You voted, now it’s time to reveal the best of Pemberton’s best. - By Pique staff
06
OPENING REMARKS
Whistler’s mythology tells us this place runs on passion, writes editor Braden Dupuis. But without the people who really run the resort, the whole fantasy collapses.
08
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
This week’s letter-writers reflect on the closure of Whistler Foto Source, e-bikes on the Valley Trail, and logging in caribou habitat.
20 THE OUTSIDER Catching up with Justin Wyper—the go-to guy when you want to build the perfect jumps, berms and landings.
50
PIQUE’N YER INTEREST
When riding Whistler’s trails, respect the rules, respect wildlife, be aware around bears, and of course, have fun risking it all, writes tobias c. van Veen.
10 TOURISM REBOUND An increase in tourism tax revenue in Q1 is cause for hope, but municipal reserves remain under pressure.
11 TRANSIT TROUBLES?
Whistler’s new deal with BC Transit brings more service hours, higher costs—and questions about whether free weekend buses are still worth the price.
32 JUMP FOR JOY
Storylines abound going into this year’s edition of Red Bull Joyride, as another instalment of Crankworx is just around the corner.
36 FLAG REFLEX
Whistler’s fan-favourite Flag Stop Theatre and Arts Festival returns for its 14th instalment Aug. 6 to 9.
COVER Ain’t no party like a Pemby party cuz a Pemby party don’t stop. Until the deck collapses shortly before the sun rises. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
An ode to the people who really run Whistler
AS I SUSPECT many people do, I often have a strong, immediate, adverse reaction to being inconvenienced in any way (or maybe it’s more rare than I think, and I’m just a mildly neurodivergent, self-righteous jerk).
Standing in the middle of the aisle at the grocery store having a chat, or walking too slow on the sidewalk in a group? How actually dare you? Coming to an unnecessary full stop in the merge lane? Are you insane?
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
In these situations I’m often reminded of something I learned a lifetime ago, in Psychology 100, about the mental armour afforded to us by simple virtue of being inside
In our cars, for example, we will say things about our fellow drivers, complete strangers all of them, we would never dream of saying to a stranger’s face on the street; growl all sorts of horrible insults and curse words into the air-conditioned comfort of our automobiles (just me?).
I was reminded again of this psychological phenomenon during some recent heavyduty road work in my neighbourhood. As crews laboured all day in the hot sun, working to re-pave a long stretch of Lorimer Road, drivers were often left waiting for their turn in a long line of cars entering and exiting the neighbourhood.
Whenever I joined the queue, I quickly found the entitled urge to curse rising. How dare they inconvenience me with this four- to
five-minute wait? I’ve got places to be!
Breathe in, breathe out. Just sit with your thoughts for a bit (the horror). The awful injustice will end before you know it.
And sure enough, in a little over a week, the heavy machinery was gone, leaving behind a masterfully re-paved stretch of road so smooth you’d think it was about to buy you a drink. Another week or so after that and the line-painting and roughwork was complete. Driving the road now you’d never know it was very recently a stressinducing construction zone.
So here’s to the thankless men and women who did the work, did it fast, and did it right, while a never-ending line-up of impatient drivers (me) watched them from the cool
They fix the air conditioning, sweep up the cigarette butts, drive the buses.
They’re the lifties and servers sleeping two to four to a room, and the municipal staffers wiping up public bathrooms (did you know in 2018 the Olympic Plaza washrooms went through 424 kilometres of toilet paper?
That’s a lot of wiping).
They’re emptying public trashcans, and picking up garbage from the inconsiderate losers who couldn’t be bothered to find one.
In many cases, they’re working two or three jobs just to stay afloat, knowing all the while Whistler will never be their forever home.
Whistler’s self-scripted mythology holds that this place runs on passion—a town built
A 2024 report on the treatment of Temporary Foreign Workers in Whistler shines light on what the most vulnerable workers in our town often face: unsafe and unsanitary living and working quarters; intimidation and unfair pay; and in at least one case, a CCTV camera installed in staff accommodations, so your employer can watch you at all times.
That’s not just unacceptable—it’s downright dystopian. And those are just the instances we know about.
We don’t need another round of consultants to tell us how to do tourism smarter. We don’t need to “tell the Whistler story” in a glossier way.
We need to pay people better. Build housing faster. Wean ourselves off the TFW
Whistler’s self-scripted mythology holds that this place runs on passion—a town built by big dreams and bigger risks, all fuelled by adrenaline and good vibes and fresh mountain air. The truth is, without the people who really run this place, the whole fantasy collapses.
comfort of their cars.
Having such a smooth ride home is nice, but there’s an added benefit: now every time I enter or exit my neighbourhood, I’m reminded of the people who really run Whistler.
They’re not just building our roads and infrastructure, they’re scrubbing toilets in lodges and hotel rooms that rent for obscene prices ($900 a night in September? Ouch); they’re getting up extra early to plow the streets in perilous snowstorms; they’re frying your eggs at 5 a.m. so you can hit the lift line on time.
by big dreams and bigger risks, all fuelled by adrenaline and good vibes and fresh mountain air.
The truth is, without the people who really run this place, the whole fantasy collapses.
But Whistler has mastered the art of holding up its beauty without fully accepting its own responsibility. It’s a place where we talk a big game on “climate action” while simultaneously inviting millions of travellers, by air and then car, each year; a world-class resort destination with often abhorrent worker conditions.
addiction. Stop pretending seasonal workers are temporary because we don’t want to commit to their well-being.
So the next time you find yourself stuck in construction, or in a crowded grocery store, save the inconvenienced outrage and spare a thought for the people who really run this town.
We all owe them a debt of gratitude.
The Whistler worker grind isn’t romantic, and it’s not glamorous. It’s hard. It’s relentless. And it’s invisible—until we choose to look. n
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Whistler Foto
Source ‘will be greatly missed’
This week marks the end of a remarkable era in Whistler Village—the closing of Rick Clare’s Whistler Foto Source, which many of us still think of as Whistler One-Hour Photo as it was called when Rick opened the store in 1984. His busy little store, so often a life-saver for local and visiting photographers, deserves recognition as one of the longest-running owner-operated businesses in the Village, and will be greatly missed.
In addition to the store, and Rick’s other very successful business venture here, Coast Mountain Photography, Rick has contributed to the Whistler community in so many other ways—with 12 years as chairman of Tourism Whistler, twice as president of its board, and also in the role of commercial director. He has served on various task forces for the Whistler Chamber of Commerce and for the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Rick also worked on the bid committee for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler and was on the first board of VANOC.
With his enthusiasm and valued input on so many aspects of our community, it is no surprise Rick was previously recognized as Whistler’s Citizen of the Year, and has
“His busy little store ... deserves recognition...”
- HUGH SMYTHE
frequently been voted as Favourite Whistlerite in Pique’s Best of Whistler readers’ polls.
As he wraps up 41 years as the always welcoming face to efficiently address a myriad of photography needs, we join the sentiments of many others here in thanking Rick for his enduring role in the success of Whistler Village from the very early years.
Hugh Smythe // Whistler
‘Education’ on e-bikes won’t work
Regarding the article in the July 25 Pique, about e-bikes on the Valley Trail: this is a big concern. It is worth emphasizing that e-bikers use the Village Stroll as well. The proposed (hopefully) interim solution, according to Mayor Jack Crompton, is “education is the best tool right now.” That won’t work to any great degree. There are plenty of (e-)bikers who cannot read or understand the signs and symbols informing them not to ride on the Stroll. That will be the same for the Trail.
I understand the issues about “limited bylaw resources” and that Resort Municipality of Whistler “staff are not RCMP-qualified law enforcement people.” But unless wholesale changes are made, there is no point in wasting ratepayers’ money on trying to nudge riders in the right direction. Some suggestions which might work at the municipal level are to build alternative trails for e-bikes only, or strengthen the regulations regarding the use of e-bikes on the Village Stroll, so there are much higher
fines and better enforcement.
At the provincial or federal level: Initially, introduce legislation that ensures that any head injuries to e-bikers are wholly and solely the responsibility of the rider, regardless of the cause of any accident.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
July 25: “Species at risk”).
His article touched a nerve with me and I’m sure many of your readers. Unfortunately, the extensive logging plans in critical caribou habitat is another piece in the seeming disregard for the natural environment by the Eby government.
“Unfortunately, the extensive logging plans in critical caribou habitat is another piece in the seeming disregard for the natural environment...”
- ERICH BAUMANN
Change the definition of motorized cycles, so it includes all bikes with any type of motor. Hopefully this would lead to e-bikers being required to wear a helmet. They would also need to obey traffic laws.
I’m not expecting anything except lip service, but you never know...
Simon Goodman // Pemberton
Who benefits from B.C. resource extraction?
Thanks to Stefan Labbé for his feature story on the endangered caribou habitat in B.C. (Pique,
Add more pipelines with the accompanying increase of fracking, hence pollution of vast amounts of fresh water in the Peace and potential damage to critical salmon-spawning habitat along the planned Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline route. Or permits to multinational companies turning entire forests into wood pellets for export.
It makes you wonder where we are heading in this province. Who is benefitting from all this resource extraction? Is it our future generations or is it the Trump billionaire club, which is investing in the pipelines and LNG terminals? Erich Baumann // Pemberton n
NickDavies, Whistlerlocal andexperiencedfamilylawyer practisingacrossBCandYukon. Callat 604-602-9000 or visit www.macleanlaw.ca
Hotel tax rebound offers hope for Whistler’s finances, but reserves remain under pressure
Q1 REPORT SHOWS MRDT REVENUE RISING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR, YET GROWING PROJECT COSTS ARE STRESSING MUNICIPAL RESERVES
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHISTLER’S FIRST-QUARTER financials show strong revenue performance and increasing investment income, but also reveal a growing gap between project spending and long-term financial sustainability.
Carlee Price, the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) chief financial officer, presented the unaudited Q1 report to council on July 22. As of March 31, the municipality had achieved 108 per cent of its projected revenue for the quarter, while operating expenditures across all divisions came in at 90 per cent of budgeted levels.
“The overall results are quite strong,” said Price. “But we’re also seeing increasing pressure on our reserves, particularly as our project delivery accelerates.”
MRDT REVENUE SHOWS SIGNS OF RECOVERY
The report showed a 9.5-per-cent increase in Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) revenues compared to the same period in 2024, with the Online Accommodation Platform portion rising significantly, despite some volatility.
“First-quarter MRDT was above a year ago levels. This is the first time that we’ve been able to say this in a while, and that trend appears to be moderating,” Price said.
She added core MRDT, which is influenced by hotel pricing and bookings, remains beyond the municipality’s control, while parking revenue—up 9.1 per cent year-
over-year—is a more direct policy tool.
Occupancy in the Day Lots remained strong through the ski season, which supported revenues in both Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, according to Price’s report.
Parking rates, managed by the RMOW, are intended to fund operations, support Whistler’s climate goals and fund public transit, while still accommodating commuter traffic.
OPERATING REVENUES UP; TIPPING AND USER FEES DROP
Program and admissions revenue, including the Meadow Park Sports Centre, cross-country skiing, and the Olympic Plaza ice rink, outperformed expectations, as did building permit revenues, which exceeded Q1 2024 levels and helped reduce reliance on property taxes.
Q1—7.7 per cent of the $39.1 million project budget. That’s more than double the five-year Q1 average of 3.3 per cent.
“We’re spending at a much higher rate on projects, which is great news for the assets in our community—and slightly less great news for the financial standing of this community,” Price told council.
Project categories showing the highest delivery included asset maintenance and utilities work, with spending at 11.8 and 10.9 per cent of budget, respectively.
However, she warned contributions to reserves still fall “well short” of what’s needed to support the current rate of asset renewal.
“So while it’s great news for our assets that we’re spending on upkeep, we’re spending on repair and replace, it also presents a challenge
“The overall results are quite strong, but we’re also seeing increasing pressure on our reserves...”
- CARLEE PRICE
Transit revenues rose compared to last year but came in slightly under budget. However, user fee revenue was down, largely driven by a decline in tipping fees at the landfill.
Price cautioned some timing issues—such as invoices or renewals being posted to the second quarter instead of the first—may have affected results across departments.
PROJECT DELIVERY SURGES— AND OUTPACES FUNDING
The RMOW spent $3.1 million on projects in
that we are not, at this time, adequately funding that level of spending,” she said. “The second step in that process is to collect the right amount in tax revenue from the community to fund that sector.”
Councillor Arthur De Jong asked whether project costs would naturally decline after periods of heavy investment.
Price responded that while some cyclical relief happens in utilities spending, general capital expenditures do not follow the same pattern.
“There’s no natural catch-up in general capital spending,” she said. “We can’t just
keep doing what we’re doing and expect a good result.”
De Jong also asked whether projects could be paused in the event of “an acute financial challenge.”
“There’s a service-level price to be paid for denying regular repair and replacement,” said Price. “You could stop replacing things, but you can’t expect them to continue functioning at their current level if you starve them of capital.”
COUNCIL DISCUSSES AMENITY PRICING, INVESTMENT GAINS
Coun. Ralph Forsyth asked whether the RMOW had mechanisms in place to update pricing for popular services.
Karen Elliott, general manager of community engagement and cultural services, said the latest community budget survey showed some tolerance for fee increases at tourist-oriented sites like Lost Lake and Whistler Olympic Plaza, but less flexibility at Meadow Park Sports Centre.
“Our locals seem to be shifting to pass products versus day passes,” she said. “We’re always trying to balance affordability and cost recovery.”
Investment income came in strong at $1.09 million—139 per cent of what was budgeted—but Price expects that figure to normalize over the remainder of the year.
The RMOW’s long-term investment holdings totalled $58.4 million at the end of Q1, with a portfolio focused on fixed-income assets held to maturity.
Forsyth noted the cyclical nature of municipal finances and reminded council reserves ultimately come from one source: taxpayers.
“Raising taxes really high to cover reserves is wildly unpopular,” he said. “So just be cautious—especially in an election year.” n
RMOW eyes cutting free transit on weekends
NEW TRANSIT DEAL BRINGS MORE SERVICE HOURS, HIGHER COSTS—AND QUESTIONS ABOUT FREE WEEKEND BUSES
BY LIZ MCDONALD
THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) has greenlit a renewed agreement with BC Transit that includes 6,000 additional service hours and a 13-per-cent jump in operating costs—but also kicks off a debate about whether the municipality should continue offering free weekend and holiday bus service.
The local government’s share of operating costs for 2025-26 totals $5.5 million, with the new deal requiring an additional $452,276 in funding compared to the previous agreement.
Council approved the new annual operating agreement on July 22 and directed staff to prepare a budget amendment and review the future of its free weekend transit program.
The 6,000 added transit hours began in April 2025 and were focused primarily on improving frequency in Spring Creek.
“The 6,000 hours really was focused mostly on Route 21 ... making that half-hourly service during spring, summer and fall— where it used to be, you could only get a bus once an hour,” said transportation demand management coordinator Emma DalSanto.
Other refinements include: Two new early-morning Route 7 trips for staff housing between 6:45 and 7:30 a.m.; extra time for Route 10 during peak periods; and a reallocation of one poorly used late Route 21 trip to a night run from the Village to Cheakamus Crossing.
Council’s request for 15-minute frequency on Route 10 was denied due to the need for more buses.
“BC Transit calculated that ... we would need an additional four vehicles,” said DalSanto. “A vehicle only has a certain number of kilometres it can do per year ... you have to have a couple in reserve just in case.”
Council may revisit the request in the 2026-27 agreement.
Earlier this year, BC Transit implemented the Umo app, which replaced the existing Transit app powered by Transit Royale.
Anyone wishing to continue using Transit Royale will now need to pay for it.
Credit card payments will be available by the end of the year.
The renewed agreement reflects rising expenses across the system, including: The 6,000-hour service expansion; a five-per-cent fee increase for leasing buses; higher fuel and maintenance costs; credit card processing and Umo service charges; and changes to operator contracts.
Staff estimate the 2025 fare increase— approved on June 24—will bring in $50,000 by year-end. That leaves $230,000 to be funded through Whistler’s Operating Reserve and included in the Five-Year Financial Plan.
The COVID-era Safe Restart fund, otherwise known as the Local Transit Fund (LTF), which helped cover operating costs, will be depleted by 2026.
“This year, the 6,000 hours went mostly to offset some of the optimization that we had done
in 2023,” said DalSanto. “We’ve put some more service back into the Route 20s that are south of town and the Route 30s that are north of town.”
The RMOW is also considering cutting free weekend and holiday transit, a service introduced in 2016 to reduce congestion. The program costs an estimated $150,000 to $200,000 annually.
CAO Ginny Cullen said the suggestion to review the program came down to budget constraints.
“I put it in there because of the increasing costs and the need to continue to look at trade-offs in our budget,” she said.
Dale Mikkelson, the RMOW’s GM of climate action, planning and development services, said several factors prompted the review.
“We noticed ... the number of monthly pass ridership is going up substantially,” he said. “With the ProPass and employers like Whistler Blackcomb supporting bus pass programs ... that free weekend service may not actually be best servicing our community as it has in the past.”
He added that Umo’s tap-payment system could shift visitor behaviour and make it easier to pay compared to the days of cash ridership.
Councillor Cathy Jewett said residents with monthly passes feel shortchanged by the free service.
“One of the comments that I’ve heard from locals for years is ... why are they buying a pass when weekends and holidays are free?” she said. “There was a lot of resentment from passholders.”
Coun. Jessie Morden questioned whether the program meaningfully reduces congestion.
“It probably hasn’t affected [traffic], because you can see heavy traffic and a lot of parking congestion on the weekend still,” she said.
Morden also asked staff to consider charging a small fare for the Village Shuttle, which is currently free.
“If we’re looking at this huge cost to transit ... could we look at what that would be to start implementing a small fare?” she said.
Mikkelson said staff could incorporate her suggestion into the free service review. However, Jewett noted the Village Shuttle is fully funded by RMI, which is tied to touristserving infrastructure.
“Unless we rearrange RMI somewhere else ... I don’t really see how we could move to a pay system in the Village,” Jewett said.
Coun. Jeff Murl cautioned against changes before fully understanding the loss of COVID restart funding.
“There is kind of a big moment where the budget is going to readjust,” he said. “Losing a huge component of funding ... will have an impact.”
Coun. Ralph Forsyth said the municipality should double down on transit as a climate strategy, not retreat.
“We spend an enormous amount of our budget on things that don’t do any good for the environment or are limited in their scope,” he said. “Free transit ... is the No. 1 arrow in our quiver.” n
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Whistler Blackcomb announces parking program updates ahead of winter 2025-26
UPDATES INCLUDE NEW RESERVATIONS-BASED CARPOOL PARKING
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB (WB) says it plans to expand parking options for winter 2025-26 following the introduction of a trial carpool program last year.
The mountain operator made the announcement in a release on July 30.
“Building on the success of last season’s trial carpool program, and in an effort to provide more options for our guests, Whistler Blackcomb will introduce updates to the parking and arrivals experience in resortoperated lots for the winter 2025-26 season between the hours of 6-11 a.m. on weekends, holiday Mondays, and the core festive days from Dec. 27 to 31, 2025,” the release said.
“All resort parking lots will continue to remain free, and updates will include new reservations-based carpool parking and general parking in select resort lots, while continuing to offer first-come, first-served parking for guests and drop-off parking for our Whistler Kids Snow School program.”
The announcement only pertains to lots owned by WB, and not those owned by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (including
skier day lots 1 to 5).
“Our teams are constantly looking at ways to adjust and improve our operations to provide the best experience possible for
communication, collaboration and innovation to continuously look for ways to improve the parking and arrivals experience, along with the overall resort experience, for our
community and our visitors.”
Find more information about the municipality’s parking policies at whistler. ca/parking. n
“[W]e will introduce new reservations-based carpool parking and general parking, all still free, as a part of ongoing efforts to improve the parking and arrivals experience...”
-
BELINDA TREMBATH
our community and our visitors. Addressing road congestion and parking into and around Whistler have long been priorities within our community,” said WB COO Belinda Trembath in the release.
“This winter, we will introduce new reservations-based carpool parking and general parking, all still free, as a part of ongoing efforts to improve the parking and arrivals experience by providing more options, while continuing to encourage more sustainable travel. We remain committed to working alongside the community and our resort partners through ongoing
Whistler RCMP seek public’s help in search for missing man
KAI
SIMPSON WAS LAST SEEN JULY 23 IN WHISTLER VILLAGE
POLICE IN WHISTLER are seeking the public’s help in their search for a missing man.
Kai Simpson, 32, was reported missing July 24, according to a release.
He was last seen July 23 in Whistler Village with his black dog.
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Simpson is described as 5-9, 140 pounds, with short blonde-grey hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black shorts.
Anyone with information on Simpson’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044.
-Braden Dupuis n
$2,549,000 | WHISTLER 9167 Emerald Drive
3 Bed, 2 Bath, 2,447 SF The Wentworth Group 604.379.6731
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Whistler council weighs $3M financing to keep Lot 3 housing build on track
DELAYED FINANCING COULD STALL WHISTLER’S FINAL PHASE 2 SITE IN CHEAKAMUS CROSSING, PROMPTING A PUSH FOR INTERIM MUNICIPAL FUNDING
BY LIZ MCDONALD
A PROPOSED $3-MILLION bridge could be the key to keeping Whistler’s latest employee housing project on schedule, as delays in securing senior government financing threaten to pause construction on Lot 3—Cheakamus Crossing’s last shovel-ready site in Phase 2.
Whistler Development Corporation (WDC) president and COO John Morley appeared before council on July 22 to present an updated project plan for the 125-unit rental development at 1600 Mount Fee Road. He said the requested interim funding would cover construction through the end of the year and carry operations through to March 2026, allowing foundations to be completed while financing is finalized.
“We are anticipating WDC would need an additional $3 million in interim financing until such time as I’ll say the financing facility is in a steady state of making draw payments,” Morley said. “A delay in the finance commitment beyond September would maybe necessitate some additional interim funding or construction costs.”
If the commitment is delayed, construction could stall. “If there is no interim ... we could pause construction at the end of foundations while we look at some of the alternate plans in the project plan,” Morley warned, noting a pause would still cost $50,000 to $60,000 a month in expenses. Foundation work is expected to wrap up by the end of this year and is currently ongoing.
Lot 3 is the latest in a series of WDCdelivered rental projects for the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA), and will include: 105 apartments in a five-storey, woodframe building (14 studios, 75 one-bedroom units, and 16 two-bedroom units); and 20 townhomes in four two-storey buildings, each
with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Most apartments will have access to a common laundry room, though all 16 twobedroom units, including three which are accessible units, will include in-suite laundry.
Projected monthly rents, aligned with WHA’s K-01 policy and current funding applications, are as follows:
•Studios: $1,900;
•One-bedroom (regular): $2,000;
•One-bedroom (premium): $2,500;
•Two-bedroom (1 bath): $2,560;
•Two-bedroom (2 bath): $3,400;
•Three-bedroom townhomes: $4,600.
These rates are significantly below Whistler’s market average. For comparison, current advertised rents for three-bedroom homes in Whistler are averaging over $6,200 per month, according to an analysis provided by WDC.
Morley confirmed the total project cost remains $62.9 million, consistent with the February plan. However, revised rental and operating assumptions have reduced the total equity requirement to $14.5 million, down from $16.1 million.
Councillor Cathy Jewett applauded the decision to add in-suite laundry to twobedroom units, especially for accessibility purposes, and encouraged the team to explore rough-ins for future upgrades in other units as was done for Whistler Valley Housing Society projects.
Coun. Ralph Forsyth said he’d favour continued financing over a pause.
“Hopefully everything’s fine, because technically it’s all systems go. But if [it] isn’t, and then there’s an inflection point where we need to decide on financing or stopping, I think I’d be more inclined by financing than stopping the roll of this because everything is going so well.”
Council unanimously passed a motion to refer the updated plan to staff to return with a report on next steps. n
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Lil’wat development in Whistler secures funding through FNBC
THE BANK’S LARGEST LOAN YET WILL SUPPORT HOUSING AND RETAIL HUB AT ENTRANCE TO FUNCTION JUNCTION
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ON JULY 28, the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) announced it will provide financing for Lil’wat’s Tseqwtsúqum ’ development in Whistler’s Function Junction, marking the single largest investment made to date under its Indigenous Land Development Program. FNBC did not disclose the precise figure going towards the Nation’s development.
The funding package, delivered in partnership with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), will support Lil’wat Business Group’s (LBG) mixed-use, Indigenous-led, 5.3-acre development, which promises new commercial space and workforce housing at the entrance to Whistler’s industrial core.
“We are proud to support the Lil’wat Business Group and the Tseqwtsúqum ’ project, which will not only contribute to the economic resilience of the Lil’wat Nation but also create a lasting impact on the broader Whistler community,” said FNBC president and CEO Bill Lomax in a July 28 press release.
Tseqwtsúqum’—pronounced “Chek-chookoom”—sits between Highway 99, the railway tracks and Alpha Lake Road. The name means “lake surrounded by fertile marshlands” in Ucwalmícwts, the traditional language of the Líl’wat Nation.
The lands, located on the Lil’wat’s traditional territory, are owned by the Nation through the Legacy Land Agreement of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Tseqwtsúqum ’ was awarded a conditional development permit by the Resort Municipality of Whistler in October 2017.
The development will be fully owned by the Nation and will feature three buildings with long-term housing options, a fuelling station and the potential for a major grocery outlet, according to LBG’s project page.
The project has grown in scale since it was originally proposed in 2017. The original plan pitched 18 units of workforce housing. Subsequent development permits and amendments saw the number of units rise to 48 and 72.
The zoning process is ongoing. LBG announced in its July newsletter it was “actively working through the rezoning phase to create more flexible and attractive leasing opportunities for the planned three-building commercial residential development and gas station.” LBG CEO Rosemary Stager told Pique current rezoning efforts revolve around the size and scale of the development’s potential grocery store.
LBG’s development was originally slated for occupancy in spring 2019, before being delayed more than a year to fall 2020. During the September 2024 Pemberton Chamber of
Commerce Lunch and Learn, Stager indicated site work would begin in spring 2025. Stager also confirmed the LBG is looking to secure a construction manager to oversee construction on Tseqwtsúqum ’ by early August.
“This project is a major milestone for the Lil’wat Nation, reflecting our growth and our capacity to lead meaningful economic development on our traditional territory,” said Stager. “Tseqwtsúqum ’ is the largest project to date for LBG and exemplifies our commitment to building a strong, self-sustaining future that honours our cultural values.”
FNBC was founded in 1996 to serve the Indigenous marketplace. It is 88-per-cent Indigenous owned and controlled.
The Indigenous Land Development Program, administered by FNBC in partnership
with CIB, provides below-market rate loans to help Indigenous communities in an effort to remove longstanding financial barriers Indigenous Nations face when building on their land. CIB agreed last year to put $100 million into the program.
The FNBC announced the first five deals under the Indigenous Land Development Project in February 2025, with a combined value of $140 million.
“This is more than a financial transaction. It’s a step toward reconciliation, opportunity, and self-determination,” said Stager.
The CIB also framed the agreement as a model for future partnerships.
“In addition to supplying housing to a region with high demand, Lil’wat Nation businesses and community members across generations will also benefit from the project through long-term employment and cultural revitalization opportunities,” said CIB CEO Ehren Cory.
Stager explained the exact sum going towards Tseqwtsúqum ’ is still being negotiated with FNBC. She added the Nation has “several other projects lined up, where [they’re] anticipating to access this loan again.”
LBG, based in Mount Currie, oversees the Nation’s for-profit ventures and has stated Tseqwtsúqum ’ will generate revenues and employment for Nation members and nonIndigenous residents throughout its lifespan. n
SIGN OF THE TIMES The Lil’wat development in Whistler’s Function Junction.
PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS
Q&A: Beau Jarvis on housing, hustle and giving back to Whistler
THE LIFELONG WHISTLERITE AND WESGROUP CEO WAS NAMED ONE OF B.C.’S MOST INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS LEADERS ON THE BIV BC500 LIST
BY LIZ MCDONALD
FOR BEAU JARVIS, president and CEO of Wesgroup, having a lasting impact on his community has always been at the heart of both his professional and personal vision.
The Whistler-born-and-raised executive was recently named one of B.C.’s most influential business leaders on the Business in Vancouver BC500 list. With more than two decades of experience in real estate development, Jarvis champions a peoplefirst approach to housing—and gives back through projects like the Old School Initiative, his work with the Whistler Development Corporation, and most recently, his appointment to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) housing strategy committee.
Pique caught up with Jarvis to talk about the accolade, his leadership values, and why Whistler remains central to his life. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.
PIQUE: Congratulations on being named to the BIV BC500 list. What does this recognition mean to you at this stage of your career?
BEAU JARVIS: It’s always nice to be recognized— I’m not going to deny that. But I haven’t been paying too much attention to it, because there’s a lot going on in our industry right now, which is extremely challenged. And then I’ve got five kids and a non-profit that we run in Whistler.
You’ve spoken in the past about your non-profit work through the Old School Initiative. How have those Whistler ties influenced your leadership at Wesgroup?
Everything in Whistler was—and still is, I would say—very entrepreneurial. My parents
were entrepreneurs there. People hustle. The Old School Initiative came out of a need, and we seized on it, growing our ability to support local athletes and programs in Whistler and Pemberton.
That entrepreneurial spirit is probably the biggest thing that’s shaped how I operate and lead. I encourage people in our organization to be quick-moving, adaptable and entrepreneurial. Change is the only constant, and we try to embrace that—even when it’s hard.
Your hustle includes giving back to Whistler in other ways. Council recently appointed you to the housing strategy committee?
That’s right. I’m also on the board of directors for the Whistler Development Corporation and the housing strategy committee. I’d say 100 per cent of my volunteer time goes into Whistler. It’s my home. I feel fortunate—I’ve had a moderate level of success, and I just think it’s really important to give back to the community that gave so much to me.
How does your experience in the private sector inform your work with the WDC and the RMOW committee?
We’re one of the largest home builders in Western Canada—maybe even in Canada— so I think I can help bring that experience to the table. The housing strategy committee is tasked with planning for Whistler’s future housing needs.
What I do every day is figure out how to navigate the ecosystem in this country to deliver more housing. Obviously, the Whistler Development Corporation is focused on affordable and employee housing, which is a unique challenge. But all housing needs to be financed, project managed, and navigated through a complex system—and I think I can help with that. n
LASTING IMPACT Whistler’s Beau Jarvis was recently named one of B.C.’s most influential business leaders.
Why is the price of gas in the Sea to Sky so high?
PROVINCE SAYS IT IS NOT CONTEMPLATING A REVIEW OF FUEL PRICES IN THE SEA TO SKY REGION
BY JENNIFER THUNCHER
The Squamish Chief
ON JULY 27, the price of regular gas was 159.9¢ per litre at most stations in the Sea to Sky corridor.
The price of gas regionally has come down since the B.C. government cancelled the carbon tax effective April 1 of this year.
The reduction of the tax to $0 aligned B.C.’s carbon tax rate with the new federal carbon tax rate.
“The elimination of the carbon tax means people in British Columbia will no longer be required to pay the consumer carbon tax, taking approximately 17¢/L off the cost of fuel,” a provincial government press release said at the time.
But locals and regional leaders have noted the price at the pump still doesn’t match other communities.
For example, in Cranbrook on July 27, drivers could fill up for 129.9¢/L. In Kelowna, the price of gas was 134.9¢/L.
Metro Vancouver communities pay a motor fuel tax for TransLink.
The South Coast British Columbia transportation service region (SCTA) that pays the extra tax includes areas outside of Vancouver, such as Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Burnaby, and north to Lions Bay.
Yet, even though those communities have the extra 18.50¢/L to support transit, their price at the pump can be less than in the corridor.
On July 27, drivers could fill up for 153.9 ¢/L in Burnaby, for example.
NO CONSPIRACY
The Squamish Chief contacted regional stations
“I get a delivery and receive the invoices, and the price is based on that. It’s that simple.”
Other stations referred the Chief to their parent companies or did not provide a comment by press deadline.
‘A LUXURY PREMIUM?’
The issue of higher gas prices in the corridor has long been a thorn in the side of former
“I get a delivery and receive the invoices, and the price is based on that. It’s that simple.”
- GREG NAUNDORF
and their parent companies, by phone and/ or email.
Green Lake Station Café and Fuel in Whistler owner, Greg Naundorf, was willing to go on the record. He stressed there is no conspiracy between stations in the Sea to Sky.
“It’s illegal to discuss prices with other stations, so I don’t speak to any of them,” said Naundorf.
Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy, who recently posted publicly about it, urging residents to contact the premier and energy minister to demand action.
“This is a luxury premium that is being imposed by the fuel companies,” Sturdy said. “Why [do] they feel they can justify an excess of 24¢/L to charge us in the Sea to Sky?”
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Smartstrategies
Commission (BCUC) collected all the data needed for a proper submission to the Canadian Competition Bureau on the issue. In 2021, the BCUC acknowledged there was an unexplained bump in the cost of fuel in the Sea to Sky corridor.
“They’re welcome to do it again, post carbon tax elimination, but then I’d like to see some action on it,” Sturdy said.
He is calling on the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Adrian Dix, to take existing data and create a submission to the competition bureau.
“If we recognize there’s a problem, then let’s at least attempt to do something about it, or at least figure it out, or understand why. I just don’t understand the reticence [of the provincial government] to put together a submission to the Competition Bureau and forward it off to Ottawa. Like, why not? What’s the downside?” Sturdy said.
“It’s not like it’s a whole pile of work. They just need to package the submission and send it off. And it could be that the Competition Bureau will come back and say, ‘Well, you just don’t have enough competition.’”
While he acknowledged he hasn’t done a deep dive into the data, given his surface research, Sturdy said he doubts anywhere else in B.C. deals with the constantly elevated fuel prices seen in the Sea to Sky.
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Sea to Sky is the most expensive place to buy gas in North America,” he said. “When we’re concerned about affordability in the Sea to Sky, these are one of those things that impact affordability.”
He pointed to local companies that involve trucking and how much they are having to pay for fuel.
Sturdy, a Pemberton farmer himself, said the extra money paid locally for fuel could have more than supported a regional transit system. Sturdy was on the committee working toward regional transit when he was in office.
“I think what we were proposing with a regional transit system was a fuel tax of three
cents a litre, [which] was going to pay for it for the first few years. [It would] pay the local government share anyway for the first three years,” he said. “And even if we doubled that to six cents, it was going to pay both the provincial and the local government share.”
The Green Party’s Jeremy Valeriote, current MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, concurred.
“If we were being charged fairly and getting transit, then that would be OK,” he said. “Currently, we’re being overcharged, and we’re not getting transit.”
He acknowledged Sturdy’s work on the matter.
“I’m trying to tackle it, but what I want to do is wait for the discussion on a fuel tax for regional transit to be resolved before, so that we can at least have that ready to go, and then try to bring in some of the teeth of the Fuel Price Transparency Act,” he said.
Valeriote campaigned on getting the Sea to Sky regional transit, and it is in the Green Party and NDP provincial government’s Co-operation and Responsible Government Accord.
Valeriote has said he expects an announcement on regional transit this fall.
But last week, he told the Chief that to get regional transit in place (so discussion on the fuel tax for it can move forward), there needs
to be vocal pressure from stakeholders so it is clear it is supported.
PROVINCE CITES TRANSPARENCY MEASURES
A spokesperson for B.C’s Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions said the difference in fuel pricing is exactly why the government brought in the Fuel Price Transparency Act—to shine a light on unfair price gouging and to ensure companies are held publicly accountable.
“The province’s Fuel Price Transparency Act allows the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) to analyze and identify unjustified markups by fuel suppliers, and this has helped control fuel prices,” the spokesperson said, adding the province is not contemplating a review of prices in the Sea to Sky region.
“The BCUC was named as the independent administrator of the Fuel Price Transparency Act and given the power to collect and publish data on fuel pricing in order to promote competition in the market,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
According to the ministry spokesperson, the BCUC believes the retail market has adequately adjusted prices and passed on the savings from the removal of the carbon tax to B.C. consumers, as per the conclusion of its report published on June 17.
Regarding the federal Competition Bureau, the spokesperson said it does not regulate fuel prices, but it will investigate if there is evidence of anti-competitive behaviour in the market, such as price-fixing or restrictions in supply. n
GAS N’ GO Green Lake Station in Whistler’s Rainbow neighbourhood is one of two main service stations in the resort.
PHOTO
BC Parks Foundation secures grizzly corridor purchase amid pushback from Pemberton farmers, officials
SOME RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT ATTRACTING GRIZZLIES TO THE PEMBERTON MEADOWS AND USING POTENTIAL FARMLAND FOR CONSERVATION
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
AFTER LAUNCHING a fundraising bid earlier this year, the BC Parks Foundation has carried out the $2.6 million purchase of 46.5 hectares of Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land in the Pemberton Meadows.
The independent charity arm of BC Parks describes the lot in question as a “critical corridor” for endangered grizzly bears, while some local officials and farmers are raising red flags over food security, land use and public safety.
Jennie McCaffrey, acting CEO of the Foundation, confirmed the land, known as District Lot 813, was acquired in July after being identified by the Coast to Cascades (C2C) Grizzly Bear Initiative as “really important” to the long-term survival of two at-risk bear populations: the SteinNahatlatch and South Chilcotin.
“It really sits at the intersection of two threatened grizzly bear populations,” McCaffrey told Pique. “While this property isn’t a core feeding or breeding area, it plays a role in keeping that door open for movement and genetic exchange between populations.”
The SteinNahatlatch grizzly bear population in B.C. numbers only about 20 bears, with an estimated half-dozen breeding females, according to C2C. The species is critically endangered and genetically isolated, facing threats from habitat fragmentation, poaching, and motorized access.
By contrast, the larger South Chilcotin Ranges population hosts roughly 200 to 220
bears. Though more robust, it is still listed as threatened due to habitat loss, human development and limited connectivity.
The parcel purchased by the Parks Foundation is bordered on two sides by Crown land and lies within a broader conservation strategy to protect wildlife movement corridors in B.C.’s South Coast.
The Foundation says the land had not been actively farmed in more than two years and stresses conservation is a permitted use within Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) zoning. The provincial ALR system exists to protect valuable farmland from development.
But several voices in the community— including Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Electoral Area C director Russell Mack— have expressed concern about the implications.
“They’re gonna plant all sorts of berries and attractants in there,” Mack said during the July 24 SLRD board meeting.
“[Residents have] been told flat out by conservation—everyone in the valley— that you have to put electric fences up, you shouldn’t have fruit trees, you shouldn’t even have animals on your farm because they attract the bears… and now these people are actually planting attractants.”
McCaffrey clarified this point directly: “We are not planting any berries. There is no plan to plant berries on that property. That was a mistake that appeared in a Q&A and has since been corrected.”
Mack also criticized the Foundation’s broader strategy of acquiring agricultural land, arguing the land could be better used to support food production.
“They’re buying these up and taking them out of production. So, here we’ll use these 100 acres of farmland—prime farmland on the valley floor,” he said. “The bears don’t need to be attracted to civilization. They should be up in the high country where they belong.”
These sentiments are echoed in letters submitted to the SLRD from longtime farming families. A letter from Chad Gilmore, of
the multi-generation Gilmore Bros. Farms operation, warned the acquisition could worsen food insecurity.
“Given the reduction of land for farming and the ongoing question of food security in the province, removing 46.5 hectares of land permanently from our small and already impacted Valley is incomprehensible,” the letter read.
Another letter from farm owner Susan Hellevang pointed out while farmers are penalized for attracting bears under the Wildlife Act, the Foundation appeared to be allowed to do just that.
“We are told that grizzly bear habituation is dangerous—for the animals and the people—and are expected to invest heavily in electric fencing and deterrence methods,” she wrote. “Yet now we are being told that this parcel of land will be planted with vegetation and berry bushes specifically to attract bears.”
McCaffrey pushed back on suggestions grizzlies will be drawn into developed areas, stating that secure, undeveloped corridors can reduce humanwildlife conflict.
“Protecting habitat actually helps keep bears and people safe by providing secure spaces for bears to move, feed and rest without entering developed areas,” she said. “Grizzlies tend to avoid people. They can travel within 100 metres of homes and farms without ever being seen.”
According to SLRD director of planning and development Kim Needham, while the land is zoned as ALR, there is no legal requirement to farm it.
“There is no obligation to actually farm within the [ALR],” she said during the board meeting. “There are tax incentives… but there is no incentive to actually utilize farm land for farming.”
Area B director Vivian Birch-Jones expressed skepticism over the connection to local grizzly conservation efforts.
“I’m all in favour of grizzly bears and the Stein-Nahatlatch population is dear to my heart, but I do not connect these dots at all,” she said. “And I don’t see how this benefits that population.”
McCaffrey maintains the acquisition aligns with broader biodiversity goals.
“This area has incredible ecosystem value,” she said. “This is a very biodiverse area with a waterfront, which is critical to allow lots of different wildlife access to the water, so it has a whole host of values for the entire area. So we’re not just talking about grizzlies in this case, but that’s definitely been the focus of the campaign.”
When asked about the loss of agricultural potential, McCaffrey suggested the Foundation remains open to exploring sustainable farming down the line.
“There’s a potential to explore sustainable farming practices in the area that can coexist with wildlife,” she said. “That’s not off the table.”
As for next steps, the Foundation plans to begin engagement with local governments, conservation groups, First Nations and other stakeholders over the next year. A formal consultation process is anticipated in 2026 as work gets underway.
The SLRD, for its part, has passed a motion directing staff to provide a report on policy options related to purchases of ALR land for conservation, as well as background information on the BC Parks Foundation itself.
Despite the outcry, McCaffrey says the Foundation has heard support from many corners, including Sea to Sky residents, donors from across Canada and local MLAs.
“The protection of 46.5 hectares of riverfront habitat is something for all of us to celebrate in B.C.,” she said. “It’s the kind of lasting impact that doesn’t happen without the people of B.C. stepping up.”
Information on the Foundation’s successful fundraising bid can be found on its website. n
GRIZZLY DECISIONS The property could help reconnect fragmented habitat and support recovery efforts for the critically endangered Stein–Nahatlatch and South Chilcotin grizzly populations.
PHOTO BY KELLY COSGROVE / LENS AND LISTINGS
Lil’wat Forestry plants 132,000 seedlings in Mount Meager slide restoration project
REPLANTING WORK AIMS TO STABILIZE BANKS, PROTECT HABITAT AND REDUCE DOWNSTREAM FLOODING RISK
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, the Q’welq’welústen/ Mount Meager landslide unleashed 50 million cubic metres of debris into the Lillooet River Valley—disrupting fish habitat and increasing flood risk down to Pemberton.
This April, as part of a years-long restoration effort, Lil’wat Forestry Ventures (LFV) oversaw the planting of more than 132,000 native trees in an effort to stabilize the debris-laden landscape and speed ecological recovery.
“After the Meager landslide, there was a lot of debris in the Lillooet River that runs through the Pemberton Valley,” explained LFV forestry technician Levi Robson. “The idea behind this replanting was to help accelerate reforestation in those areas. Having these trees here is also going to help stabilize the banks and contribute to healthier riparian habitat for creatures in that stream.”
Restoration efforts began in 2019 when the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation provided seed funding to Lil’wat Nation. In 2022, LFV received funding from the Ministry of Forests’ Forest Investment Program to launch trial replanting efforts, which would in turn be used to inform a long-term restoration plan. The work kicked off in 2023, with 33,000 trees and shrubs planted on a 13-hectare site.
LFV was named a finalist in the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s (REFBC) 2024 Land Awards in the Land Use and Conservation Category for its restoration work at Meager.
The latest phase of the landslide restoration project wrapped after planting the seedlings between April 15 and 21. Subcontracted crews from Peek-a-Boo Services, led by Robin Bellavance, carried out the bulk of the planting this April, seeding a mix of native species including cottonwood, alder, cedar, Douglas fir and Western larch.
“Robin and his crew of tree planters have extensive experience planting sites
on the coast of B.C.,” said Codie Johnston, silviculture project manager at Chartwell Resource Group Ltd., another partner on the project.
“They did a great job of getting the seedlings into the ground in a timely manner with excellent quality.”
The reforestation teams began by surveying the terrain, selecting only the areas most suitable for new growth—a challenging task given that some of the landslide zone is flood-prone or is otherwise not fit for planting.
“We asked, ‘Can we even get a shovel in the ground here, or is it just a compacted cobble layer?’” recalled Robson. “We did test a few plots to figure that out.”
The crews’ strategic decisions included where and what to plant; given the high solar exposure of the valley bottom, crews targeted northeast-facing slopes and shaded zones. They also received a planting variance from the B.C. Ministry of Forests to trial planting the Western larch species.
“We chose this species as it is more drought resistant than Douglas fir and has been identified as a species for assisted migration in previous studies,” explained Johnston.
The crews’ long-term goal is to reduce erosion and sediment accumulation downstream. Currently, dredging is required every year at the head of Lillooet Lake to maintain the river’s flow and protect local infrastructure.
“This project is important to the Lil’wat Nation and community members of Pemberton, as it will reduce sediments building up at the head of Lillooet Lake and other areas along the river that are being dredged out annually to ensure the dikes continue to be effective,” Johnston said.
“Restoration planting will also increase species diversity in the river valley and provide more habitat for mammals, birds and amphibians”
For more information and ongoing updates on the project, visit the storymap website or the restoration’s Facebook page. n
SOWING SEASON The Lil’wat Nation has been working with local stakeholders to restore the slide area since 2019. PHOTO COURTESY OF LIL’WAT FORESTRY VENTURES
Joyriding with Justin Wyper
IF YOU’VE RIDDEN the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s Fitzsimmons chair, enjoyed a bulldog on the Longhorn patio or simply walked past Skier’s Plaza in the last few weeks, you’ve probably noticed the towering jumps in the Boneyard are nearing completion. Red Bull Joyride—the flagship event of Crankworx that
BY VINCE SHULEY
everyone turns out to watch—is less than two weeks away.
The team behind the course build is contracted specifically for this event every year, their specialized skill set essential for such artistry. Leading this team of diggers and machine operators is Justin Wyper, a former slopestyle competitor himself who has gained a reputation as the go-to guy when you want to build the perfect jumps, berms and landings. While you may be familiar with his work on the Joyride course every year, Wyper’s work also shows up in other competitions like Rampage and many Red Bull film projects. Like Realm, where he also has a riding cameo in front of the camera next to slopestyle star Brandon Semenuk.
I caught up with Wyper a few weeks ago
to talk about how the Joyride course comes together, what riders are looking for on their run and the team that helps him make it all happen. He was happy to take a break from the scorching temperatures in the Boneyard and take a phone call in the shade.
PIQUE: How long have you been building slopestyle courses?
JW: I got into course building around 2014, that’s when I started working with Paddy Kaye and Joyride. It was around then I also started working with Brandon (Semenuk) as
out to enjoy myself on those special projects.
You were a young aspiring slopestyle rider during the early days of Crankworx. How would you say the slopestyle course design has evolved?
It has evolved with the riding. When Red Bull came in and the slopestyle went back to the Joyride brand, we were able to build on what had been done in previous years and tweak some designs that weren’t working as well. (The Boneyard) used to be fall-line and mostly downhill with lots of braking, then you’d have
“We’re lucky here with the dirt we have, but when you pull it out of the ground it’s quite rocky.”
- JUSTIN WYPER
well. We’d grown up on the contest circuit together and 2014 was around the time he was starting to taper off from slopestyle competition. I’d get him out to ride the Joyride course and give us (the builders) some honest feedback. That led us to working together outside of the Crankworx stuff on his personal film projects and other comps like Red Bull Rampage.
As time went on, getting out to travel and do film projects is harder and harder with a family now. But every once in a while I still get
to pedal into the next jump. Now we’ve got the speed so dialled that all you have to do now as a rider is think about the tricks. We can’t control factors like the wind and the sun, but we make it as smooth and fast as possible so riders can focus on what they’re there to do.
How do you get those huge Joyride jumps looking so perfect?
We’re lucky here with the dirt we have, but when you pull it out of the ground it’s
quite rocky. We use a machine to remove big rocks, but our crew rakes and sifts all the remaining dirt by hand. With that fine dirt, you add water and it binds together so well. Once it packs and dries, it’s almost in a concrete-like state. After the excavator has roughed in the jump, we shape the top four inches of dirt to exactly what we need, without worrying about it falling apart. We’ll also spray the sides of the jumps and the course with hydroseed to encourage grass to grow. That has three benefits; it looks really good, the root systems help guard against erosion on steep slopes, and it helps keep the dust down.
How big is the builder crew that you work with every year to make this course happen?
We generally have two machine operators going from May until August, one specialist for bulking the dirt and laying it out and one specialist for the shaping. Then we have four or five guys on the hand crew that are raking, sifting and packing. We also have two or three carpenters working on all the wooden structures. I play a big role here, but none of it would happen without this crew. They’re all just as passionate as I am about building and riding. They put their heart and soul into it, and that’s really what makes Joyride what it is.
Vince Shuley steers clear of the Boneyard, unless he’s watching Red Bull Joyride. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. n
SLOPE STYLIN’ Justin Wyper has led the building efforts at Red Bull Joyride for more than a decade.
PHOTO BY CORBIN SELFIE
Time to buy local advertising
BY PETER KVARNSTROM
IN FEBRUARY 2024, after Bell Media announced 4,800 job cuts across Canada, Premier David Eby spoke passionately about the need for people to get “accurate, impartial, reliable information in an age of disinformation and social media craziness.”
As a longtime news publisher, I know that, with 81 per cent of Canadians turning to newspaper content each week for that accurate, impartial, and reliable information. So, we don’t have an audience problem. What we have is an advertising problem.
Since the founding of the Halifax Gazette in 1752, government advertising had always been an important source of revenue for news businesses. It allowed us to invest in journalists who produce fact-based, factchecked reporting Canadians rely upon.
In more recent years, we’ve seen those government dollars disappear. By way of example, the federal government reports that during fiscal year 2022 to 2023, it spent more than $86 million on advertising. Of that, less than $1 million went to all print publications in the country combined.
So, where did those millions go? The answer is largely to American tech giants like Facebook, Instagram and Google, amongst others.
Canadians are rightly concerned about protecting our economy and our sovereignty in the face of threats and misinformation coming from the U.S. One of the most effective ways to counter misinformation and to protect our Canadian culture and identity is to have commercially viable and fiercely independent Canadian journalism.
The question is: how do we do pay for it? One of the most effective ways would
be overstated: In its first five years, it injected more than $72 million into the local community media sector. This helped critical information reach New Yorkers who rely on community media as their primary source of news, and added an important source of revenue for these outlets.”
The not-for-profit Rebuild Local News found that advertising set-asides, done right, have the following benefits:
First, they can provide substantial revenue to local news organizations and help community journalism thrive. Second, it is money the government is already spending—not new money—so it does not require enlarging state or local budgets or raising taxes. Third, government messages can reach a full range of residents, including those who may not be using larger media. Fourth, as advertising, it is payment for a service rendered, not a subsidy, per se. Finally, advertising in community news helps government be more effective by reaching audiences through community and ethnic publications that are more trusted in their communities.
According to a recent study, advertising in trustworthy environments lead to a 25-percent lift in brand rating. News publishers in aggregate are seen as 35 per cent above the baseline level of trust across information environments. And local news publishers see an additional 16-per-cent gain in perceived trustworthiness among local audiences, so newspapers are a highly effective way for the government to reach British Columbians.
We recommend British Columbia adopt a minimum 25 per cent set-aside for government advertising, as well as for Crown corporations like BC Hydro, BC Transit, and British Columbia Lottery Corporation, to help preserve local journalism jobs and keep local
be for governments—federal, provincial, and municipal—to set aside a minimum of 25 per cent of their advertising spend for trusted Canadian news brands.
There are two examples that prove this is working. A year ago, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative premier, Doug Ford, directed that 25 per cent of his government’s advertising spending, including that of Ontario’s Crown corporations, be set aside for news publications. I can tell you from the publishers that I speak with in Ontario, this made an immediate and meaningful difference to many news titles.
Five years ago, former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, mandated that city agencies allocate at least 50 per cent of their print and digital advertising to community and ethnic media. According to The Center for Community Media at CUNY, “The impact of this policy cannot
and community newspapers open. And those journalists keep communities and residents informed, so they can effectively participate in democratic processes.
It would also send an important signal to private-sector advertisers about keeping ad dollars here in B.C., rather than sending them to big-tech behemoths in California, whose algorithms amplify misinformation and disinformation.
Premier Eby should direct his officials to spend the Province’s advertising dollars in towns like Merritt, British Columbia instead of Mountain View or Menlo Park, California. It’s time to support the home team by buying locally.
Peter Kvarnstrom is a director with the BC and Yukon Community Newsmedia Association and is publisher of the Coast Reporter, in Sechelt, B.C. n
Best of PEMBERTON 2025
Drumroll please…
FAVOURITE NICKNAME FOR PEMBERTON
1. Pemby
2. Pemberton
3. Spud Valley
WHAT WORD BEST DESCRIBES PEMBERTON?
1. Community 2. Potato
3. Paradise/home/beautiful
NO.1 REASON WE ARE NOT LIKE WHISTLER
1. Tight-knit community
2. Small-town vibes
BY PIQUE STAFF
PHOTOS BY DAVID BUZZARD DAVIDBUZZARD.COM
Over the past two months, Pemberton locals and visitors alike cast their votes for the people, places, and experiences that make this little mountain town truly one of a kind.
From mouthwatering burgers and the perfect cup of coffee to stunning horse trails and even the most creative name for a horse (Pony Soprano, anyone?)—you’ve voted, and now it’s time to reveal the best of Pemberton’s best for 2025.
3. Less busy/touristy
FAVOURITE NEIGHBOURHOOD
1. Pemberton Meadows
2. The Glen
3. Benchlands
NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR
1. Pemberton tied for largest home-value increase in B.C.
2. Pemberton council passes 14.2% tax increase
3. Pemberton farmers brace for impact of trade war
FAVOURITE NONPROFIT
1. PAWS 2. PORCA
3. Food bank
MOST PRESSING NEED IN THE COMMUNITY
1. Affordable housing
2. Public transportation and commuter amenities
3. Childcare and early learning resources
WHICH ESTABLISHMENT HOSTS THE BEST EVENTS?
1. The Beer Farmers
2. The Downtown Community Barn
3. The PemHo
FAVOURITE PEMBERTONIAN
1. Misha Cossette
2. Bob Menzel
3. Bruce Miller
HOW FREQUENTLY DO YOU PURCHASE LOCAL PRODUCE?
1. Usually
2. Sometimes
3. Always
TheWhistlerRealEstateCompany wouldliketoextenda bigcongratulations to Danielle Menzel,K atelyn Spink, andL isaHiltonfor beingvoted thetop three FavouriteRealtorsinthe Best of Pember ton2025Awards!
BESTOFPEMBERTON2025 FAVOURITEREALTORS
Pember tonAnimalWell-beingSociety isincrediblygrateful to everyone that votedfor PAWSastheBestof Pemberton's FavouriteNon-profit!
Ever yanimalwehelp, ever yrescuestory we'rea par tofand ever ysecond chance we give-noneofitwouldbepossible withoutthesupport ofouramazing community.Whetheryou'veadopted, fostered,donated,volunteeredor simply cheereduson,thankyou for believinginwhatwedo. Want to getinvolvedorlearn more? Visit pember tonpaws.com
DANIELLE MENZEL
LISA HILTON
WHERE DO YOU LAND ON THE GREATNESS OF PEMBERTON POTATOES?
1. Strongly agree—they’re spudtacular!
2. Agree
3. Neither agree nor disagree
WHAT’S THE BEST NAME FOR A HORSE?
1. Spud
2. Banjo/Bucky/Horsey
3. Horsey McHorseFace
4. Honourable mention: Pony Soprano
FAVOURITE ARTIST/ARTISAN
1. Vanessa Stark
2. Karen Love
3. Heidi Mattson
THE BREAD WAREHOUSE
MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT
1. Slow Food Cycle
2. Barn Dance
3. Farmers’ Market
FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHER
1. Shane Roy
2. Kelly Cosgrove/Matt Bruhns
3. Brittany Andrew
FAVOURITE BAND/MUSICIAN
1. Dakota Pearl
2. The Zummers
3. The Pemberton Project
FAVOURITE WRITER
1. Lisa Richardson
2. Veronica Woodruff
3. Cindy Filipenko
$1,499,000
$1,670,000
#333-4905 Spearhead Place Greystone, Benchlands
$2,129,000 Condominium
SQ.FT.: 1,114 Beds: 2 Baths: 2
DANIELLE MENZEL
FAVOURITE RESTAURANT
1. Fish and Rice
2. The Pony
The Bread Warehouse
VALUE 1. Backcountry Pizza
The Bread Warehouse
The Centennial
BREAKFAST 1. The Bread Warehouse
Blackbird Bakery
North Arm Farm
TAKEOUT 1. Backcountry Pizza
Fish and Rice
The Centennial
DESSERT
1. The Bread Warehouse
1. Mount Currie Coffee Co. 2. Blackbird Bakery
The Bread Warehouse
BURGERS 1. Mile One Eating House/The Pony
Beer Farmers/Miller’s Fries
Town Square
BEER SELECTION
The Beer Farmers
The Pony
Pemberton Brewing Co. BEST BREWERY/DISTILLERY
1. The Beer Farmers 2. Pemberton Brewing Co. 3. N/A
BEST SERVICE
1. The Pony 2. Fish and Rice 3. The Bread Warehouse
The Hitching Post Motel/The Cabin at Sweetwater Lane Farm
Mountain Rose Parlour
Mynt Salon
Ivy Esthetics
Esthetics by Courtney
Browtown Beauty
FAVOURITE WEDDING VENUE 1. Riverlands Red Barn 2. North Arm Farm 3. Big Sky Golf Club
FAVOURITE RETAIL SHOP
1. The Pemberton Collective 2. Small Potatoes Bazaar 3. Dandelion and Clover
Village Barber BEST LOCAL ESTHETICS SPOT
Ben Thompson looking forward to Crankworx
Whistler’s 20th anniversary
THE SQUAMISH-BASED SLOPESTYLE RIDER FEELS WHISTLER HAS A VIBE ‘NO OTHER STOP ON THE TOUR CAN MATCH’
BY DAVID SONG
STORYLINES ABOUND going into this year’s edition of Red Bull Joyride.
Has the ladies’ field gotten any closer to Alma Wiggberg, who in 2024 dominated her way to a historic gold medal? Can Dawid Godziek defend his title in Whistler, or is Timothé Bringer fated to prevail for a third time this year? What of Emil Johansson: is the former Quadruple Crown recipient prepared to seize more glory, or will the broken collarbone and rib he suffered in Cairns be enough to diminish his abilities?
Lurking in the background is Ben Thompson, one of Squamish’s favourite slopestylists. He may not be as heralded a name as those mentioned above, but he is overflowing with excitement to return to the Boneyard.
“Whistler is 100 per cent the heart of Crankworx. There’s nothing else like it,” Thompson opined. “The atmosphere, the crowds, the history. It’s the one event I look forward to most every year, and I know that’s true for thousands of others too. It’s got a vibe
that no other stop on the tour can match.”
Thompson states he would have aimed for a professional hockey career in another life, but in this one: mountain biking was always his destiny. He took advantage of his childhood in the Sea to Sky area to get comfortable on his bike, then fall in love with the rush of jumping ever higher and landing
he finally got to drop in, managing a full run unlike several of his opponents. Judges awarded him 70.2 points, good enough for seventh, but fans voted for him en masse nonetheless.
Understandably, Thompson described that moment as “an insane dream” from which he did not wish to wake.
“The atmosphere, the crowds, the history. It’s the one event I look forward to most every year...”
- BEN THOMPSON
ever more daring tricks. A key moment in the early stages of his career was qualifying for the 2019 Gold Slope event in Big White.
Four years later, Thompson was voted Rider of the Day at Joyride.
‘ENDLESS MEMORIES’ Performance-wise, Joyride 2023 did not turn out to be Thompson’s finest moment.
Blustery winds necessitated an event delay of some three hours—a difficult hand for any rider to be dealt. The Squamolian decided to play a conservative game when
Another watershed day for him occurred in Rotorua this March, at the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza. Thompson was allowed to enter last-minute after injuries to other contestants and let it rip with an 82.92-point run. Despite falling well short of victorious Bringer (93.25) and runner-up Kaidan Ingersoll (90.87), he did just enough to eclipse Paul Couderc (82.06) for bronze.
“I have dreamt of this moment, forever,” remarked Thompson on social media about his first Crankworx podium appearance. “This only gives me more motivation moving forward.”
Now the young man has a chance to begin building a legacy in his favourite venue, and he does not intend to approach it in a lackadaisical manner.
“It’s honestly crazy to think Crankworx Whistler is turning 20,” Thompson said. “I’ve been to pretty much every single one since the beginning, so to now be competing for the third year in a row and during such a major milestone feels pretty special. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
“For me, there are endless memories at Crankworx Whistler. When I think back to my early childhood, it’s always Crankworx Whistler that stands out the most. Standing in the Boneyard watching Joyride to walking through the village and seeing your heroes around every corner, it was surreal. Those moments for sure stand out to me.”
One might assume that, as a slopestyle rider, Thompson likes Joyride more than any other part of Whistler’s festival… but that’s not necessarily true. Instead he finds it “impossible” to choose any particular highlight, for the entire week-and-a-half is compelling. Thompson goes to bed every night during summer months with Crankworx on his brain: the energy, the people, the riding, and maybe—just maybe—a medal this August he’ll always treasure.
Red Bull Joyride is currently scheduled for Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. Visit crankworx.com to learn more. n
DIRT DEVIL Ben Thompson of Squamish did not fear the spotlight at the 2023 Red Bull Joyride.
PHOTO BY ROB PERRY
WORCA to introduce new Hillman enduro race Aug. 24
THE WOMEN’S-ONLY WITSEND RETURNS AUG. 23
BY DAVID SONG
SEA TO SKY mountain bikers are getting a novel event to sink their teeth into this summer.
Enter the Hillman, an enduro-style race conceived by the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) as a twin undertaking to the Witsend. Both races will be held on the same course.
Locals may already have an inkling of this, but the Hillman is named after Charles Hillman and the renowned “Toad Hall” cabin, also known as Hillman House: two key emblems of Whistler’s countercultural origin.
“The Hillman was born out of community demand for a spirited, high-quality race that brings people together for a day of good times on bikes. It’s designed to be equal parts inclusive, challenging, and fun,” said WORCA events and sponsorship coordinator Laura Bryce. “Charles Hillman was a ski instructor, teacher and larger-than-life local whose cabin was a hub for adventurers and misfits alike. That same spirit of community, grit, and a bit of irreverence is what the Hillman race aims to channel.”
First and foremost, the Hillman is a community-focused event. Intermediate and advanced riders may realize the most success, with adequately prepared newbies and individuals from other trail networks welcome to join in. New for 2025, WORCA is offering a single-event membership so people from outside the Sea to Sky can participate in either the Hillman or Witsend without absorbing the cost of a full-year membership.
‘ENDURO IS ALL ABOUT THE SHARED EXPERIENCE’
The Witsend, meanwhile, is coming back for its third go-around.
Unlike the Hillman, the Witsend is a woman-centric race named after five Lower Mainland teachers who became the only group of ladies to collectively own an Alta Lake property during the 1950s. Bryce
states the race was inspired by many capable riders in and around Whistler who relish a space to ride hard, have fun and meet other athletes in a safe environment.
“The Witsend offers something that’s still rare in mountain biking: a space designed by and for women, trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse riders,” added Bryce. “That kind of intentional space fosters community, confidence, and joy. Riders show up for each other in a way that’s unique to this event, and the impact has been tangible, from first-timers discovering their strength to seasoned racers finding new reasons to love the sport.
“Enduro is all about the shared experience. You’re racing against the clock on stages, but spending the rest of the day climbing, chatting, laughing and cheering each other on. It naturally builds community. You ride hard, but you do it together, and that’s what both the Witsend and the Hillman are really about.”
Outside of simple racing, both events are designed to support local causes and unite community members in a celebration of trails and their shared sport. The Witsend goes first on Aug. 23 and the Hillman follows a day later, with both offering a short-course (three stage) and a full-course (five stage) option.
Full-course riders can expect to tackle up to 30 kilometres of distance and 1,500 metres of climbing across stages like Old Binty’s > Billy Epic, Second Hand > Cat Scratch, Prowler > Howler > No View and Fever Cat, and a fifth to be unveiled shortly before race day. In comparison, the short course features approximately 18 kilometres and 900 metres of elevation gain.
No matter which option is chosen, participants can expect to experience the rocky, root-marred, flowy and technical trails the Sea to Sky is known for.
Après follows both races with food and drinks on tap, as well as prizes at stake. “It’s not just about the podium—it’s about showing up and having a great day on Whistler’s vast trail network,” Bryce said.
Visit worca.com/news-events to learn more and to register. n
RARIFIED RIDE Riders assembled at the 2024 Witsend enduro race in Whistler.
PHOTO BY JAYDEN SMITH / COURTESY OF WORCA
Taking pride in the local: Qwal’ímak Coffee Company uses farm-fresh produce to fuel connection in Mount Currie
THE LIL’WAT NATION’S ONLY COFFEE OUTLET BLENDS LOCAL PRODUCE, LIL’WAT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN A UNIQUELY MOUNT CURRIE WAY
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
IF YOU’RE DRIVING up to Joffre Lakes, you might miss the small signs for Qwal’ímak Coffee Company. But that’s about to change.
“We just picked proper signs yesterday,” said Claudia Thevarge, the 25-year-old behind the Lil’wat Nation’s new community-minded coffee trailer. “We’re going to have more on the road. So I think tourism will start booming, for sure.”
Thevarge grew up in Mount Currie. After a stint in Kelowna where she worked at a café/ grocery hybrid that expanded her coffee chops, she returned home. And when a job at the New Site turned into a suggestion to start a café, she jumped in head first. It took about six months to bring the coffee company to fruition and launch the Nation’s first-ever coffee outlet.
“I’ve had a couple people mention it’s the talk of the community, because we don’t have anything like this,” she told Pique. “There aren’t a lot of coffee options around, especially in Mount Currie.
“So, [Qwal’ímak] is for the Nation and for our guests.”
LOCALLY SOURCED, LOCALLY FUELLED
Being the Nation’s sole coffee shop isn’t the only void the trailer is filling; Thevarge saw a need for a business that could regularly provide farm-fresh food to customers.
“I really wanted fresh food,” she
recalled. “I wanted fresh, clean food that’s not super greasy or that’s been sitting for long.”
Fortunately, the Coffee Company is situated on Qwal’ímak Nlep’cálten, or ‘Mosquito Garden’—a four-hectare Lil’wat food-sovereignty project that grows a wide array of vegetables and provides harvest boxes for community members.
As a result, much of Qwal’ímak’s menu is built around produce grown on-site or nearby.
“Our mixed greens are coming straight from the farm … our lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes—a couple of those items are not quite ready yet, but as our veggies start to get ready, then we can start using them way more,” said Thevarge.
That local sourcing extends to some
cauliflower, for example. So, we freeze it and throw it in our smoothies,” she explained. “We just dehydrated some strawberries for the first time. We’re hoping to utilize everything from the farm.”
The café serves a tight menu of fresh sandwiches, salads and simple espresso drinks.
“We’re not super speedy, because everything is made to order, but we are fresh,” said Thevarge. “Our salmon bagel and Caprese salad are total hits.”
Being located on the farm offers another benefit to the business; proximity to a small, but tight-knit group of friends and family.
Thevarge’s sister, Rosie, 10 years her junior, is one of three summer students working at Qwalímak this season. The rest of
“It could be a really good opportunity for communities to bond.”
-
of the coffees on offer. The lavender syrup in her iced lattes? Made from lavender picked on the farm, steeped and bottled by Thevarge herself.
Thevarge’s drinks menu runs the gamut of classic coffees—from cortado to espresso— and gets creative with an equal number of teas—from chai to mountain mint. And while she’s not big on “Starbucks-style crazy drink options,” she’s more than happy to make modifications to suit her customers’ tastes.
Using the farm’s produce has come with an additional challenge: Thevarge is embracing creative ways to reduce food waste.
“Sometimes we can’t sell all our
the farm crew is just as familiar.
“Everyone on the farm, we all know each other. [We’ve] all grown up with each other,” Thevarge said.
“And it’s my sister’s first café job, and she’s just totally stepped in,” she added. “She’s already steaming milk. And because there’s the age gap, we don’t get to spend a lot of time together, so this has been just awesome.”
ENTREPRENEURSHIP ON THE DUFFEY
Qwal’ímak isn’t owned outright by Thevarge; it’s operated under the Lil’wat Nation’s
Agriculture Department. Thevarge said the ownership model reflects a broader push to empower local youth through meaningful work. She encourages young entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to the department.
“The Nation is totally there to support you,” Thevarge said. “Reach out to the Nation. Tell them your idea, let them know what you want. They can kind of make it happen.”
Thevarge sees the trailer’s successful launch as just the first step towards creating a community and cultural institution.
“We’re getting toilets put in, we’ve got a flower garden going,” she said. “Eventually we’ll be selling fresh produce here, too. You’ll be able to grab a coffee and a bag of veggies.”
She hopes to eventually bring the trailer to powwows, rodeos and other community events, but there’s infrastructure work to be done first—like WiFi for digital payments in rural areas. They’re also working on adding in a septic system to accommodate visitors and make it a must-stop on folks’ trip up the Duffey.
“And with people going to up Joffre all the time from here, it’d be really good to come and visit the community as well,” Thevarge said.
“I want to have some signs—some education around the Duffey and Joffre, because people can be sometimes upset about the closure. It could be a really good opportunity for communities to bond. I’m just ready for everyone to get along.
“We can do it just bringing everyone together and sipping on some good coffee.”
Qwal’ímak Coffee Company is located at 590 Lake Road, off Highway 99, about 10 minutes up from Mount Currie. Thevarge also said to expect the trailer at the Pemberton Farmers’ Market on Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. More info can be found on their Facebook and Instagram pages. n
FARM FRESH “[Qwal’ímak] is for the Nation and for our guests,” says founder Claudia Thevarge. PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS
CLAUDIA THEVARGE
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE
Whistler’s Flag Stop Festival returns for year 14
THE EVENT RUNS FROM AUG. 6 TO 9 AND WILL PREMIERE A BRAND-NEW PLAY
BY DAVID SONG
A SMORGASBORD of playwrights, actors, musicians, comedians and dancers is on hand to help the Point Artist-Run Centre (PARC) bring its Flag Stop Theatre and Arts Festival to Whistler for a 14th time.
At Flag Stop’s heart is a new, awardwinning stage play: “The Conversation.” Authored by Bronwyn Preece and directed by Brandon Barrett, this story features eight characters grappling with denial and inevitability as a flood threatens to destroy everything they know. This latest offering from Preece was an award finalist at the 202425 Earth Matters on Stage Ecodramaturgy Festival.
“We’ve done both light comedy and more serious drama over the years, so this one is a bit experimental and serious, which is kind of exciting,” reveals PARC artistic director Stephen Vogler. “These four pairs of people … are basically almost having the same conversation [in different ways]. We chose Brandon as the director because he has written and directed plays that tackle deeper subjects for Flag Stop before.
“I think [‘The Conversation’] is very timely in terms of climate change and the way we humans deal with—or try not to deal with— impending crises.”
Viewers who prefer a more lighthearted approach to storytelling need not fear: Laugh Out LIVE has dreamed up a new comedy set that also works with the theme of an impending flood. This set will play back-toback with “The Conversation” on both Aug. 8 and 9.
FUN IN THE PARK
Flag Stop begins Aug. 6 in Florence Petersen Park, where DJ Vinyl Ritchie sets the mood at 6 p.m. Known for his touring experience and wide range of music, the local favourite
things off an hour later. Dancers from ALGN Whistler are on hand to offer interactive performances between each act.
“[Balkan Shmalkan] has been playing a lot of festivals … but it’s incredible getting that big of a band to come up here,” Vogler says. “They’re just so much fun. They’ve become a real favourite, [dancing in] from the Village Stroll into Florence Petersen Park. This is the third or fourth time we’ll be having them up here and I’m always pleased when they can make it.
“Last time [the West Coast Front] played was at Kevin Mikkelsen’s fundraiser at
“I think [‘The Conversation’] is very timely in terms of climate change...”
- STEPHEN VOGLER
can play to any crowd and get them ready for Balkan Shmalkan.
This is not your everyday group. Balkan Shmalkan is a 10-piece brass party band from East Vancouver, offering funky dance beats rooted in the aural traditions of the Roma and Klezmorim of Eastern Europe. Group members sing in multiple languages to boot: including Serbian, Romani and Italian.
Vogler’s own five-piece ska, reggae and rock outfit, the West Coast Front, takes the reins at 8 p.m., and Dakota Pearl will finish
Merlin’s and we got a really good response from a whole lot of people who maybe haven’t heard us for a long time. [Dakota Pearl] is a dyed-in-the-wool country band out of Pemberton doing really well. I kind of see Flag Stop as the local music festival version of what happens at Olympic Plaza. We get to feature some regional bands.”
Nothing is scheduled for Aug. 7 as the PARC team readies its signature floating stage on Alta Lake and actors undergo final dress rehearsals.
‘REALLY INTERESTING’
In addition to the aforementioned plays, Flag Stop will bring in two exciting musical talents on Aug. 8 and 9: The History of Gunpowder and Mivule.
“We almost got them last year,” says Vogler about The History of Gunpowder, who label themselves as a freak-out funk orchestra. “We’ve been talking for a year and I just started listening to their music over that period. It’s really interesting. I’m not sure how to describe it. There’s a lot going on, and it’s kind of theatrical.”
Mivule is led by South Sudanese/Ugandan singer and songwriter Brian Broda, who often mixes politically and socially conscious themes into his lyrics. Matt Yard supports on the bass and guitar, while Jesiah Yarish adds a root reggae flavour to his drumming. Together, they blend the genres of reggae, afrobeat and dub in both English and the Luganda language.
Flag Stop’s final two days include dinner prepared by Red Seal Chef Frederic Royer, drinks from the Whistler Wine Guy and Steamworks Brewing, and nonalcoholic beverages. Tickets operate on a three-tiered system: dinner ($55), theatre and live music only ($30) and live music only ($15). PARC members are entitled to a 15-per-cent discount.
The PARC wishes to thank all volunteers involved with Flag Stop as well as sponsors like Gibbons Whistler, Nesters Market, Whistler Hardware, Sue and Bob Adams, the BC Arts Council, the Province of B.C. and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Visit thepointartists.com/events for more details. n
FLOAT YOUR BOAT Actors perform at the 2024 Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival in Whistler.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHEN VOGLER
Pemberton Dance Studio reaches 10th anniversary milestone
FOUNDER ANNA KROUPINA SAYS DANCE STILL ‘DRIVES AND INSPIRES’ HER EVERY DAY
BY DAVID SONG
THE PEMBERTON Dance Studio is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Anna Kroupina founded the studio because she wanted to make a space for kids to express their creative side and receive good dance education in a town that—for all its focus on sport—nurtures artists, too.
Kroupina has been dancing in some way, shape or form since the young age of three, training extensively in the ballet, contemporary, jazz, lyrical and acro genres. Her performing credits encompass Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and Giselle. The Russian expat’s lifelong pursuit has taken her to numerous countries while instilling discipline, creativity, resilience and the joy of expression within her.
“Now into my 40s, [dance] is still something that drives and inspires me every day,” Kroupina says. “Teaching allows me to pass that on, helping dancers uncover their potential, build confidence, and connect with the art form in their own way. My vision was about creating a place where dancers of all ages could feel supported, challenged and inspired. I wanted the studio to feel like a second home, where dancers could explore creativity, grow in confidence, and feel proud of what they accomplish.”
Several good teachers have helped to make this goal a reality: like Angela Waldie, Danielle Poupart, Holly Parker and Trish Belham.
GET CRACKING Pemberton Dance Studio put on a rendition of The Nutcracker on Dec. 21, 2024.
Above all, the studio is known for fostering a supportive and tight-knit community. Families are encouraging, involved with their kids’ growth and caring towards one another. Kroupina and her faculty strive to maintain a culture welcoming to all: where hard work is celebrated, kindness matters, and every dancer feels valued.
“Running the studio has taught me so much—not just about dance or business, but about leadership, patience, and trusting the process. I’ve grown more resilient and adaptable, and learned that success isn’t always about perfection; it’s about personal happiness in doing what I do,” says Kroupina.
She adds: “My teaching philosophy is
“I wanted the studio to feel like a second home...”
-
ANNA KROUPINA
The Studio opened its doors a decade ago with just a few classes, but now can offer a varied schedule of programs geared towards different styles and age groups. Competitive teams push students who wish to level up their ability, while local shows bring Pembertonians together. Kroupina’s pupils have taken on notable productions like Alice in Wonderland, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and even The Nutcracker.
“Productions like the Story of the Nutcracker are so much more than just learning choreography, although it is a fascinating four-month crash course in intensive ballet training,” explains Kroupina. “They teach teamwork, responsibility, time management, patience and what it means to commit to a bigger project in a short span of time. The dancers learn to support each other, navigate challenges, problem-solve and shine on stage—and the pride they feel afterward carries over into other areas of their lives. These shows also create such magical memories that stay with them forever.”
FLAG STOP FLAG STOP FLAG
Wednesday,August6,6PM
Friday,August8,6PM ThePointArtist-Run Centre (Ticketed)
centred on empowering each dancer, helping them find joy in movement, and creating a space where they feel safe to challenge themselves, make mistakes, and grow. When I see this, it fills up my bucket. I think one of the biggest highlights is seeing dancers who started with us as tiny tots grow into amazing, mature artists and people, who help co-create and share the vision. Another proud moment was how we pulled together as a community to keep dance alive through the challenges of the pandemic, it was very hard.”
Kroupina expressed gratitude for local businesses who make the studio’s productions possible via fundraising and sponsorship, as well as volunteers who give their time to fill various roles. She hopes to one day acquire a permanent studio space with which to facilitate new programs and inspire dancers to “see how they can make the world a better place.”
The Pemberton Dance Studio’s year-end recital, The Whimsical World of Seuss, ran on June 7 in the Maury Young Arts Centre as an original production featuring 60 students. n
Saturday,August9,6PM
ThePointArtist-Run Centre (Ticketed)
August6-9,2025
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA KROUPINA
DaveBeattie
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE
Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events
Join the Whistler Naturalists on the first Saturday of the month for a walk to Rainbow Park. Open to anyone interested in learning about birds and contributing as a citizen scientist. Connect with experienced birders who are happy to share their knowledge.
> Aug. 2, 7 a.m.
> Meet at base of Lorimer Road
SPO7EZ ARTIST MARKET
The Spo7ez Artist Market celebrates the incredible talents of artisans from the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. It takes place on the first Saturday of each month this summer.
> Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
> Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
MEET AND GREET WITH APRIL MATHESON
This intimate cocktail event offers the chance to meet April in person, learn about her richly textured works, and chat about the little sparks of everyday beauty that shape her practice, from warm golden greens to spontaneous snapshots of colour in a passing garden. April’s thoughtful process and playful honesty shine through in every piece.
> Aug. 2, 4 p.m.
> Whistler Contemporary Gallery
WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET
A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities. Markets happen every Sunday until Thanksgiving on Oct. 13, with the addition of Saturday markets on Aug. 2, Aug. 30 and Oct. 11.
> Aug. 2-3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
> Upper Village Stroll
ADULT LIFE DRAWING WORKSHOP
Led by artist Shelley Rothenburger, this class is designed to guide students in uncovering their individual artistic voice while developing strong foundational skills. Includes Museum admission and guided tour.
> Aug. 2, 1 p.m.
> Audain Art Museum
SOUNDBATH & GENTLE YOGA
Begin your day with a serene morning of gentle yoga and sound healing, all set in the peaceful surroundings of nature. You may hear birdsong and the rustle of leaves, feel the elements around you, and perhaps encounter a few insects! Each aspect adds to the grounding and restorative essence of practicing in nature.
> Aug. 3, 10 a.m.
> Rebagliati Park
CRAFTS IN THE PARK
Join the Whistler Museum on Wednesdays for a weekly summer event featuring a Whistler-themed craft with some local history. A fun and educational way to enjoy summer with your little ones! All supplies provided and suitable for kids aged six and under with an adult.
> Aug. 6, 11 a.m. to noon
> Florence Petersen Park
MINDFUL MOVEMENT WITH PEARLSPACE
Focus on mindful, meditative movements that support trauma-informed, somatic awareness. The classes offer gentle, accessible tools like connected breathing and floor-based movements to help individuals feel more grounded in their bodies and regulate their nervous systems in daily life.
> Aug. 6, 10:30 a.m.
> Whistler Public Library
The exhibition catalogue is made possible with support from Getty through its Paper Project initiative
Government Partner
Edgar Degas, Racehorses, c. 1895-1899. Pastel on tracing paper, mounted on cardboard, 55.8 x 64.8 cm.
Purchased 1950. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Photo: NGC.
BACK IN 2001, Whistler was slated to host the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) MTB World Cup Triple Crown event, but it did not go ahead. According to The Province, the UCI received 11 bids to host the event from various Whistler groups between 1991 and 1999. Only one was successful.
In 1998, Marika Koenig and Claire Bonin founded TEAM Management, an events and festivals company focused on mountain biking. That same year they executed the inaugural Whistler International Classic, an internationally-sanctioned race where pro riders could build up UCI points. Over the next two years, TEAM added the race to its new event, Summer Session, a multiday festival that revolved around mountain biking, cycling, skateboarding, and general summer fun. From fun and competitive races to bachelor auctions, the week was jampacked with events. Through this, TEAM showcased Whistler’s capability of hosting a World Cup event.
TEAM invested time and funds to submit an extensive bid to UCI in September 1999. It was endorsed by Cycling BC, the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA), and W3—Whistler Blackcomb, Tourism Whistler and the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
Four months later, UCI awarded the bid to Whistler. Unfortunately, the dream of hosting a World Cup in the resort did not come to fruition, as W3 wanted to take over ownership from TEAM, but did not have the expertise to do so. In December 2000, seven months out from when the Triple Crown event was supposed to take place, W3 and TEAM withdrew their intention to host the World Cup.
The Whistler community expressed disappointment, outrage, and confusion, writing letters to the local papers in support of TEAM’s role and success with other MTB events. Many questioned the real reason for backing out. The fallout caused TEAM to cancel its events planned for the summer, including the third-annual Summer Session, and end the business.
There were also concerns this fallout
would affect Whistler’s bid for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, since UCI president, Hein Verbruggen, sat on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was not too pleased with the outcome. The Olympic bid, however, remained unaffected and was awarded to Vancouver and Whistler in 2003.
In the meantime, two other resorts competed for the opportunity—Sun Peaks and Grouse Mountain. In March 2000, Grouse Mountain was confirmed to take on the Triple Crown from July 4 to 8, 2001, as well as events in the 2002 and 2003 world cups. There were concerns initially with lack of on-mountain facilities and accommodations, but the Vancouver mountain assured UCI the Skyride could transport 1,200 people per hour to make access for athletes and spectators easier. They also brought in Gestev Inc., an experienced organization known for World Cup races at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que., and Mazatlan, Mexico. Though the event was successful, mountain biking on Grouse died down after these world cups, until this year when their new Bike Park opened this summer.
Back in Whistler, this left a void that needed to be filled by a large summer event. Since the 1980s, mountain biking had become a staple of Whistler summers, with several attempts at hosting annual events, so what was next?
Paddy Kaye and Chris Winter formed Joyride Productions in 1997 with the goal of bringing freeriding MTB events to Whistler. They helped build many of the trails on Whistler Mountain prior to Whistler Blackcomb taking over the park, and assisted with events and trail maintenance during the Summer Session festival. With the lack of major events in the summer of 2001, they brought Joyride Bikercross to the forefront and it was a massive success. The event took place a day prior to Grouse Mountain’s World Cup, a strategic choice on their end since pro riders would be close by to attend both events. This homegrown event got bigger and better, and the slopestyle competition was introduced in 2003 when Joyride was incorporated in the Whistler Gravity Festival. A year later, the festival was rebranded to Crankworx—Whistler’s largest summer festival that now has a multi-stop world tour. n
CROWN COLLEGE Mountain biker Dave Watson competes in the 1999 Summer Session. He later won the 2001 Joyride Bikercross. BRUCE ROWLES COLLECTION
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ARIES (March 21-April 19): For many bamboo species, nothing visible happens for years after the seeds are sowed. Beneath the surface, though, the plants are developing an extensive underground root system. This is referred to as the “sleep” or “creep” phase. Once the preparatory work is finished, the above-ground growth explodes, adding as much as three feet of stalk per day. Dear Aries, I sense you have been following a similar pattern. Soon you will launch a phase of vigorous evolution and expansion. It might feel unsettling at first, but I predict you will come to adore it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are very close to uncovering interesting information about yourself—some new, some forgotten. But you will have to be brave and strategic to actually find it. If you manage to pull off this demanding-but-not-impossible trick, a series of breakthroughs may stream your way. Like what? Here are the possibilities. 1. A distorted self-image will fade. 2. An adversary’s hex will dissolve. 3. An inhibition will subside, freeing you to unite with a fun asset. 4. You will knock down a barrier that has been so insidious you didn’t know how strong it was.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In medieval music, “organum” refers to passages that feature two voices. One is sung in long, sustained notes, and the other performs intricate, faster-moving melodic lines above it. This is an apt metaphor for the roles I invite you to take on in the coming weeks, Gemini: both the drone and the melody. One way to do it is to hold steady in one realm as you improvise in another. Another is to offer your allies doses of stability and inspirational dreams. Welcome the duality! You are capable of both deep-rooted rhythm and visionary risk; both fortifying truth and playful fun.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian author Ernest Hemingway had a reputation for bravado, but he was adept at wielding the protective, self-nourishing skills your sign is renowned for. He was sensitive about his works-in-progress, refusing to discuss unfinished stories. He understood that raw creative energy needed to be sheltered from kibitzing until it could stand on its own.
“The first draft of anything is shit,” he said, but he also knew that defending the right to write that mediocre first draft was essential for him to thrive. Hemingway’s ability to channel his emotional vulnerability into moving prose came from establishing firm boundaries around his generative process. I recommend you do all that good stuff in the coming weeks, dear Cancerian.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In ancient China and ancient Greece, the lion was not the king of beasts, but the guardian of gates. The threshold keeper. The one who asked, “Are you ready?” Now is a good time to bring this aspect of Leonine symbolism to your attention. You may soon feel a surge of leadership radiance, but not necessarily the stage-commanding kind. It will be more like priest and priestess energy. Gatekeeper presence. People and situations in your orbit are on the verge of transformation, and you can be a midwife to their transitions—not by fixing or moralizing, but by witnessing. So I invite you to hold space. Ask potent questions. Be the steady presence ready to serve as a catalyst.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The love-fakers and promisebreakers and delusion-makers are no fun, but I think you will ultimately be grateful they helped you clarify your goals. The reverse healers and idea-stealers and greedy feelers are perilous to your peace of mind in the short run, but eventually they will motivate you to create more rigorous protections for your heart, health, and stability. In conclusion, Virgo, it’s one of those odd times when people with less than pure intentions and high integrity can be valuable teachers.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is built into a Norwegian mountain near the Arctic. It’s humanity’s backup garden. It stores more than a
ROB BREZSNY
million seed varieties from all over the world, serving as a safeguard for biodiversity. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I invite you to imagine yourself as resembling a seed vault. What valuable capacities are you saving up for the future? Are there treasures you contain that will ensure your long-term stability and security? Which of your potentials need to get extra nurturing? Bonus: Now is a good time to consider whether you should activate any of these promises.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): There’s a myth in Gnostic traditions that Sophia, the Goddess of Divine Wisdom, split herself apart and dispersed into the material world. She became embedded in every stone, plant, and drop of blood. And she’s still here, murmuring truth from within every part of the material world. In Sophia’s spirit, Scorpio, here is your message: Wisdom isn’t elsewhere. It’s embedded in your body; in your grief; in the wood grain of your table and the ache behind your eyes. More than ever, you have a mandate to celebrate this gift. So for now, refrain from thinking spirituality is about transcendence and ascendance. Instead, greet the sacred in the dust and mud. Listen for Sophia in the ordinary. She speaks in sighs and sparks, not sermons.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When I do tours to promote the books I write, the range of encounters can be wide. On one trip, more than 300 people came to see me at a bookstore in New York City. They listened raptly, posed interesting questions, and bought 71 books. In Atlanta three days later, I was greeted by nine semi-interested people at a small store in a strip mall. They purchased three books. But I gave equal amounts of energy at both gigs. The crowd in Atlanta got my best, as did the audience in New York. I invite you to regard me as a role model, Sagittarius. Proceed as if every experience deserves your brightest offerings. Express yourself with panache no matter what the surroundings are.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In ancient Egyptian cosmology, ka is the vital essence and the double of a person that lives on after death. But it also walks beside you while you live. It drinks, eats, and dreams. It is both you and more than you. Dear Capricorn, I invite you to tune in to your ka in the coming days, and any other spiritual presences that serve you and nourish you. Be alert for visitations from past selves, forgotten longings, and future visions that feel eerily familiar.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Dear Rob Brezsny: I wonder what you are like in person. Sometimes I get a Gen X vibe, like you wear vintage t-shirts from obscure bands, are skeptical but not cynical, and remember life before the internet, but are tech savvy. Other times, you seem like a weird time-traveller visiting us from 2088. It’s confusing! Are you trying to be a mystery? When’s your next public appearance? I want to meet you. —Aquarian Explorer.” Dear Aquarian: I’m glad I’m a riddle to you. As long as I avoid being enmeshed in people’s expectations and projections, I maintain my freedom to be my authentic self, even as I continually reinvent my authentic self. By the way, I recommend you adopt my attitude in the coming weeks.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Norse mythology, the god Odin plucked out one of his eyes and hung himself upside down from the World Tree for nine days. Why would he do such a thing? The ancient stories tell us this act of self-sacrifice earned him the right to learn the secret of the runes, which held the key to magic, fate, and wisdom. You don’t need to make a sacrifice anywhere near that dramatic, Pisces. But I do suspect you are primed for a comparable process. What discomfort are you willing to endure for the sake of revelation? What illusions must you give up to see more clearly? I dare you to engage in an inner realignment that brings metamorphosis, but not martyrdom.
Homework: Something dear that you left behind can now be retrieved. What? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates
In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com
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WHAT WORKS WELL for a prison break, in a loose allegory for our increasingly fascistic society, also works decently well for mountain biking—for there often is no other way out, or down, than the fall line on a singletrack trail.
Which is why one of the most terrifying— and bone-breaking—things to run into on a trail is someone, or something, else.
BY TOBIAS C. VAN VEEN
OK, so it’s a reach, but bear with me. Why? Because bears, brawn and bikes don’t mix. Whether it be skidding into a hulking mass of brown bear, a wayward hiker lost in a daydream—or heaven forbid, a furry, four-pawed friend happily bounding along, oblivious to the carnage of metal, blood, and bone about to explode all around them—the end result is going to be ugly.
Which brings me to this column’s theme: mountain-biking trail etiquette.
First, a thank you to all awesome friends of the four-pawed who keep their canines leashed. You know who you are. I see you. We smile. Life is good.
Yes, this back page has seen numerous columns devoted to discussions about dogs.
My point here though is not just trail dogs. It’s people in general, acting with too much brawn, not enough brains.
I can easily relate a near-crash when whipping around the final corners of the freshly buffed Roam in the Loam, only to screech to a sudden, scree-spraying halt, right before a dazed group of evident tourists in search of a hike.
“Do not keep walking up here!” I cried, as they looked at me in some shock. I was waving my arms about like a semaphore gone berserk. “This is a downhill mountain bike trail! We be whipping down with more balls than brakes!”
To be fair, it’s all a bit confusing. The singletrack trails in our valley have their share of local joggers and dog-walkers. But a mountain bike trail is just that: built for use by mountain bikers, and not spandexed joggers, stoned dogwalkers, or speakersporting hikers. Even if you hop out of the way, the distracting presence of a bipedal body can be enough to throw off a biker, particularly a beginner.
Indeed, one of the first things you learn in mountain biking, like any gravity sport, is “look where you want to go.” And so if one is pulled off-course by something or someone else in your vision, it can be enough to send you flying.
The consequences can be severe. Speaking of brainlessness, I once fractured my right wrist on the relatively benign, all-Blue trail network of Upper Zappas. Zipping along, showing a new friend the lovely, traversing trail, I was happily yammering away, glancing back and talking about this and that, until a wayward toe struck a stump, and next thing you know, I was arms wrapped around a tree. My wrist, for the second time, let loose a snap.
Of course, this was my own damn fault.
But it taught me the need to maintain absolute focus when on two wheels, even on easier terrain.
Running into bears, of course, or any other wildlife, is entirely a hazard of our sport. It is hardly their fault silly, hairless humans decide to dig up metals, shape them into wheels, and hurtle themselves down into the dirt.
Bears will often eye us with a quizzical look that would be purely comedic were it not for their notorious unpredictability—a bit like a lumbering and moody teenager who could either ignore you entirely or lash out with sudden rage.
And I feel for the bears.
When guiding a mountain bike group last year, I witnessed a bear charge right in front of my bike toward a tree. As the rest of the group descended pell-mell behind me, we tried to get the bear out of the way so we could exit the forest. We did “all the right things”: yelling, banging on wood, acting like utter fools, etc.
Only after about 10 minutes of ridiculous shouting did we realize the bear was a mama, guarding two cute cubs who had run up the tree in pure terror. The bear mama was being all nice about it, too—instead of charging us and ripping our tender flesh limb-from-limb, she kept growling and let us know she wasn’t movin’. Needless to say, we found a different way down.
But then there’s our other friends we need to discuss, the ones at times more brawn than brain—the humans who believe the rules around unleashed dogs don’t apply to them.
I recently had words with a bearded specimen who thought it alright to completely ignore Whistler Blackcomb’s no-dog policy on their trails. He claimed he “hadn’t seen the sign.” I told him I had. It didn’t matter to him.
He kept going, unleashed dog in tow. That’s called wilful ignorance.
Or the group that thought it alright to bring an unleashed and untrained dog into Cut Yer Bars, only to have it chase a peaceful, grazing bear—and a young one, too—as their owners lamely yelled, “Come back! Come back! Noooo!”
So let us all review Rule No. 8 of Bear Smart (incant with candle if need be): “Keep dogs on a leash and under control. Dogs may be helpful in detecting bears, but they may also agitate them and create a conflict situation— sometimes returning to their humans with the bear in pursuit.”
In such circumstances, know that you are mostly risking your dog’s life. You are definitely making the entire situation worse— far from truly scaring away the bear, it could result in a really pissed beast baring teeth and claws, coming full speed for your trail nuts.
Of course, if you don’t care, well I guess I could say be my guest, were it not for the fact that you are creating a bad situation for everyone around. And the end result, as we saw recently in April with yet another shooting by a Conservation Officer, could be a dead bear.
And possibly a dead mama bear, too— leaving orphaned cubs.
And that’s some bad karma.
So let’s keep those trails clear of what we alone can control.
Respect the rules, respect wildlife, be aware around bears, and of course, have fun risking it all, balls out, brawn and all, because that’s why we’re here—to keep Whistler wild.
Dr. tobias c. van Veen taught critical humanities and social sciences at Quest University (RIP). n
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