Pemberton Visitors Guide 2017

VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 FREE

FISHING

CAST A LINE IN THE PRISTINE WILDERNESS

HIKING EXPLORE THE MOUNTAINS ON FOOT

CAMPING

OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL

AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

PVG 2017.indd 1

2017-05-08 5:05 PM

Bike

a y to Gatew

er Whistl

4 Seasons of Fun

Golf

PembertonGatewayVillageSuites.com

Competitive Rates: Day - Week - Extended Stay 1½ hrs from Local Hot Springs Deluxe Suites with Balcony, 42” Flat Screen TV, USB ports & Wireless Chargers Fully Equipped Spacious Condos with Kitchens Free Parking with Elevator Pemberton Gateway Free Bike & Ski Lockers / FREE & Cable Village Suites Spa & Salon / Restaurant

@PemGateway

Ski Whistler Ski Duf fey FREE & Cable Hotel & Restaurant both Awarded Certificates of Excellence

Sled

7330 ARBUTUS Play – Work & Meetings – Weddings 604 894 8888 1 877 894 5929 GATEWAY to the BACKCOUNTRY

Ride

It’s no secret that I love Pemberton. Born and raised in the Pemberton Valley, I am the fourth generation of my family to call this beautiful valley home and this little slice of paradise has my heart. I know the valley and the people; I truly enjoy sharing my love of Pemberton with others and helping them to find the perfect property to call home.

As a licenced Realtor® with over 13 years experience I have the skills, background and knowledge to guide you through the process with confidence. I look forward to helping you with your Pemberton real estate needs.

1-877-242-2488 ext.333

PVG 2017.indd 2

2017-05-08 5:05 PM

ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE

CONTENTS CAMPING OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL

4

Tourism Pemberton would like to thank our members who make the Pemberton Valley and surrounding areas an amazing place to visit.

WEDDING VENUES FOR ALL TASTES

8

From the moment you enter our Village you can’t miss the majestic Mount Currie, or Ts’zil, as it’s known to the Lil’wat Nation.

HIKES FOR EVERY FITNESS LEVEL

10

Pemberton has so much to offer its guests. Recently, I asked a bride and groom who had travelled from Fort St. John to get married in our valley, “Why did you choose Pemberton?”

BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT THE SLOW FOOD CYCLE

12

GONE FISHIN’

14

WINTER BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES

16

Their answer was simple: “Besides the affordability, look at the memorable beauty you have to offer.”

Wedding parties aside, tourism in Pemberton is booming. Both Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and Keyhole Falls have been filled to capacity on many summer weekends. Nairn Provincial Park is also sold out most weekends, so book early!

MAPS 20-21

Last winter marked one of the best sledding seasons in years. We welcomed guests from every province, including two memorable men from Newfoundland whose partners gave them a Christmas gift that included three days of guided sledding in the Pemberton backcountry.

LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY 22 FACES OF PEMBERTON

24

When we asked how their trip went they replied, “Are you kidding? Now we need to convince these ladies to move here.”

HEALING HOT SPRINGS

28

FUN ON WHEELS

30

BEYOND PEMBERTON: BEST OF LILLOOET

32

2017-2018 EVENTS

34

Another local jewel: the Pemberton Community Barn, which is located minutes away from the Pemberton Historical Museum. The barn hosts the local farmers’ market every Friday afternoon from May 26 until October.

For the coming year, we’re looking forward to hosting the Pemberton Music Festival (July 1316) as well as the 2017 International Paragliding Championships (July 22-2), Subaru Ironman Canada (July 30) and, of course, our very special 13th annual Slow Food Cycle Sunday (August 21).

For more info visit www.tourismpembertonbc.com, download our Tourism Pemberton APP from Google Play or iStore or stop by our Visitor Centre.

Thanks for visiting, Mark Mendonca Tourism Pemberton

EDITOR Alyssa Noel ART DIRECTOR Lou Stevens PRODUCTION MANAGER Karl Partington COVER IMAGE Joffre Lakes by Scott Ross ADVERTISING MANAGER Susan Hutchinson SALES Tessa Sweeney, Amy Allen, Kate Whitley WRITERS Brigitte Mah, Lisa Richardson, Vince Shuley, Wendy Fraser PUBLISHER Sarah Strother Published by Whistler Publishing Limited Partnership.

103-1390 Alpha Lake Road, Whistler, B.C., V0N 1B1 Telephone: 604 938 0202 Email: sales@wplpmedia.com In co-operation with Tourism Pemberton Distribution by Tourism Pemberton 604 894 6175 © Whistler Publishing LP 2016 No reproduction in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher.

VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

WHISTLER PUBLISHING Limited Partnership

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 3

PVG 2017.indd 3

2017-05-08 5:05 PM

CAMPING AT LILLOOET LAKE Photo by Megan Wilson

CAMPING SPOTS OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL BRIGITTE MAH

FROM RV SITES TO ADVENTURES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY, PEMBERTON PROVIDES A PICTURESQUE SCENE FOR AN OVERNIGHT TRIP Nothing beats a night out under the stars, where the frogs croak, the crickets chirp and the wilderness buzzes with a magnetic energy only found when you’re outside and away from it all.

property borders Gates Lake and offers seven cozy waterfront cabins. Expansive grassy fields, on-site canoes, and a dock top off this idyllic location.

The resort also offers 11 hook-up RV sites and five campsites that tuck into the trees.

Camping in Pemberton ranges from small sites next to rivers, quaint cabins or rugged backcountry experiences off the beaten path.

Only a mere five minutes from Pemberton is Nairn Falls Provincial Park, a richly forested campground with 94 campsites, 60 of which can be reserved.

A host of trails meander around the campground, the most popular of which goes to the 60-metre waterfalls at the end of a 1.5-kilometre hike.

“Whether you’re looking for a provincial campground or something more rustic, Pemberton has lots to explore,” said Tourism Pemberton’s marketing coordinator Carlee Cindric. “First-time campers and seasoned veterans alike are sure to find just the right spot to set up camp and reconnect with nature.”

A popular provincial park destination is Birkenhead Provincial Park, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Pemberton. The park is host to a range of wildlife, from spotted owls to mountain goats to black and grizzly bears, and borders a stunning lake with rising peaks in the background.

Those looking for a chance to get away from the bustle of their lives but still have the comfort of some home amenities should visit Whispering Falls Resort, 42 kilometres north of Pemberton. Ideal for families or couples looking for a retreat, the 6.5-acre

Kokanee and rainbow trout are abundant in the lake, tempting anglers with dinner every night. Ninety-one campsites are available during the summer season, and 51 can be reserved in advance. Canoeing, biking and hiking are common day activities in the area.

Owl Creek campground offers 15 campsites in a wide, open forested space along the Birkenhead River. Anglers will enjoy searching for trout and kayakers can delight in the nearby rivers. The remnants of a small apple orchard remain, offering abundant fruit toward the end of summer. Picnic tables are on each site and large groups or RVs can settle amongst the trees. There is no hook-up for RVs and only an outhouse is available as washroom facilities.

Scattered along the iconic Lillooet Lake, on the In-Shuck-ch Forest Service Road eight kilometres north up the Duffey Lake Road are four camping locations, all varying in size and offering different views of the lake.

The first is Strawberry Point, six kilometres along the In-Shuck-ch FSR. One picnic table is available for six campsites, all of which are walk-in-access only.

Twin One Creek is 8.5 kilometres along the road and has 15 sites that vary in grassy, forested and sandy beach, all of which are accessible by car or RV. Each campsite has its own picnic table and in the

4 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 4

2017-05-08 5:05 PM

WE KNOW PEMBERTON INSIDE INSIDE AND AND OUT OUT

The The Whistler Whistler Real Real Estate Estate Company Company is is consistently consistently the the leading leading real real estate estate company company in Pemberton.

Our agents are true locals who live, work, and play in the community in Pemberton. Our agents are true locals who live, work, and play in the community year-round year-round and and it it is is their their dedication dedication and and love love for for where where they they live live that that keeps keeps us on top year after year.

Let us show you why we live here. us on top year after year. Let us show you why we live here. * Information deemed to be accurate and based on sold unit volume in Pemberton as provided by the Whistler Listing System for 2016 * Information deemed to be accurate and based on sold unit volume in Pemberton as provided by the Whistler Listing System for 2016

速 速

速 速

PVG 2017.indd 5

2017-05-08 5:05 PM

VIEWS FROM A TENT AT JOFFRE LAKES Photo by Rebecca Robbins

summer nearby berry bushes offer a delectable snack for both humans and bears. Lizzie Bay, approximately 13.5 kilometres up the road, is most popular with its 15 forested lakeside campsites that offer impressive views of the lake and surrounding peaks. Driftwood Bay, a common group campground, has 10 official sites but has been known to hold more, especially on the beach.

Backcountry campers who enjoy arriving to their campsites under their own power will delight in the jaw-dropping views at the third lake of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, just half an hour’s drive north of Pemberton.

The park boasts three picturesque sub-alpine lakes along a five-kilometre hike.

The third lake, flanked by rugged peaks and cascading Matier Glacier, is where most people camp, angling their tents so that their last view is the alpine crepuscular light, and their first view in the morning is the golden glow of the sun off the glacier.

For a backcountry experience that doesn’t require a tent, visit Cerise Creek, a popular weekend destination for hikers and climbers. Located a little over half an hour north of Pemberton, the nine-kilometre hike ambles through forest until climbing through blueberry and huckleberry bushes on the east side of Mount Chief Pascall.

At the top is Keith’s Hut, a public mountaineering hut that is designed to sleep 14, though can fit more. Breathtaking views of Joffre Peak, Mount Matier and Vantage Peak can all be seen from the hut, along with cascading Anniversary Glacier.

When it comes to camping, there is no wrong choice, because just sleeping out in nature, away from the bustle of daily life, is refreshing not only for your mind and body, but also your soul.

6 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 6

2017-05-08 5:05 PM

Open Open Everyday Everyday O pen e veryday | 8 am til 9 9 pm Open everyday | 8 am til pm 88am til 9 pm am til 9 pm

•• •• •• •• ••

We have an on-site butcher, fresh goods, freshproduce, produce, fresh fresh baked baked goods, fresh prOduce • grab and gO gO items items fresh prOduce and full products, fullservice service deli, deli, gluten gluten freegrab fresh gOOds • goand lOcal prOducts prOducts specialty items, items, fresh baked baked gOOds lOcal specialty items, grab and and and local local products. full • party platters platters fullservice service deli deli We have an on-site butcher, On • specialty items On--site site butcher butcher specialty items

gluten gluten free free prOducts prOducts

•

custOm cakes cakes

7438 7438 p prOspect rOspect street Locatedacross acrossfrom from the the Scotia Scotia Bank and General Located General Store Store inPemberton’s Pemberton’s Downtown Downtown Centre in

7438 Prospect Prospect Street – 7438

Located across across from the Located Scotia Bank and General Store Store in Scotia Bank and General in Pemberton’s Downtown Centre Pemberton’s Downtown Centre

www.pembertonsupermarket.com www.pembertonsupermarket.com 604.894.3663 ext ext 226 226 604.894.3663 mail@pembertonsupermarket.com mail@pembertonsupermarket.com

www..pembertOnsupermarket pembertOnsupermarket..cOm www cOm

604.894.3663 604.894.3663

mail@pembertOnsupermarket.cOm mail@pembertOnsupermarket.cOm

PVG 2017.indd 7

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 7

2017-05-08 5:05 PM

STUNNING WEDDING VENUES FOR ALL TASTES BRIGITTE MAH

TIE THE KNOT IN PEMBERTON’S STUNNING VALLEY For many couples, Pemberton’s idyllic country farm meadows mixed with the rugged Mount Currie offers the perfect backdrop for one of the most memorable day of their lives.

From expansive golf courses to private farms to unique horseback venues, Pemberton’s wedding scene is booming.

NORTH ARM FARM

Perhaps one of the most photographed wedding locations in the area, 60-acre organic North Arm Farm boasts endless fields of fresh fruit and vegetables, set against Mt. Currie. With the capacity to seat 300 in a variety of layouts, from

long farm tables in the lawn to the shelter of the barn, the only limit is your imagination. Children will delight in the swing set and resident ducks and chickens, and fall weddings bring haystacks and brilliant pumpkins.

GREEN WATER RESORT

A location that offers an almost overwhelming number of backdrop options, Green Water Resort is the ideal resort location for those looking to eat, drink, get married and stay in same spot.

A large, contemporary West Coast guesthouse sleeps 12, while cabins and a private honeymoon gazebo suite can sleep an additional 10. Brides and grooms can choose to host their ceremony in a variety of picturesque and immaculately landscaped

spots, from the sandy banks of the Lillooet River to the private pond flanked by romantic willow trees and a cascading waterfall, to the grassy lawns tucked into the forest. A charming white teepee makes for a fun photo opp, as do the endless choices of water, meadows and mountains around the resort.

BIG SKY GOLF CLUB

For some, nothing beats the verdant, manicured lawns of a golf course and Big Sky Golf Club offers unparalleled wide, open views of Mt. Currie with brilliant greenery and picket white chairs. Couples can take photos under a willow tree or by a nearby pond, and guests will enjoy the convenience of on-site catering and bar services from the club’s culinary team at Fescues.

8 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 8

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

RED BARN AT RIVERLANDS EQUESTRIAN Harnessing the classic country charm with the elegance of the modern day is the Red Barn at Riverlands Equestrian. A veritable blank slate, the large barn can be decorated to the height of your imagination, from festive festoon lighting to rows of romantic twinkling lights.

Get as creative as you want and hang anything from large rustic twig globes to pictures of all the weddings from your family tree. The blend of sophistication and country is what allows the barn to feel like your own. Set against endless sunny farmlands with access to the sandy shores of riverbanks, the Red Barn is a world away from ordinary — especially when the sun goes down.

SHADY ACRES

Everyone dreams of having a large house with acres of green lawns surrounded by woods and a river, where hosting a party A PICTURESQUE WEDDING AT means inviting everyone to your BIG SKY GOLF CLUB place. Shady Acres, a family Photo by Anastasia Photography home on the banks of Ryan River only seven minutes out of Pemberton, where couples can move in for three nights and transform the property into their own.

The main house sleeps 10, and rental of the home includes a large white tent.

Nearby trees offer campsites for guests also wanting to stay on site or dance the night away under the twinkling stars.

DREAMCATCHER MEADOWS

The country isn’t complete without horses, and Dreamcatcher Meadows, a family run equestrian facility that brings the raw beauty of thoroughbred horses with a touch of English charm, offers couples a wedding like no other.

Brides and grooms can tie the knot in a variety of locations on their expansive property and then delight their guests with an equestrian show while sipping champagne amidst the sprawling lawns and sun-dappled trees — reminiscent of a British afternoon at the horse races. An old stagecoach-cum-bar, surrounding lavender and Birds of Paradise, along with a sandy beach, fire pit, colourful gardens, a forest and long tables under the barn bring the essence of heaven right to your day.

The magic of your wedding day rests in the love you share, and no matter where you tie the knot in Pemberton, be it in lush green fields, under a willow tree, on the banks of a river, or in a barn, that love will shine brighter and last longer than the legendary Pemberton Valley sun.

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 9

PVG 2017.indd 9

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

PEMBERTON BOASTS HIKES FOR ALL FITNESS LEVELS BRIGITTE MAH

FIND THE RIGHT ROUTE FOR A SCENIC ADVENTURE Pemberton is where the mountains jut out to the sky, and the valley sprawls through rushing, winding rivers. All around, the forest beckons, offering views at varying altitudes. If you’re a hiker, there’s a trail out here for you.

“From pristine turquoise lakes to jagged peaks and lush, old growth forests, you’ll find it all on the hiking trails in and around Pemberton,” said Tourism Pemberton’s marketing coordinator Carlee Cindric. “With over 40 walking and hiking trails, Pemberton boasts some of the best hiking in the Coast Mountains. The diverse trail network is the perfect place to re-establish a connection with Mother Nature.”

Those looking for a good cardio workout just outside of Pemberton should hike the new Mt. Currie trail, accessed from the Green River Motocross Track south of Pemberton on Highway 99. The trail is steep and ascends through five kilometres of sub-alpine

scree and forest until opening up at a lookout roughly 600 metres from the true summit.

The panoramic views of the valley are unparalleled and worth the grind, especially in the early morning when the sun crests the surrounding peaks and spills into the valley. Adventurous hikers can soldier on to complete the true summit in the alpine, though overnight camping in one of the three locations along the rough route is recommended for this extension.

For an exquisite collection of shimmering blue lakes and a stunning view of a glacier, look no further than Joffre Lakes, located just north of Pemberton along the Duffey Lake Road. This popular weekend destination has become somewhat of a gem in the area as it offers hikers of all skills the opportunity to bask on the shores of some of the most picturesque lakes in the area.

The first lake is only five minutes from the parking lot — ideal for those with limited mobility or young, tiny legs that want to explore nature. From the first

lake the trail ambles five kilometres through some rocky and rooty terrain, upwards to the second and third lake. The third lake, the crown jewel, offers breathtaking views of cascading Matier Glacier.

Those ambitious enough and with the appropriate gear and experience, can continue on over the glacier to the expansive alpine terrain beyond.

Not all hikes around Pemberton involve good knees or a strong set of lungs. There is an extensive network of walking trails around town, including the popular Village Loop, a 1.5 to two-hour easy stroll that is ideal for families with small children or those wanting a relaxing walk with a cup of coffee in hand. Nairn Falls Provincial Park is also a popular destination for mellow forested trails, with the main three-kilometre loop leads to a 60-metre waterfall.

“The Nairn Falls trails are very good,” said Hugh Naylor of the Pemberton Valley Trails Association.

“You have the lake to campground route, but there’s also more adventuresome hiking trails branching off that. You can go all the way to Signal Hill.”

10 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 10

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

Buying or Selling?

Call Pemberton's #1 listing agent for 2016 *

604.902.4589 604 lisah@wrec.com

pembertonrealestate.com Personal Real Estate Corporation

Professional service with integrity.

JOFFRE LAKES HIKE

*based on 2016 sales statistics from the Whistler Listings System.

Photo by Justa Jeskova

A popular backcountry hike that leads to a pristine, albeit somewhat chilly, sub-alpine lake and a modest cabin is Tenquille Lake, best accessed from Branch 12 off the Hurley Forest Service Road north of Pemberton. Four-wheel drive is necessary to drive the Hurley FSR but the six-kilometre hike is a classic West Coast meander through temperate forest until breaking into the meadows and then descending to the lake. Do this hike in a day or sleep overnight in the cabin and explore the surrounding peaks the following day.

Another increasingly popular backcountry hike is out to the Marriott Basin, off the Duffey Lake Road approximately 30 min. north of Pemberton. In the summer the eight-kilometre marked trail starts on a forest service road, then quickly dips into the forest, ascending to an alpine lake surrounded by rugged peaks.

From here hikers can continue onward and explore the varied terrain or they can sleep in the Wendy Thompson Hut (reservations required) or head back and hike up to Rohr for an added ascent. In the winter, this is a tremendously popular backcountry ski area and the hut is consistently busy on the weekend.

Discover one or all of the hikes in and around Pemberton and explore the wilder side of nature in an hour, an afternoon, or a full day — and then some. No matter where you go you’re sure to find a new favourite hike to call your own.

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 11

PVG 2017.indd 11

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

CYCLISTS TRAVEL ALONG THE 50KM ROUTE Photo by Megan Wilson

SLOW FOOD CYCLE SUNDAY IS CELEBRATING ITS 13TH YEAR IN 2017 Photo by Megan Wilson

SLOW FOOD CYCLE OFFERS BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT LOCAL FARMS ALYSSA NOEL

THE POPULAR EVENT IS SET TO RETURN ON AUG. 20 Pemberton’s Slow Food Cycle has become a popular event over the last 13 years, attracting scores of participants from outside of the Sea to Sky corridor each summer.

The appeal is strong, but simple: connecting with the land that grows our food. “I think this event offers people the ability to reconnect with the natural land and our natural resources in a fun way,” said Carlee Cindric, with Tourism Pemberton, which runs the event. “Really, it’s getting back to the basics and learning where our food is grown, where it comes from and delighting in the ability to, for example, look at the Helmers’ (a well known Pemberton farming family) potato patch and see them coming out of the ground and sample them right there. It’s people’s desire to want to reconnect with the land.”

But beyond that desire, the event is also just a lot of fun. Cyclists hop on their bikes and travel around 50 km down Pemberton Meadows Road — which will be temporarily closed again this year — stopping at farms along the way to taste their food, talk to the farmers and enjoy some surprises on the properties.

Across the Creek Organics, for example, have attempted to create a festival-like vibe on their farm with bands, baked treats and even the Pemberton Arts Council on site selling goods. They’ve been participating since the event’s first year.

“We really look forward to it,” said Bruce Miller, who owns the farm with his wife Brenda. “It is a lot of work; we start a month ahead cleaning everything up and making it consumer-friendly. It’s been a good experience for us and it’s been good to connect with people and (help them) make a connection with food.”

The Slow Food Cycle inspired the Millers to take on their newest project: setting up a brewery on their property. (Though Bruce wasn’t sure it would be up and running in time for the cycle this year.)

“We were spurred on by the energy of the Slow Food Cycle,” he said. “Farming is a pretty solitary profession. You spend a lot of the day in the field. A lot of the time you end up with your head in the dirt and you don’t make a lot of connections with your consumers. With the Slow Food Cycle, we weren’t going to farmers’ markets anymore, but with that event we got to talk to people. It gave us the idea that maybe people want to support us in a direct manner — and then you start thinking, ‘wouldn’t it be nice to make some beer for these people?’”

While Across the Creek Organics is located close enough to the beginning of the route to attract plenty of participants, this year Tourism Pemberton is introducing an incentive to peddle all the way down to the very last farm on the route.

They’re adding a passport initiative in which

participants collect stamps from each farm. If they have stamps from every site, they can enter their passport to win prizes. “It just adds another element of fun along the route and people get to most if not all of them,” Cindric said.

Organizers are also hoping more people will register online this year to facilitate a smooth start to event day. The event costs $5 per person or $20 per family.

“Then you just sign the waiver and off you go,” Cindric said.

Along with your bike — and a stomach with room for tasty treats — participants should also show up with weather-appropriate clothing. The event has seen both hot, sunny days and sporadic afternoon rain showers over the years.

“Last year we had maybe an hour of rain towards the end of the day, which was OK,” Cindric said.

“Historically it’s always been sunny and hot. It was actually kind of nice last year that it wasn’t overly hot with the cloud cover and wind.”

While the weather might be unpredictable, cyclists are sure to enjoy themselves. “It’s a great chance for locals and visitors to meet some of these farmers and see how farming happens and who produces our food.”

To learn more about the event — or to register — visit tourismpembertonbc.com and click on events.

12 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 12

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

#MyMeadows

GREAT GOLF. FABULOUS FOOD. BEST VALUE. PembertonGolf.com w 1730 Airport Road w 1-800-390-4653

3

Pemberton Bed & Breakfasts and Inns

See p.20 for a full map of Pemberton

After a quiet peaceful sleep, wake up to the natural beauty of the Pemberton Valley and enjoy majestic views of Mount Currie from your choice of one of our informative and pampering B&Bs.

www.pembertonbandb.com 1.

Log House Bed & Breakfast Inn - 1357 Elmwood Drive

2.

1

Greenwood Country Inn - 1371 Greenwood Street

3.

2

Lillooet River Lodge - 1428 Pemberton Farm Road West

LEGEND: Highway 99 Paved Roads BC Rail

Relax and unwind in an exquisite yellow cedar log home. Six unique guest bedrooms with private bathrooms, full breakfast and outdoor hot tub. Ideal for groups, families and corporate retreats. The Log House B&B Inn is close to all amenities and enjoys stunning mountain views. t tf e w

604-894-6000 1.800.894.6002 loghouseinfo@loghouseinn.com www.loghouseinn.com

Custom built post and beam home in superb & quiet location above Pemberton. Outstanding panoramic views from the sun terrace with pond & hot-tub. Choose between private B&B Rooms or self-contained Suites with full kitchen and separate entrance. Free and strong WIFI. German & English spoken.

t e w

604-894-5607 greenwoodcountryinn@gmail.com www.greenwoodcountryinn.com

Trails

Experience great hospitality, the moment you arrive at the beautiful cedar log home. Located on 4 acres along the Lillooet River, offering spectacular views of Mount Currie.

Enjoy a continental or full breakfast. Our rooms, with a king (can be split into two singles) or queen size bed, are air conditioned and have a full bath en suite. Free WI-FI, English, German and French spoken. t 604-966-8246 e lrlbandb@telus.net w www.lillooetriverlodge.com Water

Parks/ Greenspace

Residential

Commercial

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 13

PVG 2017.indd 13

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

NO TWO DAYS OF FISHING ARE ALIKE Photo submitted

TAKE A BREAK: GO FISHIN’ ALYSSA NOEL

FISHING IN PEMBERTON OFFERS A RETREAT INTO THE PRISTINE WILDERNESS Brad Knowles has tapped into a niche market: skiers and snowboarders whose legs are toast after several days on the hill.

“What else is there to do in Whistler?” he asked.

The answer: head up the highway and go fishing.

“It’s not a physical sport, so it’s a day off for your legs,” said Knowles, who owns Pemberton Fish Finder, a fishing guide service based in Pemberton that runs throughout the Sea to Sky corridor. “And it’s entertaining. Two days are never the same. The simple thing is you never catch the same fish twice.

We enjoy fishing with families and people who are new to the sport.”

While that often includes visitors to Whistler who are looking for something a little different — or, yes,

a break from careening downhill — there are also plenty of exciting fishing opportunities in the area for more experienced anglers too.

“A lot of things we do is based on our local knowledge,” Knowles said. “Between the guides we share 100 years of fishing knowledge. That’s a huge number. That’s a ticket for any successful business; if you can have that kind of experience in your company that amounts to people catching fish.”

Case in point: 2017 is going to be a big year with the pink salmon run returning to the area. “It happens every other year,” Knowles said. “It’s a very unique fishing trip. It’s one of those fishing trips where you can expect to catch a lot of fish. When you’re standing in the river, there are fish bumping into your legs. The guides themselves are very excited.”

Catching fish might be the goal of a fishing trip, but in Pemberton, you’ll also have the added benefit of escaping into pristine nature where you can leave

the hustle of everyday life — and, sometimes, a cell signal — behind.

“Pemberton is wild,” Knowles said. “There are lots of places where you don’t see anything but wildlife — bears, deer and other animals. I think it can be a bit overwhelming for some people… Some people don’t like being without their cell phones. That’s a reality.

But once you preoccupy them with good fishing they enjoy themselves thoroughly. Those people, as soon as they get back into cell service, their phones are (blowing up) with messages and they’re back to reality.”

To that end, having a guide help visitors navigate the area’s untamed wilderness is part of the appeal.

Pemberton Fish Finder assists guests with obtaining a fishing license, setting up the right equipment and even offering pointers. Basically, guests just need to show up in weather-appropriate clothing.

One of the most popular types of fishing in recent

14 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 14

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

NORTH ARM FARM Pemberton’s Family Farm Experience • Store & Bakery • Private Events • STORE & BAKERY • Seasonal BC Tree Fruits • Catering • U-PICK BERRIES, FLOWERS & PUMPKINS • U-Pick Berries & Pumpkins • Farm Animals • FRESH PICKED VEGGIES • SEASONAL FRUIT • Fresh Picked Veggies • Ice Cream

• PRIVATE EVENTS • CATERING OPEN DAILYJUNE (MayTHRU 27 toOCTOBER October 31) • DAILY ~ certified organic ~

604-894-5379 1888 Hwy 99, Pemberton | www.northarmfarm.com PART OF THE APPEAL OF FISHING IS VENTURING INTO THE WILDERNESS Photo submitted WQPV1-5531 North Arm Farm.indd 1

11-04-21 3:25 PM

years has been fly fishing, which not all visitors are familiar with, Knowles said, adding ice fishing also seems to be catching on.

“I always suggest to people if they want to take up fly fishing, go out with a fly fishing guide,” he said. “What it’ll do is eliminate those bad habits off the top and get you on the fast track to success.”

On top of that, guides know where the fishing is good on any given day — something Pemberton Fish Finder shares with the public on its website. In fact, Knowles can rattle off a list of the best fishing for each season.

From November to March is steelhead and ice fishing, March to May is bull trout leading into cutthroat season. From June to August you’ll find chinook salmon then rainbow, bull and kokanee picks up. This year, the pink salmon run will start from the last weekend of July until mid-September then coho follows. Chump salmon wraps up the year in October and November.

“There’s a lot of water to be fished,” Knowles said. “The area provides yearround, quality fishing too. In the corridor, they’ll be fishing no matter what time of year it is. That’s how it works.”

For more information visit pembertonfishfinder.com.

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 15

PVG 2017.indd 15

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

THE PEMBERTON BACKCOUNTRY OFFERS ENDLESS ADVENTURE Photo by Megan Wilson

ENDLESS OPTIONS FOR WINTER BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES VINCE SHULEY

THE PEMBERTON VALLEY IS A SNOWY PARADISE FOR SKIERS, SNOWBOARDERS AND SNOWMOBILERS If sliding on snow outside of resort boundaries is something that gets your heart racing, then the Pemberton Valley offers a proverbial shot of adrenaline in the arm.

From self-propelled soul skiing along Duffey Lake Road to helicopter-accessed glacier turns deep in the Coast Mountain Range, few towns in British Columbia can rival Pemberton’s winter backcountry offerings.

EARN YOUR TURNS

For those who hike for their ski turns, the stretch of Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet — known as the Duffey Lake Road — is the perfect balance of accessibility and remote wilderness.

Novice backcountry skiers can hone their skills in the more mellow terrain of Marriott Basin, also home to the popular Wendy Thompson Hut run by the Alpine Club of Canada.

More experienced ski tourers will want to sample the

goods around Cerise Creek, Cayoosh Mountain and Joffre Lakes, with plenty more options available if you’re willing to spend the time to access them via the network of logging roads in the area.

For more detailed information on ski routes and access, pick up a copy of Exploring Coast Mountains On Skis by John Baldwin and the accompanying topographic map for the Duffey Lake area.

HIT CRUISE CONTROL

One of Pemberton’s most popular winter recreation activities is snowmobiling. Many visiting sledders choose to base themselves out of Pemberton, allowing them to explore terrain in all directions.

The Pemberton Icecap (visible from the top of Whistler Mountain) remains one of the biggest draws for snowmobile visitors from all over Canada. Access is via the 23-km groomed Rutherford Creek Trail before a short, but steep climb up and over the Appa Glacier.

Parking is at the Rutherford Forestry Services Road, just six kilometres south of Pemberton, where all trail

fees go directly to the Pemberton Valley Snowmobile Club to help fund the trail grooming, smoothing out the inevitable “whoops” that form on logging roads.

“We have access to some of the best terrain in B.C., all within a short drive of town,” said Pete Sutter with the Pemberton Valley Snowmobile Club. “Our snowpack here in the Coast Range is a little more predictable and a little safer with the temperate environment. The terrain is also more wide open; we don’t get as many terrain traps. The access routes are generally safer and a bit more forgiving than other snowmobiling areas in the province.”

Sutter added that while the Pemberton Ice Cap is a big attraction for sledders, the Hurley Road has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years.

“There’s just valley after valley of terrain up there. It’s amazing how much access you can get off one road,” he said. “You could ride up the Hurley every day of the week going into different zones and not cross your own tracks.”

For zones with less commitment, the Brandywine

16 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 16

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

WE KNOW PEMBERTON INSIDE AND OUT The Whistler Real Estate Company is consistently the leading real estate company in Pemberton. Our agents are true locals who live, work, and play in the community year-round and it is their dedication and love for where they live that keeps us on top year after year. Let us show you why we live here. * Information deemed to be accurate and based on sold unit volume in Pemberton as provided by the Whistler Listing System for 2016

®

®

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 17

PVG 2017.indd 17

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

and Sproatt Mountain areas south of Whistler are quicker to access, but inevitably attract more people. Anyone venturing out snowmobiling should be experienced or riding with other experienced people, be adequately equipped and have extra gas on hand to make sure they get home.

COME FLY WITH ME

For the ultimate winter backcountry experience, the heliskiing around Pemberton is nothing short of world class.

Local company Coast Range Heli Adventures operates in a tenure with over 200,000 acres of terrain (25 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb) that straddles the Coastal Mountain Range and the Northern Interior Plateau. So you can rest assured the expert guides will find more than a few suitable runs for you and your group. It also gives pilots options to escape north to drier and clearer weather patterns should the clouds descend over the Pemberton Valley.

One of the most attractive heli-accessed winter adventures are the ice caves beneath the Pemberton Ice Cap. These caverns are formed by water melting along the bed of the glacier, leaving a labyrinth of tunnels bathed in blue light with icicles and columns stretching from ground to ceiling. No skiing or snowboarding is required; tour operators such as Headline Mountain Holidays offer packages specifically for exploring ice caves by foot.

STUNNING VIEWS ARE PART OF THE BACKCOUNTRY’S FUN Photo by Megan Wilson

These are just a few of the winter backcountry adventures on tap in and around the Pemberton Valley. Whatever your ability, fitness or level of thrill-seeking, the LOCAL MOTION THERAPY_PVG2013.pdf 1 13-05-06 10:58 AM Pemberton backcountry is calling.

LOCAL MOTION THERAPY_PVG2013.pdf

Centennial Café

1

13-05-06

10:18 AM

We have a special interest in getting you out there again!

Physiotherapy, Massage therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Custom orthotics, Craniosacral therapy, IMS, Full line of braces, Rehab programs

604-894-5525

Homemade Authentic Cantonese, Szechuan & Western Cuisine Food made from Scratch • Dine In & Take Out • Licensed See our menu at www.centennialcafe.ca 7439 Frontier Street

604-894-6433 or 604-894-3364 hours: 11am - 10pm daily

Open Monday Monday - -Friday 9-7 Open Saturday Find us at 110-1411 Portage Road, Pemerton, BC, V0N 2L0

book online at

www.localmotiontherapy.com

18 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 18

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

S ER IN G MM ND S U ER L A I AC

GL

ADVENTURES POWERED BY

HELICOPTER SIGHTSEEING • HELI-BIKING HELI-PICNICS • HELI-HIKING WEDDINGS & PROPOSALS • SEA TO SKY TRANSFERS & CUSTOM SAFARIS

1.800.330.HELI blackcombhelicopters.com

@blackcomb_helicopters

/blackcombhelicopters

@blackcombheli

OPEN FOR LUNCH

Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday starting Friday 5th May - Saturday 30th September

Opening times from May 5th Monday 5-9pm Tuesday 5-9pm Wednesday closed Thursday 5-9pm Friday 11.30am-3pm, 5-9pm Saturday 11.30am-3pm, 5-9pm Sunday 11.30am-3pm, 5-9pm 2021 PORTAGE ROAD, MT. CURRIE

I 604.894.6093 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 19

PVG 2017.indd 19

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

CENTRAL PEMBERTON A

B

C

D

E

F

G

1

2

3

4

COMMUNITY BARN

5

6

7

LEGEND: 8

Highway 99 Paved Roads BC Rail Trails Water Parks/ Greenspace

9

Residential Commercial

20 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 20

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

GREATER PEMBERTON H

I

J

K

L

M

N

TYAX WILDERNESS RESORT & SPA

1 CARPENTER LAKE GUN LAKE

GOLD BRIDGE

N

DOWNTON LAKE

BRALORNE

)

S UM

MER ONL Y

2

SETON LAKE

SS

ROA D(

SETON PORTAGE

HU

3

PA EY RL

ANDERSON LAKE

MT. MEAGER

LILLOOET RIVER

FACE MTN.

Meager Creek Hot Springs

4

D’ARCY

BIRKENHEAD PROVINCIAL PARK

TENQUILLE LAKE

BIRKENHEAD LAKE

CAYOOSH RANGE

DEVINE

TO LILLOOET

BIRKEN

LILLOOET RIVER RYAN RIVER

MT. RONAYNE BIRKENEAD RIVER

5

SUGERLOAF MTN.

PEMBERTON ICEFIELD

DUFFY LAKE

PLACE GLACIER

PEMBERTON MEADOWS RD

CAYOOSH MTN.

OWL CREEK

MT. MILLER IVEY LAKE

MILLER CR

IPSOOT MTN.

6

PEMBERTON CR.

PEMBERTON

RUTHERFORD CR.

MOUNT CURRIE

99

JOFFRE LAKES PROVINCIAL RECREATION AREA

TWIN ONE CR.

NAIRN FALLS PROVINCIAL PARK

MT. CALLAGHAN

SOO RIVER

GREEN RIVER

JOFFRE GROUP

ONE MILE LAKE

MT. CURRIE

LILLOOET LAKE

TWIN TWO CR.

99

7

LEGEND:

GREEN LAKE

WHISTLER

Highway 99

WEDGEMOUNT LAKE

GARIBALDI PROVINCIAL PARK

LIZZIE LAKE

Paved Roads Water

8

Parks/ Greenspace Camping

TO SQUAMISH & VANCOUVER INNERGEX

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 21

PVG 2017.indd 21

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

PEMBERTON BUSINESS DIRECTORY ACCOMMODATIONS B4

B4

7455 Prospect Street | 604 894 5504

GREENWOOD COUNTRY INN

1371 Greenwood Street | 604 894 5607

C1 A5

LOG HOUSE B&B INN

1357 Elmwood Drive | 604 894 6000

D6 F7

PEMBERTON VALLEY LODGE

1490 Sea to Sky Highway (99) | 604 894 2000

K1

TYAX WILDERNESS RESORT & SPA

1 Tyaughton Lake Road, Gold Bridge | 250 238 2221

DINING L6

BARN NORK

B5

CENTENNIAL CAFÉ

2021 Portage Road, Mt. Currie | 604 894 6093 7439 Frontier Street | 604 894 6433 / 604 894 3364

B5 D6

MILE ONE EATING HOUSE

107-7330 Arbutus Street | 604 384 3842

D6

MOUNT CURRIE COFFEE CO.

2-7331 Arbutus Street | 604 894 3388

B4

STAY WILD

106-7445 Frontier Street | 604 894 8884

L6

THE BLACK SQUIRREL RESTAURANT & PUB 1730 Airport Road | 604 894 6197

RECREATION K7

BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS

9960 Heliport Road | 1 800 330 4354

L6

BIG SKY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

1690 Airport Road | 800 668 7900

B5 C5 J8

DANIELLE MENZEL LISA HILTON

LISA KORTHALS

LOCAL MOTION THERAPY

B5

METHOD TATTOO

D6

PEMBERTON CHAMBER / INFO CENTRE

109-7433 Frontier Street | 604 894 0013

REMAX SEA TO SKY REAL ESTATE - PEMBERTON

Corner Highway 99 & Portage Road | 604 894 6175

1411 Portage Road | 604 894 6616

D6

C6

110-1411 Portage Road | 604 894 5525

lisa@myseatosky.com | 604 905 8708

C5

B5

WHISTLER REAL ESTATE COMPANY - PEMBERTON

B5

ANIMAL BARN

POCKETFUL PRODUCTIONS

pocketfulproductions.com | 604 938 3800

1-1348 Portage Road | 604 894 6740

NORTH ARM FARM

B5

SCOTIABANK

PEMBERTON FARMERS’ MARKET

A5

SQUAMISH LILLOOET REGIONAL DISTRICT

PEMBERTON GENERAL STORE

B6

7433 Prospect Street | 604 894 1050

1888 Highway 99 | 604 894 5379

C5

1350 Aster Street | 604 894 6371

pembertonfarmersmarket.com

B5

7437 Prospect Street | 604 894 6233

B5

PEMBERTON VETERINARY HOSPITAL

5-1345 Aster Street | 604 894 1119

RETAIL & RELAXATION

L6

PEMBERTON VALLEY WELLNESS

3-7438 Prospect Street | 604 894 2009

5-7331 Arbutus Street | 604 894 5166

C5

INNERGEX

innergex.com | 604 894 6862

lisah@wrec.com | 604 902 4589

C5

CONNECTIONS

3-1384 Portage Road | 604 894 1223

danielle@wrec.com | 604 698 5128

D6

BLACK’S HOT WHEELS

1380 Aster Street | 604 894 9436

WHISTLER SKYDIVING

REAL ESTATE D6

BIG SKY DENTAL

106 – 1436 Portage Road | 604 894 5111

THE MEADOWS AT PEMBERTON

1850 Airport Road I 604 698 7120

GRIMM’S DELI

106-7433 Frontier Street | 604 894 5303

D6

1730 Airport Road | 604 894 6197

L6

AC GAS

7432 Prospect Street | 604 894 1701

pembertontrails.com

L6

PEMBERTON GATEWAY VILLAGE SUITES 7330 Arbutus | 604 894 8888

B5

PEMBERTON VALLEY TRAILS ASSOCIATION

LILLOOET RIVER LODGE

1428 Pemberton Farm Road | 604 966 8246

SERVICES

PEMBERTON & DISTRICT MUSEUM & ARCHIVES SOCIETY

VILLAGE OF PEMBERTON

7400 Prospect Street | 604 894 6135

PEMBERTON VALLEY HARDWARE RONA

7426 Prospect Street | 604 894 6240

B5

PEMBERTON VALLEY SUPERMARKET

7438 Prospect Street | 604 894 3663

C5

Tourism Pemberton Members Maps Grid Reference (map page 20-21)

PEMBERTON BIKE CO.

1-1392 Portage Road | 604 894 6625

Pemberton Farmers market Fridays 3-6:30pm, May 26 – Oct 6 inclusively

Pemberton & District Museum & Archives Society

Take a step back in time and explore our Pioneer Village.

Learn about Port Pemberton’s early days as a stopping point along the historic LillooetHarrison gold rush trail of 1858, the coming of the rail in 1914 and the settlement of the Pemberton valley.

Located in Pemberton Downtown Community Barn

7455 Prospect St. Open May – Oct, 10am – 5pm 604-894-5504

Join us for ‘Tea & Tales’ every Tuesday at 2pm in July and August.

Email: info@pembertonfarmersmarket.com www.pembertonfarmersmarket.com

For current info visit our website: www.pembertonmuseum.org

We can provide activities for groups of all ages. Celebrating Canada 150 all summer long

Shop where the farmers live 22 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 22

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

NEW GREAT HOURS. Same great service.

Monday - Wednesday: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

7433 Prospect Street Pemberton, BC ÂŽ

Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Downtown Pemberton Surrounded by spectacular views and amazing recreational possibilities, Pemberton is the ideal place to begin your adventure, anytime of year.

We invite you to download our Tourism Pemberton App for our community event calendar, local business directory, things to do and more! It’s FREE from the App Store and Google Play.

tourismpembertonbc.com

PVG 2017.indd 23

604.894.1701

www.acgas.ca

Lottery Ice BBQ Propane Exchange Free Range Eggs Fresh Lunch Options

CHOOSE LOCAL

2017-05-08 5:06 PM

JOHNNY JONES Photo by Dave Steers

FACES OF PEMBERTON LISA RICHARDSON

MEET THREE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS TOWN UNIQUE

JOHNNY JONES

Johnny Jones has been a mapmaker all his life.

By the time he was 13, he was making maps of the territory of his people, the Lil’wat Nation. He called them his dot maps, and he logged all the stories and place names he’d heard growing up, while sitting amongst the community’s elders. He labelled the maps with colour-coded dots, representing rock paintings, culturally modified trees, pit house sites.

Now, almost 50 years later, he’s still neck-deep in maps, still walking the territory, helping to attest to his community’s long, deep relationship with this place. He still pores over his dot maps, but in 2005, Jones’ efforts got a tech-boost, when he became one of the first people in the Lil’wat Land

and Resource Department to be trained in GPS mapping.

Jones has seen enough itskens (pit houses), hunting blinds, rock paintings, artifacts, to round out the oral history he grew up listening to, to know his people have lived here forever, since before recorded time. At last, science is catching up.

Last summer, carbon dating revealed a cluster of storage caches and s7ístkens (pit houses dug into the earth, with earthen walls and a roof of huge beams, entered by a ladder through the top) found by the Birkenhead River indicated a village of up to 100 people who were living here between 300 years to 1,100 years ago. An older date indicates the site was also used as a seasonal camp as far back as 5,500 years ago — before the Pharoahs ruled Egypt.

Jones says he knows people come here to enjoy the beautiful mountains. But he invites you to take a jaunt to the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, or the Lil’wat7úl Culture Centre in Mount Currie while you’re here, and discover another layer of beauty to this place — the original people whose stories are written on the land.

ERIN PAIGE KERR

Erin Paige Kerr still remembers the first time she ate lamb. It was encrusted in pistachios. She can describe it in mouth-watering detail. She was nine years old.

One of the first local kids in the Whistler Freeride program, Kerr spent a good part of her high school years road-tripping and competing on the junior freeskiing circuit — but it’s in the culinary arts that she’s a true phenom.

24 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 24

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

FOR ALL YOUR CAMPING NEEDS

VISIT PEMBERTON VALLEY HARDWARE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PEMBERTON

PEMBERTON VALLEY HARDWARE AND BUILDING CENTRE

7426 Prospect Street, Pemberton, BC

ERIN PAIGE KERR Photo by Dave Steers

As Chef de Cuisine at Mile One Eating House, 26-year-old Kerr is the youngest person working in the kitchen. The fact that she’s also in charge? “I think I’m naturally kind of bossy, so it’s not that hard,” she jokes.

family, implant & cosmetic Dentistry orthoDontic specialist

New Patients & Emergencies Welcome

Kerr grew up around Whistler’s food and beverage scene. She’d set the tables with ketchup and salt and pepper at the restaurant where her mother worked before catching the bus to school. She started officially working in a kitchen at 14, where she invented ice cream flavours at La Bocca’s gelato bar. She worked with her stepfather, Chef Chris Shiner, at the Edgewater Lodge in Whistler, before joining Mile One as part of its opening crew, six years ago.

Mile One Eating House has expanded twice since it opened, and the summer line-up is usually out the door. But people don’t mind waiting to grab a table at the place described just this spring in The Georgia Straight as “one of the best restaurants in Canada, with everything a discerning foodie could ever want.”

Erin has been part of that equation from the beginning. “I love Pemberton. I don’t think we could leave here ever. These are the people I want to please with the food I cook. Because I care about them.”

book your appointment:

604-894-5111

www.bigskyDental.ca

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 25

PVG 2017.indd 25

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

GRAHAM TURNER

He built a snowboard in shop class before snowboarding was even allowed on the mountains, with a waterski jig, three sheets of wood clamped together and some rubber filched from the school’s overhead projector.

He was the first employee to move into Blackcomb staff housing when it was newly built — and the first to be kicked out of it. He’d wear a leopard print jacket and cowboy hats at Las Vegas trade shows. It was almost inevitable that Graham Turner would go on to grow Whistler Blackcomb’s Showcase snowboard stores to legendary status.

Snowboarder, mountain biker, motorcycle racer, snowboard industry leader, Graham Turner has been an innovator with an outlaw streak from the outset, so the fact that he’s now President of the Chamber of Commerce says something about Pemberton — or, as Turner fondly calls it, “the most friendly and vibrant one-stop light town in Canada.”

The Pemberton & District Chamber of Commerce is 85 years old this year, and Turner has just hit 50. But both are fiercely focused on the future. “How do we make Pemberton the most livable town in Canada, and bring everyone along for the ride?” is the question that drives him.

And as the manager of retail operations for the Lil’wat Nation, his definition of everyone is truly expansive.

Summer in Pemberton is BMX season for Turner who oversees weekly races at the BMX track that he founded with his wife, Jess, and an amazing troupe of dedicated volunteers in 2012.

GRAHAM TURNER Photo by Dave Steers

Pemberton Veterinary Hospital Providing Compassionate Veterinary Care in the Beautiful Pemberton Valley Dogs · Cats · Horses · Cows · Sheep · Goats · Pigs

5-1345 Aster Street, Pemberton

604-894-1119

www.pembertonvet.com

26 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 26

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

@BigSkyGolfClub

/BigSkyGolfClub

/bigskygolf

Remember when stores sold everything?

Featuring many Canadian quality brands Western Wear and Boots • Laurentian Chief Moccasins, Mucklucks and Tshirts Large Workwear Department • Mens • Women and Childrens Clothing and Accessories Hats, Outdoor Clothing and Outerwear • Musical Instruments and Accessories Canadian Hand-Crafted and Themed Souvenirs Well we’re one and we are celebrating over 60 years of serving Pemberton

1956—2017

“If we don’’t have it, you don’t need it” Come visit us and see for yourself!

7437 Prospect Street (604) 894-6233

PVG 2017.indd 27

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

SLOQUET HOT SPRINGS Photo by D’Artagnan Newton

HOT SPRINGS FOR HEALING LISA RICHARDSON

ADVENTURE INTO THE WILDERNESS AROUND PEMBERTON TO FIND NATURAL SPRINGS — AND SLOW DOWN The last traffic light was literally hours ago.

Your cellphone lost service 70 km back. The condition of the gravel road has deteriorated steadily as you’ve driven further away from civilization, deeper into the green. When the vehicle finally comes to a stop, a cloud of dust-swirl takes its time to dissipate, and you unfold your body with

relief and step out into the fresh air.

Think it’s awesome to find a hot spring in a wildly natural setting after a multi-hour backroads adventure? Imagine how the first people who discovered it felt. Back before electricity and hot showers and all the travails of our first world problems — a natural hot spring bubbling away?

Strip me naked and sizzle my flesh pink.

The lure remains true. Which is why the handful of

hot springs in the vicinity of Pemberton continue to exert their timeless, magnetic pull on moment seekers.

Online, these hot springs are generally described as “unspoiled by the tourist industry.” Challenging to access, they’ve not been commercially developed, but increased interest has caused its own problems.

In 2016, the Keyhole (or Pebble Creek) Hot Springs and access trail were closed by provincial conservation officials after garbage and food left by

28 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 28

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

campers attracted a mama grizzly bear who charged a visitor.

There’s only one way to keep natural hot springs unspoiled. Don’t spoil them.

Hardcore, leave-no-trace ethics are required. That means pack out what you pack in. Every little bit. And butt.

Sloquet Hot Springs, 85 km down the gravel in-SHUCK-ch Forestry Service Road (also known as the Lillooet Lake Road), and an additional 40 km from Whistler, is managed by the Xa’xtsa First Nation, in partnership with Recreation Sites and Trails of BC. Members of the remote community, who have lived there since before recorded time, view visitors’ fascination with the hot springs as an opportunity — to share their culture and one of their spiritual and cleansing places, and to work close to home in a region with very little industry.

ExpEriEncE thE ultimatE rush!

Whistler Skydiving 604-698-7120 www.whistlerskydiving.ca info@whistlerskydiving.ca

Visitors’ camping and day fees are not just an investment in the facility, but in the people who have been stewards of the land here since long before contact.

“The community here has a deep connection with the land and it generates a lot of pride to be able to caretake it in a way that respects those traditions, but also offers the possibility of connecting with enlightened travellers from all around the world,” said d’Artagnan Newton, the site manager who serves as an ideas generator and economic development consultant to the Xa’xtsa Nation.

As the Nation generates revenue from managing the site, the hope is to reinvest that money into improvements. The mid-term vision is to run day trips from Whistler and Pemberton — bus transport and local guide, included. (Visit the website: www.sloquethotsprings.ca for announcements when the program is live.)

The Pemberton Valley Trails Association is a non-profit charitable society tasked with the construction and maintenance of our local single track trail network. for information on our trails

& more visit:

pembertontrails.com / tourismpembertonbc.com / nimbyfifty.com

PembertonValleyTrailsAssociation

Given the remoteness of the Sloquet Hot Springs, in the traditional territory of the Xa’xtsa (Douglas) First Nation, visitors for now have to come with everything they need. Drinking water. Bug dope. Everything. The Xa’xtsa First Nation is a community served by a gas station at Tipella, but “convenience” takes on a different meaning when you’re two or three hours and 105 km from the nearest store.

“It’s such a mind shift, when you come down here,” said Newton who travels from Whistler regularly to work with the Xa’xsta community. “It’s as if you drop decades at a time, with each kilometre you travel down the road. It’s such a rare thing to be able to experience wilderness like this, and it’s an experience that the Xa’xtsa First Nation were never separated from. I think there’s so much to be gained from those interactions.”

Once the modern wanderer detoxes from a life lived at instant-gratificationpace, the need to pick up a frappucino or a grilled panini on a whim quiets down, and allows for some space within to open up — the space that enables us to connect with ancestral memory, cellular imprinting, nature, something bigger-than.

That’s the lure of spring water that emerges from the ground at close to boiling hot, cooling as it wends its way to a creek, through a series of sandy pools. Modernistas can find it hard to approach these places without props — speakers and tarps and cocktail mix and the dog — because slowing down is anathema and resistance runs deep. But try.

The Sloquet Hot Springs are a sacred site to the community here — a spiritual place. Make the pilgrimage with reverence. See what good medicine it brings.

For more visit www.xaxtsa.ca/sloquet-hot-springs.

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 29

PVG 2017.indd 29

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

PEMBERTON BOASTS A TOP-NOTCH SKATEBOARD PARK AND BMX TRACK Photo by Dave Steers

HIT THE TRAILS AND TRACKS FOR FUN ON WHEELS VINCE SHULEY

SPUD VALLEY OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BMX, MOTOCROSS, ATV AND SKATEBOARDING Sliding may get all the attention during the winter, but summer is all about rolling — over dirt, over concrete, over trails, on two wheels or four.

Whatever your chosen method of transportation, you can be sure to find a spot for fun in Pemberton. The mountain bike trails are world class, yes. But there’s also a BMX track, a motocross track, a skateboard park and enough 4x4 trails to get lost several times over.

So put some air in the tires and gear up for your next wheeled adventure.

SMALL BIKES, BIG MOVEMENT

The heyday of BMX may have been in the 1980s, but the sport is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. The small, rigid frames of BMX have none of the suspension cushion now integral to mountain bikes, meaning a BMX rider must have proficient skills and

timing to jump and corner efficiently. The sport builds solid riders in all bicycle disciplines; mountain bike, road, even the slopestyle riding seen during Whistler’s Crankworx Freeride Festival.

Pemberton’s BMX movement was built around its track, which received a makeover in 2013 to bring it up to competition standard. The track — located on Cottonwood Street — is open to the public from May until October. But if you’re looking for the real BMX experience, come along to the club races on Thursday nights.

Drop-in rates for race fees apply, so you can try it without committing to the whole season. Pemberton BMX was also proud to host the Provincial Championship Finals in 2016, a race that showcased both the track and the town to the rest of British Columbia’s thriving BMX community.

CLUB MOTO

Motocross, the sport that birthed BMX, is the

summer recreation activity of choice for a lot of Pemberton’s snowmobile community. And also like BMX, motocross requires a purpose-built track.

That track can be found at Green River Motocross Park, just off Highway 99 between Whistler and Pemberton. A dedicated crew of volunteers (along with fresh dirt and machinery from generous local businesses) help keep the track fresh for every riding season.

The track is open on weekends, Wednesday and Friday nights and on Tuesdays specifically for kids and beginner riders. Track conditions can change quickly with weather forcing club staff to close it on certain days, so check the Green River MX Facebook page before loading up your pony. Day rates and season passes are available for track access.

4 X THE FUN

Two wheels may have the speed, but four wheels have the traction. And nowhere is traction (and overall 4x4 driving skill) exhibited better than at

30 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 30

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

CHIROPRACTIC MASSAGE ACUPUNCTURE THERAPEUTIC FACIAlS CRANIAl SACRAl THERAPY CUSTOM ORTHOTICS

6

Photo by Dave Steers

RENTALS SALES SERVICE TRAIL MAPS the 4X Fun Rally, taking place from June 3 - 4, 2017. The family-oriented Pemberton Offroad Rebels have been hosting the annual event since 1975.

Street-legal race trucks are what you’ll find at this grassroots weekend 4x4 rally, where you’ll also see competitors test their driving and mechanical skill by hill climbing, bog crawling and even jumping their vehicles.

If you can’t make the 4X Fun Rally, there’s plenty of off road trails to explore surrounding Pemberton. Logging roads permeate the area in all directions, some stretching hundreds of kilometres and accessing remote communities such as Bridge River and Bralorne. It’s a good idea to check on trail conditions before heading out in case of windfall and rockslides that will occasionally block some routes. Contact the Pemberton Offroad Rebels for more information.

OLLIE INTO THE SKATEPARK

While the wilderness is a big draw for adventurous visitors, urban recreation has a growing following in Pemberton. The local skatepark was built in 2011, designed by none other than skate master Jim Barnum of Spectrum Skateparks. The concrete surface has plethora of features including rails, benches, bowls, pools and quarter pipes. Skaters of any age level will feel at home at the Pemberton Skatepark, located right next to the community centre.

WHISTLER

PEMBERTON

137-4370 Lorimer Road

1-1392 Portage Road

ridegiant@giantwhistler.ca (604) 938-9511

pemberton@bikeco.ca (604) 894-6625

(in the Marketplace)

(next to The Pony)

OPEN 10-6 EVERY DAY BIKECO.CA

BIKECO.CA

BIKECO

THEBIKECO

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 31

PVG 2017.indd 31

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

LILLOOET IS A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT BEYOND PEMBERTON Stock photo

WHAT MAKES LILLOOET, LILLOOET? WENDY FRASER

IS IT THE SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN SCENERY WITH ITS CALL TO ADVENTURE? THE STRONG ABORIGINAL HERITAGE THAT FLOURISHES HERE? THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE? THE DIVERSITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE PEOPLE WHO CALL IT HOME? IT IS ALL THAT AND MORE. Lillooet is less than 100 km northeast of Pemberton.

It’s a scenic drive to a destination that’s well worth visiting. Here are some of the best activities, attractions and amenities the town offers.

The Lillooet Museum and Visitor Centre is situated in a former Anglican church, St. Mary the Virgin. The original St. Mary’s, which was torn down in 1961 after a century of serving the community, stood on this same spot. Although it was endowed with furnishings and silver liturgical service by a wealthy English gentlewoman, the doors of the original church were never locked in a century.

The melodeon and bell from the old church are displayed in the museum. The museum also features First Nations artifacts, Gold Rush- era relics, and a recreation of Margaret “Ma“ Murray’s

old newspaper office downstairs. As you enter the building, look to your left to see the largest mounted Rocky Mountain elk head ever registered in B.C.

a medical office. In 1950, Dr. Miyazaki became the first Japanese-Canadian elected to public office in Canada. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1977 for his unselfish service to Lillooet.

The Jade Walk is a relaxing stroll through downtown Lillooet. Start at the Jadehenge at the Lillooet Museum and Visitor Centre and proceed along Main Street, pausing to admire the 30 pieces of jade on display. These art pieces have been cut, polished and mounted to reveal each individual “face” of jade, whose colours, shapes and fractures all have different qualities. For good luck, visitors rub the tall jade boulders at the Jadehenge.

Lillooet’s Farmers Market is open every Friday from early May to the Thanksgiving weekend. Check out the local produce for sale, sample bannock (a traditional First Nations fry bread) or fritters, buy jam or a home-baked pie for the road or the campsite.

Browse through the crafts for sale, perhaps listen to an impromptu performance by local musicians, meet old friends and make new ones.

Like his father, the Phairs’ son Artie held many of the town’s official positions but, above all, is remembered as a photographer who documented the rugged landscapes, people and events of the area. During World War 2, Artie Phair met Japanese-Canadian internee Dr. Masajiro Miyazaki.

As Lillooet was without a doctor, Phair drafted a petition that allowed the Miyazaki family to move into his home and turn one of its front rooms into

Recently named one of the Top Five Places to Eat in the Sea to Sky corridor, The Kitchen at Fort Berens Estate Winery opens May 19 and will remain open until later in the fall. Executive chef Dylan Foss blends fresh, local ingredients and classic old-world techniques. Enjoy the exquisite food and friendly service; savour an award-winning wine; feel the summer breeze on the patio; and drink in the view over the lush green vineyard towards the Coast Mountains. The kitchen’s open daily for lunch.

32 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 32

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

Photo by Betty-Lou Cahoon Photo by Clint Ely

CONNECTIONS w e l l n e s s

s tu d i o

“The Old Bridge” over the Fraser was built circa 1911. It offers views of a nearby sturgeon fishing hole and is home to a bat colony that lives in specially constructed houses under the structure. The Lillooet Naturalist Society has installed a web cam on top of the suspension bridge to observe the comings and goings on of a family of ospreys who nest there every spring and summer.

Call: 604-894-1223

*by appointment

Photo submitted

Registered Massage Therapy Deep Tissue Sports Massage Yamuna Ball Rolling Cranial Sacral, Visceral & Spa Therapy

Book online: www.therapypemberton.com 1384 Portage Rd. (next to the Pony Restaurant)

WE ARE MORE THAN JUST TIRES WE ALSO OFFER:

MOBILE TIRE SERVICE CRANE TRUCK | OIL CHANGES BRAKES | FULL AUTO MECHANICAL SERVICES HOURS OF BUSINESS ARE MON - FRI 8:00 - 5:30

You can also enjoy Xwisten Experience Tours. Join a walking tour along the Bridge River fishing grounds to learn about dip-netting salmon and the traditional wind-dried method of preserving the fish – a staple of the St’at’imc diet for millennia. Hear songs and stories and see an archaeological site which contains more than 80 identified pit houses (s7istken) – the traditional winter homes of the St’at’imc. The Bridge River community has reconstructed a pit house and visitors can enter the s7istken to see what a winter home would have been like. The tour concludes with a salmon lunch that includes a traditional dessert of whipped soapberries (sxusum). Tours are available June to September.

The Sheep Pasture Golf Course. The name says it all. This nine-hole course promises a fun and challenging golfing experience for all levels of players.

Just watch out for the mobile hazards on the fairways – a herd of sheep who keep the course fertilized and nicely grazed and are a source of amusement for local and visiting golfers. The course has a pro shop with club and pull-cart rentals and offers snacks and beverage service. It’s eight-kilometres from Lillooet on Texas Creek Road.

COME VISIT OUR CONVENIENT DOWNTOWN LOCATION AT

1380 ASTER ST, PEMBERTON BC PH : 604-894-9436

Pet & Farm Feed and Supplies Equine Feed and Tack

604 894 6740

Mon. to Thurs. 9-6, Fri. 9-7 & Sun. 10-4 #1-1348 Portage Road, Pemberton

PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018 33

PVG 2017.indd 33

2017-05-08 5:07 PM

PEMBERTON EVENTS 2017/18 MAY

WI Plant & Bake Sale Nimby 50 Bike Race Museum Opens Chamber Lunch Farmers’ Market (Fridays) PORCA Toonie Race (Tuesdays) BMX Racing (Thursdays)

BMX Racing (Thursdays) May 6 May 20 May 19 May 25 Weekly, starting May 26 May 2, 16, 30 Weekly

JUNE

4 x 4 Rally Cougar Annie Tales Mountain Movement Dance Recital Annual Rotary Golf Tournament PSS Graduation Pemberton Dance Studio Year End Show WI Strawberry Tea (Berry dependent) BMX Race for Life (Charity for BC Children’s Hospital) Children’s Art Festival BMX Racing (Thursdays)

JULY

Canada Day BMX Provincal Qualifier Tea & Tales at the Museum (Tuesdays) Pemberton Music Festival Art & Garden Festival Canadian Paragliding Nationals Subaru Ironman Canada Family Fun Event BMX Racing (Thursdays)

AUGUST

June 3 – 4 June 9 June 14 June 15 June 17 June 18 June 27 June 29 June 30 Weekly

July 1 July 9 Weekly, starting July 11 July 13 – 16 July 22 – 23 July 22 – 29 July 30 Date TBC Weekly

Rosalind’s Tea Party (Benefit for Pemberton Safe House) Slow Food Cycle Sunday Art on the Farm BMX Scholarship Race Pemberton Lions Show & Shine PORCA Toonie Race (Tuesdays) Tea & Tales at the Museum (Tuesdays)

August 13 August 20 August 20 August 24 August 26 August 29 Weekly

Weekly

SEPTEMBER

Library Book Sale Pemberton Film Festival Pemberton Lions Barn Dance BC Rivers Day PORCA Toonie Race (Tuesdays) BMX Racing (Thursdays)

September 8 September 16 September 23 September 24 September 12, 16 Weekly

OCTOBER

North Arm Farm Pumpkin Patch Farmers’ Market (last market of the year) Lumpy’s Epic Run Get your Spook on Early

October 1 – 31 October 6 October 22 October 28

NOVEMBER

Library Wine & Cheese Glamour & Glitz Mountain of Art, Annual Gala & Fundraiser

DECEMBER

Pemberton Christmas Bazaar Santa PAWS Pemberton Valley Lodge Gingerbread Project Artisan Market PSS Breakfast with Santa Lil’wat Chirstmas Craft Fair

JANUARY 2018

Pemberton Winterfest

Date TBC Date TBC November 18 Date TBC

Date TBC

FEBRUARY 2018

BC Family Day 27th Annual Spud Valley Loppet

MARCH 2018

Seedy Saturday Pemberton

APRIL 2018

Outdoor Recreation & Conservation Fair

February 12 Date TBC Date TBC Date TBC

DON’T MISS OUT! MAY 26–OCTOBER 6 PEMBERTON FARMERS’ MARKET Fridays at the Community Barn

JULY 13–16

PEMBERTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Annual three-day music festival

AUGUST 20 SLOW FOOD CYCLE SUNDAY Annual farm to farm cycling event

For up-to-date event information: www.tourismpembertonbc.com 34 PEMBERTON VISITORS’ GUIDE 2017-2018

PVG 2017.indd 34

2017-05-09 11:00 AM

Head Office: 106 - 7015 Nesters Rd, Whistler, BC V0N 1B7

PVG 2017.indd 35

2017-05-08 5:08 PM

PVG 2017.indd 36

2017-05-08 5:08 PM