Pique Newsmagazine 3201

Year in Review 2024

Recapping the year’s highs and lows from Whistler to Pemberton. - By Pique staff

06 OPENING REMARKS As another year comes to a close, editor Braden Dupuis delves into some of what we can expect in 2025.

08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers wish G.D. Maxwell well in his retirement, and weigh in on recent rhetoric from south of the border.

20 THE OUTSIDER In which Vince Shuley reflects on some of the biggest happenings in the great outdoors in 2024.

42 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Brandon Barrett pens an ode to the consummate Whistler Everyman, G.D. Maxwell.

12 USE IT OR LOSE IT The federal Underused Housing Tax remains a thorn in the side of some locals, but chances for an exemption for Whistler are slim.

13 FEED THE NEED Whistler will need close to 6,000 new housing units over the next 20 years, according to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s new Interim Housing Needs Report.

26 WORLD-CLASS Pemberton Nordic skier Joe Davies is off to a great start in the 202425 campaign.

30 SEARCH PARTY Pemberton band The Zummers emerged victorious at the 2024 Whistler Music Search.

COVER At least there isn’t any division between skiers and snowboarders, right? - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com

Editor BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com

Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@piquenewsmagazine.com

Production Manager AMIR SHAHRESTANI - ashahrestani@piquenewsmagazine.com

Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@piquenewsmagazine.com

Advertising Representatives

TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com

ANDREW BUDRESKI - abudreski@piquenewsmagazine.com

Digital/Sales Coordinator KATIE DOUGLAS - kbechtel@wplpmedia.com

Reporters

BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com

DAVID SONG - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

LIZ MCDONALD - emcdonald@piquenewsmagazine.com

LUKE FAULKS - lfaulks@piquenewsmagazine.com

Office Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com

Classifieds and Reception - mail@piquenewsmagazine.com

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

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com

What’s in store for Whistler in 2025?

COMPILING

Pique’s annual Year in Review cover feature is always an easy exercise in reflection.

Flipping through 12 months of Piques provides a window into the year that was, reminding us of news stories and local accomplishments big and small, and giving us a chance to consider the broader trends buried just underneath the surface.

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

Of course, not every notable moment makes it into the Year in Review (which you can read on page 22), but in broad strokes it serves as a worthy retrospective time capsule for the resort each January.

To be frank, 2024 was not the most optimistic year, in many regards. Whistlerites of all stripes are struggling as we head into 2025, evident in the seemingly ever-increasing numbers of people accessing the Whistler Community Services Society’s various programs and the business owners just struggling to keep turning a profit.

At the same time, there is a lot to be hopeful and excited about as the new year approaches.

Here are just a few of the events, questions and developments to watch as 2025 gets underway in Whistler.

INVICTUS GAMES

This February marks 15 years since the most significant moment in Whistler’s short history—the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

And on Feb. 8, the resort welcomes

arguably its biggest event since, when the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler officially gets underway.

From Feb. 8 to 16, the resort will come alive as more than 500 competitors from 23 nations test their resolve on Whistler’s slopes.

According to organizers, planning for the games is on track with a balanced $60.4-million budget including a $5-million legacy fund, and a schedule of nine days of life-changing competition. Tickets are reportedly selling fast, with some events already sold out.

“With less than two months to go to the Games, we’re next and ready to share the unconquered spirit of Invictus,” said Scott Moore, CEO of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, at a press event Dec. 12. “Our goal has been to organize a spectacular Games, which are financially responsible with

(RMOW) history: five decades since its incorporation on Sept. 6, 1975.

It’s yet to be determined what the celebrations will actually entail, but mayor and council are aiming to make a big deal of it.

“You only have one 50th birthday,” said Mayor Jack Crompton at the Oct. 8 committee of the whole meeting. “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.”

Council is also eager to make the celebrations more than a one-day or oneweekend affair, opting instead for a slate of different events running from the early September holiday through to Whistler Blackcomb’s opening day in November.

While programming specifics are still

More specifics about the 50th-anniversary celebrations will no doubt be shared early in the new year.

QUESTIONS ABOUND

While Whistler will clearly have reason to celebrate in 2025, there remain more than a few unknowns as we look to the year ahead.

Will there be progress on the suddenlydormant Northlands rezoning, which hasn’t seen a proper update to council since February 2023?

What action, if any, will the province take in conjunction with the Cheakamus Community Forest to address the growing number of red trees in the resort (the result of a spruce budworm infection)? And on that note, what kind of fire season can we expect in 2025?

“You only have one 50th birthday ... 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.”

- JACK CROMPTON

Invictus’ infectious message of inspiration and resilience, and to leave a positive financial and adaptive sport legacy when we’re done. We’re proud to share our progress towards our goal and to invite everyone to be part of this extraordinary showcase of the power of sport in the journey of recovery.”

RMOW TURNS 50

The coming year also marks a major milestone in the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s

Thisbrightupgradedone-bedroom townhome isaquintessential Whistlerproper ty! Withitsprimelocationin Creekside,skiersand bikerswilllove the two-minute walk to access thegondola,whileashortstrollwillput you infrontofthebustlingshopsand restaurants Creeksidehas to offer. Thenewwindows offer plenty ofnaturallightandsouthwestmountain viewsintheopen-conceptmainlivingareas. Unlimited ownerusewithnightly rentaloption Asking-$799,000 2-2150 Sarajevo Drive

being finalized, at the core of the festivities, the RMOW hopes to celebrate Whistler’s history while maintaining a focus on the future.

“One of the big ones is this idea of looking forward, but bringing the youth with us,” said GM of community engagement and cultural services Karen Elliott. “There were so many important community builders that built Whistler to this point, and we need to encourage that transfer of knowledge and energy and lift those voices of the new leaders coming up behind them.”

Will visitation bounce back after a couple of challenging years? Will local seniors get a gathering space they can call their own? And what will become of the historic Gebhart/ Hillman cabin?

These queries are only scratching the surface—there’s also a federal election to look forward to, along with all the annual events Whistlerites have come to know and love.

All we can say is stay tuned to the next 12 months of Pique—we’ll be there every step of the way. n

From top: Dale Marie Campbell, Woman Who Brought the Salmon, 2021; Veronica Waechter, Reflections, 2019; Freda Diesing, Old Woman with Labret, 1973.

Say it ain’t so, Max

After 29-plus years and only 1,504 back-page epistles, Max is giving it up and going skiing... NO!

How am I going to know what is really happening in Tiny Town?

What am I going to read every Friday?

I thought Max was more cut from the Dylan Thomas cloth: “Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day: Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Doesn’t that sound more like Max?

But seriously—a sincere “thank you” to Max for all the years of keeping us informed and entertained... sometimes doing both in the same column!

Enjoy the peace, Max—you’ve earned it!

Jim Moodie // Whistler

Two-hour limit on electric chargers ‘disappointing’

I am really disappointed that the two electric charging parking spots at Whistler Animals Galore now have a two-hour time limit on them. It was the one place I could charge my vehicle that didn’t have a time limit without having to pay for parking.

I work in the Nesters area and it was convenient for me to charge my car there while I was at work as I do not have a charging port at home. My only option now is to park in the village, pay for parking, and walk the 40 minutes to work or get a bus.

about buying Canada and other countries. He probably doesn’t even know where they are. Then what would they do with them? Make us like their “SH” country, just like Vail Resorts did with our mountain. Trumps should know, even though we don’t need to pound our chests, we are proud people not to be messed with.

“[E]ven though we don’t need to pound our chests, we are proud people not to be messed with.”

- KEN MASON

Ann Franssen // Whistler

Canada is not for sale

So I see Eric Trump is now spouting off

A two-hour charge outdoors in the winter gets me about 100 kilometres on a good day. Perhaps the municipality would consider allowing those two electric charging parking spots to not have a time limit on them Monday through Thursday. I’d be happy with any kind of compromise.

Unfortunately, most Americans believe Trump and his lies that the U.S. is subsidizing Canada and that most Canadians want to become the 51st state. Which in fact is quite the opposite. Such garbage dribbling out of their mouths—do we really need another reason to not have warm, fuzzy feelings towards Americans? It’s very disrespectful that they treat their

neighbour, friends and best ally this way. I haven’t heard any Americans speak out about such garbage. I think it’s time we rethink our relationship with the U.S.

Ken Mason // Whistler

Holidays without family are not the same

Yes, Mr. Dupuis, I quite agree, holidays without family are not the same (see Pique, Dec. 20, “Home for the holidays”). This fall, my wife and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary with a trans-Canada VIA Rail trip. Thanksgiving arrived with a family celebration involving all 19 of us. It was nice having everyone assembled. Next holiday up, Christmas.

Then the realization happened, all four of our kids were doing other things on Christmas for the first time in 59 years. Yikes, 59 years and we were “home alone!” in Bellingham, Wash., (B.C.’s home for Costco gas and Trader Joe’s). My wife and I decided we were not going to sit “home alone,” and so we find ourselves here in Whistler, B.C. for Christmas.

I have to admit, it really sucks opening our Christmas gifts, Christmas morn, in a hotel room, with just the two of us looking on. We will get by and the family will reassemble on New Year’s Day, so all is not lost—but yes, Mr. Dupuis, holidays without family really are not holidays!

Marv Wilson // Bellingham, Wash.

Recapping Pemberton’s Christmas Bird Count

We awoke to two feet of fresh snow as far as the eye could see for the Pemberton and Mount Currie Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 18. Nonetheless, a dozen brave souls set out for the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count in North America.

Some cars wouldn’t start and some were snowed-in, but the count continued.

The bird of the day was a lonely Anna’s hummingbird, which looked lost surrounded by so much snow: Snow, snow, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.

It was named after Antonio Lopez de Santa

Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address

4653MontebelloPlace

8083 Cypress Place

A

•3Bedroom,3Bathroom,

Zoned

$3,749,000

LIVE A LITTLE Julie Farr playing her famous naughty old lady character Bernice in a new Laugh Out LIVE! sketch on Dec. 27, 2024. See more local photos from the past week on page 33. PHOTO BY JOERN ROHDE / COURTESY OF LAUGH OUT LIVE!

71BLACKTUSKDRIVE

•PrivatePinecrestlocation

•3 bedrooms &2 bathrooms

•Recentlyupdated,1,850squarefeet

Offeredat$1,678,000

NickDavies,

andexperiencedfamilylawyer practisingacrossBCandYukon. Callat 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca

MacleanLawisheadquartered inVancouverwithofficesacross BritishColumbia.

$3,050,000

•ICF concrete build by NewlinesContracting

•Stunningviews fromlargetriplepanewindows

•Grandlivingarea, expansivekitchen,largeoutdoordeck

•Perfectbalanceofprivacy andaccessibility

•Onfirstfairway oftheFairmontChateau WhistlerGolfClub

•Vaulted ceilings,wood-burningfireplace,stunningviews

•Flexiblezoning forshort-termrentalsand/orpersonaluse

•Short stroll to BlackcombGondolaandWhistlerVillage

•Anentertainer ’s

Anna, the Mexican leader at the Alamo in 1836.

Of interest was an American three-toed woodpecker, which is new to our area. Back in the day when they were still lumped, a European three-toed was seen near Lake Baikal, Russia.

A hermit thrush turned up, which is an

“One deranged individual set out alone at 4 a.m. in search of owls.”

- NIGEL MATHEWS

unusual sighting in winter.

Some of our traditional routes were impassable and any lesser road off the Whistler highway was blocked by snow.

The soil-making company was open, allowing a count of 223 American crows. Darkeyed juncos held the record with 277 seen.

Thirty-one bald eagles were noted, and three rough-legged hawks, which are not common.

Chestnut-backed chickadees (four of them) were seen despite being uncommon

in our area. American dippers (five spotted) are always a joy to see bobbing their way up icy streams.

One deranged individual set out alone at 4 a.m. in search of owls. After three hours of wandering around in the dark, three owls were added: Great horned owl, barred, and northern saw-whet.

Later, during the day, a northern pygmy owl was seen.

Altogether, 53 species were seen, which compares favourably with previous years. However, the sum of birds recorded was 1,058, significantly less than in the past.

Backcountry Update

AS OF JAN. 3

The backcountry offers incredible adventures around here, but we know travel in avalanche terrain comes with risks. Developing good travel habits helps you reduce risk, respond effectively to hazards, communicate as a group, and ensure everyone returns home safely.

Smart backcountry travel choices start with solid preparation. Before heading out, check the avalanche forecast and plan a route suitable for the conditions and the experience level of everyone in the group. Carry essential gear, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and ensure everyone knows how to use them. Strong preparation sets the foundation for good decisions in the field.

While travelling, pay attention to conditions around you, keeping an eye on changing conditions like heavy snowfall, wind, and

warming, or signs of instability like whumpfing sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches. It’s good to stick to a plan, but it’s essential that you’re able to adjust your route or turn back if the risk increases.

Use good communication and keep everyone involved in decision-making. Twoway radios are helpful when you’re spread out in avalanche terrain. If you’re snowmobiling, noise is a factor so radios are even more important since you can’t yell at each other. Regularly stopping for helmets-off chats at key decision points will help to keep your whole group safer.

We talk a lot about terrain, but terrain discipline is probably the most important factor for reducing exposure. Choose terrain that matches the conditions. Go one-at-atime across avalanche paths and spread

This was probably due to the adverse conditions.

We also want to give a big thank you to the Pemberton Wildlife Association for supporting us for the post-count wrap-up, held at the Town Square Restaurant in Pemberton. Nigel Mathews // Pemberton n

out in big terrain to avoid putting the entire group at risk, if there’s an avalanche. Choose safe spots to group up, safely out of avalanche terrain, and when you’re moving through avalanche terrain, try to go from one safe spot to another. These are small steps that can save your life.

Before committing to a slope, plan an escape route if there were to be an avalanche. Use terrain wisely by travelling on gentle slopes, through dense trees, and along ridges and ribs. Avoid overhead hazards and stay away from terrain traps like cliffs, gullies, creeks, and sudden flat spots that can amplify the severity of an avalanche.

Finally, be willing to say no. Turning back or modifying your plans is not a failure; it’s smart decision-making. The mountains will always be there for another day. n

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

Slim chances for Whistler exemption to underused housing tax

LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE LOBBIED AGAINST 1% HOUSING TAX FOR FOREIGN OWNERS, BUT WITH NEW FINANCE MINISTER IN OTTAWA, EXEMPTION SEEMS UNLIKELY ANYTIME SOON

BY BRANDON BARRETT

IT’S BEEN TWO YEARS since the federal government rolled out its underused housing tax (UHT), a one-per-cent tax on vacant or underused housing that generally applies to foreign owners, and despite extensive lobbying from local and elected officials, an exemption for Whistler doesn’t seem likely anytime soon.

As previously reported by Pique, local realtor Dave Brown testified in April at a finance committee meeting in Ottawa, telling legislators how the UHT is driving foreign investment away from Whistler. Following that, momentum had been building towards a possible exemption, including a support letter signed by Sea to Sky MP Patrick Weiler and other MPs.

“With a new finance minister in place, decisions like these on the UHT will have to be reviewed again by the minister in the lead-up to Budget 2025. I’ll be making the case again for the exemption to Minister [Dominic] LeBlanc and I’m hopeful he’ll be amenable to a change,” said Weiler in a statement.

A tax on foreign property owners who do not make their home adequately available for housing, the UHT is one lever Ottawa has pulled on to address Canada’s affordable housing crisis. But, considering the tax also applies to properties specifically zoned

for tourist accommodation, in a resort town like Whistler, it is having unintended consequences.

“Whistler has been built with foreign investment and many of these investors believe it is unjust that they are subject to a vacancy tax that does not recognize the intended use of the property to drive shortterm tourist visits,” said local Theresa Walterhouse, partner at accounting firm, BDO Canada. “In my view, it has a serious negative impact on Canada’s brand.”

To be exempt from the tax, foreign owners must spend a minimum of 28 days in the property. An owner’s spouse can also count towards that minimum stay, but not an owner’s children or other family. If there are multiple owners, each individual must spend the minimum 28 days in the property.

“Secondary owners from outside of Canada will come for a week or two and usually not much more, because they have a life and work and can’t come for 28 days,” said Brown.

While Phase 1 owners are more likely to accommodate the 28-day minimum, Phase 2 owners have added barriers to overcome with the UHT. Much more restrictive than Phase 1, Phase 2 properties, typically commercial units located in resort hotel complexes such as The Four Seasons, The Westin, and The Pan Pacific, limit owner usage to 28 days in summer and 28 days in winter. Owners must book their personal use days in advance, with the property going back into the integrated rental pool, managed by a strata or rental management company, the rest of the time.

“One of the challenges is people who buy in the hotel properties are less likely to want to use it 28 days—and the hotels don’t want

them to use their full personal allotment,” explained Walterhouse. “The hotels say you can use it 28 days every six months … but if every owner in [those hotels] took advantage of using it 28 days personally, then they wouldn’t have enough inventory for visitors.”

The issue is how the Canada Revenue Agency defines “residential” in its application of the UHT, argued Chris Vick, GM of the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, in one of about a dozen letters Tourism Whistler gathered this fall from member businesses that were shared with Weiler.

“By everyone in the world’s definition, we are a hotel. But because our ownership structure is a strata and our rooms have kitchenettes, the CRA classifies us a ‘residential property,’ making our unit owners subject to UHT,” he wrote. “Our community, like many resort communities, has worked hard to establish the balance between residential properties and nightly accommodation properties and has robust mechanisms in place to differentiate their use. We need a CRA interpretation of UHT that recognizes those differences.”

The letters from Tourism Whistler members detail how the UHT has pushed prospective buyers away from the resort, and, in other cases, led to owners selling their Whistler units.

“The UHT imposes a significant financial burden on homeowners and undermines the economic viability of vacation rental properties,” wrote Damian Saw, CEO of vacation rental company Whistler Platinum, in his letter.

Saw went on to explain how the UHT can consume up to 60 per cent of a homeowner’s gross rental, and once other expenses such as

property taxes, strata fees, and utilities are factored in, many foreign-owned properties become “financially unsustainable.”

Whistler Platinum reported a 22-percent increase in owner nights last year, as owners upped their personal use to 28 days. The company also noted 10 per cent of its non-Canadian homeowners have listed their properties for sale due to the UHT, with more considering the same. Due to the revenue lost from the sale of three such units in 2023, Whistler Platinum said it has been forced to reduce its workforce and plans to hire two fewer employees this year.

“This is depleting some of our tourist inventory and causing some businesses additional challenges,” said Barrett Fisher, president and CEO of Tourism Whistler. “I think this tax makes sense in residential communities, but it does not make sense in tourist-zoned accommodation.”

The tax is unfairly penalizing a group that is a significant part of Whistler’s economic engine, Walterhouse said.

“These foreign owners, we want to keep in mind that they are presold Whistler tourists,” she said. “The foreign owners come here from overseas, more long-haul travel, and they’re going to spend a lot more tourist dollars in our economy than someone getting in their car from Vancouver.

“We’ve kind of slapped them in the face a bit by having them subject to this tax.”

On Monday, Dec. 16, federal finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from her post as finance minister just as she was set to deliver the government’s fall economic statement, adding more disarray to the Liberals’ already chaotic re-election bid. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau handpicked longtime ally Dominic LeBlanc as her replacement. n

Whistler will need close to 6,000 new housing units over next 20 years

PROVINCIALLY MANDATED REPORT TAKES LONG-TERM VIEW OF WHISTLER’S HOUSING LANDSCAPE

BY BRANDON BARRETT

IT’S NO SECRET  Whistler, like so many tourism-based communities across Canada, is in constant need of housing, and a new provincially mandated report estimates just how much more housing the resort will require to meet demand over the next two decades.

At the Tuesday, Dec. 17 council meeting, elected officials got a look at the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) Interim Housing Needs Report, an appendix to a 2022 housing report Victoria required local governments to compile.

This latest report relies on a provincial methodology developed at the University of B.C. to calculate Whistler’s current and anticipated housing needs in the next five and 20 years. In all, the report estimated Whistler will require 1,572 new housing units in the next five years, and 5,639 in the next 20 years.

Even for a resort community that has built hundreds of new dwelling units in recent years and a municipality that has long counted affordable housing as a key strategic priority, Whistler has a steep path ahead.

“I know that we have our foot on the gas with housing, so giddy up. Let’s go,” said Councillor Jessie Morden.

The need for new housing will undoubtedly strain the development cap limiting the number of bed units in the resort that has been baked into Whistler’s Official Community Plan (OCP) since the municipality’s formation in 1975.

meet its extreme core housing need, referring to private households spending more than half of their income on housing, the report found Whistler will require 68.34 new units in the next five years, and 273.37 in the next 20 years. To meet its supply of units to reduce homelessness, Whistler requires 17.72 new units in the next five years, and 35.45 in the next 20. To meet the supply of units needed to address “suppressed household formation”— defined as households that were unable to form between 2006, a time when supply was more available, and present, due to a constrained housing environment—Whistler requires 175.48 new units in the next half decade, and 701.92 over 20 years.

To meet the supply of units needed to accommodate the household growth of an increasing population, Whistler needs 886.03 new units over five years, and 2,931.23 over 20 years. To meet its supply of units needed to meet a minimum three-per-cent rental vacancy rate, considered a healthy rate in a functional housing market, Whistler will need 10.27 additional units in the next five years, and 41.07 over the next 20. Finally, to meet the supply of units needed to address local demand, intended to address households who require or prefer housing with certain characteristics, such as being close to jobs and schools, Whistler needs to add 414.08 units in the next five years, and 1,656.32 in the next two decades.

The RMOW was also required as part of the interim report to include a statement about the need for housing in close proximity to transportation infrastructure.

“New purpose-built housing, especially

“I know that we have our foot on the gas with housing, so giddy up. Let’s go.”

- JESSIE MORDEN

“It’s hard for me to compare Whistler with a sprawling suburb like Surrey or Burnaby. We are very much a planned community, and we have to ensure that our carrying capacities are very well matched,” said Coun. Arthur De Jong. “I guess we have a lot of work to do, because when I first stepped in on council, the OCP was the lens, and I see it potentially cracking through this.”

Although Whistler is growing at a steady clip, RMOW staff were quick to note new housing units won’t necessarily correspond with the same rise in population.

“Each unit won’t necessarily result in an increase in population, because there’s going to be a redistribution of population as people are able to access affordable housing,” explained municipal planner Joanna Rees.

The provincial methodology broke down housing needs into six components that, tabulated together, made up the total number of units Whistler will require. To

employee rental housing, should be prioritized in locations with close proximity to transportation infrastructure that supports walking, rolling, cycling, alternative forms of active transportation, and public transit, and required to promote community livability, achieve climate-related objectives and reduce traffic congestion,” the statement read.

Municipalities must update their OCP and zoning bylaws by Dec. 31, 2025 to accommodate the required number of future housing units. As RMOW staff noted, Whistler’s 20-year need is already accommodated in its zoning bylaw. Additionally, the OCP must include housing policies for each class of housing need identified in the report. Staff plan to present an OCP amendment to council in early 2025. Whistler’s main Housing Needs Report first tabled two years ago must be updated by Dec. 31, 2028 and every subsequent five years.

Learn more at whistler.ca/services/ housing/housing-needs-report. n

Spearhead Huts Society sets its sights on new hut

WITH SOLAR FINISHED AND WATER CONNECTIONS CLOSE TO COMPLETION AT KEES AND CLAIRE HUT IN THE SPEARHEAD, THE SOCIETY IS FUNDRAISING FOR THE SECOND HUT IN THE TRAVERSE

BY LIZ MCDONALD

THE SPEARHEAD HUTS SOCIETY (SHS) has been busy improving the Kees and Claire Memorial Hut (K+C), and is now embarking on a fundraising initiative for its next destination: the Macbeth Hut.

SHS imagines three huts connecting Blackcomb and Whistler mountains for backcountry touring and hiking in the Spearhead Range. Built in 2021, K+C is above Russet Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park and can be visited for day visits or overnight stays at the 38-bunk facility. The next step is the Macbeth Hut, about halfway through the traverse on Mount Macbeth. Construction will likely begin summer 2025. The final piece, the Pattison Hut, is a future project located close to Mount Pattison’s summit on the north end of the range, towards Blackcomb Mountain.

This year, SHS completed solar power installation on the south wall of K+C, which will greatly reduce the propane-use at the hut. Jayson Faulkner, a serving director and the founding chair of SHS, chatted with Pique about the finishing touches on the first of three huts.

“The solar array does a really good job of keeping the batteries topped up and keeping them as much as possible, obviously less in the wintertime, but in the summertime, it keeps some amperage going into the batteries, so the generator doesn’t have to work as hard

or as long a period using propane,” he said.

Another upgrade which changes the game is internet access through Starlink, added last spring. The internet connection is necessary for operations and safety. The SHS can remotely monitor hut infrastructure through WiFi, and people have access to necessary information for backcountry touring.

“People can get updated weather. They can do their own route-planning. They can communicate with family and friends about how their trip’s going, all those kinds of things,” Faulkner said. “I think a fundamental value is responsibility and self-sufficiency in the backcountry. You should be responsible for your own decisions, and you should be responsible for your own information.”

When booking, visitors are now designated beds, which removes the firstcome, first-served approach that could lead to conflict.

WATER ACCESS AT K+C

Previously, hut users had to hike down to Russet Lake in the summer, which was a workout. In winter, they melted snow using propane, an unsustainable and energy-intensive solution. Building a pump and water line to the hut was not going to be easy or cheap, nor would it preserve the rugged aesthetic of the land that people work hard to access and appreciate. Instead, SHS decided to drill for a water source close to the hut.

Faulkner said SHS gained approval from

BC Parks and flew in equipment and staff for the project, and while a hydrologist was confident there would be access, Faulkner said there was a slim chance it would all be for naught.

“It’s really a scary thing to have to do, because you don’t know the ground you’re going to hit,” he said. “Are you going to be drilling through bedrock the whole way, or are you going to run into really awful glacial till, or is it going to be really weird gravel? All those different compositions can have profound and different impacts on the cost of drilling.”

Their first drill came up dry, so they flew in a second, deeper drill. At 300 feet down, the team struck liquid gold at last, but the winter storm season was approaching and work is on pause again until the spring.

“As soon as we clear the snow away in the late spring, we’ll be trying to get connected for the summertime. And then going forward, we don’t have to worry about lines freezing. It’ll come right out of the ground, basically right underneath the hut,” Faulkner said.

FUNDRAISING FOR MACBETH HUT

To create the next hut in the Spearhead Traverse, SHS wants to raise $5 million. They have already secured $1.5 million from donations, but to reach the dream and reduce ever-increasing costs for construction, Faulkner said the earlier they reach the

fundraising goal, the better.

Design costs are the smallest budget item at $300,000, prefabrication of materials is $1,250,000 and on-site construction at the remote location is $3,500,000, according to the project’s brochure.

Faulkner said all-in costs for K+C ran about $3.5 million. The site is less remote than Macbeth and had a sizeable number of volunteers.

“Fast forward a number of years, those costs are through the roof. So even though the Macbeth is a much simpler design than Kees and Claire and it’s about half the size, it is quite a bit more remote. Our estimate on helicopter costs alone is going to be over a million dollars,” he said. For comparison, Faulkner said helicopter costs for K+C were about $400,000.

While the costs may be high, the rewards for experienced backcountry experts are, too. Faulkner described the setting as “truly high alpine,” with views of Fitzsimmons Glacier. The hut will also have less capacity for groups, with capacity for 24 people, because fewer outdoor enthusiasts are skilled enough to make the trek in winter.

“The Macbeth Hut, you’ve got to travel through some not-insignificant, complex terrain,” he said. “It’s higher than Kees and Claire Hut, it’s much more complicated to get to when the snow conditions aren’t perfect or the weather conditions aren’t perfect.”

To donate to the backcountry cause, head to spearheadhuts.org. n

Whistler’s carpool program users get easy access to ski parking

BY LIZ MCDONALD

IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN to Whistler on a wintry weekend, you could be forgiven for not knowing the frustration of sitting in traffic snaking out of town before trying to find a parking spot amongst the throngs.

But for weekend warriors, locals, and frequent visitors to the ski town, congested traffic and competitive parking has become part of the Whistler experience on a weekend powder day. Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) trial carpooling program is trying to improve the experience. The program is part of a parking study the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) required of WB for council to approval WB’s Fitzsimmons Express upgrade.

Visitors arriving with four or more people are given priority parking at P1 in Creekside garage and at Upper Lot 7 at Blackcomb Base II on weekends, statutory holidays and peak periods from 6 to 11 a.m. Pique stopped by P7 to observe and learn about the process Dec. 28. With snow continually falling, a steady stream of drivers passed P7 to P8 to get a spot before the non-carpool option filled up. By 8 a.m., P6 was already full, and P8 was reaching capacity.

The carpool lot, on the other hand, was far from packed. Drivers with vehicles holding four or more people pulled up to attendants with smiles and skis, easily finding a place to park. Vehicles with fewer passengers were turned away, decidedly less excited. Before the trial carpool program, the lot would have filled up just as quickly, according to Kate Roddick, senior director of operations and business development at WB.

“Here we are on Saturday, Dec. 28 in the middle of our festive season, on a snowy powder day, and the guests that are pulling in are able to park right up here in Lot 7, or they’re pulling into P1 in Creekside, and able to make their way to the lift easily and relatively effortlessly,” she said. “On this kind of day when you’ve got all these factors, we’d already be full in Lot 7 (without the carpool program).”

Roddick said the idea for carpooling came as a suggestion from a workshop WB held and from a survey sent to a targeted selection of guests, including residents in the Sea to Sky, visitors from Washington, and frequent regional visitors.

Survey respondents were positive about carpooling if it provided priority parking, and from there, WB’s operations team began looking at where they would implement the

trial and created communications on their website, in news and social media, and highway signage.

As part of the parking study, WB has been collecting data on the number of cars in lots, turnover, persons per vehicle, and vehicle flow, and combining it with data collected by the RMOW.

“What’s critical is in overlaying that with a lot of the data that the RMOW has been collecting through their transportation advisory groups, through their Big Moves action plan ... [we’re] making sure that anything that we’re observing, we’re layering into those observations as well to look holistically at what our parking and arrivals and utilization is across Whistler,” Roddick said.

The RMOW’s Transportation Action Plan Monitoring Results from 2022 showed the average occupancy was lowest during morning peak periods at 1.37 persons per vehicle, and highest on weekends at 1.94 persons per vehicle.

The low passenger numbers are also contributing to Whistler’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with personal vehicles making up 54 per cent of Whistler’s total emissions, according to the RMOW’s Climate Action Big Moves strategy.

“We really want to work collaboratively

and collectively with our community to increase occupancy,” Roddick said. “And if we can get, on average, to a 2.5 occupancy, we will reduce congestion by close to 25 to 30 per cent.”

Carpooling at two Vail Resortsowned properties, Heavenly and Northstar in California, has seen success. Of the reservations available in lots with the carpool incentive, Vail Resorts said 65 per cent of guests at Heavenly and 62 per cent at Northstar carpooled for free parking. They also reported increased guest satisfaction and big reductions for traffic congestion.

Some feedback on the choice to have four people qualify for priority parking, over, say, three, has been negative. But Roddick noted a minimum of four people per vehicle is the gold standard for carpooling to reduce congestion.

Since it’s a trial, Roddick said they’ve tried to incorporate feedback and adjust where appropriate.

“We certainly understand that sometimes we all need a little bit of extra support or consideration or compassion,” she said. “We do try to help where we can, and we also want to ensure that we’re maintaining the integrity of the program, so that it works in the way that it is intended.” n

Ullr Maps re-launches as website

CREATOR ALEX HORDAL EXPLAINS WHERE THE MAP IS AT RIGHT NOW, AND HIS BRIGHT DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE OF ULLR

BY LIZ MCDONALD

FOR ALEX HORDAL, learning how to navigate Whistler Blackcomb is an experience he knows well.

The geography major and former ski instructor at Blackcomb Mountain is the creator of Ullr Maps, a navigational tool that recently relaunched as a free web-based program. His original idea for creating the program came when he was assigned as a volunteer ski patroller on Whistler Mountain and didn’t know the terrain.

“I didn’t know where I was going, so I created a map,” he said. That was back in 201213. In the decade that followed, his map turned into an app for Android and iOS devices, and now, it has left the app stores and is revitalized as a website.

Hordal said the switch from an app to a web-based map is for a few reasons. First off, he envisions Ullr Maps as a community project versus a corporation that seeks to turn a profit. The free-to-use program accepts donations for the work that goes into maintaining and growing the service, and Hordal said he cuts down on costs by shifting to a website.

“It was a decision: let the project die or keep it going in this format. It wasn’t financially viable as an app. It was just too expensive,” he said. “The app stores are extremely expensive to even be part of. You have to pay membership fees, and then they take 15 per cent right off the top. For a large corporation, that might not be a lot of money, but for a small business, it’s quite a bit.”

The focus on community means it’s a website that’s “designed to take into account community feedback, community contribution and community involvement,” he said.

Hordal envisions a site with the map as a base and digital ski guide added into the mix, with mountain history for runs, videos and images, and overall, more interactivity.

The website is in beta version, and it will continue to be a living document based on community input. The next phase Hordal is launching is an offline mode, which ensures access regardless of data—an important feature for backcountry exploration in the Spearhead Traverse.

He’s been pushing social media hard to get

the word out, with Instagram and Facebook accounts for Ullr Maps showing iconic locations and their history, while dipping into material from the Whistler Museum to share the mountains’ histories.

“Whistler Museum, they’re just a treasure trove of information,” he said. “The amount of information that they have is just so amazing. It’s just stuff that I really want to incorporate, especially when we start talking about runs and why things are or why things are named the way they are.”

Funding for the project is through crowdsourcing with a ski-culturally appropriate “buy me a beer” button on the website for donations. He’s exploring advertisements but wants to ensure they appropriately match users’ interests and aren’t simply money grabs.

Local non-profits interested in getting involved could have stories of their connection to Whistler Blackcomb on the website, which is in line with Hordal’s collaborative approach.

He said his previous competitor was FATMAP, but Strava acquired the platform in January 2023 and subsequently shut it down.

For imagery, Hordal used the highest resolution available and curated a database of more than 900 features (so far). He uses geographic information system (GIS) software, Adobe Illustrator, QGIS and photoshop for mapping.

“It has a specific aesthetic look you can’t easily replicate,” he said.

Hordal explained the base image used in his map came from a piece of Whistler’s history.

“The base image we bought off the municipality a long time ago. It was imagery for the 2010 Olympics, because they basically flew these flights for security reasons, I guess,” he said.

While a lot has changed since then, he’s used image manipulation to keep things up to date.

But the biggest difference from other similar endeavours is Hordal’s ties to the community.

“The biggest thing that other platforms didn’t have is the local connection. I’m doing it out of a place of passion for the mountain and passion for mountain history,” he said.

Anyone interested in using or getting involved with the project can contact Hordal through the Ullr Maps website at ullrmaps.com. n

EycoBuildingGroup hasbeenbuildinginthe Lower MainlandandSea-to-SkyCorridorsince1979.

We are highly experienced inall facets of construction ranging fromcustomhomebuilds and renovations to tenant improvement projects of all sizes.

Our teamis focusedonprovidingsuperior standards,qualitycraftmanship, and extraordinary customerservice.

Reachout to us today regarding yourprojectin Squamish,Whistler,ortheSquamish-Lillooet RegionalDistrict—we’dlove to hearfrom you!

e.info@eyco.cat.604.836.7944 w.eyco.ca

MAP IT OUT Alex Hordal, maker of Ullr Maps, is re-launching his product as a web-based system.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ULLRMAPS.COM

An end-of-year Q&A with Whistler’s MP Patrick Weiler

FROM BUSINESS HEALTH TO INTRA-PARTY CONFLICT AND FEARS AROUND BILATERAL TRADE, IT’S BEEN A BUSY YEAR IN CANADIAN POLITICS

BY LIZ MCDONALD

CANADIAN POLITICS have been

a bit of a whirlwind this year, from mutiny amongst members of the Liberal Party against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to fear over bilateral trade relations with the incoming U.S. president, Donald Trump. On a local level, housing, climate-related disasters, and struggling businesses were at the forefront of constituents’ concerns.

Pique spoke to Whistler’s federal representative on Dec. 17 by phone for a year-end round-up of local and Canadian politics. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

PIQUE: What are some of the biggest actions you’ve taken this year for residents in Whistler and Pemberton?

PATRICK WEILER:  There was some major progress made on tackling maybe the biggest challenge in the region, which is on housing. I’ve worked very closely with [Whistler] Mayor [Jack] Crompton, [Pemberton] Mayor [Mike] Richman and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District on advancing some solutions, and over the course of last year, a lot of those ended up bearing fruits. I was in Whistler to announce the opening of the Hemlocks building, which is below-market units for over 100 Whistlerites, which is going to make a big difference. There was the announcement of the Housing Accelerator Fund for Pemberton, which is going to modernize the way that Pemberton does their permitting processes and help unlock almost an additional 2,000 units over the next 10 years, which is literally going to be able to double the size of Pemberton.

The other thing that I’m quite humbled to be involved in is just a lot of the work on reconciliation in the last year, and particularly with the Lil’wat Nation, but also with the Squamish Nation. There was National Indigenous People’s Day at the [Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre], the Nuk ’ w7ántwal ’ Regional Gathering … That was such a strong opportunity to really build that relationship with the [Lil’wat] Nation. That’s fundamental and it’s always a little bit fraught from the federal government point of view, because you’re coming at this from a perspective of being a representative to an institution that has caused so much trauma, but building those relationships with the Nations is so important.

In Pemberton and just north of Pemberton, there was a major investment in water infrastructure, both in drinking-water infrastructure, as well as on improvements to protect the floodplain. This year we really saw the effects of climate change, both at the beginning and at the end of the year. In January, there was major flooding that happened in Pemberton. In December, there was a landslide just north of Lions Bay, which unfortunately was fatal, and my heart just goes out to the families.

For climate change-related disasters, what is your party doing to prevent them?

We do have a national adaptation strategy

which sets out different targets and goals of what we want to do. We’re working with all different orders of government and private sector and the non-profit sector to advance solutions. And there’s a number of different funding programs we have for infrastructure to do that. The most important thing, I believe, is focusing on the mitigation, reducing our emissions.

Canada has made a lot of progress, because the last time emissions were this low in Canada was 1996. That was a time where our population was 30 million and not 40 million, and the economy was three-and-ahalf times smaller. That goes to show the progress that’s been made in reducing our emissions. We still have a very long ways to go but we do have a comprehensive plan that will reduce our emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2030 and our target for 2035 which is at least 45 per cent below 2005 levels.

Those are targets that are ambitious but also achievable and sets us on a pathway to get to net-zero by 2050.

Our plan is comprehensive. It’s everything from finding ways of reducing emissions and transportation through supporting more transit to having more zero-emissions vehicles sold and incentives to help people with the additional costs. It’s things like reducing emissions from our largest source, which is the oil and gas sector, where we’re just finalizing a cap on emissions for that sector. Our key focus is finding ways of reducing emissions and supporting Canadians to adopt those solutions that will actually save people money and shrink their carbon footprint.

There’s huge opportunities in Canada on the flip side of that, on growing the green economy, and there’s already more jobs in clean tech in Canada now than there is in the oil and gas sector.

In the Sea to Sky region, companies like Carbon Engineering are a world leader in carbon capture, Quantum Tech is using hydrogen for renewable energy, there’s run-ofthe-river hydro. The region is very well-placed

compared to the U.S. dollar actually can be a huge opportunity for the Sea to Sky and particularly Whistler if it’s relatively cheaper for Americans to come travel here. That’s an opportunity, provided that the borders are not slowed down significantly. That is a concern I have with the president-elect.

The threat of a 25-per-cent tariff is something the federal government is focused on ensuring we do everything we can to avoid because it would be devastating for Canada, but it would also be devastating for Americans. You bring in a 25-per-cent tariff on things like lumber, or oil and gas, that’s going to cause significant inflation for Americans.

to lead, and it matters because too much warming threatens Whistler. It’s fundamental to people’s livelihoods that work in those sectors, as well as the pastime for so many people.

Speaking of livelihoods, the economy isn’t doing stellar. The cost of goods is high for consumers and businesses. What are you doing to support small businesses?

A lot of businesses came out of the pandemic carrying a lot of debt, and that’s been a big challenge. I know the last year was a slow year for many businesses because of the conditions on the mountain. The federal government really did step up during COVID-19 with things like access to $60,000 no-interest loans, the wage subsidies so people could stay connected to their job, as well as supporting people when they lost their job. So that was really key to allow a lot of businesses, particularly tourism-related businesses and Whistler to get through it.

Coming out of it, a big challenge that many have had is with higher interest rates, and inflation really put a squeeze on many businesses, and the federal government has been walking the balance of supporting businesses as much as possible so that they can be our engine of growth, particularly small businesses, but doing that within a fiscal framework where we’re not going to perpetuate high interest rates. Interest rates have been coming down very quickly.

For labour, I’m always trying to find different ways of working with businesses to find people locally to work there, but if not, to help find people from around the world, whether that’s on a holiday working visa or otherwise, to come be part of our community.

How will the incoming U.S. presidency impact B.C. business?

There are a couple factors here right now. The Canadian dollar being undervalued

Part of the fall economic statement this year [was] to address one of the areas that Donald Trump has identified, which is the purported claims on the border–migration and the trade of fentanyl, which is completely overblown. In any event, we’re making some investments to improve and strengthen our border, and so if that is something that will help alleviate 25-percent tariffs, then I’d say that’s money well spent, though I think it’s a red herring.

Speaking of the fall economic statement, you recently called once again for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign after finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigned. What are your thoughts on the situation?

I was very saddened and shocked to wake up to that news that Chrystia had resigned as not only Minister of Finance, but as deputy prime minister, because she’s somebody I have the utmost respect for. She has served our country in multiple different capacities and navigating Trump 1.0 as the Foreign Affairs Minister, through the pandemic as finance minister and ensuring that we were able to support people when their businesses literally had to be shut down.

I was very, very saddened to see that news and just the way that Chrystia was treated, to be notified a few days before she was to table the fall economic statement and then to be shuffled out right afterwards, I just did not think it was befitting of someone that has been such a leader for our country for so long, and had been incredibly loyal and effective in her roles.

What it highlights to me, is not only does the prime minister not have the support of a significant amount of his caucus, but he also doesn’t have the support of the deputy prime minister. I think without that support, then he’s not fit to be the leader of the party and the prime minister, therefore he should resign to initiate a leadership process.

We need somebody who can put us in the best position going into the next election, and I don’t think that’s him. Given some of the challenges that we’ve talked about with the incoming administration in the United States, and just the global context that we’re living in right now, I don’t think he’s the right person for the job. That’s also something I’ve heard consistently from speaking with people in our region. n

ELECTION YEAR West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky MP Patrick Weiler speaking in Whistler in 2024.

FILE PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS

Horses on Highway 99 once again top of drivers’ minds

PEMBERTON MAYOR MIKE RICHMAN SAID THE HORSES WILL BE A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION WHEN COUNCIL MEETS WITH NEW SEA TO SKY

MLA JEREMY VALERIOTE IN 2025

BY LUKE FAULKS

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

THE DECADES-LONG challenge of roaming horses on Highway 99, just north of Pemberton, is once again on drivers’ minds.

A Dec. 8 Facebook post from Mike Roger shows dozens of horses on the highway, late at night, milling about.

“We’ve all heard about the horses on the road but many who don’t travel north of town late at night have no idea how bad the situation is. This is a regular occurrence on my late-night commute. They are so used to vehicles they don’t get spooked,” he said.

“Anywhere else this situation would be addressed but it’s gone on for as long as I can remember.”

The Pemberton detachment of the RCMP reports at least one collision with a horse on the highway.

“Pemberton RCMP has received one call in the past month regarding a motor vehicle making contact with a horse on the highway,” said Sgt. James Gilmour in a statement. “This incident caused minor damage to the vehicle and the horse was not found, so was deemed to be not injured and walked away.”

It’s unclear whether the horse belonged to the larger group of horses that sometimes occupy the highway. Those horses are owned by resident Wayne Andrews, a former cowboy and rodeo rider from the Lil’wat Nation.

Andrews’ horses have been at the centre of a lengthy jurisdictional push-and-pull between him, animal welfare groups and local, tribal and provincial governments.

Earlier in 2024, letters were sent to Pemberton’s mayor and council, which then voted to advance the concerns raised therein to the SPCA, former Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy, the Lil’wat Nation, and the former B.C. Ministry of Transportation.

In March, then-MLA Sturdy gave a graphic speech to the BC Legislative Assembly. He described the aftermath of a collision with horses just outside of his North Arm Farm last fall.

“I pulled out of the driveway in the morning and immediately saw the red and blue lights of the RCMP eerily illuminating dead horses’ guts, bones and blood spread across the highway,” he said. “We learned later that two other horses had wandered off to die alone. A dozen horses have been killed in the last year or so. Many more have been killed over the last decade.”

Roxanne LeBlanc-Sanfaçon is a Pemberton resident and local business owner. She commutes on that part of the highway regularly, and says the horses are a nearconstant presence.

“[It’s] less of an issue when they are on-reserve as the speed limit is 30km/h, but very dangerous where the speed limit is 80km/h,” she said.

Sturdy was one of the people pushing for a reducton in speed limits on the road. He’s previously said his request to reduce the speed limit to 60km/h on that particular stretch of road has so far been refused.

Large signage was recently installed indicating the horses’ presence. LeBlancSanfaçon said it’s not doing enough to resolve the issue.

“They put up that large road sign that says, ‘caution, horses for the next five kilometres,’ when everyone already knows they are there,” she said.

Part of the issue, said Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman, is jurisdiction. The Village of Pemberton doesn’t exclusively manage the highway, and lacks the resources to fully deal with the horses.

“The horses roam from Lil’wat to [Squamish-Lillooet Regional District] to Village of Pemberton lands onto the public highway, which is where the big safety concern is,” said Richman. “It’s a provincial highway that’s managed under the authority of the Ministry of Transportation, so it’s a little tough that way.”

Richman expects the horses to be a topic of conversation when he and council meet with new MLA Jeremy Valeriote in January.

In the meantime, he says drivers need to be aware of the presence of the horses, and drive accordingly.

“Unfortunately, the horses aren’t going away today,” he said. “We know they’re out there right now, so the first thing that we need to do is be aware, be careful.” n

We’ve got you covered.

Pick up the latest issue of your favourite read in Whistler.

HORSE CORRECTION Horses roaming between Pemberton and Mount Currie remain a recurring issue for local residents.

FILE PHOTO BY RÓISÍN CULLEN

Redmond Q ’ áwam ’ Andrews talks carving, canoes and coaching

THE LIL’WAT CARVER LEADS WOOD-CARVING LESSONS FOR THE NATION’S YOUTH

BY LUKE FAULKS

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

THERE’S A 14-FOOT canoe hanging in the great hall of Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC). It’s one of the last things Lil’wat carver Redmond Q ’ áwam ’ Andrews saw his father make.

Unlike some other canoes in the SLCC, the suspended boat isn’t ornate; instead, with its flat edges and bottom, the traditional boat is designed to allow its occupants to stand up.

“So it’s like the first paddleboard,” jokes Andrews.

Andrews was always interested in carving, but it wasn’t until three years after his father, Lhalqw Bruce Edmonds, had passed that he fully picked up the torch.

“[My father’s] best friend held onto his tools ‘til I was 16, and that’s when I went asking around for them,” recalls Andrews.

“The friend brought them to my grandmother’s and my grandmother gave them to my cousin. My cousin dropped them off at my house, rolled them out on the coffee table, [and my family] all cried seeing them.”

Andrews works at the SLCC as a singer, storyteller and Cultural Ambassador. Like his father, the canoes he helps make are more than just decorative; they’re functional.

He points to a boat in the middle of the SLCC’s hall—the Xaays Canoe. Xaays is a 40-foot, ocean-going canoe with a more ornate design. After years of carving, Andrews and head carver Ray Natraoro Ses Siyam took it out on Alta Lake.

“There’s a little bit of dirt probably still on the bottom from when we took it out on the water,” suggests Andrews. “It handled really fast.”

Andrews’ first pole is on display in the SLCC. Sqātsza7Tmicw (“Father Land”) story pole stands 20 feet and took about five months for Andrews and fellow Lil’wat artist Ed Archie

NoiseCat to design and carve.

Emblazoned across the front is something of a departure for totem poles; a massive bronze lightning bolt. Andrews credits the different approach to NoiseCat’s encouragement.

“He was the one to start telling me to kind of come up with new traditions,” recalls Andrews. “Everyone before, they made new traditions.”

The bolt emanates from a thunderbird at the top of the pole. Andrews says the bolt represents the sharing of knowledge—a process he’s involved in with the Lil’wat Nation.

On Dec. 16, Andrews led a carving workshop at the Lil’wat Youth Centre. It’s the latest in a series of sessions he’s held for younger members of the Lil’wat Nation.

“I always try and make time for the youth, whenever I can,” says Andrews. “I ran two or three classes at the Ts’zil Learning Centre in Mount Currie, just for whoever was in our community college.

“The first few classes, we literally had almost the whole school show up.”

He expects to run a few more workshops in the new year.

Xaays is one of two canoes in the SLCC Andrews worked on. The Community Reconciliation Canoe, unveiled in fall 2022, was named “Sí7la” in honour of children in unmarked graves at residential schools.

“So ‘the Sí7la’ is actually ‘the grandmother,’” says Andrews. “And there’s a bunch of copper faces on the side [of the boat] that represent the children.”

Part of the project, remembers Andrews, involved encouraging guests, neighbours, school groups and other members of the Nation to perform some of the carving themselves. He remembers some attendants being nervous about the prospect, but pushing through regardless, or choosing to sand or sign the paddle.

“They think like anything they’re trying new is going to be difficult,” he says. “But you only make things difficult if you tell yourself it’s going to be difficult.” n

POLE POSITION Redmond Q ’ áwam ’ Andrews’ first story pole stands on display in the SLCC’s great hall.

PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS

Closing out the 2024 roller-coaster

WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING BACK on another year in Whistler for somewhere around the 20th time, the hardest part can be recalling what happened in which season. Thankfully, I have a folder of 25 Outsider columns from

BY VINCE SHULEY

2024 that help me remember some of the significant things that happened as it relates to the outdoors, which I’ve been told is supposed to be the subject of this column.

We all remember the dismal start to the 2023-24 winter season, a start that unfortunately lingered well past Christmas into the mid-winter months of early 2024. I remember the short-lived reprieve in early January where a snowfall to the valley paved the way for an arctic outflow. Then, after about 10 days, it turned into the usual freezing-level crapshoot we’ve come to expect of Coastal winters. But with every low-tide winter, a late-but-great surge gives the snowfaithful a chance to see the season off in style. The majority of my snowmobile days last

winter were compressed into that three-week window of mid-late March. Sometimes, you just gotta get whatcha can.

One of the best—albeit controversial— things about last year’s El Nino weather system was it kept raining into the spring and summer. Not great for camping at the lake or outdoor barbecues, but man is it ever great for biking. Trail conditions were prime for longer, extending all the way into

few exceptional days sprinkled throughout. But the most memorable outdoor time I experienced in 2024 was neither of those things. It was sailing in B.C.’s fabled Desolation Sound.

I don’t think I’ll ever own a sailboat. But I’m lucky enough to have friends who do. Back in 2022 I wrote about their series of lifestyle decisions that led them to sell their home and buy a boat. My friends are still living that

Even after 20 years of Whistler-living, I have more motivation to grow than ever. Let’s start it with a few more amazing pow days and we’ll go from there, shall we?

early July. In May, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park celebrated its 25th birthday and unveiled its new high-volume Fitzsimmons Chair. After a brief headache of a few mud guards and fenders breaking off, everyone got on with spending significantly less time waiting to upload and ride the Fitz Zone. I can’t emphasize enough how many more laps I was able to get in this year courtesy of that new Fitz Chair. Solid investment.

For the local mountain recreation, it was a great spring, summer and fall for biking and a so-so winter for skiing, with a

dream, and I’m lucky enough to join them on the occasional long-weekend cruise.

Exploring B.C.’s coast isn’t really possible with a vehicle. Roads and ferries only get you so far before you hit the ocean barrier. But if you have a capable vessel and the knowhow to get it safely from one spot to another, there’s very few places you can’t go.

I first read about Desolation Sound in Grant Lawrence’s book Adventures in Solitude, and how it was a place of wonder, tranquility and alternative living. He also wrote of the dark side of the sound during the long, dark

and incessantly rainy winters where some inhabitants would “go bush” and struggle to keep it together. I’m happy to stick to being a fair-weather Coastie, thank you.

On a three-night cruise aboard Curio, we spotted multiple pods of orcas, breaching humpback whales and views of mountains that had me clamouring through maps on my phone to figure out how I could approach them and ski them in the winter. My friends were also kind enough to let me take the helm a couple of times in some decent wind. I’ve played with some big toys before, but laying over a 15-tonne sailboat at nine knots— with nothing pulling you along except for the wind—is unlike anything I’ve experienced on water, or land for that matter.

Like everyone, there are also parts of 2024 I’d rather forget. Western democracies are shifting to the right, with Canada’s splintering government not far behind. Extreme weather is wreaking havoc and destroying livelihoods all around us, including mountain communities like Jasper. Throw in a longterm relationship ending, and it can feel like there’s little to feel hopeful about in 2025.

But I’m going to err on the side of optimism. Even after 20 years of Whistlerliving, I have more motivation to grow than ever. Let’s start it with a few more amazing pow days and we’ll go from there, shall we?

Vince Shuley wishes you a fruitful 2025. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n

SOUND DECISIONS Exploring Desolation Sound should be on every B.C. adventurer’s bucket list. PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY

2024 redefined the rules of B.C. politics

BY ROB SHAW

EVEN BY B.C.’S traditional standards for wild and wacky politics, 2024 was an extraordinarily bizarre year. In just a few months, the province saw the collapse of a political dynasty, the meteoric rise of a brand-new force and a voter backlash in the Oct. 19 election that almost cost Premier David Eby his government.

JANUARY: The year opens with the NDP government reeling over concern that decriminalization is making drug use and public safety worse in downtown cores—an issue that ends up dominating the entire year.

The B.C. Supreme Court refuses to let the government implement new legislation to ban public drug use. “The public is tired of this,” says Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog. He’s right.

Polls show the upstart BC Conservatives beginning to eclipse BC United in the polls.

FEBRUARY: BC Conservative Leader John Rustad starts flip-flopping on UNDRIP, saying he’d repeal the law he once supported. Questions about his position persist through the election.

Lands Minister Nathan Cullen announces he’s abandoning changes to the Lands Act that would have given co-statutory decisionmaking on Crown land to Indigenous nations. Rural communities express concern about the impact to public land and their properties. Cullen admits consultation was botched.

The NDP tables a budget with a recordsetting $8-billion deficit and delivers a rosy throne speech.

MARCH: Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre writes to Eby, urging him to abandon support of the carbon tax during an affordability crisis. Eby scoffs, saying Poilievre lives in a “baloney factory.” He promises to be the last premier standing to support the carbon tax. Six months later, Eby flip-flops to Poilievre’s position and opposes the tax.

The Conservatives fire a candidate, Dr. Stephen Malthouse, who says the COVID-19 vaccine gives people magnetic powers.

APRIL: The B.C. government suffers a credit downgrade and a shift to a negative outlook from two credit rating agencies, amidst plans to add $50 billion in direct debt over three years.

Eby announces he’s rolling back his government’s decriminalization experiment just one year into the three-year trial, recriminalizing drugs in public spaces, in response to extraordinary public backlash and worsening street disorder.

MAY: As the BC Conservatives begin regularly trouncing BC United in the polls, a new wave of merger talks begins— then immediately collapses. United Leader Kevin Falcon proposes a desperate agreement with a non-compete clause and lottery for ridings. Conservative Leader Rustad calls it “completely unacceptable.”

Within days, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson defects from United to the Conservatives.

JUNE: Surrey MLA Elenore Sturko becomes the latest United MLA to defect to the Conservatives. She immediately faces questions about why an LGBTQ champion would join a party criticized as having homophobic members and positions.

JULY: Veteran cabinet ministers Bruce Ralston, Harry Bains and Rob Fleming announce their retirements—the first of seven cabinet ministers from John Horgan’s government to leave Eby’s team.

BC United fundraising numbers show it’s lagging far behind the record amount Conservatives are raising in the critical runup to the election. United flirts with adding the BC Liberal name back to the ballot.

AUGUST: Falcon pulls the pin on BC United, suspending its election campaign and unilaterally firing its candidates just seven weeks before the election. The move effectively ends the dynasty of what had once been the BC Liberal Party.

The secret deal has massive consequences, including leading some veteran MLAs like Shirley Bond to retire, other incumbents to run without a party, and some candidates to run as independents.

The Conservatives make only minor changes in the merger, choosing to leave several of their controversial candidates in place rather than take United options. They do, however, remove Prince George candidate Rachael Weber who said 5G wireless networks are “genocidal weapons” that spread the coronavirus.

SEPTEMBER: A pre-election budget update shows B.C.’s deficit has grown to $9 billion. Eby insists all is well, because the province still has the fastestgrowing economy in Canada.

Polls show the surging Conservatives and stalled NDP in a dead heat. Rustad and Eby prepare to face off. The premier executes a last-minute reversal on involuntary care, sensing public dissatisfaction with his lack of progress on street disorder.

OCTOBER: One of the nastiest, ugliest, most divisive provincial elections in B.C. history concludes (mercifully) on Oct. 19.

Voters upset about health-care, drugs, public safety, social issues and affordability reduce the NDP’s majority to what appears to be, initially, a minority government, with heavy losses in Surrey, the Fraser Valley, the Interior and northern Vancouver Island. The BC Conservatives surge from no elected seats to a near-tie with the NDP, but barely come up short.

NOVEMBER: Twenty days after election day, on Nov. 8, the BC NDP officially wins a recount in Surrey-Guildford by 22 votes, giving it a oneseat majority government of 47 seats. Eby calls it a “near-death” experience. The Conservatives form Official Opposition with 44 seats.

Former NDP premier John Horgan dies following a third battle with cancer at the age of 65.

DECEMBER: The NDP releases a post-election budget update, admitting the deficit has grown even larger, to $9.4 billion. What was the fastest-growing economy in Canada is now the slowest. Conservatives say voters weren’t told the truth by the NDP in the election.

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

COMETRAINWITHUS:

What:CoachedSwimSessionsatMeadowParkSports Centre

When: Jan6th –May12th Mondays&Fridaysat6:15am-7:15am

Price: 15Mon&FriMorningSessionsfor$195(Jan6th -Feb28th) 19Mon&FriMorningSessionsfor$247(March3rd -May12th)

What: CoachedIndoorSpinSessionsatMeadowParkSportsCentre

When: Jan8th –May7th Wednesdaysat6:05am-7:15am

Price: 18 WedMorningSessionsfor$150

Alllevelsofabilitiesarewelcometoparticipate.

To jointhesetrainingsessions,participantsmusthavea2025Whistler TriathlonClub Membership($50.00). Availableonlineat www.whistlertriathlonclub.com Pleaseetransferpaymentsto:treasurer@whistlertriathlonclub.comtosecureyour trainingandyour2025Membership.

Yo u must als o get a 2025 Tr i BCMembershipforinsurance. Av ailableonlineat www.tribc.org(BecomeaMember).

BY PIQUE STAFF

AYEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN

nother year is in the books for Whistler—and what a year it was!

REVIEW

We had trees turning red, a tight provincial election race, and more local drama than you could shake a stick at (though we’re not sure why you’d want to shake a stick at anything, let alone something as opaque as local drama).

But for all the excitement found within the 12 months of 2024, the next 12 promise to be even more jam-packed, between milestone anniversaries and major local events like the Invictus Games coming to town for the first time.

2024 2024 2024 2024

For now, join us on a trip down memory lane as we recap some of the biggest happenings of the year that was.

WHISTLER

SEEING RED

The biggest news story of 2024, according to Pique readers in our annual Best of Whistler poll, was the subtle shift in colour seen in some of Whistler’s surrounding forests.

According to the Cheakamus Community Forest (CCF), the reddening hue—seen mostly in the areas above White Gold, Function Junction and along Sproatt and Rainbow Mountains—is due to an outbreak of western spruce budworm.

The CCF’s maps showed the outbreak extent in 2022 was lightto-moderate, growing in 2023 to include severe sections, and by 2024, severity worsened when Whistlerites started seeing it from the valley floor.

“We’re going to be making policy based on the best information we can collect from experts in the field and from our professional staff here,” Crompton said at the Sept. 10 council meeting.

Given the devastation seen in Jasper in 2024 due to wildfire—sadly just the most recent example—there’s no doubt Whistler’s forests will be a big newsmaker again in 2025 and beyond.

And while Whistler residents were seeing red on the mountainsides, they were seeing Green at the polls, as the Green Party’s Jeremy Valeriote emerged victorious in the Oct. 19 provincial election, becoming the first mainland Green Party MLA in the province’s history.

“I’m extremely grateful for the people that helped me get here and the voters of West VancouverSea to Sky who saw a different way, and chose it,” Valeriote said on election night.

“It just feels like the message that we need more Greens resonated here,

The man was pronounced dead at the scene due to snow immersion. His identity was not released.

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

Then, on March 9, 32-year-old snowboarder Danielle Salvatore tragically passed away after she was found unresponsive on Renegade—an advanced gladed trail near Catskinner Express Chairlift.

The incidents were named the second biggest news story of 2024 by Pique readers.

It was a difficult year in many respects on the mountains, as the snow didn’t properly arrive for the season until January. When it did, skiers and boarders flocked to the mountain in droves to get their fix.

In the later months of the season, the discourse around reckless skiers ramped up, as multiple people spoke out after being hit by other mountain users.

The conversation is ongoing, judging from Pique’s letters section, and some are opting to avoid the mountains altogether.

“I have skied here since opening year, was a volunteer First Aid Ski Patroller for three years, have owned a Creekside condo

An infestation of spruce

MLA Jeremy Valeriote on election night.

Photo by Dave Buzzard / davidbuzzard.com

budworm is reportedly to blame for Whistler’s reddening forests.

Photo courtesy of the Cheakamus Community Forest

planning process to determine the best use of the park moving forward.

The Waldorf wave wasn’t the only squeaky wheel at municipal council meetings in 2024. A contingent of Whistler seniors also stated their case for a dedicated seniors’ centre at a meeting in February, noting seniors are projected to make up 33 per cent of the local population by 2031.

Overall, it was a year of increasing need on all fronts in the resort community.

The Whistler Community Services Society reported at its September AGM that demand for nearly all its services is “through the roof,” exceeding even what was seen during the difficult COVID years.

“The food bank was overrun during COVID. The first four months of this year, we’re serving almost three times the number of clients that we did during COVID—how is that even possible?” said board chair Steve Aikins at the AGM. “This is a town that is really struggling, and it’s a shame to see, [but] it’s also really beautiful to see how WCSS has become a rock for this community.”

- Braden Dupuis

PEMBERTON

For a town with a population of 3,407, there’s no shortage of news in Pemberton. But some of the biggest trends in the village and Lil’wat Nation in 2024 were part and parcel with growth: the need for increased housing, Lil’wat Nation youth and culture making waves, protection against disasters, wildlife conflict and environmental degradation.

Thankfully, outgoing finger on Pemberton’s pulse.

HOUSE

With a population growing at a rate almost three times the provincial average, Pemberton needs housing, and fast. Barely a council meeting went by in 2024 without talk of new housing developments.

The Village’s interim housing needs report for 2024 showed the number of units needed by 2029 is 271, and in 20 years, 1,076 units are necessary. Council also adopted a new housing strategy in November, funded through the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The plan’s strategic direction includes sweeping updates to regulations and development approval processes, has a focus on delivering high-priority housing types, and builds partnerships while advocating for housing needs.

A new affordable housing project on Harrow Road is slated for 2026. The development spearheaded by Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS) would provide 63-units in a mix of market, rent geared to income, and for low-income renters, alongside housing the bulk of SSCS programs offered in Pemberton.

“We provide new programs and support to Pemberton and its surrounding area. Sea to Sky invests more than $2 million annually in the community through these services,” said housing and development consultant for SSCS, Jessie Abraham. “We have 20 full-time staff that live and work in Pemberton. They want to see the community do well and thrive. The new development will have affordable accommodation and a community hub. We have services from newborns up to seniors. It will be a safe and accessible space for community members.”

development proposal by Skénkenam Development Limited Partnership, a partnership between the Lil’wat Nation’s Lil’wat Capital Assets and the Pemberton Benchlands Development Corporation.

LIL’WAT ON THE RISE

In recent years, the Lil’wat Nation has seen growth and progress in reclaiming rights to education, land and child welfare, and now boasts an operating budget of $60 million. To help guide the way, the Nation hired a new chief administrative officer,

Youth are also stepping into big roles in sport and art.

From mountain bikers Quillan Dan-Andrews and his 16-year-old brother Steve taking on the Pemberton Enduro this year, to Lil’wat filmmaker Hannah Jones winning Best Student Film at the Shakti Film Festival in Vancouver, community members are making waves and staying true to

Jones started working as a production assistant on the Never Let Go in 2024.

The American survival horror movie stars Halle Berry and was filmed in Coquitlam, during the last week of school in April 2023. It was released in September.

“I got to work wherever they needed me,” Jones said.

“I worked in a lot of different departments. I got to work in the production office, costume, locations, accounting and even helped with wardrobe on set. I got to meet a lot of

Jones said she’s proud to represent her community and to

“I was one of two Indigenous people on set. I hope that number will grow soon,” she said. “There were some moments

The Lil’wat Nation also made its mark in Pemberton’s

The Nation’s Maxine Joseph Bruce and Roxanne Joe took the lead this year. “Those ladies get dressed up in regalia and they led the parade,” said Natalie Langmann, former director of the Pemberton Chamber.

Pemberton’s parade has always been unique, and a representation of its diverse population.

STAYING WILD

With expansive mountain ranges and rich agricultural valleys, it makes sense that humans and animals alike call the area home. While wild horses are still often talked about as treasures and concerns for Spud Valley, this year, grizzly bears stole the show. Common themes popped up around human-bear conflict, natural disasters and poor caretaking of Indigenous lands by

In January, grizzlies were still afoot searching for food because of mild weather. Community members met to discuss fears of coming face-to-face with a sow and her cubs, as grizzlies usually avoid humans. The same cubs lost their mom at some point during the year and were frequently sighted and posted about on social media.

Sadly, the grizzly cubs continued to stick around the Pemberton Valley and were killed in November.

Human and animal conflict wasn’t the only outdoors conflict, though. A state of emergency was issued due to flooding in January, with many residents on evacuation order or alert due to rising water. Then, as another wildfire season began, residents whose homes burnt to ashes in the 2023 Gun Lake fire were struggling to rebuild.

In addition to natural disasters, human-caused degradation was another concern.

Joffre Lakes was closed for three periods this summer to ensure Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua could regain access to the park, which holds rich cultural meaning. The shutdowns first started in 2023.

Lil’wat Nation Chief Dean Nelson said overtourism affected cultural practices and negatively impacted the spiritual place.

“It’s a commodity for them,” he said. “People think they have to be there, to take the picture there ... There is hunting there, too. We have actually had a lot of confrontation because of people going hunting on cultural trails. All of a sudden, there were mountain bikers ripping down wondering what the hell they were doing. It’s a cultural trail first.”

- Liz McDonald

SPORTS

Let’s not bury the lede: in the Sea to Sky corridor, 2024 was a breakout year for female athletes.

From Alma Wiggberg locking down the inaugural women’s Red Bull Joyride triumph to Georgia Astle’s historic Rampage silver medal, young girls had their pick of mountain biking heroines to choose from. Winter sports enthusiasts were not left out, as several ladies led by Jasmine Baird hit the podium at the first World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF) Cut Rail Jam.

Local gentlemen held their own in terms of new achievements, too: whether that’s Rory Bushfield filming his own world record or James Klemmensen and Noah Besen partaking in some unprecedented rock climbs with their friends Amanda Bischke and Shira Biner.

Time to revisit these watershed exploits.

NEW FRONTIERS

The girls have waited decades for an audition at the highest levels of mountain biking.

Organizations like Crankworx have aimed to provide equitable prize money across events like downhill, enduro, pump track, Speed & Style, etc. Regardless, there was an elephant in the room: why don’t ladies compete in the popular discipline of slopestyle?

This July, they did at last.

Two other big-ticket housing developments in the pipelines at Pemberton council are Parkside and Nkwúkwma.

Parkside is a 33-lot development proposed for near Den

“It is unique because it is a unique place,” said Langmann. “I look at photos of Whistler’s parade this year and it’s like looking at Disneyland. We have logging trucks, concrete trucks and all our local businesses. It’s just so diverse. We are different because we are living on Lil’wat Nation’s unceded and traditional territory.”

Sweden’s Wiggberg proved to be a cut above her field at the beloved Boneyard venue, needing just one run to score 89.40 points for an unforgettable golden Joyride. Whistler DFX alum Natasha Miller (78.60) acquitted herself well for silver, and bronze went to Shealen Reno of the United States (78.00).

Don’t forget: Wiggberg is 21 years old and Miller just 17 as of this writing. They’ve both got full careers ahead, blazing trails for other women to follow.

Then in October, the elite freeride contest known as Red

Representatives of the Lil’wat Nation leading Pemberton’s Canada Day parade on July 1, 2024.

Photo by Kelly Cosgrove

Grizzly bears were a big newsmaker once more in the Pemberton valley in 2024.

Photo by Erica Van Loon

as did fellow teen Avery Krumme on the ski side. Krumme especially had a torrid campaign: Junior Worlds bronze, double Nationals gold and five Canada Cup medals.

Even 12-year-old Agness Friesen and Lyra Xu at 15 made it out of Rail Jam qualifying. They could have bright futures, especially if meaningful contests keep being organized in their backyard.

some time to regain an everyday routine. Even after broken bones started to heal, he dealt with a spotty memory that caused him to—among other things—forget text messages he’d sent people just days or weeks prior. Medical professionals weren’t convinced he would return to a normal quality of life.

More than a year after his accident, Broderick returned to snow. He didn’t manage 78 World Cup starts by being timid or having an unhealthy relationship with risk. The Whistler Mountain Ski Club (WMSC) alum refuses to give up on himself, and he wants to inspire others grappling with brain injuries—no matter how slow or modest his progress could be.

That’s the kind of perseverance winners are made of… but

Consider also two exceptional Sea to Sky seniors: Gerry Reynolds and Shannon McJannet. They may not have experienced a life-threatening injury like Broderick’s, but Father Time has been trying to reach them for decades.

Several Squamolians went public with their own unprecedented milestones.

Leave it to Bushfield to choose barefoot airplanetowed waterskiing as a passion project. The former X Games athlete pulled off his landmark feat on July 17, 2023, but most did not learn the story until Nov. 12 of this year—when his film Barefoot Pilot Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF).

Another VIMFF movie, The Gnar-Whal’s Odyssey, documents the 44-day odyssey of Klemmensen, Bischke, Besen and Biner as they travelled to Baffin Island and ascended several rock faces surrounding Coronation Glacier. These were hardly the most difficult climbs on Earth, but they had not previously been done by any living soul.

KEEP ON TICKING

Sport, of course, is not just about the peaks of victory. There is much to overcome, and very few individuals embody the heart of a champion like Broderick Thompson.

The national-level ski racer crashed in training on Nov. 29, 2023. The impact had the potential to end his life. Fortunately it did not, but it left him hospitalized for more than two months with a serious axonal injury.

In layman’s terms: the nerve fibres connecting different parts of Broderick’s brain were damaged.

According to younger sister Tess and perennial teammate Brodie Seger, the two-time Olympian laboured for quite

breakthroughs either: gold in 2014 and silver in 2022.

She’s a smooth operator who rarely backs down from adversity. Her poise under pressure is inspirational to most teammates. Despite the demanding and slightly chance-based nature of ski cross (where an opponent’s mistake can run you off course) Marielle is a legitimate threat to win every race she enters.

Without her, Canada might not own seven of the last nine Nations Cups as the sport’s best overall country. The 32-yearold has plenty left in the tank, declaring in a May interview with Pique that she’s “certainly not done yet.”

Pemberton Secondary School (PSS) likewise hopes to keep rolling after it clinched a third-consecutive provincial mountain bike title. Dedicated upperclassmen like Rebecca Beaton, Patrick Tarling, Isla Inglis and Sam Tierney have led the way with solid results and a go-getter attitude.

number of girls also rake in plenty of points across the North Shore Mountain Bike Series.

Jean served a major role in the PSS dynasty by coaching for a decade. She’s endeavoured to invest in all of her pupils, from team captains to green eighth-grade newcomers. As a result, considerable numbers of PSS racers tend to finish in the top quarter of any given field—a must if you’re going for a banner.

When Jean finally had to step away from her beloved team this year, new coach Kevin Glavas picked up the slack. He’s a humble man quick to downplay his own contributions, but students laud him for his mechanical aptitude, problem-solving savvy and motivational leadership.

All in all, it’s been a great 12 months for athletes and outdoorspeople in Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton. Here’s to 12 more on the way.

ARTS AND CULTURE

If 2023 was the year Whistler’s arts scene fully returned to glory after several pandemic-addled years, 2024 will be remembered for lifting up and celebrating the community’s own best and brightest creatives. That’s no small feat for a sports-obsessed town where the arts have always played second fiddle to the great outdoors and all the ways to recreate within them. But considering how vital culture is to our lives and our ability to make sense of the world, it’s refreshing to see so many of our own getting the plaudits they deserve. Of course, Whistler being Whistler, we know how to throw a party of epic proportions, and the resort’s event calendar reflected that. From intimate, homegrown affairs to world-class art exhibits and destination festivals, there was something on offer for everyone this year.

Numerically speaking, PSS is a small fish when compared to the bevy of much larger British Columbia schools it’s up against. That said, former head coach Nicole Jean estimates close to 10 per cent of the student body is on the bike team—a ratio which helps level the playing field. An ever-increasing

Without further ado, it’s time to open the curtains and shine a spotlight on the year that was in Whistler arts and culture.

LIFTING THE LOCALS

After a calamitous accident in 2023, Whistler’s Broderick Thompson is back on skis.

Photo courtesy of Broderick Thompson

Sweden’s Alma Wiggberg won the inaugural women’s Red Bull Joyride in July.

Photo by Clint Trahan

Gerry Reynolds is still sending it at 98 years old.

Photo courtesy of Kennith Mellquist

Master Carver Jonathan Joe of the Lil’wat Nation.

Photo courtesy of the SLCC

just as they were tying the knot. A more Whistleresque shot you’d be hard-pressed to find.

Shoulder Pains, a new punk band consisting of vocalist Christopher Durbin, bassist Charles Stenner, and drummer Tom Scrimshaw, took home the win and $1,000 as the judges’ favourite band at the Whistler Music Search.

February saw the loss of a giant from Whistler’s cultural

balance and harmony on their unceded lands. The SLCC also brought back its popular Salish Summer Carving Series, with Master Carver Jonathan Joe mentoring fellow Lil’wat artist Redmond Q ’ áwam ’ Andrews on a pair of cedar carvings that incorporated designs honouring the 1911 Declaration of the Lillooet Tribes. That’s on top of the robust programming the museum always offers on National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In April, the SLCC named its new executive director, Liza Walli, replacing former director Heather Paul. Walli has a long resume at multiple local businesses, including most recently as GM of the Brew Creek Centre.

Crowds packed into Olympic Plaza throughout the summer for the return of the Whistler Summer Concert Series, featuring free concerts opened by local musicians and headlined by some of the biggest names in Canadian music, including multi-platinum and highly viral pop band, Walk Off The Earth, two-time Juno winner, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Oji-Cree singer-songwriter Aysanabee, and beloved Prairie rockers, The Sheepdogs.

The Audain Art Museum continued to deliver world-class

events from Arts Whistler, like View: Altered Photographic Perspectives a unique photography exhibit featuring the work of 18 Sea to Sky artists who transformed original photos using various artistic and digital techniques; or Four Futures, a partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler that asked seven local creatives to create art based on what they think Whistler will be in the year 2050.

Arts Whistler also brought back a crowd favourite this year: The People’s Film, a program that screens beloved films as voted by locals. After 2023 saw the closure of Whistler’s sole cinema, Village 8, The People’s Film is filling a hole in the community’s arts scene.

Mercifully, cinema lovers still have the Whistler Film Festival to count on, bringing an array of films to screens around town every December, from Oscar contenders to plucky indie passion projects. In June, the festival announced its new programming director, Robin Smith, taking over the position from the event’s inaugural programming director, Paul Gratton. Smith, the CEO of Blue Ice Docs, a distribution and equity funding company dedicated to non-fiction work, brings nearly 30 years of experience to the role.

Over the Family Day weekend, The Point Artist-Run Centre brought back its Winter Carnival, headlined by C.R. Avery and the Storm Collective, while August saw the return of its signature annual event, the Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival, bringing original theatre and music to its unique floating stage on Alta Lake.

Whistler lost a giant in 2024, Isobel MacLaurin, considered the resort’s first professional artist.

This year was also notable for The Point for winning the Champion of Arts & Culture honour at the 2024 Whistler Excellence Awards.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) continued its vital programming in 2024. The spring exhibit at the Indigenous Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam, shined a light on the work done by Squamish and Lil’wat Nation members to restore

the country’s most visionary and experimental artists, working in everything from bronze and ceramic sculpture to oil canvas painting and photography and video. But the exhibit that likely turned the most heads at The Audain this year was Tom Thomson: North Star, which offered a fresh view of one of Canada’s most luminary artistic talents, focusing on his small plein air oil sketches.

In October, the Audain acquired a rare painting, War Canoes, Alert Bay, by iconic B.C. artist Emily Carr after it sat for many years in private collections.

- Brandon Barrett n

The Audain Art Museum’s rare Emily Carr painting, War Canoes, Alert Bay.

Photo courtesy of Heffel Fine Art Auction House

File photo by Leanna Rathkelly

‘A really, really good start to the season’

PEMBERTON

NORDIC SKIER JOE DAVIES ACHIEVES THREE TOP-16 WORLD CUP RESULTS TO BEGIN HIS 2024-25 CAMPAIGN

BY DAVID SONG

JOE DAVIES MAY WEAR the Union Jack on his World Cup kit these days, but make no mistake: he’s a Sea to Sky guy with lots of ties to the region.

Davies grew up in Pemberton and found himself in Spud Valley Nordics’ Jackrabbit program at eight years old. Upon discovering his nascent aptitude for cross-country skiing, his parents switched their child over to Whistler Nordics: the club that would raise him throughout high school.

Fast forward to the present, and the 23-year-old is coming off three straight top16 World Cup results in Ruka, Finland and Lillehammer, Norway.

“It’s definitely been a really, really good start to the season,” remarked Davies, who only placed in the top 20 once last year, in Minneapolis, Minn. “Coming into this season, I wasn’t 100-per-cent sure where I was going to be. I wanted to at least show that I could recreate [my performance in Minnesota].

“Had an injury throughout the fall too. I broke my foot, so I had seven weeks of not-ideal training. I was a little uncertain as to how things were going to go, but it was really nice to get the reinforcement that

everything’s working.”

Back in February, Davies also skied to a pair of top-20s at the FIS U23 World Championships in Planica, Slovenia.

A TWO-SIDED CAREER

Not a full-time international athlete, Davies studies civil engineering at the University of Utah. Of course, he’s also a part of the Utes’ skiing squad.

The Pembertonian has already achieved

skiing is that everybody’s so relaxed. You’re just seeing your friends—but once the race is on, it’s equally competitive and people are there to win.”

Despite his valuable experiences and friendships in Fairbanks, Davies moved to Salt Lake City for pragmatic reasons. He spends approximately half the year in Europe for competitions and wanted a more central location to base himself out of. Living in Utah means he would face 12-odd hours of travel to reach Oslo, Norway, as opposed to 20 hours

“Everybody who’s a part of the Whistler Nordics is so into skiing that it felt natural to always continue.”

- JOE DAVIES

considerable NCAA success. Last year he won a national championship representing the University of Alaska Fairbanks, beating second-placer John Hagenbuch by 25 seconds.

“It’s cool to have those two sides of my racing career: the World Cup and the college scene, [which is] so competitive these days,” said Davies. “They are two very different worlds, though. Everyone in the World Cup is incredibly focused … but there’s a little less [killer instinct] between NCAA teams. Something I really appreciate about college

flying from Alaska.

Furthermore, Davies would consider the Utes one of the NCAA’s best varsity skiing programs. Many of his friends speak highly about it as well.

DUAL ALLEGIANCES

You might wonder at this point: why is a man who was born and raised in B.C. racing for Great Britain?

Davies spent his fair share of time in

Nordiq Canada’s development pipeline. He is a former member of the Maple Leaf’s junior national unit and Foothills Nordic in Calgary, Alta.

“[Switching allegiances] took a lot of thought,” he admitted. “When the British team reached out to me, explained their setup and how much they were willing to put into me as an athlete … it just made sense. I’ve always been pretty good at choosing the right path, so I trusted that [representing Britain] was the right thing to do. It’s been amazing.”

Though his recent results are nothing to scoff at, Davies knows there’s a marked gap between many of North America’s top crosscountry athletes and the elites from Norway, Sweden and Finland. He believes, however, that time spent training and competing in Europe will help him start to close that gap.

Going forward, the British Columbian hopes to win another NCAA title for Utah and solidify himself as a regularly-seen presence in the top 15 of any given World Cup race. If he’s able to do that, a future in the top 10 is definitely achievable.

For now, though, Davies is home and still has lots of love for Whistler Nordics.

“That’s the team that I grew up racing with and who I feel very connected to,” he said. “Everybody who’s a part of the Whistler Nordics is so into skiing that it felt natural to always continue. Brent Murdoch, Tony Peiffer and all these people poured their heart into the club, and many of us athletes went on to race after high school even though we weren’t a very big team.” n

NORDIC NATURAL Pembertonian Nordic skier Joe Davies in Lillehammer, Norway.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE DAVIES

SHOPIN-STORE

2024’s food best-est from the wonderful world of science

WE CAN’T GRAB THE FUTURE, BUT WE CAN FIND GOOD FOOTINGS IN THE PAST

THERE’S AN INTERESTING idea about the future—and past—early on in Vladimir Nabokov’s playful novel, Transparent Things He wrote it at age 73, nearly 20 years after Lolita Maybe the coolest thing about this novel is that he almost mocks his earlier work—something writers, or any of us, seldom do.

Nabokov’s idea is this: “Perhaps if the future existed, concretely and individually, as something that could be discerned by a better brain, the past would not be so seductive: its

BY GLENDA BARTOSH

demands would be balanced by those of the future. People might then straddle the middle stretch of the seesaw when considering this or that object. It might be fun.”

Until we all get better brains, I think whenever we humans come to the end of a year, we can feel a bit tipsy in more ways than one. So we like to conjure up the best of that seemingly solid, seductive past that appears all the more golden in the selective rearview mirror of life. Nothing like trying to keep our balance on the seesaw of life, especially when that amorphous future feels more fraught than ever.

So here we go, as we ring out the old year and welcome the new, or at least try to—my personal take on highlights from the wonderful

world of food science this past year. The best-est of the best, as we used to say as kids.

But first, let’s tiptoe around that hardto-grasp future since there’s at least one thing besides death and taxes we know for sure: We’re all eaters. And food is one of those amazing agents that’s much greater than it seems.

Depending on what we choose to put on our plates, it can help build up the things we care about in this world—or tear them down. It can help us be healthier and happier—or not. With all those seemingly insipid, small decisions we make every day, about where to grab a bite (or a beer), about what to stock in our fridges and cupboards and, in turn, ourselves, we can buttress up movements and policies and a future we believe in—or not.

Do we support local farmers and fishers and orchardists with a tiny carbon footprint? Or obscure mega agri-businesses in foreign countries that depend on questionable farming practices, and ship stuff thousands of carbonfuelled kilometres? (Anybody remember that golden idea of a 100-mile diet?)

Do we surrender our hard-earned dollars to independent grocers and pubs and restaurants? Or big chain monoliths? Stinky’s on the Stroll, I’m thinking of you guys here, and all the independent business owners struggling in light of huge rent increases in Whistler and beyond.

I remind us all that in the early days of Whistler Village, the development vision stipulated very loud and very clearly: No chain outlets. (Al Raine, Jim Moodie, Eldon Beck—bless your hearts.) That meant no McDonald’s. No 7-11s. No nadda like that so Whistler could maintain its character and offer visitors and locals alike a unique, authentic experience. Which is exactly what attracted everyone in the first place. Wonder

what happened to that good idea. Still, as we slip into the new year and try it on for size, keep in mind how food (and drink) choices can be powerful ways to create meaningful change. Including building connections. In real time. No phones allowed. It’s easy to do. Invite pals over, pot luck. Buy a stranger a drink at Stinky’s. Drop off a snack for a neighbour. It all helps build real connections— something we crave more than ever. And that, my friends, is just the beginning.

With that in mind, here are my three best-est choices from that seemingly simple world of food in 2024, all generated by the amazing scientists and researchers out there trying to help us better grasp our ungraspable, un-concrete future.

Best wishes for 2025. It’s great to be alive!

GOOD STUFF FROM THE SEDUCTIVE PAST

Thanks to a recent report in New Scientist, the U.K.’s best science publication, and one of the finest in the world, 2024 went out on a doubly high note due to a project led by Coralie Salesse-Smith, a plant physiology researcher at the University of Illinois and a University of Waterloo grad. Coralie and her team are interested in optimizing photosynthesis to improve food and energy security—exactly what we need as we face down an everincreasing world population plus huge food supply issues caused by massive droughts and more due to the climate crisis.

Making a simple genetic tweak to a plant enzyme called rubisco in three of the world’s major food crops—maize, sorghum and sugar cane—allowed these plants to take advantage of rising carbon dioxide levels. It also boosted their growth by about one fifth! Thanks to these brilliant young researchers,

the finding should lead to the creation of new varieties whose yields go up as CO2 levels continue to rise.

Second on my best-est list from 2024 can definitely guide you toward better food choices. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, folks. Read your labels! Especially to stay away from stuff you really want to avoid, like highfructose corn syrup.

The science has been kicking around for years, but now we know how fructose promotes the growth of tumours in certain cancers. It happens in our livers after it’s converted to fats known as lipids. A report in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News explains how cancerous tumours are literally “fed” by those lipids. The biggest source of fructose—a sugar found especially in honey and fruits—is high-fructose corn syrup, and that, my friends, is found in almost every processed food, not just cookies and candy. Ketchup, salad dressings, sauces, even tinned veggies can all contain high-fructose corn syrup. As I said, read your labels.

Finally, this is the best Canadian expert on health and nutrition that I discovered in 2024. He’s got great ideas to help us balance on that seesaw between past and future. Dr. Scott Lear is a professor in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University and holds the Pfizer/Heart and Stroke Foundation Chair in Cardiovascular Prevention Research at St. Paul’s Hospital. He also lives with heart disease. You can find his thoughtful, practical approaches on his blog, Become Your Healthiest You.

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who reminds you that a subscription to New Scientist or any number of good science publications costs about the same as dinner for two at a restaurant. n

SCIENCE SAYS Researchers the world over are working hard to improve food and energy security.

PHOTO

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE

The Zummers emerge on top at 2024 Whistler Music Search

OLSON LLOYD AND THE PAYNTERS FINISH SECOND AND THIRD RESPECTIVELY; DAVE MORRIS AWARD GOES TO RONAN COWLEY

BY DAVID SONG

TOM CSIMA had to truncate his recent visit to Mexico, but he’s not too upset about it.

That’s because Csima won the 2024 Whistler Music Search (WMS) alongside his band, The Zummers: bassist Jessie Richards, percussion man Mikey Muscat and guitar player Alex Drapeau. Together they earned a $1,000 cash prize on Dec. 11 at the Crystal Lounge—money that will go towards recording an album.

Olson Lloyd wrapped up second place, and third-place recognition went to the Paynters. Ronan Cowley took home the Dave Morris Award for Originality in Music.

“The event this year went on an extra week,” says Csima, who also performs solo as TomaToma. “I had actually booked a trip for the week after what I thought was the final week, but I shortened my vacation to participate [in the WMS finals] because I didn’t want to let the guys down. We’d worked so hard.

“We’re planning to apply to a lot of festivals and gig possibilities. Being a new band, we don’t have a lot of material to send, but to be able to say we won the competition

gives us a little bit more credibility—not to mention the Crystal was packed and there’s hundreds of people that seemed to be into what we were playing.”

The Zummers assembled earlier this summer. They would describe their musical style as “eclectic”: a mix of blues, soul and R&B with a dash of psychedelic rock. You’ll find a healthy amount of variance in their

“The Zummers were a unanimous vote as the winners. The judges thought each instrumentalist was very talented, and they really appreciated that they played all original music [which was] really good!” Lewis opines. “Olson Lloyd is a seasoned solo artist with a big voice and great original music. The Paynters are two brothers who sing a ton of harmonies and they are super

“I’ve got nothing against covers ... but we’re definitely not a cover band.”

- TOM CSIMA

repertoire, and lots of original content.

“I’ve got nothing against covers … but we’re definitely not a cover band,” Csima explains. “I write a lot of songs and [I want to] share it with the world. As a viewer or an attendee of concerts, I always want to see what’s out there. The problem with playing covers for me is you’ll always be compared to the original. Part of the competition was about originality … and to see people getting up and dancing to original music they’ve never heard in their lives was super fun.”

WMS MC Rachel Lewis had high praise for each member of the top three, which she shared in an email to Pique.

tight. Young guys with bright futures.”

KEEPING THE SCENE ALIVE

Csima knows Richards from last year’s WMS, where they placed third as a lastminute act dubbed TBA with Andrew Colwell and Miles McArthur. Csima learned plenty from that experience in terms of atmosphere, contest format and what the judges look for. He also brushed shoulders with several other local musicians.

Everybody wants to win, but Csima found himself dancing to the beat of other bands’ drums and cheering for them as

well. TBA actually bested eventual 2023 champions Shoulder Pains during their initial matchup, only for tables to turn during the finals.

“That was pretty heartbreaking, but also, we were stoked for [Shoulder Pains],” Csima says. “We actually shared our equipment with them. We gave them some tips as well, and I think they sounded better on the final night.”

The life of a musician is not usually easy, and Whistler in particular is a hard market to break into. That’s why it’s important for local performers to stick together, making connections and showcasing their stuff.

“It’s great what [WMS organizer] Monty Biggins does, trying to put on events,” remarks Csima. “I tell him all the time, that’s the way to keep the scene alive, and it’s hard. The venues aren’t really doing a lot of live events, especially for original music. Rachel is awesome too—I think she won the event before, and the fact that she’s still helping out is great.”

Overall, WMS judges were evidently pleased with what they heard.

“It was a very tough competition this year with lots of talented groups and individuals!” wrote an event spokesperson on the Crystal Lounge’s Instagram page. “The judges had a tough job every week—we are so glad they took the time each week to be involved in our talent search and bring together lots of talented individuals. A big thank you to Rachel Lewis for hosting the event each week also!”  n

SEARCH AND DESTROY The Zummers are a Pemberton-based band that formed in summer 2024.

PHOTO BY CLÉA THOMAS

‘Starting to make a name for himself’

WHISTLER

ACCORDION PLAYER THOMAS STUDER IS ELEVATING HIS PROFILE

BY DAVID SONG

THOMAS STUDER is beginning to put himself on the local arts radar.

The Swiss accordion player is coming off a string of gigs in the Sea to Sky area, most notably Artstoberfest: a brand-new Arts Whistler undertaking that took place for the first time Oct. 5. Studer and his polka band performed at the Maury Young Arts Centre on a night it was transformed into a Bavarian-style beer hall.

Knowing first-hand what Oktoberfest is supposed to look, feel and sound like, Studer has given the recent festivities his seal of approval.

“It was a very, very special event,” he recounts. “We had the stage in the theatre, where they had a bar and some games going on, like a stein-holding competition and a yodeling competition. There were so many people with a background from Germany or the Czech Republic. They really enjoyed the music and came dressed up for this event. [Arts Whistler] did a very good job, and I think for their first time, the reaction was very good.”

Studer held up his end of the bargain, helping his fellow musicians energize guests as they took to the dance floor. Growing up near Lucerne, Switzerland, he started to learn how to play accordion at 10 years of age and developed his own style after half a decade of lessons.

“The cool thing is, you have on the right side [of an accordion] the melody, and on the left side the bass, so you pretty much can play both,” Studer explains. “The sound is so rich. You can make a very rich sound with an accordion just as a solo instrument, whereas with a guitar, you maybe would need the bass and the drums [as well] to reach a high volume.”

‘A GOOD PLACE TO PERFORM’

Three years ago, Studer arrived in Canada to

experience a different culture. Needless to say, he brought his accordion with him.

For the first seven months, he experienced the lively music scene of Calgary, Alta., with multiple jam sessions to check out every day. Upon getting to Whistler, he sought out local open mic nights where he began to connect with likeminded performers.

The skiing and biking scene certainly doesn’t hurt, but what Studer might appreciate even more is the plethora of varying ethnicities and cultural sensibilities in town.

“We have a lot of diversity and different cultures in Whistler,” he observes. “It’s so funny that when I play my traditional Swiss, German and Austrian polka, there’s so many people who react to this music. [I think] they must have backgrounds with it. Then I try to switch things up with modern stuff, like Italian music or rock songs.

“It’s cool that people from everywhere are enjoying live music. I feel like they’re very open to different styles in Whistler, because they are from everywhere. It seems to be a good place to perform.”

While Studer is very passionate about playing the accordion, he also works as a carpenter to pay his bills. In his mind, there can be a few similarities between his favourite hobby and his day job.

“You need to be creative in both [music and carpentry],” he says. “If you build something, you sometimes need to find solutions to a problem. That’s kind of similar to music, where you find your way to play something. But carpentry is very physical, [while] with accordions you use your brain more.”

Rachel Lewis, the local Music Together frontwoman, has been voice-coaching Studer for a number of months. Consider her impressed by her pupil.

“[Thomas] is really starting to make a name for himself,” she remarks in an email to Pique.  n

forlunch Wednesdays& Thursdaysfrom11:30am! Joinourlunchclub! Get10stampsonyourlunchcardand your11thlunchisfree*(Restrictionsapply) Childrenarewelcomeeverydayuntil 10pm,sobringthekidsinforbrunchon theweekendsfrom11am-2pm.

Meetwithmevia videoconference, telephone,and inperson.

TheSunshineCoasthasnumerous whitesandbeachesandpristine waterwaysalongsidelush rainforestsandHeritage-listed nationalparks,withcharming historicvillages

KEY DECISIONS Whistler-based accordion player Thomas Studer.

PHOTO BY RACHEL LEWIS LENSWORK

Be apartofthe SeatoSky’s one andonlywedding guide.

Tapintoa multi-milliondollarmarketopportunity

Thisfullcolour, glossy magazineis theperfect plannerfor all potentialweddingsinthe corridor.

Enhanceyourdigital presence withtheGuidedBy™

Wishes WeddingSpotlight

Deadlines

ADSPACEBOOKINGS

Friday,February 21,2025

Distributed theSea to SkyCorridor.

To book your advertisingspace,call Squamish Chief: 604-892-9161 ads@squamishchief.com

PiqueNewsmagazine

604-938-0202 sales@wplpmedia.com

Publication IN STANDS

March2025

Distribution 7,000Copies

PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE

Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events

FIRE AND ICE

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB REGIONAL JUNIOR FREERIDE CHALLENGE

This IFSA event challenges competitors to shred big mountain terrain while judges score them based on style, control, technique, fluidity and line choice.

Jan. 3 to 5

On-Mountain

Pre-registration required

APRÈS KARAOKE

Après Karaoke hosted by Monty Biggins happens every Friday in The Living Room!

Jan. 3, 6 to 9 p.m.

Pangea Pod Hotel Living Room

ALTA LAKE BIRD WALK

Join the Whistler Naturalists on the first Saturday of the month for a walk to Rainbow Park. Open to anyone interested in learning about birds and contributing as a citizen scientist. There will be experienced birders on hand who are happy to share their knowledge. More information at whistlernaturalists.ca/birding.

Jan. 4, 9 a.m.

Meet at the bottom of Lorimer Road Free

FIRE AND ICE SHOW

Where else but Whistler would performers entertain you with an electric mix of music, dance and spinning fire? Watch world-class athletes flip and twist through a burning ring of fire, then finish the night off with a first-class fireworks display.

Jan. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Skiers Plaza

and select locations around Whistler.

MONDAY NIGHT SPECIAL AT WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK

Take advantage of discounted tickets and rentals on Monday nights. Spend time on the well-lit trails or light up your journey with a headlamp. Explore under the beautiful starry skies of the Callaghan Valley and when you need a break, stop by the fully-licensed café in the Day Lodge and indulge in delicious specials.

Jan. 6, 3 to 9 p.m.

Whistler Olympic Park

$10

THE IMPROV BATTLE

Featuring the cast of Laugh Out LIVE! with legendary DJs Foxy Moron and Vinyl Ritchie. Two teams of quickwitted, sharp-tongued improvisers take your wildest suggestions and turn them into side-splitting scenes, ridiculous characters and unpredictable hilarity while battling for improv supremacy. No scripts, no safety nets, just pure, unfiltered comedy chaos!

Jan. 7, 8 p.m.

Garibaldi Lift Co.

Tickets start at $23

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Whistler MAC’s Making Connections is a weekly program for people with dementia and their caregivers in the Sea to Sky corridor. The goal is to slow cognitive decline in those living with dementia and to allow caregivers to bond, share experiences and develop their own support networks.

Each session starts with 45 minutes of gentle fitness, followed by games and brain-stimulating activities, music, and socializing over a light lunch. Register at whistlermac.org under the Events tab, Making Connections Program. Prepay by e-transfer to treasurer-mcp@whistlermac.org.

Jan. 8, 10:30 a.m.

Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church Registration required

MUSEUM MUSINGS & ASTROLOGY

Looking ahead to 2025

BY ALLYN PRINGLE

AS WE START 2025 , the Whistler Museum is looking ahead at some fairly significant anniversaries for the Whistler area. The 202526 winter season is the 60th season of lift operations on Whistler Mountain and the 45th season for Blackcomb Mountain. This February will mark 15 years since Whistler and Vancouver hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. Off the mountains, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) turns 50 in September, marking five decades of what some have called the “Whistler experiment.”

The RMOW, Canada’s first resort municipality, was created through the Resort Municipality of Whistler Act, a piece of provincial legislation separate from the British Columbia Municipal Act and one that (with some changes) still governs Whistler today. Previously, the Whistler area had been governed as part of the SquamishLillooet Regional District and local interests were supported and championed by organizations such as the Whistler Mountain District Chamber of Commerce (formed in 1966, today the Whistler Chamber of Commerce) and the Alta Lake District Ratepayers Association (ALDRA).

Late in the summer of 1975, property owners and residents of the Whistler area (there were about 500 residents of all ages at the time) had a chance to elect their first

municipal council, and on Sept. 6, 1975, five representatives were sworn into office at the gondola base of Whistler Mountain: Pat Carleton, Bob Bishop, John Hetherington, Garry Watson, and Al Raine.

Whistler’s first council was a varied lot, made up of a retired coffee salesman, a real estate developer, a ski patroller, a lawyer, and the Ski Area Coordinator for B.C., all of whom came to the Whistler area at different times and for different reasons.

Pat Carleton, Whistler’s first mayor, came to Alta Lake in 1956 for the fishing and retired to his home on Alpha Lake in 1971. Bob

Free Will Astrology

ARIES (March 21-April 19): There are experiences, people, and places that can either be good for you or bad for you. Which way they tilt at any particular time may depend on your mood or their mood or forces beyond your immediate control. An example for me is social media. Sometimes it’s a mediocre drug that dulls my sensibilities and aggravates my fears. On other occasions, it brings rich new connections and teaches me lessons I’m thrilled to learn. What about you, Aries? In my astrological view, 2025 will be a time when you will be wise to re-evaluate and redefine your relationships with these paradoxical resources. If there are some whose influence is far more likely to be bad than good, consider ending your bond. For those that are equally bad and good, do what you can do to enhance the goodness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus supermodel Linda Evangelista has supreme levels of self-esteem. At the height of her career, she bragged that she got out of bed each morning with the intention of earning no less than $10,000 in the coming day. I’m not advocating that you be equally audacious in your expectations during 2025, dear Taurus. But it’s reasonable for you to adopt at least a measure of Evangelista’s financial confidence. According to my analysis of your destiny, cosmic rhythms will be conspiring to open up economic opportunities for you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 2025, dear Gemini, I invite you to make ample use of at least five of the following 11 tactics: 1. Shatter the moulds. 2. Defy the conventions. 3. Challenge the norms. 4. Redefine the boundaries. 5. Disrupt the status quo. 6. Defy old rules and create new ones. 7. Go against the flow and against the grain. 8. Bushwhack through frontiers. 9. Dance to unfamiliar rhythms. 10. Search for curious treasures. 11. Change the way you change.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Good advice for the first half of 2025: 1. Lose your respect for tangled complications that have begun to rot. 2. Keep some of your necessary protective

Bishop and his family moved to the Whistler area from Squamish in 1968. Bob, along with his partner Bernie Brown, developed the Whistler Cay neighbourhood, as well as the beginnings of the Whistler Golf Course. John “Bushrat” Hetherington, like many over the years, came to Whistler Mountain to ski and worked for the pro ski patrol while living in the original Toad Hall and later Tokum Corners. Garry Watson was first introduced to the area through the Garibaldi Olympic Development Association and the idea of hosting the Olympic Winter Games here.

Unlike the other members of council,

WEEK OF JANUARY 3 BY ROB

defenses, yes, but shed those that no longer serve you and are weighing you down. 3. Bury a broken-down dream to make room in your heart for a sweet new dream. 4. Scour away as much resentment as you can. 5. Sneak away from people and situations that are far too demanding. 6. Discard as much as you can of what’s inessential, unhelpful, and defunct. 7. Don’t make a radical break for freedom yet, but begin plotting to do so by your birthday.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The coming months will be an excellent time to dream up bigger, better, more original sins and seek out wilder, wetter, more interesting problems. You should experiment with being naughty and even sweetly wicked as you uplift your spirit and deepen your love for life. You are being invited by your future self to experiment with daring departures from tradition that bring you exciting challenges. Dear Leo, my wish for you in 2025 is that you will be cheerfully courageous (not belligerently courageous) as you become both smarter and wiser than you have ever been before.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Aztecs were originally known as the M¯exihcah people. Before they forged an empire, they were semi-nomadic tribes. But even then, early on, they were guided by a prophecy that they would eventually settle permanently in a place where they found an eagle roosting on a cactus holding a snake in its talons. In 1325, wanderers spied this precise scenario on a small island in Lake Texcoco. Soon they began to construct the city of Tenochtitlan, the capital of their future kingdom. I bring this true myth to your attention, Virgo, because I want to invite you to formulate a similar prophecy in 2025—and then fulfil it. Your personal empire is primed for expansion and consolidation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): As 2025 unfolds, your burdens will grow lighter, and your duties will become more interesting. Joyless missions and trivial hopes will be increasingly

BREZSNY

irrelevant and easy to relinquish, opening up opportunities for fresh assignments that motivate you to play more and to work smarter rather than harder. During the coming months, dear Libra, I predict you will be basking in extra good karma and tapping into more fertile mojo than you have in a long time. Would you like more freedom than ever before? It’s yours for the plucking.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Painter P. K. Mahanandia is well-known because of his fine art. He is even more famous for an amazing adventure he had in the name of love. It’s a long story, but his wife was living in her native Sweden while he was stuck in his native India. Mahanandia was still at an early stage of his career and couldn’t afford to fly by plane. Instead, he bought a used bicycle and headed west, covering about 43 kilometres per day. He pedalled through Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey until he arrived in Europe 127 days later. He had raised money by drawing portraits of people he met along the way, so he had enough to travel by train the rest of the way to Sweden. I’m thinking you may have an epic romantic adventure yourself in 2025, Scorpio. Maybe not quite as extreme, but very interesting.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): To symbolize your destiny in 2025, I drew a Tarot card. It was the 9 of Cups. Here’s my four-part interpretation: 1. Sometime soon, you should identify your top desires and ruminate about how to express them in the most beautiful and fulfilling ways possible. 2. Take a vow that you will shed half-hearted, insecure approaches for bringing them to fruition. 3. Be uninhibited about seeking not just a partial but a complete version of each fulfillment. 4. Figure out which allies you will need in your life to manifest the happiest and most meaningful outcomes.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’re the most pragmatic sign of the zodiac and are most highly skilled at getting constructive things done. It’s also true that you thrive on

Al Raine was not elected to his position in 1975, but was appointed by the provincial government. A ski coach and consultant who advised on ski-area development projects, Raine worked for the BC Ministry of Lands as the provincial ski area coordinator where he was responsible for creating and implementing ski-area policies and overseeing the development of ski areas. Through this position, he worked with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to make Whistler a resort municipality and, for his efforts, was appointed to council from 1975 to 1982 (after Raine stepped down to focus on his role as executive director of the Whistler Resort Association, his seat on council became an elected position).

Described by Watson as “the energy” and “the innovator,” Raine was deeply involved in the creation of Whistler Village, the development of a ski area on Blackcomb Mountain, and much more. After leaving Whistler, he and his wife Nancy Greene continued to advocate for the importance of skiing, ski-area development, and tourism in B.C. Raine served as mayor of Sun Peaks from 2010 (when it became a municipality) to 2024, stepping down just before he sadly passed away last month.

Over the next year, we’re sure to hear and share many stories from the early days of the RMOW and we look forward to learning more about the people, organizations, and events that have shaped Whistler over the past five decades. n

organizing the chaotic details of our messy world into smoothfunctioning systems. But I periodically need to remind you that these superpowers of yours require you to nurture a vigorous and rigorous imagination. All of what you ultimately accomplish originates in the fantasy realm. This will be especially crucial for you to keep in mind during 2025.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Mona Lisa is a worldfamous painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Beneath its visible surface is evidence that the artist reworked it extensively. There are at least three earlier versions with different facial features. In one, the figure has eyebrows and is wearing hairpins and a headdress. These details were scrubbed out of the image that now hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris. I bring this to your attention, Aquarius, because I suspect you have been engaged in a comparable process as you have worked on your labour of love. In my reckoning, you’re finished with your false starts, practice runs, and dress rehearsals. In the coming months, you can make excellent progress toward ripening and culminating your creation.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Ancient Greek literature references a drug called nepenthe. Anyone who ingested it would forget memories that stirred pain and sorrow. Many of us modern people might consider taking such medicine if it were available. But let’s imagine a very different potion: one that arouses vivid memories of all the wonderful experiences we have been blessed with. If there were such a thing, I would recommend that you sample it frequently in the months to come. That’s because your relationship with the good parts of your past will be especially useful and inspirational. In fact, drawing on their power will be instrumental in helping you create your best possible future.

Homework: Visualize yourself accomplishing a goal you would have thought impossible a year ago. Newsletter. FreeWillAstrology.com.

DECISION-MAKERS Whistler’s first council, pictured in 1975.

PAT CARLETON COLLECTION

Classifieds

Where locals look

CALL OR PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED WITH OUR ONLINE SERVICE FOR EITHER PRINT OR ONLINE...OR BOTH! Get the added punch to make your business ad standout with a classified display ad. Free ad design, colour options, incentives for ad frequency. Contact a sales rep today.

Î Secure & scamless

Î Fully searchable

Î Targeted online community

Î Categorised listings

Î No reposting

Î Trusted by locals

Î Make your listing stand out with featured locations

Advertising Options

Î Packages start with 4 lines of text. Additional text ...................................$1/line

Î Add one image in print and up to three online as per package level.

Î Bolding ...........................................50¢/word

Î Border ..........................................................$2

* Rates are based on using Pique’s selfserve online application at classifieds. piquenewsmagazine.com

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!

JOB POSTING

Men's Health Assistant Salary: $53 000-$60 000

Position Overview: The Men's Health Assistant supports and fosters health and healing among Stl'atl'imx men by creating a supportive environment for storytelling, mentoring leadership development, and building peer support networks that promote culturally safe healing and wellness.

Key Responsibilities:*

• Supports the facilitation and management of the Men's Health Program

• Support men's activities (traditional harvesting, outdoor skills, etc.).

• Create culturally safe spaces for men to gather, share perspectives, and build consensus.

• Mentor volunteer leaders, provide nutritious meals, and ensure participant safety.

• Maintain records, drive participants to events (using SSHS vehicles), and uphold confidentiality.

• building group consensus regarding men's group activities

See full job posting on the careers page/website: sshs.ca/careers/

Apply now by sending your resume and cover letter via email: julia.schneider@sshs.ca

Qualifications & Skills:

• Excellent verbal communication

• Knowledge of Stl'at'imx cultural/traditional practices (Uwalmicwts language is an asset)

• Experience working with Stl'at'imx communities (construction/building experience an asset)

• Consensus-building, conflict management, and teamwork skills.

Special:

• This position is requires travel to indigenous communities served by SSHS, accessed by Forest Service Road

• SSHS offers a competitive benefits and employment package to full time employees

CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

&

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Child & Family Services

Child & Family Services

Child & Family Services

• Administrative Assistant ( ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)

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

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

• Social Worker ($80,371.20 to $91,673.40 per year)

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

• Transition House Outreach Worker ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)

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

Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre

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

Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre

Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre

• Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)

• Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)

• Program Manager ($57,330 to $64,610.00 per year)

• Program Manager ($57,330 to $64,610.00 per year)

• Health Care Assistant ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)

• 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)

• Operations Manager ($59,878.00 to $73,564.40 per year)Would you please highlight/emphasize this position?

• Operations Manager ($59,878.00 to $73,564.40 per year)Would you please highlight/emphasize this position?

• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)

Ts’zil Learning Centre

• Family Mentor ($38,038 to $53,599 per year) - Would you please highlight/emphasize this position?

• Family Mentor ($38,038 to $53,599 per year) - Would you please highlight/emphasize this position?

• Program Mentor – Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)

• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)

• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)

Employee Health & Wellness Plan available

Land and Resources

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.

NOW HIRING

HEAVY

MECHANIC Permanent, Full-Time 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.

This is a skilled position which primarily involves preventative maintenance and repair of a large fleet of commercial transport vehicles including concrete mixer trucks, dump trucks, trailers, forklifts and light-duty trucks.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.C. Certificate of Qualification, and/or Interprovincial Ticket as a Commercial Transport Mechanic, and/or Heavy Duty Mechanic Ticket

• 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

Xet’òlacw Community School

Xet’òlacw Community School

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Territory Specialist ($46,683 to $60,515 per year)

Xet’òlacw Community School

• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)

• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)

• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)

• Camp Counsellor ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)

• Camp Counsellor ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)

• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)

• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)

• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)

Community Development

Community Development

Community Development

• Cultural Camp Supervisor ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year)

• Band Social Development Worker Assistant ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)

• Cultural Camp Supervisor ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year)

• Cultural Camp Supervisor ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year)

Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/

Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/

Key Responsibilities

·Safely

·Working knowledge of residential, commercial, construction site safety, and road safety regulations

·Able to maneuver trucks in tight spaces

·Provide exceptional customer service

Qualifications

Maintain

Provide Clean drivers abstract

Able to sit for long periods of time

Comfortable

and

Position Overview: SSHS is seeking a self-motivated, autonomous Community Health Nurse to provide care to adult community members (19+) of three (3) remote First Nation communities by being responsible for full scope nursing care to a variety of clients, constantly promoting health and wellness education, and aligning care out of community

Qualifications:

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)

• Current CPR course for Health Care Providers (HCP)

• Completion of specialty nursing certificate/certified practice (BCCNM) as applicable and two (2) years’ recent, related public health nursing experience including experience related to the population applicable to the job or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

See full job posting on the careers page of our website: sshs.ca/careers/

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Provide care for clients with acute, chronic, palliative, mental health, and substance use needs.

• Deliver direct care, care management, and navigation support.

• Collaborate with clients, families, and healthcare teams to establish realistic wellness goals.

• Utilize knowledge of:

Disease management and selfmanagement support, Community resources, Public health nursing theory, practices, and procedures, Assess safety and risk in home settings

Special:

• This position is requires travel to indigenous communities served by SSHS, accessed by Forest Service Road

• SSHS offers a competitive benefits and employment package to full time employees

Apply now by sending your resume and cover letter via email: julia.schneider@sshs.ca

An ode to Max, the ultimate Whistler Everyman

THREE DECADES. Fifteen-hundred columns. One-million, two-hundred-thousand words. By sheer output alone, G.D. Maxwell’s long-running column for Pique has been a titanic achievement, a monument to Whistler written in weekly instalments.

But Max’s contribution to this paper, and by extension, this community, defies easy metrics. His column, which saw its final regular instalment last week, has an almost gravitational pull to it, readers eagerly flipping to the backpage the moment they pluck a Pique off the rack.

And for good reason. Love him or hate him, Max was appointment reading every week. Whether it was a powder-filled bluebird day up the mountain, waxing philosophic from his summer hideaway at Smilin’

BY BRANDON BARRETT

Dog Manor, or getting the skinny from his (fictionalized) private-eye pal, J.J. Geddyup, you could be sure wherever Max was taking you, it was bound to be a wild ride.

Unless you’re an avid consumer of community news, I don’t think most Pique readers grasp just how unique Max’s column is. After impressing founding publisher, Bob Barnett, in the early days of the publication with his entertaining letters to the editor, Max was given the chance to write his own column, which put Pique in the rare position of effectively having two anchor editorials at

each end of the paper. This led to a certain equilibrium where, if the frontpage editorial leaned more informational, you could be sure Max would come out swinging on the backpage, never one to pull punches. Call it a flaw of small-town journalism, but there are certain things an editor or a reporter simply can’t get away with saying. Outside of the odd legal threat here and there, Max never had that problem.

Once, when a reporter from the nowshuttered Whistler Question asked him why he hadn’t got the mayor’s take on a particular hot-button issue, Max told her, “I’m not a reporter, I’m Everyman. I’m the person reading what you reported or watching the news and responding to it, calling it out, perhaps calling bullshit.”

Some may accuse him of rabblerousing—and I’m sure he’d be the first to say he enjoys ruffling feathers from time to time—but Max’s hot takes were always rooted in a deep appreciation for this place and what it could be. Whether you agreed

a highly corporatized tourism town where transparency isn’t necessarily the top priority. No one has done more, over a longer period, to help Whistlerites understand themselves.

Max is an invaluable asset behind the scenes at Pique, too. Quick to share a news tip

“If you think something is interesting enough to opine about, you can bet a lot of other people do, too. Be fearless for them without forgetting they need to be entertained, not just lectured.”

- G.D. MAXWELL

with him or not was almost beside the point. The fact there was someone with his insight, intellect and encyclopedic knowledge not only bearing witness to the goings on of Tiny Town (a favourite Maxism), but making sense of them, was essential. Every community needs its truth-tellers, but especially in

or fill in historical gaps, he was never too busy to jump on a phone call with a reporter when the need arose, something he surely didn’t have to do after nearly 30 years in the role.

Speaking personally, I think what Max has taught me the most is courage—courage to say the hard thing, to speak truth to power,

to call out the bullshit. When I learned I would be tasked with writing the first postMax backpage column, I struggled for days with how I was going to follow his incredible run. So, I figured, who better to ask than the man himself?

“No tips except to appreciate the substantial difference between opinion and reportage,” Max wrote in an email. “The former starts in the gut and heart, the latter in the head. If you think something is interesting enough to opine about, you can bet a lot of other people do, too. Be fearless for them without forgetting they need to be entertained, not just lectured.”

As Max settles into a well-deserved retirement from the weekly Pique grind, I hope this is the lesson we can carry forward. The rotating lineup of writers tasked with filling Max’s gargantuan shoes will surely bring their own distinct voice to the backpage, but we will be doing him, Pique, and this community a disservice if we don’t bring the same fearlessness that he did, week in, week out, for a generation.

Thank you, Max, the ultimate Everyman, for being our beating heart. n

THE ORIGINAL BROWN-BAGGER Love him or hate him, G.D. Maxwell was appointment reading every week.

ILLUSTRATION BY JON PARRIS