Sea to Sky Premier Properties

The Gold Collection of Real Estate & Lifestyle Opportunities

î — Printed in Canada

Contents T h e S e a t o S k y P r e m i e r P r o p e r-

t i e s M a g a z i n e i s p u b l i s h e d b y S e a

About Sea to Sky Premier Properties

VIP Concierge Service

t o S k y P re m i e r P ro p e r t i e s . P l e a s e

call 1.866.405.9229 or email

Investment Legacy: the Olympic Effect

Our Global Connections

properties@‌m ysspp.‌c om if you want

Map of British Columbia

notification of new issues. Copyright

Whistler

2010 Sea to Sky Premier Properties. All

What Makes a Legacy Name?—Sea to Sky

rights reserved. All properties advertised

Pemberton

are subject to prior sale, change or with-

Squamish

drawal without notice. Material in this

Squamish’s Waterfront

publication may not be reproduced in

Going for the Gold

any form for without permission.

Our Place in History

2010 Olympic Competition Schedule

All data reproduced herein was gathered

2010 Paralympic Competition Schedule

2 4 6 8 9 10 18 22 26 32 33 36 38 45

Vancouver & the North Shore

Exquisite Interiors

Bowen Island

White Rock / South Surrey

Gulf Islands

Victoria & Vancouver Island

Green is the New Black

The Okanagan Valley

British Columbia

Commercial Real Estate

Using a Commercial Realtor ®

New Developments

International

Preferred Partners

47 53 56 58 64 70 76 78 85 88 90 92 94 96

from sources both professional and lay, deemed to be reliable; Sea to Sky Premier Properties makes no representation as to its accuracy and will not be responsible for any discrepancies.

Prospective buyers should be personally verified or buyers should seek advice from experts on the matter under consideration. All representations of square footage/area dimensions may be estimated according to a variety of methods.

If the square footage/area dimensions are a material factor in any purchase, the prospective buyer is advised to engage a

Editor’s Note Welcome to our Gold Edition of the Sea to Sky Premier Properties Portfolio. We are excited about this magazine as our company has now expanded into the interior of British Columbia in Kelowna as well as Victoria and Vancouver Island.

We now cover much of Beautiful British Columbia as these great locations join White Rock/South Surrey, West Vancouver, The Southern Gulf Islands, Squamish, Pemberton and of course, Whistler.

professional to complete an independent square footage calculation. Renderings of properties contained herein may not actually depict the improvement as actually constructed. All prices set forth in the magazine are subject to change.

The focus of Our Lifestyle Marketing provides a wonderful insight into some of the most beautiful areas of BC and this edition includes fascinating stories about the Olympics and our athletes. It is truly a collector’s item and we hope you enjoy every page.

We know that when the world visits Vancouver and Whistler, as well as other parts of our great province, it will forever have a magical effect because the exposure of the Sea to Sky Games will introduce many new faces to our lifestyles and opportunities. Over time, the financial impact of this once in a lifetime experience will benefit us all.

135 – 4370 Lorimer Road Whistler, BC V0N 1B4 Tel: 604 932 4117

Sea to Sky Premier Properties has joined forces with a beautiful Art Gallery representing some of the finest artists of the Northwest. We will be working together to bring Art to your Home and a Home for your Art starting in January 2010.

Celebration Plaza where our goal is to introduce the world to many of the real estate lifestyle opportunities presented around BC and different parts of the world.

In this magazine, you will see a presentation on The World, Residences at Sea—a unique ship that circumnavigates the globe every two years on the high seas. You will learn about developers like Ecoasis who are finding a way of really going green without breaking the bank, a wonderful benefit for us all, together with the story of the name “Sea to Sky” and its historical relevance with the Sea to Sky Games.

We are extremely pleased to announce our association with a grass roots philanthropic program related to real estate which will in part support Variety, The Childrens Charity.

Realty Corps is an incredible opportunity to give back to our local communities.

We hope you enjoy this magazine and that you will share it with friends and family. We also invite you to visit us at The Path Gallery where we will delight you with great art pieces and special real estate experiences.

Fax: 604 932 4120 Email: info@mysspp.com

Our new presentation centre will be located at Suite 122 – 4338 Main Street—across from

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

1

VIP Concierge Service Focusing on providing so much more than just real estate services

con·cierge /kÅn»siE´rZ/ n, pl. concierges assists guests with various tasks from restaurant reservations to “achieving the impossible” by relying on an extensive list of personal contacts with various local merchants and service providers.

What separates Sea to Sky Premier Properties is our focus on providing exceptional service and attention to you, our valued clientele. Whether it’s real estate related or personal, we customize our concierge service to meet your specific needs, large or small.

We can further assist in finding the right people to arrange a suitable rental property and make all the arrangements for that perfect holiday getaway, including dinner reservations, limou­sine pick-ups, wedding planners, or tickets for that special event.

We are dedicated to providing all the services you require to make your real estate experience and property ownership enjoyable and effortless. Sea to Sky Premier Properties provides direct access to the best products and services available to assist you in your purchase, sale or ownership because our seasoned luxury real estate professionals have unique and special relationships with a variety of service providers.

When you are selecting a REALTOR®, consider working with one who offers the level of experience and convenience that provides you with the quality of service you require.

This includes preferred and renowned professionals who assist in real estate transactions—lawyers, mortgage advisors and property appraisers—as well as services such as estate manage­ment, property rental, interior design, general repairs and maintenance, emergency repair services, supplies, caterers and much more.

We pride ourselves on our VIP Concierge Service.

Please contact Susan Dixon for more details on how we can provide you with Sea to Sky Premier Properties VIP Service at 1 604 690 8292 or vipservice@mysspp.com.

For more information about our Property Management Services, please contact: Vicki Thompson Property Management Services Division 1 604 220 2935 vicki@mysspm.com

2

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

celebrate

Bearfoot Bistro 4121 Village Green

604 932 3433

www.bearfootbistro.com

food

• WINNER “Whistler’s Best Restaurant”

—Vancouver Magazine 2009 Restaurant Awards

• Featuring Executive Chef Melissa Craig— Winner Gold Medal Plate’s Canadian Culinary Championships “2008 Canada’s Best Chef”

wine

• Whistler’s only restaurant rated 3 stars —Where to Eat in Canada 09/10

• open for lunch during the Olympics • daily oyster special 3–6pm • live jazz nightly • valet parking

life

celebrate at home in style with the bearfoot bistro

to create your unique catering experience, contact erin kincaid l 604 932 3433 l erin@bearfootbistro.com

Building Relationships is our Business Real Estate is our Passion

Sea to Sky Premier Properties, established in the Sea to Sky Corridor for over 30 years, has been synonymous with offering its clients a depth of service and local knowledge encompassing real estate, lifestyle and investment opportunities, as well as providing international connections surpassed by none.

Buyer Service

The right combination of experience, knowledge­, resources, and most importantly­, trust in our real estate associates has enabled the clients of Sea to Sky Premier Properties to successfully find a home, lifestyle or investment opportunity.

We believe this exceptional level of service is key to assisting our clients in making the correct and astute decisions when choosing their real estate.

4

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Sellers Service

Sea to Sky Premier Properties provides this service by offering its clients a network of over 190,000 real estate agents that are associated with Christie’s Great Estates and the Luxury Real Estate Networks, as well as constantly looking for new ways to promote its properties throughout the globe, finding the best associates available and creating successful partnerships.

Our real estate associates are experts both in their local markets and the global forum, understanding how to market the property to gain the maximum exposure, identify potential buyers as well as negotiate to your advantage. Their expertise and networking abilities will expose the property beyond the local markets presenting it to prospective buyers worldwide.

Sea to Sky Premier Properties also provides a platform to market your property through its extensive web-based tools, sophisticated print media and international sales connections.

Presenting A Home for Your Art And Art for Your Home Visit our collaborative presentation centre to discover BC’s hidden treasures.

Featuring Northwest Native art by renowned First Nations artists and a showcase of unique real estate developments and opportunities.

Suite 122 – 4338 Main Street Across from Whistler’s Celebration Plaza

www.mysspp.com T: 604-932-4117

Our Service Guarantee

Sea to Sky Premier Properties sets itself apart by offering a network of local and global real estate experts who are dedicated to providing a quality of service that exceeds the expectations of both the buyer and seller.

Our success is dependent on the success of our clients.

Our strength comes from the diversity of fine properties we represent and our ability to unite our buyers with their unique property requirements… a winning combination.

In addition to being the leaders in luxury real estate sales and marketing, Sea to Sky Premier Properties is committed to expanding our commercial and project marketing presence both locally and internationally.

www.pathgallery.com T: 604-932-7570

“We have built relationships with key marketing networks­enabling us to market our client’s properties to the world in a professional, cost effective and efficient manner. We are committed to bringing the world’s discerning buyers to the Sea to Sky Corridor’s doorstep, by introducing them to a comprehensive directory of luxury homes and commercial opportunities”, explains Ann Chiasson, President of Sea to Sky Premier Properties.

British Columbia is expanding its reach into new markets every year and new visitors are discovering this fabulous experience. If you are looking to invest or sell a property in our incredibly beautiful area, check out our website at www.mysspp.com or contact us at info@‌mysspp.com.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

5

Regent Broker for

Our Global Connections

Luxury Real Estate.com TYPICAL MONTHLY STATISTICS: Monthly hits: 61,557,952 Monthly page views: 2,442,506 Monthly visitors: 139,600 Total visiting countries: 152 Active listings: 71,032 Average listing price: $2,395,445 Countries with active listings: 98 Total dollar value: $188,112,273,862 Agents: 119,655 Offices: 6,237

Sea to Sky Premier Properties is a member of the Board of Regents of Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate (LuxuryRealEstate.com), a global network of over 1,900 luxury real estate brokerages, with 120,000 affiliates located in more than 65 countries. Each member is carefully selected based on the company’s established reputation for performance, experience with high-end properties, and quality service.

Members: 1,900 Countries: 65

6

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

The award-winning website www.Luxury RealEstate.com, is the most-viewed luxury real estate website in the world, ranked #1 in searches for Luxury Real Estate on popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN.

The site currently provides access to over 62,000 for-sale properties, multi-million dollar homes and luxury homes from around the world, with an average price of US$2,350,000. The readership represents the affluent, well-educated, professional demographic of upscale homebuyers and leading luxury real estate specialists, people who have the wealth and means to purchase the luxury properties presented on this website.

If you are considering an investment outside of the Sea to Sky Corridor and BC, then allow us to recommend the right agent with whom to work.

Christie’s Great Estates is the world’s largest international network of real estate brokers specializing in the marketing and sale of luxury properties. Founded as Great Estates, Inc. in 1987, the company was acquired in 1995 by Christie’s, the world’s oldest fine arts auction house, to fulfill client demand for real estate services.

Today the Christie’s Great Estates global network of affiliated brokers includes nearly 36,000 sales associates operating from 900 offices in more than 40 countries. The network’s combined annual sales top $128 billion.

The combined global networks of Christie’s and Christie’s Great Estates, both market leaders in the sale of luxury goods, create a world-class showcase for distinguished real estate. No other network offers this level of international visibility to proven buyers of high-value property.

Christie’s offers the most unique collection­ of premier properties in the world; we are connected and would be delighted to recom­mend a suitable REALTOR ®.

Number of Agents

$120 $100

$128.5

$80 $60 $40 $20

$28.5 Christie’s Great Estates

Sotheby’s

40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000

Average Online Listing Price Millions

Billions

Aggregate Annual Sales $140

36,000

10,000 Christie’s Great Estates

Sotheby’s

$4.0 $3.5 $3.0 $2.5 $2.0 $1.5 $1.0 $0.5

$3,900,000

$1,600,000

Christie’s Great Estates

Sotheby’s

Source: Christie’s Great Estates Affiliate Network; Sotheby’s Press Release, September 2008

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

7

The Investment Legacy of the Olympic Effect Since the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were awarded to Vancouver/Whistler back in 2003, the world has watched the North American housing market with as much trepidation as from the sidelines of a bobsled track. There have not only been ups and downs, but blinding turns and sheer drops that have caught many real estate owners a little more than out of control!

What eventually sparked a global credit crisis of epic proportion after residential real estate prices throughout the USA peaked in 2006 has today provided enough shock and awe to put questions in the mind of even the most savvy real estate investor worldwide.

To the North of this crisis epicenter is Vancouver/Whistler. Here, a world class market contained by mountains, ocean, and the USA border that has come away virtually unscathed. Sure, at the depths of the credit crisis prices came off the frothy highs, but more often, than not the real estate market throughout this region has demonstrated tremendous resilience. It is another reminder of the strong demand to live in two of the world’s most desired and highly rated cities.

So now the question becomes – how will the Vancouver/Whistler real estate market be affected by the Olympics? Will putting these cities on the world stage cause prices to rise to new highs? Or will the Olympic hype dissipate with the crowds and leave the real estate market tumbling back to reality? Simply, what will the Olympic Effect be and is it realistic to expect that a three-week influx of 500,000 people and an audience of 3 billion worldwide can permanently alter the housing market of Vancouver and Whistler?

Unfortunately, past studies have not provided a clear or convincing argument to provide guidance to investors, speculators, or local homeowners alike. Each host city has experienced a different Olympic Effect and external factors often play too big a role to draw any convincing conclusions. For example, Calgary saw prices dramatically spike after the games in 1988, but at the time crude oil prices were also seeing new highs and surrounding cities were also proportionately enjoying the heyday. To wit, years later the housing market in all of these Albertan cities had normalized to pre-Olympic levels.

8

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Looking south of the border to the games of Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Atlanta, similar results become confusing. Consistently it appears that the larger economic picture provides support for any strength or weakness seen in the host city’s real estate prices. With this I dare to question whether Vancouver/ Whistler will find support from the trillions of dollars that are currently on the investment sidelines in the wake of the recent financial crisis. Or rather, will the current economic times bring these wounded real estate owners into our city for a good time but not a long time?

It is also hard to imagine that anyone would be able to attribute a continued uptick in real estate sales solely to the Olympics when the world is recovering from the deepest recession since the Great Depression. In addition, major improvements from the Sea to Sky highway upgrade and the various urban development projects that came with this Olympic package have no doubt improved our ‘offering’ for the longer term. Vancouver/ Whistler is more accessible than ever before and the improvements to everything from restaurants and hotels to facilities and attractions will benefit both locals and tourists for years to come.

Here lies a conclusion that few could argue with in time.

Vancouver/Whistler are two of the most spectacular destinations to work, live, play, and visit and will attract real estate investment for many years to come. The Olympics may provide fifteen minutes of fame but the true characteristics that make Vancouver and Whistler so desirable are not going away anytime soon and continue to be improved upon.

Therefore, get good advice and maintain a financial portfolio balanced with both traditional and alternative investments. Together, you will command a performance worthy of a true gold medal.

Catherine L. Dorazio, B.Comm, MBA, CIM, Vice President, Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital. cdorazio@cclgroup.com

Lillooet

Y U K O N

Kamloops

T E R R I T O R Y Watson Lake

Atlin

N. W. T. Pemberton

Vernon

Whistler

Kelowna

Squamish Summerland

JUNEA

Penticton

U

Fort Nelson

British Columbia

G

U

Nanaimo

LF

West Vancouver

Greater Vancouver IS

LA

White Rock N

D

Osoyoos

S

Salt Spring Island

Victoria

ALAS KA U.S. A. Fort St. John

Stewart

Dawson Creek

Mackenzie

Smithers

Terrace

Prince Rup

ert

Fort St. James

Burns Lake

Kitimat

Grande Prairie

Tumbler Ridge

Prince George

QUEEN

n

Edmonto

Sandspit

CHARLO

ISLAND

A A L B E R T

McBride

TTE

Quesnel

S Bella Coola

Bella Bella

Anahim Lake

Williams Lake

100 Mile House

Banff

Golden Port Hardy

VANCOU

VER ISLAND

Kamloops

Comox Courtenay

Powell River

Cache Creek

Whistler

Meritt

GU

Nanaimo

LF

White Rock

Radium

Invermere

Vernon

Summerland

Vancouver

I

Salmon Arm

Kimberley

Kelowna

Squamish

S L.

Ucluelet

Lillooet

Pemberton

Campbell River

Tofino

Calgary

Revelstoke

Osoyoos

Nelson

Penticton Trail

Fernie Cranbrook

Creston

Bellingham

W A S H I N G T O N A S U

Victoria Everett

Seattle

With representation in Whistler, Squamish, West Vancouver, White Rock, the Okanagan, Victoria, Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island, Sea to Sky Premier Properties links the local Sea to Sky Corridor seamlessly with the rest of the world.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

9

Whistler

Whistler is a mountain village with a much bigger presence than just the average ski town. Indeed, it has already established itself as one of the world’s premier year-round destination resorts.

From humble beginnings when Whistler Mountain opened in 1966 there has been no looking back. Today, the resort boasts two mountains connected by a pedestrian Village, over 8,100 skiable acres, one vertical mile, more than 200 trails, three glaciers, 38 lifts, twelve alpine bowls and the new Peak to Peak Gondola.

One of the world’s premier year-round destination resorts.

135 – 4370 Lorimer Road Whistler, BC T: 604 932 4117 F: 604 932 1140 Toll Free: 1 866 405 9229

10

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Ann Chiasson

Laurie Vance

Managing Broker

Residential Associate

604-905-6309 ann@mysspp.com

604-966-7288 laurie@mysspp.com

AMBER JONES

Marion Anderson

Residential

Residential Associate

604-905-6320 amber@mysspp.com

604-938-3885 marion@mysspp.com

Craig McKenzie

Susan Dixon

Residential/Commercial

Residential Associate

604-935-4658 craig@mysspp.com

604-690-8292 susan@mysspp.com

Dave Beattie

Ursula Morel

Residential Associate

Residential/Commercial

604-905-8855 dave@mysspp.com

604-932-8629 ursula@mysspp.com

Whether a visitor or a resident, Whistler is a utopia for those looking for an adventurous lifestyle.

Winter recreation abounds with a plethora of activities from the highly adventurous, such as snowmobiling, ice climbing, ziplining between snow-capped trees—to the more gentle pursuits of a horse-drawn sleigh ride for two, a gentle stroll on snowshoes through ancient cedar forests or even a lazy day at one of the many acclaimed Spas.

Family adventures also feature strongly on Whistler’s activity list, including fun for all at the specially-designed tube park, a once in a lifetime experience ‘mushing’ your own dog sled or a snow cat ride up the mountain to enjoy a fondue dinner.

Along with the honour of being awarded the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2010 came the opportunity for Whistler to build new world-class winter facilities.

These include one of North America’s finest ski jumping facilities, a new location designed specifically for cross-country skiing events and a new luge and bobsled track.

Whistler has also become a leader in the world of destination resorts, showcased as a model for other resorts to emulate. It seems there are few places in the world that can match the endless adventure and entertainment that Whistler squeezes into its summer months, and the number of visitors just keeps increasing.

Summer activities are as numerous as winter but offer even greater diversity. From a sightseeing gondola ride to hiking on mountain ranges, through ancient cedars, or even walking on a glacier one day, followed by a day of mountain biking on skilfully adapted terrain. Canoeing down the River of Golden Dreams, playing a round of golf on one of the three championship golf courses, just sitting on your favourite patio or by one of the green-blue lakes drinking in the spectacular scenery is all it takes to fall in love with this incredible place.

Whistler has become home to some of the most impressive dining on the West Coast of Canada, incredible night life and superior art galleries as well as sophisticated retail therapy. Accommodations are first class too, with distinctive hotels including the beauti-

ful Four Seasons Resort Hotel and Spa, the unique Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort, a newly renovated Hilton, two Pan Pacific hotels and the Westin Resort and Spa. Real estate opportunities are extraordinarily varied in Whistler—there is literally something for everyone. From lavish estate homes and family retreats to condominium hotels, land for creative builders, lots with spectacular views, Whistler provides a wealth of investment opportunities.

When the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were awarded to Vancouver and Whistler, the eyes of the world turned to this unique village on the west coast of Canada. With a worldwide broadcast, the games will serve to introduce Whistler and Vancouver to new people in one of the most intimate ways possible. We will be invited into homes around the world during this wonderful event and every aspect of life in Whistler will be on display.

For more information on how you can own in Whistler contact us at info@‌mysspp.‌com or visit our website www.mysspp.com

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

11

Whistler

The Christie’s Collection The quality of Whistler homes is now touted as among the world’s best; with globally renowned architects, designers and builders putting their unique touches here.

Truly, Whistler offers the right combination of magnifi­cent skiing and great homes.

Many of these unique properties have created a distinctive tone for the luxury market, being featured in some of the top architectural and luxury home magazines from around the world.

In recent years designs have moved towards the contemporary look and features include every modern and luxurious amenity available, from heated driveways to remotely controlled climate systems, stateof-the-art home theatres and indoor pools.

Artistic finishes coupled with privacy and the ability to capture the spectacular views not only enhance but create distinction in Whistler’s finest properties.

Global buyers have been discovering these beautiful homes, appreciating their value and finding their expectations of quality are constantly being exceeded.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/christiescollection prices upon request

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

13

Designed for Living.

Let us transform your property into a unique and timeless home.

Contact us for a complimentary in home consultation.

14

Sea to Sky Premier Properties  |  www.mysspp.com

T 604.932.8822 E info@mountainreno.com W www.mountainreno.com

Whistler Chalets Whistler offers homeowners a remarkable selection of house styles, sizes, designs and therefore prices. From the humble ski cabins of the early 1960’s to the modern contem­porary glass and steel designs being built today, it is not uncommon to find these dia­metrical opposite styles sitting side-byside.

More commonly, homes in Whistler are built using a blend of local wood and stone and designed to integrate into Whistler’s alpine setting, albeit that they are more often than not equipped with every modern amenity.

Location is probably the true indicator of price… the closer to the mountain the more expensive, and similarly priced homes further out are compensated with more land, proximity to the green-blue waters of one of Whistler’s stunning lakes or overlooking one of the three amazing golf courses.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/whistler/chalets prices from $675,000

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

15

Whistler Land & Acreages The opportunity to design and build your own dream home is within reach. Land offering spectacular views, lakeside frontage, golf course access, private estates and even ski-in/ski-out is still available.

Whistler offers some of the finest architects, designers and builders to help you realize your vision and maximize your investment potential.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/whistler/land prices from $650,000

Whistler Townhomes As Whistler’s popularity grew in the 1990’s, so did the development potential. Rising land prices gave way to a large number of townhomes, most of which were snapped up as second and third vacation homes.

Whistler townhomes still remain very popular due to their close proximity to the ski hills and because predominately they were well-designed to meet the requirements of a ski-home—including features such as open plan living, garages, hot tubs and great storage.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/whistler/townhomes prices from $300,000

16

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Whistler Condominiums

Whistler created a product called Condotel in the early 1980’s. This is a condominium hotel concept that provides income from your condo when you are not in residence.

We have many options available with two types of covenants on title. Phase One Condo­miniums are placed in a rental program when the owner is not in residence but can be occupied full time by owners.

Phase Two Condominiums have fully operational hotel management and provide for owners to use 28 days in the summer and 28 days in the winter. These units work

well for long distance ownership where owners come for short term visits and want to generate some income to offset costs.

Our agents can clarify these options and assist in determining what works best for your lifestyle.

Prices vary depending on location, size and covenant.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/whistler/condos prices from $99,000

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

17

S ea t o S k y

Lillooet

Mount Currie Pemberton

Alpine Meadows

What makes a Legacy Name?

So many places, so many names. When making travel plans or counting the number of cities we’ve visited or routes we’ve taken, we rarely stop to wonder how and why places acquire their names in the first place.

Whistler Village

If we do care to consider it, a quick glance at a local tourist guide or reference in the history books will generally provide an answer.

Creekside

The city of Vancouver for example, lies firmly in the latter camp— named after the famed British explorer who discovered and put his distinctive stamp along the entire West Coast of Canada. By way of contrast, Whistler attained its moniker from early settlers hearing the frequent shrill whistle of the Western Hoary Marmot who live among the rocks.

Function Junction

Pinecrest /

Black Tusk

Brackendale Squamish

Britannia Beach

Furry Creek Porteau Cove

Lions Bay

Horseshoe Bay

But what of the route that joins these two Olympic host cities?

Locals and tourists alike know it as the Sea to Sky Corridor, companies of all persuasions incorporate the phrase and the officially sanctioned Sea to Sky Highway (Hwy 99) is renowned as one of the world’s most scenic drives.

Today, it makes perfect sense to connect the Sea of the Pacific Ocean to the Sky of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Since the early pioneering days, Highway 99 has wound its way from West Vancouver through Horseshoe Bay, Lions Bay, what is now Furry Creek, Squamish, Whistler and on to Pemberton and Lillooet. Back then it was a challenging trip—now with all the new road improvements it’s just a visually rewarding experience—of course the mountains have always been the ultimate prize for those looking for powder and a great experience.

In 1981, the local Chambers of Commerce decided jointly to define the regions around British Columbia with more descriptive regional names. Hence all the Chambers held local competitions looking for that perfect name and the perfect logo to go with the name. Our region defined was Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton and the prize was $1000 for each winner. Resident artist and sign maker Charlie Doyle had been living in Whistler for close to 10 years already and was on a list to purchase his first building lot at Tapley’s Farm, a residential neighbourhood located in Whistler Cay Estates.

To stay current on that list, Charlie needed a $1000 down payment, so the timing of the Chamber Contest was almost a miracle in Charlie’s eyes. Being an artist and one of the few in residence at the time, he set out to design the consummate logo—one that

West Vancouver

18

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

would adorn marketing collateral for years to come. He put his best work forward, and along with it coined the phrase “Sea to Sky” to go with the logo and the rest is history— well, almost.

The world never got to see Charlie’s logo— that accolade was awarded to a local student. But logos come and logos go, while Charlie’s three simple words “Sea to Sky” will doubtless endure for centuries.

Charlie did get his $1000, secured his lot in Tapley’s Farm and lives there to this day.

Despite being overlooked by the Chamber on the visual artistic front, Charlie’s success as an artist is celebrated in the local community. His company, Charlie Doyle Signs and Design is responsible for many of the fine hand-crafted signs adorning businesses in Whistler. It’s an added bonus, of course that many of them include the words “Sea to Sky” in their name.

In 1981, Ann Chiasson, on the advice of a friend, secured the name Sea to Sky Real Estate and was the first business to own the name even before the Squamish Chamber of Commerce!

It is only fitting that we are the legacy home of the “Sea to Sky Games” almost 29 years later. That’s worth a little more than $1000 today!

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

19

Welcome to

The World Residences at Sea

Sydney

Melbourne

Bali

Singapore

Yangon

Dubai

Bodrum

Venice

Nice

Barcelona

Lisbon

Bordeaux

Fowey

Travel the world without leaving home The World, the only private residential ship, offers you a travel lifestyle like no other. A life which allows you to explore the globe with 200 like-minded adventure seekers. It is a place that is beyond place, where journey and destination become one.

This one-of-a-kind elegant community of only 165 residences offers the ultimate combination of a friendly and lively atmosphere, unrivalled personal service and the privileged access to the earth’s most beautiful destinations.

A select number of exquisitely designed studios, two and three bedroom apartments are available for rental or purchase.

If your passion is travel, come live a life like no other.

Exquisitely designed studios, two and three bedroom apartments available.

For more information on rental or purchase opportunities, please contact: info@L2consultants.com

Dublin Liverpool

www.L2consultants.com

310.994.3625

Pemberton Spud Valley is an Idyllic Country Retreat

Dave Beattie Residential Associate

604-905-8855 dave@mysspp.com

Ursula Morel Residential/Commercial

604-932-8629 ursula@mysspp.com

22

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

The population of Pemberton is estimated at between 500 and 4,000, depending on whom you consult!

Is it a small untouched farming community or a thriving Mecca for those seeking the ultimate backcountry playground, a peaceful retreat or home to one of the many horse enthusiasts? This quandary may well explain why no one knows for sure how many people live here and how this once small unknown village has become internationally recognized in its own right.

Tucked beyond the Coast Mountains, about 30 minutes north of Whistler lies this green pocket of agricultural land widely known for its seed potatoes, and affectionately dubbed “Spud Valley” by its locals. Cattle can be seen grazing off the highway close to the village, and visitors often remark upon the quiet country atmosphere and the beauty of this stretch of peaceful farmland, sheltered all around by the majestic Coast Mountains.

One the most prominent features in the Pemberton area is the 8,500-foot Mount Currie, a looming presence which is perhaps even more notable considering the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Today, Pemberton is experiencing a growth in both visitors and new inhabitants who are taking up residence in this agriculturally and recreationally rich valley.

Farming has remained a significant contribution to the local economy by embracing, integrating and promoting­ the new trend to eat healthier and organically. Restaurants and shops all promote their use of local produce which assists this economy in supporting itself.

Pemberton and the surrounding district embrace tourism, offering world-class activities and recreation. Be sure to take the time to enjoy the stunning alpine lakes and waterfalls, camping, fishing, and wildlife in the Pemberton Valley. Quick access to

Pemberton Open Spaces & Opportunities hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and backcountry ski-touring routes is one of the main reasons for the surge in popularity.

Pemberton represents the chance to buy something extraordinary with properties for the entrepreneur, investor as well as those looking for secluded private retreat. Agricultural land, vineyards, inns, bed & breakfasts, homes with acreage, equestrian centres and ranches are just a few of the opportunities that make Pemberton an easy decision.

The district also provides a variety of shopping, dining, accommodations and a thriving service and light industrial sector.

Pemberton has an airport, with a runway long enough to handle small planes and private jets, which makes accessibility easier for those who wish to own their own private estate, working ranch or equestrian­property.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/pemberton/land prices upon request

More recently the community made the news by adopting the Jamaican Bobsled Team and hosting The Pemberton Music Festival—headlined by Coldplay and organized by Live Nation.

For more information on how you can own in Pemberton contact us at info@‌mysspp.‌com or visit our website www.mysspp.com

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

23

Pemberton Condominiums Over the past few years the number of condo­minium-style properties in Pemberton has increased together with the first resort-style hotel offering private sales of apartment style units.

Pemberton offers investors the opportunity to own a revenue-generating hotel suite or private rental property.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/pemberton/condos prices from $93,000

Pemberton Townhomes The growth of Whistler and Pemberton over the last 15 years has seen an influx of young families moving to the region, and many found the affordability of Pemberton and its more rural, quiet way of life more appealing.

New developments have catered to this market with many townhouse complexes centered around the village, its schools and easy access to amenities. Prices have remained affordable and interestingly, in the last few years, more people are starting to buy second homes in this area.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/pemberton/townhomes prices from $260,000

24

Sea to Sky Premier Properties  |  www.mysspp.com

Pemberton Homes

The majority of homes in Pemberton are built to appreciate the local environment and enjoy the magnificent scenery. Quality log and timber frame homes, country style cottages, mountain retreats, homesteads and ranches are just some of the designs seen throughout the valley.

Homes here also demonstrate an appreciation the lifestyle incorporating such features as large windows to frame the views, gourmet-style kitchens, wrap-around decks, large garages, stables, barns and plenty of outside room to enjoy the long warm summer months.

Prices are generally lower than nearby Whistler, located just 30 minutes south of the Pemberton Valley.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/pemberton/homes prices from $500,000

www.mysspp.com  |  Sea to Sky Premier Properties

25

Squamish Dubbed the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, Squamish is captivating at any time of the year.

Shawn Wentworth Residential Associate

604-815-3388 shawn@mysspp.com

Shannon Franks Residential Associate

604-894-4009 shannon@mysspp.com

1 – 38003 Second Avenue Squamish, BC T: 604 815 4122 F: 604 815 4120 Toll Free: 1 866 405 9229

26

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

This spectacularly located community—part seaside, part mountain—offers its residents and visitors the best of all worlds: an easy drive to Vancouver in one direction while heading north takes you to the world’s number one destination ski resort, Whistler. It is obvious why Squamish is so popular with the younger generation.

Since the arrival of the first non-aboriginal people in 1889, Squamish has become a community of diverse peoples that have worked together to make it a place to balance work, nature and relationships.

Improvements to the Highway and the coming 2010 Winter Olympics have stimulated the growth of this small town and enticed investors to create fresh opportunities for locals and new residents. Whether your

pleasure is sport, nature or arts and culture; you will find this unique blend of ingredients in the makeup of Squamish.

The recently-built, iconic Squamish Adventure Centre epitomizes a town that is ready for change, while at the same time appreciating its heritage, location and diversity. Originally a logging community, it has morphed from this long association into a town that not only embraces tourism and adventure but now promotes and markets world-class activities successfully and with pride.

There are many good reasons why Squamish is known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada. A huge variety of outdoor activities are possible right from your backyard.

Mountain biking: it just doesn’t get much better than the Test of Metal or the annual Gear Jammer races that sell out instantly.

Rock climbing offers the amazing “Chief” which is considered to be one of the world’s top 10 destinations, largely due to the deliciously sticky granite. There are precious few spots on the globe where wind, water and land combine to provide flawless conditions for wind surfing and kite boarding. Whether you prefer to dip your paddle

into lakes, streams, rivers or the ocean, Squamish has it all for those who love to canoe, sea kayak or sail! Whether you are looking for an adrenaline rush or spectacular scenery and pristine wildlife, there are several white water and flat water rafting tour options available in the Squamish area.

Before Squamish was discovered as an outdoor recreation Mecca, its fishing was and still is world-renowned. Golfers appreciate the natural setting of three challenging courses and the relaxing views from the 19th hole!

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

27

There are seemingly endless hikes to choose from for naturalists—ocean walks, river walks and hikes in the forest. You can even hike up the backside trails to the top of the Chief for a breathtaking view of Howe Sound.

Horse riding is a part of Squamish life and you will often see the locals out for a Sunday ride along the many trails.

Winter offers alternative adventures with abundant ski touring for backcountry and cross-country skiers alike, as well as great trails for snowshoeing. Brohm Ridge and the upper Squamish Valley are favorite areas for snowmobilers and Mount Garibaldi is under conside­ ration for a local ski resort. To experience something truly special, visit the largest winter nesting ground of the Bald Eagle during the months of November through February for the greatest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the world. Our American guests are thrilled by scenes of their national emblem swooping down to catch a fish and thousands of these proud birds watching from their high perches in Brackendale.

Boasting the second highest number of residents who are artists by profession in all of Canada, Squamish is fast becoming an art destination… a place to view and buy art. Wild at Art holds many events throughout the year and information on events and emerging artists can be found at the local Chamber of Commerce.

This diverse and thriving arts and culture community encompasses theatre, music, visual arts, and heritage museums and offers an abundance of rich creativity inspiring both locals and visitors. The work of regional, national and international contemporary artists can be seen at the many venues, temporary and ongoing exhibitions and festivals in the area.

Catch some of the talented local musicians and performers at local restaurants and venues throughout the year.

When it comes to appeasing your cravings, Squamish offers a variety of gourmet alternatives, including locally grown organic produce and special coffee blends.

Great Indian cuisine, fresh English style fish and chips, local pubs, and fine dining are just some of the available alternatives. Each has its own character and relationship with nature through location and views.

For more information on how you can own in Squamish contact us at info@‌mysspp.‌com or visit our website www.mysspp.com

28

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Squamish

The Christie’s Collection The unique position of Squamish, between Whistler and Vancouver, is attracting a sophisticated level of discerning homeowner—acreage is available, easily accessible, costeffective and surrounded by magnificent views. This makes Squamish an easy choice for builders to create luxurious, custom homes at half the price of nearby Vancouver or Whistler.

Prestigious Garibaldi Highlands and University Heights located on the site of Quest University offer incredible views and fabulous homes.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/christies-collection prices upon request

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

29

Squamish Homes Squamish is emerging as the perfect place to raise a family and see appreciation in your real estate. Starter homes allow young families to invest in their futures, while opportunities to renovate existing properties­ are attracting young tradespeople looking to create their mark on the industry. Understanding the various neighbourhoods in Squamish will help you find a location and price that is right for you.

Style and technology are now a part of the Squamish real estate scene and there is truly is something for everyone.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/squamish/homes prices from $350,000

Squamish Acreages & Lots The opportunity to build in Squamish offers a variety of choices from designer homes with magnificent views to private estate properties with acreage.

The diversity of each neighbourhood affords the buyer an opportunity to find a property that most fits their dream property.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/squamish/land prices from $275,000

30

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Squamish’s Waterfront Building a unique multi-family sustainable community

While Vancouver has always been among the darlings in the endless quest for the world’s most liveable city and Whistler’s expansion, popularity and international reputation a veritable juggernaut in the 1980’s and ’90s, Squamish, it seems has been the consummate quiet achiever.

Since 2004, the District of Squamish has been working hand in hand with developers, investors and environment planning professionals to envision, plan and create a more sustainable future for Squamish and the surrounding community. As a result, the region is not only thriving in the real estate market, it is also being upheld as a model for sustainable growth.

AND one development which truly embodies Squamish’s values and vision is its latest and probably most exciting development— Waterfront Landing.

Waterfront Landing’s deep commitment to protecting the environment can be seen in its construction methods and “Smart Growth” tactics; respecting and preserving the natural characteristics of this majestic setting while creating the ultimate sustainable and comprehensively planned downtown multi-family residential neighbourhood.

Nestled on the shores of the Mamquam Blind Channel, just west of Highway 99, this planned community is being developed through careful environmental accountability.

The 53 acre site will soon be transformed into a residential oasis as equally committed to landscaping as to architectural design. Its sustainable vision incorporates creating and maintaining a mix of facilities for working, living, playing and learning, while ensuring that all its elements are in harmony with the sensitive environmental nature of the property and the ocean.

Waterfront Landing’s concept offers an urban neighbourhood featuring a waterfront community of 1500 multifamily housing opportunities with town homes and twelvestorey condominiums. Support commercial will include a restaurant, passenger ferry dock, harbour, two marinas, waterfront walks and parks, a trail system, a saltwater tidal lagoon and other local business opportunities.

space offered in the master plan will serve to enhance the surrounding environment while adding long term value to the real estate.

As master planners of Waterfront Landing, Pridham Development has created a vision for a community that builds upon and enhances the rich environment in which it is located. Through a firm commitment to the adherence of Smart Growth as well as to the local community’s planning policies, Pridham Development has embraced the opportunity to become a leader in sustainable developments for Squamish.

To be kept up to date on Waterfront Landing, email waterfrontlanding@mysspp.com

Proximity to the highway will allow residents to enjoy easy access to the urban lifestyle and shopping of the surrounding area, while the separation provided by the blind channel will create a quiet and attractive resort ambience. The significant green

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

31

Squamish Townhomes The last 10 years have seen an explosion of new developments, driven by the demand of many young couples and families moving to the area. Duplexes and townhomes are often the perfect starter home.

The many complexes available throughout the Squamish Valley and downtown offer varying price points and sizes and they come with professional management and services. The rental market in Squamish is traditionally quite strong for those looking to invest.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/squamish/townhomes prices from $250,000

Squamish Condominiums For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/squamish/condos prices from $190,000

As downtown Squamish is revitalized with more exciting plans for growth and development around the marina area, new offerings are on the way. Designed to maximize space and provide every modern convenience these new buildings are setting the new standard for Squamish.

With so many changes, be sure to have one of our agents keeping you updated so when the appropriate property becomes available, you will be the first to know!

Going for the

Gold

In 1924 the first Olympic Winter Games were held in Chamonix, France; 16 nations participated, bringing 258 athletes to compete in 16 events. The first Paralympic Winter Games took place in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, in 1976 with competitions in Alpine and Nordic Skiing for amputee and visually impaired athletes, and a demonstration event in Ice Sledge Racing.

The 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Olympic Winter Games invited some 2,500 athletes to compete in 15 sports and over 86 separate medal events and in the Paralympic Winter Games, approximately 600 athletes to compete in five sports and 64 separate medal events.

Canada has been an integral part of the Winter Games since their inception—our history, the athletes of years past, the shining moments, the anticipation and dedication of bringing the games to British Columbia and our local heroes of today are celebrated in these “Going for Gold” commemorative articles.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

33

Those Brief Shining Moments

Since 2003, when the International Olympic Committee chose the Vancouver-Whistler bid over several other competing cities, opinion has been divided over whether or not the Winter Games would ultimately prove beneficial for British Columbia. Skeptical criticism initially focused on the enormous cost our federal, provincial and municipal governments would have to bear to stage these 27 days of elite entertainment.

The economic concern was largely mollified by the huge influx of federal dollars that have subsequently flowed into British Columbia, money that we would certainly not have expected to receive otherwise. This has now funded infrastructure projects like the expansion of the Sea to Sky Highway, venue and housing construction in Vancouver and Whistler and all manner of athletic, social, cultural and environmental legacies that will ultimately benefit every region of our province.

34

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

If the impact of our highly successful EXPO ’86 is any measure, a well-hosted 2010 Winter Games will undoubtedly bring tourism and business benefits to British Columbia. One significant benefit has been that the world credit crunch has had less impact on Vancouver and Whistler due to the protection of this financial and construction infrastructure.

While economic matters are important, the enduring value of the Winter Games to British Columbians ultimately will not be mentioned on a balance sheet. The goal embodied in the Olympic charter, established by Pierre de Coubertin, was intended to draw upon the more enlightened aspects of our nature “to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport, practiced without discrimination of any kind in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

The sentiment that inspired the Vancouver–Whistler bid undoubtedly echoes what was said in Calgary when it bid for the honour of hosting the 1988 Winter Games.

“The time has come to repay a portion of the debt of brotherhood owed by all Canadians to the many cities who have opened their hearts and homes to us in Winter Games. If it is true that each host city invest the Olympics with its own unique character and spirit, what do we have to offer? Only who we are.”

Vancouver 2010 has embraced this ideal believing that our Olympic and Paralympic Games will give back to the people of the world rather than being about reaping profit and simply one more opportunity for the Olympic spirit to burn brightly.

These glorious moments are highlighted by such athletes whose endeavours were far from successful but endearing to our hearts with such competitors as Britain’s Eddie the Eagle and the Jamaican Bobsled team (Calgary Games in 1988).

The Winter Games of 2010 will be full of outstanding moments with competitors from within your own communities to those extraordinary athletes from across the world whose abilities enchant us with their often heroic performances.

It is for those brief shining moments that we host the Winter Games.

The Olympic spirit shines more intensely in the hearts of those athletes who, through years of effort and sacrifice, earn the right to put their courage to the test in the crucible of completion and for one brief shining moment becomes the absolute best they can be. Winning or losing is incidental.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

35

Our Place in History Like the traveling carnival that came to the fall fairs we waited for so eagerly when we were children, an Olympic Winter Games, for its host city, is long in anticipation and short on the ground when it finally arrives.

After years of planning, multimillions of dollars of preparation, suddenly the Games are upon us. Like invading paratroopers, tens of thousands of athletes, officials, journalists, broadcast media and untold attendees from everywhere descend to take the host city captive, if only temporarily. Streets, highways, hotels and restaurants fill, cash registers ring, flags fly, national anthems patriotically laud the heroism of champions. For a few weeks, the host city lives in the eye of a global media hurricane. Then…it’s all over.

Olympic Winter Games leave behind legacies, of which new infrastructure, hopefully bulging commercial coffers and worldwide public attention are but a few. There is, however, only one truly lasting legacy bequeathed to each host city: a place in Olympic history.

Canada and Canadian athletes have been instrumental in the forging of the Winter Games tradition. As a nation we have participated since the earliest days, becoming a host for the first time in Calgary in 1988. In 2010, Vancouver and Whistler will host the 21st Olympic Winter Games, and a special place in history will be ours forever.

Though figure skating was included in the original list of events proposed in 1894 at the Paris conference that eventually rekindled the Olympic flame, the sport had

36

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

to wait until the London Olympics of 1908 for its debut.

Its second appearance came in 1920 at the Antwerp Games, when the first Olympic ice hockey tournament was also held. Canada’s team, the Winnipeg Falcons naturally took the gold, and are recognized by the Canadian Olympic Committee as the first gold medal hockey team.

The first official Winter Games, as wholly separate from the Summer, was staged in 1924 at Chamonix, France, when Nordic ski racers and jumpers, four-man bobsledders and speed skaters joined the figure skaters and hockey players. The event, at that time, was billed as an “International Winter Sports Week”, a designation subsequently revised to make Chamonix the first “official” Winter Games.

At Chamonix, there were only 16 events, with only 13 women participating from among the 293 athletes. One of these was an 11-year-old Norwegian girl who finished 8th behind the Austrian figure skating gold medallist, Herma Plank-Szabo. The little girl who didn’t medal was Sonja Henie, and she would go on to become an international film star. Every Winter Games since has had stories like Sonja’s. Vancouver 2010 will no doubt have its share too.

Though Canada’s ice hockey team had won gold in 1920, the first “official” Winter Games were not deemed to have been held until Chamonix in 1924. The win that year by Canada’s Toronto Granites, therefore, is recog-

1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992

1

Hockey Men

St. Moritz, Switzerland

1

Hockey Men

Chamonix, France

1

Chamonix, France

1

5

Hockey Men Speed Skating Alexander Hurd Figure Skating Montgomery Wilson / Speed Skating Alexander Hurd, William Logan (2), Frank Stack

1

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany St. Moritz, Switzerland

2

Hockey

Men

1

Hockey Men Figure Skating Suzanne Morrow & Wallace Diestelmeyer

Oslo, Norway

1

1

Hockey Men Speed Skating Gordon Audley

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

1

2

1

1

Figure Skating Frances Dafoe & Norris Bowden Hockey Men / Alpine Ski Lucile Wheeler

Squaw Valley, United States

2

Alpine Ski Anne Heggtveit / Figure Skating Barbara Wagner & Robert Paul Hockey Men Figure Skating Donald Jackson

nized by the IOC as the first Winter Games hockey gold medal, a view, incidentally, not shared by the Canadian Olympic Committee. Unbeaten in a series of lopsided victories that included a 30–0 trouncing of Czechoslovakia and a 22-0 annihilation of Sweden, the Granite’s only “close call” came in their 6-1 defeat of the United States, the American team’s only loss.

In those early days, hockey was definitely Canada’s game. We would not give up the gold until 1936 when we lost to Great Britain in the last Games before the suspension of competition due to World War II. Canada would not earn gold in any winter sport, except hockey, until 1948 when Barbara Ann Scott won in ladies figure skating. It would be another twelve years before a Canadian earned another nonhockey gold. Canada’s Anne Heggtveit won the slalom event, and Barbara Wagner and Robert Paul took the figure skating pairs at Squaw Valley in 1960.

We would need a book longer than this entire magazine to describe the events, medallists and the special character of each different Winter Games hosted over the past 83 years. In lieu of that, we have included a table that will let you trace how the Winter Games have grown with each successive staging, how Canadians have medalled along the way, and how the pattern of Canadian athletic proficiency has changed throughout the years. It is no doubt an injustice to remember the cavalcade of the Winter Games through the Canadians who have medalled, but the legendary names from other nations are too numerous to mention.

Among the perks of hosting a Winter Olympics is the opportunity to recommend a demonstration sport, which may eventually find its way into the standard

Games roster. Among those were tried but failed to achieve subsequent status are ski jöring (skiing behind a horse, 1928), dog sled racing (won in 1932 by Canadian Emile St. Goddard in a time of 4:23:12.5), horse riding (1948) and speed skiing (1992) The jury is still out on speed skiing, as any race in which competitors hit speeds in excess of 210 km/h has got to have natural television mass appeal. As Canadians tend to do well in demonstration sports (witness our record in curling, snowboarding, and skeleton), history may be on our side again, as ski cross, an exciting alpine event in which four skiers race side by side down a steep course, will be tested in 2010.

The 2010 Winter Games, like every other in the past, will produce its own heroes: its Jean-Claude Killys, Franz Klammers, its Nancy Greenes, its Gaétan Bouchers, its Miriam Bédards, its Kerrin-Lee Gartners, its Catriona LeMay Doans and its Cindy Klassens. (Maybe even our own “Eddie The Eagle.”) With luck, many of the champions in 2010 will again be homegrown, but that’s the subject for a future article in this series.

VANOC projects that more than 5,500 athletes and officials from more than 80 nations will participate in our Games in 2010, in all likelihood breaking the record set in Turin in 2006. What is more staggering still is that an estimated 3 billion television viewers will watch our Games from the comfort of their homes, more souls than were on Earth when the Winter Games began.

The drama of the athletics and the sheer size of television and internet audience will guarantee that the 21st Olympic Winter Games will find a place in the popular imagination. However the Winter Games of 2010 unfold, Vancouver and Whistler will secure a singular place in Olympic history.

That’s a very special kind of immortality.

Innsbruck, Austria Bobsleigh 4-man

1

2

Figure Skating Petra Burka, Debbi Wilkes & Guy Revell

Grenoble, France Alpine Ski Nancy Greene

1

1

1

Alpine Ski Nancy Greene Hockey Men

Sapporo, Japan

1

Figure Skating Karen Magnussen

Innsbruck, Austria

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

3

Alpine Ski Kathy Kreiner Speed Skating Cathy Priestner Figure Skating Toller Cranston

Lake Placid, United States

Speed Skating Gaétan Boucher Alpine Ski Steve Podborski

Sarajevo, Yugoslavia

Speed Skating Gaétan Boucher (2) Speed Skating Gaétan Boucher

Calgary, Canada

2

Figure Skating Brian Orser

Figure Skating Brian Orser, Elizabeth Manley Alpine Ski Karen Percy (2) / Figure Skating Tracy Wilson & Robert McCall

Albertville, France

2

3

2

Alpine Ski Kerrin Lee-Gartner / Short Track Women 3000 relay Hockey Men / Short Track Frédéric Blackburn, Men 5000 relay Biathlon Myriam Bedard / Figure Skating

Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler

Lillehammer, Norway

1994

3

1998

6

2002

7

2006

7

6

4

Biathlon Troy Boy, Myriam Bédard / Freestyle Moguls Lucas Brasndon Figure Skating Elvis Stojko / Freestyle Aerials Philippe Laroche / Hockey Men / Short Track Nathalie Lambert, Women 3000 relay / Long Track Susan Auch Alpine Ski Ed Podivinsky / Figure Skating Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler / Freestyle Aerials Lloyd Langlois / Short Track Marc Gagnon

Nagano, Japan

5

4

Pierre Lueders & David MacEachern / Curling Women / Short Track Annie Perreault, Men 5000 relay / Snowboard Ross Rebagliati / long Track Catriona LeMay Doan Curling Men / Figure Skating Elvis Stojko / Hockey Women / Long Track Jeremy Wotherspoon, Susan Auch Short Track Eric Bedard, Women 3000 relay / Long Track Catriona LeMay Doan, Kevin Overland Bobsleigh

Salt Lake City, United States

3

7

Hockey Men, Women / Figure Skating Jamie Salé & David Pelletier / Long Track Catriona Le May Doan / XC Skiing Beckie Scott / Short Track Marc Gagnon, Men 5000 relay Curling Men / Freestyle Aerials Veronica Brenner / Short Track Jonathan Guilmette / Skeleton Jeff Pain / Long Track Men pursuit, Women pursuit, Cindy Klassen, Kristina Groves Curling Women / Short Track Marc Gagnon, Mathieu Turcotte, Women 3000 relay / Long Track Clara Hughes, Cindy Klassen

Torino, Italy

10

7

XC Skiing Chandra Crawford / Curling Men / Freestyle Skiing Jennifer Heil / Hockey Women / Skeleton Duff Gibson / Speed Skating Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes Bobsleigh Pierre Lueders, Lascelles Brown / XC Skiing Sara Renner, Beckie Scott / Short Track François-Louis Tremblay, Men 5000 relay, Women 3000 relay / Skeleton Jeff Pain / Long Track Men pursuit, Women pursuit, Cindy Klassen, Kristina Groves Curling Women / Figure Skating Jeffrey Buttle / Short Track Anouk Leblanc-Boucher / Skeleton Mellisa Hollingsworth-Richards / Long Track Cindy Klassen (2)

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

37

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Competition Schedule 



 





































  





  

   

     

 

 

 





 





 

     

   

      



   

    

 

 





     

 

              

  

              

         

 

                   

  





        



     

          

 

     

38

    

                           

   

 



            

       

       

       

       

       

   

     

     

     

     

     

    

  

 

  

  

  

 

  



 

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com



  

 

   

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

     



      

 

            

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 



          

        

  

  





                                                                                                                                         

         





                                                    

                                                                                  

                                                                               

                                                                           





  







 



       

               

              

                                                                                       

          

     

          

          

         

     

      

   

     

   

    

    

    

               

     

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

39

Truly Extraordinary Athletes

Twelve days after the 2010 Olympic Winter Games strikes its tent and leaves town following the closing ceremonies on February 28th, BC Place Stadium will host a second opening ceremony to welcome the over six hundred and fifty elite athletes from more than forty nations, who will compete at venues in Vancouver and Whistler during the ten days of the 10th Paralympic Winter Games.

The roots of the Paralympic Movement can be traced to 1944, in the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Unit in Aylesbury, England, where neurosurgeon, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann (later knighted) began using organized sports to motivate the spinal cord-injured patients in his care (mostly young and formerly active soldiers, sailors and airmen) to exercise. The first team sport, wheelchair polo, was played in empty wards with short sticks and a disk for a puck; patients played against physiotherapists, and later against local football clubs. Injuries resulting from the fierce competition led to polo being replaced by wheelchair basketball.

Sixteen competitors participated in the first Stoke Mandeville Games for the Paralysed on July 28, 1948, a competition that was afterward held yearly, and became international in 1952 with the addition of a Dutch team.

Dr. Guttmann, considered the “Father of Sports for People with Disabilities”, dreamed of an international sports competition for people with disabilities held every four years as the “equivalent of the Olympic Games.”

Twelve years later, his vision became a reality when 400 athletes from 23 countries took part in the 1st Paralympic Games held in Rome, Italy.

In 1976, thanks to the efforts of Canadian orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Robert F. Jackson, Toronto hosted

40

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

“Torontolympiad,” that was later recognized as the 5th Paralympic Summer Games. That same year, the first Paralympic Winter Games was held in Ornskoldvik, Sweden. Canada’s first Paralympic Winter Games team was made up of six athletes: Rod Backie, Gerry Butterfield John Gow, Lorna Manzer, Don McGregor and Brent Munroe. Competing in alpine skiing and crosscountry skiing, Canada managed to post a gold and three bronze medals in that groundbreaking Games.

To make a labyrinthine story short, a non-profit international umbrella organization, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was initially formed and operated in 1989 by 162 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four specific international sports federations (IOSDS). It has since evolved to become the fully democratic and inclusive sports organization we recognize today.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are two separate organizations, representing two distinct “franchises” and “brands.” Since 1994 at Lillehammer, Norway, when the Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter Games began sharing the same host cities, the IOC and the IPC have cooperated for reasons of obvious synergy and efficiency. Today, an IPC member sits on

the Evaluation Commission of the IOC and every country bidding to host an Olympic Games also bids to host the equivalent Paralympic Games. Operationally, the organizing committee for the host city (in our case in 2010, VANOC – the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) undertakes the responsibilities of staging the two separate events, sequentially, through shared venues. Even volunteers, if they wish, can lend their time and energy to both Games.

During the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, sixty-four medals will be awarded to athletes competing in five sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling; with five different classifications of those permitted to compete: athletes with a visual impairment, athletes with amputations, athletes with cerebral palsy, athletes with a spinal cord injury and a group called “Les Autres” for athletes who do not fit into the aforementioned groups. Only those with a visual impairment are ineligible to compete in sledge hockey and wheelchair curling.

Since Paralympic athletes compete based on their functional abilities, in order for athletes with different disabilities to compete fairly against one another, the once confusing plethora of detailed sub-classifications has been streamlined since the 2006 Torino Games into three classes: Sitting, Standing and Visually Impaired. That means, for instance, that in each of the alpine skiing disciplines: Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom,

Super-G and Super Combined, medals are awarded for Men and for Women competing in Sitting, Standing and Visually Impaired categories.

For the most part, Paralympic sports are performed identically to the Winter Olympic events with which we are all familiar. One difference is equipment. In the alpine events, for instance, athletes with amputations use special poles with ski blades called “outriggers”; those with disabilities that require them to sit, use a “sit-ski or mono-ski” with a chair fitted over a single ski; and competitors with visual impairments ski as a team, with a guide providing steering directions to the athlete by voice signal or by radio.

In biathlon, certain Paralympic athletes with amputations use a rifle support when shooting, and those with visual impairments are equipped with electro-acoustic “goggles” to “sight in” on an audio signal-emitting target.

Ice sledge hockey, a fast-paced event comprised of three-fifteen minute periods, played by male athletes with physical disabilities to their lower body, is like ablebodied hockey, except that players are strapped onto metal frames that rest on two regular-sized ice skates, and use sticks with a curved blade on one end for puck-handling and shooting, and a spike on the other end for propelling and steering the sledge.

that apply to able-bodied curlers, with a few minor modifications. In a six-end game, teams must be mixed gender, and deliver stones from a stationary wheelchair, with no sweeping permitted. (Even Russ Howard would agree that kind of curling is really “Haaarrrrrrd!”).

The IPC, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and VANOC are all doing their very best to raise the profile of the Paralympic Winter Games with those of us who are only now becoming aware of the athletic prowess and heroic achievements of Paralympic athletes. Leading up to the 2010 Winter Games, a visitation program that is taking Paralympic athletes into schools to explain their sports and to share other life lessons is educating our children, one classroom at a time. (For more information, visit ”Paralympic Heroes” at www.paralympic.ca) By definition, Paralympic athletes are accustomed to overcoming daunting adversity just to be able to compete and its been acknowledged that competitions such as the Downhill Skiing – often on one ski or with a visual impairment – are acknowledge as “extreme sports!”

For those with internet access, the IPC is carrying key sports competitions on their website at www.paralympic.org or at www. paralympicsports.tv. Plans are in the works to “broadcast” 2010 Paralympic Winter Games events via the Web.

Wheelchair curling is played according to the same World Curling Federation Rules

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

41

Going for the Gold

Local Heroes— our home grown champions These local exciting, young British Columbians who live in the Sea to Sky Corridor and Lower Mainland trained to compete for Canada in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2010 with a eye to bring home Canada’s first Gold on home soil.

Jim Pollock, Britt’s Whistler coach, describes her as “simply one of the best skiers around technically; by which I mean her actual technique—how she stands on her skis, her ability to turn—is outstanding.

She’s beautiful to watch and beyond that, has a real feel for the snow.”

Britt Janyk Alpine Skiing

42

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

That explains in part why the attractive 29 years old who has called Whistler home since 1995, has also been a Canadian champion in Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G or Combined, one year or another, one discipline or another, since 2002. The daughter of Andree and Bill Janyk (Andree raced on the National Team in the 1960s), Britt started racing with the Whistler Mountain Ski Club when she was

eleven. Qualifying for the BC Alpine Team at sixteen and the Canadian National Team a year later, she spent the last eight seasons on the World Cup circuit steadily improving; posting 1st and 3rd placings in recent World Cup finishes.

Britt has experienced personal setbacks but these have only fuelled her ultimate dream of a gold medal at Whistler 2010 “It’s the years of hard work I’ve been putting in that are paving my way to an Olympic Medal.

Given the results of my Canadian team mates, Emily Brydon, Kelly VanderBeek and I have been posting in the World Cup, I know we’re positioned for podium finishes.”

He dabbled at first with Freestyle, but it was finally the jumps and head-to-head challenge of snowboard Cross that opened his spirit to the thrill of competition. Four to six racers set out simultaneously down a technically challenging course, forced to negotiate rollers, jumps, banked turns and tabletops at speeds in excess of 70km/h, with only the two fastest to cross the finish line in each heat able to advance to the next round.

“Some racers, if they don’t get a good start, can’t get themselves out of the hole” says Rob. “I think one of my strengths is that I can adapt to the different circumstances of each race—I can draft, I can pass, I can come from behind, I don’t need to start in the front to win.”

Taking the National Championship at Mount Tremblant in 2002, he was named to the Canadian national Snowboard Team the same year, posting his first World Cup podium finish (silver) in Japan two years later. Rob added his second World Cup Silver to Nor-Am Cup wins at Sunshine Village and Snow Peaks in 2007.

Born in Whistler, the daughter of three-time World Champion Freestyle skier, Stephanie Sloan and former “Crazy Canuck”, Dave Murray (deceased), and now the stepdaughter of Ray Longmuir, Julia has been skiing since the age of two, and competing as a member of the Whistler Mountain Ski Club since the age of nine.

Julia Murray Ski Cross

Julia skied the four traditional alpine disciplines in NorAm and Canadian National competitions until the age of eighteen, when, in the spring of 2007, she was invited to attend a series of Ski Cross camps at Cypress, Farham Glacier and Powder King, and was subsequently named to the Canadian National Ski Cross Team.

Rob Fagan Snowboard Cross

Going for the Gold

Introduced to skiing at the age of three by his parents Jean and Joseph Fagan of Cranbrook, Rob, who lives today in Squamish and trains in North Vancouver, was a purely recreational skier with no competitive ambitions during his formative years. He didn’t take up the snowboard until he was fifteen and then only because he preferred “the smoothness of its free ride” on the powdered slopes of Kimberley.

Of Julia, Coach Brent Kehl from Cypress, one of two National Ski Cross coaches along with Eric Archer from Vail, says: “Since she grew up on skis, not only does she know how to turn properly, Julia is an excellent glider and is very comfortable in the air—qualities that are very important in Ski Cross. In a sport that requires a lot of nerve, Julia, who has a great personality, is confident in herself, has learned quickly and continues in every race to develop skills like drafting and passing.”

Characteristically, Julia sees 2010 as a great opportunity to open her sport to the world, but she is also personally confident that with hometown support behind her, a podium finish, even the Gold, is well within her capability. Coach Kehl concurs.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

43

Mercedes Nicoll Snowboard Freestyle The Canadian Snowboard Federation website issues this warning to all freestyle snowboarders— “Watch out—Mercedes Nicoll is comin’ in hot!”

Hot off a second-place finish in the Canadian Nationals and fifth-, seventh- and eigth-place showings at World Cup events in Canada and Korea in 2008, the spritely, 24-year old blond Halfpipe specialist is “rippin’ it up, as she is on target and on schedule to do Canada and her adopted hometown of Whistler proud in 2010.

Going for the Gold

The daughter of proud parents Alix and John Nicoll, Mercedes, who was originally a figure skater, was born in North Vancouver and didn’t take up snowboarding until the family moved to Whistler from Toronto when she was twelve. It was two years later that Dennis Bannock, one of her CSF coaches

today, first encountered Mercedes at the Brohm Ridge Super Pipe Camp. “Even at that young age you could see that she had good style and good tricks. Mercedes has three qualities that are essential for budding champion in this sport: she’s dedicated, has a good work ethic, and knows what looks good!”

In a freestyle discipline akin to gymnastics and diving in the Summer Games, Olympic Halfpipe boarders negotiate the length of a 6.7 metre-high, 16-20 metre-wide, U-shaped snow tube, scaling each wall 2-3 times while performing a series of highrisk, acrobatic aerial tricks, on which their overall performance is rated by six judges according to “style”, the difficulty and choreography of the maneuvers, the quality of their executions and factors such as rotation and amplitude (“air time”).

Matt Hallat Paralympic Alpine Skiing

44

What drives this Paralympian to succeed?

Matt Hallat gives us an insight on his own website, where he quotes one of his coaches, who says: “When I get up in the morning, go to work, the grocery store, and take on the normal day’s tasks, I am disabled. But when I step into a ski, I am equal. I can ski with anybody.”

The son of Laurie and Mike Hallat of Coquitlam, 24 year-old Matt, who lives in Whistler, has been a member of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team since 2002, competing in NorAm, Europa Cup and World Cup events, as well as the 2004 IPC World Championship in Austria, and the 2006 Paralympics in Torino. His road to elite

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

athletics began at the age of five, when he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, and a medical procedure a month later resulted in the amputation of his right leg at the knee. Growing up playing soccer, baseball, hockey, and golf, and mountain biking, Matt says, “I found my true calling the day I stepped into my first ski. The exhilaration of racing down the mountain, dodging in and out of people was something that was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.”

Skiing without a prosthesis, Matt competes in Para-Alpine events in the Standing Skier category, in which he uses special poles called outriggers, equipped with short ski blades to help him maintain balance (There

are two other Paralympic classification categories: one for blind and partially sighted skiers and one for skiers competing from a seated position.) “Not many skiers are as committed, as devoted or as dedicated as Matt,” observes his coach, Jean-Sebastien Labrie. ”He makes the right choices, always works hard and has been making real progress physically, getting much stronger lately.”

Matt is realistic about the challenge he faces. “I know it’s not going to be easy, but I shouldn’t be setting my sights on anything less than standing on top of the podium at Whistler in 2010.”





   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 





 



  

 







 







   

        

   

   

 







   

   

 





  







  

 

 



 





    



 



    

 







 







    

 

 

 

  

  



 







  





   

  



 



             

      

  





 



   

      

   

        





 

 



        

 

 





 

 





 





     

 







 







  

 



 



 

 





Tyler Mosher Para-Nordic Whether Tyler Mosher is familiar to you as one of the world’s leading, if not #1 Adaptive snowboarders, as one of Canada’s up and coming Para-Nordic cross-country racers, he is definitely a man to keep an eye on during the 2010 Paralympic Games.

In 1996 Tyler adopted Whistler as his permanent home and began his now successful business. Tragedy struck four years later, when, while he was traversing a glacier, a 30-foot fall into a crevasse that ended in a violent collision with rock and ice left Tyler paralysed from the waist down.

Today, after much hard work and recuperation Tyler remains about 40% paralyzed below the waist.

Going for the Gold

In a chance meeting with Kaspar Wirz, now his coach on the Canadian Para-Nordic Team, Tyler took up the challenge of putting

46

850 kilometres on his cross-country skies and becoming an athlete again.

Based on his previous expertise as a snowboarder, since 2005, Tyler has posted numerous Gold and Silver medal performances in Adaptive Alpine events, however, these are not yet part of the Paralympic Games. Though cross-country is not best suited to the nature of his injury, Tyler, who competes in the Standing category has nevertheless posted gold in classic CrossCountry, placed well in the Cross-Country Classic Sprint and Classic 20 km, events in which he hopes to compete at the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010.

Fuelled by his own inner drive to push his personal limits, Tyler Mosher is on track to make his podium dreams a reality in 2010.

James Gemmell Sledge Hockey Born in 100-Mile House, raised in Quesnel and training today in Richmond, James like many Canadian boys, began playing hockey before he entered elementary school.

Hockey, however, was the last thing on James’s mind that August night in 2004 when he took an ill-advised ride in a recklessly driven car that eventually left him an amputee. Though he was fitted with a prosthesis within four months, James never gave Sledge Hockey a thought until he watched the television in awe as our Canadian national Team took the gold in Torino.

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Open to a new possibility, James then worked hard over the next two years to learn the new sport, eventually becoming alternate Captain of Surrey’s BC Eagles, British Columbia’s only organized Sledge Hockey team. Still the prospect of cracking the lineup of Canada’s National Sledge Hockey Team seemed unimaginable but overcoming the odds is just one of James’s exceptional qualities.

“By nature, I tend to be a cautious defender who tries not to be caught out of position, and I’m working on improving my passing and rink communication. I’m not kidding

myself—I’ve made the Team, but I know I have to keep improving to be able to keep my place. So I’ve just be taking it one challenge at a time”.

Sledge Hockey was invented by three Swedish wheelchair athletes on a frozen lake in Stockholm in 1962 and became a demonstration sport at the Paralympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway in 1994. Played by male athletes with impairments of a permanent nature to their lower body, Sledge Hockey observes the same rules as able-bodied hockey, the only difference being some of the equipment used.

Vancouver & the North Shore A place for all seasons

Consistently ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world, what is so unique about Vancouver that it captures the world’s imagination? Why have more than two million people already chosen this city as their home and why do over eight million annual visitors keep coming back?

A city cradled between the Strait of Georgia and the North Shore mountains, Vancouver is Canada’s third largest city, after Toronto and Montreal. Surrounded by the natural beauty of snow-capped mountains and stunning ocean views, it offers a mild climate year-round enabling Vancouverites to have a healthy, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.

Imagine waking up in the morning, putting on your ski gear, taking a few turns on the picturesque local mountains, then playing a round of golf with friends in the afternoon?

Hiking and biking on the numerous trails on the North Shore and in the city’s famous Stanley Park are big favourites with locals and visitors.

Vancouver has built on its core strengths to become one of the most popular cities to visit; spectacular natural beauty, a truly multicultural population, a plethora of dining choices, entertainment and shopping options are among its many draw cards.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

47

If you are searching for shopping look no further than Vancouver. It’s fabulous for any price point. Robson Street is a must, followed by the designer areas of South Granville, Chinatown, Gastown, Davie Village, Heritage District and Yaletown— perfect for picking up fashionable clothing, gifts and housewares.

The art galleries and music festivals will entice your cultural palate and the Vancouver­Canucks will excite any sports enthusiast with NHL hockey. The Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team is soon to join Major League Soccer and always put on an exciting show.

What makes Vancouver one of the finest cities to visit is its people, they are what has really made Vancouver the place it is today. Justifiably Vancouver can claim to be a welcoming city whose people genuinely show their love for and pride in their home city and who are equally delighted to share its splendour with visitors and new inhabi­ tants alike.

Vancouver is the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and all over the city signs are indicating their readiness to host the world, including guarantees from the Mayor “we are totally confident that we will deliver on our promise of creating the greatest Winter Olympics ever.”

And the Games themselves—just the icing on the cake—are bringing attention to a city which deserves every accolade and will showcase some exciting sporting events.

Whether it’s the mad clash of hockey sticks in a sport synonymous with Canada, the dazzling routines of the aerial acrobats of the ski freestyle events or the breath-catching antics of snowboarders, Vancouver and the Winter Games are sure-fire winners.

For more information on how you can own a piece of this dynamic city contact us at info@mysspp.com or visit our website at www.mysspp.com.

48

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Dina Hingston

Pete Shpak

Residential Associate

Managing Broker

604-351-2477 dina@mysspp.com

604-786-7437 ian@mysspp.com

604-220-7490 pete@mysspp.com

Franco Diligenti

Jon Pedlow

ross leathley

Residential Associate

Commercial Associate

Residential Associate

604-842-2668 franco@mysspp.com

604-312-4624 jonathan@mysspp.com

604-802-5468 ross@mysspp.com

Gerry Halstrom

Mark Hagedorn

Associate Broker

President, Commercial Division

Project Sales & Marketing

604-786-7778 mark@mysspp.com

604-925-4117 gerry@mysspp.com

Ian Ferguson

Residential Associate

Guy Kirby

VANCOUVER OFFICE Suite 204, 1868 Marine Drive West Vancouver, BC

Nick walker

Commercial Associate

Residential Associate

604-219-9237 guy@mysspp.com

604-781-0775 nick@mysspp.com

T: 604 925 4117 F: 604 922 9273 Toll Free: 1 866 405 9229

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

49

Vancouver Properties

Vancouver has seen tremendous growth in the real estate market over the last 15 years with many new developments from downtown city condominiums to luxurious estate properties creating unique investment opportunities in both the residential and commercial sectors. Vancouver has always been and still is considered a great place to invest.

As with all major cities, Vancouver also has distinctive neighbourhoods. These can be categorized by local demographics which in turn, has led to certain housing styles and prices. In recent years, with the influence of rising prices some of Vancouver’s neighbourhoods have experienced a makeover, or are being rediscovered. Areas like Marpole are truly exciting to watch.

Many families reside on the North Shore in beautiful stately homes associated with West Vancouver and the British Properties

50

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

whose upper slopes overlook the Vancouver skyline, inner harbour and islands beyond. But, without doubt, the areas of Downtown, Yaletown and Kitsilano are the favourites of pro athletes, film stars and young, successful couples.

Other areas such as Coal Harbour have developed their own community energy— becoming popular choices for “empty nesters” moving back into the city, as well as overseas investors looking for properties which are likely to appreciate.

Neighbourhoods in East Vancouver such as Kensington–Cedar Cottages are transitioning from working-class to middle class as a more affluent, younger demographic move into the area, buying low-cost detached houses and renovating with style and technology.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

51

Vancouver Properties (continued)

Vancouver is an ever-changing city catering to its international and multicultural population with a diversity of real estate, cuisine, shopping, entertainment and activity options. However, even its downtown core retains a residential feel as it furiously maintains its connection to its surroundings.

With the implementation of green space, traffic calming initiatives, multitudes of small parks, the use of pedestrian only walkways and easy access to the magnificent sandy beaches, Vancouver lives in constant harmony with its stunning and unique ocean-to-mountain scenery.

For the latest listings, visit www.mysspp.com/vancouver/homes www.mysspp.com/vancouver/townhomes www.mysspp.com/vancouver/condos prices upon request

52

Sea to Sky Premier Properties  |  www.mysspp.com

Inspiration, Education and Individuality Combine to Create…

EXQUISITE INTERIORS

If you set out to count the number of TV shows, magazines and websites devoted to the subject of interior design, it’s a good bet that at least one more will have been launched just as you think you’ve reached you’re final tally.

From Debbie Travis creating “Facelifts” to Colin and Justin “heisting” the homes of unsuspecting décor offenders, the level of interest in home design is at an all time high and consumers have become extraordinarily well-informed in the nuances of interior styling.

It stands to reason then, that professional interior design companies may be feeling a little insecure, given that pretty much any look and directions on precisely how to create it is so readily available. Quite the contrary, says Sharon Halpin of Fruition Design Inc.—a young boutique agency based in Vancouver’s eclectic Gastown district.

“What we’re seeing now is a much more educated client—people use these programs and magazines to explore everything that’s available and to help decide what best suits their personal style,” she says.

“Our role is to work with them to hone these concepts and bring their project to completion.”

In reality, few people have the time or expertise to single-handedly tackle a major

interior overhaul and those who do often rue the day they decided to take on the task.

Kelly Reynolds, the other half of the Fruition Design team admits they have occasionally been asked to step in and take over DIY projects that are not shaping up quite how the client anticipated.

“Obviously that’s not a good place to be, for anyone,” Kelly explains, “But fortunately the vast majority of our clients approach us in their early planning stages, allowing us to get a good sense of who they are, what their lifestyle is like and how they express their individuality.”

Establishing a strong personal connection with each client is one of the distinguishing features of Fruition Design’s approach and it’s not uncommon for the business– client relationship to morph into friendship throughout the course of a project.

“It’s an incredibly personal business,” he says. “We’re essentially being invited into someone’s home and asked to create something that is a true reflection of their world. Our belief is that a home is your visual signature so it’s not really about what we want, rather what our client wants us to create.”

While individual themes and styles definitely vary, there is a strong undercurrent of environmental awareness and most clients nowadays are keen to incorporate an ecofriendly approach to their renovation.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

53

PHOTO CREDIT: Whistler Photos by Kristen McGAUGHEY Photography

This is particularly evident on the West Coast, where people have a real attachment to nature and the spectacular beauty of their surroundings. Far from being a passing phase, eco-friendly products such as low-flow toilets and shower heads or geothermal heating and cooling systems have been available and widely used in Europe for about 20 years. While definitely considered ‘green’ these products also provide significant cost savings, so benefits flow to the environment and homeowner alike.

“Environmental sustainability is another area where clients are incredibly well educated,” says Kelly.

“It used to be that people would ask about the possibility of incorporating eco-friendly products, now they’ll come to us with a raft of sustainable design concepts that they’ve seen or heard of and these often form the basis of our creative exploration.”

Take sustainable flooring, for example. While hardwood flooring is very popular in this region, Fruition sources much of their timber from forests that are concerned with bio-diversity and water conservation. Or bamboo, which as a flooring surface is hard wearing, durable and filled with brilliant detail, but is also a fast growing plant and quickly replaced in its natural environment—a perfect blend of practicality, aesthetics and conservation.

Recycled materials are also in high demand and being used as distinctive features in modern design. Counter tops and bath tiles made from recycled glass can be refined and subtle or a statement unto themselves with brightly coloured recycled beer and wine bottles. Fancy an Alehouse Amber anyone? You’ll find it in the countertop!

“This is where we get to really have fun,” says Sharon, who’s certainly not shy in her use of colour, light and whimsy.

54

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

In fact, one of the hallmarks of Fruition’s work is the use of bright colours as accents on a backdrop of grey or other classic, muted tones.

“This way,” she explains, “you have an elegant, timeless design base, which can be updated at minimum cost with a fresh splash of colour or a new, contemporary piece.”

As with any fashion based industry, interior design can run the risk of falling victim to short term fads or single-season sensations and there is a definite art to ensuring that today’s “must-have” look is not tomorrow’s “what was I thinking?”

“With the explosion of new housing developments in recent years, people want to give their home a uniqueness that you otherwise don’t get with a townhome or condo complex, no matter how up-market the development”, says Kelly.

“Having said that, we firmly subscribe to the theory that the uniqueness comes from within, from the client’s personality—not strictly from the pages of a magazine.”

While artistry is imperative in interior design, it is equally important to strike the right balance between vogue and practicality.

Many designers strive to create an absolute showpiece which may be visually stunning, but not entirely user friendly.

Kelly and Sharon see their role as taking the best design trends and translating them into workable, liveable interiors—each project a custom-made haven, with a functional bent.

Of course, they make it sound simple but as we’ve seen on TV, it takes a true professional to completely transform a space—taking an individual’s dreams, desires, personal style and comforts—and bring it all to Fruition.

Visit www.fruitiondesigninc.com for inspired ideas.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

55

Bowen Island and The Cape on Bowen Along the Sea to Sky corridor, a quick 20-minute ferry ride west of Vancouver sits the emerald island of Bowen, surrounded by the waters of Howe Sound. Beautiful rugged landscapes of the North Shore Mountains and downtown Vancouver’s skyline sparkling in the distance makes for an awe inspiring backdrop.

Bowen Island was originally inhabited by the Squamish First Nations who used it as their hunting and fishing grounds. Named after Rear-Admiral James Bowen in 1860 it was not until 1874 that the first pre-emption of land by a white settler occurred; William Eaton claimed 160 acres south of Killarney Lake.

Although now primarily a residential area, Bowen Island’s beauty was not wasted on new explorers who first developed Bowen Island as a recreation spot early last century. A hundred years later, this enchanted island attracts visitors and residents from around the globe to its verdant coniferous forests and mountainous vistas, array of attractions, historic old turn-of-the-century buildings, quaint boutiques and boardwalks.

The magic of Bowen Island is in the peace and tranquility of country-living that the island offers, while being so accessible to

56

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

the amenities of Vancouver, especially as the Granville Island Water Taxi and Coastal Link Ferries, both provide 30-minute passenger transport directly to and from Bowen to Granville Island and Coal Harbour, respectively.

A rural setting with a world class city at its doorstep, Bowen Island remains unfettered by the trappings and congestion of city life. Lakes, beaches, crown forest lands, beautiful hiking trails, and absolute serenity await those residents and visitors who choose to leave the hustle of city life behind them.

Bowen Island’s residents have banded together to become the gatekeepers of all that they hold sacred that makes Bowen special.

They have been true visionaries in the development of their island, creating remarkable communities that value and respect their quality of life.

As a result they have saved the very best for last—The Cape on Bowen.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/bowen prices upon request

Co M In G So o ... n

private‌ Secluded‌ oceanfront acreage estates next door to the world’s most livable city*... Vancouver. * The economist, 2009

The Cape on Bowen is a 631-acre expanse of rugged forested slopes, valleys and coastline and encompasses the entire southwest corner of Bowen Island. With its 3.7 kilometres of shoreline, abundant wildlife, and network of informal trails, the Cape property and its spectacular views to the south and west have been enjoyed by local residents and visitors over the decades.

A simple twist of fate has allowed this remarkable property to remain in its pristine state from the beginning of time to the present day.

Transforming the wilderness is a huge responsibility for a developer; it requires the magic of each space to be protected, the existing environment to be enhanced, and the delivery of settings which turn moments into irreplaceable memories, lasting a lifetime and beyond.

There are a few defining moments in a lifetime that provide the opportunity to create a family legacy.

ThaT MoMenT IS now! thecapeonbowen.ca

For more information contact:

ZAnE BOuvETTE {604} 541.2831 {604} 785.4005 zane@mysspp.com

E&OE. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale can only be done by way of a disclosure statement.

White Rock / South Surrey The seaside community of white rock/ south surrey offers its residents an easy commute to anywhere in the lower mainland and a blend of rural and urban opportunities.

david wilson

President, Commercial Properties

58

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

604-319-5677 rene@mysspp.com

Devre Sharpe 604-671-6187 devre@mysspp.com

T: 604 535 2010 F: 604 535 5115 Toll Free: 1 866 405 9229

Rene Palsenbarg

604-805-7994 david@mysspp.com

Managing Broker

2753 O’Hara Lane Surrey, BC

Residential Associate

Ozzy Crompton Residential Associate

778-833-4902 ozzy@mysspp.com

Zane Bouvette President, Land Division

604-785-4005 zane@mysspp.com

Located just 45 minutes south of Vancouver and only 10 minutes from the US border, The city of White Rock is surrounded by the ocean on one side and South Surrey on the other three sides and together White Rock and South Surrey make up the Semiahmoo Peninsula.

Originally the area emerged as Vancouver’s “cottage country” in the 1920’s due to its favourable location and climate, and with the arrival of the train, it quickly became the summer playground of Vancouverites.

In spite of almost 100 years of growth and development, the area has been able to maintain it’s characteristics of a unique seaside community. Miles of warm sandy beaches and shallow waters draw in swimmers, kayakers, crabbers and fishermen alike.

Homeowners that want the feeling of living in a holiday destination along with a strong community spirit have fashioned the area into what it has become today—a blend that combines the best of urban and rural.

Dining experiences range from award winning Zagatrated fine dining restaurants to West Coast casual family fares or even great take-out enjoyed on the beach. There

is every kind of restaurant you want, many along the waterfront with outdoor seating offering amazing views of the promenade and spectacular sunsets.

Arts and Culture is alive and flourishes here. Enjoy live theatre at one of the local playhouses. Art has long been a focus on the peninsula and many renowned artists call the area home while the many galleries feature local, national and international artwork. One of the longest running art festivals is held here and brings in throngs of people to see the art displayed over 3 acres of forest and gardens, held over two weekends in July.

If golf is your passion, there is no better golf destination.

With 15 golf courses, including championship PGA style layout, all within a 15 minute drive—many call this the Golfing Capital of Canada.

The view from White Rock’s famous promenade comes complete with the enormous “white rock” (the community’s most obvious landmark) that sits on the beach, Mt. Baker looms in the south, Vancouver Island and the ocean to the west, and the pier; which has been a focal point of life in the community ever since

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

59

it was constructed in 1914.

From here one can even see the International Peace Arch that stands at the edge of the 3000 miles of unfortified border between Canada and the US. Stroll along and enjoy the many sidewalk cafes, restaurants, boutiques and unique gift shops.

If you enjoy the boating life, there are public boat ramps as well as a private marina for storing the larger sailboats and yachts.

Physical fitness and outdoor recreation is a passion for many of the residents here, where you can see hikers, joggers, and recreational cyclists taking to the prolific web of trails in the area, from casual to challenging. Some of the trails date back thousands of years.

Even bird-watching is a popular pastime with one of Canada’s important bird areas located here. Each year several million shorebirds and waterfowl stop, feed and rest here for their migration.

White Rock/South Surrey hosts many events throughout the year, some receiving international recognition.

Over 150 elite cyclists from all over the world come to compete in the annual Tour de White Rock, and in the past the International Sandcastle Competitions

60

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

have attracted 100,000 visitors from as far away as Europe. The event season kicks off with Canada Day by the Bay and includes the spectacular two day Spirit of the Sea Festival in August.

A 5 minute drive can bring you to some of the most beautiful rolling countryside where you will pass by beautiful estate homes, white fences, grazing horses and some of the most productive agricultural properties in the province. Equestrian centres and country estates in a picturesque rural setting, yet within an easy commute to Vancouver.

Whether it is the clean, fresh salt air, beautiful scenery, spectacular sunsets on the ocean, majestic eagles soaring above, warm sense of community, great dining and evening experiences, arts and culture; the reasons are endless for calling White Rock/South Surrey your home.

The Christie’s Collection A collection of singularly spectacular and elegant homes are to be found in both South Surrey and White Rock, featuring large acreages, stunning ocean views or waterfront locations.

Increasingly the more affluent are being attracted to this quiet, yet convenient setting which offers an impressive array of properties for sale, land to build their dream home, acreages to enjoy privacy and impressive views at remarkably reasonable prices.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/christies-collection prices upon request

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

61

White Rock / South Surrey Homes White Rock/South Surrey offers an impressive­ variety of homes for sale suiting every style and taste, yet it has maintained a careful blend of rural and urban style in its design.

Consequently, this area boasts a varied selection ranging from smaller ranchers or bungalow style homes to breathtaking waterfront estates commanding spectacular views. Contemporary starter homes in family designed subdivisions have been integrated alongside single family lots with more traditional homes and larger plots of land.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/south-surrey/homes prices from $475,000

62

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

South Surrey/ White Rock Condominiums & Townhomes Townhomes are a popular alternative for those who want less work or the expense of owning their own land.

They are perfect for the city commuter and designed to meet the living requirements of singles, couples and families.

Condominiums, many with mountain and ocean views, are a popular choice for those wanting to enter the market or wishing to retire in this beautiful community. Most are located within close walking distance to shopping, public transportation and other amenities.

These developments have been artfully designed to incorporate modern amenities while capturing the essence of surrounding nature. Amenities can include large gyms, tennis courts, pools, workshops, and party/ gathering rooms while the landscaping includes lush gardens complete with waterfalls, fountains, ponds, walkways and playgrounds.

Complexes offer full amenities including concierge service, gyms, and pools. They vary in size, price, location and services thereby offering opportunities for anyone looking for a great lifestyle and affordability.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/south-surrey/condos prices from $250,000

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/south-surrey/townhomes prices from $300,000

Fraser Valley Acreages

The Fraser Valley is home to some of the most productive agricultural properties in the province. This area is world renowned for its crops, including cranberries and blueberries. The equestrian community also thrives in the Fraser Valley.

The farmhouse has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a homestead.

Now the Fraser Valley showcases private

equestrian centres, large homes with agricultural properties, and grand estate homes on private, landscaped enclaves of country living—but still within a commute to downtown Vancouver.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/south-surrey/land prices upon request

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

63

Gulf Islands #4 – 205 Rainbow Road Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC T: 250 537 8753 F: 250 537 4287

Li Read Associate Broker

250-537-7647 liread@mysspp.com

64

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

People from all corners of the globe are drawn to these islands; some to live, some to visit, some in pursuit of recreation and their own form of spiritual renewal, but all agree they have stepped into paradise.

Your first clue will be a perceptible drop in your stress level as you absorb the natural scenery along winding country roads, see your first glimpses of seals, deer or bald eagles, or nestle in for a quiet night’s sleep at one of the islands’ diverse accommodation choices.

Most of the 225 Gulf Islands are tiny and can be reached only via private boat. But Salt Spring, Pender, Mayne, Galiano and Saturna are well-served by ferries and float planes and have a range of services, depending on the size of their population.

The islands are also healing places, where spas and alternative health practitioners­ reside in abundance, and the creative experience is shared through quality music, theatre and dance performances.

Although people say they come to the islands “to relax,” and they do, there is still so much to see and do. Jaw-dropping sights on land and sea, dazzling arts and crafts; so much mouth-watering, locally grown food to enjoy; shopping options that let you take home signature Gulf Islands gifts and a cluster of recreation choices that fill up any visitor’s days—from hiking to kayaking, golfing, fishing and beachcombing.

With more artists per capita than many places on earth, the islands revel in their natural beauty as a source of inspiration— the level of sophistication is astounding.

Professional musicians abound in venues like restaurants, pubs and halls, and several famous writers also call the islands home.

In 2003, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was created, protecting a portion of this unique area—home to many plant and

animal species found nowhere else in Canada. Parks Canada strives to provide quality services and facilities for its visitors.

The national park offers many opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn about the islands’ history, and experience the surrounding rural area at a leisurely pace. Sailing, kayaking, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing or simply relaxing on a sheltered beach—you’ll find many different ways to create your own special Gulf Islands memories.

For more information on how you can own a piece of this paradise contact us at info@‌mysspp.‌com or visit our website www.‌mysspp.‌com

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

65

The Christie’s Collection The Gulf Islands have been associated with offering some of the most exclusive, unique and idyllic properties capitalizing on their ability to offer privacy. These islands have evolved into a secondary home market for many well known celebrities.

These exclusive homes afford their owners the ability to maintain their luxurious private lifestyles by offering everything from large estate properties, private access by float plane to their own docks to the epitome of privacy and luxury—that of being able to buy your own island.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/christies-collection price upon request

66

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Gulf Islands

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

67

Gulf Island Properties Real Estate on the islands offers a special lifestyle with incredible oceanfront living and spectacular ocean view sunsets.

The listing inventory is usually low because in 1974 the Provincial Government created the Islands Trust with a mandate to preserve­& protect the Gulf Islands, for the benefit of all BC residents. This also has limited new development.

Oceanfront homes can still be found for an affordable price, although some could require upgrades. As these gem properties have become available they have been purchased for their investment opportunity, whether it is to replace or renovate the existing home.

One of the obvious reasons to buy on the Gulf Islands is the ready availability of spectacular views. That being said, the majority of properties do offer their owner an ocean view at more affordable prices than their oceanfront counterpart.

Townhomes and condominiums are available in the more densely populated towns but there is also a generous array of other opportunities from farms, resorts, bed & breakfasts and vineyards, to acreages and building lots.

Our local expert will introduce you to all the exciting opportunities that await you in the Gulf Islands.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/gulf-islands/homes prices from $500,000

68

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

VICTORIA , BRITISH COLUMBIA

Meet Your Neighbours.

[no binoculars required] C O N D O M I N I U M S F R O M $ 2 4 9, 0 0 0 — E X E C U T I V E T O W N H O M E S F R O M $ 4 8 9, 0 0 0

T

his pristine marina setting is quite possibly the most exciting real estate opportunity on the market today. The townhomes

and condominiums currently available for sale, will offer their discerning purchasers spectacular views, oceanside living and an unparalleled opportunity to live a true resort lifestyle. Here — the noise and bustle of the city is replaced with the occasional call of a heron or rustle of the sails in the breeze. You may even meet your new neighbours cruising the waters off the marina.

W W W. M A R I N E R S V I L L AG E . C A

M a r i na & M o or ag e • P u b & R e s tau r a n t • C a f é s • B o u t iq u e S hoppi ng • E co T o u r s This is for informational purposes only and not an offering for sale. An offering may only be made by Disclosure Statement and/or Prospectus.

All pictures used are representative only. The developer reserves the right to modify or change sizes, prices, layouts and specif ications without notice.

Victoria and Vancouver Island

Li Read

Zane Bouvette

Associate Broker

President, Land Division

250-537-7647 liread@mysspp.com

604-785-4005 zane@mysspp.com

Vancouver Island offers one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems: rainforests, marshes, meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes creating habitats for multitudes of wildlife species as well as wonderful adventure opportunities.

Vancouver Island’s economy outside Victoria is largely dominated by the forestry industry, as it contains many pockets of old-growth fir and cedar forests, as well as rare, naturally occurring groves of Garry oak. Tourism and fishing also play large roles in the economy but the rapidly expanding vineyards producing wines that compete on the international market and a quicklydeveloping IT industry are proving to be the next areas of economic importance.

70

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Vancouver Island second in the “Top Islands of North America” category. The beauty and tranquility of this region has long been a draw for artists and artisans. Galleries, studios and shops selling unique, locally produced arts and crafts are found in many population centres.

Located on the South Eastern edge of Vancouver Island, beautiful Victoria, British Columbia equally attracts outdoor adventure seekers and connoisseurs of culture. It is for this reason that it is today one of the world’s favourite destinations and designated “Best City in the Americas” by Condé Nast Travel Magazine.

Victoria has a rich heritage and historic downtown. As Western Canada’s oldest city, Victoria reflects its First Nations and British Heritage in its legendary totem poles and heritage buildings, alike. During the Fraser Valley Gold Rush of 1858, Victoria grew rapidly as the main port of entry eventually becoming the capital in 1871 when British Columbia joined the Canadian Federation.

People from the world over are also attracted to its beautiful scenery, year-round golf season, easy pace of life and Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm to hot, dry summers.

It is at least partly due to this climate that Victoria has earned the reputation as the “City of Gardens,” and is home to the Butchart Gardens, one of the world’s most famous horticultural displays.

Twentieth Century Victoria developed into a city of government, tourism, and education with like-minded industries. Today, Victoria is evolving from being solely a government and retirement centric community to a location where internationally acclaimed entrepreneurial businesses flourish, indeed over 1,800 new companies have started here in the last few years.

The beauty of Victoria is not only of the man-made variety, indeed, ocean and mountain vistas follow the traveller wherever they go.

These natural wonders invoke a sense of freedom, as evidenced by the city’s motto: “Semper Liber” or “Always Free,” and the regions pristine beauty has clearly influenced the art of the area.

Numerous galleries and exhibits are found throughout the city, and artists’ studios may be visited in the countryside.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

71

Downtown Victoria also demonstrates strong support for the performing arts as it is home to a plethora of theatres. Indeed, evenings on the town can be spent listening to the Victoria Symphony or the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, as well as enjoying the theatrics of the Canadian Pacific Ballet and the well-known Pacific Opera Victoria. It is clear that Victoria’s music and art scene rivals those in cities more than twice its size. In the summer, classic movies are shown on the Harbour Boardwalk, and festivals celebrate jazz, R&B, folk music, independent film, fringe theatre, comedy, and Shakespeare.

ground for outdoor enthusiasts. From whale watching to diving, hiking to golfing, cycling to taking horsedrawn carriage rides, swimming to kayaking, skiing to beachcombing, Victoria is shaped for families, adventure seekers, and hobbyists alike—there is truly something for everyone.

While the theatre culture is hopping, Victoria’s relaxed coffee and British pub cultures are also thriving. Many cafes and pubs make their own special brews and local eateries whip up fine fusion dishes. Outside the city, vast farmland contributes to an organic cornu­ copia, meeting a demand for local produce and meats, necessary staples to popular West Coast Cuisine. In addition, local vineyards are contributing to a flourishing wine industry.

Although North America’s largest island, it is as easy to get to—Victoria International Airport, approximately 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) north of the city centre, is well served with over 60 daily flights—either non-stop or one-stop to all major Canadian and U.S. cities.

Vancouver Island is also accessible from mainland Vancouver by an hour and a half ferry ride from Tsawwassen (South of Vancouver) to the Swartz Bay Terminal, located about 32 kilometres north of Victoria or from Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver) to Nanaimo on the east coast.

In order to work up an appetite for the fine dining Victoria has to offer, locals and tourists participate in a vast array of outdoor and adventure activities—a real play-

72

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

It is easy to understand how Victoria, a city of only 83,000 people, draws over 3.65 million tourists who bring in over 1 billion dollars each year. The beauty of the region as well as the interesting heritage of the city, are unique and thus unmatched worldwide.

Real Estate in Victoria and Vancouver Island

Victoria is a cosmopolitan city in an intimate setting.

Made up of several neighborhoods, each has its own flavor and micro-culture.

The Harbour is the centre of the city—it bustles with seaplanes, ferries and yachts and the magnificent ocean and mountain views complete the landscape.

Olde Town, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Beacon Hill Park are all within walking distance. The Olde Town courthouse is currently home to the maritime museum. Trounce Alley still sports its original 125 year old gasoline street lights. Founded in 1858, Victoria’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown settlement in North America.

The Greater Victoria area is also made up of communities such as Oak Bay, which nicely displays Victoria’s British Heritage with Tudor-style homes and several tea rooms. Harbour seals can be spotted in their natural habitat at the Oak Bay Marina. A favourite spot for families is Willows Beach. Esquimalt is home of the navy, the naval museum and historic military sites. It is the second largest Canadian Forces base in the country, after Halifax.

The community of Saanich, translated to “place of fertile soil”, boasts a country life with urban conveniences. Green spaces include the Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, a local mecca for swimming, rowing, windsurfing, fishing, and horseback riding. Sidney and North Saanich are known for their museums, marinas, oceanside walkways, and bookstores. Brentwood Bay is home to the famous Butchart Gardens and Victoria Butterfly Garden.

The West Shore communities boast numerous outdoor adventure opportunities, charming bed and breakfasts as well as artisan studios and galleries. The Sooke region is known for its lush rainforests, rocky cliffs, hiking trails and scenic beaches. It is also famous for its tide pools—indeed these “Sooke Potholes” are the swimming holes of choice for the locals.

While Victoria may be the Crown Jewel of Vancouver Island, there is certainly an abundance of equally attractive destinations with their own unique charms.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

73

Travelling north from Victoria, the Island offers a wonderfully diverse menu of attractions and visual treats. Once over the magnificent Malahat Drive, with its breathtaking vistas, you are welcomed by the warmth of the Cowichan Valley. Step back in time and enjoy the rural lifestyles of the first island settlers and the historical charm they have maintained.

Dotted with boutique wineries, seasonal markets, artists and artisans and steeped in natural history, this stretch of Island Highway will capture your heart for years to come. Enjoy the beauty and flavor of Mill Bay, the burgeoning community of Duncan and the seaside charms of Maple and Genoa bays. Take in the famed murals of Chemainus and the hillside views of Ladysmith, and then head towards Nanaimo.

Nanaimo enjoys a most strategic location and has a nautical charm second only to Victoria. Set at the midpoint on the east shores of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo offers a long list of attractions and features. This exciting harbor city has something for everyone and is fast becoming a popular destination for travelers, tourists and weekend mainlanders.

74

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

As the second largest city, Nanaimo offers a great mix of restaurants, music venues, shops, galleries and exciting nightspots. The new conference centre and large shopping centres, such as Woodgrove, are also attracting a wave of new retail and service businesses. The city’s comparatively lower cost of living has reinforced this as a top destination for new businesses to relocate.

The expansion of Nanaimo has created a significant demand for recreational and retirement real estate. The variety has never been better with everything between the quaint bungalows right in the downtown core or the spectacular oceanfront estates of Yellow Point, just 10 minutes south. This unprecedented development offers the absolute finest available waterfront in a private treed setting just a short scenic drive from the city centre, the regional airport and the BC Ferries terminal at Duke Point.

Continue your journey “up island” and you’ll be aptly rewarded with more of the diversity and quality with which Vancouver Island has become famous. With the new inland expressway, the drive into the Courtenay/ Comox valley is a breeze indeed. If you

have the time though, a leisurely drive along the inner coast is well worth the detour.

The island hospitality awaits you around every turn and the sister communities of Courtenay and Comox are sure to keep you coming back. With direct flights from Calgary and Edmonton recently added to this busy regional airport, this destination is sure to flourish.

Don’t stop there, it is a “must” to experience the journey west through the Alberni Pass to the west coast and the famed Tofino/Ucluelet area. Home of the famous Clayoquot­ Sound, this northwestern corner of Vancouver Island has been drawing visitors from around the globe for decades.

The world famous West Coast Trail is a hiker’s mecca with a waiting list of more than a year. Long beach is the “Surfers Paradise” of the north. Whale watching, oceanside hot springs, storm watching, trophy fishing, crystal clear diving, and some of the finest 5-star dining and accommodations available anywhere. All of this is one of Western Canada’s most beautiful natural settings.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/vancouver-island www.mysspp.com/victoria

Design your dream home in this amazing natural setting.

15 minutes from nanaimo | 2.5 acres | only 7 oceanfront lots

yellowPoint -Oceanside estates-

These new estate lots at Yellow Point represent some of the absolute finest oceanfront available on Vancouver Island. Take a private drive under a canopy of stately Douglas Fir and Cedar to this beautiful Oceanside location and marvel at the gently sloping waterfront, sandy beaches and extraordinary views of Stewart Inlet and Gabriola Island.

Just 15 minutes south of the exciting harbour city of Nanaimo, this cluster of 7 lots is the perfect marriage of privacy and convenience.

There is ample room to build on 2.5 acres and each lot boasts several hundred feet of low bank waterfront. Enjoy the shade and natural setting of the mature forest just a few short steps from the peace and solitude of your own private beach.

For more information contact: Zane Bouvette {604} 541.2831 {604} 785.4005 zane@mysspp.com

e&oe. this is not an offering for sale. an offering for sale can only be done by way of a disclosure statement.

YELLOW POINT ESTATE FOR SALE: Set amongst the trees and perched atop the highest point of the property, this meticulously crafted log home exudes warmth and charm inside and is surrounded by a landscaped paradise.

Relax under the 24 foot ceilings of the great room opening into the super equipped gourmet kitchen. This entire 2800 sq ft home was designed and built with the highest quality materials including granite and porcelain, various hardwoods and a huge stone fireplace.

Fully furnished and truly turnkey, this is an estate that must be seen.

Green is the New Black Imagine living in a green, selfsustainable community or building your own eco-conscience dream home AND being able to do so without necessarily spending more than it would cost to live or build traditionally. Imagine where waste created is translated into money you could save on your water bill and municipal taxes!

It is indeed a reality that there are solutions that make these concepts possible and even profitable as methods for building green are finding new implementable levels of success. The principles of these new ways of ‘thinking green’ not only demonstrate the harm that traditional developments and new homes reap on the environment, communities and the economy, but by taking an integrated approach to these three key elements ‘going green’ can not only be affordable, but can actually be GOOD for the bottom line and your health.

76

to the costs of Brownfield cleanup or expensive infrastructure. There just wasn’t enough return on investment a few years ago, so how does this green building system promise to enhance not only the traditional bottom line, but the comprehensive triple bottom line?

The mission is to “facilitate the development of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable communities.” Green building systems accomplish this in three ways. Firstly, the proponents provide the planning expertise to transform a contaminated or under-used, but potentially desirable space into a sustainable community development that is practical and profitable.

The Concept—How to make money and IMPROVE the environment at the same time

Secondly, this system establishes and operates “microutilities” and other parts of a sustainable community infrastructure. Micro-utilities may include anything from community sewage treatment plants to microhydro or biomass heating. These utilities are not only environmentally friendly, but through the sale of excess resources generated through these infrastructures, a separate stream of income is created for the community and its investors.

Environmentally friendly building has been something that many developers have avoided in the past—mainly due

Thirdly, it sources and builds strong partnerships with the correct environmentally aware investors and solution

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

providers in order to successfully create, implement and continually improve nature based sustainable technologies.

The expertise supplied by these systems can help developers secure zoning, entitlements, and the support of the surrounding communities. The uniqueness of these systems can be used to mitigate local planning resistance and implement real world solutions that work WITH nature.

Proof of Concept—Dockside Green and Casa Lista (Smart Home).

The concepts put forth may seem a bit futuristic, but they have been tested successfully in Victoria, in the community development of Dockside Green and a luxurious single family home, aptly named Casa Lista, located along the waterfront of Oak Bay. Dockside Green, formally an industrial site, was contaminated by 150 years of shipyard and railroad operations, an industrial metal trading company, an asphalt plant, and a cedar shingle mill. Today, it is a 1.3 million

square foot multi-use sustainable community developed over 15 acres.

Dockside is the first master-planned community to gain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Neighborhood stage two status and holds the highest rating in LEED platinum new construction, core and shell. Dockside treats its own sewage and uses the treated water for flushing toilets and irrigation. It has a biomass energy system which gasifies waste wood to provide heat energy making it the first green house gas neutral development in North America. A naturalized creek and green roofs have been built in an urban setting to manage all storm water and enhance the ecosystems.

These are only a few of the many features of the Dockside Green development—land that was once considered undesirable has set a standard and achieved world records for sustainability. The development of Dockside Green was created in 3 phases, complete with homes, locally owned businesses, landscaped courtyards, and its own community amphitheatre.

As a founding member of the Canadian Green Building Council, the principals of Ecoasis Properties Ltd. have embarked on the goal of building the world’s largest sustainable single family home. The home Casa Lista is now completed and awaiting its final LEEDS Platinum certification—a prestigious award given to only the best developments using green building techniques.

Ecoasis Properties Ltd. strives to achieve net zero operating emissions through the integration of alternative energy solutions, purchasing green power with passive design and efficient light and appliance options.

As more developers and home builders understand the principles of green building systems, they will be able to achieve future sustainability and social responsibility cost effectively. Green thinking really can put you in the black.

For further details please contact info@mysspp.com and visit www.docksidegreen.com

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

77

The Okanagan Valley THE OKANAGAN REGION IS JUST AS FAMOUS FOR ITS LAKES, GOLF COURSES, ORCHARDS, SKI RESORTS AND VINEYARDS AS IT IS FOR ITS DIVERSE LANDSCAPE. EACH YEAR, TRAVELLERS AND RESIDENTS GIVE ACCLAIM TO THE REGION FOR ITS HISTORIC RICHNESS, AGRICULTURAL ABUNDANCE AND SPECTACULAR BEAUTY.

Tim Down VP Okanagan & BC Interior

250-864-9140 tim@mysspp.com

Kelowna, BC T: 866 764 9147 F: 250 764 9143 Toll Free: 1 866 764 9147

This area has become synonymous as BC’s summer playground with temperatures soaring into the 80s and 90s, people come to relax and play by the water. In response, the real estate market has seen tremendous growth with new developments and revitalization, creating resort style towns and investment opportunities.

The Okanagan Valley Corridor extends from Salmon Arm in the North and to Osoyoos in the South (just above the US border). The landscape and geography is combination of Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe and Tuscany and is affectionately referred to as California North!

Lying in the rain shadow of the Coastal and Monashee mountain ranges, the Okanagan corridor is famous for its long hot, dry summer days and temperate winter months. These conditions provide the perfect climate for year round lifestyle opportunities from beachside water sports, hiking, biking and golf in the summer to wine, vineyard and orchard tours in the fall to downhill and cross country skiing in the winter. Whatever your recreational interests or pursuits, the Okanagan offers unmatched opportunities and experiences in a truly Canadian context.

The Okanagan Valley was originally inhabited by the Okanagan Nation, an Interior Salish people who coexisted as

78

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

hunter-gatherers throughout the Valley.

The first non-natives came into the Valley seeking furs and gold in the 1800’s. The valley was eventually settled by communities based on forestry, ranching and farming. The Okanagan Valley is famous for the quality of its tree fruits including apples, cherries and peaches. For those discerning buyers who enjoy privacy yet close proximity to services there are many options to consider ranging from small estates to larger acreage properties with lake and valley views.

The Okanagan Valley is easily accessible by vehicle from Vancouver by a number of different highway road systems. These scenic drives through river valley bottoms, interior plateaus and mountain summits provide stunning natural landscapes that change with the seasons.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has recently expanded and receives over 1,000,000 passengers a year making it the 10th busiest airport in Canada. YLW offers direct daily jet service to Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto as well as daily commuter service to Seattle as well as seasonal non-stop charter flights fly to Mexico and Europe. Regional growth means demand is forecasted to increase to 1,600,000 passengers by 2015.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

79

HW

Y

1

SHUSWAP LAKE

HW

Y

1

UPPER ARROW LAKE

Kamloops

Salmon Arm MABEL LAKE

HWY 97

Sugar Lake

HW Y

97

Armstrong HWY 6

Vernon Kalamalka Lake

Lake Country

Wood Lake

HW

Y

6

Whatshap Lake

OKANAGAN LAKE

HWY 9

7C

Kelowna Westbank LOWER ARROW LAKE

Naramata

HWY 33

1

Y5

HW

Summerland

Penticton HW

3

HWY 3A

Y

Keremeos Oliver

athedral Park

Osoyoos

HW

Y3

The Central Okanagan is the commercial centre for the region. Kelowna is the largest community in the Okanagan and one of the fastest growing regions in Canada. The community has grown up along the shores of Lake Okanagan, the largest lake in the area at 80 miles in length from north to south. It is also the regional commercial, government, educational and transportation service centre. The newly created University of British Columbia Okanagan continues to grow and expand and will ultimately offer programs to 7,500 students including a medical program in partnership with the Kelowna General Hospital.

The Okanagan Valley Corridor is geographically broken down into the North Okanagan, Central Okanagan and South Okanagan.

The surrounding smaller communities of West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country offer a slower pace of life but still provide the same high quality lifestyle opportunities while remaining a short commute to Kelowna.

80

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

The North Okanagan extends from the North end of Okanagan and Kalamalka Lake, gently rising northwards to Shuswap Lake at the northern end of this region. This area was originally established with large cattle ranches, forestry and agriculture. The landscape ranges from sandy beaches, river valley bottoms to high-country range land. Vernon is the largest and oldest community in the North, situated in between Okanagan and Kalamalka Lake.

The neighbouring bedroom community of Coldstream is located along the Northern shores of Kalamalka Lake offering premium lakeshore living and hillside acreages with lake and valley views. The northern communities of Armstrong and Enderby are deeply rooted in their traditional agricultural and ranching. Silver Star Mountain Resort and Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre (Canadian Nordic Team’s national training facility) are a short 15 minute drive from Vernon and offer year round activities from skiing to mountain biking and hiking.

The South Okanagan extends from the southern end of Okanagan Lake south to Lake Osoyoos at the US border. Penticton­, the largest community in the south, is strategically located between Okanagan Lake to the North and Skaha Lake to the South. Penticton is famous for its large sandy beaches and boasts a 4 mile long river channel offering a relaxing floating experience from Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake. Penticton is also famous for the annual Canadian Ironman Triathlon in August.

The bedroom community of Naramata, along the southeastern shores of Okanagan Lake is emerging as a preferred vineyard and orchard region along the Naramata Bench for boutique wineries with panoramic lake and valley views and is well served by numerous bed and breakfast operators.

Summerland is located on the northern

boundary of Penticton along the southwestern shores of Okanagan Lake and is also a bedroom community of Penticton, similar to Naramata but on the opposite of Okanagan Lake.

Farther to the south lie the communities of Oliver and Osoyoos. This southern region is located in the Great Basin Desert, Canada’s only desert region. Oliver is known as Canada’s Wine Capital for its concentration of world class boutique wineries all conveniently located within a short driving distance of one another. Osoyoos is situated on the shores of Lake Osoyoos and the US border. Lake Osoyoos is Canada’s warmest fresh water lake and remains a favorite summer vacation for families seeking sun and sand.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

81

The Okanagan is also the birthplace of Western Canada’s emerging world class wine region. There are over 60 wineries within a 2 hour driving distance throughout the valley with many more vineyards that grow an amazing variety of old world and new world grapes for the local wine industry. Vineyard estates have proven popular with many individuals seeking an opportunity to pursue a balanced life and yet close to all the amenities of a larger urban centre.

The Okanagan is also famous for its world class golf boasting numerous award winning golf courses and communities from the valley floor to the hillsides.

Housing options range from lock and leave apartments and townhouses to executive homes backing onto various golf courses.

The Okanagan is especially known for its pristine fresh water lake systems and rivers. There are numerous beachside communities and resorts offering walk on access to beaches, boating and water sports. Lakefront homes on Kalamalka, Okanagan, Skaha and Osoyoos Lake are highly prized by executives and professional athletes alike. Beachfront resort communities offer ownership benefits that include concierge services and rental income.

82

Sea to Sky Premier Properties  |  www.mysspp.com

Okanagan winter’s are warmly welcomed as they offer a variety of recreation including downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, skating and ice wine. The Okanagan Valley is home to Canada’s highly rated family ski hill resorts; Big White Resort and Silver Star Resort. These resort communities offer ski chalets as well as a variety of apartments and townhouse developments with ski-in / ski-out access and walking distance to their respective Village Centres.

Many visitors have chosen to relocate to the Okanagan Valley to raise their families in this unparalleled lifestyle and environment­. Others have sought out the Okanagan Valley as their retirement destination. Others purchase seasonal or second homes for their use and enjoyment as well as their high quality investment value and diversification of assets in an emerging world class region with long term appreciation.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/okanagan

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

83

Live beautifully.

From the very moment you pass through the stone pillars at Trepanier Manor, the sounds of silence and the natural beauty embrace you.

Immediately you know this is the place you have always promised yourself. An exceptional twenty-five acres of essentially untouched mountaintop in the heart of British Columbian wine and golf country. A stunning collection of twenty English country homes, of which 10 have already sold. An unparalleled five-star Small Luxury Hotel offering every imaginable amenity and service.

Few places in British Columbia compare to the majestic beauty of the Okanagan. No place compares to Trepanier Manor.

Come visit Trepanier Manor and reserve your dream home today. Priced from $955,000 Show Home located at 5126 MacKinnon Road, Peachland, B.C, Canada, V0H 1X2

1.866.503.0133 www.LivingintheManor.com TREPANIER MANOR PRICING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND AVAILABILITY WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL VISUALS ARE OF AND INTENDED FOR GENERAL REFERENCE ONLY. E. & O. E.

84

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

British Columbia Discover other regions within BC, equally unique and intriguing

British Columbia is set between the Pacific Ocean in the west and the magnificent Rocky Mountains in the east and is Canada’s westernmost province. Just the size alone lends itself to this province offering a geographical diversity both in the lifestyle, temperature and topology.

Sophisticated cities in the south, wilderness parks in the north, the salt-sea spray of a wide open ocean to the west, and the snow-cloaked peaks of the mighty Rocky Mountains in the east are just the beginning.

Nestled between these icons are the fruit-laden orchards of the Thompson Okanagan, the ranch lands of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, the laid-back lifestyles of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, the bubbling hot springs of the Kootenay Rockies, the wildlife of Northern BC, the combination of urban life and backcountry trails in Vancouver, Coast and Mountains, and the vineyards, the ski resorts, the white water rapids, the parks, and the people.

British Columbia’s population is an internationally diverse mix of cultures that season the cities, the restaurants, the shopping, and the cultural life of the province.

Northern BC’s vast wilderness comprises more than half the province, approximately 500,000 sq km (193,051 sq miles), but definitely less than half its population. It is a land of unlimited adventure filled with jagged mountain peaks, roaring rivers, serene lakes, green valleys, rugged coastlines and ancient island archipelagos.

Much of Northern BC is preserved and protected by a world-class system of provincial parks and nature reserves where the wilderness is only accessible by horseback, charter plane or on foot.

The stunning landscape features turquoise-coloured glacial lakes, alpine meadows, hot springs, volcanic cinder cones and a miniature “Grand Canyon”.

Known for its magnificent freshwater and saltwater fishing this region’s residents also enjoy canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, and in the winter, powder skiing and snowmobiling.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/northern-bc

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

85

Living in the Cariboo Chilcotin region offers residents and investors the opportunity to choose from homes on one of the many lakes, rivers or along the magnificent Pacific Ocean coastline. Inland, there are endless gently winding trails and strenuous backcountry routes to walk, hike, ride and canter and ranches galore.

Once famous for the Gold Rush, today this region conjures up summer images of golden rolling pastures where horses graze, cowboys still rope and brand their cattle and avid wranglers cast their lines long into the warm endless evenings. This is still the land being settled by entrepreneurs, outdoor enthusiasts, artists and explorers.

The Cariboo is bordered by the Cariboo Mountains in the east and the Fraser River in the west, the Cariboo stretches north to the Blackwater River and south to the towns of Clinton and Lillooet. The Chilcotin stretches west beyond the Fraser River through a burnished golden plateau to meet the peaks of the Coast Mountain Range. The dramatic Coast region reaches from above Rivers Inlet to include the southern end of Princess Royal Island.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/cariboo-chilcotin

86

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

The Kootenay Rockies is a vast wilderness of rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains. Four of British Columbia’s seven national parks are located here.

Fortune seekers developed the region with the discovery of silver, gold, and other precious metals in the late 1800s.

Today, the Kootenay thrives with many resort towns which capture the natural resources of this bountiful countryside offering pre-eminent destinations for golfing, fishing, water sports, skiing, mountain biking, hiking as well as world-renowned natural hot spring spas. Wildlife flourishes here with eagles, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, moose, cougar as well as black and grizzly bears just some of the local inhabitants.

Communities are often wonderfully restored heritage towns with thriving art communications which have embraced adventure tourism as well as celebrating their gold rush histories. Transportation options to the Kootenay Rockies include the Canadian Rockies International Airport which is one of the few airports in British Columbia to offer direct air service from a major U.S. hub airport.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/kootenays

The Vancouver Island region is a large, sparsely populated area, encompassing Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, as well as a portion of the mainland. Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Vancouver Island second in the “Top Islands of North America” category.

Today, many of the landmarks throughout BC are remnants of the lumber barons, traders and miners who settled here together with the Chinese labourers who came to build the railway. The combination of rugged wilderness, European refinement, First Nations and Asian culture make this province a unique destination.

It has one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems: Rainforests, marshes, meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes create habitats for multitudes of wildlife species. The many and varied parklands are protected and contain pockets of old-growth fir and cedar as well as rare naturally occurring groves of Garry Oak.

BC has now become a favoured destination for sophisticated travellers, so much so, the region was chosen by the International Olympic Committee for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The region is one of the world’s premier locations for whale watching, birding, as well as salmon and trout fishing. The beauty and tranquility of this region has long been a draw for artists and artisans. Galleries, studios and shops selling unique, locally produced arts and crafts are found in many population centres, particularly on the Gulf Islands.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/vancouver-island

Venues for the Games stretch from the cosmopolitan streets of Metro Vancouver to Whistler Village, a worldclass ski resort. Awarding the Games was an honour that recognized not just the physical capacity of the region to host them, but the international status of the city and its sophisticated amenities. Fine dining, urbane shopping, museums, galleries, parks and entertainment options abound—waiting to delight visitors of all ages and interests.

Our associates can introduce you to the benefits of ownership around the exciting opportunities available in this naturally spectacular province.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

87

Commercial Real Estate Commercial Expertise to Tailored Strategies

Sea to Sky Premier Properties’ Commercial Division is dedicated to offering its clients up to date market knowledge with specific strategies tailored to achieve all their real estate needs and objectives in a cost effective and timely manner.

We specialize in the sale and leasing of office, warehouse and retail properties­in the lower mainland from South Surrey to West Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler.

During the purchase and sale of Commercial­Property we offer both buyers and sellers a full range of services to assist them in maximizing investment decisions and achieving the highest and best possible return on every investment dollar.

Landlord and Tenant Representation

As landlord/tenant representatives, specific strategies are developed to improve the value and marketability of properties through product positioning and target marketing.

Sea to Sky Premier Properties’ under­ standing of the dynamics of the local real estate market enables landlords and tenants to create maximum value for their asset or portfolio of assets.

With an average of 100 lease transactions completed each year from 500 square feet to 25,000 square feet, we advise landlords and tenants on favourable lease terms and conditions to reflect true market rates and industry standards not readily available to the general public.

88

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Investment Properties

Successful real estate investments­ require in-depth knowledge and careful conside­ration. We understand that individual investors have their own objectives and levels of comfort.

We can advise about market conditions and investment strategies, how to minimize the risk and achieve maximum returns on investments.

For current commercial listings visit www.mysspp.com/commercial

Land Assembly

Developers are constantly working in a changing econo­ mic and political environment.

Working with local governments to shape liveable communities is a complex process that requires understanding of consumer demands, trends in local and global economies as well as detailed knowledge of the development process.

Project Marketing

Sea to Sky Premier Properties will use a variety of different­marketing strategies for different types of real estate projects.

Each marketing plan emphasizes the different ameni­ties and features of the project as well as elements such as community characteristics, accessibility and most importantly location highlights.

Picking effective print and non-print media are paramount­ in successful project marketing campaigns.

Costs for different media must be considered and chosen based on the demographic profile and geographic locations of the intended buyers.

Sea to Sky Premier Properties specializes in land assembly and can explain how to choose properties that will best suit your short and long-term objectives and goals.

For current commercial listings visit www.mysspp.com/commercial

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

89

The Benefits of using a Commercial REALTOR

Buying, selling or leasing a commercial property is not only complex, it includes in-depth negotiations, market research and knowledge, legal and financial concerns. Ask yourself about your priorities, weigh your options wisely and take note of these important considerations:

®

Guy Kirby Commercial Associate

604-219-9237 guy@mysspp.com

Jon Pedlow Commercial Associate

604-312-4624 jonathan@mysspp.com

■ Are you really aware of the value of commercial property in your specific area?

■ How sure can you be of your research and knowledge of the current market?

■ What are the changing real estate factors in the market place that could affect you?

■ Do you really understand the legal and financial aspects involved?

■ Can you bargain effectively without becoming emotionally involved?

■ Do you have the time to focus not just on the fundamentals of real estate, but the complexities which often arise, as well as the requirements of your business?

Mark Hagedorn President, Commercial Division

604-786-7778 mark@mysspp.com

90

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

For current commercial listings visit www.mysspp.com/commercial

The reality is that time and money can be saved if you seek the advice and help of a professional commercial REALTOR®.

“Working with Sea to Sky Premier Properties­ enabled me to concentrate and focus my energy on my business.

I have found their market knowledge and investment advice, whether buying or selling commercial property, has been invaluable” says Mr. A. G. Khamneipur of Northgate­ Investment Corporation.

The Commercial REALTORS® of Sea to Sky Premier Properties­ are required to meet the Canadian Real Estate Association’s standards, assurance of integrity and strict code of ethics. As specialists in their marketplace, they are not just there to provide you with the qualified buyer or the right location—they are your real estate consul­ tants implementing marketing initiatives, advising on market conditions, networking with related professionals, as well as providing­ legally binding documentation.

For current commercial listings visit www.mysspp.com/commercial

The Benefit of Experience

The Benefit of Knowledge

Current economic forces are challenging the way organizations and individuals operate.

Sea to Sky Premier Properties Commercial REALTORS®, are among the most experienced practitioners in the industry and have the ability to recognize and act upon advantageous shifts.

When working with Sea to Sky Premier Properties Commercial­ REALTORS®, you are tapping into over 30 years of resource of information, networking and product knowledge.

The Benefit of a Professional and Comprehensive Service Sea to Sky Premier Properties Commercial REALTORS® cooperate with other professionals and specialists to ensure they are able to provide knowledgeable information on space planning, zoning, dealing with local governments, architectural design, tax assessment, appraisals, financing, market trends and closing procedures.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

91

New Developments Lots – homes – condominiums – townhomes – commercial

Successfully marketing and selling over 50 projects in recent years has given our agents the experience and confidence to manage a project strategy from conception­ to completion.

Our sales agents have travelled the world implementing systems and sales programs. We work on the ground with builders, developers and owners assisting in the design concept to ensure that their product appeals to their target audience.

Our in-house marketing team works with graphic designers and marketing planners to create cost effective­ marketing materials to best represent the product.

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/new-developments

92

Sea to Sky Premier Properties | www.mysspp.com

Our Marketing Services Brand Identity/Development Demographic Analysis Design Management Campaign Management Print Media Web Development News Media Project Launches Resort Real Estate Marketing Strategy International Affiliate Marketing Budget Management

For current listings visit www.mysspp.com/international-developments

Sea to Sky Premier Properties represents new developments both locally and internationally, connecting customers looking for specific real estate investment opportunities with developers of some of the most innovative and stylish properties.

With over 30 years experience in marketing new developments, we have become specialists in formulating unique and effective risk management strategies, working closely with the developers to represent and identify consumer trends together with offering solutions to satisfy and meet market demands. Our key concept, whether working for a buyer or developer, is that customer satisfaction is the main goal.

Sea to Sky Premier Properties recognizes that each project has a unique discriminator making it suited to a specific target market. Through our unlimited global connections and affiliations we are able to successfully reach potential buyers while creating a competitive advantage for them as well as for the developer.

It is important to create a comprehensive approach to understanding any project, from the basic brand concept through to the development of a solid foundation. We determine how the project should be received by a target audience and then focus on an effective, creative, compelling and interactive branding.

Our marketing and sales team oversee the creation, implementation and strategic planning of all the creative and communication marketing materials for any new development project. Working with the Developer, from the initial consultation, we build a comprehensive strategy which meets the project’s goals and expectations.

This involves careful planning and examination of the project, its customers and the competition. It includes creating a plan which is quantifiable in its objectives and devising strategies and tactics that locate the potential source for qualified purchasers. It ensures that the right resources are implemented to achieve the defined goals.

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

93

International We are connected—Let us connect you!

Sea to Sky Real Estate prides itself on our connection to the global real estate market. In 1998 we ventured into the luxury market and now we represent the finest properties in Whistler, Squamish, West Vancouver, White Rock and the Southern Gulf Islands.

Knowing our clients are global shoppers, we have ventured into representing fine resort properties around the world through our Christies Great Estates and Luxury Real Estate connections— networks comprising of the finest real estate agents.

We invite you to ask any of our Sea to Sky Premier Properties agents to assist you anywhere in the world, by connecting you with our network of local associates wherever you want to own real estate.

We can protect your experience by ensuring you meet a qualified vetted REALTOR® that will consult with you to meet your criteria.

Our international desk is constantly updating our website with new and exciting properties for your consideration. From the beautiful Six Senses Villas and Spas in Thailand to the Best of Mexico; from Argentina to New York, USA; from Bora Bora to the South of France—we want to make your experience professional and rewarding. With no obligation, we can discuss your interests and gather information to make your decisions easier.

We also have an exclusive relationship with Most Exclusive, a buyer’s agency operating in Mallorca Spain and Florida. This association provides services to buyers around the world who do not have the time to personally visit potential investment areas. Offering personal shopping assistance for real estate purchases, private jets and yachts, Most Exclusive has an impressive list of clients and associates. www.mostexclusive.com Sea to Sky Premier Properties is positioned to assist on the international scene and to work with international clients.

Contact us for more information­or visit our website at www.‌mysspp.com/international

www.mysspp.com | Sea to Sky Premier Properties

95

Contributors Catherine Darazio Canadian Olympic Association Canadian Paralympic Association Charlie Doyle Dockside Green Ecoasis Properties Ltd. Fruition Design Waterfront Landing Photography Page 22/23: Dave Steers (flickr.com/photos/dbsteers) Page 58: Michael Chu (flickr.com/photos/mikechu) Page 59: Top right: FredJK (flickr.com/photos/fredjk) Bottom right: Gillian Gunson (flickr.com/photos/ggunson)

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES For more information on becoming a Preferred Partner please contact partner@mysspp.com 604.698.4617

Presenting a Home for Your Art and Art for Your Home

Visit our collaborative presentation centre to discover BC’s hidden treasures.

Suite 122 – 4338 Main Street Across from Whistler’s Celebration Plaza

PRODUCTION Advertising & Sales: Matt Chiasson, matt@mysspp.com Design: Andrew Vit, andrew@avit.ca Editorial: Sandy Yates, sandy@bharhouse.com Blair Shakell, shake@shaw.ca Catherine Dorazio, cdorazio@cclgroup.com

 Printed in Canada

Featuring Northwest Native art by renowned First Nations artists and a showcase of unique real estate developments and opportunities.

www.pathgallery.com T: 604-932-7570

www.mysspp.com T: 604-932-4117

Three DISTINCTIVe PrIVATe reSIDeNCeS

Indigo Villas The design of indigo Villas is The synThesis of a priVaTe residence WiTh full concierge, sTunning VieWs and sophicaTed conTemporary archiTecTure.

created to appeal to the most discerning of buyers, an indigo Villa incorporates multiple private residences into one professionally managed and fully concierged home.

World renowned architect Bryce rostich presents three independent villas on one acre, with 8,700 square feet of living space uniquely marrying one master penthouse suite and four charming executive guest suites under one roof. private decks and patios with spa tubs offer relaxation spaces for every guest.

a private elevator lifts your guests to the penthouse suite for dining and cocktails, where spectacular southern views complete the dramatic ambience. concrete construction with secure underground parking and geothermal heating and cooling provide comfort and peace of mind. entertain, relax, enjoy your privacy with guests and family while offering tranquility and private pockets for their comfort. distinctive, inviting and rare, these properties are designed in delightful detail.

O n l y T h re e — O n ly Whistler.

all enquiries are confidenTial, price upon requesT. 1 888 633 2010 in north america, or indigovillas@mysspp.com