Pique Newsmagazine 3110

One year out from Invictus 2025, participants hit the slopes in Whistler

36

Unconquered

One year out from Invictus 2025, participants hit the slopes in Whistler. - By Braden Dupuis

14 SUDDEN SIESTA How will changes to Canada’s visa requirements for Mexicans—a “shining star” of the visitation market—impact Whistler?

15 CLOSE CALL Skiers who got lost on Whistler Mountain after going out of bounds share their story.

28 BIG BOOST

The Village of Pemberton hopes to build nearly 2,000 new homes in the next decade thanks to funding from the federal government.

38 STILL SENDING

There’s no stopping 97-year-old Gerry Reynolds, who still skis Whistler Blackcomb on a regular basis.

18 IN THE RUNNING Whistler realtor Keith Roy is the Conservative Party of Canada’s candidate of record in the Sea to Sky for the next federal election.

42 FILM FOR ALL The Sea to Sky Student Film Festival is back for its second act, and students across the corridor are invited to participate.

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com

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

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

Opinion & Columns

08 OPENING REMARKS The ski season to date has left plenty to be desired, but it’s not the first time Whistler lacked snow—and it won’t be the last, writes editor Braden Dupuis.

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers call out a racist incident on a chairlift, and weigh in on planned improvements on the River of Golden Dreams.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST After Canada pledged to support “gender-inclusive demining” in Ukraine, reporter Scott Tibballs argues “woke” language does little to enhance public discourse.

58 MAXED OUT Skiing is a veritable feast for the senses—and you need to use all your senses to ski, writes G.D. Maxwell.

Environment & Adventure

35 RANGE ROVER A good-news story has been building over the past decade, writes Leslie Anthony: a push for more sustainability in the outdoor industry.

Lifestyle & Arts

40 FORK IN THE ROAD Isobel MacLaurin was so much more than her incredible art, writes Glenda Bartosh, and now you can enjoy her famous cookies as often as you like with this easy recipe.

46 MUSEUM MUSINGS Whistler’s arts scene continues to thrive today thanks to foundations laid in the 1980s by some of the resort’s earliest residents.

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Whistler’s worst winter?

THIS SOGGY WINTER season has prompted more than a few reminders of my first winter in Whistler.

It was 2014-15, and it was miserable.

The vibe in town was as dreary and depressing as the weather, and with no snow to speak of, the discourse on local online forums turned downright nasty.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

I remember feeling ripped off. I might not last a whole year in this job, I reasoned, and now I won’t even get to see Whistler at its best. Oh, how wrong I was.

This June marks my 10-year anniversary with Pique, and in Whistler, and I am happy to say every winter following my first was significantly better. Not that my personal baseline—a winter with a 10-plus-year low snowfall total of 672 centimetres in the alpine—was a tough bar to clear.

Snow conditions being what they are this year, we’ve heard a lot of “worst winter ever” rhetoric in recent months.

But after a brutal start to the 2023-24 ski season, the snow is back in Whistler.

The mountains are their traditional winter white, lift lines are stretching as far as the eye can see, and the highway is once again filled bumper-to-bumper with traffic most mornings. Nature is healing.

It’s easy to let soggy seasons weigh you down (and we don’t mean your clothes), but it’s good to remember sometimes these exceedingly wet winters are not unprecedented.

Whistler’s average annual snowfall is of

course on the decline due to climate change, and lower-snowfall years will become more common in the future.

But there’s nothing to indicate the great brown winter of 2023-24 is the de facto new normal, or that we won’t have the most epic of snow years on record come 2024-25.

For as bad as my first winter in Whistler was, it likely can’t hold a candle to the infamous winter of 1980-81, which garnered more than a few passing references from longtime locals as we waited for this year’s snow to arrive.

But was the winter of ’81 really as bad as everyone says? Being, as I was, barely a twinkle in my father’s eye at the time, I had to get a little dusty to find my answers.

Digging the old Whistler Question archives out of storage, I found what I was looking for on the very first page.

with the front-page headline, “Worst winter; no snow, no ice.”

Records as far back as 1935 (the first year records were kept) showed the 1980-81 season was “the grimmest ever recorded in terms of snow depths,” the Question said, noting 60-year valley resident Myrtle Philip could not recall another year in which the lakes were not frozen in January, or there was no snow in the valley.

The paper floated some “small encouragement” in the notion that previous “low-snow” years tended to come in five-year cycles: 1940 to 1945; 1960 to 1965; and 1976 to 1981.

“Some concern is now being expressed about the low snowpack on the mountains this year, which could result in water shortages and extreme fire conditions this summer,” it said.

Hey, that sounds kinda familiar!

from the north and the accompanying Pacific storms which produce our snow. Instead, a low-pressure system off the coast has drawn warm air from California.”

It’s easy enough to imagine the discourse in the pubs that dirty, snow-deprived season of 1980-81. I suspect it bears a passing resemblance to the bitter discourse of today, and that of 2014-15.

There must have been at least some who wondered if it would ever snow properly again.

The following calendar year, 1982, saw 574 centimetres fall in the valley—the fifthhighest total ever recorded, behind 1999 (716 cm), 2006 (657 cm), 1990 (647) and 1994 (633).

And the year after my dismal first season, I got my proper introduction to mountain resort living when Whistler Blackcomb recorded 1,257 cm on its slopes—nearly double the season prior.

“Some concern is now being expressed about the low snowpack on the mountains this year, which could result in water shortages and extreme fire conditions this summer.”

- WHISTLER QUESTION, 1981

“Water, water everywhere!” was the headline of the Jan. 8, 1981 issue of the Question , with the subhed, “Heavy rains flood valley.”

The early, established theme plays out through the rest of the issue, with headlines like: “Cross-country race cancelled—no snow,” and, “Whistler valley nets bad press as weather turns foul.”

The Jan. 22 issue was no more optimistic,

The narrative was still going two months later, with the March 5, 1981 headline, “Where are the snows of yesteryear?”

“To our mixed delight and dismay, this season’s weather has not been typical,” the story read.

“A spokesman from the Vancouver Weather Office said this year we are not being influenced by the usual blocking highpressure system which brings us cold air

So, yes—Whistler will see longer, hotter, drier summers and lower snowfall, on average, in the future as the climate changes.

But 40 years from now, when some intrepid reporter goes looking for historical weather information in the dusty old Pique archives, there is every possibility the 2023-24 season mirrors that of 1980-81: a low-snowfall outlier.

Whistler’s worst winter? Only until the next one. ■

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Whistler skier

‘deeply disturbed’ by racist remarks on chairlift

As an Asian resident of Whistler since 2015, I never anticipated experiencing racism in such a vibrant and diverse community.

Recently, I had an unsettling experience on the chairlift at Blackcomb Mountain, and I feel compelled to share it. While snowboarding and waiting for a friend, I had the opportunity to ride the Catskinner chairlift with three random kids. They appeared to be local children, around 10 to 12 years old, possibly part of a team due to their matching black ski attire.

As we ascended, the kids engaged in casual conversation and jokes. However, my shock came when they started teasing people below the chairlift, urging them to attempt backflips, followed by racial mockery using the words “ching, chang, chong.” As an Asian resident of Whistler for about 10 years, I was deeply disturbed by their use of these racially insensitive words, something I had never encountered in Whistler before.

I attempted to address the situation, explaining to the kids that using “ching, chang, chong” is hurtful and inappropriate for Asian people. They brushed off my concerns,

“[Racism is] something I had never encountered in Whistler before.”

- DANIEL CHO

claiming it was merely a song on Spotify and not to be taken seriously. Despite my efforts to educate them on the seriousness of their words and actions, they continued to trivialize the matter.

Even though my English skills were limited, I persisted in trying to reason with them during our

‘Skeptical’ over River of Golden Dreams upgrades

A version of this letter was sent to Whistler’s mayor and council, and shared with Pique.

As someone who has observed and studied the 21 Mile Creek drainage, also known as the River of Golden Dreams, for 43 years, I am highly skeptical of a new weir and fishway system.

Alta Lake’s outflow is a critical piece of habitat in a system that has been altered extensively by multiple man-made blockages.

The meandering outflow to the present day dam is a relatively complex habitat that is well-suited to juvenile trout. Below the dam, the 300-metre ditch-like channel has been complexed slightly, mostly to accommodate boat travel to the much larger 21 Mile Creek confluence.

Unfortunately, and with due respect to the commercial outfitters that incorporate this channel into their business plan, the ecological potential of this stream is highly compromised by this activity.

chairlift ride. However, I was unable to persuade them to understand the gravity of their actions.

Feeling frustrated by the encounter, I’m now sharing my experience with Pique. Thank you for providing me with this platform to share my story.

Daniel Cho // Whistler

Outflows from lakes make prime conditions for fish spawning and rearing. The excessive boat traffic severely compromises the ability of this reach to flourish.

Installing another dam, even with a fishway, will not alleviate the drainage done by paddles and boats.

In 1999, a team comprised of the leading American river experts highly suggested

complexing this ditch and to allow beaver dam activity to occur. If done correctly, this would not allow for boat travel.

Continuing to accommodate boat traffic through this 300m stretch of stream will only exasperate the excessive, carnival-like behaviour that presently exists.

I would encourage that the large amount of capital for this project be allocated to this or other parts of this watershed that align better with ecological values.

Eric Crowe // Whistler

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks to Lost Lake staff

A huge thank you to the hard working Lost Lake Cross Country staff—led by Kristen Hill— getting the Nordic ski trails open one day after the big snowfall! The trails were groomed and the track set by Thursday, Feb. 29, and they are in excellent shape—even the Upper Fairways is open.

The Whistler Nordics thanks you for opening so quickly, as does the entire Nordic community!

Lesley Clements // Whistler Nordics ■

Backcountry Update

AS OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

Well, it’s been a huge week in the mountains as winter finally showed up to party! Snowfall continued to stack up over several days, reaching nearly 200 centimetres near Whistler.

In contrast to all the happy locals, the snowpack reacted to this new snow very badly. Large and destructive avalanches were observed in all areas, as persistent weak layers of facets, surface hoar, and crust gave way to the heavy load.

Many remotely triggered avalanches were observed (often from non-avalanche terrain or a significant distance away) which indicates an extremely sensitive snowpack. Avalanches were reported to be propagating widely, and running further than expected into low-angle terrain.

Looking forward to the weekend, another storm approaches with warmer temperatures more typical for this time of the season. Instabilities can be expected within the new storm snow, as well as what remains of those persistent weak layers.

Persistent problems are tricky. Evidence of weak layers is hard to find without

digging, and often there are few warning signs before you trigger an avalanche. The key is not to try and outsmart the snowpack or push the limits. These layers can take a long time to bond with neighbouring layers and, as backcountry users, we just have to wait them out.

Manage your exposure to this problem by sticking to low-angle slopes with no threat from overhead avalanche terrain. Avoid convexities, or large slopes capable of producing a large avalanche. Pick your safe spots or regroup locations with caution; your “go-to” may be appropriate for a typical storm cycle, but not for these current conditions. When in doubt, increase your margin of error and give yourself a buffer zone from avalanche terrain.

In general, we have a lot of uncertainty about how reactive these weak layers might be to human triggers by the end of this week—that’s just the nature of the beast. Check out the forecast for updated conditions and brush up on your terrain identification skills before stepping into the backcountry. ■

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.

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 re ect 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.

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

Maclean Law is headquar tered in Vancouver with offices across Br itish Columbia

Squamish: 604 848 9273

Serving sea to sky for 18 years

Turn down the woke

THERE’S A lot to unpack about the awkward, subheadlined-item in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Feb. 24 release about the $3.02 billion allocated to Ukraine—it certainly caught a few people’s attention.

I write of course about the $4 million allocated to “Gender-inclusive demining for sustainable futures in Ukraine.”

than they kill—and there are millions of them contaminating the Ukrainian steppes.

It’s a serious subject, and it deserves the attention and focus of governments the world over.

often go: On farmland.

The military and agricultural sectors are both male-dominated, so it’s little wonder why the buzzword focus would have a few scratching their heads.

of context, and nothing but a distraction, its inclusion does little for discourse, and I’d posit it’s because woke language isn’t in line with the English language.

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

The use of anti-personnel mines in Ukraine is well-documented; various anti-mine advocacy groups including the UN, Human Rights Watch and the HALO Trust—which will receive the $4 million—have reported on the millions of mines across thousands of square kilometers of Ukrainian farmland.

Anti-personnel mines are designed to maim victims in essentially any way you can think, and are set off by proximity or by being stepped on; blast mines can blow off limbs; fragmentation mines spray out metals; bounding mines launch to chest height and then detonate.

Mines act as area-denial tools that slow the advance of opposing forces—they are hidden, difficult to defuse, and maim more

Yet, here we are in Canada, stumbling over the inclusion of buzzwords that are completely out of place in announcing support for an initiative that is, by all accounts, deserving of even more funding than it’s getting.

For the record, of course mines affect everybody even remotely near a warzone. Their infliction upon society is ruthlessly gender inclusive, so why do we even use those words to guard against imagined accusations

Woke language is cryptic, and requires the reader to know more all at once—and we all know most people don’t go past a headline.

It’s a case study in why so many are being turned away from progressive politics; because it’s completely off in la-la-land with the rainbows and butterflies, muddying the waters of any and every issue—many of which, like demining, are completely inappropriate forums for their rhetoric—and distracting from the issues at hand.

“Gender-inclusive demining” certainly had the incredulity flowing online, but an intuitive wander down the rabbit hole of landmines tells most people the victims tend to be male, whether it’s an active warzone or an inactive warzone, given where landmines

of exclusionary funding? It doesn’t make sense.

Using the type of terminology seen in the release last week is just evidence of how divorced from reality woke language can make its users seem. Does anyone really think the average Ukrainian cares whether efforts to clear mines from around their homes are gender-inclusive? They want the explosive traps that kill people gone—not for everyone to feel good about the process.

Woke language is just fodder for the internet, red meat for those who want nothing more than to be outraged by everything, and it’s completely self-inflicted. Easy to take out

Why? Well because headlines, subheadlines, memos, briefs, vignettes— whatever you want to call a quick and easy dump of pertinent information—is meant to be just that: A short and concise delivery of key points of data that help the reader understand what is happening and why, inviting further investigation with a positive inquisitorial reaction, but without requiring it be compulsory in order for them to catch the right end of the stick.

Woke language is cryptic, and requires the reader to know more all at once—and we all know most people don’t go past a headline. Of course they should, but they don’t, and headlines and subheadlines are left to carry the burden of information.

Woke language in those headlines just makes information harder to absorb, harder to appreciate, and harder to comprehend in a way that degrades any and all discourse, achieving the opposite goal of what that sort of language wants to do.

It would be wonderful if everyone absorbed all the information they needed all at once, but society doesn’t work that way, human brains don’t work that way, and the English language doesn’t work that way.

So cut it. ■

How will Mexican visa restrictions impact Whistler?

DEMAND FROM MEXICO A ‘SHINING STAR’ FOR TOURISM WHISTLER AS OTHER MARKETS LAG

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

CHANGES TO CANADA’S visa requirements for Mexicans could have a negative impact in Whistler, particularly with Semana Santa, a popular Mexican vacation time, just weeks away.

Prior to the federal government’s Feb. 29 announcement, Tourism Whistler (TW) was forecasting visitation from the Mexican market to be the strongest on record this winter, with Mexican room nights up 51 per cent year over year, surpassing pre-pandemic performance by 18 per cent.

“The Mexican visitor market is extremely important to Whistler, and is one of the resort’s highest-yielding markets in terms of overall tourism spending, which supports our retail, restaurant, accommodation, activity and transportation sectors,” said TW’s president and CEO, Barrett Fisher.

“Demand from the Mexican market has been a shining star for Whistler’s international tourism performance this season, with demand from other key international markets such as the U.K. and Australia still trailing behind pre-pandemic levels and the U.S. market continuing to rebound slower than originally anticipated.”

The Feb. 29 announcement from Immigration Minister Marc Miller effectively reinstated visa requirements for Mexican

citizens originally lifted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June 2016.

The ministry cited an increase in asylum claims made by Mexican citizens that are refused, withdrawn or abandoned as the catalyst.

“Any adjustments to Canada’s travel requirements are made to preserve the integrity and sustainability of our asylum and immigration system,” Miller said at a news conference on Feb. 29. “Most asylum claims from Mexico are either rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or withdrawn or abandoned by the applicant,

“With the high number of Mexican citizens currently holding U.S. visas, the majority will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada. Those who do not meet these conditions will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa,” reads a release from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

According to Brooke Finlay, immigration consultant with Navio Immigration (formerly Whistler Immigration), Mexican visitation to Whistler may be “largely unaffected” by the changes, but the resort may see a decrease in visitors from Mexico this Easter from those who do not qualify for an eTA.

“The measures are quite immediate, so we can monitor the impact.”

- LOUISE WALKER

and so the change was needed.”

The changes, effective immediately, cancel all electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) held by Mexican citizens, except for those with work or study permits. Most Mexicans will now require a temporary resident visa (TRV)—a lengthier, more involved, and more costly application process—to enter Canada.

Some notable exceptions could spell relief, however: Mexican citizens who hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport will still be able to apply for an eTA, the government said.

“A larger impact might be on businesses that recruit employees from Mexico. Those workers will no longer be able to apply for their work permits at a port-of-entry (i.e. an airport or land border), as the ability to apply at a port-of-entry is reserved for citizens of countries who are TRV-exempt,” Finlay said.

“Instead, these workers will need to apply for work permits from Mexico (or a third country where they have legal temporary resident status or citizenship) and wait for an approval before travelling to Canada. Work permit applications submitted to the Visa Office in Mexico are taking approximately four weeks to process.

I suspect this timeframe will increase as there will be an influx of applications to this office with the recent changes.”

The partial concessions offered by the federal government are encouraging, Fisher said.

“However, we are concerned about potential delays for those visitors who do not hold a U.S. visa, or for families where some members hold a U.S. visa and other members do not—especially with imminent bookings for this winter season,” she said.

TW’s travel trade team is working closely with its Mexican tour operators to support them with as much information as possible to in turn assist their clients, Fisher added.

Whistler is in the business of welcoming guests from around the world, “and so we don’t want to add barriers to travel,” said Louise Walker, executive director of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce.

“Some businesses are still recovering from the travel restrictions implemented during the pandemic, others have seen recent business levels soften, and so it’s important that any new systems or processes avoid deterring potential visitors,” she said.

“The measures are quite immediate, so we can monitor the impact.”

Looking more generally, Whistler’s overnight visitation is down slightly compared to last winter, “but we are still forecasting a top-five performance in overnight stays, which is extremely positive given this season’s challenging weather and lower-than-average snow conditions,” Fisher said.

“The significant recent snowfalls, however, fare well for a strong March and April, and positive conclusion to the winter season.” n

PHOTO BY BRADAI ABDERRAHMEN / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

SHINING STAR Mexican visitation to Whistler this winter was tracking to be the strongest on record prior to the government’s recent announcement.

‘We started to panic’

SKIERS WHO GOT LOST ON WHISTLER SHARE SURVIVAL STORY

BY ALANNA KELLY Glacier Media

FIVE SKIERS HAD TO CLIMB their way out of danger after skiing out of bounds on Whistler Mountain by mistake last week.

Some of the group members—a 19-yearold man and 20-year-old woman—spoke to Glacier Media anonymously and wanted to share their story about what happened on Sunday, March 3. The man’s younger brother, 17, and sister, 15, were skiing with them.

The skiers had crossed a welldemarcated Ski Area Boundary rope line and headed into a backcountry area known as the Cakehole in Garibaldi Provincial Park, but they said it was a mistake and they didn’t understand the sign.

“We saw tracks, we saw people going down,” the woman said. “We’re not people that want to go there, especially a mountain that we don’t know. We would have never, never, never went if it was clear to us that we would get lost.”

The group of four travelled from Montreal and were excited to hit the mountain Sunday to experience the B.C. resort.

“It was our first time in Whistler so we decided to go to the biggest chairlift we saw, which led us to this run,” said the man. “When we got up there, we saw a sign.”

He described the sign as being “kind of small,” with the words “expert only, not patrolled” printed.

“We thought that it was maybe just an expert run, but that there was a chairlift at the end,” he said. “We saw a lot of people go there... we saw a bunch of snowboarders ... like maybe six or seven, they went in at the same time as us.”

Thinking the run had fresh snow and looked “untouched,” they decided to follow the group of snowboarders.

“There were a lot of tracks already, so we assumed it was fine to go. We are pretty good skiers,” said the woman. “We saw a bunch of people going and there’s not like a rope saying danger, or at your own risk.”

Unbeknownst to them, they were not only entering an out-of-bounds run, but also a

high-danger avalanche area.

Alex Mortlock, a ski-patrol supervisor with Whistler Blackcomb, described how the area starts mellow but quickly turns into steep gullies and tight-graded sections.

“It’s marked off just because of how hard it is to get people out of there,” Mortlock said.

As the group headed down the first section, it was open and smooth sailing. But then they lost the snowboarders’ tracks.

“At one point, we’re not too sure where to go because we lost the snowboarders,” the woman said.

At about 1:30 p.m., the group opened their resort map hoping to find the nearest chairlift.

“We thought by going left we’d reach the ski run, but what we didn’t realize is that there was some height difference,” the man said. “That was the moment when we realized we were really, really far away.”

‘YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN’

At this point, the group was separated from the younger brother and decided to call their parents for help. A short time later, another skier who was also lost emerged.

This individual was in his late 30s, and had local knowledge, but got lost following their tracks. He was hoping the group knew the way, but they quickly realized they were all lost.

The group contacted patrol for help, and started considering hiking back up the mountain. The younger brother who was separated started hiking up alone.

Whistler Search and Rescue made contact with the group and told them to download an app called SARTopo to guide them in the right direction. SAR helicopters could not get to the area, as bad weather hampered the aircraft from taking off in Vancouver.

After an “incredible” amount of snow on Sunday, the hazard rating kept rising in the area, making it unsafe for patrol to enter. Whistler Search and Rescue also decided due to safety that no rescue members would enter the search zone.

The group understood patrol and search

members couldn’t get into their area due to the risk.

“Of course, the patrol couldn’t because no one was wanting to risk their lives to come in,” the woman said. “No one could come... you’re on your own.”

With poor visibility and -14 C temperatures, the group started the difficult hike up the mountain in three-feet-deep snow.

“So we just hiked up, hiked up, and then the sun started to go down. That’s when it got a bit more stressful,” the woman told Glacier Media.

The group claims they were told to prepare to spend the night on the mountain. But when they stopped moving to start building a shelter, it was too cold.

They were hungry, thirsty, tired, and scared.

“We’re three younger people. We started to panic,” she said. “We’re like, ‘no, no, we can’t sleep here. We’re not going to spend the night here.’”

The solo skier reached out to Glacier Media after this article was first published to say a member in the group wanted to spend the night, but he was determined to hike out.

“[SAR] said we had to hike out and they would try and get someone close to us with snowshoes to aid us in our hike,” he said. “Once they got our exact location they confirmed that we had to hike out back to the resort or stay the night.”

The group hiked for nine hours, one behind another, while the younger boy was hiking

alone trying to also get up the mountain.

The last time they ate was at 10 a.m. Sunday. To stay hydrated, they tried to melt snow for water.

The group had no avalanche or safety gear, and were just in their ski attire.

“We had nothing. We had no matches, nothing at all,” the woman said, explaining how the group was not planning on going out of bounds.

Getting weaker with each step, the group stuck together and pushed themselves to

said. They’ll be more cautious about the areas they go into.

“Even places with a sign that says like, ‘not patrolled,’ I won’t go there,” he said. “Even if it says expert, not patrolled, I am not going back.”

SKI PATROL HOPES PEOPLE WILL LEARN FROM INCIDENT

Whistler Blackcomb said the area has clear signs demarcating the resort’s boundary line.

“We are grateful for this positive outcome,”

“[J]ust because there are other people’s tracks heading that way, doesn’t always make it a good idea.”

- ALEX MORTLOCK

make it back in-bounds. Once at the top, they collapsed on the ground, they said. The solo skier who met up with them knew the way back down the mountain, and was able to get them on a trail to the groomers using the flashlight on their phone.

By 11:30 p.m., they got to safety and were taken the rest of the way on a snowcat.

When asked if they intended to go into the backcountry, they adamantly said no.

“We don’t want to blame Whistler Blackcomb, maybe it is a misunderstanding from us,” the man said.

The experience has changed them, they

said communications manager Dane Gergovich.

The resort’s Alpine Responsibility Code asks people to respect all signage and ski-area boundary markers. Failure to do so can result in consequences ranging from mandatory online safety awareness seminars to a lifetime access/ pass suspension from Whistler Blackcomb.

Ski patrol hopes people will take away a few things from the Sunday incident.

“The first one is that just because there are other people’s tracks heading that way, doesn’t always make it a good idea,” said Mortlock. “There are countless stories on Whistler and

Blackcomb about, ‘Oh, I was just following tracks because I thought it would be good.’”

He also hopes people will call for help right when they get into trouble.

“Especially for us on Sunday, the calls came in quite late, and then the light starts to fade and it makes things much more difficult to organize a rescue plan,” he said.

Lastly, he’s asking people to always be prepared when entering the backcountry, leaving the boundary or not. He suggests always having water, food, extra layers—and not eating snow, as it will burn more calories than it does quench thirst.

HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER CONTINUES IN B.C.

A special avalanche warning continues for most of B.C. as human-triggered avalanches are expected.

Avalanche Canada, Parks Canada and the Province of B.C. issued a joint statement on Feb. 29 after a recent storm brought a significant amount of snow to Western Canada. The warning was extended to March 7.

Avalanche Canada forecaster Wendy Lewis said dangerous conditions are expected to persist this week.

“These layers aren’t showing much sign of improvement,” said Lewis.

Forecasters are expecting strong sunshine on the coast Tuesday and later this week throughout the Interior.

“This will likely produce further natural avalanche activity and stress these weak layers even more,” she said. n

‘People are struggling’

FEDERAL CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE KEITH ROY LAYS OUT GOALS AND MESSAGE

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

THERE IS A LOT TO DO in order to fix Canada, according to Keith Roy, federal Conservative candidate for West VancouverSunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country.

“People are struggling in every single part of this riding in different ways, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” he said.

Roy, a Whistler resident who grew up on the Sunshine Coast, was announced as the party’s candidate on Saturday, March 2.

Speaking with Pique, the longtime realestate agent said the factors that motivated him to run have only grown stronger in the six months since he announced his intentions.

“People that were traditionally not Conservative voters have realized that the current NDP/Liberal program does not produce the results that Canada wants—it’s not working, your eyes aren’t lying to you,” he said.

“Things are bad in Canada, and [Pierre Poilievre] has a plan to make that better, and I want to be part of that team to help him do that.”

In seeking the party’s nomination, Roy’s platform focused on “Five C’s”: Common sense, climate, crime, the carbon tax, and congestion—and he said those priorities still hold true as he takes his message to a wider

audience, starting with removing the federal carbon tax.

“The quickest way to provide economic relief to families in our riding is to stop taking money from them in the first place,” he said.

He described “congestion” as “the uniting feature of our riding,” citing insufficient road capacity and ferry delays in West Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, and up Highway 99— and took aim at federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault for saying the government would “stop investing in new road infrastructure” earlier this year.

“This is not a riding that lends itself to an elimination of road infrastructure,” Roy said. “Could we improve transit infrastructure? Yes, but that doesn’t mean that we stop building and maintaining roads.”

Roy said he understands the riding is wellversed in environmental politics—and the Conservatives can deliver.

“I don’t accept the premise that the Conservative Party is not for the environment—the Conservative Party is about conservation, it is about technology, it is about preserving the greatness of Canada ... but that doesn’t mean we should stop resource development in Canada,” he said.

Speaking to crime, he said he wants to help ensure Canadians feel safe in their own communities, saying “all the metrics in Canada are out of whack” on that front.

Finally, on the “common sense” principle, Roy said the current government is too often out of step with what the community wants in leadership.

“Our party is offering a uniting vision to put Canada towards a common cause where people can live safe, affordable lives in nice communities, with high-quality health-care and great education funded through strong economic growth and natural resource development,” he said.

With his background in real estate, Roy said

he has a lot of experience with and knowledge of what Canadians are dealing with at home.

“I have spent my life in other people’s houses asking them to trust me to help them make one of the biggest decisions of their life. And that’s what I’m doing as a candidate,” he said. “I am going to meet with people at their doorstep, and I’m going to ask them to trust me, so when they make the decision to vote, they give me the opportunity to be their voice and represent them.”

Roy is going up against two-term incumbent Liberal MP, Patrick Weiler, who has a background in law and last won the riding with 33.9 per cent of all votes cast in the 2021 election (against 30 per cent for the Conservative candidate).

Roy was unequivocal that Weiler has achieved “no results” during his time as MP.

“People are struggling, people who you never would have thought would have struggled are struggling in Canada,” he said. “That’s the Liberal record, and I don’t hear [Patrick Weiler] speaking against his party on the issues that matter to people in this riding.”

Roy said he believes that while the next election could be as far as 18 months away, “Canada needs an election sooner rather than later, because the longer we go, the more damage they do.”

The next federal election must be held on or before Oct. 20, 2025. n

5 YEARS

IN THE RUNNING Conservative candidate Keith Roy with his wife Stephanie and son Kai.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KEITH ROY

Ste p O n Te st R i d e :

We d n es d ay 3 / 1 3

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Fri d ay 3 / 1 5

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A Day fo r J a ke

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Join us on a group ride day to celebrate the legacy of Jake Burton Carpenter, the legendar y founder of the Burton brand

New trial ordered in Pemberton child sexual assault case

TRIAL JUDGE OVERLOOKED ‘SERIOUS AND OBJECTIVELY APPRECIABLE CREDIBILITY AND RELIABILITY CONCERNS’ IN 2021 ON SEXUAL ASSAULT OF MINOR CHARGES

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

A PEMBERTON MAN convicted of child sexual assault charges in November 2021 will get a new trial.

The man, 54, was originally found guilty on several charges related to the abuse of minors. He was sentenced to five and a half years in jail in August 2022.

The man, anonymized in court of appeal documents as R.M., appealed the conviction, which was allowed on Dec. 11, 2023, and a new trial was ordered. On Jan. 22, the Crown also sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The timeline for a decision on that application is unknown.

The matter is next in court on March 13 for a pretrial conference, scheduled to be heard by video in Prince George Law Courts. The new trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 15 in Pemberton Provincial Court.

R.M. was arrested in April 2020 after police launched an investigation into allegations of historical child sexual assault. He was found guilty on several counts at his trial in 2021. The victims, whose identities are protected by a publication ban, were between the ages of nine and 12 or 13, and six and 12, respectively,

in the periods when the alleged conduct was said to have taken place.

Though named by the RCMP in his arrest, and in pre-conviction court documents, the man’s name is anonymized as R.M. in his appeal.

At trial he denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, Justice Joyce DeWittVan Oosten wrote for the unanimous

three-judge appeal panel.

The defence argued at trial that the complainants’ evidence lacked specificity, involved material inconsistencies and claims or descriptions of what occurred that were ‘implausible,’ DeWitt-Van Oosten said in the Dec. 11 decision.

R.M. successfully argued on appeal that

the trial judge’s approach to the evidence was irreparably flawed and enabled guilty verdicts that overlooked serious credibility and reliability concerns regarding the testimony of witnesses. In its decision on Dec. 11, the Court of Appeal ordered the convictions on all counts be set aside, with an acquittal entered on one of them, and a new trial ordered for the rest. n

Whistler woman who smashed drink glass in another woman’s face pleads guilty to assault

A WHISTLER WOMAN will serve a year of probation after pleading guilty to assault on March 1.

Claire Aspinall was charged with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm following a violent altercation at Brandy’s Bar on Feb. 19, 2023.

She pleaded guilty to the assault charge in North Vancouver Provincial Court on March 1, and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation.

On Feb. 19, 2023 at approximately 1:45 a.m., Whistler RCMP was called to Brandy’s Bar after a complaint of a disturbance at the restaurant-pub. Upon arrival, police said in a statement they located a female victim “who had sustained injuries from

March Break Kids’ Programs

Registration is now open for March Break programming at the Audain Art Museum Lear n more via the QR code!

March 20 | Lear ning to Paint with Paint-by-Numbers 3:00pm - 5:00pm, Ages 10-16

March 21 | Introduction to Watercolour 1:00pm - 2:30pm, Ages 5-9

March 21 | After School Art 3:00pm - 4:30pm Grade 3-6

March 23 | Stone Carving with Fathom Stone 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Ages 5+

March 24 | Harry Potter Workshop with Helen Webb 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Ages 7+

the assault and required treatment from BC Ambulance.”

Shortly thereafter, police located and arrested Aspinall.

According to the victim, Rhiannon Csordas, and an eyewitness, Devon Baguley, Csordas suffered multiple lacerations in the attack after Aspinall reportedly smashed her in the face with a six-ounce rock glass, which ultimately required 10 stitches, Csordas said. Pique has reviewed photos of the injury that appear to show cuts on Csordas’ forehead and at the bridge of her nose.

“The best way I could describe it is it looked like a baseball pitch or volleyball spike directly to [Csordas’] face,” said

Baguley. “It was such an abrupt eruption of violence. It was a shocking experience to go through.”

Csordas, who runs a skincare business out of a local salon, said she missed out on weeks of work, and spent considerable money on cosmetic treatments and concussion therapy stemming from her purported injuries.

Along with the physical scars from the incident, Csordas said it has left her feeling unsafe in the community she has called home for the past decade.

“This girl has completely impacted my life astronomically,” she said.

- Braden Dupuis, with files from Brandon Barrett n

Pemberton School Scholarship

The Pemberton School Scholarship Programme is now open for applications, thanks to generous grants from the Pemberton Valley Grocery Store and Martha Sturdy Teachers can apply for funding to cover 100% of the transportation and tour fees for groups up to 30 students The experience includes a Private Guided Tour with the Museum Educator and an art-making experience

Teachers are encouraged to apply for funding by emailing connect@audainartmuseum com

James Hart, The Dance Screen (The Scream Too), 2010-13

Whistler holding out for more, but plenty to look forward to in provincial budget

MAYOR

JACK CROMPTON SAID LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENTS, BUT LOOKING FOR MORE ON TRANSPORTATION

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

THE PROVINCE’S $89.4-billion budget offers a lot of opportunities to local governments like Whistler, but Mayor Jack Crompton said local officials will watch for more announcements in the lead-up to the election later this year.

“Like any budget, there are opportunities within it, and obvious challenges,” Crompton said in an interview with Pique

As always, housing is top of mind: Crompton said he is enthusiastic about investments in housing projects through the recently-announced BC Builds program, which also benefits from $2 billion in federal funding and is intended to provide housing for middle-income Canadians.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) was listed as one of the 20 municipalities in B.C. already identified through the program as a partner in BC Builds.

“I was really excited about being one of the announced partners of BC Builds, which indicates to me that some of those housing investments will find themselves in Whistler,” said Crompton.

With that in mind, Crompton said the RMOW is still digesting the budget and its various opportunities, and added officials will

keep an ear to the ground on “contingency announcements”—meaning announcements in the lead-up to the provincial election in October.

The budget has more than $10 billion in funds set aside for contingency expenses over the next three years, explained in a budget backgrounder as being for “emergent costs, future priorities and caseload pressures.”

“There’s still lots to learn about this budget through some of the contingency announcements that will happen in the lead-up to the election,” Crompton said. “Our goal will be to continue to advocate hard for some of those investments finding themselves in Whistler.”

As reported over the last few months, the NDP government has made sweeping changes on the housing file, including forcing heightened densities across the province, and cracking down on short-term rentals.

Crompton previously welcomed the boost in density, noting the changes would require the province to step up funding for municipalities to support it. He repeated that sentiment again, post-budget, on the basis that increased density will increase demand on utilities.

“The changes they are making on housing policy are enormous, and whatever uptake is realized will really dictate whether we have the resources to support [it] … local governments over the next year or two or five are going to be spending a lot of time and

resources quantifying the impact of these changes and making the case for the required provincial investment to support it,” he said. “I think it’s too early to say whether they are resourcing it in a way that will facilitate the kind of growth that they want to see.”

That said, Crompton added the RMOW is encouraged by the province’s willingness to fund projects in the last few years.

“We were able to secure $10 million in fuel-treatment funding; we’ve been able to secure significant investments into affordable housing; we’ve been successful in drawing funding for water infrastructure,” he said. “If that kind of investment continues and grows, I think we could find ourselves in a good place.”

Another file Crompton said officials are hopeful to take advantage of involves general property transfer tax exemptions for purposebuilt rental housing constructed between January 2025 and December 2030.

“We currently have to pay property transfer tax when we move property between our own subsidiaries,” he said. The RMOW has partnerships and subsidiary organizations in the Whistler Housing Authority and Whistler 2020 Development Corp.

“If it applies, this could apply meaningful savings to Cheakamus Lot 5 and any rental projects delivered by the private sector, which is good news,” Crompton said. “We’ll be asking lots of questions as to exactly how we can

maximize those savings for residents—those savings would show up in lower rental rates.”

And of course, the RMOW is keeping an eye on transit: Both locally within Whistler and on a regional scale.

While there are no line items within the budget on regional transit, Crompton said the RMOW is holding out for the electionseason goodies.

“I think that touches back to paying attention to announcements of contingency spending,” he said. “We’re hopeful about transit funding, as really it’s our No. 1 way to meet our 2030 goals to reduce carbon emissions.”

For its part, the RMOW has approved pursuing a 7,650-hour service expansion locally in regards to transit—but because transit requires both municipal and provincial funding, and the province makes the decisions, it is on the province to step up.

“The municipality is willing to put up our portion if we can draw the provincial investment,” Crompton said. “We’re expecting decisions on which transit-service expansions will receive approval in the upcoming weeks, and we’re hopeful our proposal will succeed.”

It’s the same story for regional transit.

“Regional transit is not listed in the budget, so unless it does come as a contingency announcement, we will continue the advocacy work on that file,” the mayor said. n

Whistler condo sells for $9.3M—a new record high

THE 3.5-BEDROOM UNIT IS LOCATED IN THE FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

WHISTLER’S REAL-ESTATE market set another record last week, after a luxury condo changed hands for $9.3 million.

The condo, located in the Four Seasons private residences in the Benchlands neighbourhood, is a 2,529-square-foot, 3.5-bedroom, four-bathroom residence on Blackcomb Way built in 2005.

The condo was originally listed at $9.38 million, and was on the market for 162 days—a relatively short time for the luxury sector.

The sale number puts the value-per-squarefoot at $3,677, which, according to selling agent, John Ryan, makes it the third-highest price-persquare-foot in Whistler’s overall residential real estate history—and that could be because of its location and aspect.

“Residence 37 is unique in that it’s a corner unit,” said Ryan.

“You have two walls of glazing which obviously gives great light.”

Ryan said the sale amount means Whistler is (relatively) affordable compared to similar properties at similar resorts on a square-foot basis.

“If we looked at a similar sale in the Four Seasons Private Residences, Vail, we’re

looking at about $1,670 a square foot more for very, very similar products,” he said.

For reference, a comparable residence in Vail sold for $14,175,000 in August last year.

The new owner of the unit at the Four Seasons private residences in Whistler will enjoy all the benefits of effectively living in a five-star hotel with all the trimmings, such as 24-hour room service, a health club, outdoor pool and hot tubs.

The residences allow for unlimited owner usage, but owners can also rent it out as part of the Four Seasons if they choose, which Ryan said “generate incredible revenue” with peakseason rentals.

They might need it—the monthly strata costs of the property are $3,939, and it incurs $27,591 in property taxes yearly.

Last year, Ryan was also the facilitator of another record sale in Whistler, with

the combined sale of two properties in Stonebridge.

At $32 million, the sale of that sixbedroom, 10-bathroom luxury home at 5462 Stonebridge Drive shattered Whistler’s record for highest-ever sale price on its own, but including the vacant, four-ha adjacent lot simultaneously acquired in a private sale, the deal set a new record for Whistler’s priciest transaction at $40 million. n

WCSS doubles fundraising expectations at second annual Nightwalk for Hope

THE SOCIAL-SERVICE PROVIDER RAISED MORE THAN $40K WITH THE HELP OF 150 WALKERS AND MORE DONATIONS ONLINE TO GO TOWARDS MENTAL-HEALTH SUPPORTS

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

WHISTLER’S SECOND annual “Nightwalk for Hope” was twice the success it was in its first year—despite and perhaps even because of the weather.

“We had 150 people come to that event in the pouring rain,” said Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) executive director Jackie Dickinson.

“We focused on choosing a night of the year where it really wasn’t meant to be comfortable—so for them to show up was what we hoped to achieve and discuss that evening.”

The event, which took place on the night of Jan. 31 in the dark and rain, was the second of its kind, after WCSS had its first Nightwalk with 75 walkers in early 2023 to raise funds for mental-health services.

This year’s event was a huge success for fundraising.

“Right now we’re sitting at a total of $40,300 and counting—this is really important revenue to support mental health in the community, so we are really excited and grateful,” Dickinson said.

The timing of the event—in the dark and

during a cold and dreary time of year—was intentional as a way to spark hope by bringing the community together to talk about mentalhealth challenges, explained Dickinson.

Walkers who took part heard five different speakers (one each kilometre of the five-km walk) talk about issues associated with mental health, such as housing insecurity, harm reduction, and aging in place.

Dickinson said despite the rain (which was torrential to begin with), they had more walkers joining in as they walked through the village.

Donations were made through the WCSS website and the Keela fundraising platform.

Dickinson said all the funds raised will go to mental-health services and the WCSS outreach team to improve its ability to facilitate those services within the Whistler community.

“We are really pleased,” she said.

“We didn’t anticipate doubling our numbers, and the money we generated was more than what we had anticipated, but then proved to be really essential based on the fact that our other unrestricted revenue streams aren’t generating the same level of money that would normally go towards mental-health services, so we feel very grateful for that.”

Dickinson said the Nightwalk for Hope

will be a permanent fixture in the WCSS calendar, with the next scheduled for Jan. 31, 2025.

The WCSS Nightwalk is similar to the “Coldest Night of the Year” walks that take place across Canadian communities around the same time every year, and Dickinson said the event in Squamish, which raised more than $80,000, is a positive sign for that type of event.

“It’s nice to see similar events resonating with community,” she said.

Dickinson added WCSS will continue to focus on mental-health supports because its staff are still hearing demand for it.

“We were learning from people outside of this place and space that they felt like they were alone, they felt they were the only ones dealing with some of these mental-health issues … even though they know it’s much bigger, they felt really alone,” she said.

“The other piece that we also recognized was, it’s important to have more voices and storytelling around these really important issues—so it came from spreading more awareness about what Whistler Community Services does in the community, but also equally explaining to people that what you’re going through, you’re not alone.”

Read more at mywcss.org. n

WALK THE WALK About 150 people turned out for the Whistler Community Services Society’s second annual Nightwalk for Hope.

SLRD holds off on allowing minor amenities at Woodfibre LNG

FORTISBC REQUESTED A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT FOR OFFICES AND WASHROOMS FOR THE SITE

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

THE SQUAMISH-LILLOOET Regional District has knocked back a temporary use permit (TUP) for offices and amenities on the site of the Woodfibre LNG project and requested more information and collaboration.

The request on the table at the Feb. 28 board meeting was for a three-year TUP to allow FortisBC to install infrastructure at the Woodfibre LNG site, southwest of Squamish, that would support the construction of the gas pipeline project, such as field offices and worker amenities like lunchrooms and washrooms.

Staff reported that, as the land where the buildings would go is zoned for resources, a temporary use permit is required. The application specified the temporary buildings would use propane for heating, there will be generators on-site for electricity, sewage will go to septic tanks and be transported out, and potable water will be brought on-site by a barge. Clearing of the site will be required, with remediation to be carried out after the buildings are removed.

Despite the scope of the request being limited to the TUP, directors from Squamish zeroed-in on the claimed benefits of the project as a whole, and the fact the application was not referred to staff at the District of Squamish (DOS), which is geographically right next to the Woodfibre project.

better than coal, and it’s quite likely offsetting solar and wind, and not just coal, and there’s evidence from Australia and so on that when you start exporting LNG it pushes up natural gas prices and so on,” he said. “Have we done anything to validate their claims of benefits?”

Pettingill was told no, but staff could

“The research I hear is that LNG is not better than coal, and it’s quite likely offsetting solar and wind...”

- CHRIS PETTINGILL

Director Chris Pettingill, who is also a DOS councillor, queried whether SLRD staff had done anything to verify FortisBC’s claims relating to the project—being that the Woodfibre LNG project would help de-carbonize international markets as an alternative to coal, and infrastructure built locally would reduce prices for Squamish FortisBC customers.

“The research I hear is that LNG is not

request more information.

Another DOS councillor, Director Jenna Stoner, questioned the public notice given, being that notices were only posted to the regional newspaper (Pique Newsmagazine) and not the Squamish newspaper (Squamish Chief) given proximity of the community to the site—she was given no reason. The SLRD would have met its public notice requirements by posting the TUP application to only one

newspaper within the region.

Instead of supporting the staff recommendation to approve the TUP, Stoner made a motion to refer the file back to SLRD staff for further clarity on use; to refer the entire file to staff at the DOS to improve collaboration and understanding of the project as a whole; and to have public notice posted in the Squamish Chief

In speaking to her motion, Stoner said she wants to understand the broader impacts of the project and its component parts, and not consider each item related to the project alone.

She was supported by the third DOS elected official on the SLRD board, Mayor Armand Hurford, who said he wished to see better contextual mapping to understand the scope of the ask, while Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton concurred, adding he found “very general statements about the benefits very challenging as well.”

The motion was unanimously supported.

The project is expected to employ 850 people at peak construction, with site preparation currently underway, according to a January update from Woodfibre LNG. Facility construction is expected to begin this year. n

Sea to Sky hospital district approves $4.3M budget

MOST OF THIS YEAR’S BUDGET IS TAKEN UP BY A CONTRIBUTION TO A CT SCANNER IN SQUAMISH

BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

THE SEA TO SKY Regional Hospital District (SSRHD) board approved and adopted its budget for 2024 on Feb. 28, with the new CT scanner coming to Squamish taking up the lion’s share of capital projects for the year.

Total expenses for the SSRHD’s capital projects are forecast at $3,139,249, with $2.6 million of that going towards the SSRHD’s contribution to the new, $6.5-million CT scanner for the Squamish General Hospital (SGH) announced in mid-February.

At the Feb. 28 meeting, the board acknowledged the $2.6 million would take a large bite out of the SSRHD’s reserve fund, which means the hospital district will increase its tax requisition by five per cent, for an additional $75,511.

The district’s total funds raised through requisition is a little over $1.5 million across the entire district—In 2024, the average tax burden on residents in the Sea to Sky for the hospital board will be $29.10 per million dollars of assessed property value.

Contributions to the hospital district are collected through property taxes annually in each of the member municipalities and passed to the district, which uses those

funds to advocate for and build up healthcare resources.

According to budget documents, most of the funds collected through requisition come from Whistler, which has the highest property values in the district, meaning it will contribute $910,749 to the SSRHD in 2024, while Squamish will contribute $497,838, Pemberton $64,462, Area C $57,751, and Area D $54,934.

SSRHD board chair Jenna Stoner said securing a CT scanner speaks to the work the

board has done over the years—but the cost is the reserves.

“We will be drawing down a fair bit of our reserves in order to contribute to that CT scanner, so this budget does see a fiveper-cent tax requisition increase, but the intention of that is to help build back those reserves,” she said, explaining a Sea to Sky master plan for health-care is well underway through discussions with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

“The need for health-care support in the

corridor is not waning anytime soon,” Stoner said. “I think it’s important we build back reserves through this budget.”

During discussion, board member Tony Rainbow queried whether the contribution of $900,000 from Woodfibre towards the CT scanner will affect the SSRHD’s allocation of funding (up to 40 per cent) or not, indicating that if it did, it could free-up funds to go towards other projects in the corridor. Staff did not have an answer, but Stoner said they would seek clarification with VCH.

Funding for the CT scanner is made up of $1.1 million from the Squamish Hospital Foundation (of which $900,000 is a donation from Woodfibre), $2.6 million from the SSRHD, and $2.8 million from the provincial government through VCH.

Other capital projects on the books are a $100,000 contribution towards the addition of a dedicated washroom for the post-anesthesia recovery room at SGH; $264,000 towards renovating the bathing room at Hilltop South long-term care; and $159,610 towards a new patient-monitoring system at the Whistler Health Care Centre.

For each project, the SSRHD is expected to contribute up to 40 per cent of total costs, with the remainder covered by the provincial government or other funding streams.

Complete expenses for the SSRHD in 2024 come in at $4,355,534. ■

TAKE CARE Minister of Health Adrian Dix announced on Feb. 12 the district is getting a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at the Squamish General Hospital. Dr. Stephen Masselink, VCH medical director for Squamish, looks on behind Dix.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER

Feds pledge $2.7M for housing in Pemberton

AGREEMENT WILL FAST-TRACK 98 HOUSING UNITS OVER THREE YEARS; 1,995 HOMES IN THE NEXT DECADE

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

HOUSING IN PEMBERTON is getting a boost thanks to the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund.

On Wednesday, March 6, MP Patrick Weiler was in Pemberton to announce more than $2.7 million for local housing initiatives.

The announcement took place after Pique’s weekly deadline, but an accompanying press release explained the agreement will fast-track 98 housing units over the next three years, while Pemberton estimates the deal will help spur the construction of more than 1,995 homes across the community over the next decade.

“This investment will help build the diverse range of housing that families are seeking in this community, while proactively planning for infrastructure and launching an e-permitting system,” Weiler

said in the release.

“Through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), we will continue to cut red tape, adopt innovative practices and spur the construction of hundreds of thousands of urgently needed new homes across the country.”

Accessing the HAF marks a “significant

as well as infrastructure planning to ensure there is more than enough capacity in our water supply and sanitary treatment systems to accommodate a growing community.”

Pemberton’s “Action Plan” commits to eight initiatives, including streamlining zoning bylaws to allow medium-density

“[W]e recognize the importance of balancing and managing growth.”

- MIKE RICHMAN

step forward” for Pemberton, said Mayor Mike Richman in the release.

The HAF enables Pemberton to “embark on a series of initiatives aimed at addressing our housing needs effectively and foster a vibrant and inclusive community,” he said.

PHOTO BY ROISIN CULLEN

“In our commitment to supporting a diverse range of housing development, we recognize the importance of balancing and managing growth. That is why our approach will include the development of a comprehensive Housing Strategy to serve as a guiding framework for future decisions,

duplex and multi-family housing such as townhouses and multiplexes, and higher density as-of-right in specific areas.

“Pemberton will undertake proactive infrastructure planning to accommodate accelerated housing growth, reduce or eliminate parking minimums, create new incentive programs for accessory dwelling units and purpose-built rentals, and set up new e-permitting software to speed up development approvals,” the release said.

Pemberton’s growth pressures are well-documented. The village grew from a

population of about 2,500 in the 2016 census to just over 3,400 in 2021—an increase of 32 per cent.

According to the latest provincial population projections released at the end of January, Pemberton is expected to see the most significant growth in the corridor in the coming years, percentage-wise, going from 3,661 in 2023 to 6,250 in 2046—an increase of almost 71 per cent over 23 years.

Launched in March 2023, the Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4-billion initiative from the Government of Canada that will run until 2026-27.

As of Sept. 30, 2023, the Government of Canada had committed more than $38.89 billion to support the creation of almost 152,000 units and the repair of more than 241,000 units.

“With federal funding and federal leadership we are changing how cities let housing get built in their municipalities,” said Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser, in the release.

“Today’s announcement will help incentivize 98 additional housing permits for Pemberton. By working with cities, mayors, Indigenous partners and all levels of government we are helping to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.” n

FAST TRACK MP Patrick Weiler and Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman at a funding announcement in Pemberton on March 6.

Pemberton Creek Bridge a vulnerability during heavy rain events, mayor says BRIEFS:

STUDENTS SPEAK OUT ABOUT REMOVAL OF BASKETBALL HOOP

BY RÓISÍN CULLEN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

PEMBERTON’S RECENT heavy flooding highlights the challenges and weaknesses the area faces, according to Mayor Mike Richman.

The Village of Pemberton (VOP) declared a state of local emergency on Jan. 30 due to flooding, and many locals were displaced from their homes due to an evacuation order on Airport Road.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) later issued an evacuation alert for 33 properties in Area C, citing “potential danger to life and safety.”

At a council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, Richman said the Pemberton Creek Bridge poses a great weakness.

The bridge is part of Highway 99, and crosses Pemberton Creek just southwest of the Village of Pemberton. Richman said he worries Pemberton residents only have one road to use to get out of the village during an evacuation order.

He said Pemberton got lucky this time, but that shouldn’t be a reason for people to ignore evacuation orders or alerts in the future.

“It’s often a difficult decision where staff put evacuation orders and alerts in place. It’s very much science-based,” he said.

“I’m not trying to fearmonger and say that this could have been a whole lot worse, but I also don’t want people to become complacent when we put on alerts. We need to make sure people are prepared. When we put alerts out, it’s for a really good reason.”

winter is crazy. It just shows that our level of preparedness has to be higher than it’s ever been. I would like to pursue that conversation now while there’s a bit of attention on us. Eyes were on us for a good reason and I’d like to use that momentum.”

Richman also thanked staff for their efforts during the heavy flooding, stressing that lots of people “stepped up.”

PEMBERTON STUDENTS SPEAK OUT ABOUT REMOVAL OF BASKETBALL HOOP

Students of École La Vallée raised concerns about the relocation of their basketball court from the Pemberton and District Community Centre in letters to mayor and council received at the Feb. 13 meeting.

Councillors praised the six letter writers for using their voices to advocate for young people.

The students are not allowed to use the basketball court at Signal Hill Elementary School, as they would have to cross the busy road to get there. The community-centre court was removed during construction of a new daycare facility. Students at the French-speaking school do not have a playground, either.

Gabriel LeBlanc stressed his frustration over the lack of facilities.

“As a Grade 8 student attending École La Valée in the Pemberton Community Centre, I am writing to express my disappointment when the playground was removed. We have nothing to do,” LeBlanc wrote. He explained the risk of “getting hurt” has meant students are “not very active.”

“We need to make sure people are prepared. When we put alerts out, it’s for a really good reason.”

- MIKE RICHMAN

Richman said there was a great deal of attention on the village during the flooding, and he wants to use that momentum to help address some of the weaknesses in Pemberton’s infrastructure.

“I took the opportunity to highlight on a provincial level the work we do with our partners with flood mitigation, as well as some of the challenges we have,” he said. “This rain event highlighted that we are vulnerable with the Pemberton Creek Bridge. It’s too low. It’s our one road in and it’s our one road out.”

Richman said flooding like that in the middle of winter is a scary sign of things to come. The mayor believes the village needs to be more prepared than ever to face future extreme weather events in the Pemberton Valley.

“We were close. It could have been a lot worse,” he said. “The fact that we are getting this weather event in the middle of

Councillor Katrina Nightingale wanted to explore the solutions council could put forward.

“I want to acknowledge that they took the time to do that. I hear their sentiments and I understand that they are struggling to find things to do,” she said. “ I am wondering what we can do as a council to support their outdoor play time.”

Nightingale stressed there is no quick fix to the issue. She suggested council could come to an arrangement with recreational services to help provide other types of sport equipment to the students.

Coun. Ted Craddock suggested a letter directly from the mayor would have a greater and longer-lasting impact on the letter writers.

Council agreed Mayor Mike Richman should personally write back to the students who submitted correspondence. n

The Four Seasons Whistler is looking to add to our employee housing inventory!

We are fortunate to have existing, long term relationships with many local home and property owners and are continuing to expand our housing inventory

What can we offer?

Commitment from the Four Seasons on ensuring your property is well looked after secure long term rental management of tenancy by dedicated Housing Team with the peace of mind knowing your property is in good hands

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Women in business:

the benefits of joining a professional network

Are you inspired by the bold and determined businesswomen in Sea to Sky? In addition to uplifting the local economy, they act as role models for young girls who are thinking about their professional futures. Here are a few reasons why joining a professional business network can help women propel their careers forward.

HELPFUL SERVICES

Women entering the business world face many obstacles and challenges. For example, they must wear many hats and tackle unfamiliar tasks like writing a business plan, applying for financing, acquiring certifications and so much more. Fortunately, businesswomen’s networks offer services such as conferences, training seminars and one-on-one mentoring to help women start their own business or take their business to the next level — and build their confidence along the way.

REWARDING ENCOUNTERS

Being a member of a business women’s network lets you meet new people from various backgrounds. Virtual and face-to-face networking events bring together women who have similar interests and who might never have met otherwise. These exchanges often lead to fruitful collaborations and long-term partnerships.

Finally, businesswomen’s networks are a way to combat isolation, pass on knowledge, obtain support and build friendships. Are you a businesswoman or thinking of becoming one? Whatever your career plans, joining a professional network will help you achieve your goals.

Here are a few of the business organizations in Canada that offer resources, knowledge and encouragement to women.

• Forum for Women Entrepreneurs fwe.ca

• Women’s Executive Network wxnetwork.com

• Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs cawee.net

• Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada weoc.ca

• Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce canwcc.ca

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Katie Thompson

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

Katie ompson, a Whistler local for nearly a decade, has integrated her dedication to women’s leadership seamlessly into her role as People and Culture Director at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler.

With a decade of experience as a Whistler local and as a mother, she understands the challenges women face in balancing career and family. ompson has spearheaded employee bene t overhauls emphasizing holistic wellness, expanded housing options, and robust wellness programs. ese initiatives, including weekly Pilates and yoga sessions, a new employee gym, and complimentary ski passes, underscore the commitment to employee well-being. ompson’s leadership emphasizes exibility, open-mindedness, and inclusivity to create a supportive workplace culture where all employees, especially women, can thrive. Her e orts shape the future of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler and set a powerful example for women in leadership.

Learn more about Four Seasons Resort in Whistler at www.fourseasons.com/whistler. SPONSORED CONTENT

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info@wedgemountainlodge.com

Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa

Family is at the core of Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa’s origins and values Their love of the Whistler lifestyle compelled them to find a way to bring their vision to this mountain town, enabling them to live and work in this wonderful community

Anna and Keltie Holdsworth, sisters-in-law, are one half of the ownership team of Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa Both arrived from the UK to Whistler for a working holiday ski season and were captivated by the area ’ s adventurous lifestyle and mountainous surroundings Keltie and Anna each decided to make Whistler their permanent home

Having first arrived in Whistler without any career goals in sight, The Holdsworths soon pursued a new business catering to seasonaires within their new community, allowing them to build their skills and experience in the local hospitality industry Their combined talents and ability to work together as a family led the women to reinvest their profits into a brand new venture in 2023 They undertook the monumental task of designing and constructing a breathtaking 12,000 sq ft lodge and spa,

addressing a gap in Whistler’s offerings: a fully serviced lodge capable of accommodating large families and other groups

Tucked away in the Whistler mountains, Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa is designed to bring people together for occasions such as family celebrations, corporate retreats and weddings Fully serviced and private, guests have exclusive access to the entire lodge for their group The lodge offers a suite of luxury amenities, including a private chef, private Nordicstyle spa & pool, movie theatre, and tailored packages to suit individual needs and ensure an intimate and personalised stay

The leadership team at Wedge Mountain Lodge has rapidly grown to include eight members, with six of them being women

For more information, visit www wedgemountainlodge com

Shannon Byrne Susko

Shannon Byrne Susko, a proud Whistler local of 34 years, initially found her passion in the mountains as a ski instructor, but soon turned her focus to building her career here With over two decades of experience building and leading high-growth technology companies within Canada’s financial services industry, Susko has earned a reputation as an entrepreneurial extraordinaire

As a serial tech entrepreneur, Susko co-founded, served as CEO for, and led the sale of two companies in less than six years: Subserveo Inc and Paradata Systems Inc Leveraging her experiences, she developed a strategic execution framework called Metronomics, which helps guide CEOs to integrate critical business components for predictable profit, rapid growth, and successful exits Susko authored four books detailing her methodology, including her latest title, “The M Game: The Metronomics Monograph ”

Among her numerous accolades, Susko has received the 2022 Universal Women’s Network “Game Changer” award, was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2018, 2020, and 2022, and was inducted into the WXN Top 100 Hall of Fame after winning for a 4th time in 2023 She was honoured with the Sarah Kirke Award for Canada’s Leading Women Entrepreneurs in 2006 and named Deal Maker of the Year in Vancouver in 2011, ranking among the top three midmarket deals on Wall Street that year Susko still resides in Whistler today alongside her husband and three children

Discover more about Shannon Byrne Susko and Metronomics at www metronomics com

Keltie & Anna, co-owners of Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa with Keltie’s 6-year-old daughter, Cora

Shannon Bryne Susko Photo via Metronomics

604-786-1903

Katelyn Spink

Born and raised in the Pemberton Valley by two successful realtor parents, Katelyn Spink was introduced to real estate sales and property development at a young age. At the age of 21, she completed the build and sale of her rst home and soon a er, turned her passion for property sales and her involvement within the Pemberton and Whistler communities into a career as a realtor under e Whistler Real Estate Company.

Specializing in assisting diverse clients, from rst-time buyers to seasoned investors, she prioritizes smooth transactions and enjoyable experiences. Valuing personal connections, Spink has earned the distinction of being a top realtor in Pemberton and Whistler for ve consecutive years. Cherishing the trust of her clients, she feels privileged to pursue her passion in a community she loves.

Keeping the real in realtor, Spink strongly believes that being professional and being personal can go together in real estate, and she strives to always put the person before the transaction.

“I’m privileged to be a leading woman in business in our community, because of all of the trust my clients and community have put in me,” says Spink. “I’m forever grateful to be able to do what I love for a living in a place I love the most.”

Visit www.katelynspink.com for more information and don’t forget to ask her about her referral program!

Tara May

As a proud member of Whistler community for 30 years, Tara May followed through on the opportunity to become a business owner and work for herself with her passion project, Flute & Fromage, an idea which was inspired by her world travels and love of cheese

“I had a desire to open up a cheese shop in the heart of Whistler Village,” says May “Living abroad and travelling allowed me to experience great food and to see that we have limited access to great international cheeses here in Whistler”

Flute & Fromage was created for everyone that craves an aprés treat that consists of a delicious cheese and wine, which can be shared and enjoyed on the patio, in your hotel room, or at home

Offering items that are carefully curated and not currently available in Whistler, May has taken the time and research to find delectable accompaniments inspired by her travels Items may include a perfect preserve from England, charcuterie selections from Italy, or the perfect bite of rich dark chocolate from the Dominican Republic – all of which pair perfectly with their thoughtfully-selected BC natural wines For Flute & Fromage, the focus is on making sure the guest experience elevates the beautiful cheese they carry Flute & Fromage’s online store is open for pre-orders prior to their Whistler storefront opening in May 2024 Visit www fluteandfromage com to reserve a gift box today

Tara May and her Watson Photo via Flute & Fromage

Emma Goodman

In the days before Airbnb was well known, vacation seekers in Whistler started moving away from travel agents and hotels, searching for their own accommodations online. Emma Goodman saw an opportunity in the local property management market and, coupled with her real estate experience, launched Harmony Whistler Vacations in 2014.

The boutique-style vacation rental company works with home owners to create a pro table investment and facilitate a seamless stay for their guests by handling all aspects of vacation rental management. “We understand that Whistler is a lifestyle choice, and not just an investment for our owners,” Goodman says.

Goodman started by running all business operations on her own, including marketing, bookkeeping, cleaning, maintenance - being on call 24/7. “It was a tough few years that brought many challenges, but I would not change it for the world,” she re ects. “ e experiences

and struggles as a solo woman starting a business (without business experience) led me to where I am now.”

Today, Harmony Whistler Vacations is run by a team of twelve employees, allowing Goodman to focus on scaling the business and additional projects. “I empower our team to pursue their goals fearlessly and believe in their potential. Challenges are opportunities for growth, and I rmly believe in overcoming obstacles to achieve success.”

Goodman is the co-founder of Mountain Linens, a commercial laundry facility in Function Junction. She also spends time with her husband taking care of their 8-acre farm in Pemberton where they live with their two young children.

Learn more about Harmony Whistler Vacations at www.harmonywhistler.com. SPONSORED CONTENT

Hilary Davison

Hilary Davison travelled from her homeland, England, to the scenic landscapes of Whistler in 1988 Transitioning from her days as a ‘ski bum’, she founded Amos & Andes three decades ago Affectionately known as The Whistler Sweater Shop, the store embodies a captivating fusion of personal history and entrepreneurial spirit

Davison’s passion for handmade knits is rooted in her upbringing in a drafty old farmhouse, where her grandmother handmade sweaters for her Today, this heritage remains at the core of her business philosophy

At Amos & Andes, customers are welcomed into a haven where tradition meets contemporary style Davison’s commitment to showcasing authentic, meticulously crafted sweaters from their countries of origin is a tribute to timeless elegance and enduring quality Each garment holds a narrative, evoking a sense of nostalgia and becoming a treasured heirloom for generations to come

Davison’s commitment to heritage craftsmanship shines as the shop eagerly anticipates the launch of its new ladies’ linen collection this spring This expansion to include linen clothing underscores their dedication to providing customers with timeless fashion choices

Discover finely crafted knitwear and upcoming linen attire at Amos & Andes Don’t miss out on experiencing Hilary’s timeless collections that honor tradition and embrace innovation

Visit whistlersweatershop com and subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive updates on collections and store news

Hilary Davison (second from left) and her family

Photo via Amos & Andes

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

BC NDP’s promise of $10a-day child care far from ‘universal’

BY ROB SHAW rob@robshawnews.com

DESPITE CASH-STRAPPED parents desperate for new $10-a-day child care sites, the B.C. government’s roll-out of the system is so troubled it can’t even spend hundreds of millions of dollars it’s already getting from Ottawa.

That revelation is contained in a cabinet order posted last week in which the province asks the federal government to roll over 60 per cent of this year’s federal $10-a-day funding before the fiscal year ends next month and the money is wasted.

That’s not all. B.C. says it won’t be able to spend a further 30 per cent of federal funding next year, and 10 per cent the year beyond that.

“British Columbia anticipates difficulty expending its fiscal years 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 allocations due to diverse implementation challenges,” reads the agreement the province had to get Ottawa to sign.

Those “diverse implementation challenges” have left the BC NDP unable to take advantage of as much as $639 million in easy federal cash, just sitting there begging to be spent at a time when nine out of 10 B.C. parents don’t have access to $10-a-day spaces.

The province insists it will, eventually, at some point, spend that money. It blamed rising construction costs, inflation, a worker shortage and other issues for delays, in a status update to Ottawa four months ago.

Unstated? A lack of political will amongst provincial New Democrats. The party hasn’t come close to honouring its funding commitments for the $10-a-day

mostly of petty insults and references to child care subsidies cut by the BC Liberals 22 years ago. That won’t fly with real voters, after seven years and two elections in which the NDP promised, repeatedly and loudly, that a $10-a-day system was within reach.

To get the best gauge of where the government is at on the issue, you need to turn to Premier David Eby. He has recently deliberately avoided repeating his party’s explicit promise to have a “universal” $10-aday child care system in place within the next three years.

Perhaps because it now looks impractical, with almost $2 billion in annual funding in place and barely 10 per cent of all licensed child care spaces qualifying at $10-a-day.

Perhaps also because the government has quietly changed the promise from “universal” $10-a-day child care in 2017 and 2020 to something else.

“We have a vision for all families to be able to access on average $10-a-day child care,” Mitzi Dean, the minister of state for child care, said.

Universal is a $10-a-day space for everyone. An average means some people pay more than $10-a-day, and some people pay less, through a separate, highly complicated system of provincial incometested subsidies. New Democrats know the difference. They promised the former in two election campaigns. Now they want to fudge and deliver the latter, because sticking to the actual promise is too hard.

But too many parents got too excited at the prospect of a $10-a-day system for the governing party to now use semantics and half-truths to side-step its commitments.

“In seven years, we’ve tripled the number

is getting worse, not better.”

- KARIN KIRKPATRICK

program since the 2020 election, instead luring the feds to the table and then slashing provincial increases to leave Ottawa doing the heavy-lifting.

The NDP government found itself under fire on the issue in the legislature in late February, with almost no answers to give on how it had fallen so far behind or what it was going to do to hit its promised universal $10-aday system within the remaining three years of its 10-year timeline.

“Despite the largest inflationary deficit in B.C.’s history, this NDP government has utterly failed to deliver on their signature election promise of universal $10-a-day child care,” Karin Kirkpatrick, BC United child care critic, said in question period.

“Access is getting worse, not better.”

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy tried mounting a defence—though it consisted

of spaces that they ever created in 16 years,” Eby said to the Opposition BC United in the legislature on Feb. 27.

“We’re going to keep doing that work for families, and we will not let them come back in this house and drag families back to the dark ages of child care ever again.”

Drag families back to the dark ages of child care?

For most British Columbians, still struggling with wild fees after seven years of New Democrat promises and a barely-existent $10-a-day system—they never left.

Rob Shaw has spent more than 16 years covering B.C. politics, now reporting for CHEK News and writing for Glacier Media. He is the co-author of the national bestselling book A Matter of Confidence, host of the weekly podcast Political Capital, and a regular guest on CBC Radio. n

The Holy RRR Grail

BY LESLIE ANTHONY

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, there’s been a burgeoning good-news story over the past decade—a push for more sustainability in the noticeably profligate outdoor industry. Not just the use of more sustainable materials in manufacturing (the longstanding use of recycled plastic bottles in fabric, high-ratio recycled polyamide in outdoor garments, repurposed material in skis and even bioplastics made from beans in everything from eyewear to helmets), but in distribution and end-of-life use (internet-only companies that don’t maintain brick-and-mortar stores, lower-emissions shipping, fabrics with reduced microplastic shedding, repair and restoration options from clothing and hardgoods heavyweights, and items that are fully returnable at the end of their life cycle).

The push comes both from within—e.g., conscientious companies like Patagonia— and without—the outdoor community itself, which exerts huge oversight and consumerdriven choice. People have been voting for sustainability with their wallets for a while.

I can already hear the naysayers

queuing up to weigh in on just what any of this has actually accomplished, whether it’s legitimately measurable, and if it has created other problems elsewhere. I won’t downplay those questions—they are, in fact, important— but I will say that from the examples I know of, there’s more sincerity, motivation and real-world sustainability gains going on than greenwashing. Is any of it perfect? Of course not. Is it going in the right direction? Absolutely. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.

Which brings me to this column’s main subject: the current acme of unsustainability and Holy Grail of betterment in the eyes of environmentally minded Whistlerites—skis and snowboards. This means the quest to both build these more sustainably and to prevent them becoming forever waste in landfills— and not just by repurposing that amalgam of metal, wood and plastic into art, decoration or furniture (all excellent options, BTW— recall local Randi Kruse’s Ski Heaven), but by begging the question of reversing them into componentry. In other words, will there ever be a fully recyclable ski/snowboard?

The answer is yes—thanks to North Vancouver’s ski-hardgoods innovator G3. The question is whether consumers and retailers will change their habits to embrace a program that will make these a viable purchase option. G3 has made it so easy we have no excuses. But before I dive into the company’s monumental achievement, let’s back up a bit.

A few years back we heard the first rumblings of ski manufacturers changing their approach to building and end-of-life disposition. WNDR Alpine in Salt Lake City incorporated a renewable, bio-based oil material sourced from microalgae in its skis’ core and sidewalls, sharing the tech for a more sustainable, petroleum-free ski with other brands like DPS.

As part of its larger sustainability program “Equip, Collect, Repair, Recycle,” Rossignol released the Essential ski. Made from 73 per cent recycled and bio-sourced materials using no solvents or water, the aim is to recycle 77 per cent of the aluminum, steel and wood (a rate 10 times higher than that of conventional skis), burn 17 per cent (plastic, fine wood) and send only six per cent to landfill. Working with recycler MTB in the Chamonix Valley, Rossignol hopes one-third of its ski line will be part of a circular economy approach by 2028.

Which brings us to G3, which has leapt ahead of these efforts with an entire line of fully recyclable skis. Though ready to go in 2022, the official launch was delayed until fall 2023 because of the usual postpandemic issues. Called R3—a boilerplate for “Ride. Repeat. Recycle.”—these ultra-highperformance boards are made with the same premium materials as G3’s other lines, with no compromise in flex, weight or durability.

be recycled, while the carbon or glass fibre, magnets and resin can be reused.

It works like this: You ski the shit out of your R3s like you would any ski. When you’re ready for another pair of skis, your R3s will likely still have some life and you can pass them on to someone else. When the skis are really tout fini, whoever has them can scan a QR code on the ski to have them shipped back to G3 (they’ll even pay for it) where the R3s are dismantled and the components recycled/ reused. Does recycling get any easier than that? Already the program is turning heads: Backcountry Skiing Canada awarded the R3 FINDr Gear of the Year in January.

This isn’t G3’s first sustainability rodeo, as the company already has binding repair and CRAFT gear programs, the latter involving the creation of unique lines from extra parts left over from other gear they’ve built—keeping material out of the landfill while turning out superior backcountry gear at a better price point. G3 hopes to make all of its skis fully recyclable by the end of 2024.

PHOTO BY BEEKEEPX / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

By mass, traditional ski/snowboard building involves nearly as much landfill waste as the final product. In addition, because most manufacturers don’t have an eye on their supply chains, the only way to improve them is to create their own.

The difference is all the materials can be recaptured, repurposed, or recycled once the skis are retired. Of the nine components released in G3’s proprietary R3 recycling technology (i.e., how they dismantle the entire ski including the chemistry holding it together), the nylon topsheet, PU sidewall and tail protector, steel edges, wood core, HDPE base and Titanal aluminum can all

“They’re basically the same skis that you loved before, but now you don’t have the environmental cost,” says G3 principal Oliver Steffen, who wonders over consumer and retailer reaction. “It’s a bit of a social experiment: How important is it to you as a consumer that your skis don’t need to go into a landfill?”

If it’s important to you, then you’re part of a good-news story that’s certain to expand in leaps and bounds.

Leslie Anthony is a Whistler-based author, editor, biologist and bon vivant who has never met a mountain he didn’t like. ■

LEAPS AND BOUNDS A push for more sustainability in the outdoor industry is a good-news story worth celebrating.

By Braden Dupuis

InOctober 2020, Peacemaker Azuegbulam was serving in the Nigerian army, engaged in combat against terrorist forces in northeast Nigeria. He was 24 years old.

The region has grappled with Islamist militant conflicts for more than a decade, and perhaps most notoriously with Islamist, jihadist terrorist organization Boko Haram—the forces Azuegbulam’s military unit were embroiled with four years ago.

Then Azuegbulam’s life changed forever.

His unit came under fire from Boko Haram in the northern part of the province, gravely injuring many—Azuegbulam among them.

The brutal attack resulted in a “very painful amputation” of Azuegbulam’s left leg, and left the Nigerian traumatized.

“After I got injured, life was very miserable to me … it was very tough on me,” Azuegbulam says.

“I was emotional ... I was very angry.”

Rather than dwell on the pain, Azuegbulam focused on recovery—and just three years after losing his leg, made his debut at the Invictus Games.

Competing for the first time in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 2023, Azuegbulam made history when he became the first Nigerian (and African) Invictus Games champion, taking gold in powerlifting.

Azuegbulam was in Whistler last month for the Invictus Games Participating Nations Training Camp, marking one year out from the Games themselves, to be hosted by Whistler and Vancouver in February 2025. He was one of 60 competitors, coaches and managers from 19 countries taking part.

He was one of several athletes who spoke about how the Games have helped in their recovery.

“I feel good, I feel loved to be champion No. 1 [in] Africa, because the first time I got injured, I was like, nobody cares about me, and nobody loves me,” he says.

“But when I won, I see that, yes, people really love me, and also, I feel good. I feel recovered.”

ONE YEAR OUT

Stories like Azuegbulam’s are at the heart of the Invictus Games mission.

Founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, Invictus—in Latin, “unconquered”—is an international, multi-sport competition for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.

The 2025 edition will mark the seventh Invictus Games in its history, and the first time it includes winter sports.

“The decision to include winter adaptive sports in the Games aims to help Participating Nations build year-round adaptive sports programs, and the competitors welcomed the new challenge at Training Camp and demonstrated once again the power of sport to support rehabilitation and inspire recovery,” says Scott Moore, CEO of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.

During their time in Whistler, athletes were able to test out winter sports like adaptative skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling for the first time.

Azuegbulam was in the thick of it, hitting the slopes to try adaptive skiing on Feb. 14 and rocketing down the track at the Whistler Sliding Centre on a skeleton sled on Feb. 15.

While he didn’t much like the cold, Azuegbulam says he enjoyed the opportunity to participate and try new sports.

“I see myself participating, always,” he says. “The Games really helps me in my recovery, mentally, emotionally.”

With the camp behind them, organizers now have their sights set on the main event, taking place from Feb. 8 to 16, 2025.

“We’re now looking ahead to next year, where you can expect to see alpine skiing and snowboarding, biathlon, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling included in our first-ever winter hybrid Games,” Moore says.

Those looking to get involved can visit invictusgames2025.ca, and either register to volunteer, sign up for the Games’ newsletter, contribute to its charitable arm, or sign up for event tickets.

‘IT’S AWESOME HERE’

But there’s a whole lot of prep that has to take place before athletes can compete in 2025.

As chef de mission of Team Netherlands, Stefan Nommensen—a professional serviceman and former Invictus participant himself—is in charge of the entire Dutch squad.

It’s a tall task, but “that’s why we have a staff; we have specific trainers for the different sports,” he says.

“We hope by June that we have selected the team, so that we can go really into the team sports and into making decisions on what sports everyone is going to do here.”

Nommensen took part in the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, where he competed in road cycling, swimming, sitting volleyball and athletics.

“For me, it was the experience of all the sports and all the people … it’s meditative, it’s part of their rehabilitation,” he says.

The upcoming Games in Whistler will be an adjustment for many participants, who are taking part in snow

sports for the first time. Nommensen lauded the work of the trainers during the Participating Nations camp, pointing to Azuegbulam as an example.

“He has been in the classes, and it’s amazing how the adaptive-sports trainers are able to teach and train and make him comfortable in the snow,” he says.

“And imagine that, the Netherlands is almost about three-quarters below sea-level; we don’t have any mountains, and a lot of us, particularly those with impairments, haven’t been exposed to winter sports … so we are really, really happy [with how training camp has gone].

“It’s awesome here.”

For many participants, Invictus is as much about the camaraderie and the social aspect—a chance to meet and bond with those who’ve experienced similar to you—as it is the sport.

Rasmus Penno is a bilateral leg amputee from Estonia. Like Nommensen, he took part in Invictus 2018 in Sydney, where he competed

Penno was injured in 2008 while on a mission in Afghanistan. He spent a year in a rehab centre in England recovering, where he made lasting connections.

“I made a lot of good friends in England, so I hope to meet them in 2025,” he says.

“I know that one of them is doing mountain skiing. I’m not sure if he’s coming

During his time in Whistler, Penno got to try out skeleton, and both alpine and Nordic skiing, but winter sports aren’t completely new to the Estonian.

“We don’t have mountains, so we do more the cross-country skiing. We have like an adventure park where you can do the mountain skiing, but there, it takes more time to get up than slide down,” he says, adding he enjoyed trying out new sports ahead of the 2025 Games. “Mountain ski, that was fun—the muscles, still hurting.”

PERSONAL VICTORIES

Giorgio Giuseppe Porpiglia, a marshall in the Italian navy for 20 years, feels right at home in the mountains.

“He was an athlete before the accident, and when he knew the opportunity came to participate in the Invictus Games, he was glad to do this and he is glad now to be here,” Porpiglia says, through a translator.

“It’s a dream that has come true. Sports has helped him to reach other things that he has not thought to reach before. Not for the victory, but for himself.”

As the translator says the last line, Porpiglia pats his chest proudly.

A manual wheelchair user, Porpiglia was part of a group of 16 athletes from the Paralympic Defense Sports Group who swam across the Strait of Messina in Italy in 2022.

Porpiglia took part in the 2023 Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, where he participated in wheelchair sports and table tennis—but the Whistler Games in 2025 represent something more.

“This is my sport,” he says of alpine skiing, gesturing to the mountains around him with a big, beaming smile.

“The others, I just participate … and now, next year, I am competitor in my sport. I do this sport 18 years.”

The Participating Nations Camp was Porpiglia’s first visit to Whistler—he almost came for the 2010 Olympics with some friends, he says, but didn’t make it out.

Is he excited to finally ski one of the best resorts in the world?

“Yes. Fantastica. Yes, yes, yes,” he says, beaming again. “Absolutely.”

‘ANOTHER EPIC WEEK’

A veteran himself, Prince Harry was inspired to found the Invictus Games after returning from deployment in Afghanistan.

According to the Invictus Games website, the Duke of Sussex was moved to act after he saw the coffin of a Danish soldier loaded for repatriation, alongside three injured British soldiers.

“That moment had a profound impact on him and, following a visit to the US Warrior Games in 2013, he was inspired to create the international Invictus Games to celebrate the unconquered human spirit, and shine a spotlight on these men and women who served,” the website reads.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, visited the Participating Nations camp in Whistler and Vancouver, where they spoke with participants—and Prince Harry tried his hand at the sports himself.

“Invictus is not necessarily about winning a medal, but about the bonds that are built between nations; about the shared journey of recovery that competitors and their families are a part of,” Prince Harry said at a dinner in Vancouver on Feb. 16, wrapping up the event.

“Tonight, we take one big step on that journey, and in less than 365 days, we welcome the world to join us once again for another epic week.”

The Duke singled out Azuegbulam in his remarks, saying the Nigerian veteran would have stayed on Whistler’s slopes if he could.

“But these last few days have been very, very special, because it’s been our first opportunity to have some friends, some family and come competitors here with the coaches,” he said. “[And] as well to be able to try out, in some instances, for the first time being on snow.”

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will bring together more than 500 competitors from more than 20 nations from Feb. 8 to 16, 2025.

Read more and get involved at invictusgames2025.ca and invictusgamesfoundation.org. ■

‘He’s an anomaly’

NINETY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GERRY REYNOLDS STILL SKIS WHISTLER BLACKCOMB ON A REGULAR BASIS

BY DAVID SONG

ACCORDING TO GOOGLE , the average life expectancy for humans on Earth is just over 72 years. In Canada, that number is up at almost 82 years. Of course, it’s never a guarantee any of us will reach a ripe old age, and those who do often deal with a bevy of limitations as their bodies and minds wear down.

Father Time remains undefeated, after all… but some people manage to hold him off longer than others.

Gerry Reynolds is among those rare few. Three years short of his 100th birthday, he can still be regularly sighted upon the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb.

“He’s an anomaly at 97, to still be skiing and actively involved in the sport,” said Gerry’s son, Rick. “I’m not sure if he’s the oldest skier on the mountain today, but he still loves to get up there. He goes generally three to four times a week, and he loves to get together with his various friends.”

Born in Nelson, B.C., Gerry moved to Vancouver with his family as a child and has lived on the North Shore for most of his lengthy life. Grouse Mountain had no lifts

back in that era, which did not stop him from hiking up its inclines on a regular basis to enjoy the thrill fresh snow can provide. Having worked as a ski instructor at Grouse in his younger days, he returned to that field after retiring from his teaching career.

“I’m not sure I would have skied back then because of having to hike up the mountain,” admitted Rick.

Gerry has a girlfriend and a vibrant network of friends in Whistler. He routinely

his marbles” and is capable of navigating everyday life fairly independently. He’s a generous soul who loves using his woodworking skills to build presents or crafts for others. He sports a fully operational sense of humour and is rarely happier than when guests join him and his family for

“I’m always bragging about him, and I love to spend as much time as I can with him.”

- RICK REYNOLDS

meets up with them for coffee around 10:30 a.m. in the Glacier Lodge. Having thus missed the morning rush, they proceed up Blackcomb Mountain—which remains his favourite peak—for a day of carving powder.

‘PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE’

Aside from his scattershot hearing, Gerry remains sharp as a tack both physically and mentally.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KENNITH MELLQUIST

Rick says the nonagenarian “has all

various social gatherings.

During the holiday break, Gerry regaled a number of young men at a Christmas dinner with tales of skiing in his heyday. Back then, he took the streetcar to its northern terminus from Upper Lonsdale on Friday afternoons before hiking the rest of the way up Grouse Mountain. He’d come down on Sunday mornings for church, but head right back afterwards to maximize every daylight hour the weekend could offer.

His guests were fascinated. They had no

idea how much hard work it once took to get a few satisfying runs in.

The full extent of Gerry’s impact on his family and community is difficult to put into words.

“In simple terms, he made [my sister Penny and I] appreciate how lucky we are to not only be in B.C., but to be involved in sports—the skiing, the sailing and the outdoors,” said Rick. “We’re just trying to be good citizens and appreciate everything we were given in life, not to mention the great opportunities of living in this province.”

At 68 years of age, Rick is no spring chicken himself. He’s certainly made the most out of his opportunities, with a career in the aquaculture feed industry behind him. These days, he runs his own side business helping companies acquire raw materials that go into aqua and pet food production.

Whenever Rick isn’t working, however, it’s safe to bet he’s around Gerry.

“I’m extremely proud of my dad,” Rick said. “I’m always bragging about him, and I love to spend as much time as I can with him. All my friends are keen on getting out with him, whether it’s on the golf course, or on the slope or out for a hike. He’s very, very welcoming and just loves to be engaged.

“He’s still passionate about life, and that is a hell of a thing at his age.” n

STILL SENDING Ninety-seven-year-old Gerry Reynolds is still a frequent sight on the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb in 2024.

Whistler Kendo’s Hiroaki Yano repeats as Steveston tournament champion

FELLOW WHISTLER KENDO CLUB MEMBERS MIKA WYNIARSKY, JAMES TSANG, JACK TSANG AND LEO SATO COMBINED FOR TWO WINS AND TWO DRAWS

BY DAVID SONG

HE CAME , he saw, he defended his crown.

Whistler Kendo Club (WKC) founder Hiroaki Yano clinched gold at the 60th annual Steveston Kendo Tournament last month, one year after earning his first title at one of North America’s longest-running kendo contests. Yano took a difficult road up, besting a former Team Canada member and two Team USA athletes en route to triumph. One of his opponents cracked the top eight at the 2018 World Kendo Championships.

Yano continues to showcase his considerable skills after assisting Vancouver’s Renbu Dojo to its first national championship last August.

“I’m grateful to everyone who trained with me and supported my club over the past year, and I believe I’ve proven that what I’ve been doing was not in vain,” he said. “As the defending champion, I approached each match not as a titleholder burdened by expectations but as a challenger.

“Facing Taro Ariga—my former boss and the head instructor of the Butokuden Dojo from my time in California—in the final added a personal touch to the competition. It was a great feeling to compete on such a grand stage after a long time and secure a victory.”

Four of Yano’s pupils also donned their bōgu (or practice armour) in Steveston.

Mika Wyniarsky notched two victories: one in the ladies’ second Dan-plus division and one in the team contest. Among youth, Jack Tsang, James Tsang and Leo Sato managed two draws between them—a notable improvement after losing every match at last year’s tournament.

“First and foremost, the fact that members—including parents—are willing to participate in tournaments or go out of their way to cheer for the team in Vancouver serves as evidence of their desire and eagerness to practice and learn kendo,” said Yano. “I feel gratitude and pride for everyone’s positive actions.

“It is the students’ attitude towards kendo and the support from their families that make it evident, even within the limited practice

time of once a week, that they are growing both technically and mentally. I am excited about their future growth.”

TRANSCENDING GENERATIONS

This year’s Steveston outing is reflective of the WKC’s growth as a whole.

Several more youths have joined the fold, including a four-year-old and three girls aged 11, 14 and 16. The club provides a niche but weatherproof form of exercise, and kendo itself is adaptable to a wide range of generational needs.

Furthermore, as an ancient martial art from Japan emphasizing etiquette, kendo can be attractive to parents who want their children to grow both athletically and personally. To those who might envision the sport as painful or intimidating, Yano explains it’s all about manners and discipline.

“Kendo represents a profound aspect of Japanese heritage, and its emphasis on courtesy aligns with the values that parents wish to instil in their children,” he says. “Of course, emphasizing a friendly atmosphere throughout the club and providing an environment where beginners can easily participate has also been a significant factor.

“Additionally, as a lifelong sport enjoyable for people of all ages and genders, kendo is now beloved worldwide, enabling international exchanges that transcend generations.”

Yano continues to lead by example. In the two-month lead-up to his recent competition, he swung his bamboo sword (or shinai) a minimum of 200 times per day in addition to his twice-a-week practice sessions at his own club and the Renbu Dojo. He keeps himself in excellent physical and mental shape, even when no major contests are on the horizon.

No one has ever achieved a three-peat in the 60-year history of the Steveston Kendo Tournament, and a chance to become the first keeps complacency far from Yano’s mind. His students, likewise, are working hard in preparation for nationals this May in Vancouver.

Learn more about the WKC’s programming at the club’s Facebook and Instagram pages. n

• Accommodates groups of 10-30+ people in 15 guestrooms

• Fully equipped

KEN-DO ATTITUDE Whistler Kendo Club founder Hiroaki Yano (far left) and several of his students.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HIROAKI YANO

Beyond art: Isobel MacLaurin was also a

Cookie Monster queen

MAKE HER FAMOUS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES AND THE BEAT WILL GO ON…

NO TWO WAYS about it—Isobel MacLaurin was a spectacularly unique character amongst the sea of characters who made Whistler Whistler. After all, anyone who considers the best card from her last and final birthday the one that said, “Happy birthday, coffin dodger!” has to be a character. Especially when she hand-painted her own coffin!

But Izzy was way more than that.

A trailblazer deeply embedded in community, at Whistler and beyond. (Likewise, her equally amazing husband, Don—a forester and environmentalist.) A lifelong artist with such a huge portfolio it blew everyone away— including Izzy—when they finally saw it all in one place at her first and only retrospective at the Maury Young Arts Centre. No coincidence,

BY GLENDA BARTOSH

given her ties to Arts Whistler, it was the same venue where her celebratory wake was held after she died in February. She was 92 but, really, 29 to the end.

One thing that always struck me was Isobel was the ultimate sharer. She generously volunteered teaching art to “kids” of all ages in all kinds of places, from Whistler to East Vancouver, even Australia. She also enjoyed this huge reputation around Whistler for sharing something entirely different, besides her ever-present champagne—cookies!

But here we have to back up for a sec,

NO FOOLIN’, STOP DROOLIN’ Isobel MacLaurin’s peanut butter cookies tasted as good as they looked. She whipped them up at the MacLaurin home on Alpha Lake, with a world map constantly reminding her of their many trips.

PHOTO BY SUE MACLAURIN

because apparently Izzy was not a great cook at first. So says her daughter, Jill, who now lives in Tasmania as does her sister, Sue, but came to Whistler starting in the ’60s with her other siblings, Lee and Mark (a.k.a. Mushroom Mark to many longtime locals)

“Back in the day when mom and dad were first married, mom didn’t know how to cook because her mother, Noreen, was a great cook and didn’t let mom in the kitchen. So when mom married—it was the women back in the day that did the cooking—mom needed to learn how, and took various classes and whatever,” says Jill.

“So when she made her first cookies, dad... “ Here Jill hesitates, stifling laughter. “Dad did this particular thing, which he would never do again—it’s not him. But he intentionally dropped a cookie on his toe, feigning it being very hard.” After that, he quickly became her biggest cooking advocate.

As things went, all the MacLaurin “kids”

considered her a great cook (and baker), with so many family favourites you can’t count them all.

Lee recalls huge turkeys cooked twice a year with delicious stuffing and cranberry sauce (and all the subsequent turkey soup). Boston baked beans done up in a giant pot that almost filled the oven. And, of course, cookies. Many cookies.

Sue remembers pumpkin-shaped cookies elaborately decorated with candies for Halloween. And chocolate chip cookies that eventually morphed into amazing chocolate chip cookie houses, instead of the traditional gingerbread, that Isobel engineered into A-frames so common around Whistler once upon a time. As Izzy’s grandchildren in Australia noted at her wake, she even went into their schools to teach kids and parents alike how to make those A-frames. One session alone saw 64 students!

For more MacLaurin gems, try Whistler

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES [Makes 50-60 cookies]

1 cup shortening

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup peanut butter

3 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease some cookie sheets. In a mixing bowl, thoroughly cream the shortening, vanilla and sugars. Add the eggs and beat well. Stir in the peanut butter. Mix together the flour, salt and baking soda and add to the peanut butter mixture, combining thoroughly. Form into tiny balls with the palms of your hands and place on the cookie sheets. Press each cookie twice with the back of a fork to make a crisscross design. Bake about 8-10 minutes or until firm.

Note: As you can see from the photo above, Isobel also added a generous handful of blanched peanuts, plus she had her own creative way with shapes—no forks involved. Bake up a big batch anytime, and pass them around—generously and kindly—in your community, wherever you live. Isobel would love it.

Recipes, the old cookbook from the Whistler Museum. You’ll find their hot buttered rum, featuring honey along with the traditional brown sugar and butter. (“Oh yes, that was dad! He was also a master of glühwein,” Jill says.) And a touch of Polynesia with Izzy’s sweet and sour sauce to which she added pineapple. Perfect, since the MacLaurins spent time there.

There’s also Izzy’s dad’s cookies recipe. But it’s her peanut butter ones that stick in the hearts and minds of many a Whistlerite when they think of Isobel MacLaurin.

Jill figures it all started around the time her dad died in 2014. Izzy would bake up a storm and deliver them personally all around Whistler. The museum; Pique’s office; lifties; muni hall; Whistler Blackcomb offices; liquor stores; her bank and hairdresser; parking attendants—all were lucky recipients of her peanut butter cookies. Sometimes Iz even enjoyed a few perks in return. (Unofficial “bribes” Mark calls them with a laugh.)

Lucky Brad Nichols from the museum. At her wake, he won the last batch of Izzy’s peanut butter cookies, excavated from one of her many freezers. And now you can enjoy some, too.

THOSE LEGENDARY COOKIES

Here’s the recipe for those famous (or is that infamous?) peanut butter cookies, right from Izzy’s own duct-taped copy of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, which looks like a brick of some kind of illegal substance a drug mule would carry across a border. Neo-hippies take note: Fannie Farmer was a staple amongst the original ’60s hipster crowd. Also note the note preceding the recipe. It could have been written by Izzy herself: “These are one of our household favourites and have been for over 35 years. My husband ate thousands of these…” I bet he never dropped one on his foot!

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who’s now hungry for those peanut butter cookies. n

Sea to Sky Student Film Festival returns for sophomore year

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS APRIL 1

BY DAVID SONG

THE SEA TO SKY Student Film Festival (S2SFF) is back for its second act.

Teenagers in Grades 8 to 12 who attend school in Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton and Mount Currie are invited to submit a three-tofive-minute short to be displayed next month at Whistler Secondary School (WSS). More than $2,000 in prizes is up for grabs, including a cat skiing experience offered by Powder Mountain.

All genres and formats that fit within the time limit are welcome, from live-action to animation to stop-motion. Footage must be from 2024 and can be shot on cameras, GoPros or smartphones.

WSS senior Soren Weetman has taken a lead role in organizing this year’s festival after the first one left an impression on him.

“When I saw it, I was just so blown away by how well they had done it and how good all the films were,” he remarks. “I decided that I really wanted to do this next year, and I think the grads also had it in mind to continue this project.”

‘WE JUST LIT UP’

The S2SFF was originally the brainchild of

WSS alum Kenta Tanaka. An avid Whistler Film Festival (WFF) fan, he wanted to give himself and other youth a chance to flex their creative muscles—just as more established local filmmakers do on a regular basis.

Tanaka approached his close friends Jayden Inniss and Sho Brooks last year. They were immediately keen, seeing Tanaka’s idea as an opportunity to both make movies and raise some cash for their graduating class.

“We do Halloween haunted houses, dances and other typical stuff [to fundraise], but I feel like growing up in Whistler is so unique and we really had to harness that,” explains Brooks. “When Kenta came to us with the opportunity, we just lit up, because we knew how many different ways it could go.”

Spoiler alert: they hit a home run. The inaugural S2SFF took place on April 20, 2023, with more than 300 audience members filling every seat in the WSS Multi-Purpose Room and then some. More than $5,000 was raised, well above the initial goal of $3,500.

Isa Guerrero earned first prize for his film Solitude, and Sakura Lord took the runner-up spot with Girls Who Ski Third went to newlyminted Freeride Junior World Championships (FJWC) king Lukas Bennett and Above Average Days. The judges included Kris Dontas, Hailey Elise, Trish Bromley, Darryl Palmer and Jeremy Allen.

Guerrero’s mom, Farha, penned a heartfelt letter thanking Tanaka, Brooks and Inniss for “the extraordinary effort” they put into making it happen.

The boys can hardly take all the credit,

though. They stood on broad shoulders to reach their goal: namely those of WFF founder Shauna Hardy and WSS vice-principal John Hall.

“In 2017, I was a top-10 finalist for the 72-hour Filmmaker Showdown and Shauna was a part of that too, so it was cool to see both sides [having been a contestant],” says Inniss. “And then to work with Shauna to put our festival together? Totally mind-blowing to see what’s needed to make it happen.”

Adds Brooks: “Before we invited Shauna, we had to bring the idea to our vice-principal to see if it was even doable, and in that process, I feel like we became so much more integrated into the school system. We felt like we were actually doing something meaningful.

“A lot of the time, you go through school without taking any initiative. The moment when we brought our idea to Mr. Hall and he gave us the OK was so memorable, because then we were like: ‘now we’ve got to actually put some work into this.’ I want to say thank you to Mr. Hall and Shauna because without their guidance, this festival wouldn’t have been executed as professionally and smoothly as it was.”

Other players in the community stepped up, too. Mountain FM conducted a live interview with the boys, and a number of local businesses agreed happily to lend their support.

“Sho and I went out around Whistler Village asking companies or businesses if they could donate to the festival, and a lot of them agreed on the spot,” Tanaka recalls. “There was a lot of communication and we managed to get a lot of

prizes, which we’re really grateful for. Whistler’s a super small community and everyone helps each other out.”

FUN AND LIGHTHEARTED

What is it about the particular idea of a film festival that many local youths have found compelling?

“My mother studied film in university, and so I’ve always had that in my family,” Weetman says. “It’s such an interesting thing to see film here within our community. It’s such a broad thing and everyone is able to relate with it. You’re able to tell a story in a way that uses many different things.”

Brooks, for his part, hopes to see a wider array of talents celebrated in the Sea to Sky corridor.

“A lot of sports, athletes and Olympians are celebrated in Whistler, but in the process of making this festival we recognize that the creatives and the artists aren’t being noticed as much,” he opines. “Giving this opportunity to the youth creates an acceptance and a chance for people to get involved in creating.

“Because it’s such a fun and lighthearted type of environment that we’re trying to build, it makes things easy for students who may be insecure about art to get into it and gain recognition for what they’re doing.”

The deadline to submit projects for the S2SFF is April 1, while the top 10 films will premiere April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at WSS. Learn more about the festival at filmfreeway.com/ SeatoSkyStudentFilmFestival. n

BEST IN FEST Isa Guerrero won top prize at the 2023 Sea to Sky Student Film Festival.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISA GUERRERO

Shred Kelly returns to Whistler March 30

THE FERNIE-BASED FOLK-ROCK BAND IS TOURING TO PROMOTE ITS NEW ALBUM, BLURRY VISION

BY DAVID SONG

SHRED KELLY is back on the road, and Whistler is once again part of the itinerary.

On March 30, Sea to Sky denizens can catch Tim Newton, Sage McBride, Ryan Mildenberger and Ty West at the Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC) as part of their new album release tour. Indie pop group Hyaenas is the opening act.

Blurry Vision is Shred Kelly’s sixth album, a 10-track offering recorded in a somewhat outside-the-box manner. Band members ventured out to The Farm Studios in Gibsons and spent a week in a cabin to immerse themselves more fully in the creative process.

“We’ve recorded in cities in the past, and I think we really wanted to go somewhere remote to do this one,” McBride explains. “We all live kind of in a small community [in Fernie] and we feel connected to nature—not having the busyness of finding parking at the studio every day. It was a lovely experience to record that way, to start early or have access to the studio late at night.”

HOPE AMIDST DARKNESS

Much of Blurry Vision was written during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its songs tend to explore themes of change, uncertainty and new beginnings.

“Stained Glass” sets the tone for the whole album, a slow-burning melody about a coming storm analogous to the unknown future. “Better Times” encapsulates feelings of helplessness as a person watches a loved one battle their inner demons, while “Ocean Therapy” is about relying on nature to heal from grief and death. “Nothing for a While” brings it all home with ideas of finding oneself by unplugging from the hustle and bustle of life.

Perhaps “Lost Without You” is one of the collection’s most personal songs.

“In 2019, Tim and I had our first daughter— right as I was supposed to head back to work in 2020, the world shut down, and we were cut off from support, community, and friends for a lot of 2020 and 2021,” McBride shares in a press release. “Tim and I spent two years tagging off parenting and working most hours of the day to pivot our careers and stay afloat in a pretty stressful time.

“However, in that time, we had weekly dance parties, we cooked every meal together, and things really slowed down. We saved up and spent a lot of quality time with our daughter. I had always been drawn to being busy and moving around a lot, and I learned to really appreciate the small things, our home, and the core people in my life. It did feel as though we would be lost without one another, especially in those years when we were all that we had.”

‘ACTUAL JOY’

McBride and her fellows have performed at the GLC for more than a decade, and they always look forward to returning.

“The community is just so fun and supportive,” she says. “Whistler has such a great vibe and everyone there just seems so happy and wonderful. The energy that you feel when you arrive at Whistler is kind of contagious … and our shows at the GLC have all been that way. It’s a great venue to play at.”

One of the talented vocalist and keyboard player’s favourite Sea to Sky memories dates back to the 2022 Whistler Village Beer Festival. Shred Kelly invited a pair of audience members to accompany them on stage during a cover of “Dancing in the Dark,” not knowing the impact they would make that day.

“I bumped into one of the guys who came up on stage in Whistler when we were playing our Revelstoke show [on Feb. 17],” says McBride. “He said that he had been going through a really dark time, and that moment when he joined us on stage was the first time that he had felt actual joy in a really long time.”

Shred Kelly has toured across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe since first forming in 2009. The band members hope to keep the good times rolling later this month in Whistler, in more ways than one: they’re collecting donations for The David Suzuki Foundation and The Unison Fund to support environmental initiatives, counselling services, and emergency financial support to needy musicians.

Find tickets and more information at shredkelly.com/tour. n

Shred Kelly marries their poignant lyrics with an upbeat alternative folk-rock experience. Their live shows essentially set the stage for a big old dance party, especially in British Columbia.

SHRED FELLOWS Shred Kelly next performs in Whistler on March 30.

PHOTO BY LYLE BELL

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

LAUGH OUT LIVE!

A VERY “HANDSOME” INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Celebrate women in song for International Women’s Day. Featuring Handsome Men and DJ Soul Club, plus special guests. Entry by $20 donation to PearlSpace (formerly Howe Sound Women’s Centre).

> March 8, 6 to 10 p.m.

> Alpine café

> $20

ARTS WHISTLER LIVE! PRESENTS: GEEKENDERS

Vancouver’s favourite nerdlesque troupe, Geekenders, are in Whistler for one night only, performing their hit 2023 tribute to Monty Python, NAUGHTY PYTHON’S FLYING BURLESQUE CIRCUS. Hold onto your coconuts and prepare for a night of hilarity, tease, and unforgettable performances as the Geekenders flaunt their huge… Tracts of land. All other shows Palin comparison!

This event is 19-plus.

> March 14, doors at 7 p.m.

> Maury Young Arts Centre

> $30

AWFULLY HILARIOUS: PERIOD PIECES

Join us for another awfully hilarious reading! Emerging local writers will share their stories from Awfully Hilarious: Period Pieces. In this intimate, courageous, and transformative collection, 26 girls and women of all ages share poems and stories exploring the ups and downs of menstruation, from first period to post-menopause.

Copies of Awfully Hilarious will be available to purchase at the event courtesy of Armchair Books! Registration is required—email publicservices@ whistlerlibrary.ca to sign up.

> March 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

> Whistler Public Library Fireside Lounge

> Free

LAUGH OUT LIVE! PRESENTS: ST. PATRICK’S SECRET POWDER STASH

Get ready to sham-rock and roll as Laugh Out LIVE! takes the stage for two nights of high-energy improv, side-splitting sketch, and uproarious stand-up comedy with an Irish flair! Never been to a show? Picture Saturday Night Live doing a jig with Whose Line Is It Anyway? then getting drunk on pints of Guinness with the Price is Right in Whistler!

> March 15 & 16, 8 p.m.

> Maury Young Arts Centre > $35

Roland's Pub is open for lunch Wednesdays & Thursdays from 11:30am!

Join our lunch club!

Get 10 stamps on your lunch card and your 11th lunch is free* (Restrictions apply) Children are welcome everyday until 10pm, so bring the kids in for brunch on the weekends from 11am - 2pm

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUGH OUT LIVE!

Resor t Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova.

Take notice that TTQ Economic Development Corp (owned by Xa'xtsa-Douglas First Nation) from Tipella, BC, has applied to the Ministry of Forests (FOR), Surrey for a development of a campground and recreational site situated on Provincial Crown land located at the vicinity of Sloquet Creek and Lillooet River, Group 1, New Westminster District containing 19 13 Hectares, more or less

The Lands File Number for this application is 2412586

Comments concerning this application should be directed to the Project Manager at 200-10428 153rd Street,

Whistler’s artistic origins

BY REBECCA MACKAY

THE 1980S was an exciting decade for arts and culture in Whistler. In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, we wanted to highlight a few of the women who sparked the local arts scene in the resort’s early days.

Whistler was in its first stages of development in the ’80s, dominated by sports and a lively bar scene. There were some theatre groups, dances, and musicians, and events such as the Alta Lake Community Club’s Fall Fair, a fundraiser featuring local goods and crafts. The Squamish Arts Council, which was established in the early ’70s, had a column in the Whistler Question advertising its offerings. And there were many artists in the area, including Isobel MacLaurin— Whistler’s first professional artist.

The community recently came together to celebrate Isobel’s life. A true ski bum, she was a strong advocate for the growth of arts in the community. Her artwork is seen across the valley through murals and trail signs. She inspired others to spark their own creativity, and was involved in almost every artistic effort that came about (Arts Whistler, Whistler Singers, The Point Artist-Run Centre, and more).

After moving to Whistler in 1979, textile artist Inge Nielsen became involved in the adult education craft workshops at Myrtle Philip School, as well as hosting her own knitting workshops at the Blackcomb Day Lodge. Nielsen also sold her own goods at the 1980 Fall Fair, and that same year, opened Whistler’s first dedicated local artisan store, Inge’s Gift and Craft Store, in the Clocktower building. It was not a regular souvenir shop; all items on display were created by artists within Whistler or around British Columbia. Nielsen continued offering worshops once her store opened, and became further involved in the arts once Whistler’s first arts council was created.

In 1981, fresh out of journalism school, Glenda Bartosh became a reporter for the

FINE FOUNDATIONS At an art exhibit on Oct. 28, 1982, showcasing the works of Roy and Olga Tomlinson, the couple present Inge Nielsen and Glenda Bartosh a stone lithograph to be the first artwork added to the Whistler Community Arts Council’s permanent collection.

artists. According to Bartosh, they received an overwhelmingly positive response that showed the need for this type of organization.

By the end of the ’80s, the arts council established many programs still running today. Margaret Long led the first Whistler Children’s Festival. Joan Richoz and Tamsin Miller organized the first Performance Series (now Arts Whistler LIVE!). Gail Rybar organized the first Bizarre Bazaar (now the

By the end of the ’80s, the arts council established many programs still running today.

Whistler Question . A year later, she bought the newspaper, in the process becoming one of the youngest publishers in Canada. That same year, Bartosh and other community members started the Whistler Community Arts Council (WCAC), now known as Arts Whistler. Their goal was to fulfil local needs for more artsy events.

WCAC’s introductory event occurred in the summer of 1982. It was an art exhibit at the Blackcomb Lodge featuring 17 local

Arts Whistler Holiday Market).

At the close of the 1980s, our own Florence Petersen opened the Whistler Museum, and Anne Popma founded the Whistler Centre for Business and the Arts. This organization further grew the cultural sector in the following years.

Thanks to foundations laid in the 1980s, Whistler’s arts scene continued to grow in many ways through the 1990s, and continues to thrive today. n

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

• Contested and Uncontested

• Asset and Property Divis on

• Chi d and Spousal Support

• Court Appl cat ons

We can also help with Marr age Agreements (often called pre-nuptia s) and Cohabitation Agreements

• Asset and Property D v s on

• Parenting Arrangements

• Chi d and Spousal Support

• Separat on Agreements

332-4370 Lor mer Road Wh st er Tel: 604-932-3211

k emond@raceandco com

RACEANDCOMPANY.COM KARIN EMOND

2024-2028 FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN INVITATION FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Regional Districts are required to adopt a five-year financial plan, setting out the proposed expenditures and funding sources for each service. The financial plan is to be made available for public consultation.

Accordingly, members of the public are encouraged to provide written submissions and comments on the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District’s Draft 2024-2028 Financial Plan. Submissions and comments should be forwarded to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District by one of the following means:

Mail: Box 219, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0

Email: info@slrd.bc.ca

The 2024-2028 Draft Financial Plan is available for review on the SLRD website at: www.slrd.bc.ca

The SLRD Board will consider a bylaw to adopt the 2024-2028 Financial Plan at the March 27, 2024 Board meeting.

ASTROLOGY

Free Will Astrology

WEEK OF MARCH 8 BY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow talent to the dark place where it leads.” So wrote Aries author Erica Jong. Is that true? Is it hard to access the fullness of our talents? Must we summon rare courage and explore dark places? Sometimes, yes. To overcome obstacles that interfere with ripening our talents, there may be tough work to do. I suspect the coming weeks and months will be one of those phases for you, Aries. But here’s the good news: I predict you will succeed.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In October 1879, Thomas Edison and his research team produced the first electric light bulb that was viable enough to be of practical use. In September 1882, Edison opened the first power plant on the planet, enabling people to light their homes with the new invention. That was a revolutionary advance in a very short time. Dear Taurus, the innovations you have been making and I hope will continue to make are not as monumental as Edison’s. But I suspect they rank high among the best and brightest in your personal life history. Don’t slack off now. There’s more work to be done—interesting, exciting work!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I watched as the Thai snake charmer kissed a poisonous cobra, taming the beast’s danger with her dancing hands. I beheld the paramedic dangle precariously from a helicopter to snag the woman and child stranded on a rooftop during a flood. And in my dream, I witnessed three of my Gemini friends singing a dragon to sleep, enabling them to ramble freely across the bridge the creature had previously forbidden them to traverse.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The horoscopes you are reading have been syndicated in publications all over the world: the U.S., Italy, France, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Netherlands, Russia, Cambodia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Venezuela, Ireland, and Finland. Yet it has never appeared in a publication in the U.K., where there are more than 52 million people whose first language is English—the same as mine. But I predict that will change in the coming months: I bet a British newspaper or website will finally print Free Will Astrology. I prophesy comparable expansions in your life, too, fellow Cancerian. What new audiences or influences or communities do you want to be part of? Make it happen!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Author Jean-Dominique Bauby wrote, “Today it seems to me that my whole life was nothing but a string of small near misses.” If you have endured anything resembling that frustration, Leo, I have good news: The coming months won’t bring you a string of small near misses. Indeed, the number of small near misses will be very few, maybe even zero. Instead, I predict you will gather an array of big, satisfying completions. Life will honour you with bull’s-eyes, direct hits, and master strokes. Here’s the best way you can respond to your good fortune and ensure the arrival of even more good fortune: Share your wealth!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo advice expert Cheryl Strayed wrote some rather pushy directions I will borrow and use for your horoscope. She and I say, “You will never have my permission to close yourself off to love and give up. Never. You must do everything you can to get what you want and need, to find ‘that type of love.’ It’s there for you.” I especially want you to hear and meditate on this guidance right now, Virgo. Why? Because I believe you are in urgent need of re-dedicating yourself to your heart’s desire. You have a sacred duty to intensify your imagination and deepen your willpower as you define what kind of love and tenderness and togetherness you want most.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Adam Alter writes, “Perfect success is boring and uninspiring, and abject failure is exhausting and demoralizing. Somewhere between these extremes is a sweet spot that maximizes long-term progress.” And what is the magic formula? Alter says it’s when you make mistakes an average of 16 per cent of the time and are successful 84 per cent. Mistakes can be good

ROB BREZSNY

because they help you learn and grow. Judging from your current astrological omens, Libra, I’m guessing you’re in a phase when your mistake rate is higher than usual—about 30 per cent. (Though you’re still 70 per cent successful!) That means you are experiencing expanded opportunities to learn all you can from studying what doesn’t work well. (Adam Alter’s book is Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most.)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Sometimes you Scorpios are indeed secretive, as traditional astrologers assert. You understand that knowledge is power, and you build your potency by gathering information other people don’t have the savvy or resources to access. But it’s also true that you may appear to be secretive when in fact you have simply perceived and intuited more than everyone else wants to know. They might be overwhelmed by the deep, rich intelligence you have acquired—and would actually prefer to be ignorant of it. So you’re basically hiding stuff they want you to hide. Anyway, Scorpio, I suspect now is a time when you are loading up even more than usual with juicy gossip, inside scoops, tantalizing mysteries, taboo news, and practical wisdom that few others would be capable of managing. Please use your superpowers with kindness and wisdom.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Here’s a little-known fact about me: I am the priest, wizard, rabbi, and pope of Parish #31025 in the Universal Life Church. One of my privileges in this role is to perform legal marriages. It has been a few years since I presided over anyone’s wedding, but I am coming out of semi-retirement to consecrate an unprecedented union. It’s between two aspects of yourself that have not been blended but should be blended. Do you know what I’m referring to? Before you read further, please identify these two aspects. Ready? I now pronounce you husband and wife, or husband and husband, or wife and wife, or spouse and spouse—or whatever you want to be pronounced.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “You don’t have to suffer to be a poet,” said poet John Ciardi. “Adolescence is enough suffering for anyone.” I will add that adolescence is enough suffering for everyone, even if they’re not a poet. For most of us, our teenage years brought us streams of angst, self-doubt, confusion, and fear—sufficient to last a lifetime. That’s the bad news, Capricorn. The good news is that the coming months will be one of the best times ever for you to heal the wounds left over from your adolescence. You may not be able to get a total cure, but 65 per cent is very possible. Seventy-five per cent isn’t out of the question. Get started!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A psychic once predicted that I would win a Grammy award for my music. She said my dad and mom would be in the audience, smiling proudly. Well, my dad died four years ago, and I haven’t produced a new album of songs in more than 10 years. So that Grammy prophecy is looking less and less likely. I should probably give up hope that it will come to pass. What about you, Aquarius? Is there any dream or fantasy you should consider abandoning? The coming weeks would be a good time to do so. It could open your mind and heart to a bright future possibility now hovering on the horizon.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I invite you to entertain the following theory: Certain environments, companions, and influences enhance your intelligence, health, and ability to love—while others either do the opposite or have a neutral effect. If that’s true, it makes good sense for you to put yourself in the presence of environments, companions, and influences that enhance you. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to test this theory. I hope you will do extensive research and then initiate changes that implement your findings.

Homework: What’s one way you wish you were different from who you are? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.

Hi, I’m Jimmy! I was an outdoor dog who arrived at WAG on Valentine’s Day after being injured by a bull and in need of serious emergency care. Thanks to my friends at Coast Mountain Vet, I received the life saving surgery I needed and am recovering quickly! Don’t let my grey hairs fool you, I’m 12 years young and still have lots of love to give. I’m a friendly, easy going guy who enjoys spending my time snacking on treats, taking leisurely strolls around the block, and having a good afternoon nap. All I need now is a relaxed, safe home to heal and live out the rest of my days!

To learn more about Jimmy and donate to his Critical Care fund, visit our website at whistlerwag.com

email

HOME SERVICES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OBITUARIES

Jacqueline(Jaki)MargaretSlater. Feb15th,1965-February22nd, 2024

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FullTime

Itiswithheartbreakingsadness thatweannouncethepassingof JakiSlater.JakipassedawaysuddenlyattheVancouverGeneral HospitalonFebruary22nd.Jaki wasborninOakville,Ontario,the youngestofthreedaughters,to MargaretandEdward(Ted)Slater. Jakiwasadevotedmothertoher twochildrenCarland Katrina(Steve).Shewasalsoadevotedandbelovedgrandmotherto herfivegranddaughter’sAven, Nyssa-Maiz,Vallah,Rileyand Addison.Sheisalsosurvivedby herpartnerGreg,hissonCorey,sistersJanet(Tim)andJoanneand hernieceAlexis. JakispentherteenyearsintheUK andlivedacrossCanadabefore findingherfinalhomeinthePembertonValleywhereshefellinlove withMountCurrie.Jakilovedeverythingaboutnature,gardening andanimalsofeverysort.Shewas aselflesssoulwhoalwayshelped othersinneed.Herbeautifulsoul andlaughtercouldlightuparoom.

Jakiisrememberedbyherfriends andfamilyasgenerous,fun,patient,openandthoughtful.Shewas oneofakindandwillbegreatly missed.Iloveyoualways,blessed be.

WhenIcometotheendofthe road Andthesunhassetforme. Iwantnoritesinagloom-filled room.

Whycryforasoulsetfree?

Missmealittle-butnottoolong. Andnotwithyourheadbowed low.

Rememberthelovethatweonce shared.

Missme-butletmego. Forthisisajourneythatweall musttake.

Andeachmustgoalone. It’sallpartoftheMaster’splan. Astepontheroadtohome. Whenyouarelonelyandsickat heart.

Group Fitness Classes

Fridays – Yoga & Pilates Blend 7:30-8:30am w Liv

Saturdays – Zumba 10:30-11:30 am w Susie

Sundays- Vinyasa Flow 9:00-10:00am w Nicki

Tuesdays –Strength & Mobility 6:45-7:45pm

Wednesdays – Gentle Fit 1:00-2:00 pm w Diana

Thursdays – Spin 5:15-6:15 pm w Alex

YalakomValleyRanchisexpandingoperationsandislookingfora selfmotivated,positive,energetic coupletohelpmanageanoffgrid cattleranchintheLillooetarea. Trainingwillbeprovided,however itwillbehelpfuliftheapplicants havesomegardening,mechanical and/orcarpentryskills.Accommodations,hydro,wifiwillbeprovided.April1ststartdate.SubmitresumetoYVRcowboy@gmail.com byMarch15.604-932-0809 yvrcowboy@gmail.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Part Time Work at Recycle Depot Sites – Nesters/Function –Training provided – send resume to denise.imbeau@gflenv.com

LazyBearLodge

WaitStaff/Housekeeping/FrontDesk

CurrentlyhiringforWaitStaff/Housekeeping/FrontDeskfull-timeseasonal positionsinChurchill,Manitoba.Saff housingandon-sitetrainingprovided. employment@lazybearexpeditions.co mwww.lazybearlodge.com

Gotothefriendsweknow. Andburyyoursorrowsindoing gooddeeds. Missme-butletmego.AcelebrationoflifeinPembertonwillbe announcedintheupcoming weeks.

Resort

• Planner startingwageof$52.95perhour

• Bylaw Parks and Trails Ambassador startingwageof$34.87perhour

• Swim Instructor startingwageof$27.57perhour

• Labourer I - FCM startingwageof$32.91perhour

Ullus Community Centre

• Administrative Assistant, Community services ($38,038 - $53,599 per year)

• Band Social Development worker ($38,038 - $53,599 per year)

• Housing Administrator ( $46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year)

• Early Childhood Educator ($38,038 - $53,599 per year)

• Transition House Support Worker ($20.90 -$29.45 per hour)

Xet’òlacw Community School

• Spring break counsellor ($20.90-$29.45 per hour)

• Social Worker/ Counsellor ($80,371.20 -$91,673.40 per year)

•

•

•

•

•

Lil’wat Health & Healing

• Assistant Health Director ($93,475.20 - $101,556 per year)

Lil’wat Business Group

• Transfer station manager ($30 to $34 per hour)

• Accountant ($50,000 to $70,000 per year)

•

VCH is hiring Community Health Workers to join the home support teams in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. Join a team connected by collaboration, support and most importantly, the goal of providing quality patient care. Explore opportunities for a career where you are a core part of your community and feel good about the work you do. Visit: vch.ca/careers to apply

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.

Guard

The Museum is currently seeking: Monitor artwork in galleries, enforce and implement security protocols, and communicate rules and guidelines to visitors.

• Part-Time

• Starting at $23 per hour

• No Experience Necessary

• Benefits Packages Available

Apply and learn more via the QR code, or email applications to bbeacom@audainartmuseum.com

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

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

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

Night Duty Manager $26.50 per hour

Maintenance Technician $26.25 per hour

(**THE ABOVE POSITIONS PLUS SIGNING BONUS** $1000 FT)

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.

Summer Internship

Planning Assistant | Full Time, May - August

Salary: $23.44 per hour

Join our Development Services team where you'll be at the heart of shaping Pemberton's future through community focused planning initiatives.

Join our Development Services team where you'll be at the heart of shaping Pemberton's future through community focused planning initiatives.

Supporting the team with a variety of analysis and project administration, the successful applicant will be exposed to critical community initiatives such as sustainability and housing affordability.

Supporting the team with a variety of analysis and project administration, the successful applicant will be exposed to critical community initiatives such as sustainability and housing affordability.

We're looking for a collaborative and proactive individual with a desire to learn and a passion for our community.

We're looking for a collaborative and proactive individual with a desire to learn and a passion for our community.

Interested? Send your resume to recruiting@pemberton.ca.

Interested? Send your resume to recruiting@pemberton.ca.

For a full job description or to learn more, visit pemberton.ca/employment

For a full job description or to learn more, visit pemberton.ca/employment.

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

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

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

We offer:

• Top Wages

• Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?)

• $500 Annual Tool Allowance

• Extended Health and Dental Benefits (Also includes Family Benefits.)

is looking for

– Finch Drive. A 20 acre, master-planned

using modern building technologies

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.

Preferably with a technical school program in geomatics

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

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

• Positive Work Environment

We promote from within and are looking to strengthen our amazing team. Opportunities for advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able to build with the team that builds the most significant projects in Whistler. Send your resume to info@evrfinehomes.com We look forward to hearing from you!

is looking for a

Experience and Proficient in the use of robotic survey instruments and GPS equipment is an asset.

We are currently seeking a detail-oriented and driven individual to join our team as a FIELD

www.evrfinehomes.com

Preferably with a technical school program in geomatics

Work in engineering and building construction layout, topographic site surveys, site improvement surveys and precise monitoring.

In this role, you will be responsible for collecting data and conducting surveys in various locations.

Experience and Proficient in the use of robotic survey instruments and GPS equipment is an asset.

Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D also an asset to assist in office with computations and drawing preparation.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working outdoors, has a strong attention to detail, and possesses excellent problem-solving skills.

Please

Work in engineering and building construction layout, topographic site surveys, site improvement surveys and precise monitoring.

Send Resumes to Ian@dbss.ca

1 Hooked claw

6 Head covering 11 Make t

16 Unre ned

21 Accused’s defense

22 Dry ink

23 “50 Ways to Leave Your --”

24 Lawful

25 Copy

26 Rousseau title

27 Crystal- lled stone

28 Florida city

29 “All About --”

30 Marine plant

32 Abominable Snowman

34 Designated

36 Otto -- Bismarck

37 Schoolroom item

39 Strike

41 Performing pair

43 Smoked salmon

76 Slanted edge 78 Piggery 79 Press

82 -- -de-lance 83 Coffee type

141 GI’s address part

142 Breaks suddenly

144 Dregs

146 Norse god

148 Racket

149 “20,000 Leagues” author

151 Stage play

153 Low point

155 Lessen

157 Build

158 Consumed

159 Goodnight girl of song

160 Horn

161 Greek island

162 Place

163 Like a mojito

164 Direct

DOWN

1 Made more manageable

2 Still in the game

3 Juicy fruits

4 Kimono sash

5 Actor -- Nolte

6 Designer -- McCartney

7 Empathy

8 Black bird

9 Depend

10 Manumitted

11 City in north Africa

12 Deer

13 Shakespeare’s river

14 Tricycle part

15 Shaking

16 Earthy lump

17 Chronicle (Abbr.)

18 Century plant

129 Fleshy fruit

132 Harvest deity

134 Raced

136 Tater

137 “Phooey!”

19 Parlor

20 Bias

31 Punta del --

33 Powerful little boat

35 On the button

38 Work dough

40 Aspect

42 Diplomat’s claim to fame

44 Top performer

46 Emmet

47 Skill

49 Old poet-singer

51 Dupe

52 Hardware item

53 The cream

54 Of the kidney

56 Delay

58 Like a wetlands

60 Bellows

61 Sudden increase

62 Glacial ridge

64 -- gin zz

65 Race an engine

67 Jot

69 Shape

71 Certain party mem.

75 Flexible armor

76 Bar orders

77 Ran easily

79 E pluribus --

81 Heated argument

82 Cal. abbr.

84 Bounder

85 Dye plant

87 Mischievous folklore creature

89 Enlarge

90 “The -- Mutiny”

91 Proprietor

92 Car in the Indy 500

93 Hairdo

94 Behave

95 Tragic lover

96 Word of approval

97 Seething

98 Chili con --

99 Releases

101 Cowboy hat

103 Knock

104 Border station

107 Skeletal part

108 Birthright seller

110 Salad plant

111 Stun gun

113 Woman of rank

114 Sibilate 116

The senses of skiing

THE SNOW has finally fallen and continues to fall and it’s simply too depressing to think, let alone write, about the most recent polls down south showing the presumptive Dictatorin-Chief leading the ancient incumbent.

Instead, let’s consider the senses of skiing—boarding included, of course.

In general, humans have five senses: hearing, sight, smell, touch and taste. While

BY G.D. MAXWELL

it’s important to bring all available senses to the party when you slide down mountains, adrenaline often overwhelms our ability to tune in to several of them. I think it’s survival kicking in. But as we transition to spring skiing—something we thought we were doing in early February—it’s gratifying to bring all the senses to bear, especially since common sense seems to have little to do with skiing for many on the hill.

Unless you live in a very highly insulated place, hearing is often your first sense to be titillated. To paraphrase Lt. Kilgore, I love the sound of avy bombs in the morning. You know it’s going to be a good day when you hear explosions before your alarm clock.

But it doesn’t stop there. Arriving you’ll often here the rat-a-tat snapping of boot buckles, the sound of the snow under your boots, a more accurate indication of the temperature and conditions you’ll likely encounter than a thermometer can ever provide. No sound? Soft snow. Squeaking? Brrrr. Loud sound? Ice.

The base of the mountains are loud with animated conversation and the sound of large machinery moving people uphill. Absent that latter sound, the conversation becomes punctuated with frustration and disappointment.

Sight is the heavy hitter while skiing and boarding. I am always in awe of blind skiers on the mountain. If you’re not, try keeping your eyes closed on the widest, most gentle green run you know. Have someone behind you tell you when to turn. If you’re not in awe after that, check for a heartbeat.

That said, most people have far too narrow a focus when they ski. It’s limited to the snow directly in front of them or maybe a couple of turns ahead. As Whistler Blackcomb gets more and more crowded, I find skiing becomes more like riding a motorcycle... extremely defensive. That means seeing everything around you.

But the one thing many people, especially tourists, fail to see is the grandeur around them. Stop somewhere safe. Look around. The mountainscape around us is breathtaking. The storm cycles ripping through the valley are animated. Pack a picnic and find a scenic spot to enjoy lunch without crowding into one of the mountain restaurants. Feast your eyes more than your belly.

One of the signature smells of skiing doesn’t actually involve skiing. It’s the first

thing I notice while loading my skis or stowing them in the hotel locker at any ski resort. It’s pervasive in a ski shop where they’re tuning skis. Hot wax. It promises speed and makes me feel like I’m gliding even when I’m not.

The other smells of skiing pale in comparison. Oh there’s the sweet, pungent, Christmassy smell of evergreen, a background smell brought to the foreground when skiing gladed runs so tight needled branches snap at your passing. And there’s the fresh-hung laundry smell of clean air. And the almost effervescent, slightly sweet smell of deep powder invading your nostrils.

o’ decay stepping into a crowded gondola on a day when the snow falls heavy and the temp hovers just around freezing. On rare, very cold days when wind chill threatens frostbite but the monkey has to be fed, there’s a continuum of displeasing smells from your own breath, captured and filtered by a balaclava frozen into a death mask of foul-smelling ice plastered against your nose.

I love the sound of avy bombs in the morning. You know it’s going to be a good day when you hear explosions before your alarm clock.

The saddest smell is the springtime aroma of damp earth, leaf mould and rotting vegetation emerging from a winter’s snowpack, warnings to get in as many more turns as possible before another season ends.

But to be honest, many of the smells of skiing are not pleasant. The smell of once-ayear skiers in the liftline in front of you who’ve stored their expensive ski suits in mothballs for the last 51 weeks. Or the wet dog smell of stale sweat, wicked-out polypro and damp, steaming wool that sledgehammers like a wall

There are the intrusive, foreign, inappropriate smells others bring to the hill. Women with no sense of place or propriety who’ve bathed in perfume, even the finest of which smells cheap and tawdry in the sparkling environment of a ski hill. The cretinous addict smoking a cigarette on the chair directly in front, leaving a contrail of carcinogens most foul. Or the inconsiderate bro blowing a spliff on the same chair who finishes it before you have a chance to catch up to him.

And then there is the single worst skiing smell. More prevalent in spring when sunscreen is added to the toxic brew, it’s the rank, gangrenous smell permeating sweaty palms slipped out of biohazard gloves never

ROBSON HATSUKAMI MORGAN / UNSPLASH

washed once in their long lives.

Enough smell. I’m not sure what the difference is between touch and feel but I know, especially skiing here, if you’re not feeling your way as much as seeing it, there are a lot of days you’re not going to enjoy it here. Variable visibility. Feel the force. The force is gravity. Success skiing or boarding is as much about feel as sight. If you can’t feel the flow of undulating snow through your board(s), boots, feet up to your centre of gravity, if you can’t immediately and automatically kick in your balance in response, your day is going to go downhill in ways you weren’t hoping for.

Trust your feet; your eyes will lie to you, your feet won’t. Don’t believe me? Remember how good people begin to look as closing time gets near? QED.

Finally, what does skiing taste like? Hmmm. Who hasn’t cocked their head back when the flakes are floating down the size of saucers, opened their mouth and bobbleheaded themselves to catch fresh snow on their tongue? Or found their mouth full of fresh powder when they didn’t see the ditch they just face-planted in? Reached for a handful of snow to cut the taste of last night’s overindulgence come to life on a lung-searing, non-stop romp to the bottom?

But really, what skiing tastes like is après The unfettered, guiltless joys of inhaling that first frosty beverage on a crowded patio, hoovering nachos, phantom tasting the burgers you smell cooking on the outdoor grill. Skiing tastes great. You’ve burned the calories. You deserve to indulge that sense.

And you need to indulge all your senses when you’re on the mountains. ■

Maggi

Angie