AUGUST 22, 2025 ISSUE 32.34
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FOTO FINISH AFTER DECADES OF FRAMING WHISTLER’S MEMORIES, FOTO SOURCE CLOSES ITS DOORS
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MAKING A RACKET Whistler Racket Club plans town hall to rally support
11
TAKEN FOR A RIDE Theft complaint raises concerns about taxi trust
34
GOLD RUSH Whistler local Hailey Elise wins 2025 Dirt Diaries film competition
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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE
28
22
34
Foto finish After decades of framing Whistler’s memories, Foto Source closes its doors. - By Liz McDonald
06 OPENING REMARKS Artificial Intelligence will lead to huge efficiency gains for
10 MAKING A RACKET As the Northlands rezoning continues, the Whistler Racket
humanity, writes editor Braden Dupuis—but it won’t come cheap.
Club is planning a town hall to rally support for its survival.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In this week’s letters, readers call for continuity of
11 TAKEN FOR A RIDE A complaint about a theft by a Whistler Taxi driver raises
play at the Whistler Racket Club, and congratulate the RMOW on 50 years.
concerns about trust in Whistler’s cab industry.
22 RANGE ROVER In which Leslie Anthony poses the question: Is running having a moment? 28 TURNING THE CRANK Another instalment of Crankworx Whistler is officially in the books, with Ryan Gilchrist and Jordy Scott reigning supreme as King and Queen.
46 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST tobias c. van Veen recounts the glory days of pas-
34 GOLD RUSH Whistler local Hailey Elise earned top honours at the 2025 Dirt Diaries
senger rail in the Sea to Sky—and makes the case for its revival.
film competition as part of this year’s Crankworx.
COVER Whistler work families are the best work families. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art
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OPENING REMARKS
Artificial Intelligence is killing the internet (and the planet) THOSE HOPING FOR another kick at the Whistler DOGE can this week will have to wait—at least until we start talking about next year’s municipal elections a bit later this fall. But this week’s topic, Artificial Intelligence (AI), is at least in the same vein, as AI tools promise massive efficiency gains in all areas of life in the months and years ahead. If you’ve spent any time playing around with ChatGPT or other Large Language
BY BRADEN DUPUIS Models—or LLMs—you’ll know they can spit out the equivalent of a municipal staff report in less than a few minutes with a single wellworded prompt. And they won’t charge you anything to do it! This isn’t a shot at municipal staffers— journalism jobs are just as exposed to the impending revolution, or any that use a computer first and foremost, really. But some municipalities, like the City of Vancouver and City of Kelowna, are already using AI to find efficiencies. “Say you make an application to re-zone a property today from residential to a mixed-use commercial zoning, and we figure you need to upsize your water and your sewer,” explained Ryan Smith, divisional director of planning, development and climate sustainability with the City of Kelowna, in an interview with BIV in December 2024. “Today, we have someone look at the pipe sizes. Someone has to compile it and put it into a memo which gets sent to the developer. We’re working on automating all of that so that the system’s smart enough to go in and check pipe sizes and know what the standard would be, what the pipe size is today, and be able to figure out, ‘OK, well you need to upsize your water line to this, you need a new sewer line and it’s got to be this,’ and give you a list of the civil-engineering-related improvements
to your property.” But that’s not to say humans are entirely negated in the equation. “While AI can accelerate planning processes and offer fresh insights, its outputs must be combined with other data sources and assessed by professional planners and decision-makers,” said the City of Vancouver in a statement to BIV. “Relying solely on AI, or any single source of information, can pose risks when making complex, impactful decisions.” Even so, there’s no denying the transformative potential of the tech— implementing AI can help municipalities and other organizations redistribute workflows and better prioritize resources. Whistler is still working through the implications itself. “The Resort Municipality of Whistler is actively discussing AI and how it could be used within our processes. The first step in this process has been to digitize our paper records. The project is ongoing and is expected to be largely complete by the end of 2025,” a municipal communications official said in an email to Pique. “Once this important step is completed,
case for long. LLMs are already seeping into everyday life. People are using ChatGPT to write their emails, or fight their arguments on Facebook and Reddit—once you know what to look for, the signs are unmistakeable. And research is already showing it contributes to personal brain drain. In a study published in the journal Societies in January, Swiss researcher Michael Gerlich found increased reliance on AI tools is linked to diminished critical thinking abilities. The study points to “cognitive offloading” as a primary driver of the decline. Basically, if we allow the robots to do too much thinking for us, we forget how to think properly at all. The potential dystopian futures ahead of us almost write themselves. It sounds like a mix of Idiocracy and Wall-E. And this is all to say nothing of the environmental costs attached to AI use: the data centres that run LLMs require huge amounts of water to cool servers—about nine litres per kWh of energy used, according to Forbes—along with massive energy consumption. Scientists estimate the power
In a study published in the journal Societies in January, Swiss researcher Michael Gerlich found increased reliance on AI tools is linked to diminished critical thinking abilities. The study points to “cognitive offloading” as a primary driver of the decline.
we can then explore where AI could streamline processes such as permit reviews. The RMOW is also working on a policy to govern the use of AI to ensure that appropriate safeguards are employed to protect sensitive and personal information. We are also paying close attention to where AI is being successfully implemented in other communities and creating connections to teams who have expertise in this area.” This bright upgraded one-bedroom townhome is a quintessential Whistler property! With its prime location in Creekside, skiers and bikers will love the two-minute walk to access the gondola, while a short stroll will put you in front of the bustling shops and restaurants Creekside has to offer. The new windows offer plenty of natural light and southwest mountain views in the open-concept main living areas. Unlimited owner use with nightly rental option.
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Ready or not, the AI revolution is upon us—and it seems most of us are still completely unprepared for what’s to come. But before it takes all of our jobs, AI is already hard at work destroying the internet, and any semblance of remaining trust we might have had in what we’re seeing and reading online. The models have developed so fast they can now produce photos and videos in an instant that are near indistinguishable from the real thing. Just ask Greg Witt, president of Osprey Silviculture Operations, which contracts wildland firefighting as one of its services. Earlier this month, as hundreds of firefighters battled the Wesley Ridge fire on Vancouver Island, Witt mistakenly shared AI-created images of the fire on Facebook in congratulating his crew. “It just pissed me off,” he told BIV. “There’s enough real stuff going on that people should be concerned about. “But there I was—I stumbled right into it.” Deepfake AI videos are being used to create fake ads of politicians to shill crypto, or sway elections. The current U.S. president recently shared an AI video of a former
political rival being arrested and dragged away in handcuffs. You can bet a good chunk of his followers still think it was real. AI videos of strange animal behaviour— like a fluffle of wild rabbits jumping on a trampoline—are racking up millions of views online. If you are capable of critical thinking, most of the time it’s possible to distinguish between AI and reality. But that won’t be the
requirements of data centres in North America increased from 2,688 megawatts at the end of 2022 to 5,341 megawatts at the end of 2023, according to MIT, driven partly by generative AI. By 2026, the electricity consumption of data centres is expected to approach 1,050 terawatt-hours. So yes—AI will make humans more efficient. All it will cost us is our jobs, our water, and our very humanity. n
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AUGUST 22, 2025
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Allowing Whistler Racket Club to disappear ‘is not acceptable’ As a resident of Whistler for the past 40 years and a dedicated user of the Whistler Racket Club (WRC) since 1992, I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the lack of transparency in the Northlands rezoning process and the apparent disregard for the WRC—a treasured community amenity that has served residents, second homeowners, and visitors for more than 35 years. It is both shocking and disheartening that the outcome of the rezoning process and the negotiation of the Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) could result in the loss of such a valued and historically significant facility. Instead of a CAC, what is currently proposed is a Community Amenity Reduction. The WRC is much more than just a sports complex. It has long been a vibrant social and recreational hub—offering both indoor and outdoor activities, connecting residents and visitors of all ages, and fostering a strong sense of community. In an era of unpredictable weather patterns, the potential elimination of indoor recreational space would be a serious loss for Whistler’s health, wellness, and social fabric. Despite this, the current public proposal offers no guarantees for the WRC’s future. Thousands
The community deserves firm commitments and secured funding for a replacement facility before any zoning changes move forward. Equally troubling is the lack of a transition plan. Under current proposals, the WRC would be demolished to make room for the first phase of development—leaving thousands of active users without a venue, and no continuity of play. This outcome is not acceptable. I urge the mayor and council to stand with the thousands of residents and visitors who rely on the WRC. Please ensure that a modern, multi-use indoor/outdoor racket facility remains a permanent part of Whistler’s recreational future. Allowing the WRC to disappear would be a significant loss for our community—and a lasting, unfortunate legacy for this mayor, council, and municipal staff. Esther Gorman // Whistler
Laugh Out LIVE! shares thanks of users—spanning all demographics—are alarmed by the uncertainty. Last year alone, the facility hosted 85,000 visits, with demand still outpacing available space. Why are so many residents frustrated with municipal leadership? Because there is: No plan for a replacement facility; no identified site for relocation; and no secured funding to ensure it will happen. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW)
has not undertaken the necessary research to examine successful racket facility models— many of which thrive under public, private, or hybrid frameworks. Meanwhile, council recently approved a feasibility study and funding exploration for rejuvenating the Lost Lake Disc Golf Course. No similar effort has been initiated for the WRC. Delaying the allocation of CAC funds until after rezoning approval is simply unacceptable.
We want to send a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the Whistler businesses who let us hang a Laugh Out LIVE! poster in your windows, foyers, or bathrooms—and to the local Facebook groups (and their generous admins!) who allow us to post about our upcoming comedy shows and workshops. These might seem like small acts—but for grassroots, arts-based organizations (with very limited budgets), they’re a huge deal! A poster in a shop window? It’s not just paper and
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR tape—it’s visibility, credibility, and community connection. A Facebook event post shared in a local group? That’s how we reach audiences we otherwise couldn’t afford to reach. Each time you give us a little space—on your wall or on your feed—you’re actively supporting the arts in Whistler. You’re helping people discover laughter, creativity, and community. You’re helping keep live, local entertainment accessible and thriving. So to every café, store, studio, and business who makes room for us—and to every Facebook moderator who supports community arts in your group: thank you. You’re not just helping promote events. You’re helping build our community arts scene—and that’s no small thing. With deep gratitude, Ira Pettle & Rebecca Mason // The Laugh Out LIVE! Team
In response to ‘Whistler DOGE’ I thoroughly, absolutely and totally agree with your recent article on the bloated budget that favours municipal employee compensation (Pique, Aug. 15, “The case for a Whistler DOGE”). It sickens me how our taxes and grants are misspent. It appears that our emergency funds have seriously dwindled, probably due to being tapped for housing funding: an escape route for mismanaged funds. The erosion in accountability is very
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Congrats to RMOW on 50 years Congratulations to the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) on marking 50 years of service to the community. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the past, but also to look forward to the future of our municipality. As the RMOW begins its next chapter, I hope to see a renewed commitment to fostering psychologically safe, healthy, and respectful workplaces. A strong organization is built on trust, not fear. It requires leaders who avoid micromanagement, who support autonomy, and who trust employees to use their skills and judgment. It also requires a culture where safety and well-being are prioritized every day—not just in public statements, but in the way staff are treated when no one is looking. Healthy workplaces are the foundation for a healthy community. By reducing unnecessary red tape, empowering staff with the freedom to do their work effectively, and consistently supporting psychological safety, the RMOW can set a positive example for municipalities across British Columbia. Here’s to the next 50 years—may they be defined by innovation, trust, and workplaces where people truly feel supported. Kevin Creery // Whistler n
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NEWS WHISTLER
Town hall aims to rally support for Whistler Racket Club WITH REZONING CONSULTATIONS UNDERWAY, USERS PUSH FOR CONTINUITY OF PLAY AND HIGHLIGHT SHORTAGE OF INDOOR RECREATION IN WHISTLER
BY LIZ MCDONALD IN RECENT YEARS, the Whistler Racket Club (WRC) has grown into a place where residents and visitors—young and old—come together to share a passion for tennis and pickleball, connect with co-workers at staff parties, form life-long friendships at summer camps, and attend Mature Action Community events. But this community hub could soon be gone. The land at 4500 Northlands Boulevard, purchased by Beedie Living in 2017, is in the midst of rezoning. While the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and the developer are negotiating community amenity contributions (CACs), WRC users are rallying to ensure the facility’s future remains part of the plan. Back in 1988, the site was originally promised to be a world-class, weatherproof tennis centre as part of the development rights of Park Georgia, the company behind the Montebello townhomes. The project was meant to include a stadium court, four indoor courts, 12 outdoor courts and the capacity to host televised events. Instead, Park Georgia built three indoor courts, seven outdoor courts and a dining facility—meant only as a temporary measure—in 1993. The property later changed hands to the Holborn Group in 2002, before being sold to Beedie Living in 2017.
CALLS FOR CONTINUITY OF PLAY
The WRC is hosting an information session on Aug. 30 ahead of the formal community
IN A PICKLE Spectators watch a pickleball tournament at the Whistler Racket Club in the summer of 2021. FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHISTLER RACKET CLUB
10 AUGUST 22, 2025
consultation to mobilize its diverse user base. “It’s open to everyone interested in the future of the facility, and there are a lot of different user groups. It’s not just racket sport players,” said John Konig, president of the Whistler Tennis Association. Groups such as the Mature Action Community, non-profits, and parents of children in summer camps are all encouraged to attend. “This is an information meeting, and we want to make sure everyone has an understanding of the process and the situation,” said Ben Thomas, representing the pickleball community. “We want to share our concerns with the current proposal, and really listen to everybody and hear what they have to say— while at the same time celebrating the whole community.” The session will feature a “situation summary,” a Q&A, and a mock-up of what a future facility could look like. Music, social activities such as tennis mixers and kids’ events will also run during the afternoon. The event runs from 2 to 8 p.m. Free parking is available onsite. Thomas stressed the WRC’s main message: Whistler lacks indoor, year-round recreational amenities, and continuity of play should be prioritized. “What the racket facility offers is a weather-independent indoor solution for a variety of different activities,” he said. “If this amenity is removed, it should be replaced before, not after, to maintain continuity of play.”
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AHEAD
Beedie Living will host formal public consultation events on Sept. 15 and 17, while the RMOW will hold its “Add Your Voice” session Oct. 2. Mayor Jack Crompton emphasized no
decision has been made on the site. “All decisions will be made with the benefit of a robust public process,” Crompton told Pique. “It’s one of the most important decisions we will make, and we aren’t taking it lightly. Hopefully that motivates people to participate.” At the heart of the debate is the size and structure of the community amenity contributions tied to the rezoning. What the CAC looks like will be informed through formal public consultation this fall. RMOW staff, following a land-lift analysis, determined Beedie should contribute $57.8 million—equal to 75 per cent of the $77.1-million increase in land value expected from rezoning. Beedie has instead proposed a package valued between $38.6 and $47.1 million, depending on how assets are assessed. The developer’s offer includes employee housing, childcare, a community space, cultural initiatives, public art, health-care funding, and $10 million earmarked for an off-site recreation facility. Rob Fiorvento, Beedie’s managing partner, said the company has already invested heavily in keeping the WRC open. “We’ve been subsidizing the racket facility since we bought it—to the tune of a million and a half dollars—just to keep it afloat,” Fiorvento said. “But strictly running a racket facility out of that building is not a profitable business.” He added Beedie’s CAC proposal, worth more than what they originally paid for the land, is “unheard of” for the developer. Still, racket club users argue the recreation replacement is undervalued and spread out across phases that could take 10 to 20 years. “We’ve seen it before—what was promised as temporary becomes permanent,” Thomas said. “The amount allocated for recreation is phased over
decades, and that just isn’t going to work.”
SPORTS ON THE RISE
The push to preserve racket sports in Whistler comes as both tennis and pickleball enjoy surging popularity worldwide. According to the 2024 International Tennis Federation report, there are now 106 million tennis players globally—a 25.6-per-cent increase since 2019. In Canada, participation jumped from 3.9 million players in 2021 to nearly 5 million in 2024. Pickleball’s growth has been even more dramatic. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reports participation in the U.S. reached 19.8 million in 2024, a 311-per-cent increase over three years. In Canada, roughly 1.54 million people now play pickleball—up 57 per cent since 2022, with the fastest growth among adults aged 35 to 54.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Beedie maintains its rezoning plan must balance economics with community needs. “At the end of the day, the project has to stand on its own,” Fiorvento said. “We’re not saying we’ve got it perfect. That’s part of the conversation we want to have—around phasing and delivery of those community amenity contributions.” For Thomas, the priority remains clear. “The CAC should replace the rec facility before any existing amenities are removed. Continuity of play is essential,” he said. Whether the Racket Club remains part of Whistler’s recreational fabric will depend on the outcome of this fall’s rezoning process. “The unsatisfying truth is the answer to most people’s questions will be decided by the upcoming process,” Crompton said. “Hopefully that motivates people to participate.” n
NEWS WHISTLER
RELENTLESSLY REDEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BETTER
FARE PLAY A Whistler woman says a local taxi driver stole her ID and made fraudulent charges on her credit cards, prompting a police investigation that ended without charges being laid. FILE PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS
Taxi theft complaint raises concerns about trust in Whistler’s cab industry EMMA MOORE SAYS HER PURSE AND ID WERE STOLEN IN A WHISTLER CAB. POLICE INVESTIGATED, THE COMPANY REIMBURSED HER, BUT THE DRIVER IS STILL ON THE ROAD
BY LIZ MCDONALD A WHISTLER WOMAN says a local taxi driver stole her ID and made fraudulent charges on her credit cards, prompting a police investigation that ended without charges being laid. The complaint comes as Whistler’s taxi industry faces increasing scrutiny. Trust between passengers and drivers has long been considered essential in the resort town, where taxis are often relied on late at night or in poor weather. But with ride-hailing services like Uber entering the market—and past controversies, such as Whistler Taxi reportedly charging up to $200 for trips to Pemberton—concerns about accountability and safety have taken on new urgency. Emma Moore said the incident happened after she and a friend took a cab home from a concert on June 20. She recognized the driver as someone who had driven her many times before. “I had a black purse that I had just bought myself after Christmas, and I put it down on the floor,” Moore said. “When I got out of the cab, my housemate paid for it, and I just left my purse in the cab.” The next morning, Moore realized the purse was missing. She then discovered a string of charges on three of her credit cards—often in $100 increments—totalling about $1,200. Her bank reimbursed her for the fraudulent charges. Moore said she tracked the purse to the driver’s camper at the entrance to Wedge using an AirTag in her purse, but never recovered it. She eventually entered into lengthy discussions with Whistler Taxi owner Ravindra Dayal. “At the end of the month … the owner of Whistler Taxi did end up reimbursing me,” Moore said. She asked for $1,280 to cover cash, ID replacement fees, her purse and an AirTag, but received $1,200. Dayal confirmed he reimbursed Moore out of pocket. “I’m a local and don’t want to have a bad reputation. I gave $1,200,” he said.
Dayal said his company takes complaints seriously and cooperates fully with police. “If anyone makes a complaint, we take action right away. I spoke with the RCMP officer, and our dispatcher provided the driver’s phone number. The officer spoke with the driver, and the driver went to the police station,” he said. He added drivers are independent operators who lease cars under the Whistler Taxi name, but the company has suspended drivers in the past when misconduct was proven. “We need to listen to both sides, but if we have proof a driver has made a mistake, we take action right away,” he said. “Last year I suspended this driver for one week after he rear-ended someone.” The company took no action against the driver in this incident. Although relieved to be compensated, Moore said she is concerned the driver continues to work. “I’m a bit confused as to why he’s still driving for the company,” she said. “I don’t want him to lose his job, but I don’t think he should be working.” The Sea to Sky RCMP confirmed the complaint but said no charges were laid. “What I can confirm is that the Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP received a complaint in the late part of June of fraudulent transactions that had occurred on an individual’s credit cards. The report was thoroughly investigated and concluded without criminal charges being laid,” Cpl. Katrina Boehmer, media relations officer for the Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP, said in a statement. “Whistler RCMP takes all reports received very seriously … Whistler RCMP also encourages anyone who may have been a victim of fraud to visit the Canadian AntiFraud Centre,” she added. As the former owner of a taxi company, Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton said public trust in taxi services is critical. “My experience with taxi drivers is that they are trustworthy people,” Crompton said. “And so if the public had concerns, certainly management would have done whatever we had to to understand what was happening, to follow up.” n
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AUGUST 22, 2025
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NEWS WHISTLER
Failed promises: Whistler Blackcomb employee says he was left without support after breaking back TOBY CHAPPELL SAID BROKEN PROMISES FROM MANAGERS AND AN INEFFECTIVE EPIC PROMISE FOUNDATION LEFT HIM WITH THOUSANDS IN UNEXPECTED MEDICAL COSTS AFTER A SERIOUS INJURY
BY LIZ MCDONALD A FORMER Whistler Blackcomb employee is speaking out about what he calls a lack of support from his managers after a devastating injury left him unable to work. On Jan. 8, Toby Chappell was snowboarding on a day off from his job at Crystal Hut when he overshot a jump, broke his wrist, fractured his spine and punctured his spinal cord with a bone fragment. He was airlifted to the Whistler Health Care Centre and then transported by ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital for emergency surgery before going through intensive rehabilitation at G.F. Strong. Despite assurances from his employer he would be supported during his recovery, the 24-year-old said he instead faced rejected insurance claims, mounting medical costs and struggles accessing the Epic Promise Foundation Employee Hardship program. While he was recovering, Chappell said his Crystal Hut manager initially told him she would help secure staff housing despite his inability to work full-time. But when he
14 AUGUST 22, 2025
followed up, he was told he would need to apply for a summer job and housing through the regular channels. “I don’t know why she even bothered promising that,” he said. Chappell, who is from England and in Canada on a work visa, relied on a medical services plan tied to his Whistler Blackcomb contract. As his contract was set to expire in April, he said he repeatedly asked his manager to file a new record of employment so he could keep his coverage. He said she assured him she would—yet the paperwork was never filed. By contrast, his part-time employer at the Brewhouse completed the documentation within 12 hours.
LOSS OF INSURANCE COVERAGE
The lapse meant Chappell had to pay out of pocket for catheters. His insurance through Vail Resorts should have covered 80 per cent of those costs. “I was worried that because I wasn’t working anymore, I would lose that insurance and have to pay full price for the catheters, which are quite expensive,” he said.
His manager initially told him he would remain in the system as an active employee so his insurance would continue. But when his catheter claims were rejected, he discovered he had been completely removed from the employee system. “Other people who worked in winter and don’t work for Vail in summer are still in the system as inactive employees,” he said. “I’ve been completely removed after being told I’d be kept on.” The loss of coverage now costs him about $2,000 a month for catheters. When he raised the issue with a senior food-and-beverage manager, Chappell said he was told nothing could be done. “I said, ‘Well, I can just show you the emails.’ And he said, ‘Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. Too much time has passed.’”
EPIC PROMISE FRUSTRATIONS
Chappell also questioned the effectiveness of the Epic Promise Employee Hardship program. He said he was initially told he qualified for up to $5,000 in reimbursements if he provided receipts. But once he submitted documentation,
his application was ignored for weeks—during a call with a senior food-and-beverage manager, he was told he no longer qualified because he was no longer an active employee. “So, you break your back, you try and apply for it, but you need receipts,” he said. “By the time you get the receipts, you’re not working anymore, and then you can’t apply. It just seems like something set up to make them look good without ever having to pay anyone.” According to Vail Resorts, the program is “designed for our team members facing an emergency and in need of support,” and includes grants for active, furloughed or seasonal staff eligible for rehire. Chappell’s friends set up a GoFundMe to help ease the financial strain, intended to cover medical equipment and supplies, home modifications for accessibility, physio and rehab, and eventually travel costs to return to the U.K.
EMPLOYER RESPONSE
Whistler Blackcomb declined to speak directly about Chappell’s case, citing privacy.
SEE PAGE 15 >>
NEWS WHISTLER
Naturespeak: Bull trout—an overlooked Whistler native species that deserves more love BY ORRIN SPIESS WHILE WHISTLER’S FORESTS
and mountains are occupied by incredible ecosystems comprising all walks of life, I think there is something to be said about its aquatic biomes and the species that call them home. There may not be as much species diversity under the water as there is above it, but the subaqueous organisms that are present deserve much more love, in my opinion. I can’t think of a species more representative of this than the apex piscine predator in our lakes and rivers: the bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Native from Oregon and Idaho all the way up to the Yukon, these fish are often overlooked by naturalists but serve as a vital native species in our waters. Reaching more than 60 centimetres and 10 kilograms on occasion with jaws to match, they are happy to chow down on just about anything they can fit in their mouth. If you have never seen or heard of bull trout before, you are not alone. Bulls like to spend most of their lives in deep, cool water. This usually takes the form of large pools in rivers or well below the surface in higher-elevation lakes. There also wasn’t a large historical fishery for them, especially when compared to their salmon and trout cousins who remain a large portion of the PNW industry and image. The latter are much more opportunistic in their feeding preferences and living conditions, which, when combined with a 200-plus year history of being captive bred and stocked in water bodies all over North America, results in them often dominating lesser well known species like bulls. Such factors, as well as habitat destruction and global warming, have pushed the bull trout to be classified as “vulnerable” under the IUCN Red List, with ongoing conservation efforts throughout its native range. The next time you are out exploring, make sure to be on the lookout for signs designating water bodies as bull trout water, especially smaller headwater streams and lake inflows. If you see or catch a fish that may be a
First Council
NO BULL A Lillooet River bull trout caught by Orrin Spiess’ dad last summer. Look at those teeth! PHOTO BY ORRIN SPIESS
bull trout (catch-and-release only), there are a few key diagnostics to look for. They can be pretty easily distinguished from kokanee and rainbow trout with their large mouths extending past the eye, small orange-brown spots, and bright white leading edges on their ventral fins. During the late summer and early fall, as they move into shallower sections to spawn, you may catch a glimpse of these beasts. Be on the lookout for their large, green bodies that often come with an extra gnarly kype and bright orange belly as they get ready to breed. Make sure to keep your dogs away from these spawning grounds this time of year and give the bull trout the space they need to dig their redds. As we enter the prime of summer and eventually to the bull trout spawning season, let’s be extra mindful of these incredible creatures when we are enjoying Whistler’s breathtaking lakes and rivers. With your help, these incredible fish can hopefully return to their former numbers and thrive in these ecosystems we care so much for.
all
Thanks to the Whistler RMOW for 50 great years from all the staff at Nesters Market!
Naturespeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To learn more about Whistler’s natural world, go to whistlernaturalists.ca. n
FAILED PROMISES FROM PAGE 14 “For privacy reasons we do not publicly discuss an employee’s personal health or employment details. We recognize that this is a difficult situation and have sympathy for all of our employees when they experience hard times,” said Whistler Blackcomb’s senior manager of communications Dane Gergovich, in an email. “Our team members are core to who we are and what we do here at Whistler Blackcomb and we greatly value all our employees and their well-being. Our employee policies are governed by and in alignment with both federal and provincial laws.” He pointed to the company’s
City H
comprehensive benefit program and the Epic Promise Employee Foundation.
‘A SLAP IN THE FACE’
Chappell said the combination of unkept promises left him struggling with medical costs he thought would be covered. “It’s a bit of a slap in the face,” he said. “If I’d known that from the start, I probably would have gone home and accessed free health-care in England. But the reason I’m still here, and the reason I’m paying out of pocket, is because they promised me all these things.” n
WHISTLER 7019 Nesters Road 604.932.3545 See all of our flyer offers online. NestersMarket.com
AUGUST 22, 2025
15
Happy 50 years, Resort Municipality of Whistler! Thank you for your continued leadership in guiding this passionate community toward a bold future. Your commitment to collaboration, innovation, and excellence is helping shape a world-class resort experience that inspires us all.
We join you in celebrating this milestone of dedication to our community — and toast to many more!
Join us for the Resort Municipality of Whistler's 50th Anniversary Celebration - a free four-day event series happening throughout the Village, Whistler Olympic Plaza and parks.
Make memories with us Celebrate the Resort Municipality of Whistler's 50th Anniversary
Find out more at whistler.ca/50 16 AUGUST 22, 2025
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August 21-24, 2025
Celebrating 50 Years of Smiles in Whistler! At Whistler Dental, we’re proud to be part of the Whistler community during its 50th anniversary — a milestone that reflects growth, resilience, and the power of a great smile. For years, we’ve been helping locals and visitors alike maintain healthy, confident smiles, and we’re honored to celebrate this historic moment alongside our vibrant town. As Whistler marks half a century of adventure, beauty, and community spirit, we’re renewing our commitment to exceptional dental care. Whether you’re due for a check-up, looking to brighten your smile, or exploring long-term solutions like implants or Invisalign®, our experienced team is here to make your dental visit comfortable, caring, and effective. Join us in celebrating Whistler’s 50th — and let us help you keep smiling for 50 more!! Book your appointment today and be part of the celebration!
Dr. T and associates at WD provided many other services including but not limited to • Emergency dental care • Invisalign clear aligner therapy, • Simple and complex bone regeneration and Implant Therapy • Cosmetic Smile makeover • Full mouth Rehabilitation • Teeth Whitening • Botox • Wisdom Teeth Extractions under Sedation • Root Canal therapy
We always Welcome and do our best to accommodate New Patients for their initial Hygiene appointment as well as Comprehensive Exam and Treatment planning. Please feel free to contact us at 604-932-3677 or smile@whistlerdental.com
AUGUST 22, 2025
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NEWS WHISTLER
Blazing new trails in Whistler BY BRADEN DUPUIS THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) is turning 50 this year, with events and activities planned throughout the fall to mark the big occasion. Here in the pages of Pique, we’ve got several weeks of content in the works, highlighting all the men and women who took Whistler from a remote fishing retreat and built it into the world-class destination resort we know today. Watch for that beginning in our Sept. 5 issue—one day before the RMOW’s official anniversary of Sept. 6. In the meantime, you don’t have to wait to join in the festivities—the RMOW is hosting a kick-off weekend Aug. 21 to 24 to get the party started in style. With a theme of “Trailblazers to Tomorrow Makers,” the celebration pays tribute to Whistler’s adventurous roots while recognizing those shaping its future, according to the RMOW. “Fifty years ago, a small group of passionate people imagined something extraordinary here. That same spirit still drives Whistler today,” said Mayor Jack Crompton in a release. “As we mark this milestone, we honour our past and commit to shaping a future that’s just as bold, connected,
PACK THE PLAZA Whistler’s 50th-anniversary celebrations kick off this weekend at Whistler Olympic Plaza. PHOTO BY MIKE CRANE / COURTESY OF TOURISM WHISTLER
and full of possibility.” The celebrations kick off Thursday and Friday, Aug. 21 and 22, at the Whistler Summer Concert Series before rolling into the weekend proper. On Saturday, Aug. 23 from 1 to 5 p.m.,
guests and locals alike are invited for a special 50th anniversary afternoon celebration at Whistler Olympic Plaza, featuring a live recording of the Whistler Podcast with Crompton, Whistler-themed trivia, interactive activities, musical guests, and fun for all ages.
“Explore a pop-up creator marketplace showcasing local artisans and makers, then wrap up the afternoon with an unforgettable, participatory performance by Choir! Choir! Choir!, inviting the whole community to sing together in celebration,” the RMOW said on its website. “It’s a chance to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the unique spirit of Whistler and the people who make it special.” And on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., the RMOW is hosting a “Sunset Social” in Lost Lake Park, featuring illuminated installations, star gazing, a popup cinema, DJ and activities under the stars. “Not finished exploring? Join us during the day, as park-based events around the community offer a relaxed close to the weekend,” the RMOW said. “WAGFest returns to Rebagliati Park with a dog-friendly run, yoga, and festivities; Audain Art Museum offers ‘Magic at the Museum’; and try out sports and activities at Rainbow Park.” The celebrations don’t end there. The RMOW is partnering with local organizations such as Arts Whistler, the Whistler Public Library, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Whistler Writers Festival, Gran Fondo and more to deliver more 50th anniversary themed content throughout the fall. Stay tuned to Pique in the weeks ahead for more, courtesy of some familiar faces, and head to whistler.ca/50 for a full rundown of fall events. n
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Join the Whistler Public Library Board of Trustees! The Board helps determine strategic priorities, develops policy and oversees fiscal responsibility of the Whistler Public Library. • We’re recruiting for a two-year term starting in January 2026. • Interviews will take place between September 22 and 26, 2025. • Successful applicants will be appointed by Resort Municipality of Whistler Council.
For more information and to apply visit us at the following: • in person at the Whistler Public Library, 4329 Main Street • online by scanning the QR code below
For further information contact publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca Deadline for applications is 4:00 pm on Monday September 15, 2025
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Resort Municipality of Whistler NOTICE | 2026 Regular Council Meeting Dates Council will meet in the Franz Wilhelmsen Theatre at Maury Young Arts Centre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia, starting at 5:30 p.m. on the following Tuesdays in 2026: January 6 January 20
May 12 May 26
November 3* November 17
February 3 February 24
June 9 June 23
December 1 December 15
March 10 March 24
July 14 July 28
April 14 April 28
September 1 September 22
* Inaugural Council Meeting post 2026 municipal election Notice of the 2026 Council Meeting Schedule is given in accordance with sections 94 and 127 of the Community Charter. Pauline Lysaght, Corporate Officer
Resort Municipality of Whistler
Whistler.ca/council
AUGUST 22, 2025
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NEWS PEMBERTON
Pemberton woman fundraising for cancer treatment after coverage denied FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE RALLYING TO FUNDRAISE $130K REQUIRED FOR 13 DOSES OF A LIFE-SAVING BREAST CANCER DRUG
BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A PEMBERTON WOMAN and her family are appealing to the community to help cover the costs of a cancer treatment that was showing positive results before she became ineligible for the patented drug. Karen Ollier moved from the United Kingdom to B.C. in 2010 with her husband Nic. She was diagnosed in late 2021 with a rare form of breast cancer. At the time, her son, Felix, was only 18 months old. “From the beginning, I had a very rare type of breast cancer, which is called metaplastic,” Ollier said in an interview. “It’s one per cent of all breast cancers.” The rarity of her case has complicated her treatment. She had two types of cancer concurrently: one was more straightforwardly treatable; the other, metaplastic, was rare and complex. The two types required opposite drug approaches. Breast cancers are classified according to hormone receptors, which determine what drug therapies are effective. Initially treated as HER2-positive in 2021, Ollier underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. Although surgery removed her tumour, “there was no evidence that any of the chemotherapy or targeted therapies that they used on me worked,” she explained. She remained in remission for more than two years. But in late 2024, the cancer returned in her lymph nodes and skin near
TEAM EFFORT After a three-month gap in treatment, Karen Ollier resumed immunotherapy earlier this month. PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN OLLIER
20 AUGUST 22, 2025
the breast tissue. In early 2025, Ollier began a combination of chemotherapy and a new immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab. The treatment showed significant success, shrinking the cancer before surgery. “It was working,” she recalled. “And that’s the first time that that has been the case for me.” But after surgery, despite the positive results, Ollier’s access to pembrolizumab was later denied. In Canada, the drug is approved for triple-negative breast cancer—a type that lacks the three most common receptors that fuel cancer growth—but Ollier’s diagnosis doesn’t fit that category. “Even though it’s working, the immunotherapy would not be eligible for my type of cancer,” she explained. Ollier’s team recommended she continue with 13 more doses of pembrolizumab following surgery. But each dose of the patented drug costs $10,000, and appeals from her team for coverage—supported by a board of oncologists at the BC Cancer Foundation—were rejected. So, her family launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $130,000 to cover the cost. “We cannot let [Karen and her family] be a victim of the system when a positive end to their story is in sight,” wrote Ollier’s motherand sister-in-law on the GoFundMe page.
MORE THAN $100K RAISED IN A MONTH
The campaign has drawn significant support, raising nearly its full goal within two weeks of launching. “It’s totally blown us away,” Ollier said. “It was a pretty big step to put it out there, but it doesn’t just come with the generosity of
people donating money. It’s the outpouring of love from the community, too.” She said messages have come from old friends, neighbours and people who had not known about her illness until the fundraiser went public. “Those messages coming through from the people you used to be close to…” she said, trailing off. “It’s been emotional, but it’s been an incredibly uplifting thing to do.” Ollier resumed immunotherapy on Aug. 7 with her fifth dose, after a three-month gap following surgery. She has also recently completed 15 radiotherapy sessions over three weeks in Vancouver. The travel time from Pemberton to the city drove Ollier to relocate to Squamish—away from her family—during the treatment. Ollier said her parents had covered the cost of her initial doses and she hopes to repay them if donations exceed the campaign’s target. For Ollier, the motivation is clear. “My son, my family,” she said. “I have a five-year-old, and he was two when I was first diagnosed. He and my husband are the main motivation here. We moved here for a reason. We have so much to live for. We live on a farm here in Pemberton. We’re planting out apple trees—we have about 700 apple trees planted. We have big plans for this place.” The couple calls their property Handin-Hand Farm, where they recently hosted a wedding and are planning for a future cidery. “It would be good to be able to see it through,” she said. Ollier offered advice for others facing rare cancers or treatment barriers. “It all starts with your team. You really need to have the oncologists and the surgeons and everyone that’s there helping you through
this,” she said. “Especially when it comes to rare cancers, there’s been a lot of creative thinking from my team in how best to treat me. GoFundMe for us was our last resort. We exhausted all other options.” For now, she says she feels fortunate to have the support of family, friends and the community. “To know that we are going to get the full 13 is really fantastic,” Ollier said. “We feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such an amazing community.”
FUNDRAISER AT MILE ONE
Friends of the family are hosting an in-person fundraiser for Ollier on Sept. 18 at Mile One Eating House. “Even though the GoFundMe has a $100,000 goal, the financial burden of ongoing medical treatments, lost wages, childcare costs, etc., won’t simply disappear once that target is met,” Karen’s friend Laura Joce explained in an email to Pique. “Continued donations are deeply appreciated and will still make a significant impact.” The event, running from 5 to 9 p.m., revolves around a raffle. Prizes have been donated from a wide range of local businesses, including Whistler Bungee, Stay Wild Natural Health, Wild Havens Glamping, Whistler Escape Rooms, Scandinave Spa and more. “There will also be live music, and Mile One will generously donate $1 from every in-house and takeout meal purchased during the event,” Joce wrote. “The outpouring of generosity and kindness from the Pemberton and Whistler businesses we have reached out to has been amazing.” Find the fundraiser at gofundme.com/f/ supportkarenollier. n
NEWS PEMBERTON
HUNTING BAN A Vancouver man has been fined $5,000 and banned from possessing firearms for two years for dangerous hunting in Pemberton. PHOTO BY OBRADOVIC/ E+ / GETTY IMAGES
Vancouver man sentenced for dangerous hunting in Pemberton THE MAN FIRED TWO SHOTS AFTER DARK AT A DEER NEAR SOMEONE’S HOME
BY BRENT RICHTER North Shore News A VANCOUVER MAN has been fined $5,000 and banned from possessing firearms for two years after pleading guilty to unsafe hunting charges in Pemberton On Wednesday, Aug. 13, Anson Kwok Ming Chan pleaded guilty in North Vancouver Provincial Court to one count of dangerous hunting or trapping under the Wildlife Act and one count of discharging a firearm in a no-shooting area. The charges stem from a September 2022 incident on Pemberton Meadows Road. Chan, a hunter for more than 30 years, had been with a friend in the area when, about 20 minutes after sundown, he spotted a mule deer at the edge of a farmer’s field. Chan pulled over and fired two shots at the deer with his .280-calibre hunting rifle, according to an agreed statement of facts read out in court. Neighbours heard the gunfire and came out to confront Chan, taking pictures of him and his licence plate. Rather than check to see if he’d struck the deer with any of his shots, Chan and his friend left the area and the neighbours reported the incident to the BC Conservation Officer Service. The next day, after the sun had come up, the neighbours found the deer lying dead in the field. Several days later, COs caught up with Chan and he voluntarily gave them a statement.
‘SIMPLY BY LUCK’ NO ONE WAS INJURED, CROWN SAYS
The Crown and defence agreed that a fine of $5,000 ($3,500 for the dangerous hunting and
$1,500 for shooting near a roadway) plus a two-year ban on hunting and owning firearms would be appropriate. “Mr. Chan fired two shots with a highercalibre rifle round into the dark without proper regard for where those bullets were going to end up. That’s certainly extremely dangerous and reckless. As a (gun licence) holder and a qualified hunter, Mr. Chan should have known better,” Crown counsel Daniel Shih told the court. “Further aggravating in the circumstances is the fact that shots ended up in the direction of an occupied residence, which is a mere 400 metres away from the direct line of fire. The .280 rounds would have easily been able to reach that distance, and so it was simply by luck that no one was injured as a result,” he said. Chan’s lawyer Brent Ellington said that his client has a long history of hunting without any previous infractions and that he was otherwise fully licensed to be hunting at the time of the incident. “He does acknowledge that he made a mistake in this circumstance and he’ll have time to consider safe practices in the future,” he said. Provincial court judge Diana Vandor acknowledged that Chan had pleaded guilty and taken full responsibility for his actions. She also noted his otherwise clean record. The fines and hunting ban should deter Chan and others from committing similar Wildlife Act offences in the future, she said. “Mr. Chan shot at a deer after dark in the direction of the home, and in so doing, he created a risk to those community residents and this among other facts, makes the offence serious,” Vandor said. As a result of the sentence, any firearms Chan owns now will be seized by the government. n
AUGUST 22, 2025
21
RANGE ROVER
Is running having a moment? AN OLD LATIN PHRASE , solvitur ambulando—“it is solved by walking”—owes itself to a mic-drop moment by the ancient Greek philosopher, Diogenes, who found himself debating someone who believed motion to be illusory and impossible to prove if the moments you examined it in were small enough. After listening to his opponent’s
BY LESLIE ANTHONY reasoning, Diogenes simply got up and walked away—a demonstration that mooted the pointless paradox. In the millennia since, the expression has been coopted by everyone from Darwin to the Dalai Lama as stand-in for the idea that movement aids cognition. Need to sort through a problem or clear your head? Go for a walk—or a run. I’ve keened to this adage my entire writing career, craving both motion and leitmotif of forest or field after long days on the laptop. I’ve experienced revelations while running that echo others’ descriptions of ideas coming to them in dreams—figuring out the way into a flummoxing story, or a lightbulb going off on the elusive ending to a book. I’m out there for the head health, but the cardiovascular benefits are also a welcome bonus. Everyone who runs has their own reasons, but what we
ON THE RUN Need to sort through a problem or clear your head? Go for a walk—or a run. PHOTO BY ASCENTXMEDIA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
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all share these days is that more and more of us are doing it. Though running’s popularity has ebbed and flowed over the decades, its overall trajectory has been up, the most significant inflections tracking events or new technology. In recent years, the pandemic brought many to running as a gym-free form of fitness and a cure for boredom at the same time advances in high-performance footwear were enhancing the experience. Related tech like GPS watches and fitness apps have been turbocharged by social media lifestyle platforms, with #running accumulating more than 100 million posts on Instagram and half a billion on TikTok. And rail-to-trail conversions and rabid backcountry trail building have increased running’s available real estate. With more people than ever taking it up, running is clearly part of the zeitgeist. One undeniable
for people of colour or low socio-economic status. Post-pandemic, a lot of people joining run clubs are young, bucking a longstanding trend shown in a recent U.K. survey that found most runners take it up in their 30s and 40s. For many, running is both stress relief and a way to burn energy, a way to test yourself or just go really casual, get out there and watch the world go by. Of course, many club runs also function as social gatherings, playing to the aspect of connection commonly found in the running community. “Almost all the friends I have here I’ve met through run club,” I was told by a guy who started a club out of the running store he and his brother own. And clubs can spawn popular races and fun-runs that also help build community. If clubs are the corpus of the running community, races are its lifeblood, a cause for
For many, running is both stress relief and a way to burn energy, a way to test yourself or just go really casual, get out there and watch the world go by. metric is the number of run clubs popping up—particularly in urban settings. There seems to be a group for any interest or ability, many of which were founded by people who perceived a niche need, like “I can only run on Monday evenings” kind of thing. So they start a club and put it out on social media; I’ve spoken with people who’ve started “dry” run clubs (no post-run beers) and groups
getting together, maybe travelling, sometimes raising money, or just doing something completely different. One event back East that may be Canada’s most unique race exemplifies all of this: the Rev and Run is a 5K held on the closed Honda Indy racetrack in Toronto only hours after drivers have vacated, and is known for the smell of rubber, amazing vibes and its fundraising efforts for a local
food bank. Running in general may be staging a moment, but its hayseed cousin, trail running, has mounted a breakout performance— something Whistler runners have long been immersed in but perhaps haven’t noticed creep out into the world at large. Canada is filled with amazing trail runs and races, making for another good travel excuse for those drawn to such things. Putting yourself out there all starts with your first race. Even when entering with zero designs to win it’s fun to compete with top finishers—who are clearly a different species—and see where you’re at compared to what they’re capable of. I take note of these superhumans during all Whistler races I enter while still feeling fine about being at the back of the pack. Speaking of which, no matter the type of event, unifying themes include how midand back-of-the-packers are celebrated with the same enthusiasm as frontrunners, and tacit acknowledgement among all that running can be an integral part of someone’s journey through personal challenge. At races, cheerers-on are often spotted holding signs saying things like Therapy Was Also an Option. Every race is indeed a microcosm of any challenge life throws your way, and can similarly teach you something new about yourself. Distance runners say when you’re feeling awful—like nothing’s working, your body feels like it’s going to fall apart, and you’re in a negative mental place—just wait a few kilometres and everything might turn around. You know, solvitur ambulando. Leslie Anthony is a Whistler-based author, editor, biologist and bon vivant who has never met a mountain he didn’t like. n
Explore Whistler this summer with our FREE transportation options Free bike parking + gear storage Secure bike and gear storage is available at Whistler Village Olympic Plaza, Lost Lake Park and Rainbow Park.
Free park shuttles Free shuttles to Rainbow Park and Lost Lake Park every 20 minutes.
Free weekend transit From Function Junction to Emerald Estates (Green Lake Lookout).
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PURICA PRESENTS
Ancient Medicine for the Modern Athlete (all activity levels welcome)
FREE DROP-IN EVENT
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Justin Donaldson Justin’s lifelong passion for strength and wellness began on the farm, the football field, and in the weight room, where he became a national-qualifying powerlifter and
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co-founded Iron House Gym in Chilliwack. With a career in the animal health industry, he has launched B.C.’s first Non-GMO feed line and introduced organic supplement programs for animals. Studying both human and animal nutrition, Justin believes “you are not only what you eat, but what your food eats.” A spinal injury recovery fueled by PURICA’s RECOVERY inspired him to proudly represent the brand today.
Join Justin for an engaging talk about healing and preventing injuries with ancient medicines.
AUGUST 22, 2025
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FEATURE STORY
By Liz McDonald
J
ust like it’s impossible to capture an entire event within one photograph, it is impossible to fully capture the almost 40-year history of Whistler’s Foto Source and the impact it has had on the local photography scene. First opened on Friday the 13th in December of 1985, the shop filled a need for printing film photos from visitors, families, and up-and-coming photographers. Originally called Whistler One-Hour Photo, it was born before digital photography, when Whistler held promise for hard-working entrepreneurs from near and far. Owner Rick Clare was one of those dreamers, hailing from Toronto. The musician arrived on the scene thanks to his former spouse, and here he raised his son, businesses and countless employees. From the beginning, the shop offered more than quick prints. It offered reassurance. Travellers arrived windburned and smiling, clutching canisters from a day on the hill or a week of family milestones; locals dropped by with rolls from a powder morning, a birthday, a wedding rehearsal. In a resort built on moments—fast, bright, exhilarating—Foto Source became the place those moments were made tangible. The door opened, the processor hummed, and the village’s daily story revealed itself, frame by frame. “When film was more available, before digital, people were nervous of leaving Whistler with their film. [Back then], you’d hear all the horror stories about going through an airplane or airport and it would destroy them. It could, but it wasn’t as bad as people thought. I wasn’t going to argue with customers, not when we’d be going through 150 rolls of film a day,” Clare says with a laugh. The formerly red-headed Clare, now silver, took care and a humorous approach not only with the process of developing and printing photos, but with his staff. Despite many former employees moving on to different endeavours, anyone Pique contacted about the closure picked up the phone to hear the news that their friend was shuttering the shop and share the impact Foto Source had on their life and career. The outpouring of support from former employees is a testament to how he went about business in town, growing his relationships as the soon-to-be world-renowned destination expanded. For four decades, as the village densified and technology changed, Foto Source remained a constant: the shop you could find with your eyes closed, the one that would still be open at the end of a long day, the doorway where a kid in a snowsuit or a pro with a pelican case felt equally welcome. In an industry that prizes speed, Clare invested in patience—teaching, troubleshooting, and letting people learn by doing.
FOTO FINISH AFTER DECADES OF FRAMING WHISTLER’S MEMORIES, FOTO SOURCE CLOSES ITS DOORS
‘THE BEST BOSS I EVER HAD’ Lauren Tetreault moved to Whistler right out of high school in 1991, working three jobs to make ends meet and pursue her photography dream. Today, she lives in Squamish and runs Howe Sound Photo and Imaging. “Rick was the best boss I ever had,” she says. “I would show up an hour late after working nights at Tommy Africa’s, he’d be there––not even mad. He’d be like, ‘it happens, people sleep in.’” Aside from offering her compassion, she recalls Clare loaned her money for a ski pass so she could quit one of her three jobs and rented her an apartment, making Clare her boss and landlord at the same time. “I left for a year, went to Australia and came back. The manager said I had a bad attitude, and he made her hire me back,” she laughs. “There were so many transients, he was a father figure to people. A guiding force.” When reminded about his giving nature, Clare comments it is part of his ethos. “I’m cheap, but I’ve never been a selfish person,” he says. “I’ve always held the belief of the 1960s ethic that my money has a lot more power in the street. So rather than saying, ‘Oh, I can get two-per-cent interest on my bank account with my money,’ I can help that young lady with a ski pass. It’s the right thing to do.” Riley Smith echoes Tetreault’s perspective. The Nova Scotian came to snow land for shredding, but he found his career in professional and commercial photography from working at the shop.
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FEATURE STORY “I was a person with no experience. I knew I liked to make pictures and capture images,” Smith says. “Working at restaurants, I had strong customer-service skills. Rick was a business guy—I would upsell people and he liked that.” Clare’s patience with Smith allowed him to develop his craft, and the East Coaster recalls learning to believe in himself because Clare saw something in him. That belief allowed Smith to pursue a craft that became his full-time career, and a staff discount made the barrier to entry low enough Smith could continually improve. “I started shooting rolls as fast as I could. You see progress and feedback and get to see work of great photographers who were getting rolls developed,” he says. “I didn’t know I could be a professional photographer, but then I had a photo printed in the newspaper, on a hotel website, and I just kept going.” Each year, Clare calls him on his birthday, was ahead of the curve on recycling, and to Smith is “the King of Whistler.” Shea MacNeil has known Clare for 11 years and worked with him for six of those. A photographer now living in Squamish, MacNeil says the most important business lesson he learned from Clare was relationship building. “I learned about gear and photography, but when you were with him, you would meet countless people who have lived here for years. It was like stepping into a time machine,” MacNeil says. “We’d walk between Foto Source and Coast Mountain Photography and wouldn’t make it far without someone knowing him. As a manager, he was happy to let you be yourself, and he’d have your back if need be. Learning about the shop closing made me realize it’s been too long since I’ve reached out. He’s the only boss I’ve ever had who I’d happily share dinner with.” Dinners are something Clare is well known for, with annual five-course meals prepared by Clare at his home, open to all his staff. “His dinners spoke to the way he treats people. He thanked us by doing staff dinners and creating incredible memories,” says Mike Mills, who worked with Clare at Coast Mountain Photography, another business venture he co-founded. One former employee recalled seeing fellow staff smoke marijuana at these gatherings, a move that at the time was still somewhat taboo in workplace culture. But as Clare told Pique, he had no issue with his staff letting their hair down. What employees remember most about those evenings is not the novelty, but the care: the way the table was set, the way the sauces were finished just before plates hit the table, the way conversation turned from lenses and light to life plans, rent woes and new babies. In a town where many jobs felt transactional, those dinners said: you’re part of something.
A GLIMPSE INTO PERSONAL LIVES When the shop was in its former location at Glacier Lodge in the Upper Village, only two people could fit in the storefront. “You’d have to cover the printer if there was weird stuff being developed, because people walking by could see what was on the photograph,” Tetreault says. Employees would see all kinds of images when qualifying negatives, from a couple who was very into body-modification shots, to intimate images and even the occasional affair. And since the team needed to do colour adjusting and watch out for dust to ensure the shots were to the customers’ standard, that meant they would sometimes see photos that weren’t intended for their eyes. Clare recalls a young lady coming in to pick up her photos, but he told her he needed to redo a couple because of dust bars. “She said, ‘Did you see the indoor shots?’” Rick imitates in a tentative voice. “She was making a roll of film for her boyfriend for Valentine’s, and she got a little carried away. We both went beet red.” The intimacy of film demanded trust. Prints came out warm from the dryer, and with them came secrets: a new tattoo revealed before a winter jacket, a proposal rehearsed on a frozen lake, a goodbye party that was also a beginning. Staff learned to move quickly and discreetly— hands steady, eyes averted when needed, small talk ready for awkward moments. In a digital world where images vanish into clouds, the tactile ritual of envelopes and contact sheets made memory feel weighty. It also meant the people behind the counter became witnesses, however briefly, to the private lives of a growing town. There was a softer side to that window into people’s lives. Clare offered free printing for a mother’s first roll of baby photos—an act that was equal parts community service and smart business. “When my son was born, his mother would take a roll to the drugstore, and 33 of the 36 pictures would be him,” he says. “We wanted to help people with that.” For years, he also printed school photos for free and gave teachers a 50-per-cent discount for any school-related prints. Customers, in turn, saw glimpses of Clare’s own life: his young son Garnet curled up sleeping behind the counter when daycare fell through, or his dog ambling off-leash through the village streets. Those snapshots of everyday life became a kind of village archive: the first day of kindergarten, the last day of a beloved trip, a team photo honouring a hard-won win. In a resort famous for postcard views, Foto Source specialized in the smaller, but no less important, frames—the squinting smiles and frozen mittens that told people where they truly belonged.
DUPLICATING THE SCENE? Aside from providing a job for countless employees, Clare’s shop was an incubator for up-andcoming photogs in the Sea to Sky. John Scarth was one, and while he would go on to become a photo editor for Snowboard Canada and today works in commercial production, the four years he spent in the Upper Village and Crystal Lodge shops were integral to immersing him in his craft. “You were shooting more and seeing more work. Sitting at the printing machine, you’d see everyone else’s take on Whistler,” Scarth says. “It was a huge inspiration. If photography was
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FEATURE STORY your thing, you were getting paid to study, basically.” And while photography has become exponentially more accessible with the rise of digital cameras, Scarth thinks the model he learned under isn’t easily replicated today. “Everyone is a photographer because everyone has a camera on their phone,” he says. “Where before, you being a photographer, that was like, that was your skill set. You showed up with your special equipment, and that was the way it worked.” A question Pique asked former employees was whether there is still a viable opportunity for a photography shop in Whistler given the shift in consumer behaviour—from phone and SingleLens Reflex, to websites that print photos from elsewhere and ship them to a customer’s door. While Smith hasn’t lived in Whistler for many years, he thinks recreating the magic of Foto Source is unlikely because of the cost. “While Whistler looks the same, its unsustainable because of the cost of things. A lot of people have been pushed out,” he says. “In my city, there’s one commercial printing place, but a lot of them have fallen by the wayside. And the one that I worked at, they don’t even sell cameras anymore. And I think it’s all that sort of online thing that spelled the end of it.” He guesses if a shop were to take its place, the model would need to shift to predominantly cater to accessories. Another former colleague, Mills, agrees something could be borne, even if it could never replicate what Clare created. They could also take on passport photos, an important resource in a town whose labour is built off immigration and temporary foreign workers. Clare did shift his model over the years to accommodate changes. Photos were printed onsite, but in the last few years, film negatives were sent to Vancouver with Sea to Sky Courier for chemical processing after Clare’s machine became faulty. Now that he’s closed, he has set up an agreement with Whistler Hardware where people will be able to drop off their film and have it sent to Vancouver for processing. The hardware store will also offer passport and government ID photo services in his absence. “I feel bad about leaving people without their hobby,” Clare says. “We’re the only place between Lil’wat and Squamish that does passport photos. I don’t want to leave a hole there for everybody.” One factor which allowed him to keep the shop going for so long was being part of the Foto Source cooperative, which Clare is a chairman for. The alliance has 125 members of independently owned photo retailers, providing buying power without a top-down approach that franchises have. Despite adaptation, there is one thing Clare decided wasn’t worth staying open for any longer. Here is where the practical realities of a mountain town meet the romance of a darkroom. Commercial rents rose; seasons stretched; online shopping grabbed the impulse buys that once paid for chemistry and maintenance. The shop’s strength—time-intensive, person-to-person service—became a liability on spreadsheets. Clare kept saying yes anyway: to reprints, to rush jobs, to the kid who wanted to see his first black-and-white roll. But even the most generous businesses need a ledger that balances.
CLOSING THE ALBUM “We weren’t allowed to buy a space, and maybe that’s not the right phrasing, but it wasn’t an option at that time, whereas now because of the financial risk, they want people to buy these spaces,” Clare says. “But if I owned that space, I would have paid for it by now. It would allow me a lot more flexibility to say, ‘OK, well, we’re gonna step back. We’re gonna run a smaller thing.’” When his lease ran out, he was permitted to go month-to-month at his current rate on a short-term agreement. But if he were to renew, his rent was set to increase by 20 to 30 per cent. “I don’t want to sign 20 per cent or 30 per cent more for five more years at my age and [level of] responsibility,” he says. “Last couple years, I couldn’t go to the Lil’wat Rodeo because I had to work. And it’s selfish, but I live here for a reason.” But the decision wasn’t easy. He pushed back the closure date multiple times this year, until finally shuttering the shop at the end of July. He received an outpouring of farewells online when announcing the end of Whistler Foto Source’s era, and as Scarth puts it, the loss hits home. “It’s losing your favourite brick-and-mortar shop. When these Whistler institutional icons go away, it’s weird. It makes you feel old,” he says. “Then you remember you’re recalling an old, bygone era.”
A WELL-DEVELOPED LIFE Aside from running the photography store and Coast Mountain Photography, Clare has sat on countless boards, with 12 years as a chairman of Tourism Whistler; he’s been involved in task forces with the Whistler Chamber of Commerce and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. He was part of the 2010 Winter Olympic Bid committee and VANOC. In 1990, he was named Whistler’s Business Person of the Year, and twice topped the list of Pique’s Best of Whistler readers’ poll in the Favourite Whistlerite category, in 2004 and 2006. “I keep putting it off,” Clare said in an interview before the store closed. “When I think about it, I almost start to cry. It’ll be an interesting time to lock that door and walk away.” Clare wants to acknowledge 40 years of staff and how they all contributed to his businesses’ success, and gave a special thank you to Nick Vail “and his loyalty over the last 18 years. His research of products that people will need and ability to source them has helped to keep us profitable.” Despite the emotions involved, Clare imagines he’ll get to appreciate slow mornings again, and travel more internationally with his partner. While he won’t wake up early for a powder day, he’ll try to get in a few days on the mountain. “It will be mixed emotion. There’s been a lot of good memories,” he says. “We won’t have our
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PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Christmas Eve ritual where we serve rum and egg nog”—which one year included giving it to a forgiving undercover policeman. And yet, even as his days open up, a part of the village will keep operating on his old rhythm. A roll of film dropped at the hardware store will trace back to an agreement he set up so there wouldn’t be a gap. A former staffer will prepare for a paid shoot and still hear his voice: check your batteries, clean your lens, be kind. Photo albums will hold physical memories created by staff with deep care for the artform, always available for friends to flip through and remember the seasons that were. That’s what happens when a business does more than sell a service. It changes how a place remembers itself. Clare’s departure will not erase the frames he helped build. Alumni of his shop now run studios, lead teams, and teach the next wave. They carry forward the discipline of good exposure and the stubborn belief that a picture is not just captured, but cared for. They also carry forward the softer lessons: that a boss can be a mentor, that a staff dinner can turn colleagues into friends, that the right gesture at the right time—a loan for a ski pass, a spare room when housing is tight—can alter the course of a life. For a town that measures winters and construction cycles, four decades is a long time. It is enough time for a red-headed newcomer to turn silver; enough time for a one-hour photo lab to become a guardian of memory; enough time for customers to become friends and for friends to become family. Whistler Foto Source’s sign will come down, and another will go up, as signs do. But the habit of ducking inside to make a moment last will be hard to break. n
SPORTS THE SCORE
Ryan Gilchrist extends King of Crankworx dominion, Jordy Scott basks in first career Queen title SABINA KOŠÁRKOVÁ NAMED BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE, WINS PUMP TRACK OVERALL SERIES AND WHISTLER EVENT
BY DAVID SONG THERE WILL BE NO COUP in the realm of men’s mountain biking this year, for the King of Crankworx still reigns and his name is Ryan Gilchrist. The Aussie phenom secured an empire despite a “horrendous” final week by his own admission. He managed silver in the Garbanzo Downhill (DH) as a 200-point lead coming into Whistler helped him absorb a 62nd-place Air DH result thanks to a flat tire. Even if Gilchrist had skipped the RockShox Canadian Open DH (a moot point given its cancellation) and Ultimate Pump Track Challenge (where he placed ninth), nobody was going to match his 1,053 points. Tegan Cruz (881) and Jackson Frew (826) battled valiantly to finish second and third overall. Cruz also edged out Frew for top honours in the DH ranking by two points (228 versus 226). Meanwhile, Jordy Scott laid siege to the proverbial castle and deposed Martha Gill for her inaugural Queen of Crankworx throne (1,025). Scott was untouchable at dual slalom, obtained pump track silver and finished fifth at the OG Canadian Open DH to leave the results of her mission in no doubt. Tour newcomer Sabina Košárková (734) was named Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, victorious at both Whistler’s own pump track event and the overall for that discipline.
MTB ROYALTY Ryan Gilchrist (left) and Jordy Scott are the 2025 King and Queen of Crankworx. PHOTO BY DAVID SONG
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Caroline Buchanan settled for the No. 3 overall hole (671) ahead of Gill (628). “It’s a pretty surreal feeling,” Gilchrist said. “Winning King of Crankworx is crazy on its own, but doing it back-to-back is unreal. I think I’ve really matured a lot over the last few years in my riding, and developing a bit of consistency has made a big difference. Wrapping it up in Whistler with friends, family and my girlfriend here is a special moment.” “I’ve been working for this for a long time, and it’s so nice to finally have it be real,” remarked Scott. “I’ve just been doing a lot of video review … trying to look at where my weaknesses are and work on those as much as I can.” Sunday, Aug. 17’s pump track competition had no bearing on the King and Queen race, but did deliver a gold medal to Niels Bensink. Eddie Reynolds found himself with silver after beating Gilchrist, and Cruz took bronze. Kialani Hines joined Košárková and Scott on the women’s pump track podium.
‘THAT’S THE GAME WE PLAY’
Gilchrist’s campaign looked dominant on paper, but it was not bereft of adversity. He made “a silly mistake” on a Cairns slalom berm this May and paid for it with a broken wrist. Any biker knows that kind of injury can rear its ugly head in certain situations—like Garbanzo where there’s no way to avoid pain, impacts on track and compromised strength. Putting in tough early-season yards gave Gilchrist a margin of error, but he made sure to credit his opponents while reflecting on his own achievement. “They’re honestly just incredible human beings and brilliant riders to watch,” he said. “Getting to watch Tegan at work [during
dual slalom] was just mastery. You can never underestimate anybody and everybody’s got a shot at it, so I’m looking forward to the next year of Crankworx racing with everybody in the fight. “You can look into pretty much any great, successful rider—riders who are far greater and more successful than me—they haven’t had it easy. I’ve been watching Crankworx since I was of single-digits age … to see my heroes live out their dreams and have that be on my doorstep right now, I’m just getting started. I’m only 23 years old and I’ve got a teammate who’s 40: Mick Hannah. I love riding my bike, I love riding it fast and I’d love to keep on winning for my family, my country and my team Yeti.” Cruz is also proud of his yearlong effort taking on many of the world’s best. He describes Frew as a great friend and expressed satisfaction with a runner-up outcome in the overall proceedings. Frew, however, voiced a degree of bittersweetness. The Canberra native missed the opening round in Christchurch, then failed to meet his own expectations at dual slalom (eighth) and pump track (16th) in Whistler. He did, of course, rack up a key silver medal in the OG DH. “I’ve had some peaks that I didn’t expect. I’ve had some lows that I also probably didn’t expect, but that’s the game we play,” commented Frew. “It’s hard not to be happy, but at the same time, I wanted more. Ryan’s the ultimate competitor … he pushes me, and I’d like to think I push him pretty hard as well. Tegan is just the nicest person I’ve ever met. There’s not enough positive things I can say about him and how bright his future is going to be. It’s an honour for me to get to share a lot of podiums with them.
“Crankworx has become something really special to me. It was my first international event in 2013 when I first came over here to Whistler. I was Prince of Crankworx back then … was hoping [to be] King for the 20th anniversary, but Crankworx became my career, really.”
‘EVERYBODY BRINGS SOMETHING DIFFERENT’
Scott has dealt with her fair share of injuries and disappointments over the past few years, but loves mountain biking and finds gratification in working through each obstacle. She was intentional in praising her peers, too. “Everybody brings something different,” said Scott. “Caroline I looked up to as a kid, and Martha’s been so welcoming into the Crankworx world. [She was] the Queen last year and it was cool to compete with her— then Sabina has just been so positive and so stoked to be immersed in this world.” As a BMX talent who hopes to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games, Košárková’s first time on a dirt pump track was this February in Christchurch. It appears she might have contracted Crankworx fever since then. “I didn’t really expect to come here to this event, and after my first time in New Zealand I really liked this kind of racing,” Košárková admitted. “I’m so happy I made it here to Whistler and finished all that I wished for: taking the overall in pump track is such a dream. I think I still have time next year to race some Crankworx, and then maybe I’ll take a pause for two years and be back after the Olympics.” Visit crankworx.com/results/series for the full King and Queen of Crankworx standing and for more pump track results. n
SPORTS THE SCORE
Johansson triumphant at Joyride ALMA WIGGBERG REPEATS AS WOMEN’S CHAMPION
BY DAVID SONG MERE MONTHS AGO, few people would have had “Emil Johansson defeating Timothé Bringer at Red Bull Joyride” on their Crankworx bingo card. These slopestyle titans are worthy rivals for one another, but had been trending in different directions. Johansson was coming off his third surgery in a year, the latest necessitated by a punishing error in Cairns that broke his rib and collarbone. Prior to that accident, he injured his shoulder at Joyride 2024 and had his hand operated on last December. Conversely, Bringer was gunning to join Nicholi Rogatkin, Johansson and Dawid Godziek as the only men to ever lock up a Triple Crown. Bringer had already won in Rotorua and Cairns, breaking the 92-point barrier each time. Sunday, Aug. 17’s duel of elite mountain bikers was one to remember as Johansson wasted no time igniting the Boneyard with 720s, tailwhips and a giant frontflip. He then observed 13 others fail to match his score of 91.00. Bringer under-rotated an ambitious double backflip off the whale-tail feature, and despite correcting the mistake in his second run he couldn’t elicit more than 88.65 points. Erik Fedko rounded out the podium (85.90) and last year’s champ Godziek wound up a narrow fourth (84.64). Alma Wiggberg defended her historymaking gold medal by proving that, when healthy, she remains head and shoulders above most female slopestylers (91.40). Robin Goomes flew to silver (81.40) and bronze went to Shealen Reno, (70.80) the only other woman to drop in. “You can dream about it, you can visualize it, you can think of it, you can envision it, but to actually do it is so different,” Johansson said about his glorious comeback. “Knowing that I’m capable of doing it, but having come up short the past two years … it’s torn me apart. I knew I [could] do this but I kept messing up. “Today, I was fortunate that the first run was good enough for the whole event. It was very nerve-racking, seeing everyone go. You’re like: ‘there’s 23 chances for someone to beat me.’ The field is stacked with really good riders, man. You can’t take anything for granted.” Wiggberg wasn’t as loquacious as her fellow Swede after the race, but commented: “It feels really good. It’s been a difficult week, so I’m just happy to make a run and be healthy.” Bringer did clinch the men’s overall slopestyle title in front of Chance Moore and Paul Couderc in that order. Goomes topped the women’s ranking as Wiggberg (who did not compete in Rotorua) placed second and Patricia Druwen third. The latest Joyride venue boasted a 17-foot finishing drop and the biggest ramp in event history: 14 feet. Considerable rain earlier in the week prevented athletes from training on these features as much as they may have liked, but the show went on.
Johansson put forth a decisive opening attempt. He tossed his bike to the ground in a manner slightly reminiscent of Toronto Blue Jays slugger José Bautista’s iconic bat flip in the 2015 Major League Baseball postseason. Tens of thousands of fans voiced their delight at the return of one of slopestyle’s biggest stars. Godziek had a chance to enter the medal conversation, but a promising Run No. 1 ended unceremoniously when he lost his balance atop the final feature. The Polish rider displayed visible excitement after finishing his second go-around, but judges did not appreciate his tricks enough to grant a podium-worthy score. Despite likewise falling short of his goal, Bringer took things in stride. “This year, it was my first win in New Zealand and then second win in Cairns so it’s already a [expletive] good season for me,” remarked the Frenchman. “Second place here again at Joyride. I’m not going to cry, you know? I’m just happy that I made it to the bottom. For sure I wanted more, but I crashed the first run so I had to take it a bit more safe in the second one.” As for Johansson, he continues to show impressive tenacity in a career defined by perseverance. Having dealt with autoimmune issues like Hashimoto’s disease earlier in life, the Trollhättan native has bounced back again and again—but admits it’s never a pleasant road to walk. “You don’t build any confidence from getting knocked down to [immediately] thinking that you’re going to win the biggest event of the year,” he said. “I just started to build trust in myself again. That’s obviously something that went straight out the window [in Cairns] because I crashed on something I rarely mess up on. I feel like I get better at navigating through injuries, of course … but it’s always different. You need to learn so much new stuff about yourself.” Unlike the men’s event, ladies’ Joyride unfolded without any drama. Wiggberg executed tricks like a backflip tuck no-hander, backflip barspin and x-up one-hander: manoeuvres neither of her opponents were able to equal. Her second jaunt down the course was nothing more than a victory lap. “Just trying to sort out what I really have to do and get it done, but it’s been difficult for sure,” Wiggberg stated, referring to the challenge of practicing amidst inclement weather. “I tried to go into the event with the same attitude [as last year] and just have fun. There’s already a lot of new faces [in women’s slopestyle] and everyone’s progressing really fast.” Johansson had lofty praise for his compatriot: “I remember [Alma] coming to the jumps. She was a freerider back then. She rode a DH bike, but didn’t really ride dirt jumps that much, and then it just sort of snowballed from there. Having her lead the women’s progression at the moment, it’s awesome. “I think she’s a good ambassador for the sport. She’s a good rider and she has a lot of bike control, so it’s going to be cool to see where she’s able to take her career.” n
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BIGGAR, Donald (P.Eng.)
The family of Donald Charles Biggar, age 79, are very saddened to announce his passing at Lion’s Gate Hospital in Vancouver on August 9, 2025. Born on July 11, 1946 to Mildred and Ewart Biggar, Donald grew up in Mt. Pleasant Ontario, and attended Brantford Collegiate Institute, McMaster University, and the University of Western Ontario before moving west to settle in Alta Lake, now Whistler, BC. He founded Sproat Enterprises in 1979, an engineering firm committed to the ever-growing developments of the newly established town of Whistler. An avid skier, snowboarder (“grey on a sleigh”), tennis player, windsurfer, golfer, and outdoorsman in general, he fully embraced an active approach to all facets of his life, be it a sport or new Whistler development. As a longtime member of Nicklaus North Golf, he often could be found enjoying the view and a round of golf with family and friends. Known best for his generosity and sense of humour, he will be remembered as a one-of-a-kind father, brother, and friend. Don leaves behind his daughter Sammy, grandson Tyler, brother Raymond, sisters Marilyn and Beverley, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. The family extends a special thank you to Carol for her loyalty and friendship. Family and friends will miss forever Don’s wit and unique perspectives on life. Donations can be made in memory of Don to the Whistler Pet Shelter (WAG). A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
AUGUST 22, 2025
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SPORTS THE SCORE
Jordy Scott authors commanding dual slalom triumph TEGAN CRUZ GRABS BRONZE AND THE DAY’S FASTEST LAPS
BY DAVID SONG JORDY SCOTT would not be denied. On a cloudy, blustery Thursday afternoon, Aug. 14, Scott manoeuvred down the Boneyard’s intimidating dual slalom course time after time with greater speed and skill than any of her opponents. She made vanquishing Martha Gill, last year’s Queen of Crankworx, appear easy in the gold medal final. Julia Lofqvist Traum beat Alaina Henderson to take bronze. The men’s big final was an all-American affair between Dante Silva and Austin “Bubba” Warren. Even though Warren had put together a monumental outing with victories over two-time Whistler slalom champ Jackson Frew and Kiwi veteran Samuel Blenkinsop, he slid out when it mattered most to give Silva an insurmountable 1.5-second edge by rule. Sea to Sky fans cheered loud and proud for Tegan Cruz all day. He rewarded their faith with the event’s fastest laps, holding off a tenacious Ryder Lawrence in the quarterfinals and dropping his semifinal matchup to Silva by just over two one-hundredths of a second. Not to be kept down for long, Cruz achieved his first podium of the week (third place) by dominating Blenkinsop. While the curtain had yet to fall on Crankworx Whistler 2025, two things were
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already immutable after Aug. 14: Scott is the new overall series Queen, while Ryan Gilchrist retains his crown as King despite a sixth-place dual slalom result. “This is my first big win in slalom of the year, so I’m really happy to get that and I think it’ll boost my confidence a lot going forward,” Scott remarked. “I think I’ve progressed so much since last year, and it’s really nice to see the hard work paying off. I hope I can keep progressing into next year.” An ecstatic Silva had this to say about winning his first dual slalom in Whistler: “I think I did it almost flawlessly. It was some tight racing all throughout the round of eight, round of four. I feel like I just was able to edge everyone out a little bit every single round and bring it home.”
SHARK-FIN ATTACK
Gated mountain bike racing is normally Scott’s happy place, but this year’s track boasted a sharkfin feature that did not make anyone smile. “It was scaring a lot of the guys in practice. It was scaring all of us,” admitted the topseeded rider. “There were, like, seriously 12 or 13 crashes in practice, just constant course holds so pretty hard to stay with it mentally … but I knew I could do it and I just kept going.” Caroline Buchanan and Sabina Košárková were among those who wiped out hard and subsequently withdrew from contention.
Observing them go down was “pretty offputting” to Gill, who decided to ride within her abilities instead of chancing the kind of crash she’d already experienced in Rotorua and Cairns earlier this season. Even so, Gill defeated Maylei Leaneagh and then rolled past Henderson, who lost control of her front wheel in Semifinal No. 1 before tumbling off her bike during Semifinal No. 2. The Brit’s good fortune would end against Scott, who bested her in what might be considered a passing-of-the-torch moment. “Jordy is awesome. She’s been killing it all this year,” Gill said. “She’s really stepped up in the downhill, which is really cool to see. She’s always so smiley and happy. Even when we’re racing, it’s still all smiles and we’re still friends. It’s really fun to be able to race with people like that.”
‘THE PINNACLES OF SLALOM’
Drama abounded on the men’s side of the bracket, with reigning silver medallist Brady Stone (16th), bronze medallist Nikolas Nestoroff (13th) and two-time Crankworx King Bas van Steenbergen (22nd) all having short days at the office. Dane Jewett, who rode to third in the OG Canadian Open Downhill and Air DH, was 10th. Warren defeated Frew in a thrilling quarterfinal matchup with each man taking a
heat, but Frew lost on overall time and settled into eighth. Gilchrist was eliminated in his own quarterfinal by Blenkinsop, falling 0.135 seconds behind across two runs. Onlookers were ultimately shocked to see No. 1 seed Warren fall against No. 6 Silva, a rider who still looks up to him. “I have so much respect for Bubba,” revealed Silva. “I actually grew up riding with Kyle Strait, Bubba Warren, Luca Cometti and I’ve got to give a lot of credit to them for helping me gain my skills over the years. I just had to put some pressure on him, and I knew that’s how I [was going] to get Bubba because he’s usually quicker than me, but I was able to make it happen. “Crankworx slalom is definitely one of the pinnacles of slalom in general, so to be able to get the gold this week and on the 20th anniversary … I’m just so stoked and honoured.” Cruz described Thursday as “one of the hardest days of racing” he’s ever experienced—which is saying a lot given he’s survived the Garbanzo DH more than once. The King award was out of reach, but he added: “It’s amazing just having the whole family here and so many friends. Nothing like racing at home.” Pemberton’s Cruz (285) also came within a hair’s breadth of equalling Gilchrist (290) for top spot in the dual slalom standings as Blenkinsop remained behind them (206). n
Notice of Proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw - No Public Hearing to be Held Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Whistler Sports Legacies Society Project – Workforce Housing and Auxiliary Uses) No. 2486, 2025 (the “proposed bylaw”) Purpose: The purpose of the proposed bylaw is to allow the development of a 110-unit workforce housing building adjacent to the Whistler Athletes Centre along with new community serving uses: community centre, and child care. For the AC3 zone, the bylaw amendments reduce the minimum parcel size to allow the subdivision of a new parcel for the workforce housing building, add proposed new community serving uses, reduce setbacks, increase permitted height. The AC1 Zone will be modified to reduce the minimum parcel size to allow the proposed subdivision, and to remove the off-street parking requirement for Athlete’s Centre. Subject Land: The lands that are the subject of the proposed Bylaw are shown on the map attached to this notice, and legally described as: PLAN EPP1290 LOT C DISTRICT LOT 8073 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT GROUP 1; and PLAN EPP1290 LOT A DISTRICT LOT 8073 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT GROUP 1. Bylaw Readings: Consideration of the first, second, and third readings of the proposed Bylaw will be at the Regular Council Meeting on September 2, 2025. To learn more: A copy of the proposed Bylaw and background documentation are available for review from August 21, 2025 until September 2, 2025 at: • Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) • Online on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) website at: whistler.ca/publicnotices
SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A COPY OF THE PROPOSED BYLAW AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTATION
Gerald Ro obert Dick January 16, 1956 to July 23, 2025 A dear friend of many in the Sea to Sky corridor, Jerry Dick passed away on July 23rd. Jerry faced a long battle with Crohn’s disease and was an inspiration throughout the decades as he managed his condition. Doc Rock of Longhorn fame, bicycle mechanic (and guide), bartender and true friend to those who were worthy, passed comfortably at VGH. After many years of enjoying Whistler, Jerry moved to Squamish, then Vancouver and Powell River. To celebrate Jerry, we will be gathering at Tapley’s Pub in Whistler on Sunday September 14th between 2-5 pm. Come and share a story and a cocktail at a casual gathering in Jerry’s honour. Please contact Dave Beattie at 604-905-8855 or dave@davebeattie.com if you can n join us as I need to let Tapley’s know apprroximately how many to plan for. Cheers Doc! AUGUST 22, 2025
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FORK IN THE ROAD
Fruit flies in our eyes LUSCIOUS FRUIT—AND HEAT—DRAW THE BANE OF OUR SUMMERY KITCHENS NEVER MIND those ants in our pants. (Take a boo at my last Pique instalment for more on that topic.) Now we’ve got millions of fruit flies in our eyes! I’ve seen it all—friends and neighbours, co-workers in pubs and restaurants, jumping and hopping around kitchens at home and at work like madmen possessed, whacking and
BY GLENDA BARTOSH smacking dish cloths, bar towels, anything they can get their hands on, including their hands. Slapping, clapping, flapping—trying whatever it takes to get one more annoying fruit fly into its grave. Then there’re the diligent ones, scrubbing every shelf in sight in case some sticky residue is attracting their nemesis. Plus we have the “cover-up” solutions: Like putting all those gorgeous fresh peaches, nectarines, berries— whatever super seasonal fruit people have picked up at their favourite farmers’ market in Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton, and beyond that they don’t want to nosh down cold, straight from the fridge—under upside-down bowls on the counter. There’s even the old tea-towel-covering trick. But all is for naught. For here they come again and again, those dang intrepid fruit flies, barely disturbed by our frustrated human flailings.
’TIS THE SEASON
In Latin, Drosophila melanogaster is the type of
FRUIT CAUSES In B.C., fruit flies usually don’t come out in droves until temperatures rise and ripened fruit is abundant. PHOTO BY NECHAEV-KON / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
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fruit fly we get here. According to the University of Washington, it’s also the type that’s been used in research for more than a century, to study genetics, behaviour and immunology for many reasons, which also make them great for study in high school labs. To start, they’re small and easy to handle. They can be manipulated easily with unsophisticated equipment. Plus males and females are easy to distinguish so it’s equally easy to determine genetic differences and how traits are inherited—a critical point for medical research. Drosophila means “dew-loving” and melanogaster means “black belly.” But there are several varieties of fruit flies, including one found in places like Australia and the Mediterranean, which aren’t just a nuisance. These can cause devastating losses to local fruit industries, which are already coping with the climate crisis delivering all sorts of freakish challenges, from droughts to flooding and wild temperature fluctuations.
waste—or to hungry fruit flies. Plus you’ve got lots of choices for delicious, reasonably priced u-picks, like up at North Arm Farm in Pemberton. Heat? Fruit flies love it, and surely it’s been h-o-t right across Canada lately, and getting hotter and hotter more often. In fact, 60—count ’em—heat records were broken across our fair nation on a single day, this past Monday, Aug. 11. Never mind the recordbreaking heat waves in Europe this summer. As Environment Canada’s meteorologist extraordinaire, David Phillips, says, get used to it. This is “a dress rehearsal, a dry run,” he says, the start of things to come with searing temperatures like these expected to be the norm in 25 years. Add that to some of the juiciest, tastiest, most luscious tree fruits and berries ever coming out of the Okanagan and Fraser and Pemberton valleys, and you’ve got yourself fruit fly heaven.
[T]he kind of fruit flies we get here in B.C. are not the type that cause fruit to rot. They’re attracted to fruit that’s already ripe or beyond.
Depending on the climate and location, fruit flies can plague us year-round especially in “banana belt” regions. But in this neck of the woods, they don’t usually come out in droves until, you guessed it—temperatures climb and ripened fruit is yours for the taking, often for free. Check out your favourite neighbourhood Facebook page this time of year. Bet you’ll find offers from people with apple trees or berry bushes begging you to come pick what you want for free so the fruit doesn’t go to
KEEPING POPULATIONS UNDER CONTROL
We could talk about a few populations here that need controlling (ahem). But in this case, I only mean those pesky kitchen fruit flies. However, before we get into that, to be fair, there are some pretty fascinating things about these little guys despite everything. Wiki has a great entry on Drosophila, including a recording of their heartbeat (sounds amazingly human!), and other cool tidbits, like about 75 per cent of disease-
causing genes in humans have a functional equivalent in the fruit fly genome, ergo their use as one of the first organisms in genetic research. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying simply leave the little guys alone. But if you decide to do so, you might find they’re not as annoying as they seem, plus you’ll save all kinds of effort. I think that’s called an attitude shift. First of all, the kind of fruit flies we get here in B.C. are not the type that cause fruit to rot. They’re attracted to fruit that’s already ripe or beyond. Yes, they can carry bacteria like salmonella from unsanitary things like garbage or your pet’s food and water bowls, if you don’t wash them regularly. But our fruit flies don’t cause serious diseases. Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who has a microscope right in her office.
HOT TIPS After years of living in warm climates like Hawaii and southern California, I’ve learned a couple of tricks that work. One, if you keep a small compost container indoors, during fruit fly season dump your apple cores etc. into a small container in your freezer. Then plunk it all into your bigger compost bin when you dump it at Nesters or Function Junction. You’ll find tons of suggestions online for fruit fly traps. Some work, some don’t. But a pretty reliable one we’ve used is also super easy. Simply dribble a bit of attractant into a tiny dish. Try watery orange or mango juice. Add small dabs of honey or Nonna Pia’s Balsamic Glaze. Even fruit flies can’t resist that. Tightly wrap a small piece of plastic wrap over top of the dish and punch maybe three holes in it with a toothpick. The trick is to make the holes big enough to attract the flies inside, and small enough they can’t get out—just like any good animal trap. After that, sit back and watch. Maybe you or your kids will become entomologists after all. n
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE SWIM • SKATE • SWEAT • SQUASH OPEN DAILY: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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ARTS SCENE
Hailey Elise wins 2025 Dirt Diaries in Whistler HECTOR SAURA NETS TOP HONOURS AT DEEP SUMMER PHOTO CHALLENGE
BY DAVID SONG THE NEWEST DIRT DIARIES champion is Hailey Elise. Elise is fascinated by the gold rushes that have occurred throughout British Columbia’s history, and that many mountain biking locales are directly or indirectly named with these eras in mind. Her winning film depicts her and a group of like-minded creatives who are always searching for the next breathtaking photo or video clip: nuggets not of gold, but of visual arts genius. The team, consisting of Sue Pratt, Ollie Jones, Kaz Yamamura, Denis Courchesne, Shannon Bates and Huw Thomas, were given approximately two months to make
DOWN AND DIRTY The 2025 Dirt Diaries winning crew, led by Hailey Elise. PHOTO COURTESY OF HAILEY ELISE
a four-to-six minute flick: at least 25 per cent of which needed to be shot in the Whistler Valley and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Narration responsibilities fell to Pratt, a longtime local and former rancher with family ties to gold mining. Elise has played a supporting role in other Dirt Diaries content before, but never helmed her own project before now. “I don’t even know if I’ve really processed it yet,” Elise said about her crew’s victory. “I keep walking by the giant novelty cheque in my house and being like: ‘what are you doing here?’ It’s a flip of a coin if you’ve made something that the judges see as placing, so you just need to make it with every ounce of your heart in it and do something that we’re all really proud of. It was mind-blowing to be able to celebrate that with my best friends. “We’re mining for nugs and on this journey of what it means to always want more, but realizing that what we already had was being there in the mountains. [Dirt Diaries] is an incredible platform to showcase your creative skills within the
mountain bike industry. I was talking to Kelsey Toevs who won two years ago, and she was like: ‘it really elevated my career.’” Elise has resided in Whistler for more than a decade. Her backstory is something of a trope to many locals: come for a ski season, stay long-term because you fell in love with the place. The former kinesiology major was persuaded to transform her passion for biking into a career in riding, photography and videography.
DEEP SUMMER
Earlier during Crankworx Whistler 2025, the Deep Summer Photo Challenge united half a dozen photographers who unveiled slideshows of their best stuff at Olympic Plaza. Deep Summer is held in conjunction with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) as a celebration of the artistry that thrives adjacent to mountain biking Submissions were taken over a threeday period, and none did a better job than Hector Saura. A Barcelona native, Saura kicked off
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his career as a dirt jumper before injury woes guided him towards a life behind the camera. A press release notes that “since 2013, he’s been capturing mountain biking through his own distinctive lens, highlighting the overlooked stories, places, and people that shape the sport. His 2025 Deep Summer slideshow blended raw action, rich culture, and heartfelt community moments—earning him top honours from the judges.” “I’m still processing the fact that I won [Crankworx’s] Deep Summer in Whistler,” wrote Saura on his Instagram account. “It feels surreal. It’s been a [expletive] long and bumpy road to get to where I am today. The only thing I can say right now is thank you to those who have helped, supported, motivated, and pushed me through this crazy journey that started almost 13 years ago. “I stayed true to myself and submitted it as I thought it had to be showcased. I’m forever grateful and will never forget this crazy but beautiful challenge.” Check out crankworx.com for more highlights from the 2025 festival. n
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ARTS SCENE
Artist Dinner Series An evening where fine art meets fine dining. Enjoy an exclusive after-hours tour featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas, and Edvard Munch followed by an artfully prepared four-course menu by award-winning Edge Catering.
WANDERLUST Hollow Coves band members Ryan Henderson and Matt Carins. PHOTO BY CATHERINE BERNIER
Whistler Summer Concert Series wraps up with Hollow Coves THE AUSTRALIAN BAND VISITS OLYMPIC PLAZA AUG. 29
BY DAVID SONG MATT CARINS and Ryan Henderson, the talents behind Hollow Coves, walked differing paths to reach where they are now. Carins was raised in Brisbane, surrounded by music. His dad is a songwriter who plays in area cover bands, while his mom is a piano and flute teacher. He also has a brother in an alternative rock band and a pianist sister. Henderson, on the other hand, does not originate from a musical family. He didn’t grow up playing instruments and at one point listened only to hip hop and rap. That all changed in high school, when friends roped him into seeing the band Angus & Julia Stone at the Woodford Folk Festival. Despite his own expectations, Henderson liked the show. He began learning to play guitar and discovered a lifelong passion. Hollow Coves formed rather organically in 2012, a time when neither man had envisioned himself turning professional. Carins was working on a side project, Henderson had some YouTube covers online, and they met via a mutual friend. After meeting up for a jam session, they decided to begin writing songs together and released their first EP, Wanderlust, five years later. The band’s name does not have a profound story behind it. Carins and Henderson tossed word combinations back and forth for months, attempting to find something that matched their style. Many of their early tracks were inspired by nature, and Hollow Coves stuck.
‘EARTHY, WARM TONES’
Based on the Gold Coast of Australia, Hollow Coves has managed an international following. Their song “Coastline” became one of the 20 most used songs on Instagram reels in the
summer of 2021, and their portfolio has garnered more than half a billion streams worldwide. “Our sound is usually built around acoustic guitars and our two voices,” explain the duo. “It’s simple but very intentional. We lean into earthy, warm tones and write lyrics that are often uplifting and inspired by how we see the world, its beauty, its wonder and our place in it. “Inspiration comes from all over: where we live, how we live, what we watch and listen to, the places we travel. Our tastes are always evolving, and that naturally shapes the way we write. But at the core, the goal is always to create songs that feel authentic to who we are.” Carins and Henderson have toured overseas with the likes of Passenger, the Lumineers, Tom Walker and the Paper Kites. They know the music industry can be unforgiving, and that hard work and perseverance are prerequisites to success. Even so, both feel remaining genuine to themselves and each other yields optimal results in the long run. While “half of Australia” seems to have visited Whistler at one point in time or another, Carins has not. He’s heard plenty of good things though, and eagerly looks forward to his visit. Henderson experienced the 2012 ski season in Whistler, working in the Fairmont rental shop and residing in Brio staff housing. He remembers the mountains as being “magical” and enjoyed experiencing the Sea to Sky’s melting pot of cultures, even if he also brushed shoulders with many fellow Aussies. The year’s final Whistler Summer Concert Series offering is scheduled for Aug. 29. DJ Badger sets the proverbial table at 6:30 p.m. before a more recently unveiled act, Australian/Canadian singer songwriter FINOJET, performs at 7:30 p.m. Hollow Coves takes the Olympic Plaza stage half an hour later. Find more details at whistler.com/ events/concerts. n
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ARTS SCENE 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
Roland's Pub is open for lunch Wednesdays & Thursdays from 11:30am! Join our lunch club! Get 10 stamps on your lunch card and your 11th lunch is free* (Restrictions apply) Children are welcome everyday until 10pm, so bring the kids in for brunch on the weekends from 11am - 2pm.
STAND-UP STANDOFF FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUGH OUT LIVE!
PLEIN AIR PAINTING ADVENTURE
Walter Alan “Al” Higginbottom November 20, 1948 – August 9, 2025 With deep sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of “Al” Higginbottom on August 9th, at Lions Gate Hospital. Al was a cherished brother, uncle, and friend whose presence touched countless lives. Al is lovingly remembered by his sister, Lois Yip, his niece, Liana Yip, his nephew, Darren Yip, his foster niece, Lusanna Yuet, along with an extended circle of close pals who were like family to him. He was predeceased by his beloved partner, Susan Folz, and by his parents, Edith and Peter Higginbottom. A proud graduate of Britannia High School, Al played rugby in his early years and later played centre for the Britannia Bruins football team. He went on to spend his career as a dedicated longshoreman — work that was just one part of a life rich with adventure and friendship. Al’s heart belonged to the rugged beauty of BC — from the peaks of the Sea to Sky mountains to the quiet coves of Mayne Island. He found joy in skiing, kayaking, fishing, and exploring the outdoors with his pals. The mountains, the ocean, and the land were not just places he loved — they were a part of him. In later years, Al faced significant health challenges with strength, resilience, and a quiet determination. Those who knew Al will remember his big heart, his unwavering friendship, and the way he built lasting connections everywhere he went. His warmth, humour, and generosity will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him. Friends and family are invited to honour Al’s memory by spending a day in the mountains, by the sea, or on the land he loved so deeply — and to think of him there. For those who wish to continue his legacy of generosity, donations may be made to one of the causes close to his heart: The Ride to Conquer Cancer, Canuck Place Hospice, Union Gospel Mission. Details on a celebration of life planned for Feb/March 2026 will be posted at a later date.
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Immerse yourself in Whistler’s alpine magic with a Plein Air Painting Adventure - a rare opportunity to blend creativity with nature in one of the most aweinspiring corners of the mountain. Your journey begins with a scenic hike leading you to an exclusive setting at the Harmony Ridge Inuksuk with panoramic views of the mountains. Upon arrival, enjoy light snacks and refreshing non-alcoholic beverages before settling in for your outdoor art workshop. Led by Heidi Mattson, a professional local artist, you’ll settle in with all the tools you need to create your own plein air masterpiece—canvas, easel, paints, and brushes provided at the location. After painting, we’ll hike back down to the Roundhouse together before your gondola descent. Get tickets at showpass.com/plein-air-painting-adventure. > Aug. 23, 2 to 4 p.m. > Whistler Blackcomb
WAGFEST 2025 Join us for Whistler’s favourite dog-friendly summer celebration. Packed with activities for pups and their people— mark your calendars for Sunday, Aug. 24—all in support of our local animal shelter. The day begins with Tails & Trails, a 5km on-leash run around Lost Lake. Then stick around for an action-packed schedule featuring agility games, local vendor booths, and a tasty barbecue lunch by Splitz Grill. Close out the afternoon with a relaxing yoga session in the park, and don’t forget to grab your tickets for our online WAGFest 50/50 fundraiser, with the winning ticket drawn at noon. Whether you’re running, cheering, exploring, or stretching—this is a fun, family-friendly, on-leash event for the whole community. Dogs attending should be comfortable around people and other pups, but even if you don’t have a dog, you’re more than welcome to join the festivities! Come celebrate, connect, and support animals in need—we can’t wait to see you there!
Find more info and make a donation at whistlerwag.com. > Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. > Rebagliati Park
THE STAND-UP STANDOFF - SUMMER SERIES Laugh Out LIVE! Presents: The Stand-Up Standoff! Whistler’s Ultimate Stand-Up Comedy Competition & Show! The night kicks off with a stand-up comedy showdown like no other, as our six finalists hit the stage, each delivering their tightest five-minute sets in pursuit of cold hard cash and a coveted spot on the Laugh Out LIVE! main stage. Once the dust settles and the standoff is done, our headlining act steps up to close out the night with a knockout set. It’s a bareknuckle comedy brawl where the only thing hitting harder than the competition... are the punchlines! This event is 19-plus. Get tickets at showpass.com/ standupcomedy. > Aug. 27, 8 to 10 p.m. > Dusty’s Bar and BBQ
ZERO CEILING’S ALL ABOARD SKATE JAM You’re invited to Zero Ceiling’s Annual FREE Skate Jam! Whether you’re dropping in or just down to hang out, everyone’s welcome—no skating skills required. The event schedule includes an opening ceremony and land acknowledgment, followed by street races and competitions for three different age groups. Mikey Barton is host for the afternoon, keeping the energy high and the vibes fun, while DJ PRAIZ brings beats to create an unforgettable atmosphere in the Red Bull Roxie Truck. Registration is free at eventbrite.ca/e/zero-ceilingall-aboard-skate-jam-tickets-1501624201409?aff =oddtdtcreator. > Aug. 27, 4 to 7:30 p.m. > Whistler Skate Park
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1 SLOW CYCLE Pemberton’s Slow Food Cycle Sunday rolls through the Meadows each August, celebrating local farming, food and community. PHOTO BY SUSAN HUTCHINSON 2 HORSIN’ AROUND Another classic Pemberton adventure along the Mackenzie Basin trails. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE JACKLEIN 3 FABULOUS FOODIE Kula, an eight-year-old Mount Currie pup, calls Balsam Way home. She loves biking, napping and collecting rocks—and will happily eat anything except arugula. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERYL CHASE 4 MEN WHO CARE Whistler Community Services Society thanks 100 Men Who Care–Whistler for their $17,400 donation to the WCSS Food Bank, including its School Food Program, during the group’s Aug. 13 membership meeting. The contribution will help ensure local students and families have access to nutritious food. PHOTO COURTESY OF WCSS 5 SEEING DOUBLE A double rainbow greeted Andrew Budreski after work on Aug. 19. PHOTO BY ANDREW BUDRESKI 6 CHAMPAGNE SHOWERS Dawid Godziek (left) and Robin Goomes celebrate with champagne after the 2025 Crankworx Whistler Trick Showdown. PHOTO BY CLINT TRAHAN / COURTESY OF CRANKWORX WHISTLER
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MUSEUM MUSINGS & ASTROLOGY
The Lifty Olympics BY ALLYN PRINGLE THIRTEEN YEARS before Whistler and Vancouver hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Blackcomb Mountain began hosting a smaller, perhaps less prestigious, but likely no less competitive event called the Lifty Olympics. The Lifty Olympics began in April 1997 as part of the second World Ski and Snowboard Festival (WSSF). In its first year, WSSF featured 22 events over 10 days, including the Couloir Ski Race Extreme, the Whistler Cup, and the WestBeach classic, along with performances by bands such as Vancouver’s 54•40. For its second year, additional events were included such as the Norco Challenge (Norco factory riders competed to see who could go the fastest on their bike down Whistler Mountain’s Saddle) and the Backbone Enduro Vertical Challenge. While most WSSF events catered to those who skied or snowboarded on the mountains, the Lifty Olympics featured those who worked in mountain operations. According to organizer Jim Tutsch, the Lifty Olympics was “specifically designed to test the wiles of local lifties” and “demonstrate the activities of a lift operations specialist in the course of their daily duties.” Teams from both Whistler
GOING UP A lifty needs to be prepared for anything, including a visit from a wizard. BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN COLLECTION, GREG GRIFFITH, 1992
and Blackcomb Mountains competed in four timed events. In one, they had to set up 36 maze gates in a standard pattern used to merge four lines of skiers down to one. Teams also had to transport garbage cans of snow up the mountain, perform a net drop rescue with a fireman’s net, and complete a
full shut-down procedure. Tutsch warned these activities would be made a bit harder, such as by scattering rakes, shovels, ropes and gates around the bottom terminal that would need to be stacked when shutting down. The team that completed their duties with the fastest times won a keg of beer and
a year’s worth of bragging rights. With space for six teams, all of the positions were reportedly filled within one day. Each team had four people, of which one member had to be female and one (though it is unclear if it could be the same one) had to be “an Australian or a reasonable facsimile.” A few days before the competition on April 7, Tutsch told the Question staff members on both mountains were in training “polishing shovels, moving maze gates and counting down the days to the event.” This early enthusiasm for the Lifty Olympics had Tutsch thinking of expansion, whether to other mountain departments or to teams from other ski resorts. While the Lifty Olympics doesn’t appear to have spread to other departments, the Cascade Toboggan Ski Patrol Challenge joined the WSSF line up in 1999 and featured ski patrollers from across North America in five events such as the Dual GS Toboggan Challenge, Speed Packaging, and the Multiple Transceiver Search. The Lifty Olympics at Blackcomb’s Base II continued as part of WSSF over the next few years, though it is not part of the WSSF these days. In 2000, Tutsch told the Question the event was not just a competition, but also “a big thank you and formal recognition of the invaluable input of these unsung heroes.” n
Free Will Astrology WEEK OF AUGUST 22 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): When glassmakers want to cool a newly blown piece, they don’t simply leave it out to harden. That would cause it to shatter from the inside. Instead, they place it in an annealing oven, where the temperature drops in measured increments over many hours. This careful cooling aligns the internal structure and strengthens the whole. Let’s invoke this as a useful metaphor, Aries. I absolutely love the heat and radiance you’ve expressed recently. But now it’s wise for you to gradually cool down: to allow your fervour to coalesce into an enduring new reservoir of power and vitality. Transform sheer intensity into vibrant clarity and cohesion. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): To paraphrase Sufi mystic poet Rumi: “Don’t get lost in your pain. Know that one day your pain will become your cure.” In my astrological opinion, Taurus, you have arrived at this pivotal moment. A wound you’ve had to bear for a long spell is on the verge of maturing into a gift, even a blessing. A burdensome ache is ready to reveal its teachings. You may have assumed you would be forever cursed by this hurt, but that’s not true! Now it’s your sacred duty to shed that assumption and open your heart so you can harvest the healing. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): As you enter a Tibetan Buddhist temple, you may encounter statues and paintings of fierce spirits. They are guardian figures who serve as protectors, scaring away negative and destructive forces so they can’t enter the holy precincts. In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to be your own threshold guardian. Authorize a wise and strict part of you to defend and safeguard what truly matters. This staunch action doesn’t have to be aggressive, but it should be informed with fierce clarity. You can’t afford to let the blithe aspect of your personality compromise your overall interests by being too accommodating. Assign your protective self to stand at your gate and say: “I protect this. I cherish this. I won’t dilute this.”
CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Dear Dr. Feelgood: Lately,
you seem to be extra nice to us hypersensitive Crabs. Almost too kind. Why? Are you in love with a Cancerian woman, and you’re trying to woo her? Did you hurt a Cancerian friend’s feelings, and now you’re atoning? Please tell me you’re not just coddling us. —Permanently Drunk on a Million Feelings.” Dear Drunk: You use your imagination to generate visions of things that don’t exist yet. It’s your main resource for creating your future. This is especially crucial right now. The coming months will be a fertile time for shaping the life you want to live for the next 10 years. If I can help you keep your imagination filled with positive expectations, you are more likely to devise marvellous self-fulfilling prophecies. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In traditional Chinese medicine, the heart is the seat of joy. It’s also the sovereign that listens to the wisdom of the other organs before acting. Dear Leo, as you cross the threshold from attracting novelty to building stability, I encourage you to cultivate extra heart-centred leadership, both for yourself and for those who look to you for inspiration. What does that mean? Make decisions based on love and compassion more than on rational analysis. Be in service to wholeness rather than to whatever might bring temporary advantage. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In Mesoamerican myth, the god Quetzalcoatl journeys to the underworld not to escape death, but to recover old bones needed to create new life. I propose you draw inspiration from this story, Virgo. In recent weeks, you have been gathering pieces of the past, not out of a sense of burdensome obligation, but as a source of raw material. Now comes the time for reassembly. You won’t rebuild the same old thing. You will sculpt visionary gifts for yourself from what was lost. You will use your history to design your future. Be alert for the revelations that the bones sing.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the Hebrew language, the
word for “face” is plural. There is no singular form for panim. I love that fact! For me, it implies that each of us has a variety of faces. Our identity is multifaceted. I think you should make a special point of celebrating this truth in the coming weeks, Libra. Now is an excellent time to explore and honour all of your many selves. Take full advantage of your inner diversity, and enjoy yourself to the max as you express and reveal the full array of truths you contain. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the ancient Hindu holy text known as the Upanishads, ananda means bliss, though not so much in the sense of physical or psychological pleasure as of deep, ecstatic knowing. I believe you are close to attracting this glorious experience into your soul, Scorpio—not just fleetingly, but for a while. I predict you will glide into alignments that feel like coming home to your eternal and perfect self. Treasure these moments as divine gifts. Immerse yourself with total welcome and gratitude. Let ananda inform your next steps. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Daoist cosmology, the nature of life is characterized by cyclical, flowing patterns rather than linear, static motions. In my study of its gorgeous teachings, I exult in how it inspires me to honour both contraction and expansion, the power of circling inward and reaching outward. With this in mind, Sagittarius, I invite you to make the spiral your symbol of power. Yes, it may sometimes feel like you’re revisiting old ground. Perhaps an ex will resurface, or an old goal will seek your attention. But I guarantee it’s not mere repetition. An interesting form of evolution is underway. You’re returning to longstanding challenges armed with fresh wisdom. Ask yourself: What do I know now that I didn’t before? How can I meet these interesting questions from a higher point of the spiral? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Inuit artworks are often made from materials available in their environment, like
driftwood, stones, walrus ivory, whale bones, and caribou bones and antlers. Even their tools are crafted from that stuff. In part, this is evidence of their resourcefulness, and in part, a reflection of how lovingly they engage with their environment. I recommend you borrow their approach, Capricorn. Create your practical magic by relying on what’s already available. Be enterprising as you generate usefulness and fun out of scraps and leftovers. Your raw material is probably better if it’s not perfect. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The medieval alchemists had a central principle, rendered in Latin as follows: Visita interiora terrae, rectificando invenies occultum lapidem. Translated, it means, “Seek out the lower reaches of the earth, perfect them, and you will find the hidden stone.” I invite you to go on a similar underground quest, Aquarius. The purpose is not to wallow in worry or sadness, but rather to retrieve a treasure. Some magnificence beneath your surface life is buried— an emotional truth, a creative impulse, a spiritual inheritance. And it’s time you went and got it. Think of it as a quest and a pilgrimage. The “hidden stone,” an emblem of spiritual riches, wants you to find it. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In ancient Greece, the god Janus presided over doorways. He had two faces, one looking outward and forward, one gazing inward and backward. I believe this is your Janus phase, Pisces. Before you launch into your next fluidic quest, pause and take inventory. Peer behind you, not with regret but with curiosity and compassion. What cycle has fully ended? What wisdom has settled into your bones? Then face the future, not with shyness or foreboding, but with eager intention and confidence. What goals, rooted in who you are becoming, can inspire an exciting new plot thread? Homework: What spoiled part of your life could you rehabilitate? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com.
IN ADDITION TO THIS COLUMN, ROB BREZSNY CREATES EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES 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
38 AUGUST 22, 2025
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Child &Centre Family Services ÚlÍus Community • Social Worker ($80,371.20 - $91,673.40 per year)
• Workplace Wellness Advisor ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year) • Transition House Support Worker ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) Child & Family Services Lil’wat Health & Healing + Pqusnalhcw Health Centre • Custodian ($17.40 to $20.90 hour) Services ($93,475.00 to • Assistant Director, Child & per Family • Program $101,556.00 perManager year)($57,330 to $64,610.00 per year) • Operations Manager ($59,878.00 to $73,564.40 per year) -
• Transition Would House Support Worker ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) you please highlight/emphasize this position? Family Mentor to $53,599 Health per year) -Centre Would you Lil’wat Health &• Healing + ($38,038 Pqusnalhcw please highlight/emphasize this position?
• Healing Program Manager ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year) • Early Childhood Educator ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) • ProgramXet’òlacw Coordinator ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year) Community School
Come build and grow with the best team.
Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to • Assistant• Director, Health & Wellness ($93,475.20 to $109,520 year) $101,566.00 perper year)
Our team of people is what sets us apart from other builders. As we continue to grow as the leader in luxury projects in Whistler, our team needs to expand with us.
• Camp Counsellor ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) • Custodian ($17.85 - $20.90 per hour)
We are currently hiring:
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• Medical Transportation Teacher ($60,015 toCoordinator $109,520 per year)($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) • Receptionist ($17.85 - $20.90 per hour) Community Development • Cultural Camp Supervisor ($46,683.00 to
Community Program $63,973.00 per year)
• Early Childhood Educator - Infant Toddler ($24.00 - $29.45/hr Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/ based on experience + this position is eligible for wage top up) Xet’òlacw Community School • Education Assistant ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour) • Language Resource Worker or Language Teacher ($46,683 to $109,520 per year) Community Development • Community Justice Development Facilitator ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year) Ts’zil Learning Centre • Administrative Assistant ($38,038 to $53,599 per year) • Indigenous Support Worker ($38,038 to $53,599 per year) • Indigenous Support Worker – Academic ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)
Labourers ($20 - $30 hourly) Carpenters Helpers/Apprentices 1st to 4th year ($25 - $35 hourly) Experienced Carpenters ($30 - $45 hourly) Carpentry Foremen ($40 - $50 hourly) Rates vary based on experience and qualifications. Red Seal is a bonus but not required. Crane Operator experience considered an asset. EVR is committed to the long-term retention and skills development of our team. We are passionate about investing in our team’s future. WE OFFER: • Top Wages and a Positive Work Environment • Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance (We get it, we love to ski and bike too.) • Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?) • Assistance with work visa and Permanent Residency (We can help!) BENEFITS & PERKS: • Annual Leisure & Tool Benefit – Use toward ski/bike pass, tool purchase, etc. – you choose! • Extended Health and Dental Benefits for you and your family
Please visit our career page for more information: https://lilwat.ca/careers/
We promote from within and are looking to strengthen our amazing team. Opportunities for advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able to build with the team that builds the most significant projects in Whistler. Send your resume to info@evrfinehomes.com We look forward to hearing from you!
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MOBILE MECHANICAL Owner/Operated Servicing the Sea to Sky Community for 24 years Looking for a motivated and meticulous FULL time Heavy Duty Mechanic to join our team. Competitive wages based on education and experience. Scheduling is flexible. Contact Bazz Smith at 604 932-7682 or bazzlesmith@icloud.com
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AUGUST 22, 2025
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT SSHS Clinical Services Manager Provides leadership of a comprehensive range of nursing programs within community and public health Community Health Nurse Provide care to adult members (19+), being responsible of full scope nursing care to a variety of clients, constantly promoting health and wellness education, and aligning care out of community Home & Community Care Nurse Provide care to adult community members (19+), being responsible for full scope nursing care to home care clients and members with chronic diseases, constantly promoting health and wellness education, and aligning care out of community
Child & Family Services Family Preservation Worker Supports SSHS families through culturally sensitive programs and services, promoting children’s safety and quality of life. This role coordinates resources to enhance family unity, empowering families as primary caregivers.
Jordans Principle Jordans Principle Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support to the Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinator, Service Coordination delivery, and support community building activities as needed. Disseminate information to the public and to service providers and community-based professionals to promote Jordan’s Principle and reduce service barriers for Indigenous children in BC.
Early Childhood Development ECD Program Coordinator The ECD Coordinator oversees quality programming in N’Quatqua, Skatin, and Samahquam, including Early Childhood Development Drop-ins, Playgroups, and licensed childcare. They support children aged 0-6 and their families using a strengths-based approach, managing program planning, staffing, resources, recordkeeping, and reporting.
Administration Bookkeeper The Bookkeeper will play a crucial role in managing the financial records and transactions for SSHS, ensuring precision, compliance, and overall financial stability. This detail-oriented individual will be motivated to assist our accounting team in maintaining accurate financial records and handling daily bookkeeping tasks.
ABOUT US SSHS is a non-profit Indigenous Health Organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities. Our organization provides culturally appropriate healthcare services, programs and initiatives to support the holistic health of Indigenous individuals and families. SSHS offers a competitive benefits and employment package for full-time staff All positions require on-site availability SSHS team members travel from our office in Mount Currie, BC into the communities, often driving along a Forest Service Road for up to two hours or being helicoptered in. This ensures that SSHS membersfrom newborns to Eldershave access to the health and wellness supports at their health stations, or health space, in their home communities.
APPLY NOW Apply by sending your resume and cover letter via email: Julia.schneider@sshs.ca View the full job postings on our website: sshs.ca/careers/
sHArEYOUR PASSiON COPYWRITER
Part Time, Contract (One Year)
Senior Accountant – We’re Hiring! Maternity Leave Whistler Athletes' Centre Whistler Olympic Park Whistler Sliding Centre
What we offer: • Affordable staff housing options • Competitive wages & guaranteed hours • Full time / part time / casual roles
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42 AUGUST 22, 2025
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Love a good challenge? Passionate about the place you call home? Tourism Whistler is looking for community-loving, mountainappreciating, and environment-respecting individuals to join our team. The Copywriter is responsible for writing engaging and targeted content for Tourism Whistler’s email program and provides copywriting support for collateral and advertising campaigns. This role requires an individual with a passion and knowledge of Whistler, experience writing for various media channels, and the ability to think strategically and creatively to produce response-driven copy across various channels. What We Offer: • A part-time flexible schedule (16 hours per week) with a hybrid approach that balances both in-office and remote work • A commitment to health and wellness, and a fun and supportive team environment • Starting wage: $27 – $29 per hour TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
P: Mark Mackay
Health Program
JOB POSTING: Clinical Services Manager
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3 9 6 7 7 1 4 4 2 8 1 3 8 5 6 9 4 1 6 2 9 9 1 6 2 SEEKING 7 5 6 MASSAGE& 1 BODYWORK 9 2 8 3 4 RMT SPECIALISTS
V. EASY
8 000 1 -91254000 Salary: $100 9 7
5 7 6 2 Duties include: Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in 2 5 4 9• Develop policies and guidelines for treatment services Nursing from a recognized • Manage university 1 3 2 7 community, public health, primary care, and home • 5+ years nursing experience care programs including: 3 6 5 1 • Ensure nursing care standards • Public health (maternal, and best infant, 4child, youth, mental 2 7 practices • Provide leadership, monitoring, wellness, addictions) • Home care5(elder 1 8 4 and 6 guidance to staff
What We Offer:
5 8 1 6 8 7 9 5 7 3 8 6What 2 We’re Looking 7 3For: 1 1 6 experience 9 (preferably7in Minimum 2 years’ a luxury spa setting) 4 9 3 5 8 2200 hours massage training or equivalent certification 3 5 4 2 Strong guest service skills and commitment to excellence 2 7 9 Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and 1period. 2 4 8 festive
4 8 7 9 3 Special: 6 • This position is requires travel to See full job posting: 3 6 7 4 communities served indigenous sshs.ca/careers/ by SSHS, accessed by Forest Service Road 9 7 8 Apply by sending your • SSHS offers a competitive resume and benefits 1 cover 5 letter2to: 7 9 3and employment julia.schneider@sshs.ca package to full time employees 5 4 1 2 6 1 4 3 9 2 1 5 8 7 9
# 55
V. EASY
If this exciting opportunity sounds like a fit for you, please email: robin,jewers@fourseasons.com
Answers
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• Collaborate with interdisciplinary # 54enhance community teams to health • Supervise nurses and administrative staff • Manage health facility operations, including scheduling, prioritizing, and evaluating performance • Knowledge of, and ability to apply, an understanding of First Nations cultural principles and protocols in work situations.
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Competitive commission structure A supportive, professional work environment in Whistler’s premier spa Opportunities to work with an international, luxury clientele
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health, chrinic disease V. EASY management, injury prevention) • 1+ year management experience • Current CPR (HCP) certification • Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
Join the team at the Four Seasons Whistler Spa – Canada’s Best Resort Spa 2024 for the 2025/2026 winter season, where nature, culture, and luxury meet.
# 53
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Position Overview: Position Overview: Provides leadership of a comprehensive range of nursing programs within community and public health, home care and patient travel in three First Nations communities of N’Quatqua, Samahquam, and Skatin.
# 53
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PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 11 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 37 38 40 41 42 44 46 49 52 53 55 59 60 61 64 65 66 67
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72 73 74 76 77 79 80 82 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 92 95 96 98 100 101 102 104 105 106 107 108 110 112 113 114 116 117 118 119 121 124 125 128 130
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Manner of walking Cabbage Durocher and Fender Sharp “For Pete’s --!” Bar legally Mineral Boxer -- Tyson Cup handle Directed Desire personified Wise lawgiver Get away from Butterfly larva Fleshy fruit Tapped a golf ball Wasteful Comics orphan Shelf Jolts Intimidate Portable cooking appliance (2 wds.) Old coin Mussed Brain-related Toronto’s province Echolocation at sea -- -do-well Luge -- goose Vitality Fingerboard ridge -- -de-camp Devotee Like some peanut butter Bitter Loop in a rope Confront PR concern Glutted
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Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: VERY EASY
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ANSWERS ON PAGE 43
44 AUGUST 22, 2025
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PIQUE’N YER INTEREST
Roll into Whistler the right way I MISS the trains rolling into Whistler. The clack and clang as the cars pulled into Alta Lake would shake off morning slumber. Off I would step, somewhat fresh and mostly rested, rolling and ready for a day in the mountains. But more often than not, I was stumbling, exhausted from a long car ride. I cut my teeth driving Highway 99. With my freshly
BY TOBIAS C. VAN VEEN printed driver’s licence in 1996, I carefully threaded the family Dodge Caravan—wood panelling and all—up the winding ribbon of icy turns and twists every Friday night. We were weekend warriors, dedicated to driving up and down the headlight roller-coaster no matter the weather. It wasn’t always a good idea. Long lineups were common as cars slipped and slid, as were deadly head-on crashes and spin-outs off (or into) cliffsides. We always arrived in Whistler feeling somewhat seasick— the old highway was narrow, filled with blind corners and hairpin hills, and we felt lucky to be alive after surviving yet another nail-biting snow storm. But driving wasn’t the only option. See, not so long ago—indeed, right up until the collapse of the Dot Bomb era—we had passenger rail service across the province, all thanks to Crown corporation BC Rail. From the early 1900s to the turn of the millennium, we had commuter trains connecting North Vancouver to north of Lillooet and points-inbetween, from D’Arcy to Seton Portage. It was simply amazing throwing skis in the train car, scrambling aboard, hearing the whistle and rolling into Whistler.
RIDE THE RAILS Will passenger rail make a comeback in the Sea to Sky? FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
46 AUGUST 22, 2025
No stress. No sick drives. No crazy crashes. Travel was affordable by today’s standards, and the trains were used by everyone from skiers and sightseers to vagabond locals alike. But then we lost it all. In 2003, Premier Gordon Campbell’s Liberals privatized BC Rail, leasing its assets for decades to CN. The Sea to Sky is a tremendous tourist draw, and as we all know, our population is growing fast. It is clear that along with affordable housing, we need accessible, safe, and affordable transportation that connects the corridor. With the Feds in “nationbuilding” mode, now is our chance to secure infrastructure funding to make passenger rail happen, at a scale and scope long seen in the Alps. Back before the 2010 Olympics, we were hoping to see future-thinking improvements to our transportation network. The big money was rolling in and we hoped trains would, too. Many of us wanted the restoration of passenger service, but thanks to Campbell’s short-sighted austerity politics, CN had its
is “better than it used to be,” it is also true that getting to Whistler can be just as bad, if not worse, than it was before. Today, most tourists step off a plane to a dark and rainy Vancouver, and sleepdeprived, dazed and confused (if not boozed), they are handed the keys to a heavy SUV. Speeding north up the unrelenting highway, white-knuckled on the wheel while searching for the few lane markings and all-but-absent cat-eyes, you can see our visitors cursing the unlit corners as us locals try to pass. It’s a recipe for disaster, and that disaster strikes with deadly force several times a year. So why are we still treating Highway 99 like DeathRace 2000, especially when we have practically everything in place for passenger rail? I know folks will point out the immense cost of upgrading the lines and terminals. But we already paid for all this before (dammit)— so what we need right now is public pressure based on collective vision, and not more narrow-minded naysayin’.
Passenger rail is just what Whistler needs as we look forward to a climate-challenged century. We need the ability to move goods and people with energy efficiency. chokehold lease on the lines. So we got the new highway instead. This, too, needed to happen—not the least because now there’s less chance of it collapsing into Howe Sound with a slight tremor. But we still didn’t get our trains back. So even though ol’ 99er is a tad more pleasant to commute at high-speed, little else has changed—save for losing all the other means of transportation. As astute readers (and commuters) know, we have had difficulty instituting a regional transit system. And in 2025, deadly crashes remain a constant concern. Increased tourist traffic has eaten up what extra lane space the Olympic upgrades provided. And while objectively the highway
Moreover, what is the cost of all those crashes, lawsuits, and damaged lives from the car-wrecked carnage? Forget handing over the keys. I want tourists to step off that plane onto a luxury train, and not into another sketchy SUV. We had it all before—there was the Pacific Starlight dinner train, which ran romantic romps to Porteau Cove, and the Whistler Northwind, a luxury excursion caboose that ran summers to Prince George. Nothing beats railcar swank for its spaciousness and style. The future of transportation was already invented centuries ago and nothing has yet to beat its charm. As an ’80s kid, I rode the Royal Hudson, a beautifully restored 1940
steam locomotive that puffed and chugged all the way up from North Vancouver. Scenic and slow, the sound of No. 2860’s steam whistle still echoes deep in my memory… And here’s the thing: BC Rail was profitable. Sure, the passenger rail was subsidized with profits from commercial transport. But that was the point: to make travel affordable for all of us. Provincially and federally, for generations, successive governments invested in BC Rail. The public rode BC Rail. And for close to a century we had fantastic passenger rail service until Gordo’s Liberals decided, in their infinite backscratchin’ wisdom, to sell us all out. And sell us out they did, even though public opinion was solidly against the dismantling of BC Rail. I still have my pin from the era, featuring Drunk Drivin’ Gordo’s face and the GenXer cynical refrain of “WE’RE FUCKED.” It was hardly hyperbole. Our premier had been booked drunk in Hawaii, and with his mugshot still in the papers, went about selling off our provincial assets piecemeal. This was the era of austerity politics posing as a public good. Under neoliberal doctrine, we were told “the market” would provide better service and more competition than government ever could. But guess what. Leasing the rail lines to CN for decades did not create more competition or services. It created a corporate monopoly, with no means to pressure for public service on our publicly-developed-and-paid-for rail lines. Sure, Rocky Mountaineer kept a train going, but it was marketed and priced for sightseeing tourists, not local travel. Passenger rail is just what Whistler needs as we look forward to a climate-challenged century. We need the ability to move goods and people with energy efficiency. And we need to free our roads of sleep-deprived drivers. Me, I want to be able to hop on a train after getting ripped on a flight. I want to roll into Whistler the right way. Dr. tobias c. van Veen taught critical humanities and social sciences at Quest University (RIP). n
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