How heat storage technologies could keep Canada’s roads and bridges ice-free all winter long. - By Mohammadamin Ahmadfard and Seth Dworkin // The Conversation
06 OPENING REMARKS It’s more true than ever that the internet has gifted each of us our own, personal “choose-your-own” reality, writes editor Braden Dupuis—how do we address it?
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers weigh in on Whistler’s forests, disrespectful transit riders, a potential Canada/U.S. merger, and more.
22 THE OUTSIDER Four years in, Vince Shuley looks back on the highs and lows of his snowmobiling journey so far.
42 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Longtime Pique mainstay Alyssa Noel is saying goodbye—but Whistler and the Sea to Sky have surely left their mark.
12 CEASE AND DESIST Forest Professionals BC is pushing back against a local ecologist advocating for Whistler to rethink its approach to wildfire.
13 BOTTOM’S UP Could a valley bottom gondola help solve Whistler’s transportation woes? The Resort Municipality of Whistler wants to find out.
26 EDGE OF TOMORROW Fourteen-year-old figure skater Nina Laferriere reflects on a successful 2024.
30 GRAB A SHOVEL The Snowed In Comedy Tour graces Whistler’s Maury Young Arts Centre once again on Jan. 22.
COVER How many backs will be saved if snow clearing isn’t a thing anymore? - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
Reality, we hardly knew ye
AS PIQUE REPORTED on the local snowboarding exploits of convicted Jan. 6 U.S. Capital rioter Antony Vo, more than one reader reached out to enlighten us about the “facts” of that infamous day.
It’s all a conspiracy, they argued—there was “limited violence,” and there were a small handful of federal agents in the crowd of thousands that swarmed the Capital in an attempt to prevent the certification of a free and fair election. Which, in the minds of some
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
readers, is certifiable proof the whole thing is some sort of perverse false-flag; a Deep State, Democrat conspiracy, fuelled by Pique and
What we all collectively witnessed that day—a violent and deadly attempted insurrection in the United States incited by the now-incoming president, complete with masks, a makeshift gallows for the vice president and zipties for elected representatives—did not happen the way it actually happened, they argue (baselessly).
“The truth is coming … please research.”
We’ll get right on that.
Clearly, this individual has done their own “research” into the matter, and found the whole thing to be smoke and mirrors. Whew!
Knowing what we know about the breadth of misinformation now infecting every online space, it’s easy to picture the kind of research they’re describing—the type that starts with a preferred conclusion, and works backwards from there.
It’s a trend that has been building since before Donald Trump was first elected in 2016, and long before the COVID pandemic in 2020, though both of those things exacerbated the issue—now reaching a disconcerting crescendo in early 2025, as Trump prepares to once again assume office seemingly hell-bent on tearing down every last agreed-upon norm.
Mexico. Take control of the Panama Canal. Coerce Canada to become the 51st U.S. state through “economic force.” So much for Trump being the “anti-war” or “America First” candidate. What ever happened to making eggs and gas cheaper?
These are not sane, realistic or normal ideas, based in what we once considered a shared reality. Yet at the mere utterance of these thoughts, an endless parade of sycophants lines up to repeat them, cheer them on, will them into being—many of them coming from inside Canada itself.
Buckle up, folks—it doesn’t matter what we plebs want, or think, or think we want anymore.
From Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos, the billionaires are buying up the media, reshaping public discourse to suit their needs—objective truth and reality be damned.
In early November, U.S. non-profit the Center for Countering Digital Hate published a report stating false or misleading claims by Musk about the U.S. election amassed a whopping 2 billion views on X (formerly Twitter).
Spend five minutes on X with a critical, informed eye and you’ll begin to understand how deep the well of hateful bullshit flows (spoiler: it’s bottomless).
We see it on a local scale, too. Peruse the comment section of any post on any Whistlerrelated Facebook page, and you’re sure to spot some misinformation—particularly if you have a real-world understanding of the topic being discussed.
What happens when the guardrails come off in earnest, and bad info is given free rein to spread, corrupt, confuse? What happens when the entire incoming U.S. presidential administration has shown time and again it has zero regard for the objective truth—in fact, despises and demonizes it?
How will Artificial Intelligence and finelytuned social media algorithms factor in to shaping our shared future?
At the risk of being labelled a doom-andgloom pessimist, I’ll refrain from offering up any predictions at this point.
But in 2025 it’s more true than ever that the internet has gifted each of us our own, personal “choose-your-own” reality—a prospect too enticing for simpler minds to overcome.
How do we address it?
It starts with a renewed focus on media literacy (both social and traditional), starting young—but adults are often just as vulnerable as children.
paramount importance for students,” Burwell said in a Sept. 3, 2024 UofC blog post.
Not only are many parents not immune to misinformation, they’re sometimes instilling bad info in their kids, Burwell said.
“It’s true that some young people are entering the classroom believing misinformation learned at home. And it’s not the teacher’s role to simply say, ‘You’re wrong.’ What we can do is teach critical thinking and give students the space to participate in important conversations and the tools to think deeply,” she said.
“This can foster the ability to ask intelligent questions about the information we receive.”
Adding a class to the curriculum dedicated to media literacy would be “ideal,” she added, “but I don’t see school curriculums introducing this anytime soon. If we can’t have that, though, we need be to be thinking about how to incorporate these lessons deeply into the existing curriculum, across subject areas, and beginning in the early elementary grades, too.”
Even Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic church, used his annual new year’s address to rail against misinformation.
“This phenomenon generates false images of reality, a climate of suspicion that foments hate, undermines people’s sense of security and compromises civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations. In our time, the denial of self-evident truths seems to have gained the upper hand.”
-
POPE FRANCIS
Sadly, many of us don’t seem to possess any sort of critical, informed reasoning skills here in 2025, so where does that leave us?
Reality, we hardly knew ye.
Mark Zuckerburg’s Meta is the latest to give up the good fight, firing its factcheckers and regressing its hate-speech policy, citing a shift in today’s culture.
Bigots, rejoice: you can now freely villainize immigrants and call LGBTQ people “mentally ill” on Facebook without fear of repercussion.
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Catherine Burwell, a University of Calgary (UofC) associate professor who specializes in media education and digital literacy, believes Canadian curriculums are in need of an upgrade.
“It’s more urgent than ever because today we are literally drowning in seas of information coming from so many different sources. With that, there’s also an overwhelming flood of mis- and disinformation. Making sense of this information overload has become a matter of
“This phenomenon generates false images of reality, a climate of suspicion that foments hate, undermines people’s sense of security and compromises civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations,” Francis said at the Vatican on Jan. 8.
“In our time, the denial of self-evident truths seems to have gained the upper hand.”
Sad but true.
For now, the less time we spend doomscrolling, the better. n
Invade Greenland. Rename the Gulf of
Installation view by Oisin McHugh
Interest in Whistler’s forests is ‘encouraging’
It was encouraging to learn from the Dec. 27, 2024 Best of Whistler feature that Pique readers were very interested in stories related to the Cheakamus Community Forest (CCF) such as the western spruce budworm story. The top three environmental issues also show that as a community, we are concerned about climate change, wildfires and logging old growth... all topics where the CCF plays a very important role.
In the same issue, Pique ran a story on the information session the CCF held in early December where it described how we are developing a climate resiliency plan to make our forests more diverse, more able to adapt to climate change, and less likely to have an out-of-control wildfire. That means managing second-growth forests to increase species and age diversity, reducing the risks and impacts of pests like spruce budworm that may cause significant tree mortality, and reducing the risk from wildfires. Protecting old-growth forests is also key and the CCF has a moratorium on logging old growth that’s been in place since June 2021.
Want to learn more about how the CCF is managing the forests around Whistler? Go to cheakamuscommunityforest.com and sign up
“That’s the strength of a community forest—it’s managed by the community for the community.”
- HEATHER BERESFORD
for our newsletter, then read the news posts and website content. And you can always contact me at info@cheakamuscommunityforest.com to go for a cup of coffee and chat. That’s the strength of a community forest—it’s managed by the community for the community.
Heather Beresford // executive director, Cheakamus Community Forest
What can be done about disrespectful transit riders in Whistler?
This letter was sent to BC Transit, and shared with Pique.
I work at the Visitor Center, and I am a longtime passenger on Whistler Transit. I would like to address some ongoing issues I, and many other seniors/people with disabilities, are having while riding the buses here in Whistler.
Firstly, as someone that is very small and uses a cane for walking, nobody will ever give up a seat for me, even in the front priority seating area. I have asked young males to move and they completely ignore me and refuse to move. Yesterday, while waiting in the snow storm for the No. 10 bus on Village Gate, I was standing at the front of the line, and while taking my time to get on the bus, a very tall man who looked to be in his mid-40’s charged the door and shoved me out of the way. Several others said something to him but he just plowed his way on and through the bus to “his seat.” I have ridden transit in many other communities and large cities and this is never an issue.
My question to you is, what can be done about this? It seems many of the people riding transit here have little to no bus etiquette or respect for their elders. Surely there is
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
something that can be done to raise awareness amongst riders, or maybe the drivers can say something when they witness this behaviour. Perhaps even forming a line to prevent everyone
Backcountry Update
AS OF WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
With cold temperatures in the forecast for the Sea to Sky corridor this weekend and a generally stable snowpack, avalanche conditions are likely to remain favourable. It could be a great time to tackle bigger objectives, but remember low avalanche hazard does not mean there is no risk. Even when the danger rating is low, it’s crucial to maintain good travel habits and remain vigilant throughout the day. Always assess and observe conditions as you move through the terrain to ensure they match the avalanche bulletin. Step into bigger terrain gradually if you confirm stable snowpack conditions. If you notice signs of instability— such as recent avalanches, whumpfing, shooting cracks, or hollow sounds—scale back your terrain choices. Additionally, low avalanche risk does not guarantee great ski conditions, so be prepared for variable snow quality.
Another important factor to consider is
the colder temperatures and how they can affect your safety. Even in mild winter weather, injuries or an avalanche incident can lead to cold-related issues like hypothermia or frostbite. These risks are even more significant in cold conditions. Minor incidents can quickly become life-threatening, so it’s important to plan ahead. Ensure you have additional warm clothing, extra layers, and the proper avalanche gear, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel. Always carry a fully charged communication device. Choose routes that allow for quick access back to the car if someone in your group gets too cold, and make sure you’re back to your vehicles before dark. A headlamp is also essential just in case you need it.
As always, check the latest information on avalanche.ca for the most up-to-date avalanche bulletins and conditions. Be cautious, stay informed, and enjoy your backcountry adventures safely. 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/ snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.
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from charging at the doors? They do this in Vancouver, and it really seems to help.
Marie Romero // Whistler
Canada/U.S. merger would be ‘awesome’ Canada as the 51st state? That would be awesome! Let’s just not call it that.
Let’s look at Europe. Still bloodied by the Second World War, European former enemies managed to come together in the late 1940s and put together treaties that led to the Treaties of Rome in 1957, the precursor of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Union (EU).
Minus the embarrassment of the U.K. leaving, the EU has done a great job in bringing together different nations under many common goals including economics, human rights, democratic values and environmental issues. Ever shopped for groceries in Europe? Wine is cheaper than bottled water. You can feed a family of four dinner for under EU €10. (CAD$14.90). Imagine Canada and the U.S. form a similar type of arrangement. It is the next step after NORAD, NATO, NAFTA and USMCA.
One trading block without cross-border tariffs would cut pricing of pretty much everything that crosses the 49th. The monopolies that run our dairy and eggs? The subsidies that American farmers get? Gone. Make it all fair across the board with consumers in mind. One currency would lead to more investment in both nations,
less transactional costs to businesses and a more stable economic system. One system of regulations and tax codes would arguably allow overall wages to go up.
Just like Europe, we would keep our national identity, governments, health-care and culture. Learning from Europe, maybe we don’t go full Schengen and maintain some sort of checks and balances into who crosses the border.
Thank you, Pemberton
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ryan Creek Farm for once again supporting the youth in our community through the annual orange fundraiser. For 25 years, this tradition has brought people together and provided invaluable support to our students, and this year was no exception.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our
“Your continued support has a profound impact on our students. These fundraisers not only help finance meaningful experiences, but also foster a strong sense of belonging within our community.”
- ALEXANDRA ALAIN-LEBLANC
A unified North American economic alliance would be the world’s largest economy, rivalling the EU and China in terms of market size, innovation capacity, and global influence. Pooling economic strengths would allow both countries to negotiate better trade deals and respond more effectively to global challenges.
The CanAm Union or just CanAm. Why not?
Patrick Smyth // Whistler
community, we were able to sell oranges in support of both the Pemberton Secondary School Grad Class of 2024-25 and the upcoming Peru trip in March 2025. This amazing opportunity will give students the chance to experience a different culture, broaden their horizons, and create lifelong memories.
We are truly grateful for the ongoing support from local families and everyone
who helped organize this fundraiser. Whether through purchasing oranges, spreading the word, or lending a hand behind the scenes, your contributions made this initiative possible.
Your continued support has a profound impact on our students. These fundraisers not only help finance meaningful experiences, but also foster a strong sense of belonging within our community.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s orange fundraiser a success. Your generosity helps create positive change in the lives of our youth.
With gratitude,
The PSS students and Ms. Alexandra Alain-Leblanc // Pemberton
Thanks to WB staff
I would like to extend my thanks to the Whistler Blackcomb staff at the Roundhouse, Village Gondola, and Village Guest Services. Recently, I accidentally left my bag at the top of the mountain, and they helped me retrieve it.
No fewer than eight staff members took extra time out of their day to make sure it was returned to me in one piece.
Thanks to their kindness and dedication, I didn’t lose several valuable items I had just received for Christmas. I am grateful for their actions.
Holden Wilson // Whistler n
Whistler ecologist issued cease-anddesist from Forest Professionals BC
RHONDA MILLIKIN, WHO HAS QUESTIONED WHISTLER’S WILDFIRE STRATEGY, NOT CERTIFIED TO DELIVER FORESTRY ADVICE, SAYS ORGANIZATION
BY BRANDON BARRETT
RHONDA MILLIKIN, an award-winning ecologist who has questioned Whistler’s approach to wildfire mitigation, was issued a cease-and-desist letter last month from Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC), which said she is not certified to offer forestry advice.
Millikin, a retired ecologist who formerly worked for Environment and Climate Change Canada, has long argued against fuel-thinning and other FireSmart practices, believing the approach isn’t effective in Whistler’s wet, coastal rainforest. She has instead advocated for rainwater catchments, sprinkler systems, and natural green fuel breaks, lobbying the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) on several occasions to rethink how it combats wildfire. Last summer, Millikin presented the findings of her self-funded, peer-reviewed research to Whistler’s mayor and council. Then, in November, she presented a petition signed by nearly 200 people calling on the municipality to carry out a pilot program testing her approach in two local neighbourhoods.
The FPBC said in its Dec. 14 letter that Millikin was unlawfully engaged in the reserved practice of professional forestry by providing advice and recommendations to the RMOW to limit or cease forest fuel-thinning efforts.
“On principle, we don’t have an issue with people, whether a member of the public or someone from a different profession, researching or holding opinions or even talking about those opinions,” explained Casey Macaulay, the FPBC’s registrar and director of act compliance, who authored the cease-and-desist letter. “Where it’s an issue is when they start to advocate for a particular practice, and in this case, where that practice is so out of sync with the current science and the current practice of protecting communities from wildfires.”
It isn’t the first such warning Millikin has received: the FPBC sent her a similar letter in August 2020. The recent cease-anddesist was issued following a complaint lodged with the FPBC, Macaulay said. The organization has also filed a formal complaint with B.C.’s College of Applied Biologists, to which Millikin belongs, concerned that her advocacy “may pose a risk or significant harm to the environment or to the health and safety of the public or a group of people.”
For her part, Millikin disagrees with the notion her work falls under the purview of professional forestry and remains confident in her research.
“I think that when we start talking about ecosystem resilience and health of the forests, that’s more ecology than forestry,” she said. “I have not sold myself as a professional forester. When we have results like this, I think it is important that we all be willing to talk about them, asking if we should be looking at alternatives. That’s really what I’m trying to get the RMOW engaged in with the treatment of our [Cheakamus] Community Forest. It’s
Crown land. It’s taxpayers’ land. Why not try what I’m suggesting?”
Forest ecologist Lori Daniels, UBC Koerner Chair of Wildfire Coexistence, who has conducted extensive research across B.C. and in Whistler on wildfire mitigation, picked apart certain aspects of Millikin’s research, but said when facing a risk as significant as wildfire, there shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Rhonda has some fantastic ideas. I think that they complement the kind of work that the community forest and the Resort Municipality of Whistler is doing,” said Daniels, who called Millikin a friend. “But I think that choosing one or the other, or indicating that the degree of impact from fuel treatment has such negative and severe consequences that they should not be done, is not supported by her research in the spring and summer of 2021, and I think it needs a more holistic kind of assessment.”
Daniels noted Millikin’s most recent study, which relied on several days of monitoring in the spring and summer of 2021, showed how, in the springtime, Whistler’s forest floor was drier in treated areas, but not enough to have “significant impacts” on a fire’s intensity or rate of spread. The study found no significant difference in moisture between treated and untreated understory in the peak summer fire season—“All of the surface fuels were very flammable,” Daniels said.
Even still, the UBC professor believes there is crossover between the two differing wildfire strategies, and is in favour of the pilot program Millikin has proposed for Whistler.
“I think that there’s more overlap in the treatments than you know, like the green fire breaks that she’s discussing—highly appropriate,” said Daniels, who explained that fuel-thinning in Whistler’s dense, secondgrowth forest creates the kind of leafy, green breaks Millikin is pushing for.
“I would love to see her pilot study conducted. There’s lots of room in the Whistler wildland-urban interface to try alternative ways of doing things, but she’ll have to do what I have done and what others have done, which is apply for the grants … in order to do the work she’s proposing.”
The RMOW, while applauding Millikin’s work, even handing her a 2021 Civic Service Award for her volunteer contributions to the Forest and Wildland Advisory Committee, has stopped short of implementing her recommended wildfire strategy, citing the differing science. In response to Millikin’s advocacy, the Cheakamus Community Forest board has collected fire weather data over the past three years to better understand the variability of conditions in treated and untreated forest, Daniels said.
For now, Millikin has sought legal representation in the wake of the FPBC’s cease-and-desist. She is hopeful to continue the conversation around wildfire mitigation she helped spark at the community level.
“I’m certainly not the be-all, end-all voice on this, but we need to collaborate, and we need to be open to new ideas and information,” she said.
Anyone interested in volunteering for a potential pilot project can contact Millikin at rmillikin@gmail.com. n
TALKING TREES Local ecologist Rhonda Millikin has for years been advocating for Whistler to rethink its approach to wildfire.
Could a valley gondola help solve Whistler’s transportation woes? The RMOW wants to find out
MUNICIPALITY
HAS EARMARKED $25K IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY INTO LONG-DISCUSSED PROJECT
BY BRANDON BARRETT
IN THIS YEAR’S municipal budget, there was a minor amendment added at the 11th hour that passed without fanfare: $25,000 for a study looking at the feasibility of a valley gondola in Whistler.
At first glance, it was a curious addition to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) $38.6-million project budget for 2025, seemingly coming out of nowhere. But, according to Mayor Jack Crompton, who introduced the amendment, it’s a concept that has been discussed locally for years, namely by former councillor and ski-industry executive Roger McCarthy, who died this month.
“A gondola in the valley has been mused about for a long time and it’s an exciting idea for all kinds of reasons,” said Crompton. “That said, there are significant obstacles to it being realized, including costs, right-of-ways, population densities and terminuses, among other things. Part of the goal of this study is to understand whether those obstacles are insurmountable and whether a gondola is an idea of continued focus and discussion.”
The RMOW is carrying out the feasibility study with a view towards improving transportation options in the community. While that may seem far-fetched, communities across the globe have introduced gondolas as a viable transit option.
“Gondolas are increasingly part of the transportation mix in communities around the world,” said Crompton. “Whistler understands and trusts gondolas and people have spoken about it for a while for those reasons.”
Cities from La Paz, Bolivia to Ankara, Turkey have adopted aerial transit systems for more than just tourism. In 2022, the City of Paris greenlit a $214-million electric gondola that, when completed, will connect the suburb of Créteil with the city’s metro system, ferrying up to 11,000 passengers a
day. One of the most famous examples of an urban gondola’s transformative effect is in Medellin, Colombia, where residents in hilly, outlying comunas were effectively choked off from the city’s urban core until its opening in 2004. Metrocable, as the system is known, has been credited with improving the economic conditions of residents in some of Medellin’s poorest neighbourhoods, and even reducing citywide violent crime rates.
Closer to home, the Burnaby Mountain Gondola has been proposed to connect Burnaby Mountain and nearby Simon Fraser University to TransLink’s SkyTrain network. Transporting as many as 3,000 people an hour, proponents say the project will significantly cut down on travel time and reduce vehicle emissions. Currently, there are roughly 25,000 transit trips to and from Burnaby Mountain every weekday.
Given Whistler is not on track to meet its climate action targets, and the fact passenger vehicles continue to make up the bulk of the community’s emissions, Crompton said it makes sense to explore the gondola option.
“This is part of a focus on various transportation alternatives. It’s our goal to ensure we are open to any alternative,” he said. “We need solutions. Transportation has fundamental impacts on our climate action. So whatever transportation solutions we come up with need to be important steps towards lowering our footprint.”
Along with reducing emissions, another appeal of urban gondolas is their ability to traverse difficult terrain. So, would a valley gondola in Whistler reach into the alpine? Would it need to involve Whistler Blackcomb? Crompton said it’s still too early to answer those, and other questions the project poses.
“The list of questions is endless,” he said. “Part of this is understanding whether answering those questions is worth our time.”
The RMOW is targeting the second half of 2025 to begin the study. n
DaveBeattie
WHISTLER
February 6-8 février
WhistlerSlidingCentre /4910GlacierLane,Whistler Centre dessportsdeglissedeWhistler/ 4910,alléeGlacier,Whistler
LINE ITEM One of the most famous examples of an urban gondola’s transformative effect is in Medellin, Colombia, where residents in hilly, outlying neighbourhoods were effectively choked off from the city’s urban core until its opening in 2004.
PHOTO BY EGT / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES
Federal Conservative candidate Keith Roy ready for the writ
KEITH ROY, CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE FOR WEST VANCOUVER–SUNSHINE COAST–SEA TO SKY COUNTRY, TALKS CAMPAIGN PLANS FOR LOOMING FEDERAL ELECTION
BY LIZ MCDONALD
NO MATTER WHERE he goes in the riding, Keith Roy, Conservative candidate for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country, is hearing a similar tune from constituents with a federal election looming this spring.
“Volunteers and I are knocking on doors and talking with people, from remote Pender Harbour to Pemberton, West Vancouver, every community across the riding, hearing what they’re looking for,” he said. “There’s an overwhelming desire for change.”
Roy, who won the Conservative nomination March 2, 2024, said voters are looking for a change in results from the federal government, whether it pertains to the rising cost of housing, food bank use, lack of clean drinking water on reserves, the carbon tax, the fall economic statement, or the crumbling Liberal party.
“Every metric by which you can measure our country is an abject failure. Housing costs have doubled. Whistler Community Services Society had its busiest food bank use day ever. That is an absolute tragedy. We see that across the country,” he said.
“I would like people to be open-minded when meeting with me so I can listen to them and hear what issues matter to them. I’d like them to be open-minded to a new Conservative government focused on four things: axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, stop the crime.”
CAMPAIGNING ON LESS GOVERNMENT
The Conservatives have been vocal that removing the carbon tax is the answer to easing the cost of living for Canadians, which Roy echoed, adding another need is reducing “red tape in government.”
“There is too much government and too much bureaucracy,” he said. “They didn’t hire
firefighters and nurses. The federal government has hired these people who’ve done nothing, and they could have redistributed to people to make their lives better.”
While Roy thinks cost of living is the most important issue for the riding, the uniting feature is traffic congestion.
When asked how regional transit could improve congestion on the Sea to Sky highway and what policies he’d champion, Roy said that would be left up to local governments.
“I don’t think that’s up to us to decide … the job for a local MP is to make that happen from a federal funding perspective. I don’t want a situation where we’re telling Whistler
what to do,” he said.
A hands-off approach is a theme for Roy and the Conservatives.
“This goes to our approach when we form government. We don’t believe Ottawa knows best,” he said. “This is particularly important for Indigenous groups. [Ottawa] cuts cheques and tells them what to do with the money. In three successful elections, they promised clean drinking water on reserves. They’re trying to do this from Ottawa.”
In 2015, soon-to-be-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to end boil water advisories on First Nations reserves by 2021. According to the
Government of Canada’s monitoring, 147 long-term drinking water advisories were lifted since November 2015, and 31 remained in effect as of Nov. 7, 2024.
Other issues Roy will campaign on include reducing gun crime, violent crime, and hate crime, which he said are increasing.
Statistics Canada’s reporting on firearms and violent crime in 2022, which was released in 2024, aligns with Roy’s statement on firearm-related violence. In 2022, police reported firearm violent crime increased by 1,400 incidents compared to 2021. The rate of violent firearm-related incidents increased by 8.9 per cent from 2021 to 2022, which is “the highest rate recorded since comparable data were first collected in 2009.”
HOUSING POLICY
Roy, a Whistler real estate agent, didn’t mince words about keeping the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
“The housing accelerator fund will not continue with a Conservative government,” he said.
The HAF provides funding for municipalities to streamline bylaw zoning to create medium-density and multi-family complexes, and Pemberton was allocated $2.7 million in March 2024. The village has used the money to create a housing strategy and housing needs report, with an estimated 271 homes needed by 2029.
Roy proposes a model where funding is attached to units built instead of a policy aimed at spurring development.
“The HAF is designed so that local governments get paid for checking boxes, not delivering results,” he said. “You can apply for a HAF, and if you meet the criteria, the money shows up. A lot of the homes don’t get built. Our government would give the money when the homes get built and the keys get handed over.”
Since the HAF was only recently
IN THE RUNNING Whistler resident Keith Roy is seeking the vote of West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country residents.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEITH ROY
This event has been generously sponsored by Whistler Blackcomb's Epic Promise
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Stl’atl’imx Tribal cop facing voyeurism charges plans to plead not guilty
TRIAL DATE FOR CST. MICHAEL ENGLISH, WHO ALLEGEDLY FILMED SEXUAL ACTS WITHOUT CONSENT, WILL BE SET NEXT MONTH
BY BRANDON BARRETT
A STL’ATL’IMX TRIBAL Police Service (STPS) officer facing multiple counts of voyeurism for allegedly filming sexual acts without his partners’ consent plans to enter a not-guilty plea, according to his legal counsel.
Cst. Michael English was formally charged in September with three counts of voyeurism in connection to offences alleged to have occurred while he was off-duty in Pemberton and Vancouver between 2020 and 2022. He was subsequently placed on administrative leave while the investigation was ongoing.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, English’s legal representation told a North Vancouver court the officer plans to enter a not-guilty plea, and has requested a trial in front of a provincial judge.
A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Feb. 13, after which a trial date will be set.
Counsel estimated the trial will take five days.
Because the alleged offences took place outside of STPS jurisdiction, the case was assigned to the Sea to Sky RCMP’s General Investigative Section, with additional oversight provided by senior investigators from the Lower Mainland District RCMP. The matter has also been referred to the Office of Police Complaints Commission, B.C.’s independent, civilian oversight agency.
KEITH ROY FROM PAGE 14
announced in spring 2024, it’s impossible to say with certainty whether the homes will or will not get built at this time.
Roy suggested a percentage scheme where cities would receive, for example, 15 per cent more infrastructure funding if they produced 15 per cent more housing units, with pledged money held in a trust and delivered once houses were built.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has also said he would halt the HAF and instead proposed removing the federal sales tax on homes sold for less than $1 million.
‘A LAME DUCK’ GOVERNMENT
With Trudeau announcing his resignation as Prime Minister on Jan. 6, Roy said it was too little, too late, and all Liberal Party lawmakers are culpable for the country’s direction. Trudeau’s popularity plummeted amongst voters in the last year, and his finance minister and deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, resigned in late December, further pushing calls from within and without his party for new blood.
The resignation comes against a backdrop of a potential trade war sparked by incoming U.S. president Donald Trump.
“The Liberals aren’t apologizing for what they’ve done. They’re getting rid of him because he’s an election liability… these are all the same people who’ve been there for
IN COURT Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Service Cst. Michael English.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police Service is the only self-administered First Nations Police Service in B.C., and operates in 10 participating St’at’imc communities. Officers are designated as provincial constables. n
the whole ride that gave us the results we’ve had,” Roy said. “Even those who’ve criticized him aren’t saying the Liberals are the wrong choice. They just want a new guy. Our country is a lame duck, with the threat of tariffs and a rudderless government. We didn’t need him to resign. We need an election.”
Roy noted the New Democratic Party could have toppled the government in the fall with a non-confidence vote and provided citizens with an opportunity to go to the polls. Alternatively, the Liberals could have called an election instead of having an internal leadership race and proroguing parliament.
He also criticized the riding’s current Liberal MP, Patrick Weiler, for supporting the fall economic statement and other Liberal policies he said have led to the current state of Canada, despite Weiler’s calls for Trudeau to resign.
“Patrick Weiler could have prevented this,” he said. “He voted in favour of every single piece of government legislation. He could have voted to bring down the government. He voted for the fall economic statement; he is just as guilty as the rest.”
The next federal election was expected to occur on or before Oct. 25, but Canadians will instead head to the polls in the next few months after the Liberal Party decides its new leader. The Liberals will then either call for an election themselves, or the NDP and Conservatives will call for a non-confidence vote. n
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‘We can’t abdicate this future to governments or tech bros,’ says AI expert KRIS KRÜG JOINS THE WHISTLER INSTITUTE’S GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES SPEAKER SERIES FOR AN EVENING OF DISCOURSE ON HUMAN CREATIVITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
BY LIZ MCDONALD
HOW CAN CREATIVE people understand artificial intelligence, upskill their talents and influence the trajectory of AI in B.C.?
These are some of the questions Kris Krüg, founder and CEO of Future Proof Creatives, aims to tackle Jan. 23 as the third guest for the Whistler Institute’s Global Perspectives Speaker Series.
Krüg is a creative technologist focusing on design, media, art and journalism. He has worked online since the late ’90s, seeing the blogging revolution of the mid-2000s, the launch of Flicker and YouTube, and an onslaught of social media changing how people work and communicate. Now, he’s on a mission to empower creative professionals with skills to stay relevant with the next big technological evolution: AI.
AI is already making its way into everyday life, with Google and Meta implementing their own AI programs into search bars worldwide. And while big players like ChatGPT are household names, Krüg said there are so many applications for machine learning.
“You can make a thousand different things with a hammer; you don’t know when
you first see a hammer how many ways it can be used. Some are obvious, others are found over time as we use it,” he said.
Whether it’s making realistic headshots in minutes or problematic deepfakes, there are ethical implications of creating content with generative AI. One of the biggest concerns for many people is the seismic shift in the value of human labour.
According to a 2024 Statistics Canada report, Exposure to artificial intelligence in Canadian jobs: Experimental estimates, the majority of Canadian workers are “highly exposed to job transformation related to artificial intelligence, but half of them could benefit from it.”
Government policies are evolving as lawmakers try to integrate the positive aspects of machine learning while reducing harm.
“The B.C. government is actively developing their AI policy, and this policy affects us all. If we want to be a part of it, we need to show up, learn the stuff and participate. That’s a positive perspective,” Krüg said. “There’s also this whole implication on our jobs and careers. A lot of people are trying to get out in front of it. I’m trying to help people who have jobs and careers develop skills in the long-term in case those jobs ... disappear.”
Through workshops and creating spaces for discussing everything AI, Krüg gives people the knowledge and vocabulary to participate in AI discourse.
“The people who can directly influence outcomes are those who have experience, have an opinion that’s grounded and deep and reflects the values of their communities,” he said. “We can’t abdicate this future to governments or tech bros. We can actively
shoulder our responsibility.”
One potential positive future Krüg envisions comes from a techno-optimist school of thought. In a world where robots take almost everyone’s job, the value of labour drops to zero. This has implications for governments and workforces.
“So, what are we all going to do? Not just for meaning and fulfilment but also for money?” he said. “Governments work on tax money. A lot of government income comes from income taxes. They can make corporate tax money, but they should tax AI infrastructure because these companies will generate a lot of wealth.”
While universal basic income is one idea that could come to fruition with human labour devaluation, there’s another potential outcome.
“If AI drives the cost of human labour to near zero, it follows the cost of goods, which is high because of human labour, that should drop, too,” Krüg said. “How far up the efficiency chain can we go? Why do you need $10,000 a month if you already have a home? These are the conversations taking place.”
To learn more about the implications of AI on creativity, get a ticket to his talk Jan. 23 at the Maury Young Arts Centre. Doors open at 5:30. n
TECH CRUNCH Kris Krüg is a creative technologist focusing on design, media, art and journalism.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KRIS KRÜG
Whistler’s third annual Nightwalk for Hope just weeks away
THE WHISTLER COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY FUNDRAISER AIMS TO RAISE $50,000 FOR OUTREACH SERVICES
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHETHER IT’S TAKING the first step and reaching out for mental-health support, or continuing to walk on a lifelong journey, having open conversations and taking steps alongside supportive community can help individuals feel supported improving their mental health.
To recognize the journey, Nightwalk for Hope aims to create space to destigmatize mental-health support. On Jan. 30, the Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) will host a five-kilometre walk, starting at Spruce Grove Park and winding through the Valley Trail and Whistler Village. Funds raised from the event support outreach services.
WCSS executive director, Jackie Dickinson, said the organization’s goal is to raise $50,000. With more than 10,000 interactions between support workers and community members, the primary reasons for accessing WCSS services last year were mental health and financial security concerns, two issues which intersect.
In its third year, Dickinson said walking in January was a choice that is reflective of difficulties people face in winter months.
“We’re hearing from a lot of people in January from an outreach perspective, that they were struggling with their mental health. And so, we really wanted to bring people together at a time where we know it’s difficult to also ask for help,” she said.
The interactive event’s goal is to help people tell their own stories, while also serving as a vehicle to tell the story and work of WCSS.
“We wanted to do a fundraiser that as people joined us on that night, it was clear what the story of the work we do is, and also allows people to talk about the impact mental health has on them,” Dickinson said.
Work for the fundraiser and event was spearheaded by Dave Clark, Jen Hashimoto, Imogen Osborne and Cara Burrow.
Each kilometre highlights an issue related to mental health and people are encouraged to discuss their own stories as they walk together
in the cold. The walk is open to everyone, be they parents with strollers, fur babies or wheelchair users.
While walking five km at night may not seem like an ideal way to spend an evening, discomfort is intended.
“It’s not supposed to be comfortable. It is a night that is dark, potentially quite cold and rainy, but we recognize that people go through all kinds of different experiences and times in their life that aren’t always comfortable when it comes to their mental health,” Dickinson said.
“Our goal is to bring together people at times where people are mostly struggling, 8 to 10 p.m. at night, when the world potentially goes quiet for most. We want to create a sense of hope and bring a lot of light to that period of the evening.”
Walkers should wear weather-appropriate clothes and aren’t required to commit to the whole five km.
Diana Chan, owner of Moguls Coffee House and board member for WCSS, has been the presenting partner of the walk since it started three years ago.
“As a small business owner, I wanted to find ways to support our team,” Chan said.
“We have different employee needs, and during the pandemic, people felt the impact of reduced social connection. Coming out of the pandemic, when we had discussions with WCSS, community awareness of mental health seemed to slip away a bit.”
Aside from supporting people going through mental-health challenges, a secondary goal for Chan was crossing the divide between those who have stable, livable income and housing, which can provide the stability necessary for positive mental-health outcomes, and those in Whistler who don’t.
“A lot of community events centre around activities, but this is one where you experience the cold that those with housing insecurity feel,” she said. “You’re out in the dark, which is figurative. It’s a different way to connect in the community. I’ve found great connections with new people that I might not have an opportunity to meet.”
Find more info or make a donation at mywcss.org. n
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NIGHT OWLS Attendees from last year’s Nightwalk for Hope, which raised more than $40,000 for WCSS.
PHOTO BY LOGAN SWAYZE
‘It came to me like a life saver:’ The Whistler program creating community for dementia patients, caregivers
MAC’S MAKING CONNECTIONS PROGRAM SHOWS DEMENTIA DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A LONELY PATH
BY BRANDON BARRETT
LIVING WITH DEMENTIA, it wasn’t unusual for Carol Bayliss to stay in bed past noon. Wednesdays, however, proved the weekly exception, when she and her husband Glenn would head off to a local program for dementia patients and their caregivers.
“On those days, she would be up and ready to go by 9:30 a.m., asking when we were leaving,” he said. “It was something to look forward to.”
Carol wasn’t alone in her excitement: for the dozens of dementia patients and their loved ones who have taken part in the Whistler Mature Action Community’s (MAC) Making Connections program over the past two years, it has offered a vital sense of community in the face of a debilitating, isolating disease.
“The one thing that happens when somebody has this type of disease is suddenly all your friends disappear. You’re no longer part of the ski group, or part of the group that goes out for dinner,” said Bayliss. “Social life basically comes to a halt.”
Billed as a “dementia-friendly social club,” Making Connections was started in October 2022 by MAC board member Charalyn Kriz, who modelled the program off a similar one offered by the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C. Each session starts with 45 minutes of gentle fitness, followed by games, music and other brain-stimulating activities, before attendees socialize over lunch.
Open to people with varying degrees of cognitive decline, provided they are not disruptive or violent, Kriz said the program is aimed at improving mental and physical health, as well as enabling dementia patients to remain in their homes longer before needing to seek advanced care.
“The participants, their physical and even mental health improves in the program,” she noted, adding some of the participants enjoy the sessions so much, they attend a similar program in Pemberton every week as well. “Balance, health, mobility, strength, all those physical things improved, but also their
CONNECTING THREADS Whistler’s Making Connections program provides those living with dementia and their caregivers a weekly outlet for fun, socializing and fitness.
PHOTO BY CONNOR
cognition improves through the activities we’re doing.”
The program has also proven invaluable to the caregivers who have seen their own
“He was a brilliant surgeon and to watch him decline and cope with that was hard. It was very awkward in some social situations. To be around people who understood exactly
“To be around people who understood exactly what I was going through was a breath of fresh air.”
- PRU MOORE
social circles shrink in the wake of a loved one’s diagnosis.
“It’s such an isolating experience to be at home with someone who was once a bright, active partner,” said Pru Moore, who attended the sessions with her husband of 47 years, Andrew, until his death last year.
what I was going through was a breath of fresh air.
“It came to me like a life saver.”
Bayliss said he and his fellow caregivers eventually became “like a huge family.” The program not only provided a rare chance to socialize, but also a welcome respite from
their usual duties, with volunteers helping facilitate the exercise and activities. The close bonds extended beyond the weekly sessions, too.
“We looked after each other’s spouses or partners. We would help out, giving rides and doing phone calls and wellness checks,” Bayliss added. “It was a community, and they were very supportive.”
Despite the numerous benefits the program offers, Kriz said MAC struggles to attract new participants, counting about 15 regular attendees currently, partly because of the stigma that still surrounds dementia.
“When you look around the community, we all know someone with dementia,” she said. “They say they’re not ready yet, and they also don’t understand how much fun the program is.”
Held Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m to 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, Kriz is concerned Making Connections may have to find a new venue come next year, when the church’s new multimillion-dollar building is expected for completion. She has struggled to find a suitable alternative that would be affordable and accessible to program participants.
“This is one of the challenges in Whistler, in this five-star resort: everything is so expensive, like rental space and even catering,” said Kriz. “Any other community would have spaces to use: legion halls and community centres and all that, but everything up here is so expensive.”
As for Bayliss, he said he was planning to drop his wife Carol off at hospital the day after speaking with Pique, as her condition had deteriorated to the point he could no longer care for her.
“The fact that I’m dropping her off tomorrow hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said. “Losing those people, the friends we made in the program, I made a special point in going to the last sessions here in Whistler and the one in Pemberton and thanking everybody.”
MAC has decided to waive its normal $5 attendance fee for 2025, although registration is required. To learn more, and to register, visit whistlermac.org/making-connections. n
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Naturespeak: Grizzly bears in the Sea to Sky—coexisting through awareness and action
BY ERICA VAN LOON
AS WE STEP INTO the new year, I find myself already thinking about spring and the bears emerging from hibernation. In the Sea to Sky region, including Whistler and Pemberton, grizzly bears are an important part of our shared landscape. Their presence—especially in spring—is both natural and beneficial for healthy ecosystems.
Grizzly bears emerge from hibernation with one goal: replenishing their energy reserves. They seek natural food sources like skunk cabbage and fresh vegetation in valley bottoms as snow recedes. Unfortunately, if human food sources such as garbage, birdseed, and pet food are accessible, bears will exploit them instead. Human foods are much higher in calories than emerging vegetation, making them tempting but dangerous, as bears risk habituation to humans and their structures— often leading to conflicts, and ultimately, the removal of the bear.
A SAFE PASSAGE, NOT AN ECOLOGICAL TRAP
In the past few springs, both Whistler and areas of Pemberton have consistently seen grizzlies moving through residential neighbourhoods. While these sightings may cause concern, this behaviour is normal. Bears follow historic, natural travel corridors into valley bottoms to access snow-free habitats and critical food sources. With dens still snow-covered, valley bottoms provide the greenery bears need to survive.
To ensure grizzlies can move safely through these landscapes without becoming caught in an “ecological trap” created by human attractants, proactive measures, like securing your garbage, are crucial. Management of human-provided attractants is key to coexistence. A bear that becomes conditioned to feeding on human foods/ garbage may associate humans with food, increasing conflict risk. Creating safe wildlife corridors allows bears to move naturally, reduces conflicts, and supports genetic diversity in fragmented populations.
Connectivity like this is especially vital for critically endangered populations like the Stein-Nahatlatch grizzlies.
THE THREE RS OF COEXISTENCE: REMOVE, RESTRICT, RESPECT
As someone who lives in bear country, I’m excited about the Three Rs of Coexistence—a new slogan created by the Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative (C2C). It reminds me of the Rs for recycling, but these are designed to help us coexist with wildlife:
• Remove food sources like garbage, birdseed, or pet food that could attract bears;
• Restrict access to attractants using tools like electric fencing;
• Respect wildlife by giving them space and reducing human disturbance.
For me, this means ensuring my garbage is secured, clearing food scents from vehicles, and emptying bird feeders before spring. By adopting the 3R model, we can create safe passages for bears while safeguarding our communities and resources.
A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
Grizzlies are returning to historic habitats in the Sea to Sky region—an encouraging sign for conservation. However, with this recovery comes the responsibility to adapt our behaviour. Human attractants are a human problem, and their management is critical to coexistence. This responsibility applies not just to grizzly bears but also to black bears.
As bears emerge this spring, let’s commit to fostering coexistence across Whistler, Pemberton, and beyond. By securing attractants, respecting wildlife, and supporting safe bear movement, we can support this threatened species while preserving the natural balance of our shared ecosystem. Let’s make the Sea to Sky area a leader in coexistence by adopting the 3R principles and minimizing human-wildlife conflict.
What steps will you take to become a better bear steward in 2025?
Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists.ca. n
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2006, THE NATION WILL UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE OF ITS LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
LIL’WAT LANDS and Resources is set to undertake a top-to-bottom update on its land-use plan—and it’s looking for help from Nation members.
Since its passage in 2006, the Lil’wat Land Use Plan (LLUP) has provided a high-level vision for the Nation’s traditional territory that respects and recognizes Lil’wat principles. The policy addresses water security, fishing grounds, wildlife protection (for food and culture), diversity of vegetation and heritage preservation.
“We are working on creating a holistic approach to healing our territory while also moving our nation forward in the modern world,” said Lil’wat Lands and Resources director Casey Dick-Wyatt and LLUP project coordinator Hayden Triggs in a joint statement to Pique
“A lot has changed since Phase 1 of the LLUP was adopted and the time has come to update the existing LLUP to address the changing environment, [be it] socially, politically or ecologically.”
SCOPE OF THE UPDATE
The forestry section of the LLUP was updated in 2024 with funding from the province to address old-growth forest management.
The addendum was spurred by a shift in management over Lil’wat forests; Lil’wat Forestry now oversees a majority (76 per cent) of forested space in the traditional territory, as opposed to, previously, “large, external corporations that provided little benefits to the Lil’wat community.”
Now, Lil’wat Lands and Resources is looking for a more comprehensive update.
“We will be going through the entire LLUP,” said Dick-Wyatt and Triggs. “Some sections may need more updating than others, but we plan on creating more detailed watershed mapping and integrating that into our referral process to increase efficiency in our processes.
“We are also going to incorporate more of our traditional stories into the update, as the land is our culture.”
A key part of the update involves addressing a changing climate and the results of centuries of colonial land management forcibly imposed on the Nation.
“Climate change and colonial land management strategies have created an urgent situation of worsening natural disasters and unpredictable weather,” said Dick-Wyatt and Triggs. “It has also fragmented our natural territory into a patchwork of natural places and overdeveloped and degraded environments.”
JURISDICTION AND THE LLUP
“The plan provides management direction to sustain the plants, animals, and waters of this land, and the health of the Lil’wat people, who rely on the resources that our Traditional Territory offers,” reads the original text.
It recognizes the Lil’wat right to their tribal territory, offers an ideal vision for the future of that territory and lays out key guardrails of collaboration between the Lil’wat and others who use and seek to use the land.
The extent of the original plan’s jurisdiction is unclear, because “the traditional territory of the Lil’wat Nation extends beyond the boundaries” of the plan.
In 2006, at the time of the LLUP’s original passage, the plan’s analysis, policies and land-use designations applied with the boundaries of a 797,131-hectare space laid out by a 2003 map. The new plan will reflect potential shifts in boundaries as the true extent of the Lil’wat’s territory continues to be studied.
“We are continuing to work with neighbouring Nations as we all develop formal land use plans,” noted Dick-Wyatt and Triggs. “So yes, some boundaries may change or become more defined.”
To that end, the director is hopeful about the Nation’s legal footing in establishing jurisdiction over those grounds, citing the establishment of a handful of recent legal precedents. Those cases include:
-Yahey v. British Columbia and the Supreme Court of Canada (2021), which found industrial development infringed upon the Blueberry River First Nation’s Treaty 8 rights;
-Ehattesaht First Nation v. British Columbia (2023), which challenged B.C.’s system of granting mineral tenures without prior consultation with First Nations; -Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia (2014), which established that the province cannot unilaterally claim a right to engage in clearcut logging on lands protected by Aboriginal title without meaningful
consultation;
-The passage of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Person and the B.C. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
ACTIONS UNDER PHASE 1
The Nation pointed out that just because the LLUP plan is in need of an update, doesn’t mean Phase 1 of the plan wasn’t a success. As a result of the plan, approximately 60 per cent of the territory’s forested land base is protected from harvesting and cultural and archaeological sites are being protected.
The Land Use Plan also spun off into the 2019 Visitor Use Management Action Plan and 2021 Visitor Use Management Strategy (VUMS), which manage visitors to provincial parks and rec sites within the traditional territory.
“Líl’wat Nation territory faces increasing pressures from recreational uses throughout the territory and the update will help guide our decision-making for what Líl’wat feels is a manageable and reasonable amount of activity to occur and in what areas of our territory,” said Dick-Wyatt and Triggs.
Their statement cited the closures of Joffre Lakes in 2023 as being made possible by the VUMS, and, by extension, the LLUP.
The Lil’wat Lands and Resources Department has put out a call for citizens to commit to being on the project steering committee. Interested members of the Nation are asked to submit a letter or email of interest to roxanne.joe@lilwat.ca by Jan. 20. More information on the criteria for committee members can be found on the Nation’s Facebook page. n
Brazilian jiu-jitsu returns to Pemberton
Valley with dedicated gym
COACH KENGO HATANAKA HAS STEPPED IN TO FILL THE VOID LEFT BY
MOUNTAIN JIU-JITSU
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
KENGO HATANAKA is living his dream.
The Pemberton resident has been running Tempest JiuJitsu—the valley’s first-ever standalone Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) gym—since September. Now, he’s back after a winter break with an expanded schedule at his young and growing gym.
Hatanaka started doing BJJ in 2016 under Marco and Joanna Viera, instructors at Mountain Jiu-Jitsu in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton. He was just looking for a new hobby for when he wasn’t snowboarding, when he fell in love with the ground-grappling sport.
“I love the problem-solving aspect of it,” said Hatanaka. “Every time I roll with someone new, they give me a different problem. Every time I find something I have to solve to [find] a way to submit the guy.”
The Vieras trained students in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton, out of Pemberton’s community centre. But since they had to split their time between three locations, classes were only run a couple times a week. That wasn’t enough for Hatanaka.
“We were training only two days a week or three days a week,” he said. “So I always wanted to do the five days a week ... to have more options for the people.”
Hatanaka saw the opportunity to expand the valley’s training times when the Vieras stepped away from coaching for personal reasons. Over the last two years, the coaches gradually stopped showing up to the Pemberton classes.
“The Pemberton group was fading away,” remembered Hatanaka. “People were starting to leave.”
So, Hatanaka decided to pursue BJJ as
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a full-time job, opening Tempest JiuJitsu in Mount Currie. Old students from Mountain JJ found a new home, and new students started to sign up. Now, Hatanaka counts 40 students at Tempest.
Hatanaka has enjoyed the transition from student to teacher.
“It improves my understanding of everything I teach as well,” he said. “So that’s helping me. I love it.”
With kids, he approaches teaching with a different style. Instead of sitting students down and talking through a technique at length, he’ll have them play.
“I want kids to be more engaged in jiujitsu,” said Hatanaka. “So we approach this one through a task-based game system.
“I’ll give you a job to accomplish. Like, to just hold your opponent down on the mat. That’s your only job. Then the bottom player, your job is just get back on feet. Simple and fun.”
He sees martial arts as being ascendant in the Sea to Sky. In addition to Pemberton’s first dedicated martial arts space, Squamish has Roundhouse and Mountain Jiu-Jitsu, and Whistler hosts a chartered BC Boxing club and another Mountain JJ outlet.
“If you want to get into martial arts, this is the time,” said Hatanaka. “Just come and train and feel it.”
He doesn’t sugar-coat the martial arts journey. Training and competition can be tough. But the community is behind you in recognition that everyone who comes through Tempest JJ’s door is looking to improve.
“Sometimes you get beat up, sometimes you lose and it’s gonna be hard for you,” said the coach. “But it’s all about the process. It’s all necessary for you to become better, and we’re here to help.”
For more information, visit tempestjiujitsu.com. n
FIGHTING SPIRIT Kengo Hatanaka (centre-left) at Tempest JiuJitsu in Mount Currie. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEMPEST JIUJITSU
Pulling up the gauntlet
THIS SEASON marks my fourth as a bonafide snowmobiler. In March of 2022 I addressed my motivations for entering this loud, expensive but incredibly fun sport. At the top of the list was the ever-increasing crowding at skitouring trailheads and backcountry access zones. The Spearhead access via Blackcomb Glacier has been busy for years, but now the recessed glacier has made it a double-blackstyle entrance, forming quite the bottleneck on a sunny Saturday.
BY VINCE SHULEY
The Sea to Sky winter trailhead—and ski-touring in general—looks very different from where it was even 10 years ago, and solitude is increasingly hard to find. Sledding can have busy parking lots, too, but once you reach the alpine, it’s quite easy for you and your friends to simply point your sleds in another direction and go find your own place to play in.
The second big reason for me defecting to the two-stroke club was exploration. After 15 years of ski-touring in the Sea to Sky, I had set foot in most of the accessible mountain ranges. When I finally made it to the Pemberton Icecap last season, I understood where sleds can really take you.
Peaks and glaciers as far as the eye can see, only limited by how many hours of daylight you have and how much extra octane 91 you packed in. Then you have all the other logging road access points sprinkled up and down the corridor, each with its own unique character of terrain for skiing and sledding. Since moving to motorized access, I’m seeing mountains I never knew existed.
The third reason is linked to the first reason; I have a full-time job now that requires me to work Monday to Friday. I do miss my quiet, mid-week pow days on the hill as much as anyone would and I envy those who can structure their backcountry skiing around the week’s weather patterns. But you know what I don’t miss? Being too
Like a lot of sports, not everyone becomes a lifelong participant of snowmobiling. Some folks may not gel with the culture, they may get sick of the noise two-stroke motors make or just get frustrated with how difficult it can be to learn to ride in powder. Plenty of sledcurious folks throw the towel in after a couple of years and go back to ski-touring or lapping the resort.
My first two years of sledding I was super picky about what days I would go out. Conditions had to have good visibility with snow that wasn’t too deep, lest I spend all my time digging and deadlifting my machine out of holes (sleds are great at digging their own graves). While I had some great days cruising on sunny glaciers and learning to
Sledding can have busy parking lots, too, but once you reach the alpine, it’s quite easy for you and your friends to simply point your sleds in another direction and go find your own place to play in.
broke to afford and maintain a sled and a truck. Unless snowmobiling is the only thing you spend your money on, you’re going to need a steady income to fund this rather costly hobby.
All valid reasons to invest the time, money and effort into a 165-horsepower backcountry access tool. But the hardest thing about sledding wasn’t the expense or all the logistical hassle, it was staying motivated when my days of sledding got tough.
carve my machine, I wasn’t learning the real sledding—entering deep snow, getting stuck and problem-solving how to get unstuck with the least amount of manual labour. Since I started braving the real pow days on my sled, I’ve learned from my friends how to leverage the power of my machine to get myself out, how to sidehill to more safely access better terrain and how to turn this 345-centimetrelong behemoth around in very little space and avoid the disaster of it rolling into a creek
or ravine.
The culmination of this hard-earned experience paid off on a day in the Brandywine zone back in early December. Early conditions were shaping up well, but the groomed access to the alpine via Chocolate Bowl was still a good month away. Sledders wanting to access the alpine in this zone have two options: brave the complex climb up an ungroomed Chocolate Bowl, passing through an exposed area known as Avalanche Alley, or climb up the Gauntlet from Brandywine Meadows, a steep and committing climb with rock hazards.
I had my anxieties about tackling the gauntlet. Did I possess both the skill and moxie to make it up? Getting stuck near the top or losing momentum on the steepest section can mean a complicated retrieval, or worse, your sled rolling back down the gauntlet and causing costly damage along the way.
“Keep your weight all the way forward, like you’re humping the bars,” advised my friend Andy before I saw him demonstrate the climb. “And do not stop giving it gas.”
Cresting over the final pitch of the gauntlet to relative safety, my friend and another group of sledders looking on and pumping their fists in encouragement was a watershed moment in my snowmobile journey. I worked at the skill. I put in the time. And most of all, I turned towards the fear and pinned it.
There’s no feeling in the mountains quite like it.
Vince Shuley is readying his sled for tomorrow’s adventure. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince. shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO Snowmobiles open up a whole new chapter of backcountry exploration.
PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY
Car culture is driving us to disaster
THE CLIMATE CRISIS is too big to be remedied by individual actions alone. It requires government policies and regulations and international cooperation in everything from research to global agreements. One critical area where individual acts (including public advocacy) combined with government policy can make a big difference is transportation.
Car culture has fuelled the climate crisis from the beginning. In the early days, large cars weren’t built just for luxury and big families; they were built to burn as much energy-dense oil as possible, fuelling a massively profitable, mutually beneficial alliance between Big Oil
“accounting for one-third of the total growth in oil demand.”
SUVs are also less safe than smaller cars. Pedestrians, cyclists and people in smaller cars, especially, are far more likely to be injured or killed when struck by or in a collision with the heavier vehicle.
It’s clear that individual choices in transportation—resisting the onslaught of consumerist propaganda—can help in the necessary transition to less-polluting, more climate-friendly ways of living. Getting away from unnecessary SUVs and light-duty trucks is a start. But simply buying smaller cars, or hybrid or electric vehicles, won’t solve the problem. That’s where governments come in.
- Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrictElectoral Area DZoningBylaw No.1350-2016, AmendmentBylawNo.1887-2025
PURPOSEOFTHE
SUBJECT BYLAW:
The LocalGovernmentAct wasamendedon December7,2023,torequirelocal governmentstoupdatetheirzoningbylaws toallowsecondarysuitesoraccessory dwellingunits(ADUs)inallsingle-familyzonesand whereapplicable,permit a minimumof3-6unitsofsmall-scale, multi-unithousing(SSMUH)inzonesotherwise restrictedtosingle-familydwellingsorduplexes.Zonesrestrictedtosingle-family dwellingsorduplexesasof December7,2023,arereferredtoas RestrictedZones inthelegislation
BY DAVID SUZUKI
and the auto industry. An entire way of life was built around it, in the United States and Canada especially—with motels, drive-ins,
Now, despite advances in electric and hybrid vehicles, tailpipe standards, better transit in some areas and more, emissions continue to rise, thanks largely to a boom in light truck and SUV sales. To keep the oil economy going, relentless advertising portrays trucks and SUVs as offering freedom, adventure and safety.
According to a recent David Suzuki Foundation report, light-duty trucks (including SUVs and minivans) are one of the fastest-growing sources of emissions in Canada’s transport sector. Although emissions from cars went down by 47 per cent from 1990 to 2022, light-duty truck emissions rose by 112 per cent. As of 2020, about 62 per cent of the light-duty vehicles on Canada’s roads were trucks, compared to 27 per cent in 1990.
If we’re to move away from the absurd notion that every person needs a tonne or two of metal, plastic, fabric, electronics and other materials to move around—worse when it’s inefficiently burning fossil fuels—we need efficient, alternative ways to move.
Public transit is critical, along with good infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and people with mobility challenges. As we move toward these solutions, even those who need to drive, including emergency vehicle and taxi operators, will spend less time in gridlocked traffic, breathing less pollution. And considering the costs of a car and its depreciation, maintenance, insurance, parking, fuel and more, not having one can save a lot of money! Reducing car dependency also makes communities much safer.
Growing technology may also help. Autonomous or self-driving vehicles could make more efficient use of cars for modes like taxi and ride-share services. And better urban planning can create more walkable communities, connected with good public transit.
There’s a real danger that some of the progress made on things like vehicle-emissions standards, alternative
There’s a real danger that some of the progress made ... could be overturned by electoral outcomes.
The report found vehicle upsizing has wiped out 39 per cent of fuel-consumption reductions Canada would have seen from increased zero-emissions vehicle sales and fuel economy improvements.
As the study points out, the trend is global: “the proportion of SUVs has grown from 22 per cent of light-duty vehicle sales in 2005 to over 50 per cent in 2022.” The average weight of vehicles has also increased. Between 2010 and 2022, SUVs represented the second-fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions globally, after the power sector—higher than heavy industry, heavy-duty trucks and aviation.
According to the International Energy Agency, global SUV oil consumption rose by 500,000 barrels a day from 2021 to 2022,
transportation infrastructure, public transit, congestion pricing and electric vehicle quotas could be overturned by electoral outcomes.
At the very least, we can all resist the corporate-consumerist push by Big Oil and Auto to keep us boxed into inefficient machines choking on fumes from gasguzzling SUVs and trucks while we sit in gridlocked traffic. What’s really needed, though, is to replace wasteful car culture altogether with the many safer, healthier, more cost-effective alternatives.
David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington. Learn more at davidsuzuki.org. n
planning@slrd.bc.ca Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrict Planning Department POBox219,Pemberton, BCV0N2L0
videoconference, telephone,and inperson.
Winter woes
How heat storage technologies could keep Canada’s roads and bridges ice-free all winter long
By Mohammadamin Ahmadfard and Seth Dworkin // The Conversation
For decades, Canadian cities and towns have combated ice and snow with salt and plows. This approach, however, comes at a steep cost. Traditional techniques damage roads, harm the environment and are not always effective at protecting road users from winter’s hazards. An innovative technology known as Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES) could be an effective solution to Canada’s winter woes.
The technology behind BTES systems is elegantly simple.
Initially designed for building heating and cooling, a BTES system captures solar heat during the summer months and stores it underground. Then, when winter arrives, the stored heat is transferred through pipes beneath the road surface, warming the pavement and preventing ice formation—in essence, a solar-powered, underfloor heating system.
BTES systems can be applied to a diverse range of uses, from heating to strengthening foundations and even helping keep permafrost cool and stable in the Canadian north as the planet heats up.
This technology has already shown promising results in countries such as Sweden and Belgium, where it has been successfully applied to roads, bicycle paths and other infrastructure to enhance safety during winter. BTES techniques could help transform winter life in Canada and should be taken seriously.
Using the sun to warm Canada’s roads
Driving along a typical Canadian highway on a winter’s morning can be dangerous business. As drivers hustle and jostle for position, unseen patches of black ice coat an incline, making it treacherous. A single slip could trigger a chain reaction of accidents, with cars skidding out of control, one after another.
Now imagine if that stretch of road were equipped with BTES systems. Hidden beneath the asphalt, a network of pipes would work to keep the pavement warm and dry, preventing ice from forming. The risk of accidents would drop dramatically, making those steep sections of road safer for everyone.
Bridges, which are especially vulnerable to freezing because they’re exposed to cold air on all sides, stand to benefit greatly from this technology. BTES systems connecting pipes beneath the bridge surface keep them ice-free and safe without salt. For cities, this is a win-win, improving safety and protecting bridges from salt and chemical damage.
BTES systems are not entirely passive; they require active input for efficient operation. Key components such as heat pumps, circulation pumps and control mechanisms need electrical energy to function. These systems facilitate the transfer of stored heat from the boreholes to the road surface.
Maintenance is also crucial, involving regular checks and servicing of the heat pumps and circulation systems, inspection of piping and insulation for leaks, and updates to control systems to ensure they efficiently manage heat distribution and maintain functionality over time.
A long-term solution
Each year, tons of salt are spread across Canada’s roads to melt ice. While mostly effective at minimizing hazards, these salts also cause long-lasting problems. Road salts can seep into groundwater, harming rivers and lakes. At the same time, these salts also corrode bridges, roads and even our cars, leading to costly repairs.
BOREHOLE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
With BTES systems, municipalities could reduce or even eliminate the need for salt. This development would mean lower cleanup costs, less environmental damage, and longer-lasting roads and bridges.
While installing BTES systems has higher upfront costs, and can require more invasive construction work, experts believe that it can pay off over time by cutting back on maintenance and repair expenses. To get a comparison, for a BTES system capable of 50 to 60 tons, the upfront cost is approximately $1.8 million with a payback period of around 10.7 years, owing to significant reductions in maintenance and energy consumption.
In contrast, cities like Vancouver spend around $280,000 annually on road salt (a figure recorded in 1998), with Canada as a whole spending about $350 million annually. Additionally, the broader economic and environmental damages can escalate to approximately $4.8 billion per year, underscoring the financial and ecological impacts of road salt use.
Fewer repairs mean fewer costs down the line, making BTES systems a wise investment for cities looking for sustainable solutions. Plus, with the right support from government subsidies and tax breaks, more municipalities could be encouraged to adopt this technology where it is most needed.
WATER/ANTIFREEZE, HEAT TRANSFER FLUID
Beyond roads and bridges, BTES systems are also being adapted for various innovative uses. For example, in Sweden, BTES is employed under soccer fields to keep them warm and playable throughout winter while the Greater Binghamton Airport in New York uses a BTES-based system to keep runways free of ice without relying on harmful chemicals or constant plowing. This not only reduces delays but also enhances safety during winter operations.
Universities, too, are embracing geothermal energy: institutions like Ontario Tech University, the University of Calgary and Ball State University in the United States have implemented large-scale geothermal systems to cut emissions, reduce energy costs and promote sustainability.
This technology is mature and ready to be used.
A better option
Canada’s cold winters and heavy snowfall make it ideal for BTES systems. Cities like Montréal, Toronto and Calgary, where icy roads pose serious risks, could see safer commutes, fewer accidents and a more reliable way to navigate winters toughest challenges. Canada has the potential to lead the way by adopting BTES systems on its most treacherous roads, steep inclines and vulnerable bridges.
While bringing BTES systems to Canada comes with challenges—such as higher initial costs and a need for favourable ground conditions—these barriers can be managed with the right support. If properly implemented BTES systems could ensure safer roads year-round at a much lower environmental and financial cost.
Mohammadamin Ahmadfard is a postdoctoral fellow in mechanical and industrial engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. His work is supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grant funds for his postdoctoral research.
Seth Dworkin is a professor and Canada Research Chair in mechanical and industrial engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. He receives funding from NSERC, Mitacs Inc., and Canada Research Chairs. This article was originally published in The Conversation on Jan. 8. Find it at theconversation.com/ how-heat-storage-technologies-could-keep-canadasroads-and-bridges-ice-free-all-winter-long-245419. n
PIPE SPACER
TREMIE PIPE
REMOVED AS GROUT IS INJECTED
PROBE FOOT
GROUT
Whistler figure skater Nina Laferriere looks back on a successful year
THE 14-YEAR-OLD TOOK HOME EIGHT MEDALS IN 2024
BY DAVID SONG
NINA LAFERRIERE had quite a season in 2024.
The Pembertonian collected eight medals at various regional figure skating competitions last year. Four of them were gold, including a breakthrough at Surrey’s Jingle Blades contest from Nov. 21 to 24. One silver and three bronzes round out Laferriere’s haul.
She’s fairly pleased with those results, but not content.
“Sometimes I’m not the happiest with some of my performances, but I would still get good scores,” remarked the 14-year-old. “I think I still could do better, but it’s pretty good.”
As a member of the Whistler Skating Club (WSC), Nina began skating at five years of age. Her current routine places her on ice five days a week (twice at 6 a.m. before school), which means she rises around 5 a.m. on those days to make the drive from Pemberton to Whistler’s Meadow Park Sports Centre. In addition to that, she goes through 25 minutes of stretching each and every day.
According to her mom, Mika, Nina has
missed three days of training in the last two years because of illness. That’s it.
She’s driven, to say the least.
“I love everything [about figure skating] but I especially love the feeling of doing all the jumps and spins,” Nina said. “I just love the sport so much that I never want to quit, and I like to have a busy schedule.”
Comments Mika: “I never knew my daughter was going to continue skating this
Her older brother Leo is a scrappy amateur boxer who has won two fights in a row: the Bronze Gloves Championship Junior C title in Chilliwack and more recently, a late November bout at Griffins Boxing in North Vancouver.
The siblings are very different people with different strengths and personality traits, but they look out for one another.
“They are encouraging each other because Nina is more of a feet-on-the-ground person,”
“I just love the sport so much that I never want to quit, and I like to have a busy schedule.”
- NINA LAFERRIERE
long. If she started saying ‘I want to quit’ or ‘I want to do other sports,’ [that would be fine] anytime—but she has never said any complaints. For the last three years, we’re getting to a more competitive stage and she’s trying to be better.”
FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY, STING LIKE A BEE
Nina’s athletic gifts appear to run in the family.
Mika explained. “She writes down her goals every single day before going to skating lessons, and after skating she reviews her goals. I don’t know what she’s writing in that notebook, but for five years she’s been writing something and making small efforts each day to challenge herself. Nina’s advising Leo about [setting goals] the way she’s doing it.
“But Leo is three years older and he’s a boy, so he has a more physical advantage. He is giving Nina advice on what type of exercises
she should do to jump higher, do bigger tricks and stuff like that. They have a very good relationship and I’m very happy about where they are.”
WSC leaders were blindsided in October when they learned virtually their entire wardrobe of figure skating costumes had disappeared. A series of communication breakdowns between the club and a thirdparty storage facility was found to have taken place, causing the latter to stop housing the costumes and allow members of the public to grab them.
After a determined effort by the community, some outfits were tracked down and others made on short notice as donations rolled in. The club’s beloved annual Starry Night show was able to run as planned on Dec. 6, highlighting the talent and creativity of its members.
“It was still really fun and we still had a lot of great performances,” said Nina. “We just had to improvise by bringing our own costumes and wearing our own dresses.”
Mika, who serves as a board member for the WSC, wishes to thank everybody who pitched in to support the club in its time of need. She also lauded head coach Morgan Wentworth and senior coach Dianne Diamond for what they’ve done to invest in local skating programs.
Learn more about the WSC at whistlerskatingclub.ca. n
Two medals apiece for Lane Weaver, Tosh Krauskopf at provincial slopestyle contest in Whistler
KEENAN DEMCHUK STRIKES GOLD ON OPENING DAY; BRONZE FOR MOLLY GOODWIN
BY DAVID SONG
GET USED TO SEEING the likes of Tosh Krauskopf, Lane Weaver and Keenan Demchuk on snowboard slopestyle podiums going forward.
All three Whistler Valley Snowboard Club (WVSC) members found paydirt at a recent BC Provincial Series slopestyle event on home snow. Demchuk won it all on Jan. 11 with a score of 88.25 points, edging out silver medallist Weaver (88.00) and Krauskopf who took bronze (84.75).
The following day, Krauskopf moved into the runner-up hole (74.00) and Weaver placed third (73.75) as victory went to Mountain Shredder Snowboarding’s William Buffey (75.75).
Also on Jan. 12, local Molly Goodwin earned bronze in the women’s competition (54.50) behind Isabella Heninger (73.75) and Zoe Douglas-Crampton (54.75).
It’s all encouraging stuff to WVSC director Rob Picard.
“We’re always excited to be able to compete at our home mountain. It’s rare,” he said. “We don’t have many events that happen here. This year with conditions being the way they are, it was really amazing to have the terrain and have beautiful weather. Everyone was excited to perform.”
High-level athletes like Krauskopf, Weaver and Demchuk are well beyond their days of regular provincial competition but elected to use last weekend as a training opportunity. Each is known not only for his raw talent, but his dedication to the sport as well.
“They are true snowboarders,” explained Picard. “They live and breathe it. They greatly value performance and fundamentals, and it shows in their riding. Lane Weaver, some of the stuff he does [stands out] as being very creative … even the way he does his double grabs really add flair.
“[Tosh, Lane and Keenan] actively work with coaches to look at our riders and see the promise of the future. Even though they’re
on their own little path, they take a step back every now and then to work with some of the younger talents. They are really supportive, approachable, fun guys and I have a lot of respect for what they bring to the table.”
‘WORLD CUP LEVEL’
Every opportunity to train and compete in the Sea to Sky is invaluable for the WVSC, which spends a lot of money sending athletes to other resorts. Whistler, after all, continues to be the gold standard for snowboard slopestyle in many respects.
“Whistler Blackcomb hosts some of the best features in Canada,” Picard said. “I think in general, everybody wants to compete here. If you’re a Canadian snowboarder, you want to end up in Whistler at one point. The size of the jumps we have here is at a World Cup level.
“We should be inviting more of these bigger contests here, like a Nor-Am which is the next stage up from a Provincial and just prior to a World Cup. We have some really favoured resorts: Silver Star is amazing, and Sun Peaks, but the size of the jumps and features there aren’t at that national level yet. We understand that [Whistler] has the terrain these kids need to be training and competing on.”
The goal for younger riders like Goodwin, who might just be starting to aspire down a competitive pathway, is learning how to deliver under pressure. Medals and high scores are great, but even more important is the ability to grasp how judges evaluate runs and how to improve both physically and mentally.
“Our agenda right now is to get more training in,” Picard elaborated. “We do have a landing airbag now on Blackcomb Mountain, so our idea is to use these facilities instead of travelling. We will be following the BC Provincial Series here too … and we try to get everybody involved in them so they start learning how to compete.”
Complete results from last weekend’s Provincial slopestyle action, including placements sorted by age group, can be viewed at bcsnowboard.com/2025-event-results. n
STYLE BOYS BC Provincial slopestyle medallists from Whistler on Jan. 11, left to right: Lane Weaver, Keenan Demchuk and Tosh Krauskopf.
PHOTO BY ROBBIE PICARD
Beyond booze, juicers might not get juiced as much
FRUCTOSE IS ALSO LINKED TO CANCER, SO WILL WE REVAMP LABELS—AND HABITS?
I BET YOU’VE SEEN those interesting headlines rolling in with this year’s Dry January—the U.S. surgeon general saying that warning labels should be included on alcohol since booze is a leading preventable cause of cancer. And Canadian experts agree.
Pique and I have been beating the empty wine box about the link between alcohol and cancer for a while now, like in news articles and a 2023 column of mine. But since
BY GLENDA BARTOSH
everybody might be getting a little saturated by the post-holiday, drinking-isn’t-great-foryou messaging, I’m going to press pause and link you in next time to some fresh thinking on it—just when you thought it had all dried up and blown away (add winking emoji).
For now, I find the call for warning labels about cancer and alcohol more fascinating than ever. It all takes me back to 2001, when Canada became the first country on Earth to put graphic health warnings about smoking and cancer on cigarette packages. A lot of my friends and family members went, huh? at the time. Now 138 countries are doing it.
Then we Canucks went one step further and led the way again by printing warnings right on cigarettes themselves. Studies indicate that, worldwide, it’s the most costeffective tool for educating smokers and non-smokers alike. (Think of wee kids seeing it and asking, daddy, what’s that?)
So here’s what I wonder as the calls for cancer warnings on alcohol and that Washington University School of Medicine study on fructose and cancer I noted in my latest column rolled in about the same time. Since the research showed that all fructose— but especially that nasty high-octane, high-fructose corn syrup—is also linked to cancer (our livers convert it to “food” that fuels tumours), are we going to see warning labels on food products containing same? After all, HF corn syrup is so cheap and ubiquitous given corn is the No. 1 U.S. crop and No. 3 in Canada, we see it in almost every processed food, from pop to ketchup and tinned veggies. But don’t hold your breath. Somehow I doubt that’ll be coming any time soon, even if people lobby for it. Yep, we consumers need to be warned sometimes. And label warnings are more important than ever in our busy, disinformation-verse. But until it happens,
EASY ZUCCHINI PANCAKES
we’ll have to rely on our own fact-based research and good sense to probe our eating habits, and more.
Meanwhile, keep reading those labels, folks!
FRESH WAYS OF LOOKING AT SWEET STUFF—AND YOGURT
I love pancakes, especially this time of year, and if you’re like me (Tom Barratt, I’m thinking of you here), good chance you love them along with a dollop of maple syrup—real maple syrup from Quebec—and maybe some berries, too. Not to say those are bad ideas. (To borrow a meme from somewhere, there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell I’d give up my real Canadian maple syrup.)
Still, after the recent flood of holiday treats and in light of the above report, you can pretty much count me out when it comes to sweet things lately.
(From Healthy Breakfasts, John Hopkins Medicine)
2 medium zucchinis
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh herbs: 4 sprigs of fresh parsley or dill (chopped) OR dry herbs: 1 teaspoon
1 cup all-purpose flour
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Grate zucchini. Place it in a colander in a sink for 10 to 15 minutes to let the liquid drain (like Greek yogurt!). Squeeze out remaining liquid. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, salt and pepper, and herbs. Add flour, the zucchini and mix. Drop 1/4-cup portions of the mixture onto the heated skillet, and spread it into pancakes, leaving space in between. Fry until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes each side. Serve warm with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Delicious. n
These zucchini pancakes, below, from the excellent John Hopkins Healthy Breakfasts website, are a great example of rethinking old sugar habits. They really hit the spot, with nary a speck of fruit or HF corn syrup in sight. Plus here’s the perfect Greek yogurt tip to top them off, from Whistler’s own Stella Harvey. Founder of the Whistler Writers Festival, she taps into her own Greek roots and family history for her many short stories and novels. According to Stella, plain Liberté yogurt comes close to true Greek yogurt. It’s up to five per cent fat, but any percentage of fat is good. And if you want to follow what the Greeks do, simply pass it thought a piece of cheesecloth to strain out the liquid whey—that’s how Greek yogurt gets so thick. No extra cream or additives, just lovely yogurt plainly made then strained. (Most Whistler grocery stores carry Liberté, including Nesters, Creekside Market and Whistler Grocery Store. If you can find it, Liberté also makes a nice thick Mediterraneanstyle yogurt with 10 per cent fat.)
BTW, the story behind Liberté somewhat echoes Stella’s own. She was born in Egypt and was connected to the Middle East before her family emigrated to Canada to flee a vendetta. The name Liberté was inspired by the Statue of Liberty, the first thing the Kaporovsky family saw in 1936 when they emigrated from Eastern Europe. Ashkenazi Jews, they eventually settled in Montreal and started producing some of the best (kosher) dairy products around—including very good yogurt.
As for real maple syrup, most of the “sugars” in it are from glucose. And that phony stuff? Keep away from it with a 10-foot pole. It’s all about artificial flavours and that nasty high-fructose corn syrup. Nary a drop of maple sap in sight.
Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who’s having another look at even regular old fructose. n DRY TRYING Are you cutting back on the booze for Dry January?
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE
‘It’s all storytelling, but in very different ways’
THE SNOWED IN COMEDY TOUR GRACES WHISTLER ONCE AGAIN ON JAN. 22
BY DAVID SONG
THE SNOWED IN Comedy Tour has been pulling up to Whistler for some time, but in case you haven’t heard: it is Canada’s biggest comedy act featuring Just For Laughs champ Dan Quinn, former Great Canadian Laugh Off winner Paul Myrehaug, six-time Canadian Comedian of the Year nominee Pete Zedlacher and Erica Sigurdson, a regular on CBC’s The Debaters.
Snowed In continues to maintain a relentless touring pace, visiting more than 70 locations from coast to coast in this, its 16th year. The group has also performed overseas in France, Australia, Switzerland and the United States, where they have been largely acclaimed.
If you saw Quinn and company light up the Maury Young Arts Centre last year, don’t hesitate to drop by again this month—for no two seasons are ever identical. Rather, each individual brings his or her own unique flavour to the stage.
“My specialty is: I talk a lot about relationships in my own personal life, and Erica does that too but from a female perspective so it’s very opposite to mine and creates a good balance on the show,” elaborates Quinn. “Paul has a tendency to be much more silly, his jokes trend a little
wackier, and Pete’s an amazing impressionist. His stories have a lot of accents—they’re very dramatic and theatrical.
“It’s all storytelling, but in very different ways.”
Also brand-new for 2025, the gang is filming a travel documentary to highlight five towns in British Columbia: Whistler, Revelstoke, Nelson, Smithers and Courtenay. In it they hope to show viewers (especially people from abroad) what each town has to offer, including but not limited to some exceptional skiing.
Eventually the Camrose, Alta. native realized dream-chasing no longer made him feel fulfilled. That’s why he elected instead to “chase his life and let the dream happen,” which for him meant more snowboarding.
In its early days, Snowed In was a vehicle for Quinn and his pals to shred pristine powder across Canada while making enough money to support themselves. He wasn’t fussed about fame or recognition. Nowadays, he still views the tour’s longevity and growth as a bonus—not the key point.
“Whether we have 700 people, or 1,000
“All we can do is go, and if people show up, make them laugh hard.”
- DAN QUINN
“We’re going to hook up with some pro riders in Whistler, but we’re going to do some other fun activities as well,” Quinn says. “We can [hopefully] show off that being a crazy Canadian in winter is fun.”
CHASING LIFE
Quinn studied business at the University of Alberta earlier in life, but decided to switch gears and try his hand at live comedy. His talent and hard work brought him a number of small-time competition wins, then bigtime exposure at Just For Laughs… and then disappointment as a potential deal with ABC and Disney failed to materialize.
… or 75, I’m still having a blast and going snowboarding,” Quinn says. “The whole point of having a successful career is to do those things that you want to do, so why not just do those things? Then you have a successful career.
“[Career achievements] are nice, but they don’t mean a ton. I’m either funny on stage or I’m not. If I bomb, nobody’s like: ‘yes but he won at Just For Laughs.’ It’s in the moment, and it’s about what you do and how you bring joy to people that are there.”
‘ALL WE CAN DO IS GO’
In a market saturated with prolific American
comedy tours boasting gaudy TV credits, Snowed In keeps rolling along like the little engine that could.
Quinn and his crew have been steadily introducing themselves to new locales. Word of mouth plays to their advantage: for example, their Kamloops show managed back-to-back 700-guest sellouts after drawing less than 200 viewers in Year 1. Occasionally, folks end up appreciating their gig more than those of celebrities like Sarah Silverman.
“All we can do is go, and if people show up, make them laugh hard,” comments Quinn. “Hopefully they become a fan and understand the tour after that, because we can’t reach them by having an HBO special. It’s not available to us. God bless all those guys who have done it the other way, and there’s some fantastic acts but this is the way we have to do it.”
And if he’s being honest, Quinn wishes Whistler could return to the way things used to be. He laments that lift tickets now cost almost $330 each under Vail Resorts management, with Sea to Sky hotels even pricier than that per night. Alas, the days of Snowed In putting on four straight shows at the Garibaldi Lift Co. (GLC) are over.
“Whistler is an amazingly beautiful place, but it doesn’t feel like it’s for the regular person anymore,” he says. “It’s still one of the greatest mountains in the entire world, though.”
The Maury Young Arts Centre will host the Snowed in Comedy Tour on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. Visit showpass.com/snowed-incomedy for tickets. n
IN FROM THE COLD Dan Quinn, founder of the Snowed In Comedy Tour, performs onstage.
PHOTO BY ROB PERRY
Victoria Piano Quartet graces Whistler on Jan. 26
THE GROUP IS MADE UP OF ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIANS YARIV ALONI, PAMELA HIGHBAUGH, TERENCE TAM AND LORRAINE MIN
BY DAVID SONG
INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING, Yariv
Aloni, Pamela Highbaugh, Terence Tam and Lorraine Min are four of Canada’s top-flight classical musicians.
Aloni directs the Victoria Chamber Orchestra, the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra. Formerly a member of both the Penderecki string quartets and the Aviv piano quartet, he also founded the Galiano Ensemble of Victoria and is an outstanding viola player.
Highbaugh co-founded the prize-winning Lafayette String Quartet and has worked as an Artist in Residence at the University of Victoria since 1991 teaching cello (her main instrument) and chamber music. One review by The Detroit News recognized her “meltingly beautiful solos.”
Critically-acclaimed Min has graced a number of famous concert halls around the globe. She holds the rare distinction of Steinway Artist as an individual who plays and records exclusively on high-class Steinway pianos, and has been lauded by both The New York Times and Washington Post
Violinist Tam once served as concertmaster for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Nova Scotia before assuming that particular role with the Victoria Symphony.
This group is known collectively as the Victoria Piano Quartet (VPQ), and later this month they’ll be partnering with the Whistler Chamber Music Society (WCMS).
“It’s nice to play for a new audience, sharing our music with them and hopefully getting a lovely reaction,” says Aloni. “Every concert is so different. Even though you play the exact same music based on what you planned, the audience is part of the music-making.”
You can’t tell based on their names, but Aloni is married to Highbaugh with Tam and Min forming another couple. These personal relationships do not impede them from rehearsing and performing together in any way.
“If anything, it makes us all the more understanding of trying to support each other,” Highbaugh remarks.
influential composer to write for the specific on-stage lineup of piano, violin, cello and viola, which every piano quartet encompasses. Many have followed in his footsteps, including Johannes Brahms and Joaquin Turina whom the VPQ will showcase at the Maury Young Arts Centre.
“Brahms’ [Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor] is a major, major work in the repertoire,” Aloni explains. “It has several movements. The last one is called in Italian ‘Rondo alla Zingarese’ or ‘Rondo in the [Romani] style.’ Brahms proved himself to be one of the greatest piano quartet composers.
“The other piece is slightly shorter, [Piano Quartet in A Minor] by Turina. It really evokes the folklore of Spanish music with flamenco rhythms, beautiful melodies and a lot of heart.”
Quartets can generate a nuanced dynamic. There is no conductor, unlike your typical orchestra, so everybody needs to stay on the same page. If that happens, they reap the benefits.
“The synergy about this chamber group— and most—is that you really don’t have to talk a lot because it’s all conveyed with how we play and how we listen to each other. There’s a lot of energy, commitment and passion. If it works, it works, and that’s the way Victoria Piano Quartet has always been,” says Highbaugh. “When we rehearse, we’ll discuss certain things and have different views, but there’s a way to blend it all and make it work for everybody.”
A Vancouver Island presenter named Ken Hicks is responsible for bringing the VPQ together originally. He thought it would be interesting to assemble two married couples on stage, and his gut proved correct: Aloni and company hit it off from their very first practice. The frequency with which their paths cross may vary from year to year, but they always look forward to the next show.
“It’s nice to read [critical praise], but if you believe the good things they write about you, you have to also believe the bad things,” Aloni comments. “It’s nice to have accolades, but it’s mostly nice to be able to play. All of my colleagues are phenomenal musicians and that’s the greatest joy.”
The VPQ concert is scheduled for Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.—find tickets at whistlerchambermusic. ca/concert/victoria-piano-quartet. n
Joinourlunchclub! Get10stampsonyourlunchcardand your11thlunchisfree*(Restrictionsapply) Childrenarewelcomeeverydayuntil 10pm,sobringthekidsinforbrunchon theweekendsfrom11am-2pm. Planning your perfect Whistler wedding? PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY!
ARTS SCENE
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE
Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events
WHISTLER PRIDE
WHISTLER PRIDE AND SKI FESTIVAL
Whistler is proud to host the annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, celebrating its 32nd year in 2025. One of the biggest and best gay and lesbian ski weeks in North America, the LGBTQI pride week features a packed events schedule of skiing, snowboarding and social events.
> Jan. 19 to 26
> Various locations
WHISTLER MUSEUM PRESENTS: ICON GONE
Twelve years after its supposed demise, Icon Gone is back! In this friendly debate, a panel of passionate Whistlerites argue on behalf of their chosen disappearing, departed, or seemingly undervalued Whistler “icon” before the audience helps choose 2025’s Icon Gone. From the Boot Pub to Toonie Rides to beavers, what do you think makes Whistler Whistler?
> Jan. 17, 7 p.m.
> Maury Young Arts Centre
> $25 ($20 for Whistler Museum members)
PIANO HEIST
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of musical brilliance, comedy and theatrical wonder as Piano Heist takes the stage. Lifelong friends and virtuoso pianists Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin lead this genre-bending show, showcasing their quest to make the piano cool again.
> Jan. 18, 8 p.m.
> Maury Young Arts Centre
> $32
JUST PAINT EXPERIENCE
The Just Paint Experience is a vibrant workshop focusing on artists and their creativity. By encouraging artists to observe their processes, the Golden team hopes to increase awareness and understanding of their needs, and present Golden Artist Colors as an inspiration and resource. Participants will explore new
and innovative materials concepts in an open and collaborative atmosphere.
> Jan. 18, 1 p.m.
> Audain Art Museum
> $75
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. 19, 7:30 p.m.
> Skiers Plaza
JOURNEY INTO YOUR INTUITION
Join for an evening of self-discovery, healing, and connection as you are guided on a Journey Into Your Intuition. Through a blend of powerful practices and intuitive tools, this immersive event is designed to help you tune into your inner wisdom, gain clarity, and reconnect with your authentic self. This experience is perfect for anyone ready to explore their intuition, let go of limiting beliefs, and embrace a more aligned, purposeful life.
> Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.
> Bhavana Studio, Function Junction
> $60
ROSSIGNOL WE RISE: WOMEN’S SKI DAY 2025
Back bigger and better than ever as part of Rossignol’s We Rise initiative, the event is Canada’s biggest We Rise event for Nordic skiing! Whistler Olympic Park & Rossignol invite ALL women+ to enjoy a day of cross-country skiing in an encouraging and inclusive atmosphere! Take advantage of the special discounts and activities offered to all women+ visitors on the day.
> Jan. 19
> Whistler Olympic Park
> $49
PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS
PHOTO BY ANTHONY LUPPINO
Whistler’s first ski lift
BY ALLYN PRINGLE
IT’S LIKELY the groomed runs of Whistler or Blackcomb Mountains are some of the first images that come to mind when thinking about lift-accessed terrain in the Whistler area these days. For those who skied here in the early 1960s, however, lift-accessed terrain looked very different.
The first motorized ski lift in the Whistler area was not a gondola, a chairlift, or even a T-bar, though all three were installed on Whistler Mountain during the summer of 1965. Rather, the first ski lift was an 850-foot rope tow installed under the power lines on the west side of Alta Lake Road by Dick Fairhurst and George Krieg a few years before Garibaldi Lifts Ltd. began construction.
Interest in downhill skiing in the Whistler area gained popularity in the early 1960s, spurred on by the 1960 Olympic Winter Games held in California and the subsequent formation of the Garibaldi Olympic Development Association (GODA). GODA planned to host the Olympics in Garibaldi Provincial Park, settling on London (now Whistler) Mountain. Throughout the winters of 1960-61 and 1961-62, GODA and other interested parties made trips to Alta Lake to explore the proposed site, monitor snow conditions, and test out the skiing.
The “Alta Lake Echo,” the newsletter of the Alta Lake Community Club (ALCC), faithfully reported on the comings and goings of these groups alongside those of full- and part-time residents of Alta Lake.
In November 1960, GODA members and journalists visited Alta Lake to do a story on Whistler Mountain as a possible Olympic site to be published in a special “Winter in Canada” issue of Maclean’s . That December, 56 skiers from Vancouver travelled to Alta Lake “with skis and enthusiasm” led by Fred Taylor. Though the conditions were
described as “ten inches of old crusty snow,” the group did some skiing on the hills behind Jordan’s Lodge, had dinner, and watched some films on the Olympics at the community hall before returning to the city on the train. With the growing number of these trips, it’s no surprise Alta Lake residents decided to get in on the fun and set up some skiing for themselves.
Dick Fairhurst, whose family owned and operated Cypress Lodge (now the Point Artist-Run Centre), teamed up with George Krieg to install the valley’s first ski lift on the hill behind Cypress Lodge. They used a 1948 Ford V8 motor to pull the rope through four pulleys they mounted on four towers they built. The tow was 850 feet long and could pull three or maybe four people at a time, depending on their size. While it was not the most advanced lift, Dick later described it as “a start and lots of fun.”
We are fortunate to have not only a few photos of this rope tow in the archives but also a film in the Petersen Collection that shows the lift in one of its first years of operation. The film shows rocky terrain, patchy snow, and a slow-moving lift. It also shows Alta Lake residents and guests walking up the road to the lift carrying skis, poles, and children while at least one dog runs around the skiers. Most of the skiers shown are smiling and appear to be enjoying themselves.
Unfortunately for the lift, a fire at Cypress Lodge in 1962 destroyed the storage shed where the tow-rope was kept alongside furniture built by Bert Harrop (the fire also destroyed one of the cabins, a car, and a jeep). Florence Petersen used the readership of the “Alta Lake Echo” to fundraise for a new rope and, thanks to the generosity of Alta Lake residents, was able to present it at a party at the Kriegs’ house that fall. The rope tow ran for only a few winters before Alta Lake residents and visitors had other options for skiing. n
UP AND AWAY Skiers underneath the powerlines—the rope tow is on the right of the “run.”
FAIRHURST COLLECTION
ASTROLOGY
Free Will Astrology
WEEK OF JANUARY 17 BY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Abdulrazak Gurnah is a Tanzanian writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2021. He has also been shortlisted for four other prestigious awards. I find it odd that his acclaimed novels have received mediocre scores on the prominent book-rating website, Goodreads, which has 150 million members. Why is there such a marked difference between expert critics and average readers? I speculate that those in the latter category are less likely to appreciate bold, innovative work. They don’t have the breadth and depth to properly evaluate genius. All this is my way of encouraging you to be extra discerning about whose opinions you listen to in the coming weeks, Aries—especially in regard to your true value. Trust intelligent people who specialize in thoughtful integrity. You are in a phase when your ripening uniqueness needs to be nurtured and protected.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Every joke is a tiny revolution,” said author George Orwell. I agree, which is why I hope you will unleash an unruly abundance of humour and playfulness in the coming days. I hope you will also engage in benevolent mischief that jostles the status quo and gently shakes people out of their trances. Why? Because your world and everyone in it needs a sweet, raucous revolution. And the best way to accomplish that with minimum chaos and maximum healing is to: 1. do so with kindness and compassion; 2. be amusing and joyful and full of joie de vivre.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Research suggests that if you’re typical, you would have to howl with maximum fury for a month straight just to produce enough energy to toast a piece of bread. But you are not at all typical right now. Your wrath is high quality. It’s more likely than usual to generate constructive changes. And it’s more prone to energize you rather than deplete you. But don’t get overconfident in your ability to harness your rage for good causes. Be respectful of its holy potency, and don’t squander it on trivial matters. Use it only for crucial prods that would significantly change things for the better.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I invite you to write a message to the person you will be in one year. Inform this Future You that you are taking a vow to achieve three specific goals by Jan. 15, 2026. Name these goals. Say why they are so important to you. Describe what actions you will take to fulfil them. Compose collages or draw pictures that convey your excitement about them. When you’ve done all that, write the words, “I pledge to devote all my powers to accomplish these wonderful feats.” Sign your name. Place your document in an envelope, write “MY VOWS” on the front, and tape the envelope in a prominent place in your home or workplace.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Congratulations on all the subtle and private work you’ve been doing to make yourself a better candidate for optimal togetherness. Admitting to your need for improvement was brave! Learning more about unselfish cooperation was hard work, and so was boosting your listening skills. (I speak from personal experience, having laboured diligently to enhance my own relationship skills!) Very soon now, I expect that you will begin harvesting the results of your artful efforts.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Construction on the Great Wall of China began in the 7th century BCE and lasted until 1878. Let’s make this monumental accomplishment your symbol of power for the next 10 months, Virgo! May it inspire you to work tirelessly to forge your own monumental accomplishment. Take pride in the gradual progress you’re making. Be ingeniously persistent in engaging the support of those who share your grand vision. Your steady determination, skill at collaborating, and ability to plan will be your superpowers as you create a labour of love that will have enduring power.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): We are all accustomed to dealing with complications and complexities—so much so that we may be tempted to imagine there’s never a
ROB BREZSNY
simple solution to any dilemma. Copious nuance and mystifying paradox surround us on all sides, tempting us to think that every important decision must inevitably be taxing and time-consuming. As someone who specializes in trying to see all sides to every story, I am especially susceptible to these perspectives. (I have three planets in Libra.) But now here’s the unexpected news: In the coming weeks, you will enjoy the luxury of quickly settling on definitive, straightforward solutions. You will get a sweet respite from relentless fuzziness and ambiguity.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): When my daughter Zoe was 11 years old, she published her first collection of poems. The chapbook’s title was Secret Freedom. That’s a good theme for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. You are currently communing with a fertile mystery that could ultimately liberate you from some of your suffering and limitations. However, it’s important to be private and covert about your playful work with this fertile mystery— at least for now. Eventually, when it ripens, there will come a time to fully unleash your beautiful thing and reveal it to the world. But until then, safeguard it with silence and discretion.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): From a distance, Brazil’s Rio Negro looks black. The water of Rio Solimões, also in Brazil, is yellowish-brown. Near the city of Manaus, these two rivers converge, flowing eastward. But they don’t blend at first. For a few miles, they move side-by-side, as if still autonomous. Eventually, they fuse into a single flow and become the mighty Amazon River. I suspect the behaviour of Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes could serve as a useful metaphor for you in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. Consider the possibility of allowing, even encouraging, two separate streams to merge. Or would you prefer them to remain discrete for a while longer? Make a conscious decision about this matter.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): During the next three weeks, doing the same old things and thinking the same old thoughts are strongly discouraged. For the sake of your spiritual and physical health, please do not automatically rely on methods and actions that have worked before. I beg you not to imitate your past self or indulge in worn-out traditions. Sorry to be so extreme, but I really must insist that being bored or boring will be forbidden. Stated more poetically: Shed all weak-heart conceptions and weak-soul intentions. Be of strong heart and robust soul.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Wilderness campers have developed humorous terms to gently mock their fears and anxieties. The theory is that this alleviates some of the stress. So a “bear burrito” refers to a hammock. It addresses the worry that one might get an unwanted visit from a bear while sleeping. A “bear fortune cookie” is another name for a tent. “Danger noodle” is an apparent stick that turns out to be a snake. “Mountain money” is also known as toilet paper. I approve of this joking approach to dealing with agitation and unease. (And scientific research confirms it’s effective.) Now is an excellent time to be creative in finding ways to diminish your mostly needless angst.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If you were producing the movie of your life, what actor or actress would you want to portray you? Who would play your friends and loved ones? How about the role of God or Goddess? Who would you choose to perform the role of the Supreme Being? These will be fun meditations for you in the coming weeks. Why? Because it’s an excellent time to think big about your life story—to visualize the vast, sweeping panorama of your beautiful destiny. I would also love it if during your exploration of your history, you would arrive at interesting new interpretations of the meanings of your epic themes.
Homework: What life would you be living if you weren’t living this one? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates EXPANDED
AUDIO HOROSCOPES
In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com
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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 $46.71 to $50.21
To view a full copy of this Job Description visit: www.cardinalconcrete.ca/about/careers
Apply to: info@cardinalconcrete.ca
Position Overview: SSHS is seeking a self-motivated, autonomous Home and Community Care Nurse to provide care to adult community members (19+) of three (3) remote First Nations communities by being responsible for full scope nursing care to home care clients and members with chronic diseases, constantly promoting health and wellness education, and aligning care out of community.
Qualifications:
• Current practicing registration as a License Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) with the BC College of Nurse 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.
Knowledge and Abilities:
• Care for clients with acute, chronic, palliative, mental health, and substance use needs.
• Deliver direct care and care management, empowering clients to navigate community services.
• Collaborate with clients, families, and interprofessional teams to establish realistic wellness goals.
• Partner with primary care providers and other care professionals.
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
See full job posting on the careers page of our website: sshs.ca/careers/ Apply now by sending your resume and cover letter via email: julia.schneider@sshs.ca
Group Fitness Classes
Fridays – Mom & Baby 10:30-11:30 am w Lou
Saturday – Weekend Wake up 6:30-7:15 am w Jess
Mondays – Zumba
6:15-7:15 pm w Carmen Tuesdays - Spin
6:00-7:00 pm w Courtney
Wednesdays – Step 9:00-10:00 am w Liz
Thursdays - Prenatal 5:50-6:30 pm w Sara
See our full page schedule ad in this issue of Pique for details
Warehouse Lien Act Whereas the following registered owners are indebted to Cooper’s Towing Ltd. for unpaid towing and storage fees plus any related charges that may accrue.
Notice is hereby given that on February 1, 2025, at noon or thereafter the goods will be seized and sold.
1. Camilleri Braden 1994 Ford E150 VIN: 1FMEE11HXRHB16155 $2299.50
Flores Grandez Charles 2001 Volkswagen Golf Vin: WVWBS21JX1W116522 $1995.00
Ravina Jeb, National Bank of Canada, ESC Corporate Services Ltd. 2019 Honda Civic VIN: MLHMD4422H5000991 $3064.45 4. Bulfone Loretta 2005 Honda CR-V VIN: JHLRD77805C808521 $1995.00 5. Kelly Wil 1992 Volkswagen Eurovan VIN: WV2LC0702NH078123 $1743.00
Weaver Lane 2007 Audi A4 VIN: WAUDF78E97A093918 $1680.00 7. Riddle Frederick 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee VIN: 1J4GW48S34C187453 $3181.50
The vehicles are currently being stored at Cooper’s Towing Ltd 8065 Nesters Road Whistler, BC, V8E 0G4 For more information, please call Cooper’s Towing Ltd. @
Child & Family Services
Child & Family Services
Child & Family Services
• Social Worker ($80,371.20 - $91,673.40 per year)
• Social Worker ($80,371.20 to $91,673.40 per year)
• Social Worker ($80,371.20 - $91,673.40 per year)
• Transition House Support 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
Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre
Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre
• Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Health Care Assistant ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)
• Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
• Program Manager ($57,330 to $64,610.00 per year)
• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• Program Manager ($57,330 to $64,610.00 per year)
Ts’zil Learning Centre
• 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?
• Program Mentor – Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• 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?
• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
Xet’òlacw Community School
We
Experienced
- $35
($30 - $45 hourly)
Carpenter Foremen ($40 - $50 hourly)
• Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
Xet’òlacw Community School
Xet’òlacw Community School
• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
Rates vary based on experience and qualifications. Red Seal is a bonus but not required. Crane Operator experience considered an asset.
• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
• Camp Counsellor ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
EVR is committed to the long-term retention and skills development of our team. We are passionate about investing in our team’s future.
• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
• Camp Counsellor ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
WE OFFER:
• Top Wages and a Positive Work Environment
Community Development
• Language Resource Worker or Language Teacher ($46,683 to $109,520 per year)
• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
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)
Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/
Please
• Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance (We get it, we love to ski and bike too.)
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?)
• Assistance with work visa and Permanent Residency (We can help!)
BENEFITS & PERKS:
• Annual Leisure & Tool Benefit – Use toward ski/bike pass, tool purchase, etc. – you choose!
• Extended Health and Dental Benefits for you and your family
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!
Goodbye Sea to Sky
I WISH I could be the kind of person who sneaks away. Pops up in a new place. Prompts a confused scroll or two.
But, in a way, this is the end of a love story and it’s one that deserves acknowledging.
Whistler took me in 12 years ago as a lost, mildly depressed 20-something.
arts@piquenewsmagazine.com
I hated it for a while but then, thanks to some people who turned out to be an important stop, I learned to love the mountains. I learned to just be for a minute after years of hustling and moving and striving. I learned to run and hike and sleep in the alpine, miles away from other people.
Most importantly, the thing I will always carry with me: I learned to appreciate small moments of beauty in a way I had proclaimed I never would.
In my early days at Pique Newsmagazine when I was still struggling to make sense of Whistler, with people lugging snowboards down the highway, everyone partially employed by choice and sharing a bedroom with multiple people—I distinctly remember
a coworker trudging upstairs to look out the big picture windows one late afternoon.
“Look at the alpenglow!” she dreamily mused, gesturing at the haze of pink on the snow.
I didn’t get it.
“I will never,” I thought, “get that excited about light on a mountain.”
But here I am, more than a decade later, an admirer of and fawner over not only the alpenglow, but also wildflowers, dewy moss, unfurling ferns, the first pop of yellow on a spring skunk cabbage, salmon tails that slosh
what I’ll always feel was the golden era.
If I had stuck to a stricter life plan—one in which I continued to progress up some kind of career ladder—I wouldn’t have stayed as long as I did. But those dudes became the little brothers I never asked for—along with a sister I would’ve added to my pack and a stand-in mom editor—and even on my darkest days, I would leave that office feeling buoyed by the constant, childish jokes, flying cats on the ceiling, mannequins in horse masks and wrestling figurines—and,
It just suddenly became harder to picture a future here—but also impossible to picture a future that wasn’t here. So we looped around and around for months until we were so dizzy we couldn’t stand it anymore.
in the rivers come fall, the rhythms of the seasons that quietly carry us through one year to the next.
And my life is so much richer for it.
The Pique newsroom also had a big impact on my life. It didn’t take long before I wasn’t the new kid anymore and a fresh crop of (mostly young dude) reporters settled into those old office chairs. It’s been a slow fade for me—we left the office one day in 2020 then I had two maternity leaves—and I’m sure the current newsroom is great, but I consider myself so lucky to have been there during
of course, good journalism.
Because between the quips, we were working hard on stories we believed in— writing feature-length pieces that are almost unheard of in the present-day industry.
Why would I leave that for slightly higher pay at a less-fun job?
So, I stayed.
And, as a result, the mountains in the Sea to Sky corridor ushered me from the edge of new adulthood into middle-age. A wife. Mom of two.
Mount Currie watched me say “I do” to
my love in the midst of global chaos. Calm, steady, a metaphor for what I hope our marriage will be.
On an impossibly hot July night the next year, I became a mother under the shadow of the Stawamus Chief. Two years later, on another sticky, summer night, that towering monolith was there again as our family became complete.
“What’s that mountain, mom?” my threeyear-old asked me from her carseat one morning recently.
“That’s Atwell Peak” I told her.
“And that one?”
“That’s Cloudburst.”
“Mom, do you know everything?” No, I certainly don’t, but I’ve come to intimately know so many of these mountains and I’m deeply sad to let them go.
It just suddenly became harder to picture a future here—but also impossible to picture a future that wasn’t here. So we looped around and around for months until we were so dizzy we couldn’t stand it anymore. And we made one of the hardest decisions of our life.
We love this place, but we long for a deeper connection to family. We want a little more space that doesn’t come at such a steep cost—a cost that cuts into our girls’ future.
Life and priorities change and that can be a good thing—even if sometimes it’s painful, too.
We’re saying goodbye but the truth is this place will forever be etched in me—taking up an outsized portion of my life story because it holds the most important moments.
I became who I needed to here and now it’s time for the next adventure. n
PEAKS AND VALLEYS After 12 years in Whistler and the Sea to Sky, reporter Alyssa Noel is heading home.
