SUMMER/ FALL 2019
WHISTLER’S PREMIER P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1980
M AG A Z I N E
SUMMER SENSATIONS From the peaks to the backcountry, Whistler’s top adventures
OCEAN WISE DINING THE ART OF BEARS A TASTE OF PEMBERTON STYLE | ACTIVITIES HOMES | PEOPLE
COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE
Please Take One
MOUNTAIN GALLERIES PRESENTS EXHIBITION & SALE OF NEW WORK BY TOP CANADIAN ARTISTS
Brent Lynch, ‘Fire and Ice,’ 48” x 48“
VISIT US IN THE UPPER VILLAGE Fairmont Chateau Whistler | Open Daily | 604.935.1862 Worldwide Shipping
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Galleries at the Fairmont
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CHAMPAGNE SHOWERS
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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P: David McColm
FLIGHT. BEYOND. HORIZONS.
THE 360 EXPERIENCE AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB Discover your launchpad to our Outer Spaces, with an airborne adventure that offers unforgettable views in every direction.
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WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
whistlerblackcomb.com
ADVENTURES POWERED BY
Amazing! Absolutely one of the best things I have done in Whistler (having lived here for 7 years). Jaw dropping scenery the entire way, and a professional operation. An absolute must when you are in Whistler.
Carbon Neutral tourism flights since 2017
- Ben C – Whistler blackcombhelicopters
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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contents Ursa Artem 22 Whistler’s fuzziest residents inspire artists and art collectors alike BY MEGAN LALONDE
Whistler Style 30 The latest fashions from Whistler retailers BY LOGAN SWAYZE
Summer Sensations 40 Join four Whistlerites as they experience adventures offered only in summer BY JOEL BARDE, BRANDON BARRETT, MATT TURNER AND MEGAN LALONDE
The Thrill of the Uphill 51
Put the Blackcomb Ascent Trails on your summer “to do” list BY ALISON TAYLOR
Word to the Wise 66
Ocean Wise principles create a collective conscience for Whistler chefs BY BRADEN DUPUIS
CONTRIBUTORS
JUSTA JESKOVA
JOEL BARDE is a writer for Pique Newsmagazine. A graduate of the UBC Graduate School of Journalism, his work has appeared in CIM Magazine and The Walrus.
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WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
Freelance writer EMMA BASHFORD hails from the Yorkshire Pennines, U.K. Her love of the outdoors brought her to Whistler's mountains in 1998, where she thrives on the creative and sporting opportunities Whistler has to offer.
BRANDON BARRETT is features editor for Pique Newsmagazine. He is the 2018 recipient of the John Collison Investigative Journalism Award. In his free time, he is a theatre producer, performer and playwright.
DAVID BUZZARD is a commercial, architectural, and food photographer based in Whistler and Vancouver. He has won nine press awards for photojournalism for the Whistler Question and Squamish Chief.
BRADEN DUPUIS is a transplanted Saskatchewan flatlander lost in the Whistler mountains. He spends his days working as a reporter for Pique Newsmagazine. His mom thinks he is brilliant.
Your adventure awaits Ziptrek Ecotours hosts a selection of breathtaking zipline tours. Our wilderness adventure area is located directly above Whistler Village, in the spectacular temperate rainforest valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
Discover eco-exhilarationÂŽ
ziptrek.com 604.935.0001 WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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contents WILDLIFE: Be Bear Smart in Whistler 26
DEPARTMENTS
BY MEGAN LALONDE
Editor’s Greeting 10
WHISTLER HOMES: Summer Sanctuary 54
Trail Mix 14
BY JOEL BARDE
Bits and bites of information about winter in Whistler
FACES OF THE SEA TO SKY: A Taste of Pemberton 61 BY ALYSSA NOEL
PERFECT PAIRING: Sustainable Wine & Seafood 74 BY SAMANTHA RAHN
CASUAL DINING: The Asian Experience 77
Events Calendar 20 Unwind Adventure Guide 26 Shopping Whistler 86 Services Directory 97
BY BRANDON BARRETT
VILLAGE VIBE: After Eighteen 83 BY DAN FALLOON
SOCIAL PAGE: Scene in Whistler 98
COVER PHOTO: A magical evening at Vallea Lumina, by Logan Swayze
CONTRIBUTORS
MIKECRANEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Ex-pat Winnipegger DAN FALLOON serves as Pique Newsmagazine’s sports editor. He’s counting down the days until the best ten days of the year—Crankworx Whistler—descends on the resort in August.
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MEGAN LALONDE grew up in Ottawa and graduated with a degree from Carleton University's School of Journalism. She writes and handles all things social media for Pique Newsmagazine.
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
Originally from Alberta, ALYSSA NOEL is Pique Newsmagazine’s assistant editor. She has an M.A. in arts and culture reporting, and her work has appeared in SPIN magazine, The Province and OnEarth.
MATT TURNER has lived in Whistler his whole life. He is a provincially ranked climber, a freestyle skier and an avid backcountry enthusiast. Follow him on Instagram @matt.turner18.
LOGAN SWAYZE is a Whistler-based photographer born and raised in the Kootenays. When not shooting, Logan is either on his bike or board, or off travelling the world.
CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND
editor’s message
CARPE DIEM
NO BETTER PLACE THAN WHISTLER TO ‘SEIZE THE DAY’
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T THE END OF THE WINTER season, as the days were turning longer and the promise of summer lingered in the air, Whistler Magazine had the chance to go on a helicopter tour to visit a remote ice cave of epic proportions. What an assignment! It simultaneously filled me with coursing adrenalin and admittedly, a little dread. The thought of my first helicopter ride, soaring high over the mountains, and then landing on a far-flung glacial ice field before heading into the icy depths of an ancient cave, all seemed rather daunting, not to mention…way out of my comfort zone. But what if I said no to this assignment and passed it along to someone else? Would I keep saying no to other things?
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WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
As it turned out I said yes to one of the best Whistler adventures out there, a gamechanging decision reminding me to make the most out of life, to do the things that scare you, which, as it turns out, are often the things that make you feel most alive. That’s something worth considering, especially in Whistler where adventure is the name of the game. This issue, Whistler Magazine takes readers on a journey with first-hand accounts of some summer “wow” adventures in our backyard: white knuckling it across the new suspension bridge at the peak of Whistler Mountain or driving a Porsche Cayenne in the backcountry, screaming through the sky over the longest zipline in North America or waiting til the sun goes down to watch the forest come alive
in technicolour with the new Vallea Lumina multi-media tour. Take it from the locals who are continually finding new ways to enjoy the mountains, like the challenge of the new Blackcomb Ascent Trails—Little Burn, Big Burn and Heart Burn. These names say it all, but that didn’t stop 81-year-old Gloria Ellott from lacing up her hiking boots. “I like to feel at the end of it that I’ve really achieved something,” she says in this edition of the magazine. “The older I get, the more I want to feel that.” Whistler words to live by.
Alison
ALISON TAYLOR, Editor
The moment you celebrated 25 years of spectacular mountain golf.
The moment you connect with a lot more than the ball
RESERVE YOUR UNFORGETTABLE ROUND TODAY. Dramatic natural landscapes, stunning views and wildlife are signatures of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club. Carved out of the slopes of BC’s Coast Mountain Range, this par 72, 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. masterpiece is also a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary (ACSP).
FOR DETAILS AND TEE TIMES, PLEASE CALL 604 938 2092 OR VISIT WHISTLERMOUNTAINGOLF.COM
SUMMER/FALL 2019
“What are you planning to do in the mountains this summer?” GENERAL MANAGER, ADVERTISING/OPERATIONS
Catherine Power-Chartrand EDITOR
Alison Taylor
I can’t wait to take my kids to Vallea Lumina this summer. I think we might just be the last locals to experience it!
Slightly below the weight limit for tandem skydiving for the first time in years, I plan to throw my fat butt out of an airplane high above the Coast Mountains this summer (then probably go back to being fat).
ART DIRECTOR
Shelley Ackerman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Joel Barde Brandon Barrett Braden Dupuis Dan Falloon Megan Lalonde Alyssa Noel Matt Turner Samantha Rahn Emma Bashford
PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
David Buzzard Coast Mountain Photography Mike Crane Justa Jeskova Paul Morrison Claire Ryan Logan Swayze Mitch Winton PRESIDENT, WHISTLER PUBLISHING LP
Sarah Strother
I need to check the Cloudraker Skybridge off of my bucket list... followed by a drink (or two!) at the Umbrella Bar!
My wife and I are planning to explore all the wilderness our corner of the world has to offer, including some hiking and camping. Get back on the Ascent trail! We make powering up Blackcomb a family affair with my husband and two “tweenage” boys.
ACCOUNTING
Heidi Rode
CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION
Denise Conway
伀倀䔀一 䄀䰀䰀 夀䔀䄀刀℀
Whistler Magazine (ISSN-0835-5460) is published twice annually by WHISTLER PUBLISHING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a division of GLACIER MEDIA GROUP 103-1390 Alpha Lake Road, Whistler, B.C., Canada, V8E 0H9 Phone 604-938-0202 | Fax 604-938-0201 | Toll-Free 1-877-419-8866 Email: cpower@whistlermagazine.com Also publishers of Pique Newsmagazine, weekly on Thursdays, and FAQ, published twice yearly. piquenewsmagazine.com | faqwhistler.com
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㘀 㐀⸀㤀㌀㠀⸀㤀㌀㌀㌀ 圀䠀䤀匀吀䰀䔀刀䈀唀一䜀䔀䔀⸀䌀伀䴀
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WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
One-year (2 issues) subscription: $20 within Canada, $30 to the USA, $45 overseas. Call to charge to VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Copyright © 2019, by Glacier Media Group. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the publisher.
Ride The SasqUatch®
The longest zipline in Canada & the USA! Ziptrek Ecotours hosts a selection of breathtaking zipline tours. Our wilderness adventure area is located directly above Whistler Village, in the spectacular temperate rainforest valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.
Discover eco-exhilaration®
ziptrek.com 604.935.0001 WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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Standing onWater
A CULTURAL JOURNEY
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c SUPs or Stand Up Paddleboards or just “paddleboards” continue to take Whistler’s waterways by storm. Fashioned after a long surfboard, a paddleboard is a fun exercise in balance and a great way to enjoy Whistler’s five valley lakes. Beginners can take lessons to learn the ropes or rent a paddleboard and set their own course. The more advanced can even try SUP Yoga, holding a fierce warrior pose while floating on the water—one of the best core workouts out there.
HERE’S MORE TO Whistler’s cultural past than the evolution of skis and bikes. Step inside the beautiful Squamish-Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) and learn where Whistler’s cultural journey really begins. Whistler lies within the shared traditional territory of the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations. The SLCC is a celebration of both cultures. Learn why cedar is sacred; discover the significance of the imposing canoes in the Great Hall; find out how the two distinct languages and cultures have survived over the years. Don’t miss out on a visit to the SLCC gift shop showcasing handcrafted works of art from local First Nations artisans.
COOL OFF
JUSTA JESKOVA
DAVID BUZZARD
HE DEBATE over e-bikes on Whistler’s revered crosscountry single-track has yet to be settled but one thing is clear: e-bikes or electric bicycles are here to stay. With their battery pack and motor, e-bikes give riders an added zip with each pedal stroke. That makes Whistler that much more accessible and easy to explore. Take a guided e-bike tour or rent an e-bike and find your own way around town. One of the best ways to get around Whistler is on the Valley Trail, a 40 km paved trail network connecting Whistler’s neighbourhoods, lakes and parks.
JUSTA JESKOVA
PEDAL POWER
BY ALISON TAYLOR
MIKECRANEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
TRAIL MIX
A Whistler success story is stirred into every locally made tub of LUCIA GELATO. You’ll find Lucia Gelato at stands around Whistler as well as on the menus at local restaurants and in the grocery stores. The flavours, like White Chocolate Lavender and Chocolate Hazelnut Kiss, taste as good as they sound!
Just steps away from the base of the mountains is the ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY. With a tempting range of ice cream flavours to choose from, from the bright blue Bubble Gum to the more refined Rum Raisin, this is the perfect end to a long, hot, dusty day in the bike park.
It’s easy to find this ice cream store! The big cow outside gives it away. COWS is a long-standing staple in Whistler Village with its funfilled shop overflowing with quirky clothing and “udder stuff.” The handmade ice cream atop handmade waffle cones is a treat any time of year—summer or winter.
A LOOK BACK: WHISTLER’S ‘GHOST TOWN’ home of a successful sawmill operation. With its access to the lake, this was a prime spot for a steam-operated mill, not to mention access to the surrounding forest rich in timber. The mill operated in one form or another from 1923 to 1966, weathering the Great Depression, changes in ownership, and a big
fire over the years. In its heyday it was shipping prime B.C. lumber across the country to Ontario and Quebec. Fast forward almost 100 years to today: The once-booming little logging community with homes and bunkhouses and even a school is now an overgrown site with a few ramshackle cabins and rusted-out trucks.
Two years ago, the Resort Municipality of Whistler purchased the Parkhurst site and the adjacent Soo Valley Logging Company sites, with an eye to one day creating more park land in Whistler. You can visit Whistler’s ghost town via an easy six-kilometre hiking trail to the site or check it out from Green Lake via canoe or boat.
SHHHHHHHHH!
JUSTA JESKOVA
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OME SAY IT’S Whistler’s “ghost town.” That, however, isn’t the only claim to fame for the Parkhurst lands on the north shore of Green Lake. This lakeside spot is a glimpse into Whistler’s past, as far back as the early 1920s when Alta Lake, as Whistler was once known, was the
cIT SHOULD COME AS NO surprise that in order to find inner peace and calm, you must first stop and listen. Silence is as much a part of the Scandinave Spa experience as the hydrotherapy—steam/sauna followed by a freezing cold plunge followed by utter relaxation. And repeat. It takes some getting used to, this idea of silence. It is, however, one of the beautiful things about this must-do Whistler experience. You never know what your body will tell you when you take the time to listen.
c WHISTLER IS A golfer’s paradise. With four championship courses in the area—three in the heart of Whistler and another just north in Pemberton, golfers are hardpressed to pick a favourite. Try your hand at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and its challenging uphill course. Or take on Nicklaus North, designed by the legendary “Golden Bear” Jack Nicklaus, where you shouldn’t be surprised to find yourself swinging near a real bear. Don’t miss out on the 18 holes at the Arnold Palmer-designed Whistler Golf Course or discover the thrill of golfing at the base of the majestic and imposing Mount Currie at Big Sky in Pemberton. Turn to page 83 to find out how to unwind after your game with the best après-golf cocktails in Whistler.
BRAD KASSELMAN, WWW.COASTPHOTO.COM
CLAIRE RYAN
SWING TIME
TRAIL MIX
SUMMER FUN VIA HELI H E L I C O P T E R S M AY B E T H E P R E F E R R E D mode of transport on epic-powder ski days, transporting you further into untouched snow, but these nimble machines are also built for summer fun. Heli tours can take you places and offer experiences you’ve only dreamed of—gourmet picnics by alpine lakes, sunny sightseeing tours high over the Coast Mountains, remote hot springs for some “wilderness wellness” in the backcountry or shimmering ice caves in hidden glaciers. Check out what’s available through Blackcomb Helicopters, Head-Line Mountain Holidays or No Limits Heli Adventure.
THE IRON WAY
Summer Adventures in a
NORDIC PLAYGROUND
B
TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE
UILT AS A WINTER SPORTS MECCA and the host venue of Nordic sports for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Whistler Olympic Park has become a summer mountain playground too. The multi-million-dollar facility is located south of Whistler, deep within the Callaghan Valley. Follow the road into the mountains and uncover all there is to offer in this backcountry paradise, from renting electricassisted mountain bikes to firing a rifle at the biathlon facility under the guidance of a qualified instructor. There are hiking trails stretching for kilometres throughout the Callaghan Valley and a nine-hole disc golf course too.
Practice Your Putting
TOURISM WHISTLER
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NESTLED AT THE BASE OF BLACKCOMB Mountain in the Upper Village you’ll find a minigolf course perfect for little putters. It’s called the Little Mountain Golf Centre and it’s 18 holes of family fun. The centre is located beside the Blackcomb Adventure Zone with non-stop activities for kids from a mini electric go-kart course and bouncy castle to a bungee trampoline and a human gyroscope ride. There’s more minigolf at the Riverside Greens putting course, three km north of the Village, at the Riverside Camping & RV Resort.
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OCK CLIMBING IS a favourite pastime in the Sea to Sky corridor, whether it’s conquering the mighty Chief in Squamish or practicing indoors at The Core in Whistler Village. Ever wonder what it feels like to be scaling a mountain face? Try your hand at the Via Ferrata on Whistler Mountain and get a sense of this adventure. Translated from Italian for “Iron Way,” Via Ferrata is a vertical pathway to the peak of Whistler Mountain with metal ladders and fixed cables. Previous climbing experience is not required but a little courage is necessary and some moderate fitness. Families can also try the Whistler Sky Walk, a horizontal Via Ferrata also on Whistler Mountain.
DAN O’KEEFE/MOUNTAIN SKILLS ACADEMY
SHEA MACNEIL, WWW.COASTPHOTO.COM
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TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE
GO FEST
A FESTIVAL FOR EVERYONE
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GO FEST
TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE
hether you’re one of Whistler’s littlest visitors or a world-famous mountain biker set to show off your skills to the world, this is the gathering place for likeminded souls at various times throughout the summer. Whistler’s non-stop summer festival lineup begins with Go Fest, or the Great Outdoors Festival, over the May long weekend, with an official adieu to the winter and warm welcome to the summer, marked with a weekend jam-packed with activities and sporting events, music and entertainment. Go Fest sets the stage for the rest of the summer as the festivals begin to roll into town from the fast-paced epic Crankworx mountain bike festival to the calming cadences of Wanderlust, the yoga festival. Don’t forget the long-running Whistler Children’s Festival in the height of the summer and the newest festival to make its mark, the Whistler Village Beer Festival.
Follow, like or read us online! W whistlermagazine.com WhistlerMagazine @whistlersmag whistlermag
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TRAIL MIX MOUNTAIN ROOTS BUY LOCAL, BUILD COMMUNITY
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COURTESY SPCY GRLS
here are many pioneering folk who call Whistler home, bringing their business savvy and creative ideas, not to mention their gumption, to these mountains. Check out their products, which make life in Whistler that much better. —Emma Bashford
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE c
T H E H E AT I S O N W I T H W H I ST L E R ’ S N E W E ST L I N E O F S I G N AT U R E S P I CY
COURTESY SUGAR MOMMA PASTRIES
sauces from Spcy Grls Hot Sauce duo Amie Comerford and Kirby Emmet. The spice-loving entrepreneurs started concocting batches of hot sauce for fun before bottling it up to sell in October 2018. They make six tangy flavours with different heat levels—all plant based and five out of the six are vegan and gluten free. Top seller “Tropical Heat” combines spicy habanero peppers balanced with sweet pineapple, while “Muy Picante” offers a taste of Portugal with scorching red chilies. Spcy Grls dry spices, rubs and chicken salt can also top off the table. Available in Whistler at The Corner Deli, Whistler Brewing Co., Whislife Apparel and online at spcygrls.com
NO SWEAT SOCKS
EDIBLE ART SABRINA PERFITT IS THE ONE-
woman-force behind Sugar Momma Pastries, inspired by her passion for creating edible art. Trained in interior design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, her creativity wows locals and visitors alike with unique, meticulously-designed custom wedding cakes, birthday (and anykind-of celebration cakes) and decadent treats. Feast your eyes, and tastebuds, on whimsical creations such as the popular unicorn cake pops, prettily decorated sugar cookies, French macarons and salted caramel brownies. Each item is lovingly made from scratch using only the freshest natural ingredients, whenever possible using fruit from Perfitt’s garden. Find Sugar Momma Pastries at various events this summer or order online at sugarmommapastries.com
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COURTESY CHROMAG
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WHISTLER-BORN BIKES c
W H I ST L E R ’ S I N FA M O U S
Chromag Bikes have made high-quality, innovative bikes, components and apparel since 2003. Born out of founder Ian Ritz’s burning desire to design the bike he dreamed of—a do-everything hardtail that would stand up to the rigours of Whistler trails—he designed the first steel frame, had it built by hand by renowned Squamish bike welder Mike Truelove, and the rest is history. Browse the Function Junction store for everything from saddles to seat posts and bikes to baseball caps, or shop for Chromag products throughout Whistler. Order online at chromagbikes.com
D I S S E N T B E G A N W I T H O N LY
one goal, says founder, president and design director Josh Hall: to make the best, high-performance socks possible for better days in the mountains. Since its launch during the Crankworx mountain bike festival in 2012, Dissent has used the latest advances in technology and materials to produce the best ski and bike socks. Check out the bestselling Supercrew Compression Nano for example, designed for all-day fit and comfort. “This sock stays locked in place all day, breathes exceptionally well and fights blisters and hot spots—hikers and runners also swear by them!” Hall says. Available at most Whistler bike retailers or online at dissentlabs.ca
COURTESY DISSENT
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EVENTS CALENDAR FESTIVALS
SPORTS & RECREATION
MAY 17-20
MAY 17
GO FEST
WHISTLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
Whistler’s non-stop summer festival line up starts off on the right foot with GO Fest. GO Fest is all about embracing the Great Outdoors as winter ends and summer begins. greatoutdoorsfest.com
Fitzsimmons Express and Whistler Village Gondola are up and running for another summer season. whistlerblackcomb.com MAY 25
WHISTLER CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
A summertime staple in Whistler’s calendar. With 36 years under its belt, the Whistler Children’s Festival knows how to put on an action-packed weekend just for kids. Workshops. Live performances. Hands-on activities, dance and more. artswhistler.com
JUNE 1
WHISTLER HALF MARATHON
Not a bad way to see Whistler! Five different distances to choose from — the half marathon, 30 km, 10 km, 5 km and a 1 km kids run. whistlerhalfmarathon.com
JULY 26-28
SQUAMISH CONSTELLATION FESTIVAL
JUNE 7-9
Exceptionally curated music, art installations and expressions, local craft beverages, and exquisite culinary experiences in one of the most beautiful settings, against the backdrop of the Chief. constellationfest.ca
THINKBIKE WHISTLER
A multi-day expo where the world’s best bike and gear manufacturers descend on the world’s best biking playground. thinkbikewhistler.com JUNE 15
TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA
WHISTLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
WANDERLUST
Billed as “a celebration of mindful living,” Wanderlust is so much more than a yoga festival. Top chefs, renowned speakers, inspirational instructors, international DJs and more all converge in Whistler for the annual Wanderlust Festival. wanderlust.com
Creekside Gondola opens. whistlerblackcomb.com JUNE 15
COMFORTABLY NUMB
Take the internationally recognized mountain bike trail on two feet in this 23+ km race, a must-do race for trail runners everywhere. comfortablynumb.ca
JUNE 18
CRANKWORX
A whitewater rafting race down Green River. Raft, games, competitions and prizes for the best paddlers followed by an epic after-party. In 2018, the event raised more than $38,000 for Zero Ceiling’s programs. zeroceiling.org/ whitewater-rodeo/
The world’s biggest mountain biking festival needs no introduction. Check out the best in the world in this jam-packed week of racing, competitions, big air and so much more. crankworx.com SEPTEMBER 7
RBC GRANFONDO
JUNE 22
Cycle one of the world’s most scenic highways. Vancouver to Whistler—122 km. Recreational, advanced, and elite cyclists are all welcome. Ride at your own pace. rbcgranfondo.com
TENDERFOOT BOOGIE
Go off-road, mostly, in this ultra trail running race from Squamish to Whistler. Race distances vary. trailwhisperer.ca JULY 13
RED BULL 400
SEPTEMBER 14-15
Olympic ski jumps aren’t just for going down. This is the steepest 400 metre race in the world and it’s all uphill. redbull.com
JUNE 15-16
TOUGH MUDDER
Designed by the British Special Forces, this is an obstacle course stretching up to 20 km and it’s all about adventure and challenge. If that doesn’t appeal, there’s always the Tough Mudder Half — half the course but all the fun. toughmudder.com
AUGUST 9-18
WHITEWATER RODEO
SPARTAN RACE
TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE
For the past 10 years, the Nimby Fifty has been billed as a technical marathon cross country bike race, a 37-km course over Pemberton’s world-class single track trails. After a decade, this year is set to be the last and organizers say it will be an event to be remembered. nimbyfifty.com
JUSTA JESKOVA
NIMBY FIFTY BIKE RACE
JULY 5-7
AUGUST 1-4
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! SUMMER IN WHISTLER IS PACKED FULL OF FUN AND ACTION. THESE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS.
JULY 28
SUBARU IRONMAN CANADA
Swim. Bike. Run. It’s the triathlon of all triathlons. Cheer on the athletes at all stages in this allday, all-inspiring event. ironman.com
This long-running obstacle race series is coming to Whistler with a five-kilometre sprint and a 13-km super distance. The race course is filled with obstacles along the way to test your mettle. spartanrace.ca OCTOBER 8
WHISTLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
This marks the end of another season of shredding dirt in the park. Winter is coming. whistlerblackcomb.com OCTOBER 19
WHISTLER 50 RELAY & ULTRA
Racers get ready to take on Whistler in this ultra running race. bcathletics.org
FOOD & DRINK
ARTS & MUSIC
MAY 19-OCT 13
Stroll the Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain and find fresh local produce, local artisans selling their wares, food, entertainment and more. Every Sunday, 11-4pm. Wednesday afternoons, same location. whistlerfarmersmarket.org AUGUST 2-4
CANADIAN NATIONAL BBQ CHAMPIONSHIPS
Let your nose lead you to Creekside for the annual BBQ championships. cbbqs.ca AUGUST 18
PEMBERTON SLOW FOOD CYCLE SUNDAY
Meander by bike through the Pemberton farmlands and taste fresh-from-the-field food. This is also a chance to meet local growers in Sea to Sky’s signature agri-tourism event. tourismpembertonbc.com SEPTEMBER 10-15
WHISTLER VILLAGE BEER FESTIVAL
Celebrate everything about beer in the mountains with 70 breweries set to be featured during the Main Event (Sept. 14/15). Don’t miss out on the seminars, speakers, and parties throughout the rest of the festival. gibbonswhistler.com NOVEMBER 7-17
CORNUCOPIA
Whistler’s annual fall festival celebrating the best in food and drink from Whistler and beyond. Events include winemakers’ dinners, interactive seminars, health and wellness events and, of course, the always epic after-parties. whistlercornucopia.com
COURTESY AUDAIN ART MUSEUM
WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET
MAY 18-SEPTEMBER 2
ARTISTRY REVEALED: PETER WHYTE, CATHARINE ROBB WHYTE AND THEIR CONTEMPORARIES
This is a travelling exhibition at the celebrated Audain Art Museum. This exhibit celebrates the legacy of Peter and Catharine Whyte 50 years after the foundation of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. audainartmuseum.com
Explore Whistler 365 days a year
JUNE 7
WHISTLER MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL
Soak up Whistler’s diversity in this fun and free event. Open to everyone, the multicultural festival celebrates Whistler’s diverse food, music, dance and cultural activities. welcomewhistler.com
Use NextRide to plan your journey and experience Whistler your way.
JULY 1
WHISTLER PRESENTS THE TENORS
Canadian vocal trio performs a free concert at Whistler Olympic Plaza on Canada Day. whistler.ca
Leave the driving to us.
OCTOBER 17-20
WHISTLER WRITERS FESTIVAL
Celebrate the written word in this annual festival for readers, writers, storytellers and anybody who enjoys a good yarn. whistlerwritersfest.com For up-to-date event listings and information, visit piquenewsmagazine. com or whistler.com
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Transit Info 604·932·4020 bctransit.com/whistler
@WhistlerTransit
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arts scene
STARSTRUCK BY JENNIFER SPARACINO, AVAILABLE AT ADELE CAMPBELL FINE ART GALLERY.
MASTER-CARVER AND HEREDITARY HAIDA CHIEF JAMES HART’S THE DANCE SCREEN DAVID BUZZARD
(THE SCREAM TOO) FEATURES A BEAR AS THE CENTRAL CREST.
URSA ARTEM
WHISTLER’S FUZZIEST RESIDENTS INSPIRE ARTISTS AND ART COLLECTORS ALIKE
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V E N LON G- T IM E W HIST LER RESIDENT S FEEL the same thrill each year when they spy their first black bear of the summer season. Bears are as much a part of the fabric of Whistler as the rainforest and the mountains, so much so that this deep attachment to them has firmly manifested itself into the local art scene in various forms. Take the one-of-a-kind centrepiece in the AUDAIN ART MUSEUM’s permanent collection called The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) by Haida artist and hereditary chief James Hart. The large, free-standing cedar carving is “what we consider the museum’s masterpiece,” says Dr. Curtis Collins, the museum’s director and chief curator, of the screen carving that stands almost five metres by three metres. A representation of Haida society and ecosystems, the piece depicts an eagle, orcas, a raven and human figures, rimmed by swimming salmon. The creatures surround a large central bear crest. While the work has been housed in the museum since the institution first opened its doors, the screen—which serves a dual purpose as a barrier and doorway acknowledging the existence of both the spirit and human realms—was first “danced in” by Hart and his group of Haida dancers during a ceremony in September 2018.
“That piece would have been considered incomplete until it was danced in,” Collins explains. “There’s an active part of that esthetic that is, I would say, markedly different than Western art.” The Audain also counts a rare, 19th-century wooden bear mask of Tsimshian origin among “one of the most comprehensive collections of 19th century masks anywhere in the world,” Collins says. The Indigenous treasure is “safely assumed” to have been created and used for ceremonies, he added. >>
WALKING THE TERRITORY, SERPENTINE STONE SCULPTURE BY CATHRYN JENKINS, AVAILABLE AT MOUNTAIN GALLERIES AT THE FAIRMONT.
STORY BY MEGAN L ALO ND E WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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whistler galleries AUDAIN ART MUSEUM Open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Tuesday. 4350 Blackcomb Way, 604-962-0413 ADELE CAMPBELL FINE ART GALLERY Open daily from 11 a.m. in the Westin Resort, 604-938-0887 ART JUNCTION GALLERY & FRAME STUDIO Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. 1068 Millar Creek Road, Function Junction, 604-938-9000 BLACK TUSK GALLERY Open daily from 11 a.m. in the Hilton Resort, 1-877-905-5540 FATHOM STONE ART GALLERY & STUDIO In the Westin Resort, 604-962-7722 MARK RICHARDS GALLERY Open daily from noon in the Hilton Resort, 604-932-1911 MOUNTAIN GALLERIES AT THE FAIRMONT Open weekdays at 9 a.m. and weekends at 8 a.m., in the Fairmont Chateau, 604-935-1862 THE PLAZA GALLERIES Open daily from 10 a.m., 22 – 4314 Main Street, 604-938-6233 THE GALLERY AT MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m., Sunday from 4 p.m. at 4335 Blackcomb Way, 604-935-8410 SQUAMISH LIL’WAT CULTURAL CENTRE Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4584 Blackcomb Way, 1 866 441 SLCC (7522) SUZANNE JOHNSTON STUDIO GALLERY In the Westin Resort, 604 -935 -3444 VINCENT MASSEY STUDIO 8605 Forest Ridge Drive, 604-932-6455 WHISTLER CONTEMPORARY GALLERY Hilton Resort, 604-938-3001 (main) Four Seasons Resort, 604-935-3999 24
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
While those two pieces might be the only bear-focused works on permanent display, keep your eyes peeled while you’re strolling past the Audain’s stunning floor-to-ceiling windows: On one occasion last summer, a local bear showed up to sun itself on the museum’s lawn— “an impromptu (piece of) bear performance (art),” recalls Collins with a laugh. IF YOU MISSED SEEING THE REAL DEAL THROUGH THE AUDAIN’S WINDOWS, you have a good chance at seeing the next best thing in the MOUNTAIN GALLERIES AT THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER. The local gallery represents artist Cathryn Jenkins, a sculptor known for her “near life-scale”—or, in some cases, larger-than-life—depictions of black and grizzly bears. Her works are carved from serpentine stone collected from her family quarry in Revelstoke, B.C. “When you look at her pieces…you can really see the muscle structure that she captures, the ripples in the fur,” says Ben McLaughlin, Mountain Galleries’ director of communications. “The stone has a movement to it.” The gallery also represents Whistler-based artist Doria Moodie, who “really seems to do a great job capturing the eyes, and the spirit of the bear,” McLaughlin says. “A lot of people say it looks like her bears have a soul to them—I call them the Mona Lisa eyes.” Mountain Galleries also boasts the work of Denman Island-based artist Shannon Ford. She draws on her background as a jeweler to fuse semi-precious gemstone powders into the surface of her canvases to create unique, contemporary depictions of B.C. wildlife. AT ADELE CAMPBELL FINE ART GALLERY, A ROTATING COLLECTION FEATURING over 40 Canadian artists ensures local wildlife regularly finds its way into the gallery. “Bears often surprise people,” says gallery owner Liz Harris. “I think initially when (people) come to Whistler as a tourist, they feel that these bears are terrifying and they leave here realizing (bears) are so much a part of our landscape and who we are, and that’s what these artists are trying to represent.” For Jennifer Sparacino, that means using vibrant colours to paint bears in a modern and contemporary manner. “She certainly has a love for wildlife. I think she understands the soul of the animal,” Harris explains. “For her, it’s capturing their movement, or their power or their majesty, but she does it in such a contemporary way. I think she’s brought a really fresh perspective to this sort of older theme of artwork.”
The gallery, located in the Westin Resort & Spa and celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, also represents Sea to Sky painter Susie Cipolla—whose bear paintings have “resonated with people from all over the world,” says Harris. Sculptor Vance Theoret is also represented there and although his whimsical soapstone bear carvings run on the smaller side, their often humorous titles and humanlike qualities—think bears on skis—make a big impression. WHILE SQUAMISH-BASED ARTIST ANDY ANISSIMOFF (ART IN BC) has long been enamoured with bears, it was a desire to experiment that first inspired him to incorporate the Sea to Sky’s fuzziest residents into his paintings. “Bears are a very challenging thing to do,” he explains. “I’m obviously not the first person to (paint) bears. I’ve seen bears done and...I felt like I could bring something to the table with bears. So I did a bear, and right away it kind of really spoke to people.” Though the artist’s style leans towards what he calls, “interpretive landscape realism,” the self-taught Anissimoff employs his sketching skills to bring the animals to life. His portfolio includes everything from up-closeand-personal portraits to head-to-paw depictions of bears roaming through the trees, often fusing bold turquoise, yellow and orange hues with more neutral tones for an abstract twist. “With the bears, I would say that the style is very graphic,” he explains. Anissimoff has been selling both originals and limited hand-detailed archival reproductions at the Whistler Farmers’ Market for the past five seasons, in addition to his studio and gallery space in Squamish’s Garibaldi Highlands. W LEFT: SELFIE BEAR, BY SHANNON FORD , IS EMBEDDED WITH DIAMOND DUST, 24 K GOLD, AND JEWELS. AVAILABLE AT MOUNTAIN GALLERIES AT THE FAIRMONT. RIGHT: REFLECTION BEAR BY ANDY ANISSIMOFF.
A AD DE E LL E E C CA AM MP PB BE E LL LL F F II N NE E A A RT, RT, W WH H II SS T T LL E ER R
Stop by the warm and friendly space at the Gallery to enjoy monthly spotlights on featured artists throughout the Summer
WHISTLER’S CANADIAN ART DESTINATION AT THE SHOPS AT THE WESTIN PAINTINGS
SCULPTURE
adelecampbell.com
JEWELLERY 604.938.0887 WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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unwind
wildlife
LIFESTYLE & ADVENTURE GUIDE
FAMILY ADVENTURE ZONE
JUSTA JESKOVA
presented by
BE BEAR SMART IN WHISTLER
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HILE BLACK BEARS IN WHISTLER ARE generally tolerant of humans, it is often to their detriment: A bear that’s habituated to humans and our food sources means it won’t be afraid to get too close if they think a food reward is on the line, making that bear a public safety risk. Several bears in Whistler are killed each summer due to human-related conflict. Here are some tips to keep both you and Whistler’s bear population safe this summer: ●
A BEAR’S SENSE OF SMELL is approximately seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s—that means food, coolers, garbage and recycling must be kept indoors or properly disposed of, and barbecues must be kept clean. If you’re spending your nights in a tent or vehicle, keep food and other attractants at least 100 metres away, ideally in a hoisted sac.
●
KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH, always—you never know who they might run into, and how either animal might react.
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IF YOU SEE A BEAR, keep your distance—about the length of seven school buses, ideally—and resist the urge to get close enough for a photo. Did you know bears can run faster than Olympic sprinters?
●
IF YOU DO ENCOUNTER a black bear from a safe distance, respect its space and, if the encounter takes place in a residential area, encourage it to move along. Grab your pots and pans, make lots of noise and attempt to scare it away. If the encounter takes place at close range, give the bear as much space as possible, stand tall and speak calmly but loudly. Back away slowly—don’t run— in the direction you came from.
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THE PUBLIC IS ALSO URGED to report any bear sightings throughout Whistler to the local Conservation Officer Service at 604-905-BEAR or 1-877-952-7277.
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WHILE DRIVING, DO NOT PULL OVER to view, take photos or feed wildlife. If you do, you may face a fine under the B.C. Wildlife Act. On the flip side, don’t honk in an attempt to haze a bear away from the road. While well-intentioned, doing so might scare the bear straight into traffic.
●
CARRY BEAR SPRAY if you’re heading into the backcountry. — Megan Lalonde
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N Westcoaster Slide N Mario and Friends Mini Golf N And so much more! Activities are subject to change, weather permitting.
LOCATED AT THE BASE OF BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN IN THE UPPER VILLAGE
Follow the paths of our ancestors
Visit Whistler’s immersive cultural centre at:
To advertise in Whistler Magazine, call Catherine Power-Chartrand at 604-932-1672
Summer Sum um umm mme
Bobsleigh Bobs B Bobsl leigh eigh i h
Youth slide
FREE!
Experience the thrill of bobsleigh… in the summer! After an orientation and venue tour of the world's fastest sliding track, ride a bobsleigh equipped with wheels, steered by a trained pilot, to reach speeds of up to 90km/hr. All proceeds go directly towards growing the sliding sports and supporting athletes!
• One Youth (12-18 years) slides FREE with one paying adult! Adults: $99; additional youth 50% off • Ages 12 and over. No prior experience necessary! • Daily from June 28 to September 1, 2019
Ready to Slide? Advance booking is required:
whistlerslidingcentre.com
604-964-0040 /whistlerslidingcentre @slidingcentre
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whistler • 604.905.0071 • crosscountryconnection.ca
unwind
LIFESTYLE & ADVENTURE GUIDE
Rentals Skills Tours
in Lost Lake PassivHaus
whistler • 604.905.0071 • crosscountryconnection.ca
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Located just 5 km north of Whistler Village, Meadow Park Sports Centre is Whistler’s best place to swim, skate, sweat or play squash.
whistler.ca/recreation 604-935-PLAY (7529)
To advertise in Whistler Magazine, call Catherine Power-Chartrand at 604-932-1672
A favourite in Whistler for over 100 years. It is a shallow, flat-water river that winds through Whistler’s wetlands between Alta and Green Lakes.
Canadian Canoes, Single Kayaks, Double Kayaks, Pedal Boats, Stand-Up Paddle Boards, snack and beverage concession, kids play area & water toys.
MORE THAN A MUSEUM
LIVE-ACTION MILL SHOW UNDERGROUND TOURS GOLD PANNING MINERAL GALLERY INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS
JUST 45 MINUTES FROM WHISTLER BritanniaMineMuseum.ca
BMM_WhistlerMagazineSpring_3.5x9.indd 1
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019 29 2019-03-22 1:42 PM
fashion
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WHISTLER STYLE ALTHOUGH WHISTLER IS MORE FAMOUS FOR ITS EPIC WINTER
experiences, summer is by no means the resort’s wallflower season. And when you participate in any of the myriad activities, or just spend some time cruising the Village shops and galleries, why not look your best in the latest styles and accessories from Whistler retailers? Here’s just a taste of what you can find.
PH OTOS BY LOGAN SWAYZE
ELISE WEARS A SOYA CONCEPT TANK TOP, RAILS JACKET AND MAVI PANTS, ALL FROM OC2. HER PYRRHA “DIRECTION” AND “FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS” NECKLACES, AND HER “THRILL” LEATHER BRACELET BY BAUXO ARE FROM RUBY TUESDAY ACCESSORIES. MATT IS WEARING A ROARK TOMAC L/S THERMAL AND A NIXON WATCH FROM PROVISIONER, VOLCOM JEANS FROM SHOWCASE, AND A PYRRHA “HEART OF THE WOLF” NECKLACE FROM RUBY TUESDAY ACCESSORIES.
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fashion
STEPH WEARS A BRIXTON HAT, AMUSE SOCIETY JEAN SKIRT AND RVCA V-NECK, ALL FROM SHOWCASE. HER RING IS A YELLOW, ROSE AND WHITE GOLD FOUR-LAYER RING WITH A CANADIAN DIAMOND, HANDMADE BY ROSS HAYNES. HER NECKLACE IS A YELLOW GOLD 18" HAMMERED MULTI ROUND LINK NECKLACE, HANDMADE BY ROSS HAYNES. BOTH PIECES ARE FROM KEIR FINE JEWELLERY. SHOT ON-LOCATION AT AUDAIN ART MUSEUM.
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fashion
MATT WEARS A VANS ALAMEDA II SHIRT, VOLCOM "FRICKIN JOGGER" CHINO AND NIXON WATCH, ALL FROM SHOWCASE. HIS STANLEY THERMOS IS FROM PROVISIONER. TYLER WEARS A LEATHER COLLAR FROM HAPPY PETS IN FUNCTION JUNCTION.
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fashion
STEPH WEARS A SEARRA PANTSUIT BY CF COLLECTION, FROM SHOWCASE. HER RING IS A YELLOW, ROSE AND WHITE GOLD FOUR-LAYER RING WITH A CANADIAN DIAMOND. SHE'S ALSO WEARING A YELLOW GOLD 18" HAMMERED MULTI ROUND LINK NECKLACE, AND WHITE AND YELLOW GOLD MULTI ROUND HAMMERED DROP EARRINGS. ALL JEWELRY IS HANDMADE BY ROSS HAYNES, FROM KEIR FINE JEWELLERY. SHOT ON-LOCATION AT AUDAIN ART MUSEUM.
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Mikey Wright Highline Performance Boardshorts.
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fashion
MATT WEARS A SAXX T-SHIRT, BRUUN & STENGADE JACKET, MAVI JEANS, TIMBERLAND 6IN BOOTS, AND KUMA SUNGLASSES, ALL FROM OC2. SHOT ON-SITE AT BLACKCOMB HELICOPTERS HELI-PAD. W
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Expertise
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INJECTABLES TEXTURE TIGHTNESS TONE
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WE SPECIALIZE IN THE NATURAL LOOK. Botox $10 p/unit. Dermal Fillers, Dermalinfusion Facials. Sciton Laser & IPL treatment centre. Coolsculpting with our own Z-Plus Protocol.
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SUMMER JOIN FOUR WHISTLERITES AS THEY EXPERIENCE ADVENTURES OFFERED ONLY IN SUMMER
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SENSATIONS W WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA
HO COULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT WHISTLER’S RAINFOREST WOULD come alive at night with talking trees and flying fish, the stuff of dreams and fabled legends? Who could have predicted that a fearless piece of steel engineering could stretch across the peak of Whistler Mountain, suspended in the air and swaying in the wind, offering a heart-thumping, exhilarating walk across thin air? Or, how about people soaring through the air on the longest zipline in North America? And, after exploring the backcountry by ATV, mountain bike and Jeep, was it only a matter of time before Whistler would take it to the next level and bring sleek, luxury, high-end cars to the wilderness? Whistler Magazine takes you to the forest, the mountain peaks, and deep into the backcountry like never before with personal, first-hand accounts of how to truly make the most of all Whistler has to offer in the summer. >>
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STROLL THE ENCHANTED FOREST—VALLEA LUMINA
A
S T H E S U N B E G I N S TO S E T I N Whistler, the forest starts to come alive, and the natural world is recast in new dimensions. The journey begins at Cougar Mountain, a short shuttle bus ride from the Village, where guests are greeted by a team of “rangers.” The story begins: A girl and her grandfather have vanished. Where could they be?
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A shadow of the duo plays against the wall of an A-frame tent; they sing and dance, giving clues about their journey. They’re looking for the hidden valley. After investigating their tent—filled with a charming assortment of nineteenth-century accoutrements—the tour winds through the forest to an abandoned ranger station, where you can try your hand at Morse code (or some version of it). Get it right, and the station lights up. Further along the trail, things get increasingly fantastic. Trees come alive,
a towering grizzly emerges out of thin air, lanterns bathe the forest, rich in shades of green and purple. The pièce de résistance is the lightshow at the bridge, where thousands of lasers buzz around, illuminating the river and trees. A gorgeous soundscape blares over highdefinition speakers, creating an immersive, transfixing experience. Like others, I linger on the bridge, spending a good ten minutes soaking it in before moving on. It’s utterly bewitching.
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What resonates most about Vallea Lumina is the way it enhances nature, transforming the familiar Whistler forest into something otherworldly. And, as it turns out, the hidden valley is for anyone to see...as you too will discover along the way. Despite all the hype about Whistler’s new multi-media night walk through the forest, nothing quite prepared me for just how profound of an experience Vallea Lumina would be. This is an all-weather experience open from June to late October. The nighttime adventure winds up and down through the forest for 1.5 kilometres and is suitable for visitors of all ages. — Joel Barde >>
SAMPLE A GLOBAL SELECTION OF VODKAS OPEN DAILY FROM 5 PM NO RESERVATION REQUIRED 4121 VILLAGE GREEN | ADJACENT TO LISTEL HOTEL 604 932 3433 | BEARFOOTBISTRO.COM
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COURTESY ZIPTREK
FEEL LIKE SUPERMAN— ZIPTREK
T
A L K A B O U T A L E A P O F FA I T H . Perched high above the clouds, just moments away from hurtling down The Sasquatch zipline, what strikes you most is not the achingly beautiful mountain vistas, but the nagging doubt that maybe, just maybe, North America’s longest zipline isn’t for you. It’s a natural reaction to facing 600 metres of vertical drop and a pulsepounding, more-than-two-km slide to the other platform. But that fear melts away 44
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
completely the instant you gather enough mental fortitude to plunge yourself into the great unknown. The experience of tackling Whistler Ziptrek’s award-winning zipline is about as close as one can get to the sensation of flying without jumping out of a plane or paragliding off a mountain. It’s also a surefire way to reach a state of almost Zen-like concentration, all the thoughts and worries of your day-to-day life dissolving for a brief sojourn, your mind entirely focused on the moment at hand. Given its mammoth distance, The Sasquatch also affords enough time for you
to have some fun mid-slide, once you loosen up a little and enjoy the ride. The dedicated team at Whistler Ziptrek will give you a few pointers on different ways to slide; it’s not unusual to see seasoned zipliners sliding head-first Superman-style, or even upside down, feet arched over the head. However you choose to slide, you can be certain to walk away from the experience with adrenaline pumping, and sporting a new badge of honour that comes with proclaiming: I conquered The Sasquatch. Unlike Ziptrek’s other ziplines, which are open year-round, the Sasquatch is only open in the summer. — Brandon Barrett >>
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Follow our Wilderness Experience Specialists into a world of natural ice sculptures.
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE
HELI ICE CAVE EXPLORE EXPERIENCES OFFERED DAILY
CUSTOM EXPERIENCES
SNOWMACHINES
SNOWMOBILES + SNOWBIKES
SNOWBUGGIES
HELI
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H
IDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT, STRUNG between two peaks atop Whistler Mountain lies an unforgettable experience—rain or shine. The Cloudraker Skybridge is a must-do that offers visitors an incredible panoramic view of Whistler’s famed Coast Mountains. Born and bred in Whistler, I try my best to avoid “tourist traps” and never considered walking the new suspension bridge, even though it is one of the highest suspension bridges in the world. And so I was surprised to find myself heading up the Whistler Gondola to check it out with friends on a day where heavy clouds released their percussion of rain down upon us. As we rose up from the Village, the chill
air seeped into the cabin and the clouds enveloped us. The gondola only takes you part way and as we walked the short, steep distance, about 15 minutes to the Peak Chair, my anticipation mounted. I was starting to wonder if this was the best idea on a stormy day, but the warm smile on the liftie’s face as I stepped off the chair was just enough reassurance. Walking up the gravel path towards the Cloudraker I got my first glimpse of what I was about to cross— and realized this was no ordinary bridge. As I took my first steps, the sway caught me off guard, but with the chest-high, chainlink guardrails on either side, I felt totally secure—though it’s not for the faint of heart. Looking through the grated walkway, I felt a rush of adrenaline when I spotted Whistler Bowl, a black diamond ski run, directly below
my feet. Having zero visibility due to the heavy cloud cover actually gave the bridge a higher spook-factor, as I couldn’t see its end when I started crossing. We were quite literally walking on clouds. The bridge ends at the Raven's Eye Cliff Walk, a cantilevered walkway that reaches out 12.5 metres from the West Ridge, and a perfect way to finish this lofty experience. The Cloudraker Skybridge is about 2,000 m above sea level and it spans a total of 130 m from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge. Rain or shine, Cloudraker is a must-do when in Whistler, maybe even twice—when it’s raining and when it’s sunny— to get the best of both worlds. Wear sensible shoes, and always pack a jacket as the alpine winds can cool you quickly even when hiking. — Matt Turner >> WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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JUSTA JESKOVA
WALK ON CLOUDS— CLOUDRAKER SKYBRIDGE
WWW.COASTPHOTO.COM
RIDE IN STYLE—THE PORSCHE EXPERIENCE
O
N A DRIZZLY FRIDAY MORNING in June, we arrived at Canadian Wilderness Adventure’s (CWA) base in the Callaghan Valley, ready to take on the rocky, muddy mountain trails, the steep embankments, deep puddles and tree-lined off-road trails—British Columbia’s renowned backcountry at its finest. Sounds pretty rugged, right? Wrong. While local tour company CWA has earned a reputation for bringing guests into the elements and remote sections of Whistler’s backcountry by snowmobile, ATV, dogsled, Jeep or snowshoe, one of its newest tours offers guests the opportunity to experience the same exciting terrain and breathtaking scenery, but this time, from the luxurious comfort of a Porsche Cayenne S.
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The Porsche Experience replicates the off-road journey taken during many of CWA’s traditional tours, but this time in a stylish, spacious and temperaturecontrolled vehicle. (The roof and heated leather seats were even more appreciated in the chilly, drizzly “June-uary” weather common in Sea to Sky corridor). Although the powerful Porsche vehicles are better known for their sleek abilities on the racetrack rather than off-road, the brand-new SUVs handle the rocky slopes, deep puddles and bumpy trails just as well, if not better, than most other off-roadspecific vehicles on the market. Part of the guided three-hour, round-trip tour is showing off just what these vehicles are capable of, whether that’s crawling down a rugged slope, or hitting the hillassist button and stopping midway through a steep incline. While it felt like the vehicle should be
toppling backwards, the wheels never budged. Mind. Blown. At one point, we were invited to hop out and watch our professional driving instructors demonstrate navigating through deep divots in the trail—so deep that, at one point, only two wheels were in contact with the ground. Stepping out of the Porsche also offered a glance at what kind of trail users are travelling across the terrain when the vehicles are parked for the night—in our case, fresh deer tracks followed by even fresher black bear paw prints. The experience is really a microcosm of Whistler as a whole: rugged, raw landscapes and thrilling activities, all adorned with top-of-the-line luxury. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license from their home jurisdiction. — Megan Lalonde W
The most fun you'll have off the mountain. Top Whistler's Don't Miss tivity! advisor ac Rated Trip
Drop in sessions private parties Staff Team building mobile axe throwing and moreÂ
throw axes today!
Call to book! (778) 770-1878
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Escape the routine Scandinave Spa Whistler offers a traditional Scandinavian baths and massage experience in a natural environment on the edge of Lost Lake Park just 5 minutes from Whistler Village.
$
50
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SCANDINAVE BATHS EXPERIENCE
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
S C A N D I N AV E .CO M | 1 888 935 24 2 3 8010 Mons Road, Whistler, BC
THE THRILL OF THE UPHILL PUT THE BLACKCOMB ASCENT TRAILS ON YOUR SUMMER “TO DO” LIST
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PAUL MORRISON
HISTLER IS A GRAVITY-FED TOWN, ITS NAME long- synonymous with the notion of speeding down the mountains, on bike, board or skis. Downhill is our preferred mode of travel. The uphill part of that equation has traditionally been the bastion of soaring gondolas and high-speed chairlifts and even an old-school T-bar or two. Until now. Whistler Blackcomb (WB) is turning our old notions of enjoying the mountains upside down, putting the thrill in the uphill. It’s called the Blackcomb Ascent Trails: three interconnected hiking trails forming one continuous trail that stretches 6.1 kilometres up to the alpine. Think of it as Whistler’s answer to Vancouver’s iconic Grouse Grind trail. And take it from the locals: once you try it, you’ll be hooked. >>
STORY BY ALISO N TAYLO R WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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MITCH WINTON
ASCENT TRAIL STATS LOCATION: Blackcomb Mountain START: Upper Village END: Rendezvous Lodge LENGTH: 6.1 km ELEVATION GAIN: 1,200 m TIME: Depending on fitness, roughly two to three hours
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The journey begins at the base of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village and winds its way up to the Rendezvous Lodge with an elevation gain of 1,200 metres, passing through shady old-growth in the coastal rainforest and sunny wide spaces (ski runs) of alpine flowers along the way. But the kicker is that view from the top, looking back down the mountain from on high. “When you get to the top and turn around it’s that classic feeling of ‘look at how far I’ve come,’” says local realtor Dave Burch. There’s no doubt, Burch adds, that the Blackcomb Ascent Trails offer all the same appeal as the Grouse Grind, which welcomes approximately 100,000 people every year—cardio fitness, stunning views, fresh air, and a welcome and much-deserved respite in the gondola ride back down to the bottom. “I think it has the potential to become that,” adds Burch of the comparison to the Grouse Grind. Once Andrew Ellott discovered the Ascent Trails, he made it part of his workout routine two to three times a week. “It should be on everyone’s “To Do” list whether they are visiting for a week or living here,” says Ellott. “It is incredibly satisfying and rewarding to see how far you can get on foot in under two hours from the Village, and to sit on the deck of the Rendezvous and look all the way back down is an amazing feeling of accomplishment.”
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
WB’S SUMMER EXPERIENCE THE TRAILS WERE DESIGNED IN PART TO expand WB’s increasingly popular summer business. Summers in Whistler are now officially busier than winters—55 per cent of its 3 million visitors come in the sunny months. And while hiking trails abound on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and beyond, there has never been one single, specifically-designed, uphill trail. “People wanted an ascent,” says Marc Riddell, WB’s communications director, of the impetus for building the trail. “We also always look at ways to grow business.” The uphill trails were designed to become a feature part of the WB summer experience much like the new Cloudraker Skybridge, a suspension bridge which spans the peak of Whistler Mountain. And with the new Blackcomb Gondola, which opened at the end of 2018, hikers and sightseers can enjoy WB’s 360 Experience—three gondola rides, including the spectacular, record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, linking the two mountains. With the Blackcomb Gondola running close by, Ascent Trail hikers always have the option to take a ride to the top from the half-way mark or take it back to the bottom, making it more accessible to young and old, to the fit and the not so fit.
BURN, BABY, BURN
EXTRAORDINARY BY NATURE
Photos: TaraOGradyPhoto.com, Haley Hardy, Michael Overbeck
KEEP IN MIND, HOWEVER, THIS IS NO walk in the park. It’s rated “difficult” with the 6.1 km divided into three, aptly-named trails called: Little Burn, Big Burn and the stretch to the alpine called Heart Burn. “It’s phenomenally well-built,” says Ellott of the small bridges and wooden staircases dotted along the way, as hikers move uphill from forest to gravel road to open stretches and back into forest. With that in mind, Ellott’s 81-year-old mother Gloria posed the question to him in the summer of 2017: “Do you think I could do it?” He did. And he was with her along the way as she hiked from the bottom to midstation on her first attempt, returning at another date to complete the final section with a friend. “I found it quite tough,” admits Gloria candidly. Therein, however, lies its charm. “I like to feel at the end of it that I’ve really achieved something,” she adds. “The older I get, the more I want to feel that.” That’s a feeling you get in spades on this adventure. While Gloria is no stranger to long-distance backpacking, having hiked the walking trails in England for miles and miles, this uphill mountain trail was an entirely new experience. “It was a lovely new adventure for me,” adding that she plans to do it again this summer. The well-deserved coffee at the Rendezvous, the whistling marmots tucked among the rocks, the alpine wildflowers and the majestic old-growth trees all add to the charm of this particular trail. And, the gondola ride to the bottom saves the knees for another climb. Add to that the convenience with the trailhead in the heart of the Village, and the efficient use of time (Burch’s fastest time to the top was an hour and eight minutes power hiking), the Blackcomb Ascent Trails become an easy outdoor workout choice. For Ellott, the Ascent Trails have eclipsed his regular running routine. “(My wife and I) weren’t really looking for a replacement (to running) but it sort of just happened,” he says. “After doing the lower half of the Ascent the first few times in early summer, we realized it was giving us a great workout for our legs and lungs without the impact of running. After that, every time we thought about getting out for some exercise, we just headed for the Ascent.” W
Located two kilometres south of Squamish, along the Sea to Sky highway, the 10 minute gondola ride provides sweeping views of Howe Sound, the Coast Mountains and pristine forests. Once at the top, enjoy a thrilling suspension bridge, local cuisine in the Summit Eatery and year-round adventures.
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whistler homes
SUMMER SANCTUARY A HONG KONG COUPLE BUILDS A WHISTLER GETAWAY WITH UNBEATABLE VIEWS
WITH THE MASSIVE PICTURE WINDOW IN THE MAIN LIVING AREA, THE FAMILY FEELS AS THOUGH THEY ARE PERFORMING OUTSIDE WHEN THEY’RE PLAYING THEIR INSTRUMENTS TOGETHER AT THE PIANO.
STORY BY JO E L B ARD E P H OTO S BY K RIST E N M C GAU G H EY 54
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
THE ‘MOUNTAIN LAKESIDE DREAM’ HOME DRAWS ITS INSPIRATION FROM A SIMPLE NORTHERN EUROPEAN DESIGN.
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THE HOME IS DESIGNED TO FEEL LIKE “A SANCTUARY.”
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S T E R A N D E U G E N E C H U N G S TA RT E D coming to Whistler for the skiing almost 20 years ago, but it’s the summers that keep them coming back year after year. That much became evident when they decided to get married in Whistler in the summer of 2007. The couple, along with family and friends, was struck by the laid-back atmosphere, sunny weather, and natural bounty on display. “Everyone was marveling at how beautiful it was,” explains Ester Chung, who lives in Hong Kong with her family. "It's nice to have a place that's so different from the hustle and bustle of where we live." So when the pair went about designing their dream home, which sits on Hillcrest Drive (a short walk from Lakeside Park in the Alta Vista neighbourhood), they strived to create a getaway that would take full advantage of Whistler summers and the near-panoramic views their lot offered. With three distinct decks, the family can enjoy the sun at all times of the day and take in Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains as well as the sparkling waters of Alta Lake. “It’s really nice for our family to be able to hang out in open, private space,” says Chung, noting that private outdoor living spaces are difficult to come by in Hong Kong—a densely populated city of over seven million people. With two children, an 11-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl, the family takes pleasure in the simple things, escaping the frantic pace of big city life for the casual rhythms of Whistler. >>
THE ENTRY IS VERY WELCOMING, WITH WARM ART AND LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT.
AWARD CONTENDER The Chung’s “Mountain Lakeside Dream” home has been attracting attention in Whistler and beyond. The home was named as a finalist in the Canadian Home Builders’ Association National Awards for Housing Excellence. The winners will be announced in early summer. The home was also named as a finalist for the coveted 2019 Georgie Awards from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association in B.C. Both awards celebrate the best in new THE HIGH CEILING OF THE OPEN-
Canadian homes and home
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TOP: LARGE ROOF OVERHANGS AND UV-BLOCKING WINDOWS ARE PERFECT TO COMBAT WHISTLER’S SUNNY SUMMER DAYS.
UPPER LEFT: THE RECREATION ROOM IS WELL USED BY THIS BUSY FAMILY. LEFT: INDIVIDUAL CLOSETS STORE EACH FAMILY MEMBER’S SPORTS EQUIPMENT.
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"THE KIDS LOVE SITTING ON THE DECK and just counting the stars," says Chung. One night, the family counted so many they simply lost track. “In Hong Kong, we just don't see a lot of stars.” The floor plan, which comes in at around 465 square metres (5,000 square feet), caters to the family’s love of nature and interests. The northeast corner is dedicated to music and is home to a piano, which Ester plays, often accompanied by her children, who play string instruments. Surrounded by large windows and stunning alpine views, it feels like “we’re playing outdoors,” says Chung. The room’s high ceiling lowers when entering the adjoining kitchen area, creating a cozier feel. The architectural choices, as well as the décor throughout, draw heavily from simple northern European design with an aim to create a home that’s both comfortable and functional. “We didn't want to fill every single corner with something,” explains Chung. “We want it to feel like a sanctuary.” With its central location, the family can pop down to a private neighbourhood dock for a swim or paddleboard, or head over to Lakeside Park. There’s easy access to the Valley Trail—a car-free, paved trail network that connects Whistler’s neighbourhoods, lakes, and viewpoints—where they can safely ride their bikes around town.
For builder Tim Regan of Vision Pacific, the residence strikes a perfect balance between more traditional timber homes (like you might expect to find in Whistler) and contemporary design. With large roof overhangs and UV-blocking windows, the home is perfectly equipped for long, hot days, he explains. Yet the build was anything but easy. As is the case with many Whistler properties, there was a major gradient difference between one side of lot and the other, leading Vision Pacific to build a subterranean level that serves as the home’s foundation. Still, there’s plenty of yard space for the kids to enjoy too. The Chung family is very active, and Regan says that the home is in line with many other new Whistler homes in how it accommodates sports equipment in a “very systematic” way with individual closets. “Basically the kids get trained to put things into the same spot, so everything can be found,” he says. The room also features fans and heated floors, so equipment can dry easily and naturally. Having spent time in the home over the past two summers, Chung says her family loves it. They often find themselves doing multiple activities a day, such as golf in the morning and swimming in the afternoon, and biking around town rather than driving. Everything in Whistler is accessible and easy to get to, she says. “We love the summer a little bit more than the winter precisely because of that.” W
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WHAT RAIN? BIKE RENTALS EXPLORE THE WHISTLER TRAILS Take a gentle ride to one of Whistler’s lakes on a paved trail, explore through dirt paths or discover some of the endless cross country routes available close by. Choose from cruiser, cross country or electric, with bikes available for the whole family.
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faces of the sea to sky
A TASTE OF
PEMBERTON MEET THE FARMERS WHO FEED WHISTLER’S HUNGRY BIKERS, HIKERS AND SIGHTSEERS
PEMBERTON FARMERS SARAH STEWART, LEFT, AND SIMONE MCISAAC OF ROOTDOWN ORGANIC FARMS.
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UST 25 MINUTES NORTH OF Whistler lies the bucolic Pemberton Valley, seemingly at odds with the hustle and bustle of North America’s biggest ski and mountain bike resort. There is a warm permanence to life here, a place of long, dry summers, fresh-from-the-vine strawberries, renowned seed potatoes and more. Pemberton’s farming roots stretch back long before there was a place called Whistler to put it on the map.
STORY BY ALYSSA NO E L
THE BEER FARMERS BREWERY Just ask the Miller family, who has been farming in Pemberton since 1895. It wasn’t until last summer, however, some 125 years later, that they got into a different kind of farming business altogether—the craft beer farming business. “It’s been a lot of fun,” says Will Miller, who returned to the farm to help his parents Bruce and Brenda with their new brewery. In fact, all five Miller kids pitched in to get the brewery up and running, whether that was bartending or learning to brew. “The (first) summer was pretty crazy. When you open (your doors), it’s the beginning and the end at the same time. So much work (goes into the) lead up to it—and (yet) the work hasn’t even started.” The Millers officially opened their doors to The Beer Farmers brewery on their Pemberton Meadows Road farm in June last year—just two months before the popular Slow Food Cycle in August when visitors and locals descend upon farms to taste their products and learn more about where their food comes from. >>
P H OTO S BY DAVID BU Z Z A R D WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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BREWER BRENDA MILLER AND HUSBAND BRUCE AT THE BEER FARMERS BREWERY ON THEIR PEMBERTON FARM.
. “WE DO HAVE A LINE OF BEERS THAT ARE 100 PER CENT GROWN ON OUR FARM IN PEMBERTON. THAT’S PRETTY UNIQUE IN NORTH AMERICA— PROBABLY WORLDWIDE.” —Will Miller
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“THAT WAS SOMETHING WE WERE INVESTED IN from day one,” Miller says of the annual Slow Food Cycle. “It was one of the driving forces of the brewery idea as well. We had this amazing audience driving out, getting on their bikes and we wanted to have something to share with them.” Arguably one of the prettiest brewery locations around, The Beer Farmers brewery boasts epic views of Mount Currie and offers a peek into idyllic farm life. “…When you think of a winery, you think of the countryside, you think of hills. When you think about a brewery, you think of the ‘bad’ side of town. For some reason, beer got the industrial treatment,” says Miller. The Beer Farmers changes that idea, offering farm-to-pint service with the farm focusing on growing its own barley and hops, alongside potatoes and livestock. “We do have a line of beers that are 100 per cent grown on our farm in Pemberton,” Miller adds. “That’s pretty unique in North America— probably worldwide.” After a quieter winter with reduced brewery hours—though cross-country ski tracks attracted big crowds on the weekends—The Beer Farmers are gearing up for a busy summer ahead.
WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
“We’re happy because we now have the patio and outdoor seating area,” Miller says. “We want…people to come and learn a little bit about how the process works, how farms grow and beer is produced—and promote our 100 per cent farm-grown products.”
ROOTDOWN ORGANICS A lot has changed in Simone McIsaac and Sarah Stewart’s lives since they partnered up to start Pemberton’s Rootdown Organic Farm a decade ago. “Our relationship is ever-evolving,” Stewart says. “There have been kids (added to) the mix, we’re growing older. We’re in a place where it’s like family more than anything.” The pair first met in 2008 while in the Sowing Seeds Apprenticeship program at the University of British Columbia’s UBC Farm. Afterwards, Stewart had her sights set on the Pemberton Valley for a location to set up a small-scale organic farm. “I had lived in Whistler for years and (lived in) Squamish. I had my eye on Pemberton,” she adds. “It was new to Simone.” At the time, they joined a small, but growing group of Pemberton farmers who were growing food organically. Over the years, they built up a customer
THIS SUMMER, ENJOY
The Outdoor Lounge
AT BEARFOOT BISTRO
SIMONE MCISAAC AND SARAH STEWART HARVEST KALE, ONE OF THEIR MANY CROPS THAT DO WELL IN THE PEMBERTON VALLEY.
base that includes a 70-person CSA (community-supported agriculture) program in the summer—decreasing to 30 people in the winter—as well as plenty of local restaurants and grocery stores in the Sea to Sky corridor. “The time was totally right,” Stewart says of selling to restaurants in particular. “I worked at Araxi in ’97 and I approached James Walt, who was the executive chef even back then, (about purchasing produce) and he said, ‘Absolutely.’ They’ve been our best customers ever since. I feel like we’re lucky that way.” McIsaac and Stewart started out working closely together with countless meetings and shared decision making, but they’ve since learned to “work smarter, not harder.” “We still work hard, but in the beginning, my goodness, there was no limit to what we would put ourselves through,” says Stewart. With their respective growing families they’ve started delegating tasks. Stewart handles the winter crops and duties while McIsaac oversees the bustling summer. “I think I can speak on Simone’s behalf for this—it’s so different every year,” Stewart says. “There are so many new challenges every year. When you get something wrong, you have to wait until the next year to try again… (But) there are a couple of big things we learned along the way. We divide and conquer.” >>
FRESH SHUCKED OYSTERS COCKTAILS | LIGHTER FARE OPEN DAILY FROM 5 PM 4121 VILLAGE GREEN | ADJACENT TO LISTEL HOTEL 604 932 3433 | BEARFOOTBISTRO.COM
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NORTH ARM FARM
NORTH ARM FARM OWNERS TRISH AND JORDAN STURDY IN A FIELD OF PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI.
North Arm Farm is a bustling place during the summer. Located off the Sea to Sky Highway in Pemberton, its 60 acres contain u-pick berry fields, a restaurant, a farm stand filled with organic veggie offerings, various long-table dinners, and, on many weekends, an entire wedding celebration. “Social media plays a huge role,” says Trish Sturdy, who has been running the farm with her husband Jordan since 1996. Jordan Sturdy is also a long-time local politician and current member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly (MLA) for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. “It doesn’t hurt that we’re on the way to Joffre Lakes,” she adds with a laugh, referring to the increasingly popular nearby provincial park, a half hour away. Still, it’s not hard to figure out why thousands make the trip to the farm each year, whether to pick strawberries in June or find the perfect pumpkin in October. The sprawling farm sits at the base of Mount Currie, offering incredible views and an up-close perspective of the mountain that overlooks Pemberton. You can also find North Arm Farm at the Pemberton Farmers’ Market, where they’ve been selling vegetables since day one. “We’ve been doing the farmers’ market ever since it started opening,” Sturdy says. “We were one of the first farms there.” Meanwhile, the farm continues to welcome families from around the world through their gates—and they’re all ready for the coming summer. “We have twice the number of strawberry plants this year,” Sturdy says. “So hopefully we’ll have lots of strawberries.” W
PATAGONIA STORE Whistler Marketplace 604.932.2526
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WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019 PAT_S19_Whistler_Marketplace-HP.indd 1
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fine dining
EXECUTIVE CHEF R.D. STEWART ENJOYS SUSTAINABLE FISH AT RED DOOR BISTRO.
STO RY BY BR AD EN D U P U I S
P H OTO S BY DAV I D B U ZZA R D
WORD TO THE WISE OCEAN WISE PRINCIPLES CREATE A COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE FOR WHISTLER CHEFS
B.C. SABLEFISH WITH MISO, ALWAYS A FAVOURITE AT ARAXI.
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ARAXI EXECUTIVE CHEF JAMES WALT.
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T ONE OF WHISTLER’S MOST LONG-STANDING AND upscale restaurants, the importance of food sustainability is continually top of mind and menu. ARAXI ’s award-winning executive chef, James Walt, who also oversees the kitchen at the nearby Il Caminetto, has seen the effects of not paying attention first hand. Take the plight of the Chilean sea bass, he uses by way of example, which once got so popular it put the species at risk. “It was a beautiful fish, and really tasty—it had all the characteristics that we like in seafood, but it’s just like, ‘OK, it’s gone,’” Walt says. “So it was a bit of a wake-up call.” Thanks to movements like Ocean Wise—a nationwide, not-for-profit initiative aimed at sustainable seafood practices—making the right choices is easier than ever before for chefs, Walt says. Seafood factors prominently into the menu at Araxi, perhaps most famously in the restaurant’s oyster offerings— seven different types delivered fresh from the ocean several times a week. “We go direct to the producers, so we’re not dealing with a middle person,” Walt says. “We call, we order them, they come out of the water and then they come up to us.” Making sustainable choices at home is one thing; doing it as an executive chef of two renowned restaurants is quite another—the difference between making a choice for five people and making it for 10,000. “I always tell the staff: ‘Just make good decisions.’” Walt says. “Because we could change everything.” Walt recommends trying the sablefish if you’re in town this summer— a catch unique to the Pacific West Coast and a mainstay of the Araxi menu for years.
A fork, a glass, a drop of magic...
COD MEDALLIONS WITH LEMON RISOTTO, GREEN BEANS AND TARRAGON BEURRE BLANC, FROM RED DOOR BISTRO.
W I T H AWA R E N E S S A R O U N D S U STA I N A B I L I T Y at an all-time high, chefs had best know their stuff. “A lot of diners now, they’ve done their research,” says R.D. Stewart, executive chef at Creekside favourite the RED DOOR BISTRO. “They want to know where their fish is from, and I can actually pull up a tag and say, ‘Our halibut was caught from this boat, in this area of B.C.,’ or, ‘The albacore tuna was caught off Ucluelet.’ I get asked all the time, ‘Where’s this from? Where’s that from? Is it Ocean Wise?’” At just 40 seats, Stewart says he is able to source the majority of his seafood from a single supplier (Albion Farms and Fisheries in Vancouver). “With us, the menu is always revolving. I think that’s what makes this little bistro unique, as well,” he says, noting that last year he changed his menu three times from November to January alone. “We don’t like to be boring. I don’t like to offer the same stuff as everybody else, so we kinda have our own little spin on stuff. I think our job as chefs is…to keep moving forward, right? Keep playing and practicing. I can’t keep doing the same old, same old.” Discussions with his suppliers are always ongoing. “I just ask what’s available, what’s different,” he says. “I know there are no new animals, no new fish out in the sea, but I’m like, ‘What’s available as opposed to frozen all the time?’” >>
MODERN CANADIAN CUISINE OPEN DAILY FROM 5 PM | DINNER FROM 6 PM COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING 4121 VILLAGE GREEN | ADJACENT TO LISTEL HOTEL 604 932 3433 | BEARFOOTBISTRO.COM
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AURA EXECUTIVE CHEF JAMES OLBERG, RIGHT, PREPARES OCEAN WISE SEAFOOD.
YELLOW FIN TUNA AND B.C. SALMON POKE FROM AURA RESTAURANT.
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D E S P I T E T H E S E R E N E , L A K E F R O N T P R O P E RT Y T H AT I S Nita Lake Lodge, James Olberg, executive chef at the hotel’s AURA RESTAURANT, isn’t getting up extra early each morning with his fishing pole to catch your dinner. “There’s definitely fish in there, but it wouldn’t be on our menu,” Olberg says with a laugh. But even if he’s not catching it himself, Ocean Wise guidelines—the “conscience” for all chefs—help Olberg ensure he’s providing quality fish as well as sustainable seafood options. “That’s what we work on,” he says. “We know what’s in season, what we can fish, what we can use, just by working with Ocean Wise over the years.” It’s something that all chefs are now understanding, Olberg says, and not just in the realm of seafood. “We try to find the most humanely treated animals, local stuff that we know has been treated nicely, because it’s a good movement,” Olberg says. One new dish on the Aura summer menu is the B.C. roasted miso black cod fillet with grilled asparagus, smoked shiitake mushroom and ginger broth. The black cod is known for its high levels of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which give it its silky and rich texture and flavour, while the miso marinade adds a welcomed sweetness. Olberg likes to experiment with his menu, offering different themes throughout the year (like Meatless Mondays, or a “secret pasta” that proved a fan favourite last year). “We’ve been trying to find the perfect balance between what our guests are looking for and what the community is looking for,” he says. >>
A RA fresh. modern. lakeside.
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BEARFOOT BISTRO EXECUTIVE CHEF, MELISSA CRAIG.
H AV I N G G R O W N U P O N VA N C O U V E R I S L A N D , it’s not surprising Melissa Craig, executive chef at BEARFOOT BISTRO, considers herself a seafood cook. “If I were to be challenged to cook something in a competition…it wouldn’t be meat, it (would) always be seafood,” Craig says, noting that she finds it much easier to do wine pairings with seafood. “Because you could go sake, you could go champagne, you could go rosé, you could go white, you could go chardonnay,” she says. “There’s more to play with.” The Bearfoot uses seafood from across Canada, but Craig says she always aims to use B.C. fish. “Always, my favourite is having Dungeness crab on the menu,” she says. “It’s one of my favourite things to eat, obviously, growing up on the island. I always feature that somewhere.” One noticeable exception to that general rule is the lobster sourced from the Magdalen Islands in Quebec, known for its high quality and distinct flavour, which the Bearfoot began sourcing directly from fishermen in 2018. Craig says she plans to bring the lobsters back in 2019 for a special. “We’re the only ones bringing them into B.C., and we fly them direct,” she says. “So they’re 24-48 hours out of the water, so they don’t go into any holding tanks or anything… it’s a very exclusive product that we’re bringing in.” W
OCEAN WISE
A CRAB AND LOBSTER PLATTER, FROM BEARFOOT BISTRO.
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An initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium, Ocean Wise is a global ocean conservation organization focused on protecting and restoring the world’s oceans. Along with other education initiatives, the program promotes sustainable seafood in restaurants, markets and elsewhere, and has grown to include partnerships with 784 seafood providers in 2,221 locations. According to the group’s 2017 Annual Report, Ocean Wise helped educate more than 200,000 people and reached more than 133 million people online in 2017, while also removing 88,721 kilograms of litter from Canadian shorelines and rescuing and rehabilitating 2017 marine mammals. Learn more at ocean.org.
Addictive Italian cuisine since 1996 Inviting service Two private dining rooms Dinner nightly 4319 Main Street at the Whistler Pinnacle Hotel 604.905.4844 Reservations recommended quattrorestaurants.com
The Nijjar family is pleased to introduce you to the Royal Taste of India. Our chefs provide the essence of traditional Indian Cuisine with a modern touch, preparing each dish to your specifications. Our sister company Kismet Estate Winery, located in Oliver BC, produces VQA quality red & white wine to pair with our exotic menu.
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GREAT CHOICES TO PAIR WITH BRINY TREASURES
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604 .905.4900 ENTREES FROM $16 We serve free-run chicken dishes from the Fraser Valley Farm (raised with no added hormones or steroids), grass-fed lamb and OCEAN WISE (TM) Prawns and Fish
MENU AND ONLINE OPTIONS:
Go to TandooriWhistler.com for Reservations PICK UP AND DELIVERY DIRECT: WhistlerDineIn.com VANCOUVER VENUE: OriginalTandooriKitchens.com
Winner 2014-2019
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BONNY MAKAREWICZ
SUSTAINABLE WINE & SEAFOOD PERFECT PAIRING BY SAMANTHA RAHN
OR WINE PRODUCERS, BEING SUSTAINABLE is a broad, far-reaching term. It means being stewards of the land, avoiding chemical pesticides, herbicides and additives. It means farming organically or bio-dynamically, whether certified or not, with an eye to making great wine for generations to come. It means making wines that are true to the place they come from, the grapes they are made from, and the people that shepherd them from vineyard to bottle. To complement B.C. oysters and shellfish, for refreshment or celebration, pop a fantastic B.C. bubbly, like Haywire “The Bub.” From organic Okanagan vineyards, The Bub is made in the traditional method (just as it’s done in Champagne, France), where the fermentation that creates the bubbles takes place in the very bottle it’s poured from. It is crisp, flavourful, and bone dry to wash down briny treasures of the sea. Owners Christine Colletta and Steve Lornie are leaders among B.C. wine producers for sustainable farming and winery practices. When sushi or ceviche hits the table, rediscover a classic from across the pond. Alsace’s Famille Hugel, celebrating 380 years of their family winery, produces aromatic wines that pair perfectly here. Hugel “Gentil,” a blend of white grapes including Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Blanc and others, is a traditional wine which has aromas of ripe fruits and flowers, but is dry on the palate with fresh acidity. The Hugels are committed to supersustainable vineyard practices and extremely low intervention in the winery. Jean-Frederic Hugel says: “We've been doing this for nearly 400 years, and plan to be doing this for 400 more.” For pairing wild Pacific salmon, Arctic char or sablefish, try a lighter red like Pinot Noir or Gamay. Oregon and its Cascadian neighbours (Northern California, Washington, B.C.) have developed certification called Salmon Safe which strives to protect watersheds and Pacific salmon habitat, and promote natural biodiversity in vineyards. Many wineries are certified Salmon Safe, including Stoller Vineyards which produces a beautiful Pinot Noir for pairing with salmon and other fish. You can find the Stoller Vineyards Dundee Hills and Reserve Pinot Noir in select Whistler restaurants and private wine stores. —Samantha Rahn is the Fine Wine Ambassador for Select Wines, 2013 VIWF Sommelier of the Year, and longtime Whistler/Pemberton local. W
11:34 AM The moment you realized what it meant to savour every Whistler experience.
Everybody’s favourite Upper Village eatery has something (delicious) for everyone. An elevated casual dining experience delivered by an animated open kitchen, Portobello’s made-to-order sandwich selection and gourmet pastry and coffee operation have expanded to include open-flame rotisserie chicken, pork ribs and delectable smoked brisket. From the rustic, modern alpine design and expanded full-service bar focusing on local craft beers, to the new market-style retail space, it’s always a good time to see what’s cooking at Portobello.
P O R T O B E L L O
VISIT FAIRMONT.COM/WHISTLER/DINING
BREAKFAST: 7:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. | LUNCH: 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. APRÉS: 4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. | SMOKEHOUSE DINNER: 5:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Open daily, times may be subject to change.
OPEN LATE
Mon. to Sat. till 3 a.m. Sun. till 2 a.m.
Indian cuisine that uses a palette of flavours ~ you’ll feel as if you’re halfway around the world! Open 7 days a week for Lunch & Dinner
(604) 932-0410 4368 Main Street
NEW IN THE HILTON WHISTLER RESORT Overlooking Mountain Square, Whistler Village | 604-932-9900
www.indianmasalabistro.com
10003 Whistler Mag AD 3.5 x 4.75.indd 1
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casual dining
THE ASIAN EXPERIENCE WHISTLER’S ASIAN FARE OFFERS SOME OF THE BEST INTERACTIVE DINING EXPERIENCES IN TOWN
AN ASSORTMENT OF DRIED SPICES USED AT THE ROYAL TASTE OF INDIA.
FROM THE SIZZLING FLAMES AT WHISTLER’S JAPANESE steakhouse to the shenanigans at its original sushi restaurant, Whistler’s Asian eateries add a little spice to any dinnertime. This is where you’ll find the experience of dining is as much a part of the meal as the delicious food itself, whether it’s a curry or a stirfry, some choice sushi, or teppanyaki fresh from the Japanese grill. This shared dinnertime experience is the perfect way to cap off a day of adventures in the mountains. STO RY BY B RA NDON B A R R ETT
PHOTOS BY DAV ID B U ZZA R D WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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NESTOR EGIDO HAS BEEN A SUSHI CHEF AT SUSHI VILLAGE FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
SUSHI VILLAGE SUSHI VILLAGE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR ITS LIVELY atmosphere since it first opened its doors 34 years ago. Founded by the late Miki Homma alongside two fellow Japanese natives—who opened the izakaya-style (a Japanese pub that specializes in inexpensive snacks) restaurant in the mid-’80s as a way to fund their ski-bum lifestyle—today, Sushi Village is the go-to spot for locals and guests alike, looking for a night out they won’t find anywhere else. “If you are expecting a very quiet dinner, this is not the place for you,” long-time manager Amy Huddle says. “It’s loud, rambunctious; it’s funny and it’s sassy.” Whether sitting at the sushi bar for a firsthand glimpse of the trained Japanese chefs hand-crafting your rolls, or tucked away in one of the restaurant’s traditional tatami rooms (don’t forget to take off your shoes!), the buzz around Sushi Village is palpable. That buzz could also be due to the steady flow of sake margaritas, a fruity, slushy concoction invented by Homma himself, or the “Dumbosized” sake bottles. “(Miki) never shied away from the fun of the place,” explains Huddle of the beloved owner, who died in 2017. “We very rarely got scolded for parties. The only thing he ever got upset about was when parties got out of control and people would start throwing sushi. That was the only thing. Now, take your pants off? That was no problem.” It’s the stuff of local lore. Check out the celebrity photo wall on the long walk to the washrooms if you don’t believe it. 78
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“IF YOU ARE EXPECTING A VERY QUIET DINNER, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU. IT’S LOUD, RAMBUNCTIOUS; IT’S FUNNY AND IT’S SASSY.” — Amy Huddle
THE ROYAL TASTE OF INDIA WHILE LESS PERFORMATIVE THAN THE OTHER restaurants on this list, the interactive element of The Royal Taste of India harkens back to the core philosophy of Indian cuisine: that a meal shared is always better than a meal eaten alone. We’ll forgive you if you choose to forego the traditional way of eating Indian food—with your hands—but for the full experience, an Indian meal is best consumed communally, each guest sampling from a wide variety of creamy curries and sizzling tandoori platters. “One person might order butter chicken, one might order a vegetarian dish, and they can share. All Indian dishes have such different spices, so it’s a different taste. When you’re sharing like that, in more of a family style, it’s a good way to try everything,” explains owner Jinder Nijjar. The communal approach is all the better to taste the distinct styles of cuisine that India boasts. “All of India’s provinces have their own culture, their own language, their own food culture,” Nijjar explains. Royal Taste’s menu features a number of regional staples, including a Goan fish curry, a spinach saag from Punjab, and a traditional Madras curry tempered with curry leaf, fennel and mustard seed. To make the most of the flavours of India, be sure to go with guests who don’t mind sharing! >>
Al • fresh • co Savour your favourites, soak in the sun and enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze on Whistler’s best patio at Grill & Vine. OPEN DAILY
RELAX
•
SAVOUR
•
SHARE
located in the westin resort & spa, whistler. 4090 whistler way | 604.935.4344 | grillandvinewhistler.com
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MONGOLIE GRILL WHISTLER
OG GRILLER JASON BORON TOSSES FRESH VEGGIES AT MONGOLIE GRILL
MONGOLIE GRILL HAS A SPECIAL NAME for its longest-tenured chefs that have mastered the art of grilling. “We call them our OG (Original Gangster) grillers, and they’re the ones that are able to pull off the wicked-cool tricks, like flips and stuff like that,” says GM Germain Navarrete. Similar to Teppan Village, diners have their meals finished on the grill, with a team of chefs wowing guests with their stylish tricks. The difference here, however, is that each diner gets to customize their dinner to their exact specifications at the food bar. Just select your protein, sauce, noodle, and assortment of vegetables, and a chef will weigh your bowl and “theatrically grill” the stir-fry to your liking, Navarrete says. Mimicking the ancient Mongolian warriors who would cook raw meats in the battlefield directly on their shields, today, Mongolie Grill draws influence from a number of different Asian cuisines, as the different sweet and spicy sauces can attest. It’s worth noting, too, that Mongolie Grill took home awards recognizing its customer service from the Whistler Chamber of Commerce in both 2016 and 2017.
“WE CALL THEM OUR OG (ORIGINAL GANGSTER) GRILLERS, AND THEY’RE THE ONES THAT ARE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE WICKED-COOL TRICKS, LIKE FLIPS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. — Germain Navarrete
LOCALS’ FAVOURITE SINCE 1982!
Join us for après at Whistler’s most iconic bar, just steps from the Whistler Village Gondola Crowd around the cozy fireplace, taking in the mountain views while enjoying Daily Happy Hour Specials to start your après off right! Amazing Appetizers, Big Screen TVs & Pool Tables Breakfast, Lunch, Après & Dinner
HILTON WHISTLER RESORT & SPA t: 1 604 932 1982 4050 Whistler Way
hiltonwhistler.com
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TEPPAN VILLAGE AT W H I ST L E R ’S LO N E J A PA N E S E ST E A K H O U S E , the dining experience centres around fire. Lots of it. “The minute the chef gets a great reaction from a guest, there’s more fire. And I’m over there going, ‘Oh my God, more fire!’” says owner Wendi Gabelhouse with a laugh. “It’s all about the fire. It’s all about the show.” At Teppan Village, a team of chefs grills your entrée to perfection right in front of you, delighting diners with fanciful tricks, juggling vegetables mid-air, and setting off bursts of flame with a splash of brandy. “It takes a long time to train someone,” Gabelhouse says. “You don’t just flip a burger and you’re trained.” Sourcing the finest cuts of meat, and offering a variety of fresh seafood, including wild Pacific salmon, Atlantic lobster and succulent, seven-ounce Hokkaido scallops, the restaurant serves a variety of signature teppanyaki dinners (Japanese cuisine cooked over an iron griddle) alongside your choice of dipping sauce. Another reason guests come back to Teppan Village is the communal style of dining where guests can rub elbows with their fellow diners for a front-row seat to all the action. “You’re going to leave here very happy because you’ve just enjoyed a great meal and everyone’s in a great mood,” says Gabelhouse. “You’re engaging with other people at the table and you’re meeting people. We’ve actually had people leave together to go to Dubh Linn Gate for a drink.” W
TEPPAN VILLAGE HEAD CHEF KYOKO NAKANO PREPARES A FLAMING ONION, AND STEAK AND PRAWN ENTREES.
Voted top 10 patio in Whistler Everyone welcome Come as you are (no dress code) Open daily Happy hour 2-6 Daily food specials
FOR INFORMATION AND MENUS: WHISTLERGOLF.COM 604-932-3280 4001 WHISTLER WAY
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3:12 PM
The moment you decided to cultivate a new afternoon ritual.
6:34 PM
Indulge in summer’s most delicious pleasures at The Mallard Lounge and Terrace. In a spectacular setting, enjoy signature cocktails made from house-infused spirits with ingredients from our rooftop garden. Discover the wild flavours of the Pacific Northwest with fresh, locallyinspired salads, gourmet burgers and plates-to-share. Relax to the soothing sounds of live entertainment that have created a legendary following among visitors and locals alike. Casual, refined and nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Fairmont’s Mallard Lounge is one of Whistler’s most iconic destinations. Come savour our uniquely Whistler summer experience.
OPEN DAILY 11:00 AM TO 12:00 AM VISIT FAIRMONT.COM/WHISTLER/DINING
village vibe
18
AFTER
TRY A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL AFTER A ROUND AT ONE OF WHISTLER’S THREE GOLF COURSES
L
IKE A TRADITIONAL APRÈS-SKI, golf’s 19th hole is a place to savour and enjoy, reliving those fleeting moments of glory on the course and forgetting about all the rest. Whistler boasts three premier golf courses— the Whistler Golf Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course and Nicklaus North Golf Course— and you can find signature cocktails at each, to round out a perfect day on the links. WHISTLER GOLF CLUB food and beverage manager Duncan Savage, who also serves as the club’s director of instruction, recommends the Palmer’s Punch, a fitting cocktail to enjoy at the course designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. Like the golf courses he designed, Arnold Palmer also created the Arnold Palmer drink: a blend of iced tea and lemonade. The club’s Palmer’s Punch is an adult version of the late, great golfer’s namesake concoction. It was added to the menu after Palmer’s passing in 2016. Savage contacted the golfer’s home course of Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla. to discover how the menu could best reflect his legacy. >>
THE PALMER’S PUNCH, FROM WHISTLER GOLF CLUB.
STORY BY DAN FAL LO O N
P H OTO S BY DAVID B UZ Z A R D WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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THE EMPRESS GIN SOUR,
JACK’S MARGARITA,
FROM THE CLUBHOUSE AT
FROM NICKLAUS
THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU
NORTH GOLF
WHISTLER GOLF COURSE.
COURSE.
“HE WASN’T REALLY ATTACHED TO ONE or two things, but they did say he enjoyed a great burger and obviously, an Arnold Palmer (cocktail),” Savage says. Savage explains that with a beverage so classic already, it was challenging to find a way to elevate it. However, taking inspiration from its American origins, Savage opted to steep and sweeten the tea in-house to get the taste just right. “We decided to try to get a little bit creative on the Arnold Palmer, but you can’t stray far from something so simple. We started to steep our own tea because we were finding that cheap, processed iced teas weren’t really hitting the spot the same way,” Savage explains. The twist that gives the Palmer’s Punch its kick is the addition of two shots of Absolut Vodka to the lemonade/iced tea blend. It’s served tall with a lemon wedge, topped off with a cocktail umbrella, patterned after Palmer’s personal logo—an umbrella with white, yellow, red and green triangles. Over in the Upper Village, THE CLUBHOUSE AT THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER GOLF COURSE looks to keep its cocktail list as fresh as its greens with new items added
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with regularity, as its servers are often challenging themselves to come up with new and refreshing combinations. This summer, clubhouse manager Nick Humphreys is most excited about the Empress Gin Sour, made with Empress 1908 Gin. The spirit is named for another hotel in the Fairmont chain, the landmark Fairmont Empress Hotel in downtown Victoria. “In the last couple of years, there’s been a real upward trend on gin and making cocktails with gin,” Humphreys says. “A sour is a really nice summer drink. It’s not too heavy and it’s nice and light.” The cocktail is made of 2 ounces of the gin, 0.5 oz. each of chartreuse and lemon juice, and an egg white. The mixture is shaken over ice, strained into a second shaker and then shaken dry. “That will give you a nice, thick, creamy egg white on top of the cocktail,” Humphreys explains. Apart from the corporate connection, the Empress 1908 Gin became a cornerstone for The Clubhouse staff because of its stunning lavender colour, which comes from an infusion of the butterfly pea blossom botanical. Purple is also the club logo’s main colour.
At NICKLAUS NORTH GOLF COURSE’s aptly-named Table Nineteen, the specialty has long been a Jack’s Margarita. Like Whistler Golf Club, Nicklaus North was designed by another legend—Jack Nicklaus, golf’s “Golden Bear.” Food and beverage services manager Justine Gordon says the blend of tequila, triple sec, agave and lime, served on the rocks with a salted rim, is far and away the most popular cocktail on the menu. “Our hand-crafted margarita, named after Mr. Jack Nicklaus himself, is a fan favourite at Nicklaus North,” she says. “Using freshly squeezed lime and agave as a natural sweetener, the classic is a refreshing balance of tart and sweet. “It’s a great cocktail for a hot, sunny day on our patio, also known as the best patio in Whistler.” That’s no exaggeration with the smooth emerald waters of Green Lake sparkling just beyond the clubhouse, surrounded by familiar mountains. That leaves little doubt that Whistler, a town which has perfected the art après-ski in winter, knows more than most how to enjoy summers’ 19th hole. W
TONIGHT’S JUST
G E T TING S TARTED Join us for Cocktail Hour from open to 6pm, and 10pm to close, to enjoy specially priced appetizers and cocktails.
the locals ’ hangout DELICIOUS PUB FARE! FRE
Burgers, sandwiches, fish & chips, nachos, chicken wings, pulled pork, tacos, salads, kids’ menu and more!
EP
A
RK IN
G + WIFI
SPORtS!!
9 Flatscreens, HD TV’s, Great Food & Great Service
BEER & WINE StORE 7 days a week, 11am-11pm
604-932-5940
rolandswhistler.com 2129 Lake Placid, Creekside ROLANDSWHISTLER.COM 604-932-5940 2129 LAKE PLACID, CREEKSIDE
4429 Sundial Place | 604.932.5151 | kegsteakhouse.com
A BREATH
OF FRESH AIR Special Guest DJs bringing you House, Top 40 and Classic Hits all Summer long. For all Table Reservations, Corporate Bookings and Guest list Inquiries please visit www.tommyswhistler.com
4204 Village Square, Whistler BC, V0N 184 info@tommyswhistler.com | 604 932 6090 WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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shopping whistler
TAKE HOME A PIECE OF WHISTLER Here are some perfect West Coast keepsakes to remember your summertime in the mountains. There’s something for everything here—biking and hiking essentials, beautiful indulgences and fun-loving keepsakes. You are guaranteed to find the perfect present…but you may want to keep it for yourself. — Megan Lalonde
JEANIE BEAR PENDANT Treat yourself while giving back to Whistler’s wildlife: Designed and made exclusively for Keir Fine Jewellery, celebrating the jeweller’s fifth anniversary of the Jeanie Bear collection, these pendants are handcrafted in Canada in memory of one of Whistler’s beloved black bears, Jeanie. Ten per cent of sales are donated to the Get Bear Smart Society. 14k yellow and Canadian gold with 22 Canadian diamonds. $1,995, without chain
OAKLEY LATCH SUNGLASSES These sunglasses are on trend at the moment with a slightly rounder frame and an old-school look. The Prizm technology through the lenses means awesome colour enhancement and good protection from UV rays. Check out the wide range of coloured frames and lenses at Showcase. $150-$200
R1 FLEECE FULL-ZIP HOODIE This lightweight layering piece from Patagonia is a timeless classic for a reason. Whether your day’s activities include climbing, hiking or mountain biking, the R1’s technology will keep you warm while balancing odour control and breathability with stretch and durability. $209
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SHOPPING AREAS
Nesters
WOMEN'S REVEL PRINTED RUNNING TANK Stretchy and lightweight, this tank will keep you comfortable and dry as you zip around the forest or Valley Trail. It’s fabricated from quick-drying recycled polyester and its bold print also features reflective details for low-light scenarios. Available at Peak Performance. $100
UPPER VILLAGE
Village North
WHISTLER VILLAGE
FUNCTION JUNCTION
MATT & NAT MUMBAI BACKPACK Carry all your summer essentials while staying hands-free, on-trend, and most importantly, cruelty-free. This backpack from Canadian brand Matt & Nat, available at Ruby Tuesday Accessories, is made with vegan leather and recycled materials. $149.95
ARIZONA-SOFT, METALLIC COPPER BIRKENSTOCK SANDAL Give your toes a rest after all of the biking and hiking you’re bound to do in Whistler this summer. Enjoy Birkenstock’s famous support with a fashion-forward edge, thanks to the metallic copper colour. Available at Soles of Whistler. $160 >>
To Va n
cou
ver
WHISTLER CREEKSIDE
Whistler Village is the hub of activity at the base of the mountains. A pedestrian-only paradise, it offers over 200 stores, galleries, restaurants and bars. Village North is centred
around Whistler Marketplace, which offers a supermarket, liquor store and many fine shops and amenities.
Upper Village, situated at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, is another walking-only area with many wonderful stores, restaurants and galleries. Nesters is just two minutes north of Whistler Village and offers a variety of shops and restaurants, with a liquor store, grocery store and restaurants. Rainbow Plaza, a five-minute
drive north of the Village, has a grocery store, liquor store, coffee shop, gas station and more.
Whistler Creekside, a
five-minute drive south of the Village, is a shopping area near the base of Whistler Mountain.
Function Junction is just 10 minutes south of Whistler Village and offers hardware, organic groceries, breweries, bakeries and many more shops and services.
shopping whistler ADC SKIN 12 SET Are you a trail runner looking to get more than a few kilometres of Whistler’s trail network under your belt this summer? With 12L volume, this trail-running pack from Salomon will fulfill all of your hydration needs, with enough pockets to hold all of your endurance essentials and a comfortable fit to boot. $200
COAST MOUNTAIN BREWING FORECAST PALE ALE Get your hands on this locals’ favourite craft brew: Clean and dry with a noticeable dose of Amarillo hops, a fresh-squeezedjuice-like quality and a bright, attention-grabbing label, it’s a perfect companion for any après session. Available in growlers, 473ml cans and on draught.
MACAUSLAND’S WOOLLEN MILLS BLANKET Keep cozy and warm while you relax by the campfire or watch the sun go down from the dock. Handcrafted on Prince Edward Island, this 100 per cent virgin wool blanket will last you a lifetime. Available at Camp Coffee & Lifestyle. $195
DR. JON’S ESSENTIALS SHAVING SOAP The wide variety of soothing essential oils and vegetable oils included in the formula of this all-natural, vegan and crueltyfree shaving soap make shaving a breeze. Think shea butter, mango butter, sunflower oil, avocado oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera and more—the perfect moisturizing agents to keep your skin silky smooth. Available at Get The Goods. $20
>>
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We celebrate clever products made by clever people.
shop.getthegoods.ca @get_the_goods_whistler 604-935-7878 210-2059 Lake Placid Road, Creekside Vilage
shopping whistler
COAST RANGE MOUNTAIN NECKLACE Available in silver, gold and rose gold plate from Ruby Tuesday Accessories, this simple and elegant necklace allows you to carry the Coast Mountains with you wherever your adventures take you next. $29.95
FUSCHIA RAVEN CLUTCH Stop by the gift shop at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre’s for a selection of handcrafted goods that honour the local heritage of the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations, including this vegan leather raven clutch designed by Coast Salish Nation artist Francis Horne Sr. $48
WHISTLER GEO SEAL LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT The perfect long-sleeved layer for spring days on the mountain or to throw on after the sun sets on a hot summer day. With a large logo on the back and a small logo on the front, this is not your average souvenir T-shirt. Available at Cool As A Moose. $39.99
FINNA T-SHIRT Featuring a bold graphic floral print on the front and stripes on the sleeves and back, this piece from Bogner is full of fashion-forward contrasts. A stylish, oversized silhouette and a drawstring in the hem make for comfortable and chic finishing touches. $460 >>
WHISTLER'S OUTDOOR STORE FOR KIDS & TEENS
We've got
ING EVERYTnH eed for
your kids e an awesome tim in Whistler!
FIND US IN MOUNTAIN SQUARE, JUST STEPS FROM LULULEMON | WWW.MOUNTAINKIDS.CA | 604 932 2115 WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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NEXT TO THE VISITOR INFO CENTRE & KEIR FINE JEWELLERY
604-932-7202 www.whistlersweatershop.com
annechocolates.com
102-4295 Blackcomb Way
‘HAIL CAESAR!’ GOURMET GIFT BASKET Looking for the perfect host gift for your Whistler weekend? Look no further than the “Hail Caesar!” basket from the Blackcomb Liquor Store, courtesy of its partnership with Edible Canada. Containing premium, small-batch vodka from B.C. micro-distillers and Walter’s Artisanal Caesar mix, it will make the perfect brunch accompaniment. Email Blackcomb Liquor Store to arrange basket order and delivery. $99.99
QUIET FOREST MUG This hand-painted mug will remind you of your fun camping adventures long after you’ve returned to civilization. Browse through the carefully curated selection of goods at 3 Singing Birds while you’re picking up your new favourite mug. $42
>>
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WHISTLER’S LARGEST
First Nations Gift Shop & Eatery
4584 Blackcomb Way In Whistler’s Upper Village
SLCC.CA
accessories ltd.
It’s not what you need... It’s what you want. Proudly supporting local designers. Whistler Town Plaza 604.905.6290 WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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Located at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola 604.932.4100 O P E N
FIVE TEN'S FREERIDER KIDS' MTB SHOE Are you raising a little ripper? These durable, sportspecific shoes, available at Mountain Kids Outfitters Ltd., will support your mini-mountain biker or BMX rider and keep them comfortable as they tear up the trails or track. $89.85 W
L A T E
Whistler’s Premier Shopping Centre
Grocery Store
Whistler Kitchen Works The Royal Taste of India
EXPERIENCE WHISTLER’S PREMIER SHOPPING CENTRE. OFFERING A VARIETY OF SPECIALTY BOUTIQUES, RESTAURANTS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. Owned and Managed by 94
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www.headwaterprojects.ca
Function Junction Discover the Locals’ Secret 8 minutes south of the Village
The Daily Planet
a small gathering of design companies that make beautiful products with a mindful and fair trade philosophy, emphasizing the unique lifestyle of the pacific northwest
Home Interiors Inc.
ANTIQUES ORIGINAL ART FURNITURE HOME DECOR COOL STUFF
Open 7 days, 11:30am – late
1-1030 Millar Creek Road 604.938.6336
dailyplanet whistler.com
1
located in the fairmont chateau and 122-4340 lorimer road, whistler
Award-winning craft beers, ice-cold off-sales, complete keg sale packages, special events & beer-inspired food
www.3singingbirds.com info@3singingbirds.com
TAPHOUSE HOURS: Sun–Wed, noon–8pm Thurs –Sat, 11am–10pm BREWERY TOURS: Every Day @ 2:30 & 4:00pm 1045 Millar Creek Road 604.962.8889 whistlerbeer.com
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We are purebread, a nice little bakery in Function Junction. Our aim is a simple one: to make really great bread and great tasty treats. Open 7 days 8.30am - 5pm Also visit us at our Village location on Olympic Plaza, open 7 days 8am - 6pm Follow us on Twitter @purebreadwhis
1-1040 Millar Creek Road 1-604-938-3013 function junction
3
purebread.ca
FUNCTION JUNCTION
WHISTLER VILLAGE ALPH D
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Whistler’s only fashion footwear store LOCATED IN THE WESTIN
110-4090 Whistler Way 604.905.0036
solesofwhistler.com
A Charming & Unique Selection of Gifts & Kitchenware Dinnerware • Linens • Gadgets Candles • Glassware Practical Kitchen Accessories & More
en& VisWitoorrsks stvoleriter ofKitLoch Whi cals A Fa Since 1994
ketplace Located in Whistler’s Mar
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604-938-1110
2018
services Directory Voted Best Dental Clinic
New Patients & Emergencies Welcome For appointments call: 604-938-1550 #317 – 2063 Lake Placid Rd., Whistler (next to Creekside Market)
PROVEN RESULTS –
I’m with you every step of the way Specializing in Residential and Investment property in Whistler
Carolyn Hill, ASSOCIATE BROKER PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
Delivering the Dream – Whistler cel: 604-907-0770
email: chill@whistlerbuyer.com www.whistlerbuyer.com Voted Whistler’s Best Realtor
Rentals Skills Tours
To advertise in the Services Directory, call Catherine Power-Chartrand at 604-932-1672
Everything you need for your Health, Beauty and Convenience, right in the heart of Whistler Village Prestigious Beauty Boutique Full Service Pharmacy offering Travel Vaccinations & Medication Reviews Prescription Deliveries and much more Whistler Village (near The Keg & Movie Theatre)
604-905-5666 www.shoppersdrugmart.ca
WHISTLER RECEPTION SERVICES Providing a World Class Greeting in a World Class Resort
Now available - Luxury Home Management and Care A unique central check-in – concierge and in-resort contact for guests, owners and managers of vacation rentals and properties WHISTLER VILLAGE IN DEER LODGE AND UPPER VILLAGE IN GLACIER LODGE
Call 604-966-0999 to set up a free consultation! www.whistlerreception.com / info@whistlerreception.com
TM
STUDIOS
Yoga and wellness services in the heart of Whistler Village! We offier many different styles to suit all levels of practice. Our class cap of 15 maintains personalized attention and a sense of community.
in Lost Lake PassivHaus
whistler • 604.905.0071 • crosscountryconnection.ca
BOOKING ONLINE OR BY PHONE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
604-935-2020 info@whistleryogacara.com www.whistleryogacara.com
massage clinic & spa
Your Private Whistler and Vancouver Transportation Provider
SERVING WHISTLER FOR OVER
25 YEARS
CLINIC SERVICES OFFERED:
604.522.8484 inquiry@luxbus.com www.luxbus.com
Deep Tissue Massage, Relaxation, Acupressure, Therapeutic Massge, Reflexology, Aromotherapy & Hot Stone Massage Registered Massage Therapy, Counselling, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Naturopathy & Medical Skin Care are available on request
www.bluehighways.ca • 604-938-0777 • #206 - 4368 Main St., Market Pavilion WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
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SCENE in whistler
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Dutch DJ/producer Ferry Corsten at Swedish Afterski at the Cinnamon Bear at the Hilton, in March.
Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Kariya visited Whistler during the Rogers Hometown Hockey weekend in February.
Anita Coté, president of the Whistler Minor Hockey Association, welcomed Hockey Night in Canada’s Ron MacLean for Rogers Hometown Hockey in February.
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MARK MCMORRIS/INSTAGRAM
Actor Owen Wilson took time for photos with locals while visiting this winter. He's pictured here with Helen Bradley at Merlin’s in January.
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KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN — YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SEE!
Actor Jason Mamoa, right, wearing his pink tuxedo from the Oscars, with Jenny Weeks and Ben Ellis-Macmahon, at the GLC in March.
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WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2019
WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL
JORGE ALVAREZ
WHSITELR PRIDE AND SKI FESTIVAL
Actor, singer, songwriter and screenwriter Jackie Beat performed during Whistler Pride and Ski Festival 2019, in January.
Canadian film and television actress Tantoo Cardinal at the Whistler Film Festival in December.
Local Greg Ursich rode the gondola with Olympic snowboarding gold medallist Shaun White this winter.
Terry “Toulouse” Spence and Rob Boyd at the 30th anniversary celebration of Boyd’s World Cup downhill win on Canadian soil, at Dusty’s in February.
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Italian DJ, record producer and remixer Benny Benassi worked up a crowd at the Longhorn Saloon in February.
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ROB PERRY
Pro snowboarder Mark McMorris and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shred on a pow-filled morning in Whistler in January.
Artist Brent Lynch, centre, with the team from Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Whistler, in March.
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AVAILABLE AT:
THE NORTH FACE
STORE OWNED AND OPERATED BY WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
Deer Lodge, Across from the Brewhouse, Whistler Village 604-938-7432 PHOTO / TIM KEMPLE
DATE:
MARCH 15, 2019
AD:
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SUMMER 2018
SIZE:
HORIZONTAL HALF PAGE TRIM 7.125W X 4.75H
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PUB:
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ISSUE: ART:
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T H E R AW E S T EMOTION
PAN PACI FI C, WHIS T LE R MOUNTAI NSI DE 604.905.2295
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