These B.C. whales are shrinking—fast. - By Stefan Labbé
06 OPENING REMARKS In which editor Braden Dupuis finds solace from societal stress in five simple words from a stranger.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers weigh in on the Woodfibre LNG debate, say thanks for a helping hand, and contemplate the mass benefits of tourism.
11 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Youth are the most valuable natural resource Whistler has, and we could all be doing a little more to invest in them, writes David Song.
46 MAXED OUT Max serves up some cool tips for the hot summer temperatures set to descend on Whistler this week.
12 SUMMER OPS A cool start to summer means there is still snow in the alpine, but not enough to hinder Whistler Blackcomb’s summer operations.
13 FEDERAL FUNDING A pair of Whistler community groups are getting some backend logistical support from the federal government.
26 AS IF IN A DREAM At just 14 and 15 years old, respectively, Ariel Girodo and Emily Burt have distinguished themselves in their first full competitive dressage season.
30 DOG DAYS Juno-winning Canadian rockers The Sheepdogs keep the party going at Whistler Olympic Plaza July 5.
COVER Even Mother Earth is shrinkflating! Oh whale, should’ve, would’ve, could’ve right? - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
Peace and quiet is good
AN INNOCUOUS whirring noise sounds somewhere overhead as the dog and I traipse our preferred route around the Whistler Cay stomping grounds. It is almost unnoticeable, at first, until I notice it—then it’s all I hear.
My anxiety spikes when I locate the source—an unidentified, and unidentifiable,
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
drone scanning my neighbourhood from Its presence only sparks more questions. Who is operating it? For what purpose? Is that
And who would I even report it to if I decided to take action to protect my privacy?
According to federal rules passed in 2019, the drone’s operator doesn’t appear to be committing any obvious infractions, and it seems my options for recourse are few.
So I accept the invasion of privacy as yet another unfortunate fact of being alive on Earth in 2024; resignedly let the whirring follow me to my home, no idea who watches from the other side of the lens.
As is the case with so many of life’s minor irritations, I am left raging at nobody in particular.
But my patience has been tested regularly of late.
Maybe it’s troubling news from back home leaving you feeling paralyzed and ineffectual, separated from all your people by two provinces and all of Canada’s tallest peaks; a sick puppy making an absolute mess of your favourite rug, causing you to scream curse words into your ceiling at 5 a.m. on a Wednesday (sorry, housemates); but then you still have to produce a newspaper, but now you have to do it from home, and
technology woes leave you staring at a spinning beach ball repeatedly at the worst possible times; it all somehow results in a misprinted date on the cover of your weekly newsmagazine that you swore you proofed three times properly.
Do you ever have the urge to assume a new identity, leave everything you know behind, and start a new life selling coconut jewelry on the side of a Caribbean highway?
Once or twice a year, here.
Oddly enough, it was five simple words from a kind Whistler stranger that pulled me from this recent bout of existential despair.
Packing up all my latest failures and frustrations into a neat little ball, the pup and I headed for Whistler’s Emerald Forest on a recent sunny afternoon, no set destination or even direction in mind.
Stepping through the threshold into the cover of forest canopy, the effect was almost instant. The river rushing by, somewhere
of-factly as he rolled past on his way out of the forest—a deliberately delivered mantra, almost more to himself than me.
The steady pronunciation of the words could only be that, I knew: a personal pronouncement of defiance in the face of absolute universal chaos; a declaration of soulful autonomy ringing out amidst the incessant clanging of a frustrating, confusing, constricting societal structure.
Or maybe just a friendly greeting to a stranger.
It didn’t matter.
The mantra followed me and the pup deeper into the forest, up and around the many offshoot trails, into the tangle of logs and trees and roots and rocks.
It climbed with us up the hills; sat with us on the fallen logs.
Over and again the words repeated in my head, step by forest-traversing step, as if written to be the backdrop to this exact
well beyond our local borders.
According to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s (CPAWS) B.C. chapter, residents across the entire province are sending a strong message about nature conservation as another election day approaches.
A recent CPAWS survey found 85 per cent of B.C. residents support the goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands by 2030, while 82 per cent support creating marine protected areas, and 84 to 88 per cent think it is important to expand protection for at-risk species in various areas.
The survey also found at least eight out of 10 B.C. residents are concerned about declining biodiversity, pollution and overfishing.
Life in the modern world can be overwhelming at the best of times. Short of the aforementioned Caribbean-coconut-jewelry scheme, or some other permanent, off-thegrid expedition, we’re stuck with the reality
Do you ever have the urge to assume a new identity, leave everything you know behind, and start a new life selling coconut jewelry on the side of a Caribbean highway?
near; the birds swooping and singing to each other; the wind whispering in and out of the branches and the old, creaking tree trunks. Natural bliss.
Not another soul in sight, at first, until a man on a bike approached slowly from deep within the forest.
He didn’t even have to say the five words that came next—one look at him and I knew we were both on the same page there under the trees.
“Peace and quiet is good,” he said matter-
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moment, and nothing else.
Peace and quiet is good.
After a while we stopped in a small clearing to just soak it all in—pay special attention to the exact way the sun breaks the forest crown in just the right places to light up the undisturbed moss on the forest floor; listen to the ancient wisdom espoused creak by old-growth creak.
These are the natural rhythms people the world over flock to Whistler to experience— but that love and respect for nature expands
we’re all sharing, as dystopian as it may seem at times.
Here in Whistler, at least, we are still fortunate to have ample access to those things our souls seem to desire most (whether we realize it or not).
So the next time all your modern anxieties send you down the online rabbit hole of coconut craft ideas and flights to Barbados, take five deep, deliberate breaths and remember those five simple words. Peace and quiet is good. n
Thanks from our team to yours
Thank you Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) for helping us out of a huge jam.
In April our stand mixer went down, a crucial piece of the restaurant. A quick search on the buy and sell showed WCSS had the same mixer for sale. As ours was still under warranty we didn’t need to buy one, but I asked if we could rent it.
Without hesitation, the team at WCSS said just take it until yours is fixed. It took two months! I called WCSS to see if we were overstaying our welcome at the one-month mark—no problem, they said.
Countless loaves of bread, cakes and sticky toffee puddings were made with the help of WCSS.
From our team to your team, thank you again.
Chris McKinney and the Rimrock Team // Whistler
It’s too expensive not to stop Woodfibre LNG
With all due respect to Kálkalilh Deanne Lewis and gender safety, there has indeed been “misinformation” and “wilfully misleading the public,” as well as the refusal on the part of the provincial government to justify
the ethics of the project since Woodfibre LNG was first proposed almost a decade ago (see Pique , June 21: “Green Candidate’s lack of knowledge ‘disturbing’”).
Of foremost concern has been the unwillingness to acknowledge either the grave consequences of either fracking or burning LNG. David Hughes, energy analyst, scientist and research manager for 32 years with the Geological Survey of Canada, concluded that, “LNG from B.C. … will contribute slightly fewer GHG emissions than coal over 100 years, but significantly more over the first 20.”
Robert Howarth, professor at Cornell University, advises that, “If you want to slow
global warming immediately, the best strategy is to move as quickly as possible away from natural gas.”
Also unanswered are concerns over the ownership of Woodfibre LNG, which is subsidized by taxpayers and 70-per-cent owned by Pacific Energy Corporation, itself owned by Royal Golden Eagle Group, both chaired by Sukanto Tanoto. In 2015, the National Observer described Tanoto as someone whose “massive tax evasion and rainforest destruction record across the Pacific has put his business reputation into serious question.”
In March of this year, Rainforest Action
Network called on “all actors that finance, do business with, source from, or associate with the Royal Golden Eagle Group to immediately suspend business or association with RGE Group and investigate our findings.”
Throughout the duration of the Woodfibre LNG proposal, the division between government and the fossil-fuel industry has been porous; on the NDP executive, Moe Sihota, lobbyist (formerly for Woodfibre LNG) is spokesperson for the NDP on the CBC, and the chief elections officer, and former resource extraction lobbyist, Elizabeth Cull, who effectively shut down debate around the climate and species extinction crises when she disallowed the candidacy of Anjali Appadurai.
The first Woodfibre LNG president, Byng Giraud, worked for MPs, MLAs and a senator, as well as holding senior roles in several election campaigns. He currently works for Sedgwick Strategies, which, according to its website, is “committed to getting worthwhile projects in the industrial resource and infrastructure sectors to ‘YES.’” The current president of Woodfibre LNG, Christine Kennedy, was deputy minister of jobs, economic development and competition, and associate deputy minister in the office of the premier.
Still, we were shocked when the province overrode the right to jurisdiction over Woodfibre LNG’s TUP by the Squamish municipal government last month. And when, also last month, Woodfibre LNG advocate and former
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NDP MLA and former minister of energy, mines and resources, Michelle Mungall declared in Pique that (like the Site C fiasco), it would be too expensive to stop Woodfibre LNG when in fact, situated as we are in full-on climate and species extinction crises, it would be too expensive not to stop it.
Julie Malcolm // Squamish
Does tourism work for the masses?
Does tourism work for the masses, or does it only feed the people that own the businesses? I feel tourism could be described as trickle-down
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
who else feels this?
Melissa
McKay // Whistler
When will bus service between Whistler and Pemberton be expanded?
This letter was sent to BC Transit and shared with Pique
I am writing to inquire about the scheduled bus service from Pemberton to Whistler, and whether there are plans to expand this service in the fall of 2024. Specifically, I am interested in knowing if midday service will be available during this time.
“Expanding the bus service to include midday trips would greatly benefit individuals like myself...”
- PETER SKEELS
poverty. Traditional industries such as mining/ forestry/fishing/oil and gas/manufacturing and real estate supply jobs that keep people going. Tourism seems to be two-per-cent topheavy and lots of scraping-by people.
Curious from Golden, overrun with $18-an-hour jobs.
Tracy Williams // Golden
Missing Whistler’s memorial benches
As a longtime member of this community for more than 30 years, I have seen many benches dedicated to many dear people over many years. However, I was disappointed the Resort Municipality of Whistler chose to abandon that program, and somewhere along the way they chose to repurpose those benches for our local bus stops down here in Cheakamus Crossing.
The repurpose/recycle criteria has gone a little astray. These seats (whether new or used) leave me as a local a bit hollow without the dedication plaque in place—
As a resident of Pemberton and a member of a one-car family, my household strives to minimize our environmental impact by reducing our reliance on personal vehicles. However, due to the current limitations of the bus service, I find myself having to drive to Whistler daily for work, as there is no transit available when I start work at 12:30.
Expanding the bus service to include midday trips would greatly benefit individuals like myself who rely on public transportation for their daily commute. If such a service were available, it would enable me to leave my car at home and utilize the bus for my commute, aligning with my commitment to environmental sustainability.
I would appreciate any information you can provide regarding the potential expansion of bus services between Pemberton and Whistler in the fall of 2024, particularly with regards to midday service. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly valued.
Peter Skeels // Pemberton n
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Young people are Whistler’s most precious natural resource
AS PIQUE’S sports and arts reporter, one of the most enjoyable parts of my job is shining light on the exploits of local youth.
Naturally, I get to do so whenever a teenage athlete wins a notable competition or reaches a milestone in his or her career. Indeed, how cool is it for Pemberton Secondary School (PSS) to build a provincial
BY DAVID SONG
dsong@piquenewsmagazine.com
But not everyone gets to land on a podium. Some kids genuinely grow from their extracurricular pursuits without collecting accolades. These individuals are often overlooked in bigger media markets, which are chock-full of traditionally newsworthy headlines.
Whistler is a small-enough community for people still to care about grassroots happenings, which means I get to learn about them. And I love it.
Two events come to mind for the purposes of this column, both affiliated with Whistler Secondary School (WSS): the Sea to Sky Students Film Festival (S2SFF) in mid-April and the drama department’s May performance of Heathers the Musical: Teen Edition.
My main takeaway from covering both is
as follows: youth are the most valuable natural resource our town possesses, and we could all be doing a little more to invest in them.
TAKE THE INITIATIVE
Sadly, most high schools from coast to coast are rife with sociocultural problems. Bullying, drug abuse, generational trauma, mental illness, you name it… far too many kids are exposed to the dark side of life far too early. Some of them, broken and lost, will inevitably hurt others and continue the cycle of toxicity.
It’s a sobering reality we must acknowledge, but not a single one of us should
a chance to flex their filmmaking muscles.
And while I’ve never met WSS viceprincipal John Hall, he deserves props for helping the boys execute their plan rather than hindering them with bureaucratic red tape as some administrators might have done.
Regarding Heathers: I couldn’t attend any of the shows because I was on vacation that week, but WSS drama teacher Conor Niwinski invited me to a dress rehearsal. Afterwards, he even asked if I had anything to say to his class.
I was very grateful to be allowed into that space and used my time on the mic to let the students know how inspired I was by their performance. I also exhorted them to keep
out of him for pouring sweat, tears and long hours into mentoring both his theatre group and the banner-winning WSS boys’ volleyball team.
EVERYONE NEEDS A ROLE MODEL
As a man who spent parts of 10 years working at a Bible camp in southern Alberta, I’ve had the privilege of facilitating healthy social and outdoor experiences for countless young people. I still try to do my part by volunteering at youth programs through the Whistler Community Church, and I wish even more adults would do the same.
Maybe teaching or coaching a sports team isn’t your strength. No problem. What if your niece, nephew or cousin needs someone to look up to? What if there’s an understaffed non-profit organization in your area that could use more hands? Working with youth isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most impactful things a person can do.
be OK with it.
That’s why I find it so gratifying to celebrate the successes of teenagers. It is proof of their innate abilities and the fact somebody is empowering them to think beyond themselves.
S2SFF co-founder Sho Brooks once told me it’s easy to go through school without taking initiative on anything. It’s admirable he did take initiative with his friends Kenta Tanaka and Jayden Inniss, giving their peers
working hard.
Cast members Fiona Campbell, Solomon Denessen and Kiara Felice were optimistic audiences could look past the more salacious elements of Heathers to reflect upon its themes of teen angst, relationship dysfunction and the importance of positive role models.
Such ideas are exceptionally relevant to many adolescents today, and I hope the show’s viewers were able to recognize that.
As for Mr. Niwinski, well, I respect the heck
Lastly, I have a message for the WSS and PSS graduating classes of 2024—as well as any other teen who happens to read this article.
While I don’t know most of you, please go out there and surround yourself with individuals of character. Find mature men and women who can teach you how to navigate life, make wise decisions and seize opportunities. You’ve all got potential. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
Us old-timers will be rooting for you. n
Touching base on the hill: Whistler Blackcomb spins into summer ops
IT’S
STILL WINTER UP TOP, BUT EXPECT MOST TRAILS TO BE GOOD TO GO BY THE END OF JULY
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
IT’S SUMMER, and sunny season operations at Whistler Blackcomb are getting into full swing as the snow melts and the much anticipated (alpine) wildflower season creeps closer.
While the Peak 2 Peak Gondola didn’t start spinning until mid-June, senior manager of planning and business development, Wendy Robinson, told Pique the mountain never really stopped for a break between winter and summer operations.
“We didn’t shut down,” Robinson said.
“We went from winter sightseeing and winter skiing and snowboarding, to spring skiing and mountain biking all on Whistler, plus sightseeing,” she said. Blackcomb was closed earlier in spring to allow for work to proceed on the incoming Jersey Cream chairlift, expected to be operational in time for the 2024-25 winter season.
With the Peak 2 Peak open, and the Peak Chair, Raven’s Eye and Cloudraker Skybridge opening up the appeal of the top of the mountain as of early July, the team at Whistler Blackcomb has a lot on its plate looking ahead.
The weather has been a mixed bag in 2024 so far, starting with a poor snow season that rebounded (just without stellar attendance), which then drew out into a long and cool spring. As such, some of the alpine snow the
resort did get is still lingering into July.
“We still have pretty decent snowpack up top despite the winter, so not all of our hiking trails are opened up yet,” said Robinson. “They’re slowly melting out.”
That may change soon: The forecast as of July 2 is very warm weather in the short-term, with the temperature pushing into the 30s by the weekend.
“The weather is getting nice … so that should really push the regional visitation,”
Robinson said.
Whistler Blackcomb parent company Vail Resorts recently reported winter visitation at the mountain was down significantly
an interpretive and interactive kids trail, and we’re working on the interpretive signage and activities—though it’s still buried in snow. We’ll do a little bit of work and then get that going once it’s melted.”
On the playground, guests over the last few days would have noted a modular new build between Rendezvous and the Peak 2 Peak terminal that will soon be joined by another two pieces. With some more work they’ll be a new playground set for kids on the mountain.
“There are three of these that will come together and be lowered down [so they’re flush with the ground], and they’re movable,
“[I]t’s all coming together.”
- WENDY ROBINSON
last season, so eyes will be on the numbers heading into summer.
For now, options on the mountain are limited, but hiking is still possible. Keeners can get all the way to Rendezvous on Blackcomb from the valley, and do some exploring up top, while Whistler has some trails available around the top thanks to the team clearing snow and prepping to get the star attractions such as the Cloudraker Skybridge set up.
Robinson said there were a few new items on the go, including a new interpretive trail on Blackcomb along with a new playground for kids.
“We’re working on a new kids’ interpretive trail [on Blackcomb], that will connect in off of Blackcomb Alpine Loop,” she said. “It will be
so they’re not going to be in the way for winter,” said Robinson, who explained the playground was designed and constructed all in-house, and in a way to fit with the environment on the hill, being made from wood and repurposed materials.
“It’s pretty robust, and something for kids to do up in the alpine environment with an amazing backdrop,” she said.
“We looked at larger structures, and decided that this was the year for it. We planned it through winter, had a few designs and talked to our team here and pulled it together internally.”
The new playground is expected to be available for kids (large and small) in the next few weeks—optimally located within eyesight
of the patio.
Over the next few weeks, the Summer Alpine Experience offered by the resort will also expand as the snow melts, giving access to the rest of the 50-kilometre network currently still locked away.
Meanwhile, the bike park is getting into the swing of it, enjoying the first year in a long while with zero interruptions due to construction or pandemics, with the Fitzsimmons Chair done, Red Chair done, Creekside Gondola done, and trails below the Fitzsimmons returning to operation.
“Obviously the Fitz Zone was heavily impacted with the construction of the lift last year, and then prior to that, the construction of Red [Chair] and Creekside Gondola, so three major projects over a couple of years plus the pandemic,” said Robinson, adding officials expect more riders to take advantage now that there are no disruptions.
Notably, trails that tracked below the Fitzsimmons are opening up.
“Everything’s coming back to life and being reinstated following construction, so it’s all coming together,” Robinson said.
“The only piece that’s really missing right now is the peak.”
And the peak means the famous Top of the World trail.
“There’s too much snow to reopen the Top of the World at this point,” she said.
“I would imagine next week I’ll be up here on my bike to go and do a recon mission, to go see the snowpack and check out the track and try to find out how much work it will take us to get that open.”
No promises, but Robinson said she hoped it would be open before Crankworx kicks off on July 19. n
TOP ME UP Whistler’s Peak Chair is open for summer 2024.
PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
Whistler community groups get $100K in funding for logistics
MAC AND WCSS GOT MUCH-NEEDED FEDERAL FUNDS TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICE REACH
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
WEST VANCOUVER- Sunshine CoastSea to Sky Country MP, Patrick Weiler, was in Whistler last week to commemorate the investment of a little under $100,000 in local community groups with a customary oversized cheque.
Speaking at the Whistler Racket Club before a modest showing of Mature Action Community (MAC) members at a coffee and conversation drop-in event June 26, Weiler said he was there for “two announcements, for two very deserving organizations that are indispensable in the community.”
The funding—$99,522 worth—went to both MAC and the Whistler Community Services Society, notably for the less forwardfacing aspects of the operation, but certainly some of the most important: Logistics.
Almost $23,000 went to MAC for the redevelopment of its website, while almost $70,000 went to the WCSS to upgrade its IT infrastructure.
“It’s often challenging as a communityservice organization to get that kind of back-end core funding,” said Weiler.
“It’s really foundational for the work they do, and for Whistler MAC it was to build a new website so members could communicate with each other and have their membership and events in one place, and kind of have a one-stop shop, and for Whistler Community Services it was for upgrading all their IT infrastructure that is critical.
“It’s groups like these that are so critical for the community, not just in a time of need, but always. We really leaned on them over the course of the pandemic, so this kind of funding is for the kind of unsexy things that are critical to what they do.”
Cheryl Green, MAC’s communications director, worked as the website project coordinator. Speaking to the new website launched in mid-June, Green said it was designed to be a streamlined, accessible resource for members of the
55-plus community to keep in touch, access resources, and learn about what is happening in their town.
Beyond that, it is a showcase to aging well.
“I think what was most important to me … I really wanted to showcase the 55-plus crowd here in Whistler,” said Green.
“Showing them doing different things, doing what they love to do, and really aging well in Whistler, and I hope you all see that when you look at the website.”
Find it at whistlermac.org.
MAC also received funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program—a federal grant program designed to invest in seniors to stay active and engaged in their communities—with that funding to go towards its ongoing Making Connections program for people living with dementia, and their caregivers.
The funding for the WCSS allowed it to upgrade its IT infrastructure so it can better serve the 25,000-plus people who access its services.
Director of fundraising and community engagement with the WCSS, Dave Clark, said in a release the funding was important to improving access to much-needed services.
“These funds have allowed us to upgrade our IT infrastructure to ensure effective communication and services are available to our clients,” he said. “Technology upgrades have allowed us to not only upgrade equipment, but it has allowed us to expand the number of third-party support services that we can have in our space to support marginalized members of our community. All of this makes for a more inclusive level of support.”
Funding for the logistics side of both organizations came from the federal Community Services Recovery Fund, which Weiler explained was designed specifically to support groups communities leaned on through the pandemic. It was set up in 2021 as a one-time, $400-million, Canadawide injection of funds for vital community services. More than 11,570 projects have been funded through the program. n
GRAB AND GRIN West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP, Patrick Weiler, with members of the Mature Action Community, which received funding to re-launch its website.
PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
Wild Blue members inducted into BC Restaurant Hall of Fame
NEIL
HENDERSON AND ALEX CHEN ARE SET TO BE INDUCTED UNDER THE ‘LOCAL CHAMPION’ CATEGORY
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHISTLER’S WILD BLUE Restaurant + Bar has a new accolade, with Neil Henderson, restaurant director, and chef and partner, Alex Chen, set to be inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.
The ceremony takes place Oct. 21 in Vancouver at the Italian Cultural Centre, and Henderson and Chen will be inducted under the “Local Champion” category. The category awards movers and shakers that support local B.C. food and beverage in their careers, focusing on establishments creating a special experience for customers through relationships forged with farmers, the ingredients selected and the pride obtained through creating incredible food.
The BC Restaurant Hall of Fame’s website notes the industry event “is a celebration of the people and the restaurants that make our industry world-class.”
Going strong since 2004, the event is the only one of its kind in Canada.
Henderson said some of the reasons they match the category include hiring local employees and ensuring staff are housed, alongside giving them amenities and benefits, which sets Wild Blue apart from other resort establishments.
“It was our wish to do something a bit different and do something with integrity and intent,” he said of the culinary and service sides of their establishment.
Henderson said he was “humbled and very proud” for the induction, which was made possible thanks to his mentors, colleagues, and his family’s constant support and encouragement.
For Chen, becoming an award-winning restaurant is about the intention and authenticity each team member brings to the table.
“A successful restaurant is a byproduct of all the things that we do,” he said. “We don’t just open this restaurant to say we want to be an award-winning restaurant.”
To get there, they showcase elevated Pacific Northwest cuisine that tells a story, incorporating as much local, seasonal produce as possible, providing fresh seafood from the Pacific Ocean and purchasing fruits from the Okanagan.
“Is it perfect? No, it’s not perfect,” Chen admitted. “But it’s constantly [being] willing to adjust, to try to continue to say, ‘how do we make it smoother? How do we make it better? How do we invest in new product? How do we invest in new space upstairs? How do we continue to improve?’”
Already an award-winning chef in his own right, Chen was the first winner of Iron Chef Canada. He makes a point to mentor new
chefs on their career journey.
Chen highlighted the importance of recognizing potential in new cooks alongside grit, a trait he believes people are born with that ensures they rise to the challenges life dishes up.
“You can mould them, you can train them, but … [they] have to go through things in life that sort of like give them the little, ‘I will not give up, I’ll get there,’” he said.
He infuses his mentees with a sense of pride as ambassadors for the industry and seeks to change negative connotations about who a chef is.
“My role is not only that I am a chef and the restaurateur, but I’m an ambassador for this industry,” Chen said.
While Wild Blue is indeed an upscale haunt, its demographics are broad thanks to off-season offerings, whereas winter and high summer see more international guests.
The restaurant’s famed long table dinner series is back again this year on July 7 and August 18, with tables set at Whistler Golf Club’s scenic driving range. The menu for July 7 is available now, offering a champagne and canape reception, a four-course dinner and wine pairings for $259 plus tax and gratuity.
A portion of proceeds from the soiree is earmarked for local farmers and environmental initiatives.
“The entire menu is all from the bounty of British Columbia,” Henderson said.
Read more at wildbluerestaurant.com. n
BLUE SKIES Wild Blue celebrated its inaugural Alpine Long Table Dinner at the Whistler Golf Club driving range under clear skies on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 10, 2023. The event returns this summer.
PHOTO BY LEILA KWOK / COURTESY OF WILD BLUE RESTAURANT + BAR
4359 Main St, Whistler, BC V8E 1B5 n the Summit Lodge Hotel INSIDE the Lotus Lounge
SLRD ponders rezoning portion of the Callaghan for adventure tourism
THE SQUAMISH-LILLOOET Regional District (SLRD) board of directors has given second reading to potentially rezoning portions of the Brandywine Creek and Callaghan Valley areas permanently to allow local operator, Blackcomb Snowmobile, to continue operating on Crown land as an adventure tourism operator.
Currently, Blackcomb Snowmobile has license to operate on the Crown lands through to the end of 2036, but had to abide by municipal bylaws which required it hold a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) with the SLRD.
The company’s TUP permitted dog-sled tours, snowcat skiing tours, office facilities, equipment repair and storage, fuel storage, dog kennels, a staging area, and a hut for backcountry guest warming and food service on 2,491 hectares of land south of Whistler.
As discussed at the SLRD’s June 26 board meeting, the TUP for Blackcomb Snowmobile has expired, prompting the company to apply to permanently change the zoning of the area to allow the previous uses and add on 12 natural tent camping sites and three dwelling units for custodian and caretaker accommodations, while also expanding operations.
The rezoning would change the lands to a new “Backcountry commercial 6 (BC6)” zone
that would allow a wide range of uses either already in place, or proposed for Blackcomb Snowmobile’s operations.
The application passed first reading in February before referral to partner organizations, and at the June 26 meeting directors went over the responses, asked additional questions, and discussed the merits of holding a virtual or in-person public hearing for the rezoning.
Area D director, Tony Rainbow— who represents the area where Blackcomb Snowmobile operates—had the most questions to start, querying whether there was overlap with the nearby Olympic Park operations (no), whether there were measures in place to ensure sled-dog welfare (staff were not aware of detail but would inquire), and whether the company has responded to a Lil’wat Nation request for more information on socio-economic impacts of the expansion of operations, and the new structures proposed to be constructed.
Rainbow was told the Lil’wat were yet to receive a response, to which he said he would only be comfortable moving forward later if they did receive adequate information.
Director Chris Pettingill also had questions for the application, first picking up on Rainbow’s questions about the public hearing and whether a hybrid virtual and in-person meeting could be held, before going on to query whether the Squamish Nation
had replied to the initial referrals (no), and then picked at the proposed expansion of Blackcomb Snowmobile’s overall operations— such as more infrastructure for helicopters.
According to schematics and documents submitted to the SLRD, Blackcomb Snowmobile wants to improve infrastructure to allow for more helicopter transport.
“Due to the warming climate and predictions of poor snow in the lower reaches of the Callaghan Valley, [Blackcomb Snowmobile] is planning for these future winters for snowmobile tours with proposed helicopter transport for guests to the higher elevations of its extensive use area. [Blackcomb Snowmobile] may rely on helicopters to move clients up to higher ground where snow coverage is better and on-snow activities can occur during these low-snow winters with guests being picked up at the Brandywine Base,” reads the company’s submission to the SLRD from February.
Further detail describing what Blackcomb Snowmobile wants to do in regards to infrastructure was provided in maps on June 26, showing a proposed heli-pad and helicopter storage spots within an Intensive Use Site Parcel, where the company would also locate the proposed buildings.
Pettingill said he wasn’t thrilled by the idea of more helicopters.
“I have some concerns about increasing helicopter use and the justification is that
climate change makes it harder to have allseason, but helicopters are pretty big drivers of climate change so I guess I have a struggle with that,” he said, before asking staff if the SLRD could put restrictions on what conditions helicopters could be used in, or whether that was beyond their scope.
The SLRD’s director of planning and development, Kim Needham, responded that aviation was a federally-regulated use, and the SLRD could only regulate around it through terms such as noise bylaws.
When pressed by Pettingill on potentially excluding helicopters entirely, Needham said the SLRD could try, but didn’t indicate confidence in such a move.
“We may be tested in the courts. That’s one risk for regulating aviation, when it’s not something we’re allowed to regulate,” she said.
Staff said helicopter infrastructure would also be for emergency access and not just transport for customers. In voting on whether to push the application through second reading, only Pettingill was opposed, returning to his points about helicopters but adding that he did not want to kill the proposal entirely.
In a second motion, directors also approved a virtual public hearing. SLRD staff are now tasked with scheduling the meeting for the future and prior to the rezoning being considered for third reading.
‘TRUTH IN ADVERTISING’ CHANGE IS ABOUT PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND HOLDING COMPANIES TO ACCOUNT, WEILER SAYS
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
WEST VANCOUVER-SUNSHINE Coast-
Sea to Sky Country MP, Patrick Weiler, is touting “truth in advertising” changes to Canada’s Competition Act that put the onus on companies to back up environmental claims.
Speaking to Pique, Weiler said the changes—which were enacted through Bill C-59—applied specifically to the section of the act focusing on deceptive marketing practices and misrepresentations to the public.
“In that legislation, originally there were measures under the deceptive marketing practices designed to tackle greenwashing for individual products … that if you make a claim about the environmental benefits of a product, you’re going to have to support it with adequate and proper testing,” he said.
But Weiler said many claims from companies were vague and about their general practices, and not products themselves, which is “hard to test,” so the changes made to the legislation broadened that definition.
“The overwhelming amount of claims that we’re seeing are not actually about individual products, but the company overall,” he said.
“So a change that I proposed at the committee level of the finance committee was to ensure we were looking at these claims about a company overall, and the change that was proposed … was that you’re going to have to base [environmental claims] on adequate and proper substantiation or evidence, based on internationally recognized methodology.
“The idea here is that if a company says [they] have a plan to be net-zero by 2050 in emissions, they have to be able to provide evidence to back that up.”
Weiler said the changes had multiple motivations, starting with fairness in the marketplace by enforcing honesty, so companies that actually do enact environmentally positive policy get to benefit from consumer support, while companies that “greenwash” themselves and their product without backing are penalized.
It wasn’t just fairness and consumer protection, but also environmental reasons for the changes that are now enshrined in law.
“It’s also really important from the environmental benefits point of view, in that you are actually going to incentivize companies to do the right thing,” Weiler said. “Because it is also unfair and inevitably harms the environment when companies take advantage of peoples’ will to do good, when in fact they’re not actually doing that.”
Under the changes, the competition bureau can launch investigations into companies suspected of “greenwashing,” with penalties as high as $10 million if found to be engaging in deceptive marketing.
Weiler said the practice of making environmental claims without backing was “fairly commonplace” in the private sector, and previously “there wasn’t a way
of uncovering that and holding a company accountable for doing it,” hence the changes to the competition act which were requested by the Competition Bureau of Canada.
“Frankly, it’s not asking too much of companies,” he said. “All it asks is that if you choose to make an environmental claim, that you be able to provide evidence to back it up if you’re challenged by the bureau. This is, I would say, a truth-in-advertising type law, and we’ve already seen pretty significant response from industry.”
The response from the industry, according to Weiler, included the shuttering of the Albertan provincial entity known as the Canadian Energy Centre, which promoted the Alberta energy sector. It was merged into the Alberta government’s ministry for intergovernmental relations this month. Likewise, in a release from Weiler’s office, he noted “many oil and gas companies are taking down their communications, and putting disclaimers to clarify their false and misleading claims.”
For Weiler’s own backyard, his riding includes the LNG export project, Woodfibre LNG—a project that has long been permitted, and is under construction as of June. The project touts its green credentials with plans to be the world’s “First net-zero LNG facility.” Partial owner of Woodfibre, Enbridge, has claimed the project will help reduce global emissions in the past.
“This will apply to Woodfibre just as it will apply to any oil and gas company or any company in Canada,” said Weiler.
“If Woodfibre or other companies are going to make the claim they are going to reduce global emissions, it’s something they are going to have to back up, and we’ve found when this claim was made by another organization … that’s actually not true,” he said, referring to a leaked ruling from Ad Standards, which is a non-government watchdog with no enforcement capabilities.
“If it’s different for Woodfibre, they’re going to have to be able to show how that’s the case—they’re not going to be able to make unsubstantiated claims and be insulated from these types of actions,” Weiler said.
“It will be interesting to see what type of public messaging that Woodfibre will have, but if they indeed say they reduce global emissions they will have to show how, much like with any other potential environmental impacts or benefits from the company.”
Asked if they would need to change the way they did advertising as a result of the changes to the competition act, Woodfibre LNG told Pique the changes would have no effect.
“Woodfibre LNG has always worked to provide information in a transparent fashion to help people better understand different aspects of our project,” a spokesperson for the company said in an emailed statement.
“Ensuring the facts and figures we use are correct and supported by relevant third-party sources is a part of our process.” n
Robert JamesPatterson,Rob (Bob) of Whistler, B.C. passed away on Januar y3rd,2024 atLions Gate Hospital, Vancouver BC at the ageof91.
Robertwas born in NewWestminster,BC, August21st, 1932, sonofthe late James and Hazel(neeCrank) Patterson. Husband of thelateElaine(nee Gherasim)Patterson married on May23, 1958. He is survived by hisfour children:son Scottand Jennifer (nee Graham) Pattersonand their children Caitlinand Ryan of WhistlerBC; daughter LisaPatterson of TorontoOntario; sonCraig Patterson, daughter-in-lawMoona Sumalatha and their children Zakand Munita of Lusaka, Zambia; andson Casey PattersonofNelson, BC.
From early days Rob grew up connected to boats and thesea. Some of Rob’s closest andlifelong friendships were made whileworking in fish canneries at Namu and Rivers Inlet,BC.
Robflew with theRoyal Canadian AirForce,inSquadron443, and became a Captain with AirCanada until retirement in 1986.
Robpre ferred acount ry life.Heand Elaine purchased12acres in south Sur rey, where they raised theirfamily, builta home anda farm.In 1975, they movedeastand purchaseda200 acre farm in Hawkesbury, Ontario.They both enjoyedcross countr yskiing, curlingand themany close friendshipstheymadeinVankleek Hill andHawkesbur y.
Rob loved the mountains and the back-count ry.In1964, with acloseg roup of friends –“ the cabin crew”, builtone of the first A-framecabins along Alta Lake in Whistler, BC. Afterretirement, and making the cabin their home, Rob &Elaine were active as Weasel Workers, and volunteers at the Roundhouse Lodge.
AfterElaine’spassing in 2006, Robmet Seija Evans. With Seija, Rob became an active golferatthe Pember tonGolfClub.Seijapassedaway with cancerin2018. Rob soldhis Whistlerhome in 2022 andmoved to Shannon Falls Retirement Residence.InSquamish, Rob’sspiritwas renewedwith the comfort and companionship of Mar yMills.
Robwas both aprolific reader and stor yteller. He wasengaging in conversation and enjoyedlivelydiscussion and challenging ideas aroundthe dinnertable.Rob’s zest forlife, his charismaticpersonality willbemissed bythe many people whose lives hetouched: neighbours, friends and family across Canada and around the world.
Acelebration of lifeand ashes interment willbeheldin Dysar tSaskatchewan,onSun July 7th and in WhistlerBC at Dust y’sat2pm on SunJuly 14th, 2024.
Afull version of Rob’s obituar ycan be found on the Squamish FuneralChapelwebsite.
100 Men Who Care starting in Whistler
THE MEN’S CHAPTER IS ACCEPTING MEMBERS AND SPONSORS
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHISTLER MEN looking to give back to the Sea to Sky can now join a 100 Men Who Care chapter.
The chapter is part of the 100 Who Care Alliance, a giving circle that aims to make immediate local impact through financial contributions to various non-profits. Chris Patrick is spearheading the new circle and was inspired after learning about chapters in West Vancouver and Whistler.
“I looked into it, thought it was an incredible program, and it got me very excited,” Patrick said.
It works like this: 100 members each donate $100 during one meeting, raising $10,000 for a local charity of the group’s choosing. The local women’s chapter has raised more than $250,000 since its inception in 2019.
Patrick said he admired the number of women he sees getting involved in fundraising and thought men should be more actively involved, too. So, he started his own chapter.
He has learned from Ashlie Girvan, the founder of 100 Women Whistler, about ensuring there’s no cost incurred to members through sponsorship.
“Ashley has been great and having zero
costs for the program, and that’s my goal as well,” he said.
Patrick is an experienced fundraiser, working with non-profits in Vancouver for 25 years organizing special fundraising events.
Despite a career in fundraising, he hadn’t heard of the 100 Who Care Alliance until recently.
The men’s chapter is off to a good start, with more than 50 members so far, but they’re still looking for sponsorship for a website, a
“[I]t got me very excited.”
- CHRIS PATRICK
venue, and administration costs.
The venue would need to accommodate 100 people and have appropriate seating and beverages, and be available every four months for a meeting.
Administrative duties include charitable receipt production and processing credit card fees, which is about $2,500.
Anyone interested in joining the men’s chapter or sponsoring them can email Patrick at jcpem@shaw.ca or call him at 604-202-6104. n
Umo transit app rides into Whistler and Pemberton
TRANSIT RIDERS have a new payment system in Whistler and Pemberton, with BC Transit introducing Umo, a digital payment method.
The product roll-out includes two payment methods, the Umo Mobility app and a reloadable card. Transit riders can purchase fare on the app and use tools to plan their travel. Riders can also register their card, which protects the fare when a card is lost or stolen.
The card option is free and available at convenient locations in Whistler, including Meadow Park Sports Centre, Whistler’s Visitor Centre, The Whistler Grocery Store and Nesters Market, to name a few.
Paper transfer slips are replaced with a transfer that loads onto the Umo app or
card automatically when riders swipe in. After transferring to another bus within 90 minutes, riders can tap their card or phone and continue riding without getting charged a second time. Paper transfers are still available for those paying by cash or using a ticket.
Cash loaded onto Umo cards or apps can be used in Pemberton and Whistler. When a rider taps their card or app, $2.50 is drawn from their Umo account.
Ten-strip tickets are now replaced with a digital equivalent and purchased the same way other fare is for a discounted price.
There are also new 30-day, six-month and 12-month passes which will eventually replace magnetic strip passes and give riders unlimited access to public transportation.
However, the six-month and 12-month passes are only available at municipal hall.
Riders can grab a card in Pemberton at the Village of Pemberton’s office or the Pemberton and District community Centre. Umo cards are topped up online, at a vendor or by calling Umo’s customer service line at 1-877-380-8181.
BC Transit won’t phase out traditional passes and paper tickets immediately, and will still accept cash payment.
Eventually, BC Transit aims to onboard debit and credit options throughout the province. The final sale date for existing passes and paper tickets has yet to be announced.
Find more info at whistler.ca/transit.
- Liz McDonald
Whistler cuts the ribbon on Rainbow Park
LONG-AWAITED AND NOW OPEN TO SIT ON, RAINBOW PARK GOT THE OFFICIAL TREATMENT BEFORE THE FENCES WERE REMOVED
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
WHISTLER’S ELECTED officials and friends came together with a provincial visitor to cut the ribbon on Rainbow Park a few days before the public were welcome to enjoy the space.
While the fences come down on Friday, June 28, provincial tourism minister Lana Popham was in town on June 26 to talk shop, while Mayor Jack Crompton talked up the new park, how it was the “birthplace of tourism” for Whistler, and how its improvement was important to the community’s ability to share a little of itself with visitors.
“This place has a legacy of hospitality and trade between Nations … for us as a community we’ve taken that desire to host people very seriously, and we’ve learned from it and we’ve built on it, and it is exciting to see this as one of the ways we will be able to continue to host people,” said Crompton in remarks before a small crowd of municipal employees and other elected officials. The public was not invited to the ribbon-cutting.
“The project will improve the visitor experience here, and it really balances the needs of our community to host,” Crompton said.
“This place was not able to keep up to the number of people that were visiting, so the investment in this park was really important
to ensuring that we get it right in this province and in this community.”
Highlighting some of the changes to the park, Crompton said it was the result of community feedback and engagement, with a bigger beach, new docks, more seating, picnic areas and shade, and a raised grass area.
Minister Popham also made some brief remarks—the provincial government provided the funds for the work through the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI), which is vended out to tourism-focused communities annually to support tourist-facing projects.
“The investment that the province makes is really supposed to be the wind at your back in the community, and we hope to be able to continue to do that,” said Popham.
“We really appreciate all the thoughtfulness that has gone into this plan. We know there’s a lot of hours at every level of government when you’re considering what needs to be delivered in a space like this,” she said before cutting a ribbon that was NDP-orange.
The municipality spent millions of RMI money on the redesign for the park, which was closed in 2023 to allow the works, which themselves were informed by community input, and pushback on initial designs.
Notably, initial plans to have the Valley Trail parallel to the waterfront were deleted, and changed to create a more open grassy area close to the beach.
PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
Speaking with Pique before all the officials rode off into the rain for a tour of Whistler’s bike network, the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) manager of parks and planning Martin Pardoe ran through some of the benefits of the re-engineered park, starting with how it is now dry.
The park previously suffered from longterm drainage issues, according to officials.
“The lawn is dry—it hasn’t been dry before in a long time, so that’s a big piece,” Pardoe said.
“We obviously have the shade sail, [and] we tripled the number of picnic tables in
the park so there’s more spaces for people to gather. We’ve more than doubled the number of seating opportunities, whether they’re benches or specialty chairs or the hammocks. We’ve added more than three times the amount of seat logs so people can sit on logs as well. There’s a lot of places for people to sit and gather.”
Speaking of the seat logs separating the beach from the grass, Pardoe said they were also part of keeping the gangs of Canada geese a little more contained.
“What we also understood through research is that geese are discouraged by riparian planting, as well as any vertical change of 18 inches or more, hence we have logs along the edge that provide that vertical separation, and once [the planting] grows in the geese won’t be coming through here,” he said.
Staff will also be setting up a barrier when the park closes in the evenings to further discourage geese from taking over the space— but they aren’t completely banished.
“There will still be opportunities for geese to get between beach and lawn as opposed to it being a wide-open system, which really didn’t do much to discourage them,” Pardoe said.
While the fences barring public entry from the open spaces of the park are now gone, there will still be some work underway through the summer. Notably, there will be no further Valley Trail detours. n
RAINBOW REVISED B.C.’s tourism minister, Lana Popham, cuts the ribbon on Whistler’s Rainbow Park ahead of a public opening.
Long-running debate around EMF levels at Pemberton’s skatepark resurrected
OFFICIALS MAINTAIN THERE IS NO CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF ANY HARM FROM EXPOSURE TO EMFS
BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
LONG-DORMANT concerns about electric and magnetic field (EMF) levels around Pemberton were raised once again at a council meeting earlier this spring. After Caitlin Chalmers wrote a letter to mayor and council, explaining her concerns about buying a house in the village, officials resolved to look into the issue to ease public concerns.
Chalmers said she used an EMF reader to check the areas at their potential new home and at the elementary school.
“The playground, directly under the power lines, is 170 times the safe limit,” she wrote. “The reading was 17,000, where 100 is ‘avoid’/unsafe. The entire field until the start of the school was ‘avoid.’ The pump track is also woefully way over safe limits. And there are condos with their common areas/garden directly under the power lines.”
Chalmers worries young children are
exposed to “extremely high” electromagnetic fields on a daily basis. “This is exposing Pemberton’s children to potentially significant health risks,” she wrote.
Officials maintain there is no conclusive evidence of any harm from exposure to EMFs.
Chalmers acknowledged in her letter it would not be financially feasible for the
a place people can raise their families.”
Chalmers told Pique she took two different EMF readers to the locations she tested.
She fears exposure to the EMF could cause serious illness or developmental issues. “We can’t move to Pemberton because of this. I wouldn’t let [my son] go that elementary school because of this,” she said.
“It’s about giving people peace of mind.”
- KATRINA NIGHTINGALE
Village of Pemberton (VOP) to move the lines. She said the provincial government or BC Hydro would need to get involved.
“There were efforts when the skatepark was being built to raise this issue. It was outright dismissed that the residents ‘aren’t worried about the location,’” she said. “I can show you a short survey of residents who are made aware of the power lines and this is acutely cared about. Pemberton is meant to be
Councillor Katrina Nightingale pulled the letter for council’s discussion.
“When I read that, I thought that it was really concerning,” she said. “I am looking to the group to wonder where we should go with this if it is true and accurate? How do we confirm that this is true and accurate?”
Coun. Ted Craddock remembered when concerns about the EMF levels around the pump park were initially raised.
“In the past, we have had studies on that. We asked staff to have a look at it in relation to the pump park,” he said. “We heard back that it was something that they were aware of [EMF levels] but the level of it was not concerning. That’s why the BMX park is there. At that time, council felt comfortable with the information we had received.”
Council directed staff to conduct research regarding council’s previous consideration of any potential negative impacts related to electromagnetic field exposure.
“It’s about giving people peace of mind,” said Nightingale.
A HISTORIC DEBATE
On Tuesday, June 18, staff provided background respecting the development of the Pemberton skatepark as related to concerns regarding EMFs due to the presence of overhead hydro transmission lines.
When the village first received funding for the skatepark through the Build Canada grant, it held a public information meeting in November 2009. Attendees raised concerns about the hydro transmission lines within an established BC Hydro right of way that runs over Lot 12, the proposed location
SHOCK TALK An EMF reader being used in Pemberton.
PHOTO BY CAITLIN CHALMERS
for the new park.
At a council meeting on Nov. 17, 2009, council received correspondence from a Whistler resident expressing concern about the proposed location of the skatepark and suggesting relocating it to Pioneer Park.
The concerned writer advised they had done electromagnetic testing in the area and determined that, in their opinion, the exposure to EMFs at the park was high and would lead to negative health effects in those using the park. The correspondence was referred to staff for review.
At a council meeting on Dec. 1, 2009, staff presented a report to ease locals and councillors’ concerns. It provided council with information respecting the negative health effects of electric and magnetic fields and links to various sources. Council was directed to articles by the Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada for information. The report also presented options for potentially relocating the skatepark to another site within the Village.
At a meeting on Jan. 12, 2010, council supported Lot 12 as the site for the skatepark. It also directed staff to post a sign on Lot 12 that the park location is exposed to electromagnetic fields due to the proximity to major electricity transmission lines pending review by the Municipal Insurance
NEWS PEMBERTON
It directed staff to post appropriate signs at the park that identify both the relative risks of using a skateboard park as well as identify sources for obtaining additional information.
The signage at the park does not currently show the respective risks. In her report at the latest council meeting, outgoing manager of corporate and legislative services, Sheena Fraser, said council should seek guidance from the Municipal Insurance Association of BC about the wording of potential signs before installing them.
She added it would cost millions for the village to bury the power lines, and that it would not eliminate the EMF field.
Vancouver Coastal Health also said EMF readings will vary between readers, she noted.
“You have to move cautiously when you are interpreting and transposing this information,” said Fraser, adding staff was also in contact with Vancouver Coastal Health this time around, which cautioned how signs should be worded.
“This topic, along with a lot of different health topics, can create a lot of anxiety in people,” said Fraser. “You have to be conscientious on how to approach, especially if there isn’t an issue. They offered to help the village in formulating some language
“The general feeling is that you probably have more exposure to EMFs in your own home than you would hanging out at the skatepark.”
- SHEENA FRASER
Association.
The debate didn’t end there. In June 2010, a petition with close to 1,000 signatures was presented to council, though staff noted many were from out of town.
Representatives from the Pemberton Skatepark Society advised it was opposed to moving the skatepark to Pioneer Park due to concerns grant funding would be revoked. Pemberton’s mayor at the time, Jordan Sturdy, read a section from correspondence received from Medical Health Officer with Vancouver Coastal Health, Dr. Paul Martiquet. “Current evidence suggests the benefits of physical activity and creating a non-obesogenic environment far outweigh the risks of exposure to EMF radiation sources,” wrote Martiquet.
Then-CAO Daniel Sailland presented a late report on the matter, noting EMF is only labelled as a possible carcinogenic like many things people use in their homes everyday. “The fact remains that Canadian and worldhealth authorities state that they have not found a consistent relationship between exposure to EMF and cancer risks in adults or children,” Sailland said. “They label EMF as ‘possibly carcinogenic,’ which is a classification that is shared with such things as pickled vegetables and coffee.”
NO CONCRETE CORRELATION
The council of the day opted to keep Lot 12 as the site for the Pemberton Skateboard Park.
around that if that’s how council wishes to move forward with this. I do feel like if there have been recent readings and there were concerns, all the appropriate authorities would have been notified.”
Fraser once again insisted people of Pemberton have nothing to worry about.
“The general feeling is that you probably have more exposure to EMFs in your own home than you would hanging out at the skatepark,” she said. “There’s no concrete scientific correlation between cancer and EMFs.”
Council resolved to respond to Chalmers addressing her concerns and to put a link to a BC Hydro booklet on EMF levels on the VOP’s website.
BC Hydro spokesperson, Kevin Aquino, told Pique extensive international research over the past 40 years has found no negative health effects associated to low-level electric and magnetic fields.
“When it comes to health, we rely on the expertise of our public health authorities and recognized international bodies, including Health Canada and the World Health Organization,” he said. “Health Canada has confirmed that there is no conclusive evidence of any harm from exposure to EMF at levels found in homes and schools, including those near power line corridor boundaries.”
Vancouver Coastal Health did not respond to a request for comment before Pique’s deadline. n
Squamish Store
PEMBERTON VALLEY DYKING DISTRICT
THURSDAY, July 11, 2024 @ 7:00 pm 7390 Cottonwood Street, Pemberton, BC
The Pemberton Valley Dyking District (PVDD) will be holding its 77th Annual General Meeting, and you are invited to attend this event. You will gain a great overview of what the PVDD does, see what projects have been completed and what projects are in progress for 2024/2025.
At the Thursday, July 11, 2024 AGM, the PVDD will be electing two Trustees to the Board for a term of approximately 3 years - terms end on the date of the election held in the 3rd year Landowners to also approve Trustee honorarium at this meeting.
Voter Eligibility: (ID must be presented)
Only persons attending the election and meeting the following eligibility requirements are entitled to vote:
• A Canadian Citizen
• Eighteen years of age, or older.
• An owner of land within the Pemberton Valley Dyking District boundaries.
• A resident of the province of British Columbia for the prior six months.
• A legal representative of an owner of land within the Pemberton Valley Dyking District boundaries.
• An authorized agent of a corporation or board that owns land within the Pemberton Valley Dyking District boundaries A letter written on company letterhead must be delivered to the Retur ning Officer, by the authorized agent, before the election begins That authorized agent must also sign a Statutory Declaration Form prior to voting.
Trustee Eligibility:
• Every person who is qualified to be an elector is also qualified to be a Trustee.
• The spouse of a qualified elector may also hold the office of Trustee.
For further details, please go onto the Pemberton Valley Dyking District’s website: www.pvdd.ca
Pemberton Valley Dyking District PO Box 235 • Pemberton, B.C. • V0N 2L0
Phone: (604) 894-6632 • Fax: (604) 894-5271
Email: trustees@pvdd.ca
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGWAIVER ELECTORALAREAC
Public Notice is hereby giveninaccordance with Section467 of theLocal Government Actthata Public Hearingwill be waived regardingthe following bylaw:
1. Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Electoral Area CZoning Bylaw No.765, 2002, Amendment BylawNo. 1866-2024
TheSLRDisprohibitedfromholding aPublic HearingunderSection464 of theLocal Government Actfor this subject bylawasthe proposalisfor aresidential development.
PURPOSEOFBYLAW No.1866-2024
Thebylaw seekstoamend theCD-1Zone(Wedgewood Estates) to createa site-specific zoning amendment forStrataLot 12/9035 RiversideDrive to enable the existing salescentrebuildingonthe parcel to be repurposed as an accessory building with accessory dwellingunit(ADU).Thiswill enable thefutureconstructionofa single family dwellingonthe 1.42ha parcel.The current zoning permitsanADU of up to 110m2for parcelsinthe CD-1 Zone
• SalesCentretoberemoved as apermitteduse in theCD-1Zone
• Site-specificprovision to be addedallowing foranADU of up to 140m2onStrataLot 12
Theareacovered by BylawNo. 1866-2024 is:PID 028-307-461, Bare Land Strata Lot 12, DL 2247, Group 1, NWD, Strata Plan BCS3916, as outlined on themap included in this notice:
INFORMATION
Acopyofthe proposed bylawand relevant background documentsmay be inspected at theRegionalDistrictoffice, 1350 AsterStreet,Pemberton,BC, during officehours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm notincluding weekends and statutoryholidaysoronthe SLRD websiteathttps://www.slrd.bc.ca/planning-building/planning-development-services/ current-projects/zoning-amendment-application-9035
WRITTENSUBMISSIONS
Writtensubmissions(mail or email) must be receivedatthe SLRD officenolater than 4:00pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
TheSLRDBoard will be consideringfirstreadingofAmendment Bylaw1866-2024 at theJuly24, 2024 SLRD Boardmeeting. Allpersons whobelieve that theirinterestinthe property is affected by theproposedbylaw shallbeaffordeda reasonable opportunity to presentwrittensubmissionsrespectingmatters contained in thebylaw.Written submissionsmustbeaddressedto“SLRD BoardofDirectors,”and includeyour name andcommunity of residence. Until4:00pmonJuly23, 2024, writtensubmissions will be receivedatthe following:
Email: planning@slrd.bc.ca
Hard Copy:Squamish-LillooetRegional District Planning Department • PO Box219, Pemberton, BC V0N2L0
‘It’s the only way to move forward’
PEMBERTON’S ‘UNIQUE’ CANADA DAY PARADE PLACES EMPHASIS ON TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
BY RÓISÍN CULLEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
PEMBERTON’S 2024 Canada Day parade built on last year’s success, paving the way for the community to move forward with truth and reconciliation in mind.
Natalie Langmann, former director of the Pemberton Chamber, took the reins last year and said it was important the Lil’wat Nation played an essential role. Langmann said she was inspired by Pemberton’s longest-serving mayor and beloved volunteer, Shirley Henry. A flag of Henry was displayed proudly at this year’s parade as the community works its way towards a better, shared future.
Locals competed in the Spud Run to kick off the day, racing eight kilometres through the Pemberton Valley. After the parade, friends and neighbours met up in the Downtown Community Barn for cupcakes and cotton candy, crafts from the Lil’wat Nation, a bubble station and local games. Local musician Austin Ross played music for the special occasion.
Langmann told Pique local First Nations were always present at Pemberton’s Canada Day parade.
“Traditionally all the Nations came to Pemberton and entered floats. That totally shifted,” she said. Last year’s parade divided public opinion, with many preferring to abstain from festivities altogether.
The Lil’wat Nation’s Maxine Joseph Bruce and Roxanne Joe took the lead this year. “Those ladies get dressed up in regalia and they lead the parade,” said Langmann. “Another lady jumped in and joined in.”
Pemberton’s parade has always been unique, and a representation of its diverse population.
“It is unique because it is a unique place,”
said Langmann. “I look at photos of Whistler’s parade this year and it’s like looking at Disneyland. We have logging trucks, concrete trucks and all our local businesses. It’s just so diverse. We are different because we are neighbours with Lil’wat Nation.”
For the past two years, youth from Samahquam Nation were invited to the event. “We had a couple of families who bring their kids all the way from Samahquam every year,” said Langmann. “This is the only way to move forward. We are creating memories. It’s a community who want to help out and move forward.”
She added the parade has been a highlight for locals for decades. “People get really excited for this event,” she said. “Years ago, farmers would spend weeks working on their floats in their barns.”
Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police also marched in the parade. ”It’s a new Canada Day and it’s the only way. We want to move forward,” said Langmann. “This is about celebrating everyone and our diversity. Pemberton is trying to move forward.”
Bruce has been involved in the parade for years. “This year, I did a welcome,” she said. “We led the parade. That was awesome.”
Bruce took over from her mom who would spend ages preparing a float for the event.
“My mom was always involved with things that were going on in Pemberton,” she said. “She put a float into the parade. She would decorate the wagon and have hand-drummers there. She wore her buckskin regalia. It was something that I saw my mom do.”
Bruce said the parade is an opportunity for neighbouring communities to gather and cooperate.
“I think we need to get together,” she said. “There are so many things that we can get together about.“ n
EN ROUTE Pemberton’s 2024 Canada Day parade showcased the community’s unique diversity.
PHOTO BY KELLY COSGROVE
Considering the coastal migration
FOR CANADA DAY long weekend this year, I joined my partner at her parents’ home south of Campbell River on Vancouver Island for a family get together. I love going there. From the backyard patio you can smell the sea breeze and look over the Strait of Georgia at the Coast Mountains and a handful of Gulf Islands. Like
BY VINCE SHULEY
everywhere in B.C., it is always more beautiful and inviting when it’s sunny and 26 C, but I’ve learned to appreciate the darker and rainier days there, too. Staring out the window at coastal storms battering the shores while sipping my morning coffee is an experience I’ll never grow tired of.
Getting there, however, can be a different story. I’m sure you know what axe I’m about to grind, but in case you don’t, here’s a hint; it starts with “BC” and ends with “Ferries.” I’m no lifelong islander, so I can’t speak to how much better or worse it used to be, but I struggle with Vancouver Island road trips as much as everyone else (for great insight on B.C.’s love-hate relationship with its principal
and privatized ferry corporation I suggest reading Adventures in Solitude: What Not to Wear to a Nude Potluck and Other Stories from Desolation Sound by Grant Lawrence).
To abbreviate my BC Ferries rant; if you ever want to travel on weekends, holidays or a convenient time of day, it’s expensive, it’s busy and it adds hours to your regional road trip. And yes, I realize not all those things are the fault of BC Ferries.
Once you do get to the Island, though, it’s great. It is vast with more than enough coastline
to live out their retirement. Sea to Sky locals have been making the move for years, perhaps to raise their kids in a less hectic community, staking their claim in places like the Comox Valley and Sunshine Coast (like many, I consider the Sunshine Coast to be more of an Island region than a mainland region). A large contingent of aging Whistler pro skiers and snowboarders opted for the even more remote West Coast of the Island in search of surf and the chill lifestyle.
Like most great ideas, there always seems
Like most great ideas, there always seems to be a lot more people who either thought of it first or were quicker to act.
to go around and it has some great hiking, biking and even skiing if you know where to look (and when). You’ll forget all about the hassle of arriving at the terminal in time to validate your ferry reservations to get home. And that’s the point of where I’m going with this: What if we moved to the Island and made trips to the mainland the ferry affair instead?
The migration to Vancouver Island from other parts of B.C. and Canada has been a trend for a few years now, and not just for boomers looking for a more mild, slower pace
to be a lot more people who either thought of it first or were quicker to act. Since the COVID-fuelled land grab from urban centres to rural communities that began in late 2020, the price of homes on Vancouver Island has skyrocketed. Cumberland in particular, with its small-town vibe and one of the best mountain bike trail networks on the Island, became a real-estate feeding frenzy not unlike Squamish over the last decade. Having affordability—coupled with a lifestyle as close as possible to that of the Sea to Sky—has now
become the choice of one or the other.
Back to enjoying the sunny view of the ocean. While I like the idea of making this slower-paced setting more permanent, it does have its drawbacks. Good jobs are harder to find on Vancouver Island unless you work in the marine or resource industries. The bike trails are amazing, but you won’t find the steep, consistent fall line of the terrain we get to play on in the Sea to Sky. Ditto for skiing. There’s a reason for Whistler’s success as a winter playground: no other resort can match its terrain and (relatively) convenient location so close to Vancouver. Mount Washington has held snowfall records historically, but its low-elevation terrain coupled with the new climate normal has made it more of a rain risk these days. But if you like paddling, sea kayaking and coastal hikes, you’re pretty well covered for summer activities.
I’m not ready to leave Whistler just yet. There’s still a lot of backcountry I want to explore and I’m not done throwing myself down crazy steep trails on my bikes. And having one of the world’s best ski hills down the road is something I never take for granted. But it’s always worth having a plan in place for when the body starts slowing down from all that stuff. The relaxed pace of “island time” might be the ticket, whenever that may be.
Vince Shuley promptly went to ride a big, steep Whistler mountain bike trail after writing this column. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n
ISLAND TIME The more relaxed lifestyle of Vancouver Island is a draw for many mainlanders.
PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY
sea change these b.c. whales are shrinking—fast
By Stefan Labbé
Adistinct group of grey whales that feeds off the coast of British Columbia and is a candidate for endangered species status has seen its average adult body length shrink 13 per cent in the past two decades, a new study has found.
The research, published in the journal Global Change Biology last week, involved flying drones off the coast of Oregon to capture subtle physiological changes in the niche grey whale feeding group, which stretches from northern California to Vancouver Island.
The findings offer a warning for the species and the latest signal that large animals across the world’s oceans are getting smaller— possibly in response to climate change and human activities—said K.C. Bierlich, assistant professor at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute and a co-author on the study.
“The fact that they’ve declined so drastically since 20, 25 years ago is a huge red flag,” said Bierlich. “It just kind of adds to the evidence across the planet that animals are getting smaller.”
Hunted to extirpation in the North Atlantic hundreds of years ago, in the North Pacific, grey whales persisted. By 2018, the population had bounced back from a legacy of whaling to number 25,000 individuals.
Wintering off the coast of Baja California to breed, in the summer, most of the whales migrate north to feed in Arctic waters as far as the Northwest Territories.
But in 2019, signs started to emerge that something in that seasonal rhythm had gone wrong. Over the next four years, more than 600 grey whales turned up dead, their up-to-14-metre carcasses rotting on the beaches of Canada, the United States and Mexico. Thousands more are thought to have died and sunk at sea.
By 2023, scientists estimate the grey whale population sunk to about 15,500, a nearly 40-per-cent drop from just four years earlier.
The die-off was unexpected, said Thomas Doniol-Valcroze, head of the Cetacean Research Program at Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, B.C.
“This is a population of whales that has overall recovered fairly well from the whaling era. People were thinking, we’re on our way to a full recovery,” said Doniol-Valcroze, who was not involved in the latest study.
Amid the die-off, researchers in the U.S. and Canada began to see an odd signal. A small subgroup of the whales weren’t dying at the same rate. But they were getting skinnier.
odd whales out
Numbering 212 individuals, the Pacific coast feeding group is not genetically unique, but it was always a bit odd. Instead of going all the way to the Arctic, they tended to make a shorter trip, mothers bringing
their young to preferred shallow-water feeding grounds off Northern California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
Arctic feeding whales tend to eat crustaceans that live in the sand and mud on the ocean floor. The coastal feeding group, on the other hand, tended to favour shallow kelp forests and rocky reefs where they could hoover up crab larvae and tiny mysid shrimp near the surface.
“You can literally stand on the cliffs and look down and see a grey whale feeding right there, which is kind of unheard of for such a large baleen whale,” said Bierlich.
Feeding through ocean currents, the whales sometimes stay in place by floating vertically, head down, using a pectoral fin to spin in place. It’s as if they were a child doing a headstand at the bottom of a pool, said the researcher.
Sometimes, the whales will approach a zodiac of scientists friendly and curious; other times, they’ll go off on their own for long periods, only to check in with other whales weeks later.
“I think they each have their own personality,” Bierlich said. “They actually might be interacting on a different level than what we’re used to.”
Observing the whales has raised serious questions around the impact of human industry on the coast. Bierlich says studies have shown a lot of grey whales are ingesting plastics, while constantly facing threats from underwater noise, entanglement with fishing gear and collisions with boats.
“Last week, I blew over a dead whale that was entangled in a bunch of crab pots,” he said. “We think it was a calf.”
As a researcher focused on how an animal’s shape is influenced by its environment, Bierlich regularly had a bird’s-eye view of the whales as they moved around. Analyzing the footage, he was struck by the way the whales’ heads and flukes appeared to be getting smaller.
A few years ago, he remembers asking himself: is it a sign there’s not enough food? Are they healthy?
‘A very strong’ shrinking signal
A good grey whale feeding ground requires a patch of ocean where deep water upwelling brings cool, nutrient-rich water to the surface. Those nutrients attract an array of smaller organisms like plankton, which in turn, act as food for mysid shrimp.
But for the whales to take advantage of those cold upwelling events, they need to be interspersed with moments of ocean “relaxation” so nutrients can sit in the water column and spur a proliferation of sea life.
“There’s a sweet spot,” Bierlich said. “That basically creates a lot of food for other fish and birds and grey whales.”
The researchers found that in the 10 years prior to a calf’s birth, that sweet spot had slipped. Without enough prey, mothers of the coastal feeding group couldn’t build up their fat reserves to properly support their offspring with milk. A similar lack of food could stunt the calves once they are weaned, added Bierlich.
From the sky, the researchers piloted drones, and image by image,
began to build visual growth charts for 130 whales. By comparing the growth curve of adults with the younger whales of today, they could understand how they were keeping up with previous generations and estimate how big they would be when they finally reached adulthood.
The evidence pointed to a startling trend: on average, a whale born in 2020 is expected to reach an adult body length 1.65 metres shorter than one born before 2000, the study found. The 13-per-cent decline is equivalent to the average five-foot-four Canadian woman shrinking down to four-foot-eight over two decades.
“It’s a surprise that animals like this—not fish, but you know, large, long-lived whales—can respond that strongly to just a fairly small change in environmental conditions,” said Doniol-Valcroze.
“It’s a kind of metric that I thought you can see evolve in response to conditions over a much longer time frame.”
While quite convincing, Doniol-Valcroze said the study is using young whale growth patterns to predict adult size. He said the authors acknowledged the whales could still catch up if ocean conditions improve.
“Usually, that’s not what happens. Usually, you’re kind of stuck on your trajectory, and those early years are pivotal,” he said. “If the signal holds, it’s a very strong signal.”
Brink of a new endangered species
The research out of Oregon comes as scientists and policymakers are upending what they think they knew about grey whales.
For years, the resident grey whales off B.C.’s coast weren’t considered a priority, but part of the larger abundant group of migratory grey whales. But as scientists learn more about the coastal feeding group, the Canadian government appears poised to protect them.
In 2017, the Committee on the status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada kicked off a reassessment of the whale. In 2021, Doniol-Valcroze co-authored a potential recovery assessment of the Pacific coast feeding group in B.C. That work has since been used in consultations over whether government should declare the whale endangered.
“The managers have made their recommendations to the minister, and I think now we’re just waiting for a final decision on the part of the government,” he said. “It could happen as early as this year.”
Such political decisions are out of the hands of scientists like Bierlich and Doniol-Valcroze. Both said their focus is to get out in the field and learn from one another.
Federal research scientists in Canada are slightly behind their U.S. counterparts, but Doniol-Valcroze said they are trying to learn from the Oregon-based team to apply similar drone research methods off the coast of Vancouver Island.
And as research teams in Washington and B.C. get more drones in the air, Bierlich said he will be able to confirm or dispel a lot of what he’s documenting.
Sentinels in a changing ocean
A lot of questions remain unanswered. Bierlich said his next priority is to monitor the species in its Mexican breeding grounds to better understand the repercussions of shrinking whales. One of his biggest concerns: does their smaller size offer an early warning sign they have hit a physiological wall and won’t be able to reproduce?
“Because if it is, that’s a serious problem. If it isn’t, then maybe they’ve just adapted to be smaller,” said Bierlich.
Those answers couldn’t come soon enough. Whales are considered sentinels of the ocean—they eat and poop a lot, making them powerful “nutrient cyclers” that fertilize the sea to support more life.
The health of a single whale as it migrates from Mexico to Canada can tell scientists about the health of the whole population, and as a top predator, the wider ecosystem itself, added Bierlich. A changing climate means a rapidly changing ocean that few living whales have encountered.
“There might have been more of a cyclical pattern at some point. But we’re getting away from that,” said Bierlich. “We’re entering new territory.” n
Ariel Girodo and Emily Burt pursue their dreams on horseback
THE LOCAL EQUESTRIANS TRAIN DRESSAGE AT DREAMCATCHER MEADOWS IN PEMBERTON
BY DAVID SONG
IF YOU WERE to visit Ariel Girodo’s home in Whistler or the Pemberton abode of Emily Burt, you’d find a few unusual objects.
The girls are active, just like many who grow up in the Sea to Sky. They’ve got your customary array of skis, mountain bikes, helmets and winter attire, but what tends to catch people off guard are the saddles and bridles lying around.
As part of the standout Dreamcatcher Meadows barn in Pemberton, Girodo and Burt compete in dressage: an equestrian sport that challenges person and animal to execute a series of precise movements in an arena. This concept dates back to the writings of Athenian historian and soldier Xenophon in 350 BC, and events today are held at all levels including the Olympic Games.
Most local athletes are used to riding inanimate objects: a snowboard, bicycle or pair of skis. Far fewer know how to negotiate with a 1,500-pound horse that possesses a mind of its own.
“It’s so hard,” admitted Girodo. “I have a mare and a gelding, but it’s taken me a really, really long time to figure them out. They are unpredictable creatures and prey animals. They’re always on alert for something, and you can’t reason with them like you would a human. You have to be super patient.”
Horses are comparable to humans in the sense they’ve got a wide range of dispositions. One may quickly grow to trust its trainer, while another doggedly resists guidance. It has never been an exact science, but it can be rewarding given time and the right mindset.
“Oftentimes you’d expect horses to be similar in the way that each does the same thing … but no horse looks for the same thing,” Burt explained. “It’s pretty difficult to form a bond with most horses, but once you get it, it’s just amazing—the closest bond you’ll ever see.”
at the Southlands Spring Dressage Gold Show with first place astride the renowned Lancelot DMV. Whittaker stepped up again, too, carrying Girodo to another red ribbon (dressage’s equivalent of a gold medal).
From June 13 to 15, the girls were back at Thunderbird for an event known as Touch of Class. Under the watchful eye of international-grade judges, Burt received a score of 70.66 per cent and a First Level Championship, edging out Girodo (70.56 per cent) who finished second as Reserve Champion. They were among a select few
“It went so well. With every mistake you make and every success, you learn something new.”
- ARIEL GIRODO
BREAKOUT RESULTS
At just 14 and 15 years old, respectively, Girodo and Burt have distinguished themselves in their first full competitive season.
Four ribbons lined up for Girodo in March at the Shake the Rust Off Dressage Schooling Show. The Whistlerite rode two of Dreamcatcher Meadows’ prize Hanoverians, Whittaker DMV and Wishingstar DMV, to three wins and a runner-up effort in Langley’s Thunderbird Show Park.
Archer Girodo, Ariel’s 11-year-old sister, also collected a pair of victories in her division.
“We work together, we live together, we train together,” said Girodo about her sibling. “I just think the world of Archer and I love hanging out with her.”
Burt acquitted herself well in late May
riders across all age divisions to break the 70-per-cent barrier.
Dreamcatcher Meadows co-founders
Jill Giese and John Dingle earned Reserve Championships in their categories as well, to go with Archer’s second place and Kirsten Mitchell’s third.
Girodo has additionally earned a spot at the upcoming BC Summer Games for her excellent overall campaign, though scheduling conflicts will prevent her from going.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” she said about the year. “It went so well. With every mistake you make and every success, you learn something new.”
Added Burt: “I was very happy with how I did at [Touch of Class], and I was very happy with my horse. Shows are so cool because
you meet so many people from the horse world that you never expect to meet, and it just really opens your eyes on how different people function with their horses.
“Every day at a show, your horse will give you a different answer. Sometimes they just don’t want to listen to you, but some days they’re on point and you never really know what you’re going to get. [Shows] really make you think about your riding and what you have to do to get a willing partner.”
RHYTHM OF LABOUR
Dressage appears glamorous at first, but what many don’t see is the vital behind-the-scenes dirty work. Contestants like Girodo and Burt spend much of their weeks lifting hay bales, cleaning stalls, fixing fences, pushing manureladen wheelbarrows and staying up late with ill or birthing animals.
“The ribbons don’t matter,” Girodo said. “There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes, and that’s why it’s a sport to be admired. It’s just a constant workload, it never ends, and that’s why I do it.”
Burt feels very similarly. “If you don’t do the work, you wouldn’t have a strong connection to the horses. [The work] gets you into a rhythm, it keeps you in shape, it keeps you happy, and you never get bored when you’re at the barn.”
One more large competition awaits: the BC Regional Championship in October. Burt hopes to attend, but dressage is expensive and her family is currently trying to fundraise. Those interested in supporting the young Pembertonian can visit her GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/support-the-road-topacific-regionals. n
WELL-DRESSED Left to right: Emily Burt, John Dingle and Ariel Girodo. PHOTO COURTESY
Hoop Reel takes aim at Sea to Sky youth league
THE
LOCAL BASKETBALL PROGRAM IS EXPERIENCING STEADY GROWTH
BY DAVID SONG
ROUGHLY FOUR years after putting down roots in the Sea to Sky corridor, Hoop Reel is booming.
The local basketball academy offers programs in Whistler and its original Squamish base for various ages, genders and skill levels. Head trainer and CEO Yoni Marmorstein is assisted by fellow coaches Bo Banner, Mike Wheaton, Gavin Reis, Zac Deziel, Fred Witzke, Dimitri Kozang, Elyse Cochrane and Fabrice Muligo.
Their next collective mission: to establish a regional club league.
“We’re in talks with some other coaches in Pemberton and we’re trying to start up our own basketball league,” elaborated Banner, who leads Hoop Reel sessions in Whistler. “We want a club system going through Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish, and we want to keep doing tournaments in Vancouver because what a blessing it is for these kids to actually … get a different taste of life.”
A Sea to Sky club league is a ways away from materializing, but there’s work to be done in the meantime.
Marmorstein knows how important opportunity is. Growing up on Salt Spring Island limited his exposure to high-level basketball, and he was cut from four colleges in his mid20s before finally kick-starting his career as a Capilano University redshirt. Hoop Reel has the potential to grant youth better development pathways than that going forward.
It also has the potential to build people of character.
‘BASKETBALL IS GROWING’
The Sea to Sky’s chief athletic pursuits—skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking—are rather individualistic. While some team elements like coaching and group training can be present, most contests come down to you against the judges or you against your opponents.
Basketball, in contrast, is a team sport with a different kind of curriculum to offer.
“We feel that our kids build much more discipline,” Banner opined. “They get more comfortable being leaders on and off the court. You can’t hide in your shell, you have to be vocal and other people are counting on you. I think that builds more accountability for these young athletes.”
Basketball is also very accessible. Parents must invest thousands of dollars to put their children in skiing or mountain biking, but one doesn’t need more than a $20 ball and a $50 pair of running shoes to hoop.
No helmet, no shoulder pads, no ice time and no exorbitant fees.
It all adds up to a welcoming, low-barrier way to play, especially for those who may not feel at home on the mountain. Everyone can improve at their own pace and tackle a fun learning curve.
“You know how Whistler is. You have to find your cultural niche here and there’s not that
many options,” said Banner. “The people who feel like they don’t fit into the other niches, we’re giving another outlook for them to dive into.
“I would like the community to be more aware that basketball is growing. It can help your kids to grow, not only on an athletic level but on a personal level, too. We have excellent coaches that do a great job, including myself. We have excellent parents that go above and beyond for these kids.”
RESPECT AND EFFORT
What qualifies Banner to co-lead this local hardwood renaissance?
The Vancouverite played three years of competitive high school basketball and was fairly adept—but not adept enough to make the next level. Basketball requires an elite level of coordination between one’s body and the constantly-moving ball, as well as a watertight grasp of many skills.
Outsiders may think it’s just a game of dribbling and shooting, but the ability to dribble at speed and make an accurate jump shot requires years of hard work and natural talent. Add to that all kinds of technical elements: how to set timely screens, how to space the floor, how to avoid brain-fart mistakes like standing three seconds in the key, etc.
Banner actually went pro in a different sport: football. He earned a scholarship to Central Washington University as a defensive end before spending two years rushing quarterbacks for the Montreal Alouettes. His 6-2, 235-lb frame and explosive dexterity helped him record 19 defensive tackles, 12 special teams tackles and two sacks in 35 Canadian Football League (CFL) games.
Along the way, Banner learned what it takes to be a one-per cent athlete. He has worked with coaches, nutritionists and personal trainers who taught him to develop successful physical and mental habits in the ultra-competitive crucible of American varsity athletics.
Therefore, Banner generally understands what youths need to hear from a coach.
“I try to make sure that our kids are supported,” he said. “We don’t sugarcoat things at Hoop Reel, but we make sure players understand that we want to push them to be their best. We love giving out push-ups too, if they don’t want to listen.
“As coaches, we demand respect. If kids are talking to me [in a disrespectful manner], you best believe a college coach ain’t tolerating that. It’s not how the world works.”
Yet Hoop Reel staff understand their students are not trying out for university programs—at least, not yet. That’s why they also prioritize facilitating a fun environment where girls and boys can make friends and nurture their love of basketball so it never feels like a chore.
Banner thanked Hoop Reel’s sponsors: LivWell, Hector’s Independent, Natural Factors, Toptable Group and Chambers Olson Ltd., for their support.
Learn more about the Sea to Sky’s premier basketball program at hoopreel.com. n
Betty Souther
(October 8th, 1930 – May 1st, 2024)
We are sad to announce that Betty Souther died suddenly from a stroke at age 93 on May 1st, 2024. Betty was christened Mary Elizabeth Katharine, youngest child of George and Margaret Hamilton
Betty was predeceased by her husband of sixty years, Jack Souther, as well as her brother, Jack, and sister, Dorothy. She will be missed by her three daughters, Anne, Barbara (Bob), and Janet (Robert) and their families, as well as her sibling, George (Dixie) and sister-in-law, Amerlys, and many nieces and nephews.
Betty was born and raised in Vancouver and graduated in honours geography from UBC (in 1953), and received her teaching certificate from SFU in 1968. She worked as a librarian in many Burnaby schools, retiring in 1990.
Betty and her geologist husband, Jack, designed and built a ski chalet in Alpine Meadows in 1973 During their retirement years they volunteered as Mountain Hosts at Blackcomb/Whistler, leading ski trips in winter and interpretive hikes in the summer
They also travelled internationally in retirement, concentrating on the “trail less travelled” and publishing their adventures in Pique Magazine. Betty was a keen gardener and enjoyed many ocean kayaking trips in B.C. waters She spent her final years on Vancouver Island, living with her daughter, Barbara and son-inlaw Bob and made many new friends there.
Betty possessed a lively spirit and lived fully up to the moment of her stroke. In her final weeks of life she proudly walked ever yday, lifted weights during chair yoga, listened to CBC radio, played games on her i-pad, enjoyed dinner parties, and clapped enthusiastically at a live Celtic band performance and befriended the musicians who dedicated their final song of the evening to her!
A celebration of life for Betty will be held on August 24th from 2-5 pm at First Memorial in North Vancouver, B.C., at 1505 Lillooet Road
Please refer to the follow ing link for additional details: https://www.dignitymemorial.com.
FOREST OPERATIONS MAP (FOM)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC REVIEW & COMMENT
Black Mount Logging Inc. holder of FSP #962, gives notice and invites written comment on proposed blocks and/or roads in FOM: 1544 and FOM: 1636. Review and comment period begins July 6, 2024. and ends August 6, 2024. The FOMs will be available for review and comment at 2021 Paco Road, Squamish, BC V8B 0J6 from 9 am - 4 pm. To ensure a representative is available to discuss the FOMs any interested parties should call (604)-898-5415 or email in advance to arrange an appointment. The FOMs are also available online for review and comment by visiting https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects. In addition, comments can be mailed or submitted by hand to the above address or emailed to drollins@bmlogging.com.
The FOMs can be relied upon by the FSP holder for the purpose of a cutting permit or road permit application for three years. The FOM included in this notice is valid until July 6, 2027
One potato, two potatoes…
DAG AABYE WOULD BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE POWER OF THESE HUMBLE VEGGIES
ONE POTATO, two potatoes, three potatoes, or more. Add them to your diet if you want to score… Score some good nutrition and great fuel, that is. (And whatever else you can, I always say.)
I know—potatoes often get a bad rap when it comes to the diet zone. But it’s usually because of the way they’re often cooked. Like the US Department of
BY GLENDA BARTOSH
Agriculture puts the average Canadian consumption of frozen French fries at seven kilograms per person per year. That’s more than 15 pounds! And those are just the frozen ones. In our household, we eat a lot of good potatoes, ones from our friendly neighbourhood Pemby farmers whenever we can but none of that frozen fried variety. Were Dag Aabye still amongst us, he’d tell you in a heartbeat what a great nutritional powerhouse potatoes are.
But before I go on about Dag, I have a confession to make: Whenever I encountered him around Whistler back in the early ’80s, say at Tapley’s having a beer, he always kind of scared me. That deep, penetrating gaze, his eyes focused like lasers, never a smile on his face. But maybe that was because I was usually a Whistler Question reporter with a
camera pointed at him.
Maybe “scare” is a bit strong, so let me just say that Dag was pretty intense, whatever he was doing. Before his Whistler days, he’d doubled skiing as a stuntman for James Bond, while around town his stunts included jumping off the roof of the cliff-hugging Cheakamus Inn into a pile of powder.
Whistler Museum’s website sports lots of great Dag pix and tales, including the above. But where I first learned about Dag and his Zen understanding of potato power was in Brett Popplewell’s excellent book— Outsider: An Old Man, A Mountain and the Search for a Hidden Past .
Maybe even more than others do.
In 2002, at 61, Dag was a Canadian championship ski racer, finishing fourth in his age category at Quebec’s Master World Cup cross-country ski race. At the time, he was skinny, malnourished even, living in an old abandoned school bus outside SilverStar ski resort near Vernon. It was the part of his transition from ski whiz to a legendary trail runner and ultra-marathoner.
The following year he ran the gruelling Canadian Death Race, the 128-kilometre (78mile) foot race through the Rocky Mountains near Grande Cache, Alberta, that’s been held on the August long weekend since 2000. You
Cheap, tasty, good for us. Easy to cook and carry. So what are we all waiting for? Potatoes are amazing.
If you’ve not discovered it yet, it makes for great summer reading, especially around Whistler. Guaranteed you’ll learn all kinds of things about the legendary Dag Aabye, even if you knew him well. Pick up a copy at my all-time favourite bookstore, Armchair Books, which opened in Village Square in 1982, right around when I was running into Dag.
So here’s how the potato thing goes, at least in part, and even this fragment provides a glimpse into the mindset of this legend, who eventually became famous for his nighttime runs—at age 80—on mountain trails illuminated only by his headlamp and maybe the moon, if there was one. Consider the Aabye quote Popplewell uses to open the prologue: “Old people need superheroes too.”
summit three mountains, cross a major river and face 17,000 feet of elevation change. However far you run, you have to do it in under 24 hours. Dag finished in 20 hours, 58 minutes and 16 seconds. Phew.
He ran that Death Race again and again, until he finally had to settle for the Near Death Marathon, which is about the first half of the Death Race. And much of it was fuelled by potatoes.
Yep, close to home when he was running mountain trails, potatoes powered Dag’s skinny legs. And when he was racing one of those ultramarathons, all he carried with him was a backpack full of boiled potatoes he’d stop and eat mid-way to keep himself fuelled. Cheap, tasty, good for us. Easy to cook and
carry. So what are we all waiting for? Potatoes are amazing.
Like Dag knew, they work hard to fuel our bodies and brains. Potato Goodness says an average potato contains about 110 calories, less than a same-sized banana. It also provides about three grams of protein; about 30 per cent of our daily vitamin C; and lots of vitamin B6 and potassium we need to regulate the electrical signalling in muscles and nerves. While they do have carbs (about 26 grams, or nine per cent of the recommended daily intake), they also help reduce sugar cravings.
The cool thing, and Dag likely felt it firsthand, is if you cook and cool potatoes before eating them, a resistant starch forms that helps our bodies in several ways, including forming short-chain fatty acids that nourish our guts and keep our gut microbiomes healthy. Even sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index, which can help control weight and appetite.
Bonus: Potatoes are easy on the environment. You need way less water than rice to grow them, and they produce fewer greenhouse gases than both rice and wheat.
As for the USDA estimating the amount of frozen French fries we Canucks eat, it’s all part of them tracking the amount of frozen French fries Canada exports globally versus to America, which is not a significant amount.
Thank goodness for that, or we might see another version of that “freedom fries” revolt Americans took up in 2003, refusing to use the word “French” on signs and menus after France opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
I guess we all know how well that turned out. Bet Dag, superhero for us all, had a good laugh over that.
Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who loves her Pemberton potatoes. n
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE
• SQUASH
‘No strangers to the area’
THE
JUNO-WINNING SHEEPDOGS PLAY JULY 5 AT WHISTLER
BY DAVID SONG
THE SHEEPDOGS haven’t played in Whistler since before COVID, but they look forward to renewing acquaintances with its people and mountains in their 20th year together.
On July 5, Ewan Currie, Ryan Gullen, Sam Corbett, Ricky Paquette and Shamus Currie will take their signature rock and roll show to Whistler Olympic Plaza. They represent one of the more decorated acts in this year’s Summer Concert Series, with four Juno awards, two platinum albums and two platinum singles (“I Don’t Know” and “Feeling Good”) on their resumé.
“We’re definitely no strangers to the area,” Gullen says. “Canada is so beautiful and so vast, and when your job involves travelling to different places, it’s a nice perk when you get to go to somewhere as beautiful as Whistler.”
The band enjoys the diversity of Sea to Sky crowds, from longtime locals to freespirited vacationers to a carousel of seasonal employees who hail from around the globe. During international tours, Gullen and his mates often run into people who’d previously seen them live in Whistler.
CHASING SUCCESS THE RIGHT WAY
OLYMPIC PLAZA
In 2004, Gullen met up with Currie and Corbett as students attending the University of Saskatchewan. None of them had been in a band before, and they admittedly didn’t play their instruments too well. Yet they decided to give it a go, with early jam sessions taking place in the Corbett family basement.
Seven years later, the trio plus former member Leot Hanson became the first unsigned band to grace the cover of Rolling
the subject matter of the music, who you are as a musician and what you’re into,” Gullen remarks. “But as time goes on, you evolve as a musician with your skills and how you play. Some people may beg to differ, but we try not to do the same thing over and over. We’re trying to always challenge ourselves.”
Moreover, the band appreciates the importance of remaining true to its identity. It can be tempting to chase trends or blindly go in a direction that some agent, manager or critic believes will sell more tickets, but these
“Every record you make is sort of a snapshot in time.”
- RYAN GULLEN
Stone. It’s safe to say they’ve done well for themselves ever since.
The Sheepdogs are rooted in 1970s-style rock, with a pinch of barroom blues and a dash of groovy psychedelia. Main sources of inspiration include Creedence Clearwater Revival, Kings of Leon, the Allman Brothers and the Black Keys. Gullen and his mates don’t plan to reinvent the wheel anytime soon (sorry to anyone hoping for an electropop offering).
Even so, they aim to innovate within their niche.
“Every record you make is sort of a snapshot in time: what’s going on in your life,
Saskatchewan boys know who they are and own it—even if not every venture proves successful.
“It’s good to chase success, but also it’s good to do that in an honest and real way,” comments Gullen. “There’s a lot of people telling you a lot of things … but we’ve always just made the music that we wanted to make. When in doubt, follow what feels good to you rather than what somebody’s telling you is the right idea.
“No matter how much money you give somebody because they’re your manager or a label, those people are never going to care as much about what you’re doing as you.”
‘A WEIRD, SEXLESS, POLYAMOROUS RELATIONSHIP’
Many musical acts don’t get to celebrate a two-decade anniversary, so the core Sheepdogs aren’t taking their longevity for granted.
Quips Gullen: “Unless you’re in a band, especially a band for that long, you can’t fully comprehend what it’s like. You’re basically owning a business and having a weird, sexless, polyamorous relationship. You get to know these people more than probably even their partners will ever know them.
“There’s a reason why, even when bands break up, [its members] can have an affinity for each other—the same reason why bands can break up and literally hate each other. It’s like a family: there’s an unconditional element, but you’re also inserting creativity which is very private and personal.”
The Sheepdogs have witnessed the advent of Spotify, Apple Music and social media during their career. They’d like to make greater future use of the digital realm, which means consistently recording and releasing fresh music rather than waiting every few years to drop an album. Worry not, however: they’ll also keep touring for the sake of live audiences.
DJ Whitness is the opening act on July 5 at 6:30 p.m. before the Sheepdogs keep the party going at 7:30 p.m. Learn more about the Whistler Summer Concert Series at whistler.com/events/concerts. n
FEELING SHEEPISH? Sheepdogs band members, left to right: Sam Corbett, Shamus Currie, Ricky Paquette, Ewan Currie and Ryan Gullen.
PHOTO BY MAT DUNLAP
Christa Couture stars in Postcards from… Whistler
THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTARY SERIES AIRS ITS SEA TO SKY EPISODE
JULY 10
BY DAVID SONG
AS THE HOST of the upcoming 2025 Invictus Games, former home of the 2010 Paralympics and the base for a lively adaptive sports community, it’s fitting that Whistler has made it into Postcards from…, a travel documentary series by Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) that showcases Canadian cities with one question in mind: “can accessibility and adventure coexist?”
Host Christa Couture visited the Sea to Sky alongside places like Drumheller, Alta., Fredericton, N.B. and Dawson City, Yukon for the filming of Season 5. She didn’t have much prior experience in Whistler, but quickly grew to love it.
“I am not a sporty person—even when I had two legs,” Couture admits.
“I am an artist. But it’s been fun with this show because they really pushed me to try things. After spending four days in Whistler this January, I was like: ‘now, I get it. I see why people want to be here and I get why for outdoorsy, active people, this is the place to be.’”
As a bone-cancer survivor, Couture’s left leg was amputated above the knee at 13 years old after initial radiation and chemotherapy treatments failed. In the three decades since, she’s received acclaim for her music, writing and broadcasting career, but also experienced the lowest of lows in the tragic deaths of her two infant sons.
It has all moulded her into the woman she is today: a multimedia artist familiar with loss, yet brimming with passion for stories about disabled people.
“I was very lucky that there was a cure for my cancer, of course, because for many people, there’s not,” Couture says candidly. “It sent me to a new life, a different life in a disabled body. [On the show], we try to encounter people with other disabilities than my own as well.”
WHY PEOPLE LOVE WHISTLER
One of Couture’s most eye-opening Whistler experiences came in the form of Nordic skiing.
As she met up with local quadriplegic Olivia Rey and Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP) coach Eliska Bezstarosti, Couture got her first taste of Nordic sit-skiing in the Callaghan Valley. Three decades of walking on crutches have made her upper body robust, and she took to the sport with unexpected aplomb. In the process, she found inspiration from Rey and Bezstarosti as they spoke of how the local adaptive community embraced them.
“I want to find a place where I can go sit-skiing near Toronto [where I live],” says Couture. “I think I might become a skier because it was so fun. Through this show, I absolutely got an understanding of why people love Whistler and why the culture is so vibrant.”
Couture also rendezvoused at Green Lake with adventure chef Jen Wong, who sources her ingredients across the corridor from Howe Sound to Pemberton. She then got to blow a traditional alpenhorn courtesy of two Swiss expatriates she met atop Blackcomb Mountain.
“You can’t help but appreciate the landscape,” Couture says, adding on camera that she’d never previously seen a world-class ski hill outside of movies and television.
She also hopes that Postcards from… will continue to be well-received by a variety of demographics.
“For non-disabled people to watch the show, it might make them think differently about the travelling they do, or they’ll notice places that are accessible or not accessible,” Couture comments. “I think the show is not very heavy-handed as far as being an ‘accessible’ travel show. The [theme of accessibility] is just built into the writing, which is partly what I love about it.”
Season 5 of Postcards from… will conclude on July 10 with the airing of its Whistler episode. Learn more about the series and catch up on more episodes at ami. ca/category/2934/season. n
Roland’s Pub 16th Anniversary Party
Great Food - Great Drinks Great Local Hangout
BC Transit’s new electronic fare system, Umo, is now ready for use in the Whistler and Pemberton Valley Transit Systems. Umo allows you to select the best payment method for your lifestyle and travel habits.
It’s your choice how to use Umo – app or reloadable card.
Ever y rider must carry their own payment method and may choose between:
Buy passes or load cash through the app, online at ca.umopass.com, Umo’s customer ser vice line at 877·380·8181, or through a vendor.
Visit bc transit.com/umo for more info or call 877·380·8181 toll-free for support.
POST IT Christa Couture (left) tries sit-skiing beside Whistlerite Olivia Rey.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLA PENDER
Village of Pemberton
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
ALTA LAKE BIRD WALK
ALTA LAKE BIRD WALK
Join the Whistler Naturalists on the first Saturday of the month for a walk to Rainbow Park. Open to anyone interested in learning about birds and contributing as a citizen scientist. There will be experienced birders on hand who are happy to share their knowledge. More information at whistlernaturalists.ca/birding.
> July 6, 7 a.m.
> Meet at the bottom of Lorimer Road by the Catholic church
> Free
PET CPR WORKSHOP
Come join us at Whistler Animals Galore (WAG) for a pawesome event! Learn life-saving skills at our Pet CPR Workshop while supporting our furry friends at WAG. It’s a great way to give back and be better prepared for pet emergencies. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of animals in need!
> July 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
> Whistler Animals Galore
> By donation (minimum $30)
MOVIES IN THE PLAZA: EDDIE THE EAGLE
Make Movies in the Plaza your new summer tradition and get cosy on the Great Lawn for a cinematic experience under the stars. Movies are scheduled on select Wednesday and Saturday evenings this summer and are free to watch. Bring blankets or low chairs for a relaxing evening under the stars.
On July 10, catch Eddie the Eagle
> July 10, 8 p.m.
> Whistler Olympic Plaza
> Free
WHISTLER MEN’S CIRCLE
A weekly meeting held on Thursdays for men who want to explore their experience of being a man through sharing and holding space in a supportive environment. The peer-led group offers an opportunity to share what is alive for them, what they may be struggling with and which areas of their life they are grateful for. This series is presented in partnership with Whistler Community Services Society and Whistler Public Library.
> July 11, 6 to 8 p.m.
> Whistler Public Library
> Free
We’ve got you covered.
Pick up the latest issue of your favourite read in Whistler.
Whistler’s fuzzy muse
BY ELLA HEALEY
BEFORE IT BECAME Whistler, the local mountain was known by a few other names.
Whistler Mountain was first known as Cwítima/Kacwítima by the Lil’wat Nation and Sk_wik_w by the Squamish Nation. In the 1860s, the mountain was named London Mountain by British naval surveyors because the thick fog coating the area was reminiscent of the foggy skies of London. The name didn’t stick because of the connotations from the dangerous smog London suffered as a result of coalburning. The name Whistler, or Whistle, was used to refer to the mountain unofficially as early as the 1920s, inspired by the hoary marmots that populate the mountain and the whistling sound they make when trying
20 pounds! Luckily, marmots are protected by the BC Wildlife Act, so we can count on keeping the mountain full of these adorable, friendly faces.
It is not a stretch to consider the hoary marmot the mascot of Whistler given they are the namesake of the mountain and the town. Back in the 1980s, the Whistler Resort Association (today known as Tourism Whistler) even made it official. A contest was held to name the new marmot mascot and the winner, eight-year-old Tammi Wick, chose the name Willie. Willie Whistler became an active community member, attending ski races, giving out awards, and entertaining locals and visitors alike. Willie Whistler the marmot served as a mascot at local events into the 1990s.
The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games introduced a second marmot mascot to Whistler, this one named MukMuk. An official
to alert friends danger is near. The name was officially changed in the 1960s.
British Columbia is home to four species of marmots: the yellow-bellied marmot, the Vancouver Island marmot, the woodchuck, and, of course, the hoary marmot. Only the hoary marmot lives in Whistler. While the local marmots appear to love to hang out on the mountain, sunbathing and entertaining tourists, they actually spend six to eight months underground hibernating every year. Marmots dig hibernation burrows up to 23 feet deep to spend their winters in. In the months they are not hibernating (March to September), these critters’ diets consist of berries, roots, mosses, lichen, grasses, and other plants. These furry friends generally live in colonies of 10 to 20, and a group of marmots is often called a madness. Whistler’s favourite rodent also happens to be the largest breed of ground squirrel, weighing up to a whopping
sidekick to the Olympic and Paralympic mascots Miga, Sumi, and Quatchi, MukMuk also represented the Tsleil-Waututh First nation, one of the Four Host First Nations of the 2010 Games. While MukMuk was a great representative for Whistler’s marmot community, he was actually modelled after the Vancouver Island marmot rather than the hoary marmots found in Whistler.
Though Whistler currently has no official mascot, the hoary marmot still holds a special place in the heart of locals and visitors. If you are lucky, you may spot the community’s muse while hiking around Wedgemount Lake or riding up the gondola. Marmots have played an important part of Whistler’s past and will continue to be a part of our future.
Ella Healey is the Summer Program Coordinator at the Whistler Museum through the Young Canada Works Program. n
MOUNTAIN MUSE A hoary marmot somewhere in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
CLIFF FENNER COLLECTION
ASTROLOGY
Free Will Astrology
WEEK OF JULY 4 BY ROB BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The “nirvana fallacy” is the belief that because something is less than utterly perfect, it is gravely defective or even irredeemably broken. Wikipedia says, “The nirvana fallacy compares actual things with unrealistic, idealized alternatives.” Most of us are susceptible to this flawed approach to dealing with the messiness of human existence. But it’s especially important that you avoid such thinking in the coming weeks. To inspire you to find excellence and value in the midst of untidy jumbles and rumpled complexities, I recommend you have fun with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. It prizes and praises the soulful beauty found in things that are irregular, incomplete, and imperfect.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are coming to a fork in the road—a crux where two paths diverge. What should you do? Author Marie Forleo says, “When it comes to forks in the road, your heart always knows the answer, not your mind.” Here’s my corollary: Choose the path that will best nourish your soul’s desires. Now here’s your homework, Taurus: Contact your Future Self in a dream or meditation and ask that beautiful genius to provide you with a message and a sign. Plus, invite them to give you a wink with either the left eye or right eye.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Last year, you sent out a clear message to life requesting help and support. It didn’t get the response you wished for. You felt sad. But now I have good news. One or both of the following may soon occur. 1. Your original message will finally lead to a response that buoys your soul. 2. You will send out a new message similar to the one in 2023, and this time you will get a response that makes you feel helped and supported. Maybe you didn’t want to have to be so patient, Gemini, but I’m glad you refused to give up hope.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): The Fates have authorized me to authorize you to be bold and spunky. You have permission to initiate gutsy experiments and to dare challenging feats. Luck and grace will be on your side as you consider adventures you’ve long wished you had the nerve to entertain. Don’t do anything risky or foolish, of course. Avoid acting like you’re entitled to grab rewards you have not yet earned. But don’t be self-consciously cautious or timid, either. Proceed as if help and resources will arrive through the magic of your audacity. Assume you will be able to summon more confidence than usual.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): All of us, including me, have aspects of our lives that are stale or unkempt, even decaying. What would you say is the most worn-out thing about you? Are there parts of your psyche or environment that would benefit from a surge of cleanup and revival? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to attend to these matters. You are likely to attract extra help and inspiration as you make your world brighter and livelier. The first rule of the purgation and rejuvenation process: Have fun!
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): On those rare occasions when I buy furniture from online stores, I try hard to find sources that will send me the stuff already assembled. I hate spending the time to put together jumbles of wood and metal. More importantly, I am inept at doing so. In alignment with astrological omens, I recommend you take my approach in regard to every situation in your life during the coming weeks. Your operative metaphor should be this: Whatever you want or need, get it already fully assembled.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When Adragon De Mello was born under the sign of Libra in 1976, his father had big plans for him. Dad wanted him to get a PhD in physics by age 12, garner a Nobel Prize by 16, get elected President of the United States by 26, and then become head of a world government by 30. I’d love for you to fantasize about big, unruly dreams like that in the coming weeks—although with less egotism and
more amusement and adventurousness. Give yourself a license to play with amazing scenarios that inspire you to enlarge your understanding of your own destiny. Provide your future with a dose of healing wildness.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Your horoscopes are too complicated,” a reader named Estelle wrote to me recently. “You give us too many ideas. Your language is too fancy. I just want simple advice in plain words.” I wrote back to tell her that if I did what she asked, I wouldn’t be myself. “Plenty of other astrologers out there can meet your needs,” I concluded. As for you, dear Scorpio, I think you will especially benefit from influences like me in the coming weeks—people who appreciate nuance and subtlety, who love the poetry of life, who eschew clichés and conventional wisdom, who can nurture your rich, spicy, complicated soul.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The coming weeks will be prime time for you to re-imagine the history of your destiny. How might you do that? In your imagination, revisit important events from the past and reinterpret them using the new wisdom you’ve gained since they happened. If possible, perform any atonement, adjustment, or intervention that will transform the meaning of what happened once upon a time. Give the story of your life a fresh title. Rename the chapters. Look at old photos and videos and describe to yourself what you know now about those people and situations that you didn’t know back then. Are there key events from the old days that you have repressed or ignored? Raise them up into the light of consciousness.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1972, before the internet existed, Capricorn actor Anthony Hopkins spent a day visiting London bookstores in search of a certain tome: The Girl from Petrovka . Unable to locate a copy, he decided to head home. On the way, he sat on a random bench, where he found the original manuscript of The Girl of Petrovka . It had been stolen from the book’s author George Feifer and abandoned there by the thief. I predict an almost equally unlikely or roundabout discovery or revelation for you in the coming days. Prediction: You may not unearth what you’re looking for in an obvious place, but you will ultimately unearth it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarius-born Desmond Doss (1919–2006) joined the American army at the beginning of the Second World War. But because of his religious beliefs, he refused to use weapons. He became a medic who accompanied troops to Guam and the Philippines. During the next few years, he won three medals of honour, which are usually given solely to armed combatants. His bravest act came in 1944, when he saved the lives of 70 wounded soldiers during a battle. I propose we make him your inspirational role model for the coming weeks, Aquarius. In his spirit, I invite you to blend valour and peace-making. Synergize compassion and fierce courage. Mix a knack for poise and healing with a quest for adventure.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): What types of people are you most attracted to, Pisces? Not just those you find most romantically and sexually appealing, but also those with whom a vibrant alliance is most gracefully created. And those you’re inclined to seek out for collaborative work and play. This knowledge is valuable information to have; it helps you gravitate toward relationships that are healthy for you. Now and then, though, it’s wise to experiment with connections and influences that aren’t obviously natural—to move outside your usual set of expectations and engage with characters you can’t immediately categorize. I suspect the coming weeks will be one of those times.
Homework: Who is the most important person or animal in your life? I invite you to give them a surprising gift. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates
In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com
• Advocate for participants in areas including, but not limited to: employment, medical, mental health, renters rights, government agencies, and policing & law.
• Provide transition planning support to graduates and alumni.
• Provide in-home support, including, but not limited to: cleaning, chores, and conflict resolution.
• Continually conduct outreach to build/support new and existing community contacts.
• Contribute to Zero Ceiling's respectful, honest, and equitable work environment to co-create a positive and dynamic working culture.
KEY SKILLS:
• Creative problem solving
• Ability to self-motivate, work independently, and organize work and time efficiently.
• Strong understanding of personal and professional boundaries.
• High level of digital, written and oral communication skills.
Set schedule - Friday to Monday
$28.00/hr, paid bi-weekly + competitive and comprehensive benefits
Accepting applications until Wednesday, July 10 at 5:00PM Find more info and apply: zeroceiling.org/join-our-team
We’re Hiring! Experienced Carpenters!
Come and join our team and see why we are consistently voted Whistler’s # 1 Construction Company.
$30-$50 an hour, Wage based on Experience
TM Builders is a leader in the Sea to Sky construction
Resort Municipality of Whistler Employment Opportunities
Resort Municipality of Whistler Employment Opportunities
Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/careers
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.
Lil’wat Nation
Employment
Opportunities
Úllus Community Centre
• Chief Administrative Officer ($160,000 to $180,000 per year)
• General Manager of Community Services ($120,000.00 to $135, 000.00 per year)
• Skel7awlh Steward ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year)
• Social Worker ($80,371.20 - $91,673.40 per year)
• Land Use Plan Project Coordinator ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00)
• Cook – Daycare ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Financial Reporting Manager ($59,878 - $74,564 per year)
• Human Resources Generalist ( $57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year)
• Receptionist ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Housing Administrator ( $46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year)
• Transition House Support Worker ($20.90 -$29.45 per hour)
Xet’òlacw Community School
• High School Teacher (upper Math) ($60,015.00 to $109,520.00 per year)
• Social Worker/ Counsellor ( $80,371.20 - $91,673.40 per year)
• Elementary School Teacher: Grade 3 ($60,015.00 to $109,520.00 per year)
• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015.00 to $109,520.00 per year)
• Pension Plan • Employee Assistance Program • Gym facility • Extended Health Benefits • Professional Development
Congratulations to the class of 2024
N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre
JOB POSTINGS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
The N’Quatqua First Nation is seeking a qualified Early Childhood Educator to fill an on- call position at N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre. The successful candidate will join our NCFDC team, providing morning Preschool and afternoon Group Child Care classes for Aboriginal children aged 3-5 years old and / or support for the Infant Toddler program. Responsibilities include implementing and evaluating activities and experiences within an inclusive environment that adhere to Aboriginal Head Start philosophies.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability in:
• Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports community, inclusion and is culturally significant for young Aboriginal children
• Understanding and working knowledge of Child Care Licensing regulations
• Interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Maintaining positive communication with parents
• Self-directed and able to initiate and complete projects
In addition, the Early Childhood Educator will have:
• A minimum of 2 years work experience in a child care setting
• Valid Early Childhood Education Certificate and License to Practice
• Infant Toddler/Special Needs Certification an asset
• Clear Criminal Records Check & Current First Aid
• Valid Food Safe Certificate
Terms of Employment:
On call: Mon-Thursday
Start Date: On-call as needed
Wage: ($23/hr ) with opportunity for Wage Enhancement program
Cover Letter & Resume to: Anita Patrick, Director N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre
Email: anita.patrick@nquatqua.ca
Will remain open until we receive a qualified individual to the role. We thank all those who apply, only those candidates selected for the interview will be notified
High School Teacher (upper level Math)
Mount Currie, BC Full-time
Title: High School Teacher
$60015.00-$109520.00/year
Department: Community School
Status: Full Time Regular
Pay Grid: Teachers = $60,015-$109,520
Reporting to: School Admin Team
Summary of Duties:
• The High School teacher will teach courses, which involves instruction in differentiated classes under the supervision of the School Admin Team.
Key Deliverables and Expectations:
• Strong classroom management skills.
• Ability to accommodate the needs of students with a range of learning styles and abilities.
• Ability to use strength-based, student centered approaches to plan engaging and educational lessons and courses.
• Ability to motivate students and to adjust instructional strategies accordingly.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills including the ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.
• Strong assessment practices.
• Ability to use technology to enhance student learning.
• Ability to embed local First Nations culture into teaching practice.
• Experienced and/or interested in integrating place-based, outdoor learning practices in educational delivery.
• Knowledge of the B.C. curriculum.
• Perform other related duties as requested.
Experience and Attributes:
• Possession of / or ability to apply for a B.C. Teaching Certificate
• Must complete a Criminal Record Check
• TQS Category
View jobs at Lil’wat Nation https://lilwatnation.easyapply.co/
Come build with the best team.
Our team of people is what sets us apart from other builders. As we continue to grow as the leader in luxury projects in Whistler, our team needs to expand with us.
We are currently hiring:
Labourers ($20 - $30 hourly)
Carpenters Helpers /Apprentices 1st to 4th year ($25 - $35 hourly)
Experienced Carpenters ($30 - $45 hourly)
Carpenter Foremen ($40 - $50 hourly)
Rates vary based on experience and qualifications. Red seal 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 for you and your family
• 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!
CIVIL CONSTRUCTION
Xet’olacw Community School Job Postings:
Title: Elementary School Teacher
Department: Community School
Status: Full Time Regular
Pay Grid: Teachers
Reporting to: School Admin Team
Summary of Duties:
• The Elementary School teacher will teach courses, which involves instruction in differentiated classes under the supervision of the School Admin Team.
Key Deliverables and Expectations:
• Teach all subjects in the selected i.e. Grade 2 Class with Physical Education, Ucwalmícwts (traditional language), and a library time supervised by other teachers or staff.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
TRUCK DRIVER - Valid Class 1 or Class 3 with air brakes required. Manual transmission. 2 years experience preferred. $32-$40.45 per hour.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Squamish - Minimum 5 years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$42 per hour.
HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, Whistler – Red Seal Certified, Commercial Truck & Transport, Transport Trailer required. CVSE Inspector’s ticket, Air Conditioning ticket, Class 1 or 3 with air brakes preferred. Toolbox available for rent. $39.70-$47.90 per hour.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learn on-the-job. Stamina for physically demanding work and perseverance to brave inclement weather required. Previous experience preferred but not required. Training provided. $25-$32 per hour.
• Committed to excellent instructional preparation and consistent record keeping. Timely reporting to administration, when necessary, e.g., report cards, attendance records and data request
• Use data to drive classroom/school–wide improvement initiatives
• Maintain open and consistent communication with students and their families about their academic progress
• Teach numeracy and literacy in collaboration with others according to the school’s strategies for improving academic outcomes
• Be a positive team player committed to the belief that all children can learn at high levels
• Commit to ongoing professional development including willingness to be coached by the Elementary Supervisor and Regional Principal via school visits, video teleconference calls etc. and joining Provincial Professional Learning Community model (in Vancouver) and a School-Wide PLC model on site.
• Working in the ReadWell Program (platooned) as well as Literature program and centers.
• Work with Saxon Math in collaboration with other Primary teaching staff
• Enjoy participating in school event days such as Sports Day, Eagle Run, and Flake Rodeo etc.
• Perform other related duties as requested.
Experience and Attributes:
• Possession of / or ability to apply for a B.C. Teaching Certificate
• Experience and/or education in special needs an asset
• Strong interpersonal, communication and collaborative skills including the ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.
• Strong assessment practices.
• Strong classroom management skills.
• Ability to accommodate the needs of students with a range of learning styles and abilities.
• Ability to use strength-based, student centered approaches to plan engaging and educational lessons and courses.
• Ability to motivate students and to adjust instructional strategies accordingly.
• Ability to use technology to enhance student learning.
• Ability to embed local First Nations culture into teaching practice.
• Experienced and/or interested in integrating place-based, outdoor learning practices in educational delivery.
• Knowledge of the B.C. curriculum.
• Must complete a Criminal Record Check
• TQS Category
SQUAMISH I WHISTLER I PEMBERTON
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Our vision is for LíÍwat to flourish with full autonomy of our territory, preserving our language and culture, by cultivating a prosperous, healthy, and harmonious community for all. N ákmen (Our Way) provides the foundation for all of the Nation’s work as we move towards self-determination.
Who you are
We are searching for a passionate and visionary leader dedicated to building organizational culture and infrastructure within an Indigenous organization. You excel in clear and honest communication, engaging people in planning and decision-making processes, and demonstrating a deep commitment to the community and it’s people. With a talent for inspiring and creative leadership, you have a proven history of forging strong relationships and cohesive teams. You navigate seamlessly between boardroom settings with Chiefs and Council and Government Officials to community interactions with members and Elders. As a financially savvy professional and policy expert, you have established solid networks with Indigenous organizations, government agencies, and other relevant partners.
What you will do
Reporting to the Chiefs and Council you will oversee and lead the LíÍwat Nation’s administration and operations, covering all aspects of operational planning, policy implementation, financial oversight, program and department management, economic growth initiatives, capital project execution, human resources, employee well-being, and community engagement and development.
What we offer
• A salary range of $160,000 to $180,000 per annum.
• A healthy benefits and insurance package and a 9% matched pension plan.
• Three weeks vacation to start, in addition to extra paid holidays (5), wellness leave (5), and office closure during the Christmas period.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume to careers.jouta@mnp.ca no later than July 5 2024, at 5:00 pm PST. To review the full
Engagement & Information Management Specialist
Responsible for the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) Employee Housing Programs’ communications and engagement initiatives, as well as being a leading coordinator of the WHA’s IT projects.
Full-time position. Salary Range $40 -$46 per hour.
The Communications, Engagement, and Information Management Specialist will lead the WHA’s communications and engagement strategies helping to increase awareness and understanding of the Employee Housing Programs and strengthen connections with the community and partner organizations. The ideal candidate is a strong, innovative, and strategic communicator committed to the mission and vision of the Whistler Housing Authority and fostering a community where Whistler’s workforce can be housed in safe,
Cool tips for hot temps in Whistler
HEAT. The story of the summer. Everywhere but here. But if you believe the forecast, we might also be hot here by early next week. Not killer hot. Pushin’ 30 C though. Hot enough when it’s not that many days since you slipped on a fleece. Abruptly hotter. No time to acclimate.
People around the northern hemisphere have been dying of heat. More than 1,300
BY G.D. MAXWELL
people at the Hajj, marching to and around the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia died, putting the grim in pilgrim. The Saudi Health Minister said 83 per cent of them were unauthorized pilgrims. Average temps pushed 49 C. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. More than 1.8 million Muslims were there this year. I’m not sure how many of them were unauthorized. I’m not sure what difference that makes. It’s not like it’s a ticketed event. It’s a matter of faith. Not sure what that says.
But I’m pretty sure it won’t get that warm in Whistler. It’ll seem hot to us, though. And how you react to and prepare for hot weather means the difference between being comfortable and blowing the budget on an air conditioner you likely don’t need.
A recent column in the Globe and Mail suggested air conditioning is a necessity. Not a luxury. Maybe in sultry Toronto, although I managed to sweat my way through nine summers there without more than common sense and overhead fans. But certainly not in Whistler.
Growing up in the desert in the southwest U.S., air conditioning was still a rarity. Movie theatres had air conditioning. And popcorn. Great places to be on hot days.
But most people had common sense and not enough money for air conditioning. Enough money for window coverings and refrigerators that made ice, though. So windows stayed closed during the day, behind curtains. Stayed open at night and early morning when things were cooler.
While closed windows and closed curtains seem counterintuitive, they work. Especially those that face the sun. Your rooms stay cooler. With cold air rolling down from the mountains here, everything will cool down nicely in the evening, all night and early in the morning. Try it. Cheaper than an air conditioner.
If you’ve got an extra $60 or so and windows that face the sun, buy some UV-blocking window film. Works even better along with closed windows and curtains. Still cheaper than air conditioning. Even if you spend an extra $30 on a fan.
Make sun tea. Put ice in it. Drink a lot. That works too. Really cheap.
If where you live is still too hot or you just want to get out, here are more cool ideas.
Go jump in a lake. Lots of lakes in Whistler. Alta is chilly-warm and wonderful. If you like your lakes crowded, jump from one of the parks and rub shoulders with the rest of the fun-seekers. Better still, rent a canoe, paddle
to a secluded spot and have your own private fun.
If you believe plunging into cold water is even better, Green Lake is cold enough to, well, it’s just cold.
If you’re one of those people who feel they have to suffer before they’ve earned their pleasure, hike or ride up to one of the other lakes—Rainbow, Loggers, Jane, Jake, take your pick, there’s lots—for a long swim and probably secluded sunbathing.
hotels. Recon the place first. Watch others headed for the pool. Their pools are usually pretty easy to get to, especially if you’re wearing a bathing suit, carrying a white towel and act like you belong there. Bring a book. Use a credit card or something that looks like a room key as a bookmark. Adopt an attitude. You can pull this off.
If you prefer to stay dry (okay, dryish) and get cool, get up to the top of Whistler or Blackcomb and have a snowball fight. Bury
Crash a pool. There are lots of pools in Whistler. The easy ones to crash are attached to things that look like hotels.
Speaking of which, you can still blend enjoying heat, getting cool and being naked at the right dock at Lost Lake. It’s not hard to figure out which one if you keep your eyes open. But once there, don’t stare. Very uncool. Lakes not your thing? A bit too much nature? Worried about what you can’t see below the surface? Crash a pool. There are lots of pools in Whistler. The easy ones to crash are attached to things that look like hotels. They’re probably condos, but they look like
yourself in snow ‘til your lips turn blue and you can only sing O Canada in a falsetto voice. Take something smooth with you and slide down the snow. Be a kid. A cool kid.
Work a front-line job? Be a champ and organize a fam tour to go whitewater rafting. Easier than you might think. And the rivers they’re rafting were snow not that long ago. There’s a chance you may fall out of the raft into the cold water... especially if you want to. Health Canada urges adults and
especially children—of all ages—to eat your minimum daily allowance of ice cream during hot summer days. It ain’t free but it’s cheaper than cold beer and won’t make you blow over the limit. If you’re one of those folks who actually counts calories during the summer, eat it standing up. You won’t gain weight that way. I read it on the internet.
Even if you feel the need to go for long, sweaty bike rides, run marathon distances, or bake your way through 18 holes of golf, slow down afterwards. Relax and enjoy something tall and cold in a shady place. Whistler is endowed with a multitude of patios, festooned with brightly coloured umbrellas, crackerjack servers, and a variety of cold beverages. All of them will cool you down. Some of them will make you silly. You can practice another language. Otra cerveza por favor. Une autre bière, s’il vour plait. Noch ein Bier, Bitte. Shche odne pyvo, bud’ laska. Dar alaus, prašau.
If all else fails, simply wait for the sunset. If you‘re hard to please, stubborn, pig-headed, and none of these ideas appeal to you, just grump around until the sun goes down. The air cools off quickly—thank you what‘s left of the glaciers above us— and sooner or later we all can get a good night‘s sleep. As you doze off, remember the many people in Toronto and Winnipeg who are trying to sleep in a pool of their own sweat these nights.
