. You may assemble a strong foundation for an experimental fantasy. Or perhaps you will engage in imaginary travel, enabling you to wander widely without leaving your sanctuary. Or all of the above. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Of your hundreds of wishes and yearnings, Leo, which is the highest on your priority list? And which are the next two? What are the sweet, rich, inspiring experiences you want more than anything else in life? I invite you to compile a tally of your top three longings. Write them on a piece of paper. Draw or paste an evocative symbol next to each one. Then place this holy document in a prominent spot that you will see regularly. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you are in a phase when focusing and intensifying your intentions will bring big rewards. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Actor and travel writer Andrew McCarthy hiked across Spain along the famous pilgrimage route, Camino de Santiago. On the way, he felt so brave and strong that at one point he paradoxically had a sobbing breakdown. He realized how fear had always dominated his life. With this chronic agitation absent for the first time ever, he felt free to be his genuine self. “I started to feel more comfortable in the world and consequently in my own skin,” he testified, concluding, “I think travel obliterates fear.” I recommend applying his prescription to yourself in the coming months, Virgo—in whatever ways your intuition tells you are right. Cosmic forces will be aligned with you. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the natural world, there are four partnership styles. In the parasitic variety, one living thing damages another while exploiting it. In the

commensal mode, there is exploitation by one partner, but no harm occurs. In the epizoic model, one creature serves as a vehicle for the other but gets nothing in return. The fourth kind of partnership is symbiotic. It’s beneficial to both parties. I bring these thoughts to your attention, Libra, because the coming weeks will be an excellent time to take an inventory of your alliances and affiliations— and begin to de-emphasize, even phase out, all but the symbiotic ones. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio author Dan Savage says, “I wish I could let myself eat and eat and eat.” He imagines what it would be like if he didn’t “have to monitor the foods I put in my mouth or go to the gym anymore.” He feels envious of those who have no inhibitions about being gluttonous. In alignment with astrological aspects, I authorize Savage and all Scorpios to temporarily set aside such inhibitions. Take a brief break. Experiment with what it feels like to free yourself to ingest big helpings of food and drink—as well as metaphorical kinds of nourishment like love and sex and sensations and entertainment. Just for now, allow yourself to play around with voraciousness. You may be surprised at the deeper liberations it triggers. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Dear Wise Gambler: You rank high in your spacious intelligence, intuitive logic, and robust fantasy life. There’s only one factor that may diminish your ability to discern the difference between wise and unwise gambles. That’s your tendency to get so excited by big, expansive ideas that you neglect to account for messy, inconvenient details. And it’s especially important not to dismiss or underplay those details in the coming weeks. If you include them in your assessments, you will indeed be the shrewdest of wise gamblers. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn golfer Tiger Woods is one of the all-time greats. He holds numerous records and has won scores of tournaments. On 20 occasions, he has accomplished the most difficult feat: hitting a hole-in-one. But the weird fact is there were two decades (1998–2018) between his 19th and 20th holesin-one. I suspect your own fallow time came in 2023, Capricorn. By now, you should be back in the hole-in-one groove, metaphorically speaking. And the coming months may bring a series of such crowning strokes. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Poet Anna Akhmatova (1889–1966) lived till age 76, but her destiny was a rough ride. Her native country, the authoritarian Soviet Union, censored her work and imprisoned her friends and family. In one of her poems, she wrote, “If I can’t have love, if I can’t find peace, give me a bitter glory.” She got the latter wish. She came close to winning a Nobel Prize and is now renowned as a great poet and heroic symbol of principled resistance to tyranny. Dear Aquarius, I predict that your life in the coming months will be very different from Akhmatova’s. I expect you will enjoy more peace and love than you’ve had in a long time. Glory will stream your way, too, but it will be graceful, never bitter. The effects will be heightened if you express principled resistance to tyranny. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean perfumer Sophia Grojsman says, “Our lives are quiet. We like to be disturbed by delight.” To that end, she has created more than 30 best-selling fragrances, including Eternity Purple Orchid, Désir Coulant (Flowing Desire), Spellbound, Volupté (Pleasure), and Jelisaveta (“God is abundance”). I bring this up, Pisces, because I believe it’s now essential for you to be disturbed by delight—as well as to disturb others with delight. Please do what’s necessary to become a potent magnet for marvellous interruptions, sublime interventions, and blissful intrusions. And make yourself into a provider of those healing subversions, too. Homework: I dare you to forgive yourself for a past event you’ve never forgiven yourself for before. Newsletter. FreeWillAstrology.com.

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

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• Kitchen and Bath • Renovations & Repairs • Drywall • Painting • Finishing • Minor Electrical & Plumbing 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

big or small we do it all! Call 604-902-MOVE www.alltimemoving.ca

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Services

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Group Fitness Classes Fridays – Mom & Baby 2.0 10:30-11:30am w Lou Saturdays – Yoga & Pilates Blend 5:30-6:30 pm w Liv Sundays- Vinyasa Flow 9:00-10:00am w Nicki Tuesdays –Swim Fit Endurance 10:00-11:00 am w M-A Wednesdays – Gentle Fit 1:00-2:00 pm w Andy Thursdays – Spin 5:15-6:15 pm w Courtney

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

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FREE

APRIL 14, 2023 ISSUE 30.15

SECURITY BLANKET

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Full Time Yalakom Valley Ranch is expanding operations and is looking for a self motivated, positive, energetic couple to help manage an off grid cattle ranch in the Lillooet area. Training will be provided, however it will be helpful if the applicants have some gardening, mechanical and/or carpentry skills. Accommodations, hydro, wifi will be provided. April 1st start date.Submit resume to YVRcowboy@gmail.com by March 15. 604-932-0809 yvrcowboy@gmail.com

We’re Hiring! Experienced Carpenters 14

WEDGE ISSUE Backcountry skier reflects on near-death experience

BLOWING UP Gauging the risk

of the

Sea to Sky’s volcanoes

BEST IN SHOWDOWN 72-Hour Showdown returns with a bang

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APRIL 21, 2023 ISSUE 30.16

FREE MEDICATION

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Whistler Personnel Solutions Full-time, part-time & temp jobs. No cost, no strings. 604-905-4194 www.whistler-jobs.com

Whistler’s premier visitor magazine is on stands now!

SPRING OOPS WB apologizes for rocky start to spring season

ENGAGE THIS Whistler council to limit input at meetings

APRIL 28, 2023 ISSUE 30.17

LIGHT IT UP Gordon Lightfoot tribute act Early Morning Rain plays Whistler

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FREE BIG BALLS

T h e L E G E N D( s ) o f

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SAFETY FIRST? Whistler Blackcomb weighs in on safety

BEAR SEASON Old, emaciated bear euthanized near Whistler Village

HIT PARADE Introduce Wolves launch new multifaceted music company

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MAY 5, 2023 ISSUE 30.18

FREE NOSTALGIA

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GET REAL Demand for recreational properties heating up

MAY 12, 2023 ISSUE 30.19

POINT TAKEN Singer-songwriter Jill Barber plays The Point May 6 how Whistler stacks up on bikeability WWW.PIQUE NEWSMAGA ZINE.COM

BIKE CHECK National dataset shows

FREE TO SASHAY

PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY! Quest University closes its doors with a Tantalus Twist

Look for our Winter 2024 Issue!

MIND THE GAP Whistler Valley Society looks to fill in housing

Housing

gaps

POT OF GOLD Whistler has its

first

cannabis retail applicants

FOR THE CHILDREN Whistler Children’s Festival celebrates

40 years

FRE E

CLOSET SPACE

Find it on select stands and in Whistler hotel rooms.

» piquenewsmagazine.com/jobs 14

INTO ACTION Whistler’s new Housing Action Plan revealed

RAINBOW

REVISITED Popular park set to close for construction

ARTNERS IN CRIME Cary

Lopes launch new exhibit,

and Paulo ‘ARTnership

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Lil’wat Nation

CIVIL CONSTRUCTION AND SNOW SERVICES

Employment Opportunities Ullus Community Centre • Early Childhood Educator ($38,038 - $53,599 per year) • Youth Centre worker ($17.10 to $20.90 per hour) • 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)

BUILDING AN EXCELLENT COMPANY, PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIPS, AND RESULTS

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

PROFESSIONALISM

RELIABLE AND HONEST

PROBLEM SOLVERS

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

STRONG WORK ETHIC

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES HYDROVAC OPERATOR - 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 preferred. Toolbox available for rent. $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

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

Lil’wat Business Group • Accountant ($50,000 to $70,000 per year)) • Cashier ($17.10 to $18.50 per hour) • Summer student- Forestry ($22.00 to $25.00 per hour)

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/

coastalmountain.ca/careers instagram.com/coastalmountainexcavations

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.

64 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Planning and Building Assistant (Regular, Full-Time)

Looking to contribute to your local community? Consider a career in local government. Join the SLRD’s team of dedicated staff who work together to make a difference in the region.

WE ARE HIRING! DHD CONSTRUCTION LTD., a Squamish-based, full-service construction and development company is HIRING THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: 2 ASSISTANT SITE SUPERVISORS SITE FOREPERSON CARPENTER APPRENTICES LABOURERS CONSTRUCTION SAFETY OFFICER PROJECT COORDINATOR COMPETITIVE SALARIES EXTENDED HEALTH & DENTAL BENEFITS PERSONAL TOOL PROGRAM Be a part of the DHD team and our exciting project – Finch Drive. A 20 acre, master-planned community using modern building technologies to achieve some of Squamish’s most energy efficient, multi-family homes.

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

COORDINATOR, CONFERENCE SALES Full Time, Year Round

Love a good challenge? Passionate about the place you call home? Tourism Whistler is looking for community-loving, mountainappreciating, environment-respecting people to join our team. The Coordinator, Conference Sales assists the Sales Manager(s) in developing and maintaining a strong client base. Using outstanding communication, interpersonal skills, and a high level of enthusiasm and initiative, the Coordinator builds relationships and delivers superior service to our clients.

What we offer: nine-day fortnight schedule,

an excellent benefits package, a commitment to health and wellness, and a fun and supportive team environment. The starting salary range for this role is $50,000 - $52,000 annually.

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

Headquartered in Pemberton, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) delivers a wide range of regional, sub-regional and local services to its residents. The SLRD is a BC Regional District consisting of 4 member municipalities (Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Lillooet) and 4 electoral areas. Services include land use planning, solid waste management, building inspection, fire protection, emergency preparedness, 911 services, recreation, water and sewer utilities, regional transit, trails and open spaces as well as financial support for various community services. The region contains some of the most spectacular forests, waterways, and mountains in the province and affords an endless range of opportunities for outdoor adventure, making it an exceptional place to live, work and play. The SLRD is seeking a detail-oriented, organized and collaborative individual to fill the fulltime position of Planning and Building Assistant. Reporting to the Director of Planning and Development Services, the Planning and Building Assistant provides clerical and technical support for SLRD community planning, land use regulation, and building inspection activities. Qualified candidates possess 2+ years of recent clerical or office administration experience and a high school diploma with post-secondary certification or courses in office administration, public administration, MS Office, or a related field. The ideal candidate has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with a variety of groups including SLRD staff, contractors, the public, elected officials and other external partners. For further information, please refer to the full job description at www.slrd.bc.ca/employment. The salary range for this position is $57,210 - $64,390 annually. Also available with this position are: a comprehensive benefits package; participation in the Municipal Pension Plan; a compressed work week (9-day fortnight); and learning and career development opportunities. Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume (preferably in .pdf format) by email to careers@slrd.bc.ca. This posting will remain open until filled, with application review commencing on March 4, 2024. We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Current Opportunities Emergency Program Officer | Full Time, Permanent Salary: $78,208 Office Coordinator | Full Time, Permanent Salary: $54,746 Parks Labourer | Full Time, Summer Seasonal Salary: $29.09 per hour In addition to the satisfaction of giving back to this incredible community, take a look at what our benefit package has to offer for all full time, permanent team member: 9-Day Fortnight - BC Municipal Pension Plan - Extended Medical Benefits - Dental Coverage - Vision Benefits - Free Fitness Centre access - Keeping it Active Allowance Interested? Send your resume to recruiting@pemberton.ca. For a full job description or to learn more, visit pemberton.ca/employment.

VillageOfPemberton

pemberton.ca FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Tired of sniffing PL Premium and wood dust? Being just another wood tick in town?

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7 Come be an erector for Open 9 2 5Wide 6 8 Welding 7 6 9 2 set we’re after…. 9 4 Skill 5 2 • Not afraid of heights • Able to read 2 6 a tape measure skills 1 6 •• Basic 8layout7aptitude Mechanical • Ready and willing to learn a 8 5 1 3 new trade • Positive attitude 4 3 •1Not made 7 of sugar 6 8$25-$38 per hour – negotiable upon experience

1 3 1 5 2 8 5 4 7

6 7

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EASY

# 33

EASY

# 34 contactus@wideopenwelding.com

Resort Municipality of Whistler

Employment Opportunities 9

• Planning Coordinator

starting wage of $31.98 an hour 9 • Legislative and Privacy Coordinator 3 1 2 3 7starting wage of $44.24 an8hour 7 2 8 3 8 6 • 4Youth Leader starting wage of $22.45 an hour Steel We’re 8 2 Structural 6 9 Project Manager 1 7 3 8 2 Hiring! Squamish Based Ironworker Resort Municipality of6Whistler 9 7 3 5 whistler.ca/careers 4 3 8 1 2 9 7 1 4 9 4 7 5 8 6 4 5 4 4 1 8 3 2 7 4 1 5 EASY

# 35

EASY

# 36

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

# 33

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RED DOOR BISTRO IS SEEKING A FULL TIME LINE/GRILL COOK. •

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66 FEBRUARY 16, 2024 www.sudoku.com

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• •

1-2 years experience working in a similar station an asset. Duties include prepping/portioning/cooking steaks, seafood and pan cooking.

# 36

6 9 4 2 5 8 3 7 1

Imagine respected fine dinning 2 working 3 5 9 in 7 a1well 4 6 8 bistro which 7 8 1is well 6 4 run, 3 2fun, 9 and 5 does 60-70 covers a night. 7 3 8 6 4 based 5 2 9on experience, plus tips. Wage is1 $25-$28/hour 5 &4Dental 9 1 benefits 2 7 8 3 Medical and6 staff discounts in 8 Pub. 2 6 5 3 9 7 1 4 Roland’s 9 5 7 3 8 6 1 4 2 to 4 6 2 7 1 Email 5 9 resume 8 3 3 1 8 4 9 2 6 5 7

info@reddoorbistro.ca 4/11/2005

Coordinator, Accounts Senior Accountant – – Accounts Receivable Coordinator Manager, Safety and Maternity Leave Receivable – Maternity Compliance Maternity LeaveLeave This position provides accounts receivable invoicing This position provide leadership andreceivable compliance inand the This position iswill responsible for accounts invoicing collections, balance sheet and bank reconciliations, prevention ofmonthly incident injury and illnesses across all operations and collections, monthly balance sheet and bank reconciliations, overseeing dailyfor revenue audit and analytical reporting and Venues the Whistler Olympic Legacy venues for Whistler Sport Legacies in the Finance Department

NOW HIRING!

Our ideal candidate: Our ideal Our idealcandidate: candidate has experience in: (CRSP) certification • Canadian Registered Safety Professional •• 3+ years practical general accounting OFA III, (or equivalent) CPR / First Aid Certification 3+ years general accounting or accounts receivable • Knowledge of BC regulatory framework of health, safety and •• Accounts invoicing and collections Accountsreceivable Receivable invoicing and collections environment •• Month Monthend endreconciliations reconciliationsincluding includingallallbank bankand andbalance balance • sheet Leadership: creative, innovative, demonstrates initiative and sheetaccounts accounts leads change •• Financial and reporting Financialanalysis analysis andPOS POSsystem system reporting • Organizational management, partnership and community development skills What we offer: What we offer: offer: •What Brandwe new affordable staff accommodation • Brand new affordable staff accommodation • Brand new affordable staff accommodation • Salary: $56,000-$65,000/year depending on experience • and Competitive $56,000/year start wage plus benefits education $70,000/year • Competitive start wage plus benefits

Full Time Meat Manager

($64,480 – $76,960 (+ benefits) depending on experience)

Full Time Assistant Meat Manager

DOUG BUSH SURVEY SERVICES LTD. is lookingAPPLY for a NOW! whistlersportlegacies.com/careers

($54,080 – $70,720 (+ benefits) depending on experience)

Our Team enjoys:

SURVEY FIELD TECHNICIAN:

Flexible schedules

Preferably with a technical school program in geomatics. SURVEY SERVICES LTD. Experience and Proficient in the use of robotic survey instruments equipment is an asset. isWe looking forand a GPS are currently seeking a detail-oriented and driven

Training and experience

Substantial Employee Discount Card & Benefits

Prime location in Pemberton

Short commute = less time, more $$$

DOUG BUSH

individual to join our team as a Work in engineering and building construction layout, SURVEY FIELD TECHNICIAN: topographic site surveys, site improvement surveys Preferably a technical school program in geomatics. and precisewith monitoring.

FIELD SURVEYOR.

In this role, you will be responsible for collecting data

and surveys Proficient the3D use of robotic survey Experience with AutoCAD Civil also an asset to and conducting in in various locations. instruments and GPS equipment is an drawing asset. assist in office with computations and This is an excellent opportunity for someone who preparation. enjoysinworking outdoors, has a strong attentionlayout, to Work engineering and building construction

Download or fill out our online application at https://www.pembertonsupermarket.com/ about/employment/ or stop by the store and we will give you an application to fill out. You can also email us at jobs@pembertonsupermarket.com or call us at 604-894-3663.

detail, and possesses excellent problem-solving skills. topographic surveys, site or improvement surveys Please call Iansite @ 604-932-3314 and monitoring. email @ ian@dbss.ca Sendprecise Resumes to Ian@dbss.ca

Experience with Civil #18-1370 Alpha LakeAutoCAD Rd. Whistler BC 3D V8E also 0H9 an asset to assist in office with computations and drawing Serving Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton preparation. Please call Ian @ 604-932-3314 or email @ ian@dbss.ca #18-1370 Alpha Lake Rd. Whistler BC V8E 0H9 Serving Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton

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.

D E L T A

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)

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 16, 2024

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 10 14 18 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 29 30 32 34 36 37 38 39 41 43 44 45 47 49 52 53 55 59 60 62 64 65 66 67 69 71 72

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LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

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

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

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

1 3 1 5 2 8 5 4 7

7 6 5 9

EASY # 33 Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

ANSWERS ON PAGE 66

68 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

CALL THE EXPERTS

Want to advertise your service on this page? BLINDS & SHADES

Call Pique at (604) 938-0202, or email sales@piquenewsmagazine.com

BLINDS & SHADES

SUNCREST WINDOW COVERINGS

WINDOW COVERINGS Whistler’s Source for Blinds since 1989

Custom Blinds • Shades • Draperies

• BLINDS • SHADES

• SHUTTERS • DRAPERY

Connie Griffiths Tel: 604-935-2101 Email: windowcov@shaw.ca www.whistlerwindowcoverings.ca

Custom Window Treatments Contact us today for a free quote or consultation info@suncrestwindowcoverings.com

604.698.8406

CARPET CLEANING

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• Carpets • Upholstery • Tiles

• Furnace • Airducts • Dryer vents 100% ECO FRIENDLY CERTIFIED

www.blackbearcarpetcleaning.ca • 604 698 6610

Serving Whistler since 1986

David Weldon david@summersnow.ca 604-938-3521

• Wood blinds • Sunscreens • Shades • Motorization

www.summersnow.ca david@summersnowfinishings.com

Summer Snow Finishings Limited

CLEANING

Specialized in cleaning

• Full service cleaning • Residential, commercial & construction • Carpet/ upholstery cleaning • Property Maintenance • Established 2011

604.932.1388 / 1.877.932.5775 blackcombchimney@yahoo.ca

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Chimneys, Furnace & Airducts, Dryer vents.

Using Tea tree oil based products since the begining for a better future

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Pick up the latest issue of your favourite read on stands and in hotel rooms throughout Whistler.

PH: 604-932-3314 • Whistler, B.C. STU PINKNEY stu@dbss.ca

IAN STIRK ian@dbss.ca

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

MAXED OUT

Who should pay for affordable housing in Whistler? “Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate” -Dante Alighieri

SO READS THE SIGN on the gate of Hell. Had the language of Dante been English instead of Italian, it may have read, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” Thus was the beginning of the descent into the nine circles of eternal damnation in his Divine Comedy. That’s as apt an introduction to the concept of affordable housing as I can conjure. The term itself has become an oxymoron, the butt of cruel jokes, a meaningless political trope, an impossible dream or, at best, a

BY G.D. MAXWELL relative term that inflates the meaning of affordable to absurd heights. It’s impossible to read a newspaper, or watch or listen to a newscast without stumbling across politicians from all levels of government holding forth on the need for affordable or more affordable housing. The lack of affordable housing is just one brick in the wall of woes the leader of the official opposition builds to imprison the current prime minister. In an attempt to give meaning to the meaningless, Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist of Alberta Central—self-described as the central banking facility and trade association for Alberta’s credit unions— recently released a study titled, What Does it Mean to Restore Housing Affordability? Significant Sacrifices and Adjustments. Affordability, as defined by the author, is a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25% of total housing costs—mortgage, property taxes, insurance, condo fees and heating costs— keeping housing costs at or below 30% of income. This is probably a good place to note the latest census indicates 43% of Whistler households spend more than 30% of their income on rent. Careful readers may have picked up on the word “rent” in that sentence. Why rent? Probably because few of Whistler’s 14,000-plus residents can afford to own houses in Whistler. Those who do are likely to have either lived here long enough to remember when houses were affordable, or nearly so, or retired here to their second home—or one they purchased when they cashed out of a high-priced market like Vancouver. While it’s comforting to hear politicians talking about making housing more affordable, what does it mean in real-world terms? Cutting through the math of Mr. St-Arnaud’s report, there are three levers he focuses on to determine affordability: house prices, wages, and interest rates. To achieve affordability the three levers have to dance with one another. If, say, house prices stay the same—are frozen—wages have

70 FEBRUARY 16, 2024

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to go up and/or interest rates have to fall, or both, to achieve affordability. If wages stay the same, house prices and interest rates have to fall. If interest rates stay the same, house prices have to fall and wages have to probably go up. That’s how it works together. Here, focusing on Canada’s largest cities, is what he reports. Affordability is at its lowest in four decades. Boosting housing supply will be key to restoring affordability, though not sufficient. At current levels of income and interest rates, house prices would need to decline by 50% in Toronto and 35% in Vancouver to restore affordability. Holding house prices and interest rates at current levels, incomes would need to double

affordability can only come at a cost to current homeowners, ether by a reduction in values or stagnant values for a long period of time. Of course, the knock-on effects of reduced values would be mortgages that were under water for many who’d purchased homes in the past five years, and severe economic distortions for everyone else. In addition, a stagnant housing market would likely be a disincentive for homebuilders to build new homes in the numbers needed to house a growing population and catch up with the under- and unhoused population currently existing. But a lack of action is likely to create a permanently unaffordable housing market in Canada and place significant costs on the rest of the economy. So suppose we continue to do what we’ve

Market housing will never be affordable here. “Affordable” employee housing will be the only game in town. in Toronto and increase by 83% in Vancouver to restore affordability. With expected lower interest rates later this year, house prices would have to decline by 39% in Toronto and 33% in Vancouver just to return to pre-pandemic levels of unaffordability. If they did, incomes would have to rise by 65% in Toronto and 50% in Vancouver. If incomes increased at 4% per year, it would take a decade or longer to restore affordability, during which time house prices would not increase. He concludes by suggesting achieving

been doing, which is to say nothing. In that case, households will spend more of their income on housing and less on other parts of the economy. Debt will go up, making people more vulnerable to unexpected economic shocks. The labour market will be impacted as people refuse to accept employment in more expensive places—lookin’ at you, Whistler. Inequality and social issues will increase between homeowners and renters and perpetuate intergenerational poverty. St-Arnaud sees two paths toward affordability: a fast drop in house prices or a prolonged adjustment that’ll take more

than a decade. I see a political can being kicked down the road for the foreseeable future. With Whistler being exempted from all federal and provincial Hail Mary passes instituted to date to tackle affordability— empty home tax, speculation tax, Airbnb moratorium—the effect on local market housing will be zero, with prices being left to the invisible hand of supply and demand. That, of course, leaves as the only hope for most Whistleratics whatever housing the municipality can build through the efforts of Whistler 2020 Development Corp. With the focus largely on building rental housing, that means coming up with funds to get it out of the ground. The Resort Municipality of Whistler recently announced $2 million from the Municipal and Regional District Tax, “hotel tax,” will be directed toward the efforts. More, much more, is needed. Last September, Toronto proposed a graduated, municipal land transfer tax on homes, starting at 3.5% on homes valued at more than $3 million and rising to 7.5% on homes more than $20 million. While the province of B.C. hungrily protects what it collects through the property transfer tax on the sale of every house in Whistler, it has apparently not been overly welcoming of a similar municipal transfer tax being instituted by Whistler. Too bad. With the price of houses here, that would be a great help. And let’s be honest, prices of houses here are directly enhanced by the creation of employee housing, since Whistler wouldn’t be what it is without those employees. Market housing will never be affordable here. “Affordable” employee housing will be the only game in town. And it takes money to make it affordable. Who pays? Who should pay? ■

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4722 Settebello Drive

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14,300 SQFT

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8270 Mountain View Drive

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