Whistler Magazine Summer/Fall 2022 by Pacific Coastal Publications LP

WHISTLER’S PREMIER P U B L I C AT I O N S I N C E 1980

SUMMER/ FALL 2022

M AG A Z I N E

HITTING NEW HEIGHTS Hiking’s popularity peaks as we seek natural escapes

MOVING TO THE MOUNTAINS WHISTLER’S ARCHITECTURE SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE

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contents ARTS SCENE: Global Events Inspire 17

DEPARTMENTS

BY ALISON TAYLOR

Editor’s Greeting 7

COVER FEATURE: HIking Hits New Heights 22

Trail Mix:

BY ALISON TAYLOR

Things to do and see in and around Whistler 8 Mountain Roots 14

FACES OF WHISTLER: Moving to the Mountains 29 BY BRADEN DUPUIS

Unwind: Lifestyle & Adventure Guide 27

A LOOK BACK: Whistler’s Architectural Evolution 34 BY STEVEN THRENDYLE

Shopping Whistler 64

WHISTLER HOMES: A Breath of Fresh Air 40

Services Directory 73

BY LAURA NEWTON

Maps 74

FINE DINING: Secrets to Success 48 BY BRANDON BARRETT

COVER PHOTO BY JUSTA JESKOVA

Enjoying the sunset views from the top of Sproatt Mountain.

COCKTAILS & CASUAL DINING: Go Big or Go Home 57

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS/GETTY IMAGES

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

CONTRIBUTORS

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.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

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 The Squamish Chief.

BRADEN DUPUIS is the editor of Pique Newsmagazine. He prefers bike rides and barbecues to snow shovelling.

LAURA NEWTON is a freelance writer and editor. She specializes in writing about interior design, architecture, and art.

STEVEN THRENDYLE penned the cover feature in the very first issue of Pique Newsmagazine. With the SLCC and Audain Art Museum, he believes that Whistler’s cultural offerings have caught up with its outdoor activities.

SUMMER/FALL 2022

What hiking trail is on your bucket list this summer? GENERAL MANAGER, ADVERTISING/OPERATIONS

Catherine Power-Chartrand EDITOR

Alison Taylor

“I managed to get a reservation with my family to hike the West Coast Trail this summer! I can’t wait. I’m planning to hike to Garibaldi Lake and Madeley Lake in preparation.”

ART DIRECTOR

Shelley Ackerman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Brandon Barrett Braden Dupuis Laura Newton Steven Threndyle PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS

“Anything on Whistler or Blackcomb – but the Ascent Trails and High Note are always a must.”

David Buzzard Mike Crane Justa Jeskova Ema Peter Getty Images Tourism Whistler Whistler Museum & Archives PRESIDENT, WHISTLER PUBLISHING LP

Sarah Strother ACCOUNTING

Heidi Rode

“Last year we did the Half Note Trail on Whistler Mountain and it was spectacular! So this year the High Note Trail is on my list... and I will remember to bring poles for the downhill.” "I'm itching to get up to the Ascent Trail on Blackcomb Mountain, which gives breathtaking views of the valley. Bonus points for ending at the Rendezvous Lodge, because I always like to end my hikes with an adult beverage." “Singing Pass to the Kees and Claire Hut for an overnight. Everyone’s raving about it!”

CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION

Denise Conway

Whistler Magazine (ISSN-0835-5460) is published twice annually by WHISTLER PUBLISHING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a division of GLACIER MEDIA GROUP 202-1390 Alpha Lake Road, Whistler, B.C., Canada, V8E 0H9 Phone 604-938-0202 | Fax 604-938-0201 Email: cpower@whistlermagazine.com Also publishers of Pique Newsmagazine, weekly on Thursdays, piquenewsmagazine.com

PRINTED IN CANADA One-year (2 issues) subscription: $20 within Canada, $30 to the USA, $45 overseas. Call to charge to VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Copyright © 2022, 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.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS/GETTY IMAGES

EDITOR’S MESSAGE

THE MAGICAL APPEAL OF THE MOUNTAINS

here is a magic here that lures people from all over the world, and, in many cases, compels them to put down roots. It’s a familiar refrain: The Aussies who came to ski for a season and are now in their 20th year; the Americans who cross the border every chance they get for a little Canadian change of scenery; and, those epic weekend warriors who make the trek week in and week out because that’s how much they want to be in Whistler. Some never leave. Read about some of these people in our Faces story this issue. But what is it about Whistler that draws them here? This issue of Whistler Magazine gives us some insight into that. Just look to the mountains. Where once this was a place for serious backcountry enthusiasts, Whistler has become accessible for all. Everyone wants to dip their toes into the breathtakingly beautiful

ALISON TAYLOR Editor

turquoise waters of Garibaldi Lake! And so they should. But they need to be smart about it too. Read more in our main feature Hiking Hits New Heights. Beyond the natural environment, however, there is a very special built environment here too—the fine dining restaurants, the spas, the art galleries, the museums, the patios. All of these pieces have a role to play in the reasons why people want to come to Whistler—world-class amenities tucked into a mountain haven.

Then, there are the intangible things too. These are harder to quantify. Perhaps, however, if you just sit for a while at a Village patio and soak in the scene, you’ll soon get a sense of what’s at the heart of Whistler—the mountain bikers doing laps in the best bike park in the world, the families heading out for a day of ziplining, the groups making the most of an afternoon après. There’s a feeling that you’re truly living, making something of every hour. Who doesn’t want to be a part of that? And so, if you find yourself in Whistler this summer, make yourself a part of it. Paddle on the River of Golden Dreams. Take in the alpenglow as the sun sets over the mountains. And who knows? Maybe you’ll be finding more reasons to stay a little longer too.

Alison

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

TRAIL MIX

BY ALISON TAYLOR

THINGS TO DO&SEE IN & AROUND WHISTLER [

] COURTESY AUDAIN ART MUSEUM

It’s a testament to Whistler, and the people who have long called this place home, that the town dreamt up as the ultimate winter playground is now just as busy in the summertime. Whistler was born of dreams in fresh powder. Today’s reality is a summer chock full of adventure fun. Read on to see what there is to do when the snow starts to melt and the sun begins to shine.

AUDAIN’S ART

TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE

TOURISM WHISTLER/MARK MACKAY

While the Audain Art Museum is open year-round, this summer is your chance to see Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob. The special exhibit runs April 2 – August 14, the first-ever retrospective of this British Columbian First Nations carver’s career. Wolves features a selection of masks, panels, wall sculptures, vessels and regalia as well as Bob’s work in bronze casting, goldsmithing, printmaking and vestment production. This exhibit is yet one more reason to visit the Audain Art Museum.

BIGGEST AND BEST IN THE WORLD

nce you get on the chairlift or gondola in the summer, you soon realize what it means to be trying your hand at the biggest bike park in the world. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is extraordinary, to say the least. That said, being the biggest also means this park has something for everyone from the beginner (Easy Does It) to the intermediate

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

(Crank It Up) to the advanced (A-Line) to the next level entirely (Crazy Train). A one-stop shop in the Village will get you kitted out and helmeted from head to toe, with all the knee and elbow pads in between. If you’re not going to ride it yourself, settle in at the base and watch the scene unfold. It’s something to behold. Tickets at whistlerblackcomb.com

FREE FALLING do you think you can work up the courage to jump off a 50-metre bridge over the Cheakamus River? Whistler Bungee is the ultimate adventure to level the playing field. This experience is where you really get to test your mettle. Check out whistlerbungee.com.

EVENTS ARE BACK!

SLOW FOOD CYCLE Head north of Whistler to Pemberton to take part in the annual Slow Food Cycle on Sunday Aug. 21. Sample goodies from local farmers and vendors.

GRANFONDO Road riders are gearing up to race the Sea to Sky Highway—122km from Vancouver to Whistler on Sept. 11.

PADDLEBOARD AT THE PEAK

W MIRAE CAMPBELL

CRANKWORX The best mountain biking festival in the world – Aug. 5-15, Crankworx returns after a two-year gap and Whistler can’t wait to celebrate.

TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE, CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND, TOURISM WHISTLER/SCOTT BRAMMER

histler’s eclectic events calendar is starting to fill up once again! This summer sees the return of some long-running staples in the Whistler events lineup after a challenging two-year hiatus. There’s a little something for everyone in the festival lineup this year from the Whistler Children’s Festival, May 20-29, to the Whistler Village Beer Festival, Sept. 13-18. Don’t miss out on the Canada Day celebrations, July 1-3. And don’t forget the fall lineup too with the Whistler Writers Festival, and Cornucupia, Whistler’s food and wine festival. For the full event calendar check out whistler.com and remember … there is always something happening in Whistler.

histler ups its adventure playground to new heights with heli-tours. While heliskiing has a long history in this area, summer heli-exploring is getting bigger and better every year. Gone are the days of only considering a sightseeing helicopter tour for the bird’s eye view of the Coast Mountains. Now helicopters are just one part of the adventure. Consider heli-hiking, heli-golf, heli-fishing, heliice-cave tours, heli-yoga. Or even a heli-picnic and paddleboard, where you are whisked off to a remote backcountry lake that will be yours to explore. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at the water’s edge. It’s one more way to experience B.C.’s magnificent backcountry. >>

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

TRAIL MIX

CANADIAN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES

as the snow starts to melt after the long winter season, Whistler’s black bears begin to shake off their long winter’s hibernation and re-emerge from their dens. No matter how many times you come across a bear, whether it’s at the side of the road or lumbering across the Valley Trail or spotted from the gondola, you can’t help but stare. Your best chance of spotting one, and learning more about these majestic animals, is through a bearviewing tour on a 4x4 jeep. You may even spot some cubs if you’re lucky. Learn more at whistler.com and always follow Bear Smart rules.

REV YOUR ENGINE

DIVE IN d o n ’ t j u st di p yo u r toes! even though Whistler’s lakes may be chilly,there’s nothing quite as refreshing as taking a dip on a hot summer’s day. There are five lakes in the valley, each with something unique to recommend it. Whistler’s amazing Valley Trail network—45 kilometres of paved trail for biking or walking—will take you to every lake. And if you think the lakes aren’t cold enough, try to fully submerge in the cold plunges at the Scandinave Spa. They say the hot/cold experience is good for the body with the cold plunge releasing endorphins. Check out scandinave.com

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE

TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA

xplore the backcountry on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tour. There are tours for all ability levels from beginner to more experienced. You can choose to stick to mountain trails with open roads or take it to the next level with a high alpine adventure, climbing up into the mountains for an unbeatable view. ATV tours are one more way to experience the natural beauty of the Sea to Sky region and a great adventure in the rain or sunshine. Check out canadianwilderness.com, tagwhistler.com or whistleratv.com for more options.

THE RIVER OF GOLDEN DREAMS

his is a must-do experience for everyone who visits Whistler in the summer. The River of Golden Dreams meanders from Alta Lake to Green Lake, alongside wetlands and past beaver dens. It’s roughly five kilometres of twists and turns so you have to bring your “A Game” to the water. You can navigate the river via canoe, kayak, paddleboard or inner-tube. Check out Backroads Whistler, Canadian Wilderness Adventures (CWA) or The Adventure Group (TAG) for rentals and guided tours. >>

TOURISM WHISTLER/MICHAEL ALLEN

BLACK BEAR BEAUTIES

A CULINARY CORNERSTONE

celebrating 40 years in whistler village Dinner Daily from 5pm

6 0 4 93 2 4 5 4 0

42 2 2 villa ge squa re

a ra xi.c om

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

WHISTLERSAR.COM

TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA

TRAIL MIX

ALPINE ADVENTURES take the gondola to the alpine and spend the day exploring Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Nothing beats the view from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola as it travels between the mountains. Sightseeing, however, is just one part of the adventure. Discover the hiking trails which are particularly stunning when the alpine flowers are in bloom. Then, take a deep breath and step onto the Cloudraker Skybridge suspension bridge to really get the heart pumping! Top off the day with a much-deserved drink at Christine’s at the Roundhouse Lodge. To learn more and to plan your day, go to whistlerblackcomb.com

A LOOK BACK: 50 YEARS OF SERVICE AND RESCUES

n 1972 a deadly avalanche on Whistler Mountain claimed the lives of four Vancouver skiers. The accident happened in Harmony Bowl during an early April snowstorm and rescue efforts were hampered by the weather and inexperience of the volunteers who turned up to help out. In the wake of that tragedy, five local community members—Dave Cathers, Cliff Jennings, Stephen Les, Trudy Salmhofer and Paul Burrows—came together to create the Whistler Search & Rescue Society (WSAR). “(That accident) was a huge turning point in the Whistler community,” says WSAR manager Brad Sills, adding that today’s avalanche program also grew out of that incident. For the last 50 years WSAR has been a critical part of the community, responding to calls for help in the backcountry every year, summer and winter. Lost hikers, missing skiers, injured mountain bikers—WSAR rallies to the call every time. Last year, the volunteer organization responded to 83 calls for help. There are 27 team members with 14 members in training. WSAR’s budget last year was $320,000, two-thirds of which is from donations and fundraising, the remaining third from government funding. whistlersar.com

TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

TEE TIME

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA

ith four championship golf courses in the area, Whistler is a golfer’s paradise. There’s the Arnold Palmerdesigned Whistler Golf Club, the uphill flow of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the Jack Nicklaus-designed Nicklaus North Golf Course and the aptly-named Big Sky Golf Club in Pemberton. All four courses are named in SCOREgolf’s Best Public Courses in Canada for 2021, a list which ranks the top 59 public courses across the country. Book your tee time and see why these courses make the grade.

it doesn’t matter how you decide to spend your time here—zip lining, white water rafting, mountain biking, soaking in the decadent delights at one of Whistler’s many spas or simply enjoying the scenery. There are so many ways to have fun and get into nature. Check out whistler. com and GuidedBy. ca/Visit-Whistler for ideas and to book activities. W

EPIC SETTING. EPIC RELAXATION.

SCANDINAVIAN BATHS AND MASSAGE

SC A N D I N AV E .CO M

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

TRAIL MIX MOUNTAIN ROOTS BUY LOCAL, BUILD COMMUNITY

JUSTA JESKOVA

he entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Whistler where there is always something new to talk about. Emerging businesses, bold moves, and exciting events are taking the town by storm. Check out what’s new in the summer of 2022. —Alison Taylor

HIKE FOR A CAUSE

the first annual hike for health will kick off on sunday, june 19 on blackcomb mountain’s Ascent Trails. Hikers can take part in three ways: the single-kilometre Little Burn, the 3-km Big Burn, or the full 6-km Heart Burn that ends at the Rendezvous on Blackcomb. There will be post-hike festivities at the top. If you haven’t had a chance to do the Ascent Trails, this will be a fun introduction to the hike. The added bonus is that Hike for Health is a fundraiser for medical equipment upgrades at the Whistler Health Care Centre. Follow the Whistler Health Care Foundation Instagram page for registration details and event information.

LIFTS AND TRAILS

what do your clothing choices say about you? It’s one of the core questions at the heart of The Velvet Underground, a locally owned vintage clothing store. Earlier this year, owner Amy Rafferty made the bold decision to relocate The Velvet Underground from Function Junction to the heart of the Village. In its first month at the new location, sales doubled. But The Velvet Underground is not just a clothing store with upcycled threads, says Rafferty who started the business four years ago. Rather, it’s a community of people inspired to create a more sustainable future. To that end, The Velvet Underground has saved more than 30,000 pounds of clothing from the landfill in the past four years. In its new Village location, that number is set to get even bigger. “We want to be able to make an even bigger impact,” says Rafferty.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SHAPESHIFTERTOOLS.CA

FORGET FAST FASHION

TRAIL TOOLS

COURTESY LIFTS & RUNS

COURTESY VELVET UNDERGROUND

ix-year-old Whistlerite Rio MacDonald had an idea—to take the classic board game Snakes and Ladders and recreate it Whistlerstyle. And so, Lifts and Runs was born. Three years later, the mountain bike edition of the game will be released this summer —Lifts & Trails. The game features trails, jumps, hikea-bikes, heli-drops and more. It’s the perfect present for any mountain biker and a musthave for every games cupboard in Whistler! Lifts and Trails retails online for $34.95. Check out liftsandruns.com to order, or find the game at Whoola Toys or Purebread.

whistler trail builders know a thing or two about how to shape and shift dirt to create perfect mountain bike flow. They have been doing it for decades, with thousands of volunteer hours logged in the local forests. Volunteer trail builder, and local homebuilder, Tim Regan saw a gap in the marketplace for trail-building tools. He rallied fellow trail builder Scott Veach to the cause and ShapeShifter Tools was born—tools designed in Whistler and made locally in B.C. With five models, each with two sizes, there are tools to suit everyone from the WildCat rake with its massive teeth to the smaller Honeybadger models. Check out the shop online at shapeshiftertools.ca. W

OUR BACKYARD BECKONS... Photo: Haley Lorraine, Tara O’Grady, Paul Bride

Adventure awaits in the great outdoors. The Sea to Sky Gondola is located 2kms south of Squamish between Vancouver and Whistler.

OPEN DAILY SEATOSKYGONDOLA.COM

Canoe Tours RIVER OF GOLDEN DREAMS

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SLCC

DUAL ADMISSION CULTURAL PASS Whistler’s Essential Arts + Culture Experience

Purchase pass at whistler.com/arts | Plan your visit at slcc.ca and audainartmuseum.com

Xwalacktun, He-yay meymuy (Big Flood), 2014-2015, aluminum with LED lights, Audain Art Museum Collection, Purchased with funds from the Audain Foundation, photo by James Dow

ARTS SCENE

GLOBAL EVENTS INSPIRE WAR AND THE PANDEMIC HAVE AN IMPACT ON ARTISTS

here is something about the painting just stop which catches the eye immediately. It’s not just the soulful, sad eyes of the majestic bear that draw you in, an almost inescapable pull. But, upon closer reflection, you see that Just Stop has more to say. The painting is a commentary of the current state of the world, specifically the war in the Ukraine. The work is the latest piece from local artist Doria Moodie, a contemporary painter who continues to grow and evolve as evidenced by this latest work, says Wendy Wacko, who represents Moodie at Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. “Every time she delivers new work to the gallery, it transcends what she has done in the past,” says Wacko. “Her recent work, Just Stop, got an overwhelming response from our clients and from the art community. It was an important and bold statement of the times.” >>

COURTESY DORIA MOODIE

STORY BY ALISON TAY LO R

TOP: JUST STOP BY DORIA MOODIE, 72" X 48", ACRYLIC. ABOVE: MOODIE IN HER WHISTLER STUDIO.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

COURTESY MEGHAN HILDEBRAND

Moodie’s art is typically a reflection of where she lives. Black bears and grizzlies, young children skiing. In Just Stop, a beautiful bear looks directly at the viewer, head just out of the rippling water. Bears are so often Moodie’s subject matter but in Just Stop, the water ripples in yellow, as if a setting sun is bouncing off the surface. Above the horizon, the sky is blue. It is, quite purposefully, the Ukrainian flag. All proceeds from Just Stop—$9,000—went to MSF Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). The war in the Ukraine, however, isn’t the only global force that is shaping the local art.

TOP: DRIFTERS, BY MEGHAN HILDEBRAND, 36" X 36", ACRYLIC ON GALLERY CANVAS. ABOVE: HILDEBRAND IN HER POWELL RIVER STUDIO.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

b.c. artist meghan hildebrand had an epiphany of sorts over the last two years as the world turned upside down with the COVID 19 pandemic. With travel restrictions in place, she was unable to explore for creative inspiration. And, without deadlines for shows and art openings, Hildebrand really had time to look within, deeply and thoughtfully, and with an eye to the future. That time and process had a positive impact on her work, even in the face of so much uncertainty around the world. “I am acutely aware of the privilege I occupy to have a studio to work in and to have been able to receive the benefits that allowed me to work unencumbered through the pandemic,” says Hildebrand whose home-base is Powell River on the Sunshine Coast. “The extended period without shows and deadlines allowed me to look at my work up to that point and decide how I want to move forward, how I want my work to fit into art history, and how I want to contribute as an artist to my community...In the studio I tried out lots of the ideas I’ve had over the years but put aside in order to create work for the market. I had new experiences, I spent time on the water, I took hundreds of photos. By the time I had a solo show last summer, my art had broken through to something new and exciting. I found a way to build up my imaginary worlds in a way that reflected my true surroundings, which really couldn’t be much more magical than they already are. I came to realize everything I need for a lifetime of painting is right here.” >>

WHISTLER GALLERIES AUDAIN ART MUSEUM 4350 Blackcomb Way 604-962-0413 audainartmuseum.com ADELE CAMPBELL FINE ART GALLERY

pa i n t i n g s

sculpture

j e w e l l e ry

In the Westin Resort & Spa 604-938-0887 adelecampbell.com ART JUNCTION GALLERY & FRAME STUDIO 1068 Millar Creek Road, Function Junction 604-938-9000 artjunction.ca MOUNTAIN GALLERIES AT THE FAIRMONT In the Fairmont Chateau Whistler

c a n a d i a n F I N E a rt s i n c e 1 9 9 3

604-935-1862 www.mountaingalleries.com THE PLAZA GALLERIES 22-4314 Main Street 604-938-6233 plazagalleries.com THE GALLERY AT MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE 4335 Blackcomb Way 604-935-8410

v i s i t u s at t h e w e s t i n, w h i s t l e r

artswhistler.com SQUAMISH LIL’WAT CULTURAL CENTRE 4584 Blackcomb Way 1-866-441-SLCC (7522) slcc.ca WHISTLER CONTEMPORARY GALLERY In the Hilton Resort 604-938-3001 (main) In the Four Seasons Resort 604-935-3999 whistlerart.com

ADELECAMPBELL.COM 604-938-0887

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

New in the last year, Hildebrand now has work in Whistler at Adele Campbell Fine Art. Gallery owner Liz Harris is excited to represent her, particularly as she brought Hildebrand into the gallery at a time unlike any other. And while the pandemic did not slow art sales much as galleries like Adele Campbell quickly adapted and moved online, nothing quite beats seeing art in person, says Harris. It’s often where you find the nuances, the feelings, the emotional response to the art, particularly art like Hildebrand’s that is full of “hidden mysteries.” Hildebrand explains some of those graphic devices she uses that change perspective, the way she uses shapes like triangles to represent trees or bottle shapes to look like towers. “I believe my biggest influence as a painter are the illustrations from the books I had as a child, carefully chosen by my mom,” she explains. “If I think of one example, The Rainbow Goblins, the illustrations were painstakingly detailed oil paintings of the natural world inhabited by mythical beings. The more

time you spent with the image, more hidden details would be revealed. I was really drawn to animal habitats, little doors and windows that would invite you to imagine the cozy interiors. I hope to inspire curiosity and close examination in my own paintings, have them reveal more secrets the longer and closer you look. My work is more cryptic than the children’s illustrations, I like to work in non-specific symbols and shapes and break the rules of pictorial space, to create more open-ended narratives.” While these uncertain global times have fuelled the fire for creative inspiration, the pandemic in particular has changed the world for artists like Moodie and Hildebrand. Wacko speaks to the importance of artist exhibitions, which have been sorely missed by artists and collectors alike. “From a creative standpoint, when an artist has been invited to have an exhibition and has a strong theme, a deadline and a delivery date, it adds a layer of focus and meaning to the collection,” says Wacko. “When a gallery

““After the solitude of creating artwork, I really do relish the time when I get to see people take in and respond to the work.” – MEGHAN HILDEBRAND

commits a ‘show date’ to an artist, it is a serious step, for both the dealer and the artist. The gallery acts as the gatekeeper, helps curate the collection, and establish fair market value.” Harris agrees and hopes to present some emerging artists this summer. “There’s something so powerful about seeing an artists’ work all together,” she says. “There is just nothing like seeing art in person.” While the deadlines freed her creatively, Hildebrand admits she has missed the connections with potential clients and collectors. “After the solitude of creating artwork, I really do relish the time when I get to see people take in and respond to the work,” she says. “I love the conversations I have with people, when they tell me how they see the painting, how it makes them feel. Learning what they see and feel can be so surprising and delightful.” This summer, take a stroll through Whistler’s galleries, including Adele Campbell Fine Art and Mountain Galleries, and see the art first-hand. W

AT V Tours BLACKCOMB & CALLAGHAN VALLEY

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

COVER FEATURE

HIKING HITS NEW

HEIGHTS WHISTLER IS PERFECTLY POISED TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE GROWING INTEREST TO ADVENTURE OUTDOORS

STO RY BY AL I S O N TAYLOR

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

however, not to be deterred, and carried on in search of the trailhead. Keep in mind, this was May 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic had forced the world into seclusion for the previous three months; everyone wanted to feel the sunshine, to breathe deeply in fresh, clean air, to get some respite from the overwhelming burdens of everyday life at that time. “In Whistler, it’s really easy to be inspired; it’s really easy to be humbled as well,” says Leigh. “It’s great that people are getting out. But they’re not prepared at all.” In recent years, backcountry exploration has skyrocketed in Whistler and everywhere else in B.C. Hiking in particular has boomed as people look for ways to get into nature. And while there are ongoing challenges with this growth, it has also paved the way to welcome new guests and to provide more opportunities to show off the tremendous beauty of the Sea to Sky corridor. Whistler is primed to make the most of this boon. >>

ALPINE LAKES ARE A TOP DESTINATION FOR HIKERS.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

STOCKSTUDIOX/GETTY IMAGES

just as the first signs of summer began to sprout, the air heavy with the smell of the earth reawakening and the promise of another season, Bryce Leigh was exploring in the forest close to Rubble Creek, an area between Squamish and Whistler. Leigh, the president of the Whistler section of the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC), has been hiking in the Sea to Sky area, and beyond, since 1971. There are places in the local backcountry, like Rubble Creek, that are as familiar to him as the contours of his face. Yet, on this particular spring day two years ago, Leigh saw something he had never seen before—a group of people appeared before him in search of the trailhead to picture-perfect Garibaldi Lake … in flip-flops and tank tops. The lake was roughly 9km away with 900m of elevation gain. To top it off, there was probably half a metre of snow on the ground at the alpine. Leigh relayed all of this information to the group, who he estimated were in their thirties. They were,

STOCKSTUDIOX/GETTY IMAGES

ANCIENT CEDARS

START EASY BEFORE GOING BIG It can be a little overwhelming to figure out where to go for a hike when so many options abound in the Sea to Sky corridor. Start easy and work your way up. Here are some suggestions to check off the list before tackling the more challenging hiking trails in Whistler. LOST LAKE: This is one of Whistler’s most popular and precious spots, just minutes from the heart of the Village. There are lots of trails to explore In Lost Lake Park with the option to relax at the water’s edge after your hiking adventures. With signs and maps along the way, this is a great way to spend a summer’s day. ANCIENT CEDARS: The Ancient Cedars is an out-and-back trail, approximately 4.5 km. As the name suggests, the forest is full of large and beautiful cedar trees. This is a magical place for a hike. This trail will take roughly an hour and a half to complete. The road to the trailhead however, can be very bumpy. CHEAKAMUS LAKE: This is a roughly 14 km out-and-back trail that takes you to the shores of the beautiful Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park. There is not a lot of elevation gain in what is described as a “moderately challenging” route. This is a great way to get a taste of what’s out there on a well-marked, popular trail.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

WEST SIDE STORY — SPROATT, RAINBOW, SKYWALK Though no one could have foreseen the pandemic that would change the world, several years ago the Resort Municipality of Whistler could see the writing on the wall when it came to the mounting pressure on the backcountry. Its solution: The Alpine Trail Network. This network would span the west side of the valley on Mount Sproatt and Rainbow Mountain, an alternative to the options on the east side of the valley, primarily in Garibaldi Provincial Park. There were existing trails in the area; the Alpine Trail Network would take them to the next level with a $1.1 million investment over several years. “It’s a remarkable area,” says Mitch Sulkers, who helped build portions of the new trail. “It’s quite dense in terms of scenic values.” The roughly 58 kms of trails are designed as non-motorized and multi-use,with some specifically designated as hiking-only. “We are extremely committed to these trails and think they are critical tourism assets for Whistler and for Canada,” says Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton.

THE NUMBERS ARE TELLING. In 2018, the municipality recorded 5,550 hikers in the area. That jumped to 7,980 the following year and to 9,700 in 2020. Last summer was an anomaly; the season was cut short and the trails were closed due to grizzly bear activity. Still, 6,000 hikers were counted. By controlling and funding the trails, however, the municipality can also manage the experience in the sensitive alpine ecosystem, and in particular, can continue to protect a valuable municipal asset: the 21 Mile Creek Watershed, a critical part of Whistler’s water resources. Part of that commitment includes providing park rangers that work seven days a week throughout the summer, educating hikers and bikers and keeping a watchful eye over the area. “The municipality is extremely proactive,” says Whistler Search and Rescue manager (WSAR) Brad Sills. “They’ve jumped in with both boots on.”

MODERN CANADIAN CUISINE

SKYWALK TRAIL

JUSTA JESKOVA

A fork, a glass, a drop of magic...

EAST SIDE STORY — SPEARHEAD HUTS, GARIBALDI PROVINCIAL PARK Meanwhile, on the other side of the valley, there has been a similar story of investment and improvement. Jayson Faulkner, who has championed the Spearhead Huts proposal from the outset, says this summer is shaping up to be a busy one at the Kees and Claire Hut at Russet Lake. It is the first to be built of the three backcountry huts planned on the Spearhead Traverse in Garibaldi Provincial Park, giving hikers and climbers access to a world-class high alpine route—and yet one more way to fuel the growing demand for unique, and legendary, backcountry experiences. “There’s a huge amount of demand that’s not going away for people to get outside,” says Faulkner, who can see that demand first hand in the 2022 summer bookings with projections that the hut will be at 100 per cent capacity over summer weekends. Sadie Brubaker hiked the area last summer, uploading via the gondola and then the Peak Chair on Whistler Mountain and then hiking along the area known as the Musical Bumps. Rather than stay at the hut, which was often closed last year due to COVID requirements, Brubaker camped in a spot close to Russet Lake, surrounded by the natural beauty of the alpine water and the majestic mountains. The hut also added to the experience in its own way. “It looks like a castle on the hill above the lake,” she says. >>

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RUSSET LAKE.

While Brubaker is hesitant to describe herself as a seasoned hiker, she loves the feeling of accomplishment that comes at the end of a long hike and, “doing something hard and feeling good about it.” Hiking became a respite of sorts during the pandemic, especially in the early months, as she looked for things to do outside. “It became a daily project to find somewhere to go that I hadn’t been,” she says. Once you get out there, it’s easy to get hooked. In many ways, Whistler offers something for every hiker—from the uninitiated who want to take a walk in the forest to the experienced multi-day traveller looking to get away from it all.

PRESSURE MOUNTS Hiking’s growing popularity, however, is not without its challenges. Where once the vast majority of calls to Whistler Search and Rescue were in

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

the winter (85 per cent), that number has shifted to 50/50 in the last five years. “Hiking is chief amongst the increase,” says Sills. Many are not prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Often groups have done little research or planning: they set off without enough water, they don’t anticipate weather with poor clothing choices in an environment that can change rapidly, and there is often a complete reliance on cell phones that may not have service. These are just some of the rookie mistakes. “The hikes around here tend to be missions,” explains Sills. Another factor to consider is that many new hikers are objective driven. They are, for example, determined to get to ºGaribaldi Lake to take a photo and post it to social media, or take a picture at Iceberg Lake on the SkyWalk Trail, typically accessed above the Alpine subdivision. Sulkers was a key trailbuilder on SkyWalk. At its upper portion, there aren’t a lot of trail markings and it’s not a wide path. It’s easy to lose the trail. And while Iceberg Lake draws you in with its beauty, the bergs are the remains of avalanches—hard, frozen, old snow that’s easy to slip on. “At times people seem to push the learning curve,” adds Sulkers. The pressure isn’t just mounting on calls to search and rescue; the infrastructure in certain areas is also struggling to keep up with demand.

Take Semafore Lakes, says Sulkers: “It’s just been hammered in the last couple of years in particular.” There are no washrooms there, no garbage collection. And people aren’t always practicing “pack it in, pack it out.” “That’s a big challenge for us,” says Leigh, as groups like the ACC look for ways to educate new hikers. The flip side, of course, is that the more people discover the backcountry and its delicate ecosystem and its beauty, the more people are then converted to protecting it and cherishing it. “If people experience it, it’ll help them to preserve it,” says Leigh.

THE FUTURE All indications point to a busy summer on the local trails. “(Walking or hiking) is one of the very best things we can do for our health,” says Faulkner. “This is an important thing for society. We are hardwired to be in nature.” Whistler, he adds, is primed to make the most of that demand. “The focus continues to be delivering well-managed, world-class alpine experiences,” adds Crompton. This is a place of exceptional and extraordinary nature: big animals such as grizzlies and black bears, imposing fauna and forests, vast wilderness. Not to mention, there’s a world-class resort sitting on the doorstep to all this natural grandeur. Faulkner adds: “It’s very clear that outdoor experiences are on the top of everyone’s list.” W

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FACES OF WHISTLER

MOVING TO THE MOUNTAINS FAMILIES WHO FINALLY DECIDED TO CALL WHISTLER HOME

STORY BY B RAD E N D UP UIS PHOTOS BY DAVID B UZZARD

rior to meeting her husband jeremy, Jen Black had one major deal breaker in mind for potential romances—he had to be a skier. “So I think our first ski date was a tenuous one,” Black says. “We knew we liked each other, but oh my god—if he’s a bad skier, and I like him, how is this going to play out?” Luckily for Jen, Jeremy could hold his own on the slopes, and before long the pair’s love for the sport—and for Whistler—helped cement their budding romance. “We were total weekend warriors. We were in our early 30s, and living our best lives when we met each other,” she says. “And for sure, the fact that we were both good skiers helped—the romance went quickly because we both loved Whistler so much.” While Jen and Jeremy met in Whistler in 2001, they wouldn’t make the transition to living here full time until 2013, along with their two boys. “We did that little thing that I’ve heard people since do, and it makes me laugh so hard, but (they wonder), ‘are there neighbourhoods in Whistler?’” she says. >>

JEREMY AND JEN BLACK

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

JUSTIN SMITH

“I was really shocked to see how many people really lived here and were making a run at raising their kids here, and in carving out a career...” JUSTIN SMITH

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

“I am very community minded, and so I was a little bit worried that it might not feel like a community— and nothing could be further from the truth.” The family settled in, taking part in so many facets of Whistler life— the school, the sports teams, the volunteer organizations. When a change in employment meant Jeremy had to take a job in the city, the family bought a house in West Vancouver—but their hearts never left Whistler and they kept their home here, spending as many weekends in the mountains as possible. So, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 was serendipitous, in a way. “We realized there was absolutely no reason for us to be in the city, especially in those first three months, where no one was able to do anything or go anywhere,” Jen says. “By the time June came around, we realized we never needed to go back. So we sold our house (in West Vancouver), and Jeremy has

been working remotely since March 2020.” The pandemic afforded another realization, too, Jen says—about the strength of Whistler as a community.When the resort closed down in March 2020, Jen helped launch a meal program to benefit both local healthcare workers and struggling restaurant owners. “If there was any doubt in my mind about ever living again full time [in Whistler], those first months of COVID fully showed me what the community is.”

BEST OF ALL WORLDS For Justin and Julia Smith, the move to Whistler from their home in Dallas, Texas began with an extended vacation some 10 years ago. A ski racer in his younger days, Justin was familiar with the resort— though he had a similar realization to Jen Black’s after the move. “I was really shocked to see how many people really lived here and

were making a run at raising their kids here, and in carving out a career, which also allowed them to have the mountain lifestyle,” Justin says. The family’s move to Whistler didn’t happen all at once. An initial “extended vacation” was followed by four more trips the next year— one in each season—and then a full-time move. They’ve also moved around inside Whistler itself, from a condo, to a family home in Whistler Cay, to a certifiable dream home in Stonebridge (formerly owned by Grammy-award-winning musician Sarah McLachlan). “At the beginning it was never meant to be a permanent move … and then all of a sudden, 10 years later, we’re still here,” Justin says. “Our kids love the schools; it’s been an amazing place to raise a family.” With its roughly 14,000 or so permanent residents, and its three million (pre-COVID) annual visitors, Whistler offers the best of all worlds for a young family, he adds. >>

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AARON MITTLER WITH NINEYEAR-OLD LUCY ON THE PATIO OF THEIR CHAMONIX CRESCENT HOME.

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“It had that small-town feel, but it didn’t feel like we were growing up in a really rural environment.” And of course, being a former competitive ski racer, the mountain offerings don’t hurt either. “If you look at the total picture, having had the opportunity to ski all the major resorts in North America, multiple times, I think [Whistler’s skiing] is the best, hands down,” Justin says.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Growing up in Vancouver, Aaron Mittler was no stranger to Whistler—but his trips here became less frequent when he moved to Toronto in 2001. Mittler met his wife Mary Sanagan in Toronto, and the couple soon had two daughters, but by about 2016, the young family started to feel the pull of the West Coast, and before long they had bought a place in Whistler.

“We would do Christmas and spring break and some time in the summer (when we lived in Toronto), and then our kids loved that so much that we ended up getting a bigger place, which we just closed on in the fall of 2019,” Aaron says. “I guess probably deep down we bought the place in Whistler hoping (we) could bring the family back West eventually—but then the pandemic just accelerated that.” The family was enjoying a nice spring break reprieve from the city when COVID brought the world to a standstill, effectively making their choice for them—and they’ve been Whistlerites ever since. “We were not prepared for it, at all, because we left our house in Toronto expecting to be back there in two weeks,” Aaron says. The pandemic also presented some interesting lessons about the importance (or lack thereof) of material things, he adds. “What we learned was that we had a house full of stuff back in Toronto, but besides some sentimental items, none of it was important—we didn’t really need any of it,” he says. “Obviously we had our house (in Whistler), and it was furnished, so it was a place to live, but that’s kind of all we needed, you know?” Still, the pandemic also made it more difficult for the family to fully settle into Whistler as a community. “It probably prevented us from learning about [the community] as quickly as we might have otherwise, but now that we’re back in business, so to speak, I think we’re really getting involved with it, which is great,” he says, noting that one of his two daughters plays hockey in Whistler, while both are in ski lessons and have made friends in town. “It’s taken a while because of the lockdowns, but now we’re pretty fully integrated into the community, and it’s awesome. It’s really great.” W

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A LOOK BACK

WHISTLER’S ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION

THE VILLAGE’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT HAS RUN THE GAMUT FROM SHACKS TO AWARDWINNING CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE STORY BY ST E VE N T HRE NDY L E HISTORICAL P H OTO S C O URT E SY WHI STLER MUS E UM & ARCHIVE S

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

t all seems like ancient history now, but Whistler’s first decade as a ski town (from 1966 to 1976) was a rowdy, messy, and ultimately unsustainable affair. There were probably more squatter’s shacks than second homes on the decidedly challenging bluffs and forests around Alta Lake and the old gondola barn. As Whistler began to come of age, so too did its architecture. In her 2014 book American Ski Resort: Architecture, Style, Experience, Wake Forest University architecture professor Margaret SuppleeSmith called Whistler “Canada’s great mountain experiment.” Indeed, some of North America’s most skilled architects have left an imprint here.

Arthur Erickson designed the Hearthstone Lodge, while Barry Downs (with some roofline assistance from Berkley’s Henrik Bull) created the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. MIT-trained John Perkins, who would later form the internationally renowned Busby, Perkins & Will, had his hand in several Whistler Village lodges. Arthur Erickson’s former partner Geoffrey Massey and West Vancouver’s Bo Helliwell constructed ski cabins that battled for space with the volcanic outcrops and coastal rainforest. Adele Weder is a contributing editor at Canadian Architect and the author of an upcoming biography on noted West Coast architect Ron Thom. Her critical take on Whistler’s built environment reveals a bit

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT ELDON BECK (CENTRE) SURVEYS THE SITE OF WHISTLER VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION IN THE LATE ’70s.

of a mixed bag. "Whistler's low-rise lodges of the 1970s are exemplary of our regional architecture: organic, beautifully simple, and complementary to the surrounding nature. I'm not keen on the brash, convoluted, faux Swiss-chalet architecture built in the decades that followed. That kind of architecture makes Whistler feel like Disneyland, but Whistler should feel like its own place.” Weder then points to some praiseworthy recent efforts that have catapulted Whistler into the ranks of awardwinning architecture, namely the Whistler Public Library and the Audain Art Museum. With that in mind, Whistler Magazine takes you on a stroll through the Village with an eye to its unique architecture. Here are some of the highlights along the way.

WHISTLER VILLAGE To this day, there has never been a resort built anywhere else in Canada on the scale of Whistler Village. Forwardthinking California landscape architect Eldon Beck, who designed it, believed that a pedestrian village should surprise and delight, which is why it can sometimes feel like you’re walking in circles, especially after the bars close. Three main plazas encourage lingering. Covered walkways make the Village functional even on a rainy day and allow for easy strolling and window-shopping. The pedestrian pathways double as view corridors so that skiers, snowboarders, hikers (or even dog-walkers) can gaze upon the mountains and the promise of adventure. Legendary Whistler resort planner Paul Mathews says that “the original Village still looks very good. The massing (that’s architect-speak for how a building is perceived) of low-rise three to four-storey buildings was influenced by alpine villages such as Austria’s Lech and Pete Seibert-era Vail.” >>

ABOVE: BECK’S INITIAL DRAWINGS AND MODELS OF WHISTLER VILLAGE.

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SQUAMISH LIL’WAT CULTURE CENTRE TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA

Informed by the traditional First Nations longhouse communal living space, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre was designed by Vancouver-based Waugh, Busby Architects in 2008. Alfred Waugh, a prominent and highly acclaimed First Nations architect, would later create Formline Architecture, a professional firm that designs many award-winning buildings for aboriginal and Indigenous communities throughout North America. The centre’s mandate is twofold: as a repository for thousands of artifacts and historical documents for both the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations, and to help educate visitors from all over the world about the two Nations’ art, culture, and storytelling traditions. Extensive floor-to-ceiling windows let warm mountain light filter in and illuminate the timeless totem poles and sea-faring canoes. The building’s structure relies on honey-gold cedar posts and beams, while metal latticework adds a decorative touch to the street-facing façade.

TOURISM WHISTLER/MIKE CRANE

WHISTLER PUBLIC LIBRARY During the heady early years of Whistler’s growth in the ’80s and ’90s, municipal buildings and services were pretty much an afterthought since it took time to build a tax base that could support attractive and highly functional institutional buildings. One of the best examples of sustainable design principles and striking contemporary mountain architecture can be found at the Whistler Public Library. Vancouver-based Hughes Condon Marler and Associates created a bright, airy, and inviting environment that goes well

beyond a library’s traditional book-lending functionality. Note how the building’s entrance segues into a community courtyard—a gathering place for special events. Much of the timberframe construction utilizes Western hemlock, an often undervalued and overlooked species. The library was the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Goldcertified public library in Canada and honoured with the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture 2009—a far cry from the leaky trailer that once housed Whistler’s books.

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LOST LAKE PASSIVHAUS

JUSTA JESKOVA

The final stop on our architectural stroll is decidedly more modest. The Lost Lake PassivHaus, located at the entrance to Lost Lake Park, housed the Austrian Olympic Committee and Austria Public Broadcasting during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. From the outset, the building was designed to showcase best-in-class energy efficiency. Passive House (or Passiv Haus, in German) home building technology reduces energy

With its elevated “floating” walkway paralleling Fitzsimmons Creek, stark black metal cladding and light-filled, minimalist interior, the Audain Art Museum is Whistler’s most dazzling public building. Recognizing the challenges presented by extreme weather due to climate change, the museum’s main floor is elevated one storey above ground level to avoid possible flooding from nearby Fitzsimmons Creek. Designed by Vancouverbased Patkau Architects to house the private art collection of Polygon Homes founder Michael Audain, this striking museum has transformed a parking lot at the edge of a floodplain into a cultural haven. Prestigious awards followed, including the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture and the Canadian Wood Council Design Award.

TOURISM WHISTLER/JUSTA JESKOVA

AUDAIN ART MUSEUM

consumption by sealing the house in an airtight building envelope. Windows, walls, vents, doorways— in short, all of the places where cold air can enter or where warm air escapes—utilize energy-saving materials. Completed in 2009, the Lost Lake PassivHaus—the first in Canada— was seen as truly revolutionary architecture. Thirteen years later, Passive House design is a feature in many new builds within the Sea to Sky corridor and across the country. W

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WHISTLER HOMES

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR MODERN HOME USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF MOUNTAIN LIVING IN ALPINE MEADOWS

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

hen stephanie and sean crozier

first visited the vacant, rocky lot in Whistler’s Alpine Meadows neighbourhood, they knew they wanted to build a home that would honour the place on which it stood. “Sean and I are drawn to architecture that creates an immersive experience of design and nature,” says Stephanie Crozier. “When we walked the lot with Seamus [of Cayoosh Construction], the views of Blackcomb and Whistler were LEFT: ORIENTED TO MAXIMIZE THE PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN VIEW, THE MAIN LIVING SPACE OPENS TO A GENEROUS SPLIT-LEVEL DECK. RIGHT: WITH AN OPEN PLAN, CAREFUL ATTENTION

absolutely breathtaking, and we knew we needed to form this experience in the main living space.”

WAS TAKEN TO CREATE DEFINITION AND WARMTH

STORY BY LAU R A NEW TON

TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE SPACE.

P H OTOS BY EM A PETER

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

LEFT: A CUSTOM “CUMULUS CLOUD” CHANDELIER FLOATS ABOVE THE MODERN DINING TABLE, PROVIDING AN INTERESTING FOCAL POINT IN THE SPACE WITHOUT ADDING HEFT. ABOVE: A GENEROUS THREE- STOREY ENTRANCE ATRIUM DRAWS IN PLENTY OF NATURAL LIGHT. TOP RIGHT: CUSTOM LIGHTING IS INTEGRATED THOUGHTFULLY INTO THE MILLWORK THROUGHOUT THE HOME TO PROVIDE WARM AMBIENCE. BOTTOM: A PALETTE OF BLACK, WHITE AND GREY IS KEPT SOFT AND WELCOMING BY WARM WOOD TONES.

completed in january 2020, the 4,250 square-foot home, which was designed by the award-winning, Vancouver-based architectural firm Frits de Vries Architects, utilizes clean lines, purposeful angles, and plenty of glass to incorporate the landscape and focus panoramic views, providing a sense of place through the lens of modern mountain living. It’s a fresh perspective within the longestablished neighbourhood. “This is a first of its kind in Alpine, where the design and build really pushed the benchmark in a neighbourhood where you see more traditional mountain properties,”

says John Ryan of The Whistler Real Estate Company. “It has really set the tone for new builds there, showcasing a true appreciation of viewpoints and a contemporary mountain design approach.” As builder Seamus Quinn of Cayoosh Construction explains, “the home was built around the site’s natural bedrock. Instead of blasting it all out, as would commonly be the case, the entry was shaped around it.” The result is a glass entryway that runs parallel to this exposed natural feature, opening into a generous threestorey entrance atrium that draws in plenty of natural light. >>

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

TOP LEFT: CUSTOM CABINETRY AND MILLWORK THROUGHOUT THE HOME CREATE ARCHITECTURAL DEFINITION AND PROVIDE A NATURAL FEELING. TOP RIGHT: CUSTOM LIGHTING AND A SOAKER TUB WITH SOFT LINES SETS A WARM AND RELAXING TONE WITHIN THE MASTER SUITE’S BATHROOM. BOTTOM LEFT: THE NATURAL ROCK FEATURES ON THE LOT DICTATED THE HOUSE’S DESIGN.

“it was important for us to incorporate the beauty of the rock the house was built on. One of our favourite parts of the house is the way the glass at the entry level celebrates the organic beauty of the rock and surrounding foliage,” says Crozier. The remainder of the home’s angled plan arrangement was also sculpted by the surrounding natural context. “The form of the home was driven largely by its access to light,” says Neil Harper of Frits de Vries, explaining that a model of the sun’s path around the site at various times of year was used to determine the optimal placement of four bedrooms along the quiet forested area at the rear of the home, while the master suite, main living area, and large deck were oriented to maximize the panoramic view that stretches from Wedge Mountain to Whistler Mountain. The home’s main level was designed for entertaining, notes Harper. “The large openplan kitchen, dining, and living areas all open out onto the generous split-level deck,

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

which is connected at the lower level to the master suite.” The extensive use of glass, supplied by Blackcomb Facade Technology, keeps the interior bright and connected with the outdoor living space year-round. “By having an open floor plan with large sliding doors which open up the wall facing this view, it brings the outside in,” says Crozier. Meanwhile, an upper loft level off the main living area offers an additional flexible family area and a private deck. “The interplay of the split-section plan creates varying ceiling height and perceived volume throughout the home,” says Harper. A palette of black, white, and grey is kept soft and welcoming by warm wood tones with bursts of rich, natural colours and plush soft furnishings. Crozier—an interior designer—carefully selected the moss green dining chairs and mohair chair in the living area, for example, to not only create a sense of warmth and comfort but also to connect the different spaces of the main living area while keeping their definition intact. >>

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“with such a modern and open design, it could be easy for things to feel cold or hard, so I wanted to make sure there was lots of texture throughout the home to keep things warm and inviting,” says Crozier. In keeping with this approach, a custom “cumulus cloud” chandelier floats above the modern dining table. Juxtaposed against a textured backdrop of basalt-coloured millwork, the chandelier— comprised of individually suspended frosted glass panels lit from above—provides an interesting focal point in the space without adding heft. “The result is an animated soft light array that alludes to movement, catching subtle breezes from the adjacent deck,” says Harper. Custom cabinetry by ESQ Design and millwork throughout the home create a cohesive, natural feeling, while artfully integrated ambient architectural lighting provides warmth and intimacy within larger spaces. “The end result is a home driven in form by its context: a sophisticated space, highly functional and full of light, and truly connected to its surrounding topography,” says Harper, noting that several other modern, architectural homes have been designed in the Alpine Meadows neighbourhood since. For the Croziers though, the project was a uniquely personal and creative journey. “We loved the entire process of creating this house together with the architects and our contractor. It was a collaboration that was exciting and rewarding from start to finish, because we all loved the challenge of bringing our creative ideas to life,” concludes Crozier. W

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Fun Work with Fun People! Thank you to Frits DeVries architects and Cayoosh construction. The team at Blackcomb Façade Technology had a great time working with you on this spectacular project.

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FINE DINING

SECRETS TO SUCCESS WHAT’S BEHIND THE INCREDIBLE LONGEVITY OF WHISTLER’S FOREMOST CHEFS AND RESTAURATEURS?

STORY BY BR AN DON BAR R ETT | PHOTOS BY DAVID BUZZARD

y almost any standard you can think of, the restaurant industry is a fickle one, to say the least. Just look back on the past two years of constantly changing health protocols and COVIDrelated closures that have forced even some of the most popular restaurants pre-pandemic to shutter once and for all. In Whistler, with its seasonal rhythms and years-long labour shortage, navigating the churning waters of such a volatile market can be an even tougher task. That’s what makes the success and longevity of Whistler’s foremost chefs and restaurateurs so incredible. In a fast-growing town where change is one of few constants we can rely on, this trio of chefs and restaurateurs have defied the odds. And they’ve all done so in their own distinct ways, proving there isn’t one single key to success in Whistler’s world-renowned fine dining scene. So what’s their secret? Well, we’re glad you asked. >>

RIMROCK OWNER BOB DAWSON WITH HIS FAVOURITE DISH, DUCK TWO WAYS.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

MELISSA CRAIG | EXECUTIVE CHEF OF THE BEARFOOT BISTRO You could call Melissa Craig something of a culinary prodigy. At just 20, she became the first woman to win the Canadian National Apprentice Competition. Then, after a stint at the famed Sooke Harbour House, she joined the Bearfoot Bistro as a sous chef, and just a year-and-a-half later, at the tender age of 25, she was promoted to executive chef. She followed that up in 2008 with a win at the nation’s most prestigious event, the Canadian Culinary Championships, vaulting herself—and the Bearfoot—into the stratosphere of the Canadian restaurant scene as Whistler readied to welcome the world for the 2010 Olympics. Craig doesn’t get too caught up in her own individual achievements. In fact, she’d be the first to admit she relies on the youthful energy and fresh ideas of her kitchen team to keep her hungry after nearly two decades at the helm of Whistler’s home for epicurean indulgence. “I know that turnover isn’t a great thing, but the amount of young cooks that come through the kitchen, just seeing their motivation and their ideas is definitely inspiring,” she says.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

“It’s inspiring working with them and teaching them and moulding them into something that fits the Bearfoot.” What’s so fascinating about Craig’s longevity is her steadfast refusal to rest on her laurels. The Bearfoot sits at the cutting edge of the culinary world, constantly evolving, while still maintaining Craig’s penchant for decadence. “We’re always trying to do something different,” she says. “It’s pretty much a playground, the Bearfoot. I’m able to do anything I want and I’m very thankful for that. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. We can go any direction with our food and the clientele lets us do that.” Anyone who has sampled Craig’s cuisine knows her food is an experience unto itself, but another key to the Bearfoot’s success is recognition that dining in its purest form is entertainment. After all, where else can you have liquid-nitrogen-cooled ice cream served tableside? Where else can you sample from more than 15,000 bottles of wine, the largest selection of any restaurant in B.C., and follow that up by sabering your own champagne with an honest-to-goodness sword? Where else can you sample from

BEARFOOT BISTRO EXECUTIVE CHEF MELISSA CRAIG, AND HER FAVOURITE DISH, ROSSINI-STYLE CARIBOU WITH TRUFFLES AND FOIE GRAS.

dozens of imported vodkas while donning a parka in the world’s coldest ice room? “We need to provide good service but at the same time, being in a resort, people are here to have a good time and what they’re looking for is to be entertained—and we’re in the entertainment business,” says Marc Des Rosiers, Bearfoot’s director of communications.

FAVOURITE DISH: ROSSINI-STYLE CARIBOU WITH TRUFFLES AND FOIE GRAS You could not come up with a dish more exemplary of the Bearfoot than the one Craig has selected as her all-time favourite: a fall-off-the-bone rack of caribou served with a heaping helping of truffles and seared fois gras. “It’s very extravagant,” Craig says. >>

WHISTLER’S ICONIC ITALIAN RESTAURANT f o r re s e rv a t i o n s v is it

ILCAMINETTO.CA 4242 VILLAGE STROLL

604 932 4442

ILCAMINETTO.CA

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

IL CAMINETTO EXECUTIVE CHEF JAMES WALT, AND HIS FAVOURITE DISH, LIGHTLY GRILLED BRANZINO.

JAMES WALT | CULINARY DIRECTOR FOR IL CAMINETTO AND SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER FOR TOPTABLE GROUP-WHISTLER By this point in his career, James Walt’s accomplishments are almost too long to list: award-winning chef, critically acclaimed cookbook author, farm-to-table pioneer, B.C. Restaurant Association Hall of Fame member, and the only Whistler chef to cook at the iconic James Beard House in New York City. For the always-humble Walt, however, it’s not the industry accolades that have kept him going throughout his more-than quarter century in the business, but the people who helped him get there along the way.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

“Investing the time in the people has been the most important thing I’ve probably ever done,” he says. “Especially when people are young and they don’t know a lot and they are relying on you for training and mentoring and so on, you put the time in initially, but it pays huge dividends. “If it wasn’t for the people, I don’t think any success would have come.” For Walt, who was hired in 1997 to head the kitchen in one of the first finedining establishments in Whistler, Araxi Restaurant, having the opportunity to invest in his staff and provide them with the kind of opportunities that make culinary careers thanks to Toptable Group’s rapid expansion in Whistler, has proven the fuel that has kept his engine revving. (The restaurant group, launched by Araxi founder Jack Evrensel and now owned by Vancouver’s Aquilini Group, today counts three establishments in Whistler: Araxi, Il Caminetto (the white-linen Italian restaurant where Walt serves as culinary director) and tapas bar Bar Oso—along with a still-unnamed fourth space expected to open later this year.)

It’s not just his staff that Walt has been eager to invest in, but the community of diners that make Toptable’s Whistler locations tick. As much as these wellestablished restaurants appeal to fine dining tourists, they are favourites with locals too. Among other things, the company has been committed to its anniversary deals, offering fine dining at reduced prices and making it more accessible for diners. Walt too has been committed to supporting the local economy by sourcing from regional farms. “From Day 1, we were invested in the community because with the transience here, we needed the stability of the community, whether that’s local business or the people who live here,” he says.

FAVOURITE DISH: LIGHTLY GRILLED BRANZINO Walt’s current favourite dish—lightly grilled branzino and octopus with a Ndjua and root vegetable soffrito, gigante beans and roasted broccolini—is readily available on Il Caminetto’s renowned Italian menu. >>

7:04 Picnics

A local’s favourite for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can now savour your Portobello top selections in Whistler’s great outdoors with an adventure pack to-go. Pre-order online and pick-up available.

4599 CHATEAU BOULEVARD (IN WHISTLER’S UPPER VILLAGE) E WHISTLER.RESTAURANTS@FAIRMONT.COM T 1 604 938 8000

BOB DAWSON | CO-FOUNDER OF THE RIMROCK CAFÉ

But great food is only part of the Rimrock’s equation. The rotating There is a school of thought in the carousel of employees that affects most restaurant business that says you must Whistler businesses hasn’t had quite the adapt or die. But Whistler’s beloved same impact on the Rimrock, thanks to Rimrock Café has clearly proven the the lengths Dawson and his team go to to exception to the rule. find the right staff. “We’re probably the perfect example of “The food’s got to be good. That’s how that isn’t true,” says Bob Dawson, who No. 1. But the staff have to be really founded the Rimrock with business partner good because they represent the and executive chef Rolf Gunther in 1987. interpersonal skills between the Since then, the menu, known primarily customer and the kitchen, your wait for its fresh seafood and wild game, has staff, host staff and bartenders. It’s remained nearly identical to what it was the whole package,” Dawson says. “You’ve 35 years ago. got to be good at everything, because “I think the secret to our success is you can go into a restaurant and the our consistency and that our menu really service can be so bad that you’ll never go hasn’t changed that much. It’s comfort back, even if the food was pretty good.” food that people can rely on and enjoy,” Dawson tends to hire just as much Dawson says. for personality as he does experience “In the city, you see a lot of these new and skill set—but that has proven more restaurants open that try to follow the challenging in the pandemic. market trends and they don’t last that “The last two years have probably long because people tried them and then been the toughest two years of my Featuring a fresh variety of après-style snacks and entrées, the new summerthey go to the next trend.” career in terms of staff. When the

RIMROCK OWNER BOB DAWSON’S FAVOURITE DISH, DUCK TWO WAYS.

inspired menu from Grill & Vine is perfect for sharing on the spacious, sun soaked patio!

Available daily for lunch and dinner at Grill & Vine, and now also at the FireRock

Local. Fresh. Unforgettable. Experience & share locally inspired plates, and enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze on Whistler’s best patio.

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Located on Level 1, in The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler. 4090 Whistler Way

pandemic first hit, most of the foreign workers left. We were lucky we have such long-term staff, but we were also affected,” he says. “We’ve had this place for 35 years and it was the first time we were ever actually closed for days. We had to close one day a week at one point, two days a week at one point, because we couldn’t get staff. That was the hardest thing.” To help weather the COVID storm, the Rimrock was able to rely on its loyal locals, who have long been attracted to the warm atmosphere and casual elegance it offers, all housed in a rustic, 1960s lodge that is among the oldest commercial buildings remaining in town. “People feel very comfortable in the restaurant. It’s fine dining without the pretention or stuffiness,” says Dawson. “Plus the fact this building is one of the

oldest buildings in Whistler. It feels like somebody’s home because it was somebody’s home.”

FAVOURITE DISH: DUCK TWO WAYS Dawson is the kind of person who doesn’t like to order something from a menu unless it’s a dish he doesn’t tend to make at home. That explains his affinity for one of Rimrock’s classic dishes (let’s be honest—they’re all classic): duck two ways. Featuring savoury duck confit and tender sliced duck breast, the dish is served with a cranberry orange chutney and pillowy, German-style boiled dumplings called knödel. “I’m a sucker for our duck two ways,” he admits. “It’s something that I don’t cook. I’m not a big chicken eater but I love duck. You get the duck confit and duck the other way, and it’s just great.” W

Phone (604) 932-5565 for reservations, or book online www.rimrockcafe.com

french at heart

Whistler Village (Adjacent to Whistler Conference Centre) wildbluerestaurant.com @wildbluerestaurant

west coast soul

2129 Lake Placid Road www.reddoorbistro.ca

604.962.6262 WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

Drink FI R E RO CK

TAKE THE JOURNEY G I B B O N S W H I S T L E R .CO M

Dance BUFFA L O BI L L S

Dine S T ONE SEDGE K I T C HE N

EXPERIENCE ALL THAT WHISTLER HAS TO OFFER Something for everyone

Party L ONGH OR N S AL O O N

COCKTAILS & CASUAL DINING

GO BIG OR GO HOME SIGNATURE COCKTAILS SET WHISTLER’S VIBE ON THE MOUNTAINS AND AT APRÈS STORY BY B RADEN D UP UIS

THE IMPRESSIVE MEXICAN BULLDOG MARGARITA AT THE LONGHORN SALOON.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

DAVID BUZZARD

n his endless pursuit of the perfect après, Whistler entrepreneur Joey Gibbons—CEO of Gibbons Whistler, which oversees several iconic Village bars and nightclubs — has scoured resorts around the world. For Gibbons, the trips to Austria, France, the U.S. and beyond represent something of a mathematical pursuit— an attempt to understand the “algorithm” of Whistler’s soul. His conclusion so far? “I think it comes from artists, athletes and entrepreneurs,” Gibbons says. “That’s what this town was built on—a bunch of 20-year olds who put bars on top of a garbage dump.” (Literally—find out more at the Whistler Museum). Those early Whistler pioneers had something in common with the athletes, artists and entrepreneurs of today—a desire to somehow go bigger than before, while never being afraid to try new things. That attitude stretches far into the après hours as well. >>

DAVID BUZZARD

HOSTESS TAYLOR LEE WITH PREMIUM NACHOS AND A MEXICAN BULLDOG MARGARITA AT THE LONGHORN SALOON.

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.

Fine Dining & Take Out WHISTLER MARKETPLACE

604-932-2010 Open ALL DAY from 11am to late

WWW.THEROYALTASTEOFINDIA.COM 58

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

Case in point: the Longhorn Saloon’s Mexican bulldog margarita. Gibbons credits the super-sized cocktail to one Kurt Burningham, a former employee who came to Whistler from a gig running a Tex-Mex-inspired bar in Park City, Utah. “He got these big, special, Mexican-style martini glasses that they filled with slushes, like margaritas, and then stuck a beer in it,” Gibbons says. “And his whole thing was: you create this beautiful looking showpiece and start walking through the patios, and then all of a sudden everybody wants one.” In keeping with the theme, top off the Mexican Bulldog Margarita with the Longhorn’s Premium Nachos. If you want to really up your game, add the spicy bison or the house-made guacamole. Here are a few more ways you can indulge your super-sized senses during your visit. >>

A taste of Mexico in the heart of Whistler Village

At the base of Whistler Mountain in the Sundial Hotel www.themexicancorner.ca @themexicancorner

12-4340 Sundial Crescent 604.962.4450

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

CHRISTINE’S CAESAR

Fuel for YOU and your CAR

If there’s one way to go big in the summertime in Whistler, it’s setting your sights on the spectacular alpine. This summer, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the beautiful Christine’s restaurant in the Rendezvous Lodge is open again for summer adventurers. “We are super excited to be open this summer,” says Christine’s general manager Christina Brown. Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to get there or, if you really want to work up an appetite, go via the Ascent Trail on Blackcomb Mountain— Little Burn to Big Burn to Heart Burn. The trail names say it all and that’s one way to work up a thirst! But, think of the end game, namely a tall and tasty Caesar at Christine’s. There’s a reason why this is the most popular cocktail at this spectacular on-mountain restaurant. The Caesar practically comes with its own appetizer on top—spicy beans, cherry peppers and a Landjäger sausage. (It certainly takes the edge off for all those hungry hikers!) There is a spicy pre-mix that’s also part of the Christine’s Caesar. “That, we’re not willing to share,” says Brown. The Caesar can also be tweaked to accommodate American tastes. “For the Americans who drink Bloody Marys, we do a Queen Mary,” says Brown, a drink that swaps the Clamato juice for tomato juice. We would be remiss if we didn’t suggest Christine’s wagyu beef burger as the perfect complement to the Caesar. Sink your teeth into this burger topped with caramelized onion aioli, crispy onions, smoked cheddar, crispy pancetta, lettuce, tomato and homemade pickles. Stay tuned: Christine’s will feature some new cocktails this summer, developed by celebrated Chef David Hawksworth. >>

GreenLake Station.com STOP at Whistler Chevron, Café & Store 8110 Crazy Canuck Drive

CATHERINE POWER-CHARTRAND

Enjoy our patio or beautiful indoor café Freshly made Pizzas, Breakfasts, Burgers, Paninis, Lattes and more! Free wifi and plenty of outlets Souvenirs and a variety of other gifts

A CHRISTINE’S CAESAR FEATURES SPICY BEANS, CHERRY PEPPERS AND LANDJAGER SAUSAGE TO HELP TAKE THE EDGE OFF.

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

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 NEW IN THE HILTON WHISTLER RESORT Overlooking Mountain Square, Whistler Village | 604-932-9900

www.indianmasalabistro.com

KA-ZE Sushi and Beyond

The Very Best Japanese Sushi and Sashimi in Whistler EAT IN OR TO GO • WEEKLY SPECIALS

kazesushiwhistler.com • 604-938-4565 Open 7 days a week 5:30 to 10 pm • Lunch hours TBD Westin Resort and Spa, Level 1 Free Parking Available – Underground P3 level, for 2 hours.

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Cold beer to go, growler fills, kegs, brewery tours, rotating cider tap, pub food & beeraphenalia! Function 10Visit mins.our south of Whistler Village604-962-8889 604-962-8889 FUNCTIONJunction JUNCTION website whistlerbeer.com

Freshly-made pastas, soups, sauces, bread, coffee and gourmet Italian groceries Casual lunch service, take-out and full dinner service in our cosy dining room Come see for yourself what the locals recommend. And try the Parm! 121 – 4368 MAIN STREET, WHISTLER 604.905.0400

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

Mon. to Sat. till 3 a.m. Sun. till 2 a.m.

(604) 932-0410 4368 Main Street

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

DAVID BUZZARD

OPEN LATE

THE MONGOLIE PUNCH AT THE ICONIC WHISTLER MONGOLIE GRILL RESTAURANT.

MONGOLIE GRILL’S MONGOLIE PUNCH Experiences in Whistler are always better when shared with friends; it’s what the après experience is really about, after all—reliving epic adventures all over again. The long-established Mongolie Grill takes the shared experience to the next level with its Mongolie Punch. The punch is made up of the always-popular sake, mixed with vodka, fresh pineapple juice and jalapeno syrup, served on ice with fresh pineapples and a slice of jalapeno. “It’s a new favourite for our customers, and they also love that they can order it by the litre and share amongst the table,” says owner Chris Miron. “Shareable drinks are extremely popular at the Mongolie Grill as they fit our fun and social atmosphere perfectly.” Indeed, for the past 25 years or so, Mongolie Grill has been a mainstay in the heart of Whistler Village. Dining here is an interactive experience. Customers choose their own stirfry ingredients and watch as chefs put on a show over the massive grill and bring it all together for a delicious meal. And if you needed another reason to order the new signature punch, it’s this: “The Mongolie Punch has an amazing flavour profile that pairs well with any stirfry,” adds Miron. So whether it’s people-watching at the base of the mountains at the Longhorn, or taking in the alpine vistas at Christine’s, or sharing the fun at Mongolie Grill, channel your inner Whistler soul this summer and… go big or go home. W —with files from Alison Taylor

the locals ’ hangout DELICIoUS PUB FARE!

IFI

Burgers, sandwiches, fish & chips, nachos, chicken wings, salads, soups, kids’ menu and daily lunch & dinner specials

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9 Flatscreens, HD TV’s, Great Food & Great Service

FR E

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BEER & WINE StoRE 7 days a week, 11am-11pm

ROLANDSWHISTLER.COM 604-932-5940 2129 LAKE PLACID, CREEKSIDE

IC AUTHENTR VIBE WHISTLETHE oN SpoRTS E ENS R C S BIg ACoS, HomE ofoTTS ANd TATER TIBLE INCREd HES SANdWIC oWNEd LoCALLy R TEd ANd opE A

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INSIDE THE HILTON WHISTLER

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SHOPPING WHISTLER

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

HISTLER’S BOUTIQUE SHOPS OFFER AN

abundance of great gifts to take home from your visit—whether they are for friends, family or yourself! Here's a taste of the many fabulous “souvenirs” you can squeeze into your suitcase or have shipped to your home.

LE DOHENY SANDAL BY FRAME This lace-up, ultimate barely-there sandal with a bohemian spirit, features a stacked 3.25" heel and squared toe with hand-screwed accents and contrast stitching. 100 per cent leather. Available in Tobacco at Bach & Co. $599 LE SIGNATURE MINI HANDBAG BY FRAME The perfect complement to the Le Doheny sandal, this 100 per cent cotton handbag has a structured shape and polished hardware for an elegant focal point. The removable 100 per cent leather strap allows for everyday ease. Available at Bach & Co. $559

PARKHURST COVI WRAP This one-size cotton-rayon shoulder wrap comes with a loop that keeps it in place while you’re on the move. Fabulous for running through the airport, a walk through the park or a special night out. A fashion must-have accessory, available in lilac and 18 other colours. Made in Canada. Available at Amos & Andes. $90

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SHOPPING AREAS Nesters

UPPER VILLAGE

Village North

WHISTLER VILLAGE

“25TH ANNIVERSARY” CANADIAN DIAMOND INUKSHUK PENDANT An iconic symbol of Canada's beautiful West Coast and 2010 Winter Olympics—the Inukshuk—is elegantly featured in this 14k Canadian rose-gold pendant set with eight natural, Canadian, round brilliant-cut diamonds. All Maple Leaf Diamonds are laser inscribed with a tracking number and come with a certificate of origin and Canadian gold. Available at Keir Fine Jewellery. $3,250

FUNCTION JUNCTION

To Va n

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WHISTLER CREEKSIDE

Whistler Village is the hub of GAUDI INSPIRED RING BY KARYN CHOPIK Vancouver’s Karyn Chopik is a pioneer in the industry pushing the boundaries of mixed metals and innovative techniques. Her designs are timeless and classic elegance with an artistic twist. This ring features a 4mm round cubic zirconia crystal set in a bronze bezel on a bark textured sterling silver band. Available at Ruby Tuesday. $124.95

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 PÁ7PAWTN NETTLE AND ARNICA SORE MUSCLE SALVE Honouring cultural plant knowledge, Indigenous science and self-care rituals, Skwálwen (squall - win) offers skincare experiences grounded in the natural world. Founded by ethnobotanist Leigh Joseph of Squamish First Nation, this is plant medicine for skin and spirit. PÁ7PAWTN (pa-pow-tin) translates to “plant that relieves sore muscles.” This powerful salve is made with oils of organic, wildcrafted nettle and arnica—natural plant ingredients that help ease sore muscles. Experience deep relief along with a soothing tingly sensation created from peppermint essential oil. Available at 3 Singing Birds. $20

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 24OZ BLACK TOPOGRAPHY WATER BOTTLE Camp’s water bottles are proudly made by Liberty BottleWorks, a company that strives to do both humanitarian and environmental good. With a sleek body and matte black finish, the bottle features a unique topographical design of the Whistler area in gloss red and gloss white. The bottles are made from recycled aluminum in a zero-waste facility. The lids, designed to hang and twist ergonomically, are made from recycled milk cartons. Available at Camp. $46

SMUDGE BOWL BY PATRICK LEACH Patrick Leach is from the Coast Salish community, Snuneymuxw First Nation (Nanaimo, BC) and raised in the community of T’it’q’et, (near Lillooet, BC) St’at’imc Nation Territory, as a member of the P’egpig’7lha (Frog) Clan and currently resides in Vancouver. Leach has combined two major loves in his life—photography and pottery, to bring to his clients beautifully artistic and earthy works for art. This Pictographs ceramic smudge bowl is engraved with an interior glaze, and measures 6.75" round. Available at the Squamish Lillooet Cultural Centre. $350

ALEX GIBSON

POLO SHIRT FROM A FISH NAMED FRED A Fish Named Fred is an exclusively men’s lifestyle brand that stands for uniqueness and individuality. Every collection is fresh, colourful and impossible to miss — you'll always find a theme that is reflected in daring prints that you’ll not only see on shirts, but in the lining of jackets and the pockets of trousers. Available at Kabn. Prices vary

DZUNUKWIS MASK BY COLE SPECK (KWAKWAKA’WAKW) Red cedar, acrylic, cotton fabric, horsehair Cole Speck was raised on the Namgis reserve on Alert Bay, B.C. As an apprentice of the late master carver Beau Dick, Speck continues to promote Kwakwaka’wakw culture through his practice and the knowledge gained from his mentor. Speck has a tremendous love and respect for his culture and he aspires to keep old traditions alive while allowing his contemporary style to emerge. In Kwakwaka’wakw myth, Tsonokwis is the undersea world equivalent of the forest Wild Women of the Woods. She is always very sleepy and when she dances, she sometimes falls down and her attendants must awake her. Available at Audain Art Museum. Courtesy of Fazakas Gallery. $4,200 >>

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

WHISTLER'S OUTDOOR STORE FOR KIDS & TEENS

We've got

ING EVERYTH eed for

your kids n ime an awesome t in Whistler!

FIND US IN MOUNTAIN SQUARE, JUST STEPS FROM LULULEMON | WWW.MOUNTAINKIDS.CA | 604 932 2115

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SHOPPING WHISTLER

THE AUDREY SANDAL BY BUENO Audrey has so many cute details that it is love at first sight. Featuring a ribbon design sitting directly above the keyhole detail, this is a perfect summer slide to add a touch of sweetness to any outfit. Leather upper, lining and footbed. Available at Soles. $135

HINZA BAG The elegant Hinza Swedish design from the 1950s makes for great shopping bags, beach bags or picnic bags. Made of durable plastic, it can easily be cleaned and holds more than you'd think. Made from polyethylene plastic, the Green Plastic version contains polyethylene bio-plastic, where sugar cane is used as a raw material instead of oil. Available in several colours from Whistler Kitchen Works. Small 56.99 Large 65.99

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

FRESH PRODUCE FRESH BAKERY ORGANIC FOOD DELICIOUS SEAFOOD SPECIALTY MEATS BULK FOODS DELIVERY SERVICE FRIENDLY PHARMACIST NUTRITIONAL ADVISORS

2021

HEALTH FOODS

Where the Locals Shop! OPEN EVERY DAY

8am – 10pm | 8am – 6pm Pharmacy Located 1km north of Whistler Village at 7019 Nesters Rd. Phone: 604-932-3545 Pharmacy: 604-905-0429 Save time by shopping online:

www.nestersmarket.com

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SHOPPING WHISTLER MERRELL BARE STEPS 2.0 TODDLER BOOTS This boot is made with environmentally friendly materials and features an alternative closure with fixed laces for an easy fit and a hiker-inspired look. Its wide toe box and rounded outsole follow the natural shape of a child’s foot to ensure healthy foot development and its light, flexible outsole makes it durable. Leather upper with memory foam footbed for all-day comfort. Available at Mountain Kids Outfitters. $70

IN TH E S O UL OF THE V I L L A G E, OPPOSITE TAP L E Y’ S .

12-4122 Village Green | 604 905 0036 | solesofwhistler.com

PYP WHITE OUT GIFT BOX The peak of perfection in handmade chocolates! Stop by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to watch fudge being made by hand, feast your eyes on the decadent caramel apples, and, of course, take home a selection of handmade chocolates. Each White Out box includes a Cheesecake Naked Bomb, Almond Cluster, Kahlua and Cream Caramel, Raspberry Dome, and a Tiramisu Caramel. Available at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. $16

AWESOME MAPS MOUNTAIN BIKE MAP This map shows you the world of mountain biking, from famous longdistance cycle routes to epic MTB downhill tracks, with over 400 mountain bike trails and bike paths and information on length, type of track, ascent and descent. Printed on silk coated, acid free paper with re-writability coating (use with a whiteboard marker). Available at Get the Goods. $49 >> 70

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

221-2063 Lake Placid Road, Whistler, BC

VISIT OUR WHISTLER LOCATIONS HELLY HANSEN WESTIN RESORT | 4090 WHISTLER WAY UNIT 115 | 6044 93220142 HELLY HANSEN WHISTLER VILLAGE | 4295 BLACKCOMB WAY | 6044 93220143

A Charming & Unique Selection of Gifts & Kitchenware Dinnerware ◆ Linens ◆ Gifts Candles ◆ Glassware Practical Kitchen Accessories & More

Whistler Kitchen Works

Sweaters for the whole family

A Favorite of Locals & Visitors Since 1994

NEXT TO THE VISITOR INFO CENTRE & KEIR FINE JEWELLERY

Located in Whistler’s Marketplace 604-938-1110

LOCALLY OWNED

604-932-7202

www.whistlersweatershop.com

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SHOPPING WHISTLER 111 PLACES IN WHISTLER THAT YOU MUST NOT MISS by Dave Doroghy and Graeme Menzies The ultimate insider's guide to Whistler featuring interesting and unusual places not found in traditional travel guides, and part of the international 111 Places/111 Shops series with over 650 titles and 3.8 million copies in print worldwide. This guide takes you on a ride along Canada’s most scenic highway to discover the scenic vistas, ancient legends, quirky characters, and unusual places in Britannia Beach, Squamish, and Pemberton that make Whistler a destination full of wonder and outdoor adventure. Available at Armchair Books and Fresh St. Market. $24.99 W

a clothing and goods store that focuses on the local, handmade and sustainable…… discover all manner of beautiful and curated things… all emphasizing the unique lifestyle of the pacific northwest…

Located at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola 604.932.4100

Located at 122-4340 Lorimer Road & Fairmont Chateau www.3singingbirds.com

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

SERVICES DIRECTORY

To advertise in the Services Directory, call Catherine Power-Chartrand at 604-932-1672

SERVING WHISTLER FOR YEARS

massage clinic & spa

Private transfers to and from Whistler Vehicle GPS Live Sharing

CLINIC SERVICES OFFERED:

Deep Tissue Massage, Relaxation, Acupressure, Therapeutic Massge, Reflexology, Aromotherapy & Hot Stone Massage Registered Massage Therapy, Counselling, Chiropractic, Permanent Make Up, Advanced Environ Skin Care & Microneedling are available upon request

Free WiFi @luxurytransport

www.bluehighways.ca • 604-938-0777 • #206 - 4368 Main St., Market Pavilion

www.luxbus.com

Rentals Skills Tours

604.522.8484

STUDIOS

Yoga and wellness services in the heart of Whistler Village! For yoga classes with heart that have strong safety procedures in place. Limited space available. In-person and virtual class options. Book online today!

in Lost Lake PassivHaus

604-935-2020 info@whistleryogacara.com www.whistleryogacara.com

whistler • 604.905.0071 • crosscountryconnection.ca

Whistler Museum 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)

come experience Whistler’s unique history! Open year-round 4333 Main Street, 604 932 2019

www.whistlermuseum.org

604-905-5666 www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

whistlermuseum

AVIS RENT A CAR - WHISTLER Wide variety of mid and full size cars for exploring Whistler and area!

onnection Advertisement in PDF format, greyscale MINI VANS, 4x4s, 16' CUBE VANS –Files Detailed Sanitization after each Rentalor CMYK ONE WAY RENTALS AVAILABLE TO VANCOUVER

er2017-Ad-1 servicesOR directory confirmation: Ian at 604.905.0071 FROM YVR AND DOWNTOWN VANCOUVERcall TO WHISTLER istler Magazine Cascade Lodge Lobby | 604.932.1236 2.25 H) technical concerns: Brian Hydesmith RETREAT & RECHARGE sheri.warm@abglocalmarket.ca | Avis.com 2017 design@hydesmith.com or call 204.487.0067 All suite hotel in an ideal village location.

westinwhistler.com T: +1 604.905.5000

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

WHISTLER VILLAGE & UPPER VILLAGE MAP A

VILLAGE WALK PEDESTRIAN PATHS ROAD

BUILDINGS

AC K

PARKING LOT

MEDICAL CENTRE

W AY

INFORMATION TRANSIT STOP

TO LOST LAKE

VANCOUVER BUS TAXI LOOP

6 7 8

LOT 5

9 LOT 1 LOT 2 ES D I A L CR

LOT 4

AY BLACKCOMB W

SKIERS PLAZA

MARKETPLACE

GATEWAY

14 AND NORTHL

VD S BL

P LOO

L VI

GE GATE BLVD VILLA

VILLAGE SQUARE

COUVER TO VAN

O SKY SEA T

TO PEMBERTON

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

HWY

OLL

VILLAGE G R E

GE LA

ES TR

E LANE AG ILL

TOWN PLAZ A

MAIN ST

L OL

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PLAZA

LORIMER RD

SUN

TL W HIS

WAY ER

SPRINGS LANE

LOT 3

DRIVING RANGE

BLAZE THE TRAIL THIS SEASON!

Enjoy the great outdoors with bike gear for the entire family at our Whistler Village locations

in the Hilton Whistler Hotel & Spa

SHOP WITH US WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

WHISTLER MAGAZINE SUMMER/FALL 2022

Whistler Magazine Summer/Fall 2022

Articles inside

COCKTAILS & CASUAL DINING: Go Big or Go Home

WHISTLER HOMES: A Breath of Fresh Air

A LOOK BACK: Whistler’s Architectural Evolution

FINE DINING: Secrets to Success

ARTS SCENE: Global Events Inspire

FACES OF WHISTLER: Moving to the Mountains