Looking back (and forward) at 30 years of community journalism in Whistler. - By G.D. Maxwell
06 OPENING REMARKS Editor Braden Dupuis reflects on his tenure with Pique as the paper celebrates 30 years.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers weigh in on grizzlies, seniors, and housing developments in Pemberton.
11 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST The Whistler bubble is both a blessing and a curse, writes Brandon Barrett—but sometimes you need to leave it to understand your place in it.
74 MAXED OUT This American Thanksgiving, Max is thankful for one thing above all others: skiing.
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12 OPENING DAY Whistler Blackcomb COO Belinda Trembath talks all things opening day on the mountains.
14 PEEK AT THE CREEK The Resort Municipality of Whistler is seeking input on the future of Creekside—while trying to preserve the historic neighbourhood’s character.
56 EASY SLIDERS Mackenzie Stewart and Leah Walkeden took home Canadian Championship gold at the Whistler Sliding Centre this week.
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MARKET
MADNESS
Mark your calendars, Christmas shoppers—the Arts Whistler Holiday Market returns Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
COVER What an amazing string of pearls my life has been at the Pique. Not many people are lucky enough to find their dream job right out of school. Little did I know it would not only provide me with a reasonably steady income, I would also end up with what is most likely the best damn work family in the whole damn universe! Big thanks and even bigger hugs, however awkward, to all of the beautiful mugs in this image. I know the countless hours spent uncovering the truth without bias is becoming more and more uncommon with the world’s unfortunate “breaking news” addiction. Print is the new vinyl! Hopefully it lasts forever, but good thing it’s fully recyclable… unlike today’s news, which is often recycled, and mostly viewed on unrecyclable devices which last forever. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
Celebrating 30 years of Pique
I WAS BAREFOOT on a beach in Tofino when an email came in that forever altered the course of my life.
It was from former Pique editor Clare Ogilvie, asking me if I was interested in a
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
reporter job with her publication in Whistler.
I was skeptical. I had never been to Whistler; had never heard of Pique . I assumed it was some rundown rag on the cusp of collapse, like so many other print publications seemed to be.
But being in the general vicinity, I drove up to interview in person.
I was blown away—by the breadth and quality of Pique Newsmagazine, the passion and enthusiasm of its editor, and by Whistler itself.
They say the average adult makes more than 30,000 decisions every day—most of them benign and inconsequential, like deciding what to eat or wear.
Some carry more weight. But it’s rare we get to see the diverging life paths ahead of us so clearly before we make the call.
Yet there I was, at a clear crossroads: take the print reporter job with the weird little newsmagazine in Whistler, or accept a job with CTV Regina, which had promised me a path to the anchor desk.
Two wildly different career paths, in markedly divergent markets; one big choice to make and no idea how it would turn out.
You can guess the rest. Less than 24 hours after that fateful interview, I had accepted the job with Pique. A month later I was moving to the West Coast.
I didn’t know what I was getting into. I remember telling myself that first summer in Whistler that I didn’t know how long it would last; looked around at the imposing mountains and the old-growth trees and promised I wouldn’t take a single day in this incredible place for granted.
That was more than 10 years ago. I’m still not taking any of it for granted.
But as we prepared this week’s cover feature marking Pique’s 30th anniversary, I realized the outsized impact this funny little newsmagazine has had on me. My 10-and-ahalf-year tenure under the Pique masthead represents more than a quarter of my life.
And it’s strange to find your existence so intricately tied to an inanimate object like a newspaper. But then, Pique has never been some bland, run-of-the-mill publication. If it was, I doubt I’d still be here after all these years.
I say it to every applicant, and to anyone
We are all so lucky to have it. Things have changed since 2014, of course. The page counts are smaller, the team itself a bit leaner. We’re no longer on Facebook (good riddance, I say). But we’re still here, still profitable. Still keeping our finger on the pulse and our eyes and ears open to what matters most to the community.
Pique is still your source for local news— one still resisting municipal spin and the rosy, polished outlook of tourism boosters.
Some people in town don’t like that. They think Pique should only report positive developments in the community, only say nice things in the opinion pages.
To them we say: too bad.
Yes, we want Whistler to succeed. But at the end of the day, Pique’s only editorial allegiance is to the truth—the ugly, uncomfortable, necessary truth. So we will always call it as we see it—warts and all.
That is nothing new. One of the benefits
and tribulations, its dramatic victories and deflating defeats, its heroes and its villains.
Along the way, Pique has been both enthusiastic booster and harsh critic; a purveyor of basic information and a dissector of the deeper context.
That will never change.
I don’t imagine I’ll still be here when Pique celebrates its 40th anniversary—but then, when we put out our issue marking 20 years way back in the fall of 2014, I would have laughed if you’d told me I’d be the editor for the 30th.
Life is funny that way—big, weird, unpredictable, challenging, messy and wonderfully beautiful, all at once. It zigs and zags, throws us unexpected curveballs, challenges us and our beliefs, forces us to learn and grow, even when we don’t want to.
In that sense, a weekly newspaper is like a rock in the unending current; a stable, predictable pillar standing tall in the muck.
But at the end of the day, Pique’s only editorial allegiance is to the truth—the ugly, uncomfortable, necessary truth. So we will always call it as we see it—warts and all.
who will listen, because it’s true: Pique is one of the very best weekly newspapers in Canada, and possibly North America.
From its stunning visual design (shout-out to art director Jon Parris) and award-winning weekly long-form features down to its robust reporting on local news, arts and sports, there are simply not many papers left like Whistler’s.
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of working for a newspaper is having instant access to the archives—a week-by-week glimpse into a robust and revelatory time capsule.
Pique’s legacy and role here in Whistler is apparent in the thousands of bound pages lining the shelves in our Function Junction office, hundreds upon hundreds of issues documenting the community’s trials
Pique isn’t perfect; nothing is. We are all just humans after all.
But I’m grateful every day for it, and for the community that reads it every week.
Keep sending your story ideas, your photos, your criticisms and your poorly spelled insults.
We cherish every one of them.
And we don’t take any of it for granted. n
Loss of grizzly cubs ‘heartbreaking’
The recent shooting of the two yearling grizzly bears is something I will be mourning for a long time. Heartbroken. Devastated. Angry. Having grown up on a farm in the Pemberton Meadows, grizzly bears have been a part of this landscape for my entire life. I feel fortunate to have spent the past 1.5 years working with the Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative (C2C), supporting communities living at the interface of coexistence.
Having watched these two yearling grizzlies grow up in the Pemberton Meadows, I saw firsthand how intelligent, social, and aware these animals are. Since June 2024, they have been orphaned, and struggling to adapt to this large world on their own, without the critical social learnings from their mother. Over the past weeks, my colleagues and I at C2C poured everything we could into these two bears— now casualties within a critically endangered population unit.
This experience has shown how unprepared the province of B.C. is for handling urgent management situations like this, which are essential to grizzly bear recovery. These bears were never dangerous or aggressive to us while we worked with them on the ground, day after day, despite engaging them in many close
encounters. They were simply young, curious, and hungry—yearling orphans, missing out on another vital 1.5 years of social learning they should have had with their mother. Grizzly bears are not here to kill humans. They were responding, as expected, to a world full of enticing smells and unsecured attractants left by humans.
This was not shocking bear behaviour. Bears are in hyperphagia at this time of year, driven to eat excessively in preparation for hibernation. These were orphaned yearlings
exploring new territory and finding a land of unlimited treats. Deciding to stay in a landscape full of accessible treats is normal bear behaviour.
A culture of fear leads to harmful decisions for both humans and bears. Have you ever spent time watching, learning from, or trying to understand these intelligent animals? Feardriven responses hurt humans and kill bears. Education is critical, but it only works if people are willing to listen, engage, and change. We talk about coexistence, but what does
that actually look like? It looks like people taking responsibility for their actions, such as managing attractants, instead of putting all that responsibility on the bears, and invariably shooting them to make us more comfortable. Do we want to be known as the place where grizzly bears come to die? Working in grizzly bear conservation is rarely about managing bears—it’s almost always about managing humans. We all share responsibility here: this is grizzly bear habitat, and they deserve to be on this landscape, especially as they face the insurmountable effects of habitat degradation, climate change, and human development. Human attractants are a human responsibility to secure so that bears are not drawn into, or want to stay, in human places. This, and the irrational fear base that people have, are the biggest issues our communities face as we look to the future of grizzly bear coexistence. So, what kind of world do you want to live in? Is it one where there’s still room for wildlife—or one where we lose them to fear and inconvenience?
Time for Whistler seniors to have a space of their own
This letter was sent to Whistler’s mayor and council, and shared with Pique.
The Whistler community needs the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) support to
Erica Van Loon // Pemberton
establish a seniors’ meeting centre. A space that would not only meet some of the needs of the senior population but the community as a whole.
Whistler would not be the amazing success it is without the vision and tireless effort of community members who have spent the last five decades building this resort community. Those same visionaries and builders are now Whistler’s senior population. The RMOW uses age 55+ to determine when someone should be called a senior. According to the 2021 Stats Canada census that means more than 4,000 people, or 29 per cent of Whistler’s population, are seniors. Seniors who are continuing to work and volunteer in this community because they are passionate about its success.
In 2023 the RMOW was recognized as an “age-friendly community” by the province, but unlike most communities our “age-friendly community” doesn’t even have a dedicated space for seniors to gather. Seniors are meeting ad hoc at the benevolence of other
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
celebration to truly celebrate the seniors that have spent much or all of the last 50 years helping Whistler fulfil the vision of being a world-class resort. It’s time to build a world-class community for all the people who live here.
I encourage you to act now to consult with the seniors and create a plan that will not only benefit the seniors and those about to enter their later years, but will benefit the community as a whole. We have some very creative minds in this community that could help create an amazing legacy project.
Thank you for your consideration of this timely request.
Anne Townley // Whistler
‘Confused and frustrated’ by Pemberton’s approach to housing projects
We represent Aspect Rental Suites Ltd. the developer of The Aspect, a proposed 61-unit,
“Many communities with far fewer resources have dedicated space supported by local government and private initiative...”
- ANNE TOWNLEY
groups in town.
Social connections and engaging personto-person in various activities are key for healthy aging. Many communities with far fewer resources have dedicated space supported by local government and private initiative, where seniors meet and engage in many different activities. Spaces where seniors support each other and find a sense of purpose are so important as we age. This is especially true in an active town like Whistler where many seniors face the daunting challenge of, “What do I do now that I can’t ski anymore?”
In 2016, the RMOW allocated more than $800,000 to build and improve a skate park. In 2019, the RMOW spent $3 million on an artificial turf field for the soccer club. Those facilities primarily serve the younger population. It’s time for the seniors to have a space.
The RMOW turns 50 next year and council and staff are wanting the community’s input into how to celebrate this special event. In the Oct. 18 edition of Pique, Mayor Jack Crompton was quoted as saying, “It feels to me we should find ways to really invest into this and bring value to it, and if that is sponsorships or more investments out of MRDT or taxation, I’m eager to see us do a really good job of this.”
I encourage council to create a Legacy Senior Centre as part of its 50th anniversary
for-rent complex at 1422 Portage Road Pemberton, directly opposite the Pemberton & District Community Centre.
Currently this site is vacant awaiting development, and the design is in accordance with the approved zoning. The Building Permit Application was lodged with the Village of Pemberton some 2.5 years ago in May 2022 after the Development Permit was affirmed in September of 2021.
During the intervening period, and more specifically during 2024, we have reached out to the Village on numerous occasions to seek an update on the status of the application and an estimated timetable for the review to reach its conclusion. For reasons of which we have not been made aware, the Village will not engage with us regarding the application’s status or timeline.
Furthermore, the Village has recently advised us that after 30 months since the application was first lodged, our project is no longer a priority and that the method of assessment has been changed. Despite requesting further clarification from the Village on two separate occasions in regard to this mooted change, there has been no information provided.
We have also taken the opportunity in March, June, July and October of this year to reach out to the elected leaders of Pemberton
Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 450 words. Pique Newsmagazine reserves the right to edit, condense or refrain from publishing any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Send them to edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com before 11 a.m. on Tuesday for consideration in that week’s paper.
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with little or no success.
The project was approved earlier this year for financing by the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation. We have advised the Village on numerous occasions that this financing was to expire on Nov. 1, 2024, and that commencement of construction would have to occur by early September to stay within the approved guidelines.
an opportunity to get off on the right foot and take meaningful steps to protect the nature and wildlife that make this province special. As world leaders gather in Colombia at the UN Biodiversity Summit, COP16, to address the global biodiversity crisis, I want to see the action leaders promised here at home in B.C.
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We are both confused and frustrated, given our knowledge of the local housing situation in Pemberton, that is in strong need of both an increase in quantity and diversity of housing options, that the Village has taken this approach. Governments at every level across Canada are currently spreading a similar message regarding the housing shortages that many communities such as Pemberton are facing and yet our project has been the subject of review for nearly 2.5 years.
As it stands today, our financing for the project has lapsed and the Village refuses to engage with us regarding the status of our application or the timing for the completion of its review and therefore the delivery of the project itself is now extremely uncertain.
Richard David and Tom McColm // Pemberton
Time for action on protecting nature and wildlife
With a newly elected government, we have
In B.C., we’re facing escalating climate change and habitat loss—more than 1,900 species and ecosystems are now at risk of extinction. Protecting the lands, waters and wildlife that make our home so special has never been more urgent. Healthy ecosystems are essential for the well-being of wildlife, our communities, our economy, and our future.
By prioritizing biodiversity, the government can demonstrate its commitment to a future where both people and nature thrive. This approach will help create a healthier B.C. for everyone.
This government was elected on a platform that included moving B.C. closer to protecting 30 per cent of B.C. by 2030 and a made-in-B.C. strategy to defend B.C. biodiversity. I urge readers to join me in calling on the B.C. government to follow through on its commitment and work with First Nations to protect biodiversity across B.C. We need to see action on conservation and climate change as a key part of their work to bolster community resilience.
IF YOU’VE BEEN reading the pages of Pique the last few weeks, you may have noticed my byline popping up more than usual. After nearly a year away from Whistler, I am officially back in the saddle at Pique, joining a long list of locals who have bid farewell to the community, only to return, a little worse for wear, but satisfied in the knowledge the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
BY BRANDON BARRETT
It wasn’t exactly how I envisioned the past year, but life has a way of tossing you curveballs, especially when you don’t feel all that equipped to knock them out of the park. I left the resort last December convinced I would never call it home again, but, as I keep joking to friends, this town is a little bit like the mafia: You can never truly leave.
One of the stranger qualities of Whistler is that, in some ways, it lives outside of normal time. There is arguably no community in the country that changes as much or as quickly as ours does. We refresh our population every winter with a new injection of young adults seeking a bit of the fun and adventure we are so known for, and being the global tourism
destination we are, change is the bedrock of our town. There is always pressure to grow, to offer new amenities, new experiences, new everything.
And yet, if you ignore the physical signs of Whistler’s impermanence—the newly opened and shuttered shops, the upgraded facilities and parks, etc.—you might get the sense
30 years of Pique’s archives and see how so many of the same challenges facing us today, whether housing or labour or overtourism, persisted decades ago.
The simple reality of living in a resort community set up to serve the needs of the millions of tourists who visit here each year is that the systemic barriers that also exist
nothing ever really changes here. We are, both literally and figuratively, a community of seasons, our collective rhythms finely attuned to the whims of the mountains and Mother Nature. That cyclical nature can have a sort of prolonged Groundhog Day effect, every ski season a shadow of ski seasons past.
The issues affecting Whistler, at least from a bird’s eye perspective, don’t change all that much either. It’s interesting to flip through
elsewhere are so deeply entrenched they are that much harder to break down.
If Whistler doesn’t change on some elemental level, we as individuals certainly do, a process that, at least for me, was accelerated by my having skipped town. I spent long overdue time with family, lived for several months in the heart of Downtown Toronto, with all its screaming chaos and over-stimulus, and eventually landed on the
Island, in Victoria, a charming and rapidly changing city in its own right.
In that time away, I got kicked around a bit, as life has a way of doing. I got laid off from my PR job two months after starting, and worked at a grocery store for a while to help cover the bills. My housing situation remained precarious for a good chunk of the year. Friendships ended, some abruptly, some through natural drift.
Through all the trials and tribulations, what struck home more than anything else was this notion that nobody was coming to rescue me. If I wanted to create the life I wanted to live, I was the only one with the building blocks to do it. It’s something I already understood on a certain level but hadn’t experienced in practice until I was separated from my usual social network, my job, and my community.
It’s both the blessing and the curse of the Whistler bubble. There is a pervading sense of escapism here that insulates you from the reality of the outside world. It’s so easy to get caught up in the rhythms of this town that we forget we still have the freedom to march to the beat of a different drum. Sometimes you need to leave the bubble to understand your place inside of it, and I am so grateful I did. I return to a Whistler and a job that may not have changed much while I was gone, but I most certainly did. The next time a curveball comes my way, you can be damn sure I’ll be swinging for the fences. n
Your ski-season primer for opening day
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB BANKING ON PAIR OF UPGRADED LIFTS TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE ON-MOUNTAIN CIRCULATION THIS WINTER
BY BRANDON BARRETT
AFTER A DREADFUL snow season last year, Whistler Blackcomb (WB) is banking on better weather and a pair of upgraded lifts to improve the skier experience this winter.
“Mother Nature coming to the party the way that we’ve seen over the past couple of weeks, and certainly over the last week, with a good amount of fresh snowfall in the alpine and down through mid-mountain, it’s really encouraging,” said Belinda Trembath, VP and COO of Whistler Blackcomb.
Pique spoke with WB’s top staffer last week ahead of opening day for a wide-ranging interview looking ahead to the upcoming ski season. With promising snowfall and chilly temperatures, WB opened Blackcomb
Mountain on Thursday, Nov. 21, a day ahead of schedule, with Whistler Mountain opening the following day as originally planned.
Serviced by Blackcomb Gondola, Excalibur Gondola, Excelerator, Catskinner and the upgraded Jersey Cream Express, Blackcomb opened Thursday with 87 acres (35 hectares) of skiable terrain. Whistler Mountain, meanwhile, offered another 100 acres (40 hectares) on Friday, serviced by the Whistler Village Gondola, Emerald Express, and Franz’s Chair.
THE LATEST LIFT INVESTMENT
Blackcomb’s new Jersey Cream Express, upgraded from a four-seater to a six-seater, is expected to increase uphill capacity by 29 per cent. Between that and Whistler Mountain’s upgraded Fitzsimmons Express, which debuted last winter and increased capacity from 1,850 to 3,300 skiers per hour, Trembath expects better circulation across both mountains as the season progresses.
“There are so many options now for
people to change up their ski day and to really think about where they want to be,” she said. “These lift investments really do just give people more options to move around the mountain, and I think the lap times on Jersey Cream will certainly take the pressure off that area and perhaps encourage people to stay in that area, as opposed to moving to some of the other more crowded areas on the hill.”
Jersey Cream represents the fourth lift investment at WB since 2022, after upgrades to the Big Red Express, Creekside Gondola, and Fitz Express. While Vail Resorts doesn’t have any immediate plans for another lift installation, Trembath said the Coloradobased company is “always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience” at its largest resort.
PAY PARKING COMING TO WB LOTS?
WB hopes to improve the guest arrival experience this winter through a trial carpool program that will permit only vehicles with four or more occupants to park in Upper Lot 7
on Blackcomb and on level P1 at the Creekside Parkade from 6 to 11 a.m. on weekends and peak periods. After 11 a.m., these lots will open to all vehicles.
“It’s really designed to encourage people to carpool and not to meet in the car park to start their ski day, which is definitely a habit that we see with guests and locals alike,” said Trembath, adding WB will apply the learnings from the pilot program and an associated parking study it is mandated to carry out into future seasons.
That study was one of the conditions attached to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) hasty approval, in March 2023, of the upgraded Fitz Express. In lieu of the additional 725 parking spots WB would have had to install under normal conditions, elected officials mandated the ski resort pay the RMOW $200,000 annually—funds that will go toward transit and activetransportation improvements—until it implements pay parking on the lots it owns.
Asked if there are plans to introduce pay parking, Trembath said nothing is off the table.
SNOW PATROL Snowmakers at work ahead of Whistler Blackcomb’s opening day of the ski season.
PHOTO BY MATTHEW SYLVESTRE / WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
“The learnings we have had so far through our parking study, and the learnings we’ve had from some of the initiatives we’ve implemented at our resorts down in the U.S., would suggest that everything from carpool incentives to reservations to paid parking can really improve the parking and arrivals experience for our guests,” she said. “So, paid parking is something that we would consider, and we would definitely be looking to continue to closely collaborate with community partners on those sorts of initiatives.”
PASS PRICING
With another ski season came a bump in WB’s pass and lift ticket pricing across the board. Asked what was behind the increases, Trembath said Vail Resorts considers several factors.
“Like any business, we look at macroeconomic factors: inflation, the cost of delivering services, and our general product mix,” she said. “We really do stand behind the products that we have available in advance of the season and the value that they provide.”
Trembath cited WB’s Edge card, with a 5-day adult card priced at $534; its unlimited
details of the negotiations, but that any housing project the scale of Glacier 8 is “complex by nature when you’re working with development partners that you’re going to be entering into longer-term leases with.”
MOUNTAIN SAFETY
Always top of mind, Whistler Blackcomb’s COO wanted to “reassure locals we’re continuing to work very closely with our mountain safety team to provide a safe experience on mountain,” Trembath said.
From changes designed to create better access to the Catskinner loading area on Blackcomb for “first-timers skiing the Easy Out trail” to connecting the top of the Excelerator quad to a new Catskinner Express trail, Trembath said mountain safety staff were “really innovative this summer in thinking about how skiers circulate” on Blackcomb.
“It was particularly looking after those firsttimers and low to intermediate skiers that want to avoid mixing with folks coming out of our signature terrain park area.”
On the Whistler side, crews have made improvements around Olympic station “to
“We really do stand behind the products that we have available in advance of the season and the value that they provide.”
- BELINDA TREMBATH
WB season pass, priced at $1,541; and its Epic Pass, granting unlimited, unrestricted access to WB and 17 other Vail Resorts ski areas, priced at USD$1,107 (CAD$1,552 at press time), as examples of good-value products in the company’s suite of pass options.
Passes and Edge cards go off sale for the season on Dec. 2.
STAFFING
WB is looking at a full staffing complement heading into the winter, Trembath said. While the company doesn’t typically share figures around personnel, in the past, WB has told Pique it counts more than 4,000 employees during the ski season.
A looming question for the ski resort that has yet to be answered in detail is when its long-awaited staff housing building, Glacier 8, will open to employees.
First proposed in 2019, the six-storey, 66-unit complex will add 240 new staff beds to WB’s stock, making it the largest injection of workforce beds Whistler has seen in years.
WB originally targeted fall 2025 for Glacier 8’s opening, but that is looking increasingly unlikely. Like she did last month when asked by mayor and council, Trembath stopped short of offering a firm timeline for the project’s opening.
“We are still working through a complex set of discussions with our development partners, and that makes it difficult for us to provide a firm timeline at this point in time,” she said.
Asked what those complex discussions are, Trembath said she wouldn’t go into
improve the experience for first-timers midmountain,” she added.
Trembath also mentioned a new mower WB acquired that covered ample terrain on both mountains this summer, which “really sets us up to provide that better-groomed product early in the season.”
CLIMATE
Ski resorts around the globe have had to consider how the climate crisis will impact the industry, with experts predicting significantly lower snowfall and shortened winters on the horizon.
Trembath said it’s something WB, and the industry at large, has been pondering for years.
“The ski industry generally has been very proactive at adapting to climate change, through investment in snowmaking, through an investment in snow-farming techniques. Using wind fences to catch snow, artificial surfaces for loads and unloads,” she explained.
WB is “well on its way” to achieving its target of zero waste to landfill by 2030, said Trembath.
The company will also continue investing in electric vehicles. Currently, it has three electric vehicles in its fleet: one in the maintenance department, as well as two electric snowmobiles.
“We are constantly looking at and working with the snowcat manufacturers on how they’re progressing with electric snow cats,” Trembath added. “We’re not ready to take those on into our fleet yet, but in the future, I can see that as being a component of our fleet.” n
Whistlerites want Creekside’s character preserved in forthcoming plans
AS RMOW SEEKS INPUT ON FUTURE VISION FOR CREEK WEST, RESIDENTS SEEK BALANCE BETWEEN HOUSING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD’S NEEDS
BY BRANDON BARRETT
AS THE RESORT Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) looks ahead to the long-term future of Whistler’s original ski village, one underlying theme from recent engagement with residents emerged.
“‘Maintain what makes Creekside, Creekside’ was really the key piece of feedback I heard,” said Mayor Jack Crompton.
The municipality has been seeking locals’ input on its Whistler Creek West Neighbourhood Plan, a 25-year vision that will be used to guide any future proposed land-use and development changes.
Crompton said the message was loud and clear from residents that Whistler’s need for more affordable housing should be balanced with efforts to preserve the community’s character.
“I think people understand that density, where it’s well served, can really benefit the community. Creekside is an extremely well-serviced location that could absorb additional density,” he said. “I didn’t hear as much resistance to add density as I heard expressions for maintaining Creekside’s character.”
The home of Whistler’s first gondola when it opened in 1966, Creekside has evolved into
a mixed-use neighbourhood with residential zones, shops, restaurants and recreational facilities. In Whistler’s Official Community Plan (OCP), the specific stretch of Lake Placid Road between Creekside and Nita Lake Lodge was identified as an area for study for further densification. The RMOW has homed in on Creek West because of its proximity to the Creekside Village commercial area, Highway 99, frequent transit, the Valley Trail, and nearby parks.
“If you look at Vail, Aspen, Chamonix, a ski base with as much uphill terrain, and as many services with as little housing, it doesn’t exist in the same way,” Crompton noted.
While it’s still early in the engagement process, the mayor said “it’s not too early to say that significant density could be a part of Creekside.”
Creekside resident Laura Wallace wants any new housing in the area to be limited to three storeys, and new accommodation on Lake Placid Road to be designated exclusively for staff housing, provided onsite amenities such as daycare and retail are available. She also said parking and traffic flow need to be addressed before any new housing is considered.
“I don’t see this working for traffic flow unless there is more underground parking,” she said. “We already see a lot of traffic congestion.”
Asked about possible improvements to traffic flow, Crompton said he would leave that to the experts at this point but conceded the need to “improve the infrastructure we have in Creekside to deliver additional density.”
The RMOW held two in-person engagement sessions this month on the future of Creek West attended by a combined 150plus people, and had at press time received 199 responses to an online survey that will remain open until Dec. 1.
“I don’t see this working for traffic flow...”
-LAURA WALLACE
Wallace feels the municipality needs to consider different ways of getting the word out to residents, as she said most of her neighbours were unaware of the Creek West neighbourhood plan altogether. The RMOW posted about the recent engagement opportunities on its website, twice in its weekly newsletter, its social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X, posters around Creekside, and through two
ads in Pique.
“I want to make sure the communication tools provided are keeping people informed,” Wallace said. “You have to hit every different avenue … and figure out where the different groups are.”
Crompton stressed the process is still in its early stages, with staff planning to return in the spring with a report summarizing the public’s feedback and presenting potential land-use scenarios for the community’s consideration.
The RMOW is targeting summer 2025 for a draft plan and bylaw amendments, which would precede the official public hearing process.
Engagement has been a thorny issue at municipal hall for years. The RMOW regularly scores low around issues of engagement and transparency, with less than half of respondents to the 2024 Community Life Survey saying they were satisfied with opportunities to provide input on municipal decision-making.
“I think people care a tremendous amount about their town and they feel strongly about what happens in their town, so in a lot of ways I think [the low scores are] a sign of the desire for us to be better. I share that,” Crompton said. “That’s why we’ve started processes like these, because we want to be better than we’ve been.”
Learn more, and fill out the Creek West survey, at engage.whistler.ca/wcw. n
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Sunda y- Thursday
Whistlerite donates Canadian flag flown on Juno Beach to local veteran
DIANA DE MAN, WHOSE UNCLE FOUGHT ON D-DAY, PRESENTED FLAG FLOWN ON JUNO BEACH TO RETIRED MAJOR DAVID BLAKE-KNOX
BY BRANDON BARRETT
RETIRED ARMY MAJOR David Blake-Knox has taken part in Whistler’s Remembrance Day Service since 2013, and, during this year’s Colour Parade, the veteran had the distinct honour of marching directly behind a Canadian flag that flew on Juno Beach, one of five beaches that was the site of the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day.
Little did he know, after the ceremony concluded, the flag would be his.
“It’s poignant in that fact that it has flown on Juno Beach in Normandy,” said BlakeKnox, who splits his time between Whistler and North Vancouver. “My favourite uncle was in the Royal Canadian Army Chaplain Corps and he was there on D-Day with Bible in hand. And he actually survived the war.”
It was another Whistlerite with a personal connection to the Battle of Normandy who donated the flag to Blake-Knox. Diana De Man’s uncle, Private Walter Ratinsky, was an infantryman with The Royal Winnipeg Rifles who were part of the first wave of Allied forces to land in Normandy on June 6, 1944 under exceptionally heavy fire. Like
Blake-Knox’s uncle, Ratinsky survived D-Day, fighting his way from the beaches to the countryside. A month later, he was killed as part of Operation Windsor, a Canadian attack to capture the Carpiquet airfield from German forces that many military historians today consider a failure. In total, 127 Canadians were killed, and 250 injured.
“It was good to learn,” said De Man, who went on a guided battlefield tour of Normandy in 2018. “My mom’s side of the family, none of them knew exactly what happened to Walter. Only one or two of them managed to go to the Canadian cemetery in France to view his headstone, but no one really knew the story.”
It was that time in Normandy, and the reception she got from locals, that inspired De Man to acquire the flag that flew on Juno Beach for several days last year and ultimately donate it to a veteran.
“The people I met both in Juno and the other places in Normandy, when they found out I had someone who landed on the beach and fought for them, they were very thankful. But to tell them you were Canadian made the hugest difference in the world. It was an outpouring of thankfulness,” she said. “When I realized I could buy a flag and have
STORIED PAST Diana De Man presents Retired Army
it sent here, I wanted to make sure it went to a veteran just because the impact of meeting all those people and the gratitude they have for Canada, and the sacrifices that were made. It sticks with me, and I think it will stick with me for quite a long time.”
Blake-Knox is certainly a deserving recipient. Counting 43 years in the Canadian army and navy, he has acquired six service medals across his long and varied military career. Over that span, postings have brought him across Canada, the Middle East, England, Germany and the U.S. He has written army policy in Ottawa, taught weapon systems maintenance, was part of the UN mission overseeing the disengagement between Syria and Israel following the Yom Kippur War, facilitated supply delivery to American troops during the Iraq War, and was the commanding officer of Vancouver’s Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre.
Approaching retirement, in 2013 BlakeKnox bought a house in Whistler, where he met his now-wife on the 7th Heaven Express. He said he intends to keep the flag in Whistler, where it was gifted to him.
“I’m keeping it flying as long as I own my home,” he said. n
Major David Blake-Knox with a Canadian flag that was flown on Juno Beach following Whistler’s Remembrance Day Ceremony on Nov. 11.
PHOTO BY STEVE LECLAIR
Break out the wax: Whistler is forecasted for a snowy redemption
UBC OKANAGAN CLIMATOLOGIST
SNOWFALL TO WHISTLER
BY LIZ MCDONALD
“YOU SHOULD BE waxing your skis,” according to Michael Pidwirny, a University of British Columbia Okanagan researcher who assesses the impact of climate change on North America’s ski resorts. Considering the chairlifts started spinning again in Whistler this week, the forecast is welcome news.
In his annual winter forecast for Western Canada’s ski resorts, Pidwirny breaks down how El Niños and La Niñas impact winter weather and combines it with forecasting from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) long-range seasonal forecasts. The outlook calls for a winter that’s “colder than normal, with higher-thanaverage precipitation for southern British Columbia and western Alberta.”
“The precipitation forecast is very, very good for both November, which we’re seeing right now, and for December,” Pidwirny said. “For January and February, they predict the snow will be heaviest just to the south of Whistler in Washington state. But that’s so close that it will probably have an effect.”
Whistler and ski resorts throughout North America suffered from a prolonged El Niño
MICHAEL PIDWIRNY SAYS
SKIERS SHOULD BET ON THIS YEAR’S LA NIÑA TO BRING ABOVE-AVERAGE
last year, resulting in low snowpack and chatter arguing it was the worst season ever for the ski town.
According to Pidwirny’s charts and reporting from Pique editor Braden Dupuis, the worst winters in Whistler were actually during El Niños in 2014-15 and 1980-81, and
during the El Niño,” he said.
“Considering the NOAA long range forecasts, the history of what La Niña and El Niño do to Whistler and these graphs, it’s not a sure thing, but if this were sports betting, you’d bet for La Niña.”
Whistler Blackcomb’s snow report as of
“Considering the NOAA long range forecasts, the history of what La Niña and El Niño do to Whistler and these graphs, it’s not a sure thing, but if this were sports betting, you’d bet for La Niña.”
- MICHAEL PIDWIRNY
the following ski seasons after these dreary, dry days saw big snowfalls.
Pidwirny has tracked how Whistler has fared during previous El Niños and La Niñas using data from the Whistler Roundhouse, and his graphs offer a promising picture.
“We’re talking about an extra 50 centimetres above the average. And almost more than 100 centimetres above what happened last year
Nov. 20 showed 30 cm in the last 12 hours and a base depth of 105 cm.
The forecast leading up to opening day was promising, too, with highs below the freezing mark and snow sticking in the valley for the first time this season.
“December should be epic,” Pidwirny said.
Along with the promising forecast for December, Pidwirny noted it is now the
coldest month of winter, replacing historic lows in January—not because the Christmasmonth is colder, but because the remaining winter months are getting warmer.
“December hasn’t changed much since the ‘90s, but there’s been an obvious increase in warming of January, February and March, which is likely caused by global warming,” he said.
Along with the forecast comes good news from Whistler Blackcomb, which announced in a press release Nov. 14 that upgrades to Jersey Cream Express have moved along quickly enough that the six-seater will be spinning on opening day, Nov. 21.
“We’re thrilled to see this project so close to the finish line and on track to start welcoming guests on as we kick off the season next week,” said Belinda Trembath, Chief Operating Officer at Whistler Blackcomb. “The Jersey Cream upgrade project was a labour of love from our dedicated teams and development partners. We can’t wait to see this latest investment in the guest experience come to life this winter and have a positive impact on one of our most popular zones.”
The upgrade from a four-seater is expected to improve wait times by increasing uphill capacity by 29 per cent. n
FROM MOUNTAIN VIEWS TO GLOBAL BUYERS
These local realtors are redefining Whistler real estate
eXp Luxury brings a bold, innovative approach to the Sea to Sky’s luxury real estate market, offering homeowners an unparalleled combination of local expertise and buyers from global markets.
As the luxury division of eXp Realty, eXp Luxury is designed to meet the unique needs of Whistler’s real estate market, blending personalized service with advanced technology—a unique cloud-based model—to deliver exceptional results that reimagines traditional approaches.
By harnessing the power of eXp Luxury technology, paired with a rapidly growing global network, Whistler-based agents Patricia Jones and Auley Serfas are redefining the experience of buying and selling luxury properties in the region.
State-of-the-Art Technology, Global Network
This progressive cloud-based model empowers Jones and Serfas to provide a highly customized marketing plan for each property, enhancing the experience for homeowners, by reaching buyers and sellers around the world while remaining closely connected to the local community.
“Being cloud-based means we can dedicate more time and resources to our clients than the traditional brokerage model offers,” says Jones. “eXp Realty has over 90,000 agents in 24 countries, and we are currently the brokerage with the largest sales volume in the lower mainland. We have access to real-time data, innovative marketing tools and a global network at our fingertips. This efficiency lets us focus on what matters most: selling your home at its highest value.”
Unique Homes and over 75 more. These partnerships allow us to showcase homes in their best light, connecting our clients’ properties to high-net-worth buyers worldwide.”
Local Agents, Deep-Seated Roots
Jones further explains: “Any good realtor will utilize our local talent pool to provide expert staging, topnotch photography, 3D rendering, and drone footage — this is modern real estate marketing 101.”
“What sets Auley and I apart is what we do with these marketing assets to sell your home. When you list your property with us, your home is showcased to an affluent audience through prestige media brands like The Wall Street Journal, Robb Report,Mansion Global,
“eXp’s aggressive global strategy is incredibly powerful,” explains Serfas. “Our strong virtual agent network and media presence spans key global markets, ensuring unparalleled visibility for Whistler listings. This allows us to be where the buyers are, providing essential exposure in today’s market, where new housing policies are driving significant change and impacting local real estate dynamics.”
Both long-time Whistler residents, Jones and Serfas offer clients the benefit of their deep local knowledge and passion for the community. They provide homeowners with tailored strategies to position their properties on the world stage, ensuring every transaction reflects the prestige and value of the Whistler lifestyle.
“Our global reach, supported by partnerships with leading luxury lifestyle media outlets, allows us to strategically target mountain lifestyle seekers. With access to serious buyers ready to invest, our global network and luxury-focused marketing strategy ensure we can position your home to attract the attention it deserves, leading to stronger offers and optimal results.” LEVERAGING
“Whistler really checks all the boxes for today’s luxury homebuyers. People are looking for homes that focus on wellness, sustainability and high-quality design and Whistler delivers all of that with the added bonus of a stunning natural setting and year-round recreation. It’s a place where you can find smart, beautifully designed spaces that also feel deeply connected to nature.”
“In Whistler, where the lifestyle itself is the ultimate luxury, every property holds exceptional value,” says Serfas. “When the marketing resources offered by our luxury group were introduced, we knew it was essential to bring them to our community.”
25 years of
After sluggish year, Whistler real estate prices predicted to rebound in 2025
WITH INTEREST RATES ON THE DECLINE, BUYERS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO MARKET IN EARLY 2025
BY BRANDON BARRETT
AFTER A RELATIVELY COOL year on the market, a new report predicts Whistler home prices will rebound in 2025.
The 2024 Winter Recreational Property Report, compiled by Royal LePage, forecast the median price of a single-family detached home in Whistler would rise nine per cent next year, buoyed by growing inventory and declining interest rates.
“Buyers are coming back to the market,” said Frank Ingham, associate broker for Royal LePage Sussex. “A lot of that certainly has to do with interest rates. We’ve had four consecutive decreases.”
The Bank of Canada lowered its policy interest rate on Oct. 23, to 3.75 per cent, and is expected to do so again on Dec. 11. If that’s the case, Ingham believes buyers will look to re-enter the market before a possible surge in pricing come the spring.
“Whistler buyers are very knowledgeable and want to get the best bang for their buck,” Ingham told Pique. “I think we’re very close to the bottom of the rate chart and that will sway people.”
The anticipated rebound is also partly a reflection of the sluggish year Whistler’s market has had. In a period when consumers
of all means tightened their purse strings, real estate transactions were down 25 per cent in Whistler. Home prices reflected that dearth of sales. The median cost of a singlefamily detached home fell three per cent, to $3,569,100, in the first nine months of 2024, while the median price of a condominium dropped 12.4 per cent, to $583,600.
“It was overall a softening of the market,” Ingham said.
Recent changes to the capital gains tax
inclusion rate didn’t lead to a sudden rush of transactions in most markets, but Ingham said Whistler proved the rare exception. Multiple clients he worked with were motivated to sell before the new legislation came into effect.
“The increase to the capital gains inclusion rate was the catalyst for some clients to pull the trigger early on selling their winter property, or accept a lower offer price—that was previously off the table—in order to move a sale along,” he said in the report.
Specific legislation that doesn’t apply to Whistler, such as the foreign buyers tax and the speculation and vacancy tax, is another reason the resort remains attractive to prospective buyers.
“That’s a plus over anywhere else,” Ingham said.
While he doesn’t foresee a rush of American buyers to the resort, the broker did note Donald Trump’s incoming U.S. presidency has driven interest from south of the border.
“There has been interest and the Royal LePage webpage went nuts, with over a 100-per-cent increase in inquiries from the States,” Ingham said. “At least they’re looking but are they really going to move? Tough to say. The stock market had a huge uptick [following Trump’s election], so a lot of people made some money in the last while. That sometimes relates to buying houses and buying cars when you’re making a bit of extra dough.”
Across B.C.’s popular ski regions, the median price of a single-family detached home decreased 2.6 per cent in the first nine months of the year, to $1,729,200, while the median price of a condo also fell 2.6 per cent in that space, to $477,500. In the province’s recreational market, the median price of a single-family detached home is predicted to increase 8.5 per cent over the next 12 months. n
REAL-ESTATE REBOUND A multimillion-dollar home on Whistler’s Summit Lane. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER REAL ESTATE CO.
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Pick up the latest issue of your favourite read in Whistler.
Whistler Naturalists celebrate 25 years of nature education
THE SOCIETY’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING INCLUDED A NEW AWARD FOR THREE LOCALS HONOURING THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS
BY LIZ MCDONALD
FROM MUSHROOMS TO MOULDS, birds and glaciers, the Whistler Naturalists Society celebrated 25 years of diverse nature interests at their annual general meeting Nov. 12 at the Whistler Public Library.
Founded in 1999, the last 25 years saw the Whistler Naturalists grow in their role as nature educators, taking on BioBlitzes, Fungus Among Us, public displays, studying receding glaciers and school outreach. Along with the group’s year in review, they presented a new Outstanding Birder Award to three members who have greatly contributed to monitoring birds both for the delight they inspire and for their indication of biodiversity health.
OUTSTANDING BIRDERS
Chris Dale, Heather Baines and Karl Ricker were honoured for their service with an owl plaque designed by Vanessa Stark. Among their many contributions include the fifth edition of the Whistler Bird List, with 274 birds documented. The list has up-to-date details on historic and seasonal sightings, habitat preferences and breeding.
Dale recently passed away and was
remembered for his “encyclopedia” level of knowledge. He could spot minute details on birds, distinguishing them from others in a flock in an instant. His bird call mimics were both varied and impressive, including mimicking a varied thrush and a pygmy owl call that could cause a stir in flocks of chickadees, the pygmy owl’s prey.
Dale, who grew up in Woodfibre, B.C. in the Howe Sound across from Squamish, took to birding when he retired. Keen behind a lens, his YouTube channel features numerous wildlife videos, many of which come from time spent observing biodiversity in the Squamish Estuary where he was a Key Biodiversity Area monitor.
Baines was awarded for 20 years spent organizing monthly bird walks, mentorship, and thousands of hours spent on surveying. While she has retired as the coordinator for the Naturalists’ monthly walks, she has left a legacy which continues the first Saturday of every month. Always patient with questions and keen to correct misidentifications, her identification knowledge extends to sight, hearing and flight patterns. Each year, Baines contributes thousands of hours to surveys, completing seven bird surveys annually.
Lastly, Ricker was awarded for his 35 years of contributions to the Sea to Sky birding community. His keen attention to detail goes into all his activities. He has contributed to
more than 40 Pique Naturespeak articles, has published more than 900 articles on a variety of topics, and is a dedicated, encouraging mentor to countless Whistler Naturalists.
Ricker told Pique his passion for birds was built early, thanks to his father.
“He made us go birding with him when we were young kids, and that became Christmas bird counts with him over the decades. He was the genius of the Ricker family and kept making us toe the line,
trying to do our best,” Ricker said. His passion for birds means rarely a day goes by without Ricker hitting the trails on the lookout for wildlife.
WHISTLER NATURALISTS’ YEAR IN REVIEW
Out of pure coincidence, exactly 25 years to the day of their first AGM, Bob Brett, 25-year member of the Naturalists, began the 2024 year in review with a history lesson.
While they originally tried to engage adults in nature, youth have been the most receptive to a natural history education. In the last year, scientists brought by the Naturalists for Fungus Among Us and BioBlitz visited 31 classes and reached more than 600 kids.
Glacier recession monitoring of Wedgemount and Overlord glaciers, spearheaded by Ricker, showed 13-metre recession for 2024.
Ricker provided a year in review for the annual bird counts, with 274 bird species recorded.
Interested birders are welcome to attend monthly bird walks in Whistler, which run yearround on the first Saturday of each month at Alta Lake. Green Lake has seasonal summer walks on the third Saturday of each month.
Keep an eye out for the annual Christmas bird count Dec. 14. n
BIRD IS THE WORD Karl Ricker and Heather Baines were awarded as Outstanding Birders at Whistler Naturalists annual general meeting Nov. 12. PHOTO BY LIZ MCDONALD
With 53 yearsintheinvestmentindustry,Robin wasa mentorand confidant to many andcherishedtherelationshipshebuiltwith clientsand colleaguesthroughouthiscareer.
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Whistler’s Coast Range Heli-Skiing re-launches
BY PROVIDING
BOUTIQUE HELISKIING EXPERIENCES IN A TENURE OF 200,000 ACRES, THE COMPANY HOPES TO DRAW IN TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WITH SKI SEASON getting underway this week, there’s a new heli-skiing outfit in town that’s ready to take powder hounds to new heights.
Coast Range Heli-Skiing officially took flight Nov. 15, though it might be a stretch to call them new to the game. The company was bought and shut down by the McLean Group in 2016, which owns Blackcomb Helicopters. Now, they’re bringing the company back, integrating helicopter services and heliskiing under one roof, all owned by the McLean Group.
The re-launch also comes with an end to a contract with Whistler Heli-Skiing, the Vail Resorts-owned heli-skiing outfit.
Jason McLean, CEO for the company, explained when they shut down Coast Range in 2016, they kept the 200,000-acre (81,000-hectare) tenure that came with the purchase.
“At the time we were starting up the helibiking business, we were in the middle of expanding our fleet and focusing on our other parts of the business,” McLean said. “So, we decided to sub-license the tenure assets to Whistler Heli-Skiing, so that we maintain them in good standing, and they could use them and focused on the helicopter business for a while. We’ve always had this as an
option, and we’re very excited to be coming back to it.”
To put the size of the tenure into perspective, it’s roughly the equivalent to accessing 24 Whistler Blackcombs and it’s larger than the size of Maui or Singapore. The features include alpine in Birkenhead, glaciation and a wide range of ridges and slopes to drop in.
Uniting the helicopter business with heli-guiding removes a tension that can exist between the two interests. Without the tenure
’s time to gowith
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from guiding companies, helicopter companies can’t bring customers into the terrain. The merger is a rare opportunity which few companies can boast, according to McLean.
When contacted about the end of the contract, a communications official for Whistler Blackcomb wished Blackcomb Helicopters well in its new venture in an email.
“Blackcomb Helicopters has been a valued partner over the years, helping to safely deliver a world-class experience that can only happen here at Whistler Blackcomb,” the spokesperson said. “The team at Whistler Heli-Skiing is grateful for the support and professionalism of Blackcomb Helicopters’ leadership, pilots and entire crew. We wish them the very best as they pursue other opportunities and look forward to working with them in other areas of Whistler Blackcomb’s operations, where we can.”
The re-launch is focusing on boutique heli-skiing experiences, which McLean said sets them apart from other companies in the industry. Add in their decades of experience, and McLean said it’s only up from here.
“I think it was just a matter of time before we decided to create our own product that we felt we could do a great job positioning it to be very customer-focused, boutique, customizable,” he said.
Heli-skiing operations tend to focus on volume or small group experiences to meet
the business’ and clients’ needs. McLean said between the tenure size and catering to small groups, they’re setting a high standard of experience.
“We’re operating out of Whistler with a single, standout package of five-plus runs with just semiprivate and private groups. So effectively, you’re not going to be mixed up with a bunch of strangers. You’re going to be with people you know,” he said.
Small groups ensure fresh tracks and flexibility in terrain choice based on customer desires. The team also boasts high safety standards, providing an avalanche airbag for each customer along with a tailored experience from start to finish.
And while heli-skiing is admittedly a tourist-driven industry, McLean said they’d like to focus efforts on locals but wouldn’t reveal the details.
“I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say, but I think we’re cooking something up that will be very appealing,” he said. “In British Columbia’s heli-skiing, I would say visitors not from Canada are anywhere from 70 to 90 per cent of the customer base. We would like to really appeal to the local, regional market. We’re not under any illusions that that’ll turn into a majority, but I think the locals potentially can be our biggest cheerleaders.”
The operation’s website and booking page opened for business Nov. 15. n
What: Notice ofAnnualGeneralMeeting
Who: Notice to Members
When: TuesdayDecember10th,2024at12:00pm-12:45pm
Where: VirtualviaZoom
Please emailWVHS.info@gmail.com forZoomcallin information,a copy oftheagendaandtheproposed Bylaws to beadopted at the AGM.
TheWhistler ValleyHousingSocietyisanot-for-profit establishedin1983andthe ownerofTheNest,a30-unit rentalhousingprojectas wellasthe ownerofWhistler Creek Court,a20-unit rentalhousingproject.Our tenantsareClientsofSocialServiceAgencies,Essential Service WorkersandotherWhistleremployees.
OurVision
To provide,andadvocate for, abroaderspectrumof housingopportunities fortheWhistler community.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS
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Pemberton council applies for more airport repair grant funding
THREE APPLICATIONS UP FOR CONSIDERATION RELATED TO CRACK-SEALING, A GATE PROJECT AND AN AIRPORT MASTER PLAN
BY LIZ MCDONALD
THE VILLAGE OF PEMBERTON is applying for more grant funding from the BC Air Access Program (BCAAP) to repair and maintain Pemberton’s airport.
The funding, if received, would build on repairs funded in 2024 through the same cost-sharing program. Up for discussion at the Nov. 19 council meeting were three separate applications presented by Gwendolyn Kennedy, manager of corporate and legislative services: a crack-sealing project; replacing the east taxiway access gate; and an airport master plan.
CRACK-SEALING PROJECT
Some of the cracks on the tarmac were sealed this summer, but the scope of the project was larger than the Village of Pemberton (VOP) had funding for, so cracks in the taxiway and apron remain. The project’s funding stream falls under “airside core aviation infrastructure,” and 75 per cent is grant-funded. If the project meets additional criteria, BCAAP could allocate another 15 per cent. The project estimate is $180,229.44, and should the VOP receive 75 per cent in grants, it would have to pay for approximately $45,057.36.
GATE PROJECT
The gate at the airport’s east taxiway access road is worse for wear, with frequent repairs over the years. The time has come for a replacement, and the project is already included in the VOP’s 2025 budget process. However, since the project qualifies for grant funding as a transitional project based on BCAAP guidelines, staff recommended the Village apply. The cost of the project, including contingency, is estimated to run $24,000. About $10,000 goes to concrete, and the gate itself is
from Kennedy. The plan’s scope would depend on how much funding the VOP gets. Consultation with the Lí’wat Nation, airport users, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and community members would build the vision for the master plan.
“If we’re unsuccessful in getting the funding, council might want to consider a smaller planning project in the budget so that could be brought forward for deliberation … There is a gap in our knowledge of what we
“There is a gap in our knowledge of what we need to do to maintain the airport...”
- GWENDOLYN KENNEDY
assumed to cost about $10,000, though staff could find no available estimates before presenting their report. Grant coverage would pay for 60 per cent.
AIRPORT MASTER PLAN
After discussions in August with the Pemberton Flying Club, staff realized there is a lack of planning for capital investments and expenditures at the airport. An application through BCAAP for master planning would potentially see $35,000 which would go to “considerations including infrastructure repair, maintenance, operating costs, vision, economic development, governance, and capital expenditures,” according to the report
need to do to maintain the airport, and what the airport’s role is for the Village,” Kennedy said.
A smaller-scope planning project is pegged between $8,000 and $20,000.
BALANCING COSTS OF AIRPORT REPAIRS
Councillor Ted Craddock pointed out if the crack-sealing project is approved, along with required work for the gate, the VOP would need to budget for approximately $60,000.
“Are we going to be able to afford that? That’s about a two-and-a-half-per-cent increase alone just to pay for that,” he said.
Because the VOP could apply before
council has had time to consider the project’s impact on the 2025 budget, they would be on the hook for the costs without knowing whether it’s the capital investment they want to focus on with their minimal funds.
Applications are likely due in December, and the program is technically not open for applications yet because of delays caused by the election.
Coun. Laura Ramsden suggested council move forward with the gate and the master plan applications, because the gate is already in the upcoming budget and the master plan could be reduced in scope should council not receive funding.
“Since we don’t know when the whole grant application program closes, hopefully, we’ll be a little further down the budget trail and we’ll be able to decide at that point whether we want to put $50,000 toward matching funds towards the crack-sealing,” Mayor Mike Richman said in support of Ramsden’s idea.
The budget has no considerations for annual maintenance relating to crack-sealing repairs, and Kennedy noted the airport master plan would help guide these decisions.
“I think that’s what the value would be of having such a study,” she said. “It would help to give a course of action and direction in terms of the frequency with which these things need to happen, and then that’s something that could, over time, be built into the budget.”
Council passed motions approving applications for the master plan and the gate, while motioning to bring back the crack-sealing project at the Dec. 10 meeting which would allow for time to consider budget implications. n
BEARPORT A bear runs across the runway this summer at the Pemberton airport with weeds growing out of the cracks.
PHOTO COURTESY OF IAN PORTER
Gates Creek conservation area expanding
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA RECENTLY PURCHASED ADDITIONAL LAND FOR HABITAT RESTORATION AT GATES CREEK, NORTHEAST OF PEMBERTON
BY LIZ MCDONALD
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY of Canada (NCC) will soon begin restoring habitat at Gates Creek, northeast of Pemberton and southwest of Anderson Lake.
The Gates Creek habitat restoration project will restore the ecosystem for salmon, improve creek stability, shade the creek and improve wetland habitat. The project has been in the works since 2021, when the NCC first purchased 111 hectares of land for conservation. The group recently added another parcel, bumping the total to roughly 130 hectares, increasing the project’s overall scope.
The NCC is a national non-profit which works to create solutions for biodiversity loss and climate change by “large-scale, permanent land conservation,” according to a press release.
The project includes engagement with the N’Quatqua First Nation, whose traditional territories Gates Creek is in.
Hans Herrmann Alvarez, west coast program manager for the NCC, said the work is important because of centuries of humancaused degradation.
“The system has been degraded over the turn of a century, with all the land conversion into agricultural lands,” he said. “That happened not just at Gates Creek, but a lot of other systems have lost a lot of their ecological function by converting wetlands, flood plains and forests into agricultural fields.”
By restoring the habitat, not only will salmon and other fish benefit, but the area is historically a place where different grizzly bear populations meet.
The NCC is still engaging with N’Quatqua,
community stakeholders and experts while growing design concepts. Implementation will happen over multiple years.
RE-ARMOURING AN ECOSYSTEM
Restoring fish habitat requires repairing the riparian (streambank) area. Removing invasive species like reed canary grass along the stream bank and replacing them with native trees and bushes creates cooler habitat for sockeye, coho, chinook and pink salmon to escape the hot sun.
Salmon make their way to Gates Creek as they migrate from the Fraser River, the Fraser Canyon and Hell’s Gate, before reaching Seton Portage, Anderson Lake and Gates Creek.
Restoring the riparian area also reduces erosion of stream banks. Unlike trees and bushes, invasive species lack strong root systems, allowing soil to slough away into the creek. But work for trees isn’t just along the bank—logs are also used as armour against erosion coming from the creek itself.
“Armouring parts of this stream with naturally occurring wood helps with that erosion and will also give some salmon cover habitat from predators to hide in and amongst the wood,” said Herrmann Alvarez.
Further away from the stream, fields are converted to a native flood-plain forest.
“You’re restoring the function of an entire system,” Herrmann Alvarez said. “So, to do a proper job at restoration, we would be focusing on these big ecological functions, and part of that is to restore these flooding capabilities of that entire system. The river doesn’t really end where the river is, the river would be expanding in the spring and flooding the surrounding areas.”
ECO ARMOUR The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s work at Gates Creek will restore the ecosystem for salmon and other species.
PHOTO BY FERNANDO LESSA
Líl’wat Nation announces new Chief Administrative Officer
ROLF DE BRUIN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING BIG CHANGES AS THE NATION GAINS JURISDICTION OVER LAND, EDUCATION AND CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
BY LIZ MCDONALD
THE LÍL’WAT NATION recently appointed a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Rolf de Bruin.
The appointment was announced in a Nov. 5 press release, and de Bruin comes to the role with experience working with the Nation as director of finance ahead of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. He is also a founding partner of Fort Berens Estate Winery.
The Lil’wat’s previous CAO, Kerry Mehaffey, resigned this summer after working for 16 years in various roles with the Nation.
“I am very pleased to announce that Rolf de Bruin has joined Líl’wat Nation as our CAO,” said Skalúlmecw Political Chief Dean Nelson in the release.
“His leadership and financial expertise, combined with his previous experience working for the Nation, made him the right choice for this crucial leadership role as we work towards fulfilling the goals and objectives of Líl’wat 2030, our new five-year strategic plan.”
De Bruin has 25 years of experience in leadership roles, multiple finance degrees, and a strong understanding of “business strategy and transformation.”
“I am looking forward to serving the Líl’wat community at a time when there are so many dynamic changes underway, from expanding the recognition [of] Líl’wat Nation’s jurisdiction in areas such as education and child and family services, to enhancing the use and fluency of Ucwalm í cwts and strengthening the
Nation’s health, healing and wellness services,” said de Bruin in the release.
The new CAO highlighted the Líl’wat Nation’s growth since his departure, with 350 employees and an operating budget of $60 million.
Some of the Nation’s operations include education for primary, secondary and postsecondary school, a health and healing centre, child and family services, daycare, a transition home, public infrastructure and housing.
Nelson said de Bruin is coming to the role at a critical point in the Nation’s trajectory.
“We are gaining jurisdiction in essential areas such as the education of our children, child and family services, and our lands. As
a Nation we are entering a time of positive development that will require sustained effort and support,” said Nelson. “Working with someone who understands the organizational demands we are facing will help us succeed in reaching our goals.”
The new CAO lives in Lillooet with his family, and he’s also a councillor for the District of Lillooet. Other big seats he’s filled include sitting on boards and committees including the Cayoosh Creek Development Board, Agricultural Advisory Committee of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District’s Area B, Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society, Lillooet and District Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Lillooet. n
GATES CREEK CONSERVATION
Herrmann Alvarez explained the flooding attracts waterfowl and other species who depend on a floodplain, but said implementation can be difficult.
“What that looks like in practice is a bit harder to implement,” he said. “While we would like to plan for the best restoration project, we’re going to take it one step at a time and see what we can actually do.”
Through work with Coast to Cascades
FROM PAGE 27
Grizzly Bear Initiative and other wildlife associations, Gates Creek was shown to be a “connectivity corridor” for grizzly bear populations from South Chilcotin and Stein Nahatlach.
The two populations traditionally met at Gates Creek for mating and socialization. It’s one of a few corridors which exist for grizzlies and restoration will preserve critical territory for the threatened populations. n
NEW BOSS Rolf de Bruin is bringing decades of financial expertise to his new role as chief administrative officer for the Líl’wat Nation.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIL’WAT NATION
AS EA SO NOFG IVIN G
Aheartfeltinitiativededicated to fosteringcommunityspiritand supportinglocalnon-profits.
Bring in roof sprinklers to cut the cost of wildfires
BY HERBERT GRUBEL
project in Banff is offering sprinkler kits to residents whose homes are at risk. A special hose that attaches to the outdoor faucet leads to a small sprinkler that goes on the roof.
Although the case for regulations mandating the installation of sprinklers is strong, some important issues need be settled before they are adopted.
HOTTUBSALE!!
WHEN I VISITED WHISTLER this summer and smelled the smoke from wildfires burning not far away, I wondered when this prosperous, world-famous village will be destroyed by fires like those that in recent years have engulfed Jasper, Fort McMurray, Kelowna, Slave Lake and many other smaller settlements in Canada’s West.
Winter ServiceChange
The question is not whether but when Whistler will suffer this fate. The village is surrounded by forests that are dry and combustible during increasingly hot summers. The flames could be started by lightning strikes, careless smokers and campers, automobile accidents, winds causing trees and branches to fall on electric wires, or even fires in Whistler homes and restaurants.
Much has been done to prevent such a calamity. “FireSmart” policies and a range of other policies in Whistler and other villages and towns in Western Canada have led to the removal of flammables around buildings and nearby forests, the use of metal roofs and fireresistant sidings in old and new buildings.
But there’s a strong case for supplementing all this with regulations requiring the installation of sprinklers on all buildings exposed to embers from nearby forest fires because, as National Geographic explains, “Windborne embers can float miles ahead of a fire front, sparking spot fires wherever they land and posing a major risk to structures built near wilderness.”
In some towns, water pumps and pipes may not be able to supply all sprinklers at the same time. This problem could be overcome by operating sprinklers in rotation, area by area, starting days before the arrival of embers from an approaching fire. Insufficient water supplies might necessitate the building of reservoirs. Buildings not connected to municipal water systems could be required to install storage tanks.
The cost of compulsory installation is an obvious problem, but there are several ways to deal with it. Owners of buildings could be required to cover the costs on their own, just as they now pay for the cost of new construction caused by regulations mandating walls and roofs with high insulation values and other building standards involving wiring, gas pipes, fuses, valves, sewers and so on. And, after all, if their building doesn’t burn down, they are the main beneficiaries.
A recent B.C. study concluded that the devastating fires that hit the Kelowna and Shushwap areas last year were largely ignited by falling embers.
Or provincial and municipal governments could cover all or part of the cost. Sprinklers would reduce their future costs helping fire victims who lose their homes, pets and irreplaceable family possessions. Greater use of sprinklers could also reduce the estimated total cost of wildfire suppression, which in 2023 in British Columbia was just over $1 billion. The one-off cost of installing sprinklers should be only a small fraction of such provincial firefighting budgets.
Insurance companies also have a strong incentive to see defensive measures taken
The question is not whether but when Whistler will suffer this fate.
To combat the devastating effects of wind-borne embers, the BC Wildfire Service and similar firefighting organizations operate trailers called “Structure Protection Units (SPUs), which contain pumps, hoses, sprinklers and water delivery attachments and tools that move around the province during wildfire season. But the resources available to firefighting forces in British Columbia and other provinces clearly have not been sufficient either to control forest fires or to use sprinklers to protect villages.
Recognizing this, in 2021 Doug Wilson, fire chief of the B.C. town of Logan Lake, initiated the installation of sprinklers on the roofs of buildings in his town. The next summer, when wildfires swept through forests near Logan Lake, his policy paid high dividends. According to the town’s mayor, sprinklers installed on 400 buildings in the community “helped save” the town. A pilot
against wildfires. In 2016 they settled claims for $5.96 billion in and around Fort McMurray. Last year they paid out $3.13 billion in the Okanagan Shuswap area of B.C. If sprinklers lowered those bills even by a small percentage, the tens of millions of dollars this would represent would cover the cost of installing a slew of sprinklers. Incentives built into insurance contracts should take that into account.
British Columbia’s next fire season is less than eight months away. There’s no time to waste in discussing, passing and quickly implementing regulations leading to the installation of sprinklers in places facing high risks from airborne embers.
This article was originally published in the Oct. 24 edition of the Financial Post Herbert Grubel is emeritus professor of economics at Simon Fraser University. n
Opening day rituals
BY THE TIME this paper hits the stands, lifts on both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains will be spinning to what is hopefully a grand opening. The long-range forecast looks promising, too. Remember, what we need for a home-run season isn’t necessarily the gargantuan dumps (which can come with the added risk of a freezing spike), it’s cold-weather consistency. Zero degrees in the Whistler Valley shouldn’t feel like a cold snap, it should feel like winter. And—if the current forecast holds—the next two weeks should definitely feel like winter in Whistler.
BY VINCE SHULEY
eyed 4 a.m. early bird or a casual 7 a.m. latecomer, the opening day lineup has an electric atmosphere unlike any day of the year. You see familiar faces, new faces, excited faces and—if the conditions are good—powcovered faces. If there’s any day where it’s hard to hate lineups to go skiing, it’s opening day. Remember your etiquette, too. Strolling up at 8 a.m. and walking past hundreds of people (who’ve been shivering in the lineup since the predawn hours) and cutting the line is not cool. It doesn’t matter if your friends are up there near the front. If you sleep in, find someone to line up with who’s on the same schedule. Sticking it to your fellow riders and
get on skis or a snowboard, and hitting the mountain early to get the fresh corduroy has a special place in the heart of every skier. On the day, good groomer conditions last longer than powder, so prioritize your runs as you will. But don’t go home without your carving fix. And don’t forget to ski at the appropriate speed for other people on the run. People are unpredictable. Take that into account before skipping a turn and blasting down the run at 75 km/h.
Terrain reconnoitring. If you haven’t learned by now, opening day is not the day to push into complex terrain. Different people have different ideas of what complex terrain
definitely do not duck the rope). What I do like to do is ski past some of my favourite lines and zones for a closer look. This typically ends with a “nope, not ready” assessment, but it’s always good to know how the snow base is progressing. Some areas might be a “needs another storm or two to fill out” assessment. Early season awareness is key when the bigger storms hit.
I don’t hit the early bird opening day lineups like I used to—I let the local highschool kids (whose parents are gracious enough to give them the day off) carry that torch now. But I do still have some opening day rituals I still carry after all the Whistler winters I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy.
The vibes in the lineup. Whether you’re in the overnight tent camp crowd, a bleary-
People are unpredictable. Take that into account before skipping a turn and blasting down the run at 75 km/h.
trying to sneak into the line is one way to kill the jubilant opening day atmosphere. Schussing the groomers. Pow gets a lot of the fanfare in skiing, and for good reason. But opening it up and laying the edges over on a deserted groomer? That’s a whole reason to ski in itself. The high-speed carve is one of the most exhilarating feelings you can
is, but we can all agree it’s advanced terrain that requires a certain minimum level of snow coverage to make it safely skiable. Boundary ropes are everywhere on opening day. These are your first signal that ski patrol and mountain operations have deemed the area not appropriate for all skiers, so duck at your own risk (if you see a closed sign,
The rope drop. On some opening days, after assessing that alpine terrain is safe enough, ski patrol will grant access to certain alpine areas behind a temporary boundary rope. Access is normally via hiking only and everyone going out beyond that rope should have all the normal backcountry tools, skills and training. It’s only on certain opening days this will happen, but when it does, you want to be ready. It’s a perfect opportunity to ski a conservative alpine run and reconnoitre terrain for future pow days.
The après. Smashing an IPA (or two) after your first day back on your local ski mountain doesn’t get much better, and the bars are counting on it. Nearly every venue has a party of some sort with live music and a whole lot of drink specials to ring in the season. Just like the mountain, you don’t want to overdo it on your first day.
The season is here. Get some turns, stay safe, and everything will be right in the world.
Vince Shuley hopes you had an excellent opening day. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n
OPEN THE GATES The 2023-24 winter was a late bloomer. How will this season fare?
PHOTO BY MATT SYLVESTRE/ COURTESY OF WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
Reading our feature this week warms my heart. So many of Whistler’s leaders that I admire, sharing what Pique means to them, and (largely) noting Pique’s central place in the community.
We couldn’t ask for a greater compliment than event maven Sue Eckersley’s comment when asked by the Resort Municipality of Whistler what business/event/person reflected Whistler the best, she said it was Pique. Really? Aww shucks.
In more business terms, Mayor Jack Crompton’s statement, “Pique truly is Whistler’s paper of record,” is the best job reference we could ask for at this stage in Pique’s career. It’s what every community news outlet strives for.
And thank goodness for Jack’s position, taking his predecessor Mayor Nancy WilhelmMorden’s advice to keep reading us. According to Nancy, “One of the first things a local politician does when they’re on a downward slide is to say they have stopped reading Pique. This is a surefire indicator they’re losing touch with the community and their days as an elected official are numbered.”
That gave me a chuckle. And what a compliment, especially when I reflect on the sometimes challenged and adversarial relationship Pique has had with local government (as it should be, for any news outlet worth its salt) over the past decade.
I guess Pique is doing its job, and old enough to have learned how to navigate its relationships. And dare I say it—gained a bit of wisdom.
Hearing these praises from people I consider Whistler’s standard bearers fills me with confidence that Pique must be doing something right, and yet so much room for growth, at the young age of 30, still to come.
But just as important—perhaps more essential—is the feedback we get in the coffee shops and chairlifts, grocery store aisles and trails, from the seasonal workers just arrived, the 20-somethings eking out a life and living, kids who’ve just won a bike race or the starving artists.
There’s nothing better than hearing “you work at the Pique? That’s awesome, I LOVE the Pique! I can’t wait to pick it up on Fridays (the covers are so cool!) and read it every week.”
I guess I’m bragging. But it actually happens a lot, both for me and my colleagues.
And it fills us with pride, guiding our sense of purpose when we’re feeling the weight of the challenges in the news media business, of which there are many. Pique has a life of its own, and it’s our responsibility to keep nurturing it along with you, our readers.
So on behalf of those of us behind the pages, thank you for that support. It drives us to continue delivering on Pique’s promise for the next 30 years: to share Whistler’s stories, tell your stories, and reflect life here in the best place on Earth.
a strange-looking publication with a blurry cover photo landed in various locations around town. Smart money assumed whatever it was wouldn’t live to see the end of the ski season. As an aside, two weeks before that publication came out we were skiing top to bottom of both mountains.
But it was a paper. It was free—said so right on the cover. It wasn’t great, but it was a nice alternative to the other paper in town. Gore-Tex as opposed to K-Way.
On Nov. 25, 2024, the funny-looking paper, Pique Newsmagazine, turns 30.
Happy Birthday, Pique. Many happy returns?
Rather than once again rehash the first two decades of Pique, maybe it’d be easier to track down some previous anniversary features if you’d like to read about that history (find this feature online for the hot links). Or, if you’re really interested, every single issue is bound and available at the library. Like a time machine... except housing was always the most pressing local topic.
[I]t was a paper. It was free—said so right on the cover. It wasn’t great, but it was a nice alternative to the other paper in town. Gore-Tex as opposed to K-Way.
Pique’s third decade actually began a year early, with founding publisher Bob Barnett’s decision to sell the paper to Glacier Media in July 2013. Credit where credit is due, notwithstanding some concern about corporate ownership, the Glacier brass recognized they’d purchased Pique because it was a different sort of publication than their other community papers. While by no means handsoff, Glacier was supportive of Pique’s founding principle of turning out a quality publication centred by good reporting and lively writing.
Hands-off or on, the third decade was tumultuous. Horrifying, even. What had started as a rent in the fabric of profitability became a black hole as social media and marketplace sites absorbed virtually all classified ads other than employment opportunities. It’s hard to stress what a significant source of revenue classifieds were. Think cake with no icing... and half-eaten.
Some of that loss was slowly but surely replaced by revenue generated by online ads on Pique’s website. Still,
NOV. 25, 1994 – ISSUE 1.1 THE FIRST ISSUE OF PIQUE NEWSMAGAZINE HITS STANDS IN WHISTLER.
circulation remained robust; it was still a must-read for locals and tourists who wanted to know what was going down in Tiny Town. It was still an unbiased source of local and regional news. It was still a strong supporter of sports and the arts. And things were about to get worse.
A rumour coming out of China, a murmur in cosmopolitan centres. No one seemed too worked up about some blah-blah virus. People continued to jet off for winter holidays. Some governments grumbled about limiting or banning Chinese visitors. Nothing to see here, folks.
Until March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization declared COVID a global pandemic. If you’ve ever had the misfortune to unknowingly run an engine dry of oil—don’t ask—that sudden, shattering stop was not unlike the world abruptly coming to a standstill. In several blinks of an eye, normal became anything but. Businesses shuttered, stumbled, searched for and in some cases found new ways to do business. But with nothing on the horizon except
uncertainty, there was little need to advertise.
Pique went into survival mode. There was no Pandemic Survival for Dummies book. Businesses everywhere made it up as they went along. Some didn’t get very far. None thrived. Every expense was pared. With few exceptions, Pique’s contributors became a volunteer labour force. Or were forced to look for something, anything that still paid. The paper began to look like the “After” images for a successful crash diet, shedding pages and pages.
Funny though, in some ways it got better. Everyone still writing had a renewed sense of how important what they were doing was to the community. Pique was a touchstone. A small island of sanity in a world gone insane. A familiar friend. A favourite blanky.
It’s a testament to human nature and the power of both denial and repression that so many of us have forgotten how tenuous everything was until the great social divide around approved
Some things have changed and some things have stayed the course and improved over the years.
Congratulations to Pique for 30 years of excellence. Nesters is proud to have been a part of your journey from the very beginning. Where the locals have advertised for 30 years
vaccines became available in December 2020. It would be another half-year before things slowly began to find their new normal. The fallout lingers still on this 30th anniversary.
In many ways, Pique’s story parallels Whistler’s story. It was a crazy idea to start a paper in the early days of post-literate society 30 years ago. It was a crazy dream to start a ski resort in a place few had heard about, that was arduous to get to and was way too close to the fickle weather of the Pacific Ocean. Both crazy ideas persevered and grew.
The upstart Blackcomb eventually surpassed Whistler and wound up with common ownership. Pique outdistanced the Question and both ended up in the same corporate empire. Pique and Whistler both faced existential threats and both are still around to tell the stories.
But what about the future? Across Canada and around the world, newspapers, local newspapers especially, are vanishing. It’s a tough and getting-tougher business. And with so many channels of information and disinformation, is Pique still relevant? Does it play an important role in Whistler? Will there be a 40th anniversary and will it be printed on paper or solely online? What still resonates with readers within the pages of the paper?
“Newspapers in general and community newspapers in particular are critically important to the health of a community.”
- Jim Moodie
AND
INVEST INCULTURE BECOMEAMEMBER
“
- Hugh Smythe
“Pique serves a number of important roles: an information source on a wide variety of community issues, news, activities, business awareness and community input. Barb and I think Pique is part of the fabric of the community. - Jim Godfrey
I’m too close to the subject to answer those questions. So in what can only be considered a totally unscientific poll, I asked some folks those questions. I’ll let them provide the answers. And I apologize to all for editing—or not including—your comments, but Braden wouldn’t let me write a 6,000-word feature and more of you answered my email than I expected. Thank you.
FREEDOM HOLDERS
Part of the team who originally designed Whistler Village, Jim Moodie commented, “Newspapers in general and community newspapers in particular are critically important to the health of a community. An informed community is a healthy community and Pique does the informing well, covering a wide array of topics of interest to residents and visitors alike. I still find something satisfying about having tangible news … I get to read a paper, I get to turn the pages.”
Former Resort Municipality of Whistler CAO and key negotiator with VANOC, Jim Godfrey: “Pique serves a number of important roles: an information source on a wide variety of community issues, news, activities, business awareness and community input. Barb and I think Pique is part of the fabric of the community. Online access will only increase but there’s something tangible and enjoyable about picking up a paper.”
Nancy Wilhelm-Morden served Whistler for many years in many capacities. “I think Pique plays an important role in the life of Whistler. There really is no other source of consistent, reliable, unbiased news. One of the first things a local politician does when they’re on a downward slide is to say they have stopped reading Pique. This is a surefire indicator they’re
losing touch with the community and their days as an elected official are numbered.”
Hugh Smythe built Blackcomb and changed the face of skiing in North America.
“ Pique plays a role in the life of residents and people vacationing in Whistler. It provides unbiased, relevant local news that takes into account what’s going on outside the bubble. We still want to be reading Pique in 10 years, starting at the back, next the editorial, letters, Museum Musings, features, entertainment and the restaurant and retail ads about special deals.”
Happy30thAnniversary PiqueNewsmagazine!
FEATURE STORY ARTSY PEOPLE
Mo Douglas is the executive director of Arts Whistler and a delightfully immoderate moderator. Here’s what she had to say: “ Pique has always been a great source of local news, a way to connect to the community and stay up to date on Whistler’s vibrant event scene. I hope it’s around in 10 years, a vital part of community life, especially in small towns. Local news, editorials, letters to the editor and the arts section get most of my attention but I also peruse the sports section and many of the columnists.”
Sue Eckersley has been entertaining us for years with the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Cornucopia and New Year’s extravaganzas. “The Resort Municipality of Whistler asked me, and others, if there was one business/event/person that reflected Whistler. Most said WSSF. I said no, it’s actually Pique. I don’t know a single entity that’s been better at being where the community is. I hope it’s still in print in 10 years. There’s something special about sitting in a local coffee shop reading Pique—the editorials and that back-page guy.”
Stella Harvey breathed life into the Whistler Writers Festival and spawned untold writers’ groups around town. “Pique is where I found my community when I first moved here. There was and is information about who is doing what, community resources and events and opportunities to submit articles. I like the feel and accessibility of print. I hope the commitment to print continues.”
The Whistler Pulse, Laura Hanlon’s podcast, is, for many, a must-listen affair. For her, so is Pique. “Pique plays an important role, informing and representing locals as well as visitors. I feel its influence is lessening though, likely due to a massive increase in digital information and a decrease in attention span for print media. Jobs and housing posts were a critical resource for me but that is no longer the case due to digital resources. I still read it but don’t think we’ll see hard copy in 10 years. People want immediacy, not once a week.”
BUILDERS
Steve Bayly has a park named after him. He didn’t build it, but he built a lot of other things, including the Whistler Valley Housing
Congratulations to Pique Magazine on 30 amazing years!
It’s fitting we share this milestone—my own 30th year as a real estate agent in Whistler. Here’s to three decadesofservingthisincrediblecommunitytogether!
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Society. “While perhaps lesser today, as is the case with a lot of print media, Pique has played and continues to play a huge role in the life of Whistler. Beyond letting us know what’s about around town, Pique has been a huge influencer in the provision of resident employee housing. As well, it is often the lead on keeping local government in check.”
Running Whistler Blackcomb through some of its most prosperous years, Dave Brownlie continues to leave his mark on Whistler and beyond. “Wow, I’ve been here all those 30 years. Pique has and continues to play an important role in the community. It ensures key issues, concerns and positive contributions by individuals and organizations are made public. It’s unlikely print will remain... unless they go back to printing on Thursdays. I love the spring and fall restaurant specials!”
Much of Blackcomb would look a lot different if Paul Mathews hadn’t had a strong hand in its design. Same with a number of mountain resorts around the world. “ Pique is very important. It’s my only way to keep abreast of happenings and events in town. I like print; Pique’s one of the few things I get to read and hold in my hands. Good firestarter, too.”
Claire Mozes knows a thing or two about community. As CEO of the Whistler Community Foundation, she oversees many and varied community-building efforts. “Pique plays the role it should—it provides an opportunity for people living and visiting to find out what’s happening, both day-to-day events and deeper checks on the ups and downs of Whistler. The artistic covers are always a favourite of mine so I hope it continues in print.”
With heartfelt gratitude, we bid farewell to the remarkable legacy the Durlacher family has created and their lasting contributions to our community. The Durlacher Hof Inn, an iconic landmark in Whistler, was one of the area’s most cherished homes a treasured heirloom that will be fondly remembered for its warmth and hospitality.
CARMYN MARCANO | Realtor Advisor
4314 Main Street, Whistler V0N 2L1 Cell 604-719-7646
Carmyn.Marcano@EVrealestate.com
“Newspapers in general are an important contribution to open government and helps keep them in check through questioning.”
- Bob Calladine
SKIERS
Always pay attention to people who are known by a single name. Toulouse (Terry Spence) has been around forever. He still looks like he did in the Toad Hall poster. Seriously. “Pique keeps Whistler informed about politics, local events, policy changes and local sports achievements. It’ll be around in print for many years—who likes doing crosswords online? Great features, editorials, back page and good firestarter.”
I could’ve put Jack Christie in arts. Hiking guide writer, Pique contributor, former Georgia Straight mainstay, but more important, ski buddy. “For 30 years, Pique’s functioned exactly as Bob and Kathy had in mind: the weekly lens through which locals and visitors
NOV. 14, 2019 – ISSUE 26.46
PIQUE MARKS 25 YEARS WITH A SUPER-SIZED SPECIAL EDITION INSERT.
could understand and appreciate what a vibrant, ever-evolving community Whistler has become in 60 short years. Staffed by some of the brightest reporters, Pique annually harvests awards in provincial and national competitions. Keep the print: subscribe!”
Bob Calladine’s been skiing here since before there was snow. Teacher, coach and citizen of the year, he’ll probably ski here when the snow’s gone. “Newspapers in general are an important contribution to open government and helps keep them in check through questioning. Example: that frivolous lawsuit the RMOW brought against Pique Pique provides succour to locals and visitors alike: news, arts, opinions, sports, entertainment, events. I hope print continues; I’ll need the exercise picking it up at the mailboxes.”
TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS
Rick Clare’s a crossover, too—businessperson in so many ways, but also an original investor in Pique and therefore a builder. “Pique does play an important role by supplying us with wellresearched articles and letting the municipality know someone is monitoring their actions. I enjoy holding a newspaper. With support, it’ll be here in print in the future. It would be great if more businesses supported local journalism. Letters, editorial and columnists, local news, and since real estate ads contribute to Pique’s success, I read them too.”
Barrett Fisher has been running Tourism Whistler for so long I can’t remember whether
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FEATURE STORY
there was anyone doing that before her. Musta been. “Pique plays a critically important role representing local issues and events. It shares current news, politics, sports, entertainment and opinions on the challenges facing our community. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, opinion pieces promote dialogue and challenge us to consider our positions and provide a forum for diverse perspectives via online comments and letters.”
It’s only because he’s a retired politician I include John Grills in this grouping. Once a businessman, always a businessman. “Pique performs a valuable role in our community; I hope it’s around for years to come. Local and corridor news, local artists, performers and athletes, young and old, it’s the first choice to learn what’s going on and it’s a great resource for newcomers. If Pique disappears we’re left with big corporate news feeds and social media. Thirty years = 1,560 unique covers? Amazing!”
POLITICIANS
Hizzoner, Happy Jack Crompton, had some thoughts on Pique’s relevance. “Whistler is extremely fortunate to have a vibrant print news source in an era where newspapers are shutting down. Pique plays a crucial role in our community, providing local news and fostering civic engagement. I’m incredibly grateful for the effort Pique puts into covering local government. It enhances civic literacy and strengthens democracy and civil society. It’s often the source and impetus for our public discussion.
“If Pique can adapt while maintaining what made it great, it will celebrate its 40th in print and digital. Pique truly is Whistler’s paper of record.”
Back from campaigning, Jen Ford had time to weigh in. “When I arrived in town, Pique was the first place to check to find a room to rent. Now, I think it might be the only reliable way to know what’s happening around town, fall restaurant specials and the latest gripes. Letters and opinions catch my attention ... even when they’re dead wrong!
OCT. 6, 2022 – ISSUE 29.40
PIQUE LOOKS BACK ON A TURBULENT FOUR YEARS AT MUNICIPAL HALL BEFORE VOTERS ELECTED A NEW MAYOR AND COUNCIL IN THE FALL OF 2022.
STUDENTS FROM MOUNT CURRIE SHARE THE STORIES THAT MATTER MOST TO THEM.
EDITOR EMERITUS
For as long as she was editor, Clare Ogilvie always got the last word on whatever I wrote. Some things never change.
“Did you see what just happened in the U.S. election? That result is one of the reasons why communities need trusted news sources like Pique, accessible across every platform whether printed, online or through social media.
“Pique is where Whistler finds out about news and information impacting our lives, municipal, provincial, national. We see ourselves reflected in the challenges we face, our successes and the stories that friends and strangers alike share. Pique is Whistler’s lifeline to information, as well as being integral to the support and sustainability of local businesses.
“Pique’s news team has always worked to build relationships with community members, organizations and businesses, so when news needs to be told reporters have access to accurate and timely information. Because information is useless, dangerous even, when sources are unreliable.
“I am an admitted news junkie seeking information all the time from different sources and across every platform. But to me, nothing beats the feel of newsprint in your hands. With the turn of every page a new story catches your eye, piquing curiosity, compelling you to keep going until the publication lies closed and wrinkled beside you.
“I’m not alone. Nearly half of Canadians read print newspapers. Eighty-three per cent read newspapers weekly across different platforms—phones, computers and tablets. Most Canadians read newspapers on more than one platform. So I believe Pique will always be in print, as well as online.”
“I love the letters to the editor and tend to read the Opening Remarks, Maxed Out first. Then it’s straight to the news, followed by columns—love Leslie Anthony, Vince Shuley and Glenda Bartosh—sports and the Arts Scene to see what events not to miss.
“My reading also has a bias—I love the reporters and Pique’s editor. I am not sure most Pique readers understand the quality of journalism they are offered every week. The multiaward winning reporters are likely the most recognized at the community level in Canada. Pique is unrivalled in the number of the journalism awards it has been honoured with.
“While awards in and of themselves are not that important, they speak to the deep passion Pique’s news team has for its craft. The journalists show grit in the face of difficult stories and share joy in the stories that uplift us. Sometimes they bring me to tears.
“And, yes, I still miss my Pique family and the rollercoaster ride of news at Pique every single day.”
It’s never been easy to produce a newspaper. Well, maybe a week or two in 2010. As a business model, print media is being assaulted by every advance in digital communication. News itself, the edited, relatively unbiased reporting on the day’s events, is under attack by people who would rather get their “information” from unreliable sources unknown.
STEWART AND WALKEDEN SURPRISE WITH TWO-WOMAN BOBSLED GOLD; AUSTIN AND COMPANY DOMINATE FOUR-MAN RACE AT CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY DAVID SONG
MACKENZIE STEWART and Leah
Walkeden’s bobsled ground to a halt in the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC) finish area on Wednesday, Nov. 13. They climbed out of their vehicle and were promptly mobbed by teammates.
There were bear hugs, tears and shouts of elation all around. Stewart and Walkeden had just pulled off the upset: one minute and 49.43 seconds for Canadian Championship gold.
Cynthia Appiah and Skylar Seiben were three-tenths of a second back in silver medal position, while Erica Voss and Morgan Ramsay clocked in for bronze (+0.36).
When asked about her feelings post-event, Stewart said: “Relief. There’s some doubt when you’re always at the back of the pushing pack [in terms of start speed] … but now I know I’m capable of what I thought I was as an athlete.”
Taylor Austin, Shane Ort, Chris Ashley and Mark Zanette blew their fellow four-man squads away (1:45.50), but Patrick Norton backed his two-man victory with a runner-up result (+1.25) alongside Keaton Bruggeling, Luke Puto and Josh Langford. That left Jay Dearborn, Tobi Ade, D’Andre Clarke-Bastien and Kenny M’Pindou in third (+2.42).
“It was good,” said Austin about his unit’s performance. “First race of the season, first
opportunity for the boys to feel the raceday vibes. Obviously, we have our sights set on the World Cup season and then World Championships in March—trying to build momentum for next year and the Olympics [in 2026].”
Ashley added: “Knowing Taylor’s one of the best pilots in the world makes me get out of bed. [We want to] step up to his level and give him the best push we can.”
LAST OFF THE HILL, FIRST ON THE PODIUM
Put frankly, Stewart and Walkeden weren’t expected to win.
Just look at the field: Appiah placed eighth twice at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Melissa Lotholz is a two-time Olympian who just defended her national monobob title. Bianca Ribi won a World Cup two years ago in Whistler and enjoys a tight relationship with her brakewoman Niamh Haughey.
Yet Appiah and Seiben were not especially close to the day’s best time. Ribi and Haughey missed the podium in fourth, while Lotholz and Eden Wilson ended up fifth.
“We were the underdogs,” remarked Walkeden. “I’ll say it. We were the last off the hill. We had the least points, but we did a really good job today.”
It didn’t always feel good from the driver’s seat, however. Stewart put her team into the lead after run No. 1, but made errors the second time down she feared would be critical.
“There was a moment out of corner four where I was like: ‘frick, I cannot let this snowball out of my hands,’” recalled the Sunshine Coast native. “And then we came out of corner 12 and I [told myself]: ‘you idiot! Drive it!’ But I was able in between those
mistakes to bring it back—and still drove 14, 15 and 16 how I was supposed to.”
Most seemed genuinely happy for Stewart and Walkeden as they cried and celebrated together. It’s a level of camaraderie they cherish.
“The love [our teammates have for us] is the same amount of love and support that I have for them,” Walkeden said. “I wanted everyone to do so good today. I cheered for all of the girls when they were pushing. You want to see your friends do well. It meant the world to me that everyone was so excited for us.
Walkeden then fought to hold back tears as she admitted: “Mackenzie helped me re-find my love of bobsledding. I had a really tough last few years, and she’s such a good person. We’re happy doing what we’re doing, and I think you succeed when you’re happy.”
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) coach Justin Kripps, who won Olympic two-man gold in 2018 and four-man bronze in 2022, is happy for his protégés.
“I was really pumped to see Mackenzie and Leah put down a strong performance,” he said. “Mackenzie was a little disappointed with her monobob result [on Tuesday], and Leah is not sliding with Cynthia anymore so she’s looking to show what she can do.”
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Folks familiar with the state of BCS know things are very different now as compared to last decade, when Jesse Lumsden raced. As the organization’s high-performance director, he understands it’s difficult for Canadian bobsledders to fund their own 2024-25 campaigns—especially with an Olympic Games in 2026. In any case, he exhorts his people to take control of their
own future rather than rely on the backing of past shareholders.
“We’re definitely operating more like a startup,” Lumsden remarked. “The landscape is changing for amateur sport in Canada … and I think the athletes are doing a good job developing some [new] skills and resilience. That’s only going to help them on the ice. At [Canadian Championships] we’ve seen a lot of teamwork, collaboration and athletes lifting each other up. They’re getting better every single day.”
The women’s unit is arguably deeper than its male counterpart—with pilots like Appiah, Lotholz and Ribi counted on to vie for World Cup top-15s and even medals. Rising prospects like Stewart and Voss (the latter of whom also took monobob silver) generate additional buzz, however, Lumsden thinks even the aforementioned veterans have yet to reach their ceiling.
Meanwhile, the men’s unit has been in a rebuild since Kripps and four-time Olympic driver Chris Spring retired. Austin is now Canada’s lead pilot, and his familiarity with the Lake Placid, N.Y. track (the next World Championships venue) may launch him onto a podium if his relatively inexperienced crew develops over the next few months.
Fellow pilots Dearborn and Cyrus Gray are brimming with latent potential. Kripps had this to say about mentoring them alongside other gifted youngsters like Seiben, Zanette and Langford: “We get focused on medals and that’s important, but the journey is really a big part of the reward. If you focus on the process, the results take care of themselves. [You’re] basically a professional tobogganer. It’s an adventure.”
Catch Team Canada back at the WSC for North American Cup races Nov. 22 to 29. n
PODIUM PERFORMANCE The 2024 Canadian Bobsled Nationals two-woman podium, left to right: Skylar Seiben, Cynthia Appiah, Leah Walkeden, Mackenzie Stewart, Morgan Ramsey and Erica Voss.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MACKENZIE STEWART
Eleventh for Valentino Blewett at 2024 Youth and Junior Worlds
THE WHISTLER SAILING ASSOCIATION ALUM IS THRIVING IN HIS NEW SPORT OF WINDSURFING
BY DAVID SONG
VALENTINO BLEWETT raised some eyebrows both locally and abroad when he finished 11th at the 2024 iQFOIL Youth & Junior World Championships in Sa Rapita, Spain.
Things did not kick off well for the 16-year-old windsurfer, who saw the dreaded black flag (or BFD in sailing parlance) go up on Day 1. He’d committed a false start, which essentially relegated him to last in that initial contest.
Blewett regrouped quickly, however, and placed in the top 10 five times over the next nine races—each involving approximately 143 athletes. The only other Canadian in the field, Simon Fauser of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, wound up 129th.
“It was my first race for Canada,” Blewett explained. “I want to thank Kevin Black. He’s the coach from BC Sailing who came to help me during the race. From [the second day onwards], I wanted to have fun and try to build from that mistake as much as possible. I’ve been working hard lately, and [to finish] top 15 was my goal.”
Although Blewett currently lives near Lake Garda in northern Italy, he spent much of his childhood in the Sea to Sky. The half-Canadian, half-Italian youngster was introduced to his first hobby, sailing, by way of the Whistler Sailing Association (WSA).
He remembers capsizing in one of his first lessons at six years of age, briefly going beneath his Optimist boat. Despite some initial shock, Blewett wasn’t traumatized by the event—much the opposite, he views it as a fun memory.
WSA general manager Francois Hebert remembers Blewett from those early days on the water and is thrilled for his former pupil.
“Valentino did an amazing job at the Youth Worlds,” Hebert wrote in an email to Pique. “It’s so exciting to see his success, especially since he got his start at the Whistler Sailing Association. While he’s been based
in Italy for a few years now, training and competing on the European youth circuit, it’s fantastic to see how far he’s come.”
Respectable praise indeed from the 2023 ILCA7 Laser Master Sailboat champion, and Blewett’s glad to hear it.
“I’m very happy and it feels great,” he said. “I really like Whistler, from the skiing to the sailing to the biking—everything. I’d love to come back soon.”
‘FOCUS, NEVER GIVE UP, DO YOUR BEST’
Blewett was born with water sports in his blood.
His father, Curtis, is an accomplished sailor who won the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Race and 2003 Louis Vuitton Cup to go along with America’s Cup victories in 2003 and 2007. He’s filled several roles in his career, including one of the field’s least enviable: repacking sails in the underbelly of his vessel as a so-called “sewer man.”
After growing and maturing in the wake of those experiences, Curtis went on to teach his son vital lessons about being an athlete. Those lessons, according to Blewett, are: “Focus, never give up and do your best.”
By 2020, Blewett had outgrown his old Optimist dinghies (which are usually meant for kids and youth). He took to windsurfing naturally at that point, utilizing the tactics and body control from his sailing days while appreciating the increased speed of his new sport.
The WSA alum started out representing Italy, but elected to switch allegiances to the Maple Leaf.
“My dad is Canadian and I just felt like it was a good choice,” Blewett elaborated. “I think it’s good to be windsurfing in Canada and I hope there’s more people who start windsurfing in Canada—that the sport would build up.”
Full results from the iQFOIL Youth & Junior Worlds are viewable at 2024iqyjworldssarapita.sailti.com/en/ default/races/race-resultsall. n
Getyourfreesnowflake reflector. Attach a Whistlersnowflake reflectortoyour packor jacket toincreasevisibility atnight.
SETTING SAIL Valentino Blewett at the 2024 iQfoil Youth and Junior Worlds, in Sa Rapita, Mallorca. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAILING ENERGY / IQFOIL CLASS
More fun food facts for your next festive feast
CONVERSATION SPARKLERS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
HERE IT COMES, folks… Another holly-jolly season right around the corner, ushering in the best and brightest social moments that help deflect this gloomy time of year. With that in mind, here’s my latest list of fast food facts that might serve you well by sparkling up a conversation or two in the social daze to come.
But first, a tip of my newsboy cap to Harper’s Magazine, published since 1850, making it the oldest continuously published monthly magazine in North America. It’s one I’ve subscribed to for decades. It’s also the
BY GLENDA BARTOSH
source of the much-loved Harper’s Index, which inspired the format below and was created by the inimitable Lewis Lapham, who died earlier this year.
Rightfully praised by The New York Times as an “unexpectedly excellent magazine” due in part to its wide-reaching range “amid a homogenizing media landscape,” you can’t go wrong giving Harper’s Magazine—or any number of good publications, including Pique Newsmagazine—to friends and family, near and far.
What better way of staying connected while supporting solid, independent journalism in these times of politics and threats to democracy
as dark as a winter’s night?
There’s nothing like cozying up with a beautiful paper copy of a top publication as the weather outside grows frightful. No hideous LED-blue light screens glaring in faces. And no wrapping required! Just pop a note into a holiday card, and the rest will take care of itself all year as you support thoughtful publications we need in our cultural landscape.
In the meantime, have fun with these little tidbits below.
FESTIVE FOOD FACTS
• Number of sub-species of wild turkeys found in North America: 6
• Number of those sub-species found in Canada: 2; the Eastern wild turkey, found in Ontario and Quebec, and Merriam’s wild turkey, found in B.C. and across the prairies to Manitoba.
• Weight of the average male wild turkey in Canada: 8.1–13.6 kg
• Weight of the average female wild turkey: 3.6–6.3 kg
• Weight of the average turkey on a Canadian Christmas table in the 1970s: 5.6 kg
• Average weight in the 2020s: 8.0 kg, or about the size of a wild male turkey in Canada (at the small end of the scale). If your storebought turkey is on the bigger size, say 7 to 11 kg, it’s a male or tom turkey. If it’s on the smaller size (4 to 7 kg), it’s a female or hen.
• Average age when a turkey reaches the size commonly sold in Canada: 12 to 21 weeks
• Amount of turkey Canadians consumed in 2023: 134.2 million kg
• Average per cent of a typical domesticated turkey weight that is breast meat: 70
• Country that ranks as the biggest percapita consumer of turkey meat worldwide each year: Israel, at 28 lb (12.7 kg) per capita
• Amount of required food aid that’s not making it into Gaza these days due to Israel’s invasion: 83 per cent, up from 34 per cent in 2023
• Average impact the latest food aid decrease has meant for the people of Gaza: Eating one meal every second day versus the previous average of two meals per day
• Amount of feed, which includes grain and oilseeds like corn, soya, wheat, barley and canola, that a domesticated turkey eats to put on a kilogram of weight: 6.6 kg
• Amount of grain in a well-balanced diet for poultry (chickens and turkeys): 75 to 90 per cent
• Amount of potatoes available annually per person in Canada: 70 kg
• Amount of wheat flour: About the same, 70 kg
• World rank of Ukraine in select food exports before Russia’s invasion: Largest exporter of sunflower seeds; 7th largest exporter of wheat; 4th largest of barley
• Amount that Ukraine exports are estimated to have declined due to Russia’s invasion for wheat, corn and barley, respectively: 32, 27 and 37 per cent
• Amount of water needed to grow a kilogram of cranberries: About 1,000 to 1,250 litres
• Average amount of water needed to grow a kilogram of squash: About 333 litres
• Number of litres of water an elephant requires per day: 200
• Number of litres of water an average (240kg) black bear needs per day: about 11
• Number of calories a black bear needs to eat per day to pack on the required amount of weight for hibernation: 15,000 to 20,000
• Number of black bears that live around Whistler: 50
• Estimated age of the oldest known protowine, which was found in China and made without grapes: 9,000 years
• Year of origin of what’s considered to be the first cocktail, the Sazerac—a blend of cognac or whiskey, absinthe, bitters and sugar—created in New Orleans: The mid1800s, with some pegging it at 1838
• Number of candy canes sold each year: 1.76 billion
• Percentage sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas: 90
• Weight of world’s biggest candy cane: 318,267.3 kg
• World record for number of candy canes stuffed in a beard, set by Joel Strasser in Meridian, Idaho, December, 2023: 187
• Size of world’s biggest gingerbread house, created in Bryan, Texas, in 2013: 18.28 m (60 ft) long, 12.8 m (42 ft) wide and 3.07 m (10.1 ft) tall at the highest point.
Thanks to these good sources: Canadian Encyclopedia; CBC News, Dec. 24, 2016 and July 17, 2018; Turkey Farmers of Canada; USDA; Norwegian Refugee Council; Province of Manitoba; BBC April 2, 2024; CSIS report May 2, 2024; World Population Review; World Wildlife Fund; Naked Scientists; Yellowstone Bear World; Port Hardy Bear Smart Committee; Bear Smart Whistler; Statista.com; Food in Canada; Wikipedia; Chivas.com; Old Time Candy.com; KTLA.com; Time Magazine, Dec. 20, 2017; Guinness World Records.
Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who still has a handmade candy cane left over from last year. n
HOT OUT OF THE OVEN More fast turkey facts than you can shake a baster at.
PHOTO BY RYANJLANE/ E+ / GETTY IMAGES
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‘It’s just put together so well’
RUBY BRYAN AND ROB LEBLANC ARE TWO OF MANY LOCAL VENDORS SLATED TO PARTAKE IN THE NEXT ARTS WHISTLER HOLIDAY MARKET
BY DAVID SONG
MARK YOUR CALENDARS, Christmas shoppers, for the Arts Whistler Holiday Market returns Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 for another go-around.
Its 33rd annual go-around, to be exact. This year, look forward to a diverse mix of new and returning vendors from across British Columbia as they offer jewelry, handcrafted spirits, clothes, visual art and more. The young entrepreneurs of Bratz Biz are back too with their popular craft and face-painting station.
The Whistler Children’s Chorus (WCC) is slated to liven up the Westin Resort and Spa at 1 p.m. on both days as the Whistler Singers perform Nov. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m.
All of this is music to the ears of local vendors, including Ruby Bryan of RB Pottery and wood-based artisan Rob LeBlanc.
“I had an amazing experience last year. It was one of the best markets I’ve done,” reveals Bryan. “I tend to do about eight to 10 markets each holiday season, and this one is always the busiest. It’s just put together so well … to have so many different vendors in such a small space [without making it feel] overly
cramped. Arts Whistler has only got a certain quota of each field, too.”
LeBlanc is entering his second stint with the Holiday Market, just like Bryan, and he too has good things to say.
“It’s a really neat, festive occasion,” he says. “I don’t necessarily sell a lot of big art pieces at it, but you get a lot of traffic coming through. People see your art and then you get approached later.”
for undertakings like the Holiday Market to elevate local vendors.
Bryan, for one, got back into ceramics as a hobby during the pandemic and eventually went out on a limb by relinquishing her finance career to launch RB Pottery. It was a giant risk, but support from fellow Sea to Sky denizens enables her to make ends meet doing what she loves. Nonetheless, she feels local entrepreneurs need (and deserve)
“I had an amazing experience last year. It was one of the best markets I’ve done.”
- RUBY BRYAN
A PLATFORM FOR SMALL BUSINESS
COVID-19 dealt a devastating blow to momand-pop businesses around the world, but huge companies like Amazon with the ability to operate remotely thrived. It’s never been easier to buy things from faceless corporations, and many do so for reasons of pricing and convenience.
That’s why it’s all the more important
all the help they can get.
“October was a really hard-hitting month for a lot of small businesses because you can just go online and buy everything, right?” Bryan says. “Markets like this Arts Whistler one give us a platform, and anybody can get involved. There’s a lot of people who come through this market as customers who work in bigger hotels or have connections elsewhere, and by getting your name out there, it gives
you a lot more opportunities.”
Leblanc agrees, saying: “[The Holiday Market] is a great space to network in. More than one artist has told me that these kinds of events are good because it’s all about making yourself familiar with your clients. Some have spent money on advertising and tried different things, but going to markets seems to be the best kind of exposure for them.
“I had some direct sales leading up to last Christmas from people who saw me at the Holiday Market.”
Bryan and LeBlanc both understand their target demographic. They’re attempting to reach folks who have the interest and monetary ability to purchase fine, locally-made goods rather than cheaper, mass-produced alternatives. In return for their customers’ goodwill, both put serious effort into their wares.
“In the world that we live in, it’s hard to go out and buy non-functional art, right?” Bryan asks rhetorically. “[Few have] the spare cash to buy a new painting to put on the wall, but [they might get] something multipurpose like a mug. It’s functional, but it also has that creative aspect.”
For his part, LeBlanc’s artistic drive springs from his desire to rescue some of the quality wood that otherwise goes to waste as old homes, cabins, skis and kayaks get retired.
Tickets for the 2024 Arts Whistler Holiday Market cost $5 for adults and nothing for children under 10. Find them at artswhistler. com/holiday-market. n
MARKET FORCES Squamish-based artisan Ruby Bryan of RB Pottery.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RUBY BRYAN
‘A two-pronged approach’
DISTINGUISHED
MUSICIANS JANE COOP AND HENRY SHAPARD PLAY NOV. 24 IN WHISTLER
BY DAVID SONG
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED classical performers Jane Coop and Henry Shapard are on their way to headline the next entry in the 2024-25 Whistler Chamber Music Society (WCMS) Concert Series.
Hailing originally from New Brunswick, Coop is one of the nation’s most revered pianists. She has travelled across Asia, Europe and North America to liven up famous concert halls like the Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, Salle Gaveau, the Kennedy Center, Roy Thomson Hall, the Singapore Cultural Center and the Bolshoi Zal of St. Petersburg. In 2012, she was appointed to the Order of Canada.
Furthermore, Coop is well-acquainted with the local arts scene. She ran a summer camp for Sea to Sky teens in the 1990s called the Young Artist Experience.
Shapard, meanwhile, became the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s (VSO) lead violinist in 2021 at just 21 years of age. He too has racked up frequent flier miles across the continent, with a history degree from Yale University under his belt. The Cleveland, Ohio native formerly served as assistant conductor of the Yale Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of both the Berkeley College Orchestra and Saybrook College Orchestra.
Together, they’re more than capable of bringing Beethoven’s cello sonatas to life.
“We started working together almost a year ago,” Coop states. “I played some pieces with the VSO in both the full orchestra and in a chamber version, and we both felt that we were of like minds musically. We kind of gravitated toward each other.
“Henry’s got a two-pronged approach. He’s very smart, very thoughtful. He knows about style and understands the details that need to take place in this music, but he’s also a fabulous challenge to himself. He’s just got the whole package, and he is a lovely person to work with, too.”
A MINI-ORCHESTRA
Coop and Shapard have spent many hours practicing with one another: getting
proficient, but also allowing for time and space to marinate on different ideas. They seem to complement each other well, as their instruments do.
“The cello has the ability to make big, huge, rich sounds and very soft, whispery sounds—and so does the piano. If you really work at balancing these two, they together can feel almost like a mini-orchestra,” Coop explains. “They don’t seem like similar instruments and they aren’t really, but they can meet just like two totally different cultures can meet together in one concept.”
The pair will only have time to play three Beethoven sonatas during their upcoming performance, but intend to record eight come springtime.
“We find that the music of Beethoven is … I hate to sound kind of cheesy about it, but it keeps on giving,” Coop says. “There just doesn’t seem to be any end in the satisfaction of looking through this music and trying to see what Beethoven meant by it … and that’s a wonderful thing.”
In a similar way, Coop sees no end to her personal journey of musical selfimprovement. She’s taken lessons since childhood and studied under the great Austrian-born Canadian composer/conductor Anton Kuerti in Toronto, yet there’s always something else to work on.
After all, music can be viewed as a language, and it’s Coop’s job to take a given set of notes off the page and translate them into some meaning that can unlock a listener’s imagination.
“I’ve certainly learned that audiences in different parts of the world can be quite different,” she remarks. “I felt that the people in Eastern Europe—places like Poland and Hungary—were so attentive, so quiet, so intense in their listening that it made me want to give them as much as I could. That’s so important for anybody to learn if they’re going to perform, because it’s a nerve-racking business.”
Whistler’s cohort of classical music fans is knowledgeable in its own right, but by all indications they can expect Coop and Shapard to deliver. Their concert begins at 5 p.m. on Nov. 24, with tickets and more information available at whistlerchambermusic.ca/concert/ jane-coop-piano-henry-shapard-cello. n
IN CONCERT Acclaimed classical musicians Jane Coop (left) and Henry Shapard. PHOTO BY G. LAVEROCK
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE
Here’s a quick
some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond.
LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!)
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA
CENTS AND SENSIBILITY: RMOW BUDGET QUIZ NIGHT
Join the Resort Municipality of Whistler for an interactive quiz night hosted by Whistler’s own Laugh Out LIVE! comedy crew. Connect with council and learn about the proposed 2025 budget to run our town. Prizes, snacks and financial knowledge about the resort will be on tap! Come as a team or come on your own.
Everyone welcome!
> Nov. 25, 7 p.m.
> Crystal Lounge
> Free
ART OF WINTER EXHIBITION
Celebrating more than 30 years of Art of Winter, Adele Campbell Fine Art presents this annual group exhibition that is not to be missed. It features more than 50 classic and contemporary artists.
> Nov. 22 to Dec. 22
> Adele Campbell Fine Art
WES BARKER: STUNT MAGICIAN
Come witness 90 minutes of incredible feats and hilarious tricks. A magician like you’ve never experienced, you may recognize Wes Barker from his TV show (Big Trick Energy) or other appearances on networks that include America’s Got Talent, Ellen, Syfy, MTV, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us (which he won!) Join Wes on a wild and ridiculous ride of amazement and trickery.
> Nov. 22, 8 p.m.
> Maury Young Arts Centre
> $37.28
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Join Whistler’s animal shelter, Whistler Animals Galore (WAG), for their annual fundraising event, Pet Photos with Santa. Bring your furry friend to the Westin from 1 to 4 p.m. and snap a holiday pic. It is a minimum donation of $20 with all proceeds going to the animals at WAG.
> Nov. 23, 1 to 4 p.m.
> Westin Resort and Spa
> Minimum donation $20
KARAOKE
Sing your heart out at karaoke every Monday night. In need of some liquid courage to get the vocals ready? Dead season deals and drink specials are on all day, every day.
> Nov. 25, 6 p.m.
> RMU Whistler
THE STAND-UP STANDOFF
The ultimate Whistler stand-up comedy competition and show, the evening begins with six stand-up comedians all vying for a chance to win the big money and perform on the Laugh Out LIVE! main stage. Following the competition, headlining act Rachel Schaefer takes to the stage in a bare knuckle comedy brawl where the only knockout blows are delivered by punchlines!
> Nov. 27, 8 p.m.
> Après Après
> Tickets start at $18
PHOTO BY BRAD KASSELMAN CREATIVE / COURTESY OF WAG
Worth a thousand words
BY BRAD NICHOLS
PHOTOGRAPHY HAS long served as a powerful tool for documenting and preserving human history. From its invention in the early 19th century, photography revolutionized how people recorded the world, capturing moments in remarkable detail and making them accessible to future generations. The ability to visually document everyday life, historical events, and personal milestones has transformed our understanding of the past.
Some of the earliest photographs of the Whistler area date back to 1911, when Myrtle and Alex Philip made their three-day journey from Vancouver to Alta Lake via the rugged Pemberton Trail. The Philips played a pivotal role in shaping Whistler’s early tourism through their operation of Rainbow Lodge, the area’s first tourist attraction. The couple’s photographs provide invaluable snapshots of a formative era in Whistler’s history. Their photos helped document milestones such as the arrival of the railway, the first airplane landing on Alta Lake, the start of industry such as logging, and the evolution of community life in the area. These make up some of the Whistler Museum’s most prized images.
With a collection of more than 300,000 physical photographs, the museum’s photographic holdings are its largest and one of its most valuable assets. This collection spans decades, chronicling everything from the first documented mountaineering trip in 1923 (rich with photos of now long-since-receded glaciers) and the development of skiing in 1965, to the design and construction of Whistler Village in 1979-80 and hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Through these photographs, museum staff, visitors, and researchers can explore Whistler’s rich heritage.
Prior to the advent of digital photography (widely adopted during the 2000s), images were captured using a light-sensitive chemical emulsion applied to glass or to a strip of plastic or paper, commonly referred to as film. The process began when light entered the camera (sometimes just a crude wooden box) through a lens and exposed the film, creating a latent or hidden image.
This latent image was then revealed during development, where the film was treated with specific chemicals in a darkroom to make the image visible. Once developed, the film could be used to create prints by projecting the image onto photographic paper.
Film types, emulsions, and the chemicals used for developing evolved significantly over the 20th century. One of the most important advancements was the development of safety films, which replaced the highly flammable and unstable nitrate films that were widely used prior to the 1940s. (The dangers of nitrate film and its combustible properties were a major plot point in the 2009 Quentin Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds.) Tragically, many films from the silent film era of the 1920s were lost forever due to fires caused by nitrate films. One such loss is The Crimson West (1933), Canada’s first talkie film (a film with audio). Based on one of Alex Philips’ novels, it is considered a lost film after the Capitol Theatre in Victoria burned down, destroying the last known copies. Fortunately, aside from a few nitrate film negatives stored safely and securely, most of the museum’s collection consists of prints and safety film.
Our photographic holdings include a variety of formats, ranging from blackand-white images made from 4”x6” medium-format film to the more common 35mm colour negatives, a popular choice among both amateur and professional photographers. Many of our collections also feature slide film, which were frequently used by businesses and families for presentations or “slide shows.” We ensure the preservation of these photographs by adhering to archival best practices, including careful handling and storage in acid-free archival boxes and stable plastic sleeves.
Photography, as documentation, is a bridge between the past and present. In Whistler, it continues to play an essential role in preserving the stories that define this extraordinary place, and we are glad to share these images with you here and on the museum’s social media channels. If you have photos you’d like to contribute to our collection, we’d love to hear from you—feel free to reach out or visit us at the museum! n
FIT FOR FRAMING Photo contact sheet from the Whistler Question, July 4, 1979.PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER MUSEUM
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ASTROLOGY
Free Will Astrology
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 22 BY ROB
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Award-winning Aries filmmaker Quentin Tarantino was born and raised in the U.S. But he has said, “I don’t make movies for America. I make movies for planet Earth.” I applaud his expansive perspective and recommend you cultivate your own version of it in the coming weeks. You will generate good fortune for yourself as you enlarge your audience, your range of influences, and your sphere of activity. It will be an excellent time to transcend previous notions of who you are and what your life’s assignments are. The frontiers are calling you to open your mind wider than ever as you leap to the next higher octave of your destiny.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Earth knows no desolation. She smells regeneration in the moist breath of decay.” Author George Meredith said that, and now I’m conveying it to you. Why? Because you’re entering a phase when you will have maximum power to ensure that decay leads to regeneration. My advice: Instead of trying to repress your awareness of what’s decomposing, tune into it energetically. The sooner you embrace the challenging but interesting work to be done, the faster and more effective the redemption will be. Here’s your battle cry: Turn rot into splendour!
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Mercury will be your slippery but sticky companion in the coming weeks, Gemini. Whether or not you believe he is a literal god who abides in the spiritual realm, I trust you will acknowledge that he is a vivid archetype. He symbolizes forces that facilitate communication and promote connection. Since he is constantly travelling and conversing, he also represents boundary-crossing and thresholds. I encourage you to summon his assistance whenever you want to lubricate links and foster combinations. He can help you unify disparate influences and strengthen your network of allies.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Utility poles and telephones poles may seem to be indestructible towers, but they have a limited life span. A prime factor in their gradual demise is woodpeckers. The birds drill holes that over time weaken the wood. Their handiwork allows moisture to seep in, causing rot, and creates access points for small animals to burrow in and cause further disintegration. I bring this to your attention because I want to encourage you to launch a woodpecker-like campaign against any seemingly impregnable structures that oppress and restrict you. It might take a while to undermine their power to interfere with your life, but now is an excellent time to begin.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): As an American, I’m jealous of how many festivals the Japanese people celebrate. By some estimates, there are more than 100,000 events every year—an average of 274 per day! They may feature music, theater, dancing, entertainment, karaoke, sumo matches, games, delicious food, colourful costumes, spiritual observances, and parades of floats and shrines. If you are a Japanese Leo, you’re in luck. The astrological indicators suggest that in the coming months, you should take extra advantage of your culture’s revels, parties, and social merriment. If you’re not in Japan, do your best to fulfil your cosmic mandate to frolic and carouse. Start as soon as possible!
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Flintstones was an animated TV comedy show broadcast in the U.S. from 1960 to 1966. It was colossally silly and wildly popular. It portrayed cavemen and cavewomen living suburban lives in the Stone Age with dinosaurs as pets and cars made of wood and rocks. The chirpy theme song for the show was stolen from a piano sonata written by the classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven. In the coming weeks, Virgo, I invite you to steadily carry out the opposite of that conversion. Transform what’s daft or preposterous into what’s elegant and meaningful. Change superficial approaches into righteous devotions. Move away from
BREZSNY
trifling diversions and toward passionate magnificence.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Even if you’re not a professional writer, I invite you to compose three lyrical messages in the coming days. One will be a psalm of appreciation for a person who enchants your imagination and inspires you to be your best self. Another will be a hymn of praise that you address to yourself—a gorgeous, expansive boast or an outpouring of gratitude for the marvel and mystery of you. The third salutation will be an address to a higher power, whether that’s God, Goddess, Nature, your Guardian Angel, Higher Self, or Life itself. If you can find it in your brave, wild heart to sing or chant these exaltations, you will place yourself in close alignment with cosmic rhythms. (PS: In general, now is a fantastic time to identify what you love and express your feelings for what you love.)
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The Greek term pharmakon has a complicated set of meanings: scapegoat, poison, remedy, and recipe. According to my astrological analysis, all of these could soon be operative in your life. One surprise is that a metaphoric “poison” you are exposed to may ultimately serve as a remedy. Another curiosity is that a scapegoat may reveal a potent recipe for redemptive transformation. A further possibility: You will discover a new recipe for a very fine remedy. I’m not certain exactly how the whole story will unfold, but I’m betting the net effect will be a lot of healing.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Museum of Broken Relationships is in Zagreb, Croatia. It collects castaway objects left behind after intimate relationships have collapsed. Among its treasures are love letters, wedding rings, jars of bitter tears, stuffed animals, feather-filled quilts, and matching sweaters. Inspired by this sad spectacle, I invite you to create a very different shrine in your home: one that’s dedicated to wonderful memories from times of successful togetherness. Making this ritual gesture of hope and positivity will prepare you well for the potential relationship growth available for you in the coming months.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): It’s the Soul Retrieval phase of your long-term cycle, Capricorn. Have there been people, either alive or dead, who wounded or pirated parts of your treasured essence? Have you experienced painful events that weakened your connection to your inner riches? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to undertake meditations in which you carry out repair and restoration. You will summon curative agents whenever you reclaim lost and missing fragments of your soul. Be aggressive in seeking helpers who can synergize your own efforts.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Wistaria Vine in Sierra Madre, California is the world’s biggest blooming plant. Spread over an acre, it weighs 250 tons and teems with more than 1.5 million blossoms. I propose we regard it as your inspirational symbol for the coming months. Why? I expect you will be more abundantly creative and generative than maybe ever before. Your vitality will overflow. Your vigour will be delightfully lavish and profound. Homework: Start planning how you will wield and manage all that lushness.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean playwright and songwriter Robert Lopez is the only person to have won all four of the following awards more than once: Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, and Grammys. He was also the youngest person to have won all four. I propose we make him your inspirational role model in the coming weeks and months. According to my astrological analysis, you are primed to ascend to new levels of accomplishment in your chosen field—and to be acknowledged for your success. Think big! Then think even bigger.
Homework: I invite you and dare you to revise your definitions of success. 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
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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!
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Rates are based on using Pique’s selfserve online application at classifieds. piquenewsmagazine.com
Cardinal Concrete, A Division of Lafarge Canada Inc is the leading supplier of ready-mix concrete in the Sea to Sky Corridor. We are currently seeking a career oriented individual to fill the role of Commercial Transport/Heavy Duty Mechanic at our Head Office Location in Squamish, BC.
is
• 3-5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience Compensation $45.57 to $49.07
To view a full copy of this Job Description visit: www.cardinalconcrete.ca/about/careers Apply to: info@cardinalconcrete.ca
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employee Health & Wellness Plan available
HYDROVAC OPERATOR – Valid Class 1 or Class 3 with air brakes required. Manual transmission. Ground Disturbance II. 2 years operating hydro excavation equipment preferred. $35-$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 - Commercial Truck & Transport, Transport Trailer, Class 1 or 3 air brakes preferred. 4x10 or 5x8 schedule. Red Seal certi ed receive $200/month tool allowance. $39.70- $47.90 per hour. 5% premium on hourly wage for Lead Hand position.
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.
SNOWPLOW OPERATOR, Whistler – Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence required. Must be available from November 15 through March 31. On-the-job training provided. Wage depending on experience. $28-35.02 per hour.
Ullus Community Centre
• Executive Assistant to the GM Community Services
($38,038 to $53,599 per year)
• Snow Removal Technician ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
Xet’òlacw Community School
• High School English and Humanities Teacher
($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3
($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
• Education Assistant ($38,038 - $53,599 per year)
• Social Worker/Counsellor
($80,371.20 - $91,673.40 per year)
Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre
• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• Program Manager ($57,330 to $64,610.00 per year)
• Operations Manager ($59,878.00 to $73,564.40 per year)
• Family Mentor ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)
Child & Family Services
• Transition House Outreach Worker ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• Transition House Support Worker ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
Community Development
• Cultural Camp Supervisor ($46,683.00 to $63,953.00 per year)
Be thankful for skiing
WHOMEVER YOU give thanks to, give thanks for the start of the 2024-25 ski season. Not sure about you but I am in dire need of something like skiing to divert what little attention I have left from dwelling on the devolution going on in the world.
Some decades ago, whatever body shills for skiing in Colorado ran a print ad campaign that summed up the magic of skiing as well
BY G.D. MAXWELL
as anything I’ve ever seen. Naturally it had a wonderful photo of people skiing through small trees and untracked powder, the sun shining above, rooster tails of light, glistening snow billowing out behind them. Perfection.
The print, undoubtedly paraphrased since I don’t have a good enough memory to be certain, was simple: “You can’t do this and think about work at the same time.”
Hallelujah.
Be thankful there is the best opening day snow we’ve had in a long time. Real snow, not the artisanal stuff we’re usually on. Be thankful there are more than six runs open. Be thankful there is some snow and lots of below-0 C temps in the forecast. Be thankful, assuming the Colorado ski ad was right, you can’t ski/board and entertain a single thought about the horrible reality voters in the U.S. have unleashed on the rest of the world. Be thankful we have another two months before the transfer of power peacefully happens.
Speaking of which, welcome to American Thanksgiving in Whistler, our American visitors. Nothing personal in the above comment. We understand more than half of your population has lost their minds. But that means almost half haven’t. We’ll try to pretend it wasn’t any of you. And we don’t hold it against you personally. Well, maybe. But let’s not let that spoil your enjoyment.
Now that we’re part of the Vail Resorts family of Epic™ mountain resorts, opening day in Whistler, the official start of the ski season, falls like clockwork on American Thanksgiving... at least until global warming forces it to fall on Christmas, a holiday in need of no national modifier.
In the Before Time, when Whistler competed with places like Vail—the resort, not the company—for bragging rights, we sometimes opened as early as, well, as early as there was enough snow on the slopes to open. Late October, early November, whenever. Then we’d collectively chant, “Na-na, na, na-na. We’re open and you’re not.” Or words to that effect.
To be clear, Whistler’s opening day is only called American Thanksgiving in Canada. As a former American myself, I can testify to the fact no one in the U.S. calls it American Thanksgiving. It’s called Thanksgiving.
Canadians call it American Thanksgiving for much the same reason some Canadians call Thanksgiving in Canada Canadian Thanksgiving. Canadians call Canadian Thanksgiving Canadian Thanksgiving because if they just called it Thanksgiving—
like the Americans do—it would be confusing to other Canadians. If a Canadian were, for example, talking to another Canadian and said something like, “Hey, watcha doin’ for Thanksgiving, eh?” the other Canadian might well answer, “Canadian Thanksgiving or American Thanksgiving, eh?”
This makes no sense, of course. Canadian Thanksgiving comes early in October; American Thanksgiving comes late in November. Canadians know the difference between early October and late November. It’s the difference between a baseball cap and a toque, a sweater and a coat.
Canadian Thanksgiving is because the Canadian version lacks, how shall I say this, the rich mythology of American Thanksgiving.
Take timing for example. In what would someday become the U.S., the First Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621. Early Americans didn’t call it the First Thanksgiving. They didn’t even call it Thanksgiving. They called it dinner. Actually, they called it a feast. They were starving.
By contrast, Canadians didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving until 1872. Even at that late date, Canadians weren’t actually celebrating
Owning a place in Whistler is not only a longstanding American tradition, it could well be your refuge if things get really ugly down there.
I don’t personally call it American Thanksgiving anymore. Now I just call it opening day. And who in their right mind wants to cook a turkey on opening day? No one; that’s who.
And there has been progress on this side of the border. More Canadians than ever simply call Thanksgiving celebrated here Thanksgiving. No modifier. Take that. It still goes against the grain of living in the shadow of the giant and being perhaps overly polite. But progress is progress.
One of the reasons it’s taken Canadians so long to stop calling our Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving; they were celebrating the recovery of the Prince of Wales from a serious illness he’d been suffering. Even weirder, they celebrated it on April 15, a day Americans celebrate filing their income taxes.
It doesn’t take a geographical genius to understand there isn’t much to harvest in Canada on April 15 unless you can make a feast of river ice and fiddleheads. Obviously, in that context, it’s easier to understand why Canadians—who ultimately saw the irony of celebrating Thanksgiving in April and changed the date to more accurately coincide with the harvest of real food—were sheepish
about horning in on what was clearly an American holiday and calling their version the exact same thing.
Now, compare that incomprehensible history with the cultural mythology of American Thanksgiving. You’ve got your starving Pilgrims, free at last to worship as they please. You’ve got your generous Indigenous landowners, sharing their bounty and completely unaware of what a raw deal they were about to get. You’ve got turkey, mashed potatoes, punkin pie and maize. You’ve got the birth of a nation.
And that’s why, despite the cultural madness that swept your nation on Nov. 5, we welcome our American friends with open arms. Okay, with shrugged shoulders. Even though many of us have vowed to never again set foot in what are now called Red States until there is renewed evidence of intelligent life there, we’re going to do our best to make your holiday, however you call it, warm, welcoming and whatever your hearts desire. It’s how we roll.
We know many of you are just as horrified as we are over the election results. If you are, perhaps to make you feel better, you should pay close attention to all the real estate ads in Pique Owning a place in Whistler is not only a longstanding American tradition, it could well be your refuge if things get really ugly down there. A foot in the door, so to speak. Not enough to give you automatic immigration status but a place to hide out until you’re discovered, at which point immigration officials are more likely to look the other way than deport you.
Think about it. But not while you’re skiing. Can’t be done. n
