watched a tiny community turn into an international resort. Along the way, Richoz played a large role in the development of modern-day Whistler. Richoz was instrumental in starting the Whistler Public Library and is still active in the community as chair of the Whistler Arts Council.
Q: What brought you to Whistler? A: After spending time in Switzerland, we found it hard to live in the city, so we decided to camp on our property in Whistler for the summer. We loved it so much that we built a little round log cabin and moved in during a blizzard. The community has kept us here. You get a neighbourhood feeling you don’t get elsewhere. It’s a real small-town feeling. The energy here is amazing.
Q: What were those early days like? A: We went to Squamish and Vancouver for basic shopping needs. When the first school finally opened, there were only 35 students and the library, kitchen and staff room were all in the same room.
Q: You were the force behind the creation of the Whistler Library. Tell me about those early days. A: In the early 1980s Whistler was being built, so we didn’t have an old building to put a library in. We had to get creative. We wrote a petition and formed a library association before getting a space at municipal hall, which used to
be the Keg Restaurant. Volunteers converged on the project and we had our first library with 250 books. We’ve added to the collection since then!
Scott Roberts Roberts is the voice of the Sea to Sky corridor, whether it’s on the airwaves or at a variety of community events. It’s a voice with which Whistler residents are quite familiar. Not unlike most people who live in the corridor, Roberts skied Whistler Mountain in 1975 and vowed he would be back. Roberts made good on his promise and moved to Whistler in the early ’80s. To make ends meet, he did everything from bartending to construction but his passion turned out to be broadcast journalism. For the past several decades, Roberts’ voice has kept Whistler residents informed through radio, print and his publicrelations work on the Sea to Sky Highway Improvement Project. Roberts admits his love for Whistler is strong as ever.
Q: Why Whistler? A: It’s a magical place, summer or winter. It was great in the mid ’70s and it is still a wonderful place. It’s a community that can do whatever it sets its mind to. In today’s economy, it’s really exciting to live in such a can-do community.
Q: You’ve seen Whistler’s journey toward being Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Winter Games, correct? Client: Helijet / Size: 7.125” X 3.146” / CMYK / Whistler Magazine
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Whistler [Summer/Fall 2010]
A: That’s right. I was one of two MCs on the day we won the Games. I was awake the night before wondering what I would say if we didn’t win. We did win and I ended up writing a regular column for the Whistler Question newspaper. I covered the stories that weren’t being told by the regular media and really focused on the locals preparing for the Games. As you can see, they did an amazing job.
Q: What is one of your favourite memories from the early days of Whistler? A: In the early ’80s I had a number of jobs including construction and patio bartender in the spring on Nasty Jack’s Patio. It was a great gig because I was able to work in this really fun atmosphere. It’s experiences like Nasty Jack’s and the people you meet that keep you in Whistler. Again, it’s a magical place that way.
Q: I hear you’re going on a very long motorcycle trip, right? A: Yes. Back in ’02 I had the opportunity to become the Sea to Sky Highway Improvement Project Community Relations Officer. I knew the work was going to save lives and I would learn a lot. It was great to be involved in legacy like the new highway. The job’s done and it’s time to test it out via my motorcycle. But it won’t be long before I am back home, in Whistler. W